It feels good to actually welcome Mondays. Especially this one. Last week was long, oh so long. But in reality I need to get used to those long weeks, those weeks where I work Tuesdays-Thursdays for 12 hours each. Woof, yes woof. Even better, I am not a bit sore from my long run yesterday. I was feeling a half marathon distance so I did just that (I realize how much of a half marathon lover I am). Exactly what my legs wanted.
Before I jump into all the marvelous things, I need to start with the pickle I may be in. I think my second job I got may now be NO PAY. Yep, almost cried. The lady has yet to talk money with me and with all their budget cuts she talked about sounds un-promising. Welp… I am not sure what to do.
But this Monday is very special – because I can officially start the mom countdown. Hello beautiful week.
Marvelous… my mom comes in, count it, four days. I can’t, I FREAKING CAN’T, wait for her to come to Dc. I have been so homesick lately and just lonely in general so three full days with her will be amazing. Plus, who doesn’t love mom time? I mean come on.
Marvelous… I don’t work Friday because of the Saturdays I have been working. Hello, four day week. (And I hope this picture below happens to you all too, I rarely buy things #brokestatus, and I always feel this way!)
Marvelous… I got to Skype with my whole extended family on my mom’s side because they were all visiting for my Aunt’s birthday. On the flip side, it made me even more homesick. I wish I could have gone up for her surprise party but because I worked yesterday I wouldn’t have been able to make it up in time. Sad day – but skyping with them was wonderful. Just seeing their faces and hearing their voices made my Sunday. 
Marvelous… that training on Saturday rocked. I felt so comfortable speaking to the mentors and I think many were impressed I just started in June. I even had a mentor come up to me and ask how the heck I was able to recruit so many mentors in such a short time. Boo ya kids!
Marvelous… mentor sessions begin this week. This is what I love, I love seeing adults in the community meet their new mentees for the first time. Our work in its finest form. I know it will be challenging, these kids are a piece of work to say the least, but I am putting everything in creating relationships with both the kids and mentors. I made that my goal for this year and I plan to go out with a bang.
Marvelous… I have officially converted my best friend to both a veggie liker (still working on the veggie lover part!) and runner. I told you all college was not my prime years. I didn’t make that large group of lifelong friends I had always heard of BUT this girl I could not have lived without. I credit most of my sanity and laughs to our friendship. I am making an effort, something I struggle to do, to keep in contact with her. Talking to her is my break from the week, it is like talking to my other half. When I met her she hated all vegetables, so I started having her try new vegetables everyday for a month. She still may hate some but this girl likes her veggies now. I am a proud friend. Now, she is getting into running and we plan on running a race together in November.. or she will just visit and I will take her on a running tour. Gosh I miss her. 
Marvelous… that I have found my running happy point. After my injury last year, I have been super careful and meticulous about my running. I am always self checking and trying to find what works best to keep me rested and injury free. Finally, I found my happy mileage between 55-65 miles a week with either one or two rest days. Even with more rest days (cause life happens!), my mileage has stayed consistent. My legs feel great, no lingering pain at all, varied types of fast/slower runs and I have so much energy. That my friends is balance. 
Tackle Monday!
Questions: What is marvelous about your Monday? What are you counting down for?
Yay for your friend now loving veggies
. I can’t believe you can run that many miles a week AND still take days off with that! But you run longer runs anyway, I usually just run 4-5 miles unless I want to do a long run.
That stinks about the job not paying. Granted, I coach cross country and that doesn’t pay, but I do it for the experience and because I love running, but I don’t consider it a “job”, more like a volunteer position. There’s perks to it, obviously nurturing the love of running and healthy living in kids, but no I’ve never thought of it as a job. If you really need the money I would maybe find something else… I do a lot of volunteer stuff but mostly because I already have a pretty good paying job that meets my needs so I can- and I wouldn’t do it if I felt stretched too thin.
Skype is so amazing
. I have it too if you ever wanna chat!
Your second ‘job’ sounds fun. This one is more of a job so I don’t know if I want or really have time to take it if it isn’t paid. I need to ask her stat!
Oh no extra work and no Pay doesn’t sound too great of an offer- unless you are helping others and it is not going to add extra stress. So happy you get to see your mum! And wow you can run!!! That is a lot of miles!!!
