I could be sad that today is my last day at home. Heck I am sad that I can’t spend the week down the Cape with my mom and sister. That I felt like this little trip was seriously the fastest and least relaxing thing ever. That I didn’t get to completely let go. That my stomach was a mess everyday making eating food impossible and barely there. That I got zero beach time. BUT I’m not because its life and you roll with the punches. Oh, and its a Marvelous Monday, that’s why!
Marvelous… I ran yesterday’s 7 mile race (which is not an easy course or race by any means) in 52 minutes. A PR baby! I had a bad number, it was pouring up until the race, the humidity was killer, the race started late because of flooding, my stomach let loose in the am before the race, I have been sick for a few days, I was approaching it with no expectations …. BUT I killed it. I mean come on? This shows me that all my training is paying off and makes me want to continue to work hard. I am letting my self doubt (I bet people could run that a lot faster, I wasn’t that fast, etc, etc) just disappear. People were cheering for CJ (what my number said my name was) yet I was beaming from ear to ear. Kicked butt and took names. I will have a full recap of my weekend on Wednesday because there is a lot I need to say, A LOT. (with pictures!)
Marvelous… I had a 2 pound steamed lobster as my only meal Saturday even though it probably wasn’t good for my stomach. I have been struggling all weekend to get food in me due to sickness but how the freak could I turn down boiled lobster. IN MY BELLY, and no regrets. (the porter potties at the beginning and end of the race probably thought otherwise… TMI?)
Marvelous… the amazing, no more than amazing, support I received through email, text and comments about my self reflection. While I do not binge anymore, it is still something hard to admit. Especially because I feel so ashamed by having that in my past. What I want to work on is being able to keep all kinds of food in the apartment. I admit, there are foods I do not keep in there because of this and also foods I still eat the whole bag of no matter how hard I try to avoid it. I hate that because to me it still sounds like restriction. Thanks to some amazing tips, I will be trying them all as the weeks carry on. The support was more than appreciated, I actually teared up over reading some of them.
Marvelous… I have no time to settle back in when I return. I hit the ground running and you now what? I feel no regret. I don’t want to take back these past few days with family despite wanting to pull my hair out a few times. Ya, this week is going to kill me in all ways but it happens. Always next weekend to play catch up.
Marvelous… that my dad got me the cutest little sectional couch that was 50% at Boston Interiors that he and my mom will drive up in a month or so. My dad did not come from money. He worked hard for where he is today – he worked four jobs to put himself through law school. Even now, he owns his own lawyer business and doesn’t make a lot. I didn’t want him to buy the furniture for my apartment but he said he wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t have things to make it my home. I just can’t express how lucky I feel to have him as my father.
Marvelous… both my mom and I had tears in our eyes as we departed yet again.
Marvelous… I wrote an email last night to a fellow blogger and through the process realized how stressed I actually am over a few things in my life currently. Cue another wait till it all pours out Wednesday post. With my job, I will be without internet both Wednesday and Thursday so I hope to have posts ready for those days. I can’t promise anything but that is my goal. I can’t express how much of next weekend will be catch up for me. So much to do it is insane. As you can tell, the whole relax, unplug and decompress this weekend backfired like whoa.
Marvelous… that I appreciate my body today. Yes, I may not love it but I love what it does and all it lets me do. I love my eyes that sparkle and have the ability to tear up. I love my legs that run and feel the burn. I love my heart that allows me to open up to all sorts of vulnerability. 
Monday will blow by and before I know it I will be hitting the ground in DC ready to somehow get through this week. Save me?
Questions: What is marvelous about your Monday? What do you LOVE about yourself today?
That poor litle chicken has had a rough life
I know, the poor dude.
LOVE what you said about loving your body. Good for you
And also, um congrats big time on your race! That’s insane. I don’t think I could ever imagine running 7 miles in that amount of time. It would probably take me all day. Way impressed!
It was fun having no expectations and then just feeling it. Woot woot
Good job on the 7 Mile race!! You are soo speedy.
I love the Dumbledore quote, it is so true!!
Lately, I am loving that my body is handling half marathon training so well. Also, I am loving that I am standing up for myself more now
Congrats on getting some great training in, that is something to be so proud of!
Great miles & pace Alex. You are awesome!! We are running about the same pace right now
. I’m so glad you were able to let yourself go a little this weekend, and indulge in that all that lobster goodness. Sorry about your stomach issues though girl & just not feeling good. Today is a new day, so maybe you’ll be better. You think it was just due to all the stress you were feeling up until your travels? I’m so happy that your parents will be coming down to visit you w/in the month girl! We both have something to count down.. you getting furniture & my vacation! 
