Ever come home from vacation and feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? That's how I feel about this weekend! From Friday afternoon at 5 pm until yesterday I felt like I was in race mode. Therefore, there was no computer time for me and there were lots of stuff I saw that I wanted to share. So, today, along with a little Monday morning Motivation, you'll also get a round-up of randomness. Here goes. . . 

A friend sent me this great article on why women cannot do pull-ups. I was so thrilled to get this!! Now I know there is a scientific reason I have such a hard time doing this darn move!

Check out this fabulous recipe for Paleo Pumpkin bars! I'm dying to try them! If you do, let me know what you think!

I will have to say I was happy when I heard the New York City Marathon was cancelled on Friday afternoon. While I know how hard so many folks trained for this event and how much time and effort went into the planning on so many fronts, I felt like it was not the time to have so many more people swarming into a city that was under so much stress and need.

The thought of the logistics alone would be a nightmare. The thought of so very many people in need of food, warmth and electricity while much needed generators, and mere "helping hands" would be channeled for the marathon was unthinkable to me. All along I could not imagine why it was not postponed earlier.

I feel for the folks who had already traveled or were in route when the decision was finally made. I read a great story highlighting runners who came to race their "own" marathon and used their run to donate supplies and their help to those so in need. That did warm my heart! What a gift for all involved!

Then today, I heard that the cost of this 2012 election would be 6 billion dollars. What? Could that be right?? To me, that is just unbelievable. How sad that all of that money has been spent and there is really nothing tangible to show for it. It saddens me to think of all the good that could have been done in this country with such an amount of money. Can you imagine? 

Lastly, I couldn't leave you on a Monday without giving you a workout! Here's a straightforward total body workout to get you going! If you don't have a treadmill, run around your block, jump rope, run up and down your driveway, stairs or around your house. Stop worrying what your neighbors will think! You know, these are only my thoughts and opinions on these matters. Nobody else's and most folks take them with a grain of salt!  

Here's a huge shout out to you folks who completed the Savannah Rock'n Roll Marathon and Half this Weekend! Way to go!

Enjoy your Monday!

Fitness instructor and self-professed “fitness nerd” Marla-Deen Brooks is a wife, mother of three boys, three dogs and a leopard gecko. See more from her at Marla-Deen-Fit.net.