I am going to ask her about it but I really am reluctant to take it if I don’t get paid, let’s just say I don’t have extra spare hours in the day!
I’m so excited for you!!! Four days!!
My BFF is into running now too — she’s going to be running her first half marathon at the same race that I run my first full one. I love that it’s another thing we can share together.
Finding your happy place (in anything) is so comforting. You have your niche and you can relax in it — cool as a cucumber and pleased as a pickle (alright, I made up that last bit, but it kinda works, right? haha.)
Sorry about the job — huge bummer! — but it’s great to see that the other one is giving you such a great feeling.
This all sounds like a most lovely MIMM for you.
Oh man awesome you have a friend running that distance too! I know, the countdown is epic right now
You’ve gotta be thrilled that your mom is coming to see you! I always love spending time with my mom, even for just a couple days.
I like that picture about not buying anything and feeling weird. I love going to stores and just looking at all their stuff (and getting free samples, ahem) but when I leave empty-handed I feel all guilty for no reason!
I feel the same way! It is always a strange feeling for sure.
Oh congrats on the balance with the running. I can’t believe your mum gets here Solomon! That’s so exciting
also, so cool about your friend! I wish I had a friend like that haha
She is something I really cherish, even if we may be far from each other right now. GAh, I wish these next few days would fly by
Your mom coming to visit sounds exciting! An unexpected amazing run is making my Monday marvelous…it’s been a long while since I totally got in the zone & felt like I could run forever !
I love that zone feeling you get, it really makes running so worth it for me.
woohoo four day weeks!!!! those are the best. i had one last week and i get one next week for columbus day and i just adore them. they make the whole week fly by. your mom visit is so close
man you are lucky, we don’t get columbus day off in my office. Eh, I can deal though. a friday off is always good!
I can’t believe you just go out and run a half marathon distance! Totally awesome and rockstar of you, Alex! I’ve been TRAINING for my upcoming half-marathons which I have a countdown for! But first, my countdown is FOUR DAYS for going to Chicago with my hubs, in-laws, and parents!
I have to say though, I am pretty impressed by your running streak. Four days till chicago sounds like an amazing countdown to have, lets hope these days fly by!
Love this post! So much happy running! And that’s awesome that your legs weren’t sore! Can’t wait for you to spend time with your mom…it’s always something to look forward to
I am super excited, I am planning out our whole three days together becuase she wants to do something new in Dc. can’t wait!
Yay for your mom coming!! And congrats on the mentoring this weekend and finding your mileage groove!
Thanks laurie, it feels good to have something to look forward to.
No countdowns for me over here.. Just trying to sit back and enjoy the journey for now.. cuz I know in a few months I will be on the countdown train
You have a much bigger countdown coming up!
Yayy for turning friends in to runners, I wish i could find myself a runner loving friend! Honestly you need to be honest with the lady from the second job, ask her what they pay is and if they say they can’t pay you just say that you are in a tough position and need to be making extra money at this moment, she will understand! Have a fabulous day, yayy for mom time soon!
I know, i seriously need to talk to her. no time to do a job I don’t get paid, sorry. I n eed a running friend near me though, that is the one thing I lack.
Running a half marathon just because… I will never understand you runners!!! hahaha SO glad your mom is coming to visit though. I’m such a momma’s girl!
I am counting down the days for this sickness to be O-V-E-R
I am the same way, I don’t understand you lifters! i wish I could! I hope you feel better soon!
This made me smile so brightly today,Alex! I am super happy you’ve found your running “happy point” and also,yay for your mom coming so soon! That must be amazing,I’m totally counting days with you,girl!
My Monday was marvelous because I just came home from my first day at nursing school and it was so much better than I had expected. I’ve been so super anxious the past few days,but now,I simply feel relieved and hopeful. It’s amazing.
OOOOhhh yayayy! I totally forgot it was your first day, I am glad to hear it blew all expectations out of the water. Way to go!
It must feel absolutely great to have found your happy running balance, and knocking out that many miles per week? holy crap! Go you! And I hope everything works out with that job….they need to pay you! Fight for yourself
I know, I have no time to do a job that is unpaid. Even as much as i want to help out.
You definitely are having a marvelous Monday!!! Congrats on all of your accomplishments and yay for all the family time
I’m not really counting down, but I’m in shock that in just 2 days my husband and I will have been married for a month already- time flies!!!
that is a great countdown or count at least! Congrats!