I love…. the way my body has been feeling lately. It doesn’t feel so weak and tired. It feels strong and that i’m finally feeding it w/ it really needs.. ya know chips & salsa kinda thing, or funfetti cake mix & pb haha
Good job giving your body what it needs!!!!
It certainly needs a lot of recoup!
I know, i wish I could have enjoyed food this weekend but nothing was meant to touch my stomach. I just couldn’t get anything down. A lobster was good but I need a lot of recoup time to get my body back to feeling its best. I wish you could run with me!
I know me too.. but only 7 1/2 mo to go! hahaha
ugh too long!
Oh my goodness, congratulations on the race, Alex!! So amazing!! I can’t believe you were able to keep up at least a 7.5 mph pace the whole time! You.. Are my hero. <3 lol
Also.. Lobster? Yum! I'm sorry you had tummy troubles and couldn't enjoy as much food as you probably wanted to!
I'm glad you had a blast, though, and I hope this week isn't too hard for you!! Sending nothing but prayers your way.
Too bad I basally ate nothing else all weekend, I can’t wait till I feel better.
Congrats on your race! That’s amazing
My week – not just Monday – was completely and utterly made when, like you, I rocked my race this past Saturday. I’m immensely proud of my sub-1:34 half marathon finish, particularly when I was aiming for a 1:40. 18th female and 66th overall (out of 7500 entrants) isn’t too shabby for my first real race – the only trouble now is figuring out how to top this! I suppose qualifying for Boston and then a sub-1:30 half would do…
HOLY MOSES you smoked that race. Can you train me? That would be my goal, my tastes half has only been 1:40 but I would love to beat that. Wow, seriously I am blown away.
I actually have no idea how I managed it. I don’t really do real speedwork or anything – it’s only in the past month that I’ve actually planned to do anything other than just go out and run according to how I felt (which tends to be SLOW…) so I think it was a case of luck and a fairly flat course. However, I did go to two sessions with a running coach a while back and did a track workout and a speed workout. The one thing I probably learned is that it’s good to push myself every once in a while
That is awesome and I am so proud of you. I think pushing yourself in those times where you just feel it is ideal.
Yay! I’m glad you had such a successful race! Your dad sounds so sweet wanting to help make your new place a home. I like hearing about your family. They sound really nice. It’s great how you appreciate them. It’s also great that you appreciate your body!
I’m looking forward to doing yoga Monday morning after my rest day, Sunday. If I don’t procrastinate and I manage to clean my living and dining rooms up enough so I truly feel comfortable inviting company over, then my Monday will be really marvelous. (There is not a lot to do actually)
Today, I love that I was open and friendly with people at the new church I went to. My husband even complimented me on it later. I used to be debilitatingly shy.
That is so awesome for you, I am glad you were able to meet new people and be so open. That is tough, especially in a new situation. My dad is such a life savor and knows that what is most important is being comfortable and feeling at home.
I love the last little section. (: Loved it!
Thank you! I have to keep reminding myself of that small stuff.
Way to go on your PR- that definitely counts even if you weren’t “officially” registered and racing as yourself. Plus you are smoking fast! Glad you are getting a couch too, some furniture will really help your apartment feel more like home!
Thank you, it was a blast and I had no expectations which made it that much better. Too bad the furniture can’t get here till like September.
Awesome post. My Monday was marvellous because I woke up feeling stiff, sore but very satisfied after a great race yesterday! Feeling the effects of a great race remind me of my hard work and achievement… and as you said, make me appreciate my body, flaws and all, for what it can do!
That is so funny, I was thinking the same thing on my run this morning that I love the feeling of the after sore race – knowing you kicked it and it paid off.
Glad you had a good weekend! Relaxing weekends at home are my favorite things! And great job on your 7 miles! That is awesome!
It was anything but relaxing but it was home which is all that really matters.
So much to feel Marvelous about! Your dad sounds just like my dad.
Big daddy’s girl here. This is such a great post Alex. I think it’s great that you can tear up when you look at your mom. While at church yesterday, a song was playing and it reminded my mother of her father. She started to cry and it of course made me cry. I love those moments with my mother, because I know they won’t always be there.
Keep your chin up and kick life like it’s a 7 mile race!! Awesome job on the PR by the way!!
I just feel so blessed to have parents like that, that would do anything for me. Makes me so freaking grateful.That is a beautiful little story, how wonderful. What a great metaphor, life like a 7 mile race.
Oh man I am sorry you didn’t feel well this weekend. But I hope you had a great time at home with your family!
It was nice just to see them.
congrats about the PR!!! and I am soo jealous about ur 2lb lobsta, love those! Your parents are allowed to spoil you, and it was on sale so that makes it even better, also they now have an excuse to visit you so you can’t be mad about that
I know, It stinks they probably can’t bring it until mid September but in the end they will have to come. Yay! The lobster was heavenly, I don’t like the tail but I eat the rest, even the body.
congrats on the PR girl! that is one insane time. And yay about the couch! art is great. and its only necessary to have lobster down the cape.
