Meg P

• How did you become part of MYB?
  I first visited NOLA (and immediately fell in love with the city) in June 2016, but it wasn't until October 2016 I ran my first race in the NOLA area.  I participated in the Keeping Up With The Jones & the Gulf Coast Half Marathon.  I saw people running in 'Move Ya Brass' gear and thought it was awesome!!  I was quickly learning what being a part of a Krewe meant, which was a new concept to me, as up here in the upper left corner of the US in Seattle, WA we don't have Krewes.  I then ran the Jazz Half Marathon and same thing, I saw the awesome runners in MYB Krewe gear and loved it more and more.  I should have reached out then and learned more about the Krewe because it wasn't until early in 2017 that I found out all those times I was working out and running through the city alone I could have been doing it with a fantastic like minded group of runners!!  I decided to look up MYB on Instagram and connected with the Krewe that way and I am excited to say that I bought my first T-shirt and Singlet and plan on running all over the US Movin' My Brass!!!  I'm most excited about the opportunity to sport the gear when I come back to NOLA this October, the one year anniversary of me running my first race in NOLA, but this time when I leave I plan on being able to call myself an Ironman...and you better believe I will Move My Brass across that finish line in true fashion!
• When did you start walking/running?
  I started running in 2015 and haven't stopped since then.  I may not be the fastest but I have the most fun out there no matter what I am doing.  Since I started running, I have lost more than 100 lbs. I have become a Half Fanatic/Marathon Maniac earning me the Double Agent title!  I have done 3 half marathons in 3 days in 3 states.  I have run 2 marathons in 8 days.  I have been honored with the privilege of working with different companies who enjoy supporting runners with never ending ability and drive.  I have lobbied many different races to have ambassadors that aren't 'super athletes' because the people in the back need a smiling face and motivation just as much...and I have been that ambassador many times.  And, as I write this, I can only think about the amazing plans I have coming up including Ironman, running 4 half marathons in 4 days in 4 states, and traveling across the US running in some places that people only dream about.  Running has not just changed my life, but it has become the thing to bring adventure back into my life.
• What is your favorite post race/cheat meal?
  If I am anywhere near NOLA, after every race I run there, I always head to see my favorite bar tender at The Irish House (which recently closed) off St. Charles Street for a Nutella Waffle and perfectly made Irish Coffee with Jameson & just as perfectly poured Guinness'!  After that, it is always off to Bear's Poboys in Metairie for a Roast Beef Poboy paired with an Abita Amber Ale! However, when not in NOLA, it is always Chicken & Waffles for me!  ...margaritas generally happen as well at some point!
• If you could have one super power, what would it be & why?
  Teleporting.  Seems simple, but it would give me the ability to go anywhere I wanted.  Run any race I wanted.  See every part of the world that I've read about in books and magazine.  Airline tickets and my bank account don't mix so it limits my ability to go everywhere I want to and runderlust as much as my big dreams want me too.
• If you could run with any celebrity, who would you choose and why?
  This for me is is a two part answer.  The first celebrity that I would run with would be Audrey Hepburn.  I am a wild and crazy free spirited girl and I've always related to not only her characters in the movies that I've watched but also in the pieces of herself that she allowed the world to know.  She believed everything was possible, she believe in believing in yourself and realizing that others validation or need for validation only limits you and I've always been fascinated by the fact that she walked away from her acting career to work with UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador to children in third world countries.  The second celebrity that I would run with would be Steve Gleason.  I have been a long time fan of his, since his days with the WSU Cougars, and was devastated when I learned of his illness diagnosis.  However, it wasn't until watching his documentary 'Gleason' that I realized how much one day your life can change and you have a choice.  Wallow in the unknown of what is to come or embrace life to its fullest and don't waste a moment.  Everyday isn't going to be easy.  Most days will suck. You will want to give up.  And even through those parts of his documentary he showed us that one person can fight through all that and change the world for people who need it the most.  You can change perceptions.  You can change laws.  You can change so many lives just by speaking up.  It's that life is everything you make it no matter what is thrown at you...it just matters how much heart and drive you have.