July 8, 2013

MIMM #4


Well, having a long weekend was certainly marvelous! I was off for the 4th of July and took off the following Friday. I didn't do a whole lot, but some R&R was just what I needed-especially after a stressful Wednesday!

MIMM

Marvelous is 4 day weekends. I think the work week should be at most 4 days. It is so much better that way.

Not so marvelous is having to catch up on cleaning and chores on the weekend.

Marvelous is summertime berries. I have been addicted to all the fresh blueberries and strawberries. I could eat them at every meal, and have been having lots of them. They are chock full of antioxidants and vitamins and natural sugars so who cares :) I made this cute 4th of July berry pie for a cookout I stopped at from this recipe,  and it was delicious!

fourth-of-july-pie

Marvelous is finishing a hot and sweaty 10K for the Running Mad MRTT summer virtual race to earn my awesome Alice in Wonderland-themed medal!


virtual-race-running-mad-MRTT


Marvelous is seeing 4th of July fireworks!

4th-of-july-fireworks


Not so marvelous is 95 degree temperatures when you are doing marathon training.

Marvelous is going to the farmer's market and getting all the fresh produce I need for the week!

Marvelous is trying Quest cravings-the taste of a Reeses with 20g of protein! It is definitely my new favorite snack.

quest-nutrition-protein-peanut-butter-cup


Also since I love parties I thought I'd join the fun of Ashley and Amanda's linkup and tell you a few reasons why running is AWESOME.


Running has given me this amazing outlet and taken on an important role in my life.  2 years ago I hadn't just run to run, like ever. Now here I am training for my first full marathon! I played soccer and basketball since I was little and that involves running, but I was never a runner. I started running to lose some of that college weight and get in shape, probably like most people. Now I run because it is cheaper than therapy, as the saying goes. It's my time to just hit the pavement and think about everything. 

I use running as my meditation time.  Even if a run sucks or is really hard, I always feel better after I finish.  It is something that has made me feel strong, confident, and accomplished.  Running has helped so much with my tummy troubles and anxiety. I still feel really stressed out and anxious, don't get me wrong, but running has helped me work on that and release all the negativity inside of me. It also helps me focus on my breathing and being mindful.  I think it is really important to spend sometime alone, just with yourself and all your thoughts.  Some people pray, meditate, do yoga, craft, take long baths. My time alone is usually when I'm running along with some time I take before bed to be mindful and wind down. I have found it especially freeing lately with my focus mostly on training to at least once a week just run without anything. That means no Garmin, heart rate monitor, Nike fuelband, phone app, or whatever gadgets you use to track the various numbers.  It makes it even more awesome to just go out without worrying about distance, pace, or calories burned and is a way for me to run just for me.  Try it sometime :)

run-nike-quote
I love this Nike ad I stumbled across on Pinterest!

Why do you run? (If you'd like to link-up go here!)
Did you see some 4th of July fireworks?

12 comments:

  1. I have yet to try those protein pb cups, I love the bars so I have no doubt those are probably delicious as well.

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    1. Yes it was my first time seeing them in stores. So worth it.

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  2. That is a really great quote! I'm going to have to pin that :) Your reason was very similar to mine! Running is such a great stress reliever. It's so much cheaper than therapy! Glad you could link up! And good luck on your marathon training! I ran my first in April. It was an amazing experience.

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    1. Yes it's awesome. I love linkups and thanks-I'm feeling super nervous right now about it but need to keep trucking along in my training.

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  3. Happy MiMM! I wish there was a way to take really great firework pics somehow! xo Tara

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    1. I know-I used the supposed "firework" camera style, it didn't seem to help much.

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  4. I run because it makes me feel strong and healthy.

    I did get out to see the fireworks. We did some at the house and then we got to see one of the big local displays, It was my first trip out in a week, and there was no way I was missing it!

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    1. Woohoo for feeling strong. Glad you could get out to see fireworks!

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  5. I could eat those pb cups daily. Aren't they amazing? Have you tried them cold or frozen? Even better!!

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    1. I just gobbled one up right away the other day. I'll definitely have to throw one in the freezer though-that sounds awesome!

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  6. Totally agree on your running reason! I carry around a great deal of stress and anxiety (I'm sadly a natural born pessimist), and running helps me escape from it. Yes, MUCH cheaper than therapy!

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    1. Yes, I call myself a realist (i.e. pessimist) and am trying to change that! Running rocks :)

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