Oh the lobster was god. I don’t like the tail but I eat the rest of it, body and all. yummy!
your dad sounds awesome. dad’s are the best, that way. congrats about your PR! I’ve never done a 7 mile race but that sounds like a pretty fast time to me!
It is a hard race but kind of a perfect race to just run. I mean I just love the family tradition around it.
awesome run time!!! I’ve never ran 7 miles lol
It was a blast!
i LOVE all your marvelous-ness! hooray for the PR, Lobster is freakin’ delicious! and I am thrilled you like your body today! I am ok with mine as well and for that I am appreciative!!! have an awesome monday darling! good luck “settling” back in!
Thanks CJ, it was funny because when I was running and had the number that said my name was CJ all I thought about was you!
love that last point about appreciating everything your body can do! It’s so important, and I think that helps you appreciate the less important how-it-looks part. CONGRATS on the race – 7+ min miles in the pouring rain? That’s damn speedy!!! And honestly who cares about your time compared to others – the way I see it, there are always other people slower than you and – unless you’re the elite/sponsored runner chick who won, there’s always someone faster than you
I feel like I can’t even compare my PRs anymore cuz I’m going to need so much time to build back to them. also. Lobster. I am so jealous….GAHHH i miss new england so bad!! If anything just for the lobster lol!
I know, there is so much more I wish I got to have though… steamers, crab, froyo, ugh. Hate my stomach.
So exciting that you will get new furniture (furniture is probably my favorite thing…I can almost never afford it but I like to “shop” and look at it!)! And super fast race time
It is nice to think I will have something come september. I need to get it to me!
Monday’s are so easy to start negatively, I think it’s great you always start with what’s marvelous! Hope your week is exceptional, even if it is busy!
That is why I love this link up!
Good job in your 7 mile run! Girl, you are speedy!! My Monday is marvelous because I won tix to a Burger and Sake event in Boston and I’m taking my bf for a little date night.
You live in Boston? My hometown baby. So jealous!
Congrats on the PR! I think sometimes the worse circumstance make for the best races because you have to focus so much more to get ‘er done.
Have a great week! You’ll get through it!
I liked running without expectations, makes it seem worth it just to relax. Thank you!
Look at you speedy thang! Congrats on your PR!!
Hahah so sweet, thanks!
Congrats on the 7 mile run girl! That is incredible and what a speedy pace! Also, don’t let yourself stress about writing posts – blogs shouldn’t be a source of stress =)
I agree, i think I am finally realizing that and knowing how to approach it. Thank you!
WAHOO on the 7 miles, lady friend! That’s spectacular.
And I adore your last marvelous point for today. Self lovin’ is the very best kind of love.
Enjoy today!
I couldn’t agree more but it is always so hard to remember sometimes.
Holy moly way to go on the race! So proud of you!! I’m also really glad to hear you had a relaxing trip, and have a new couch! Happy Monday sweet girl!
xoxo
You too! I am lucky to have a dad that fully committed to getting me a couch. What a dad. Too bad I did anything but relax. I need another vacation stat.
Holy crap!! Sevenmiles in 52 minutes! You totally owned that race. And nothing beats lobster. I’m sorry you had to say goodbye to your mum I hate doing that. I’m also sorry about your stomach issues – I hope it gets better soon!
The race was a blast and going in not expecting much made it that much better. Wish I could take my mom with me!
7 miles in 52 minutes? Dang girl! I’m so proud! Way to go!
Thank you, the race is a tough one with all the hills and humidity but boy did I have a blast.
Good job on the race girl!! My weekend was relaxing, which was MARVELOUS!
a relaxing weekend is what I need and it is marvelous!
7 miles in 52 minutes?!?! that’s amazing!!
Thank you, I have to say I had a blast!
Love that you are making the effort to LOVE your body Alex, great job and that is the kind of “marvelous” message that should indeed be focused on here. I am glad you had a nice time with your family, although sad to hear you had stomach issues (ugh not fun) and also that it was tough to say goodbye! They are never easy of course, but it does show me how close you are with your family, and that is wonderful to hear.
I am looking forward to hearing more about the race, congrats on the time!
It was much needed family time but too fast. It makes me miss them so freaking much. Ya my stomach and I have not been doing so great. Yuck.
JEEZ you are fast. If we ever run together and you lose me, I’ll be 2 miles behind lol. I hope you got your stomach issues worked out.. Sounds rough. :/
Aw no way, you are super fast. Ya, my stomach hates me. A lot.
Wow! What an awesome post!!! You have come SO far!!! Enjoy your last day!
Aw Jess that means a lot to me, a lot.