Yay for your mama coming!!
Marvelous that I am finally feeling a bit better! I actually left the apartment today, which is a win!
I am so happy you are feeling better, being sick is no fun.
Yay for mom time! I always love being able to spend some extra time with mine. And right now I’m counting down for my December trip to Las Vegas… still 2.5 months to go, though
whoa las vegas! so cool, I have never been there.
aww yay for you mom coming!! You must be excited
do you have any plans for her visit?
Tons! I already have the weekend planned out. new stuff for both of us!
That’s great that your mom is coming! I’m counting down until I go to day shift!
Gosh I would be counting down if I were you too!
I think the most marvelous thing about my Monday is that picture you posted of the dog in the walrus costume. Bahahahahaha whaaaaaaaaaat?? So strange but so, so awesome.
Yay for mom time! Homesickness is no fun at all — I hope seeing your mom helps!
I can’t wait for my mom. Isn’t that picture adorable!
Oh my gosh, that costume. SO CUTE.
I know isn’t it?
How sad about the job. My gut reaction is to not waste the time/effort by taking it if they aren’t going to be paying you. But if you really really love the job and the opportunity then of course you have to do it!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my mom and I totally freak out when I haven’t seen her in a while.
I’m so happy she’s coming!!!
Hm I don’t think this remote position is worth it if I am not paid. I mean really, I don’t have that spare time on top of my other full time. We will see when i talk to her. I know, I can’t wait to see my mom.
I love reading about your running! 55-65 miles a week is no joke! You really should run a full marathon…you know you want to
Ugh I feel like I couldn’t… marathon still scares me.
It might be unpaid? You’d think they would have mentioned that in the interview or something. Lame.
I love turning friends onto healthy activities/food! My best friend now sends me pictures whenever she makes herself a healthy dinner or something. Yay good influences!
I know, i need to speak with this lady and see the real deal. I can’t afford or have time for an unpaid job, my low paying job keeps me quite busy as you already know. Aw, that is awesome friend convert! I love being with people who are like minded like that.
I seriously wish I had your running abilities. You have NO idea how jealous I am!
I wish I had your lifting abilities, I need your motivation to strength train girl! Why don’t you live closer!!!
So so psyched for you and finding your happy point with running, I understand the bliss of that feeling and am so glad you are experiencing it
Aw thanks Tessa! That means a lot
Ugh to working for no pay. That is TOUGH. I hope that you can figure it all out!!
Way to go with running
I hope I figure it out too, no fun!
How happy did it make me to read that last bit about your running! Ahh its so amazing that you’ve found a really healthy and happy balance with something you love so much. I totally admire you my dear
I’m praying that your second job actually helps you make some monayyy so you don’t have to feel supaa awk when you leave the mall empty handed ha!
xoxo
I know, the last thing I need is a commitment that doesn’t pay. No time for that. Thanks girl for the kind words, balance is something I have worked so hard on!
It feels nice to finally trust myself with that balance. it really does. i hope it is paid as well, just not worth it if it isn’t
How awesome that you aren’t sore after your long run
What a great feeling!! And your mom is coming to visit you!? You are going to have a great week 
Ya, thought I would be super sore but I wasn’t at all. makes me realize how much I am listening to my body. i can’t wait for her to come!
omg i wish i could run that much…teach me your ways
i am so excited for you that your mom will be here!!! Love mom weekends!
ha, I could never bike like you. We should trade for a day. I will be a katie super star!
That is totally the worst that it might not be paid! Definitely don’t do it if it isn’t – not worth the stress. I convinced my friend to start running as well, isn’t it awesome?! I’m now helping her overhaul her diet cause she has high cholesterol even though she’s our age and pretty healthy otherwise. Yay for making good choices with friends! It’s so cool your mom is coming to visit. Yay you!
that is awesome you are helping her out with a health related issue, it is always nice to spread the running and healthy eating love!
Gosh it’s crazy how the older we get the more we come to love and appreciate our parents
Sorry to hear about the job. Don’t be afraid to ask about pay! She may be avoiding talking about it, but it’s your right to ask and to know. Remember – if something doesn’t feel right then walk away!
it really is true, my mom is my rock and my world. something I never really appreciated until I got older. I am def going to ask because I don’t have time for an unpaid job right now. at all.