My Road in the fall.... Worldess Wednesday

I climbed a Mountain, because I finally could

It's no big secret how out of shape I was. Now that I'm running, climbing the stairs has become something I don't even notice, as opposed to something I dread because of how taxing it is.

So what's the next natural progression? A mountain.


Clearly.

Mount Cardigan is an awesome nice shorter (for NH) mountain, and its also in the next town over. So yesterday we packed up some apples and granola bars and headed on over praying the whole way that Rowan would hike it, instead of having to be carried.

She hiked the whole 3100 feet herself! Unfortunately she was so exhausted by the time we reached the summit she hitched a ride down on Daddy's shoulders... his neck is a bit sore today.

It was a beautiful climb with the gorgeous New England fall foliage starting to peek out. Best of all, it wasn't that hard.... a few months ago, I'd never have made it.

The view from the top is amazing. You can see the green mountains of Vermont, the entire White Mountain range including Mt. Washington and even down to the seacoast area, a noticeably flatter spot.

Wordless Wednesday

I don't think your ready for my jelly...

This past weekend I ran in another 5k in Portsmouth. It was to raise money for breastcancerstories.org. It was awesome although the run was super hard, very hilly and it was cold and windy out. We started in the center of town and ran across the old bridge into Kittery Maine and then back again.

I'm getting quite addicted to running in events and if money wasn't an object I'd do every single one I could!

At this point I am down 17 lbs, and it feels so good! I'm super eager to get to the 20 lb mark.. with time I know, probably by the of next week.

I feel so great, so in shape and full of energy. I wish I had done this a long time ago!

Anyhoo, here are some pics from the weekend as well as my before and after pics from my weight loss :) They make me happy :)

Ballet

Ballet class started today!

It was adorable, is pretty much the only thing I have to say.

We arrived right on time, should've come early. I barely had time for a quick hug with her before ushering her off into the studio all alone.. which was a pretty big step for her!

I could see her through the one way mirror all withdrawn and unsure of herself. But once the teacher started showing them moves, she was twirling and whirling with all her new friends with a big smile on her face :)


Ready to go!


A little snooze on the drive there.. gotta be well rested for dancing!


A sweet move up on the tippy toes... to cute!

Wordless Wednesday

I heart fall

I really do! The sun seems to shine a little brighter, the breeze blows the smell of crisp dry leaves into the yard, and of course, it's fair season!

This past weekend we headed on over to the Hopkington Fair and it was a blast! Last year Rowan was a bit nervous around all the animals but this time around she couldn't get enough of them. Which is good, because they had four barns full of cows! haha

Mama Anabelle's Little School House

I wrote a few weeks ago about how Miss Rowan and I would be joining Elissa over at Full Time Mumma with a home school preschool program this year, and indeed we have!

We're on week 2 now, Letter B, Number 1.

The first week was a bit rough, but once Rowan got over the fact that I was "making" her do something and realized it was a ton of fun, she has been far more receptive.

We do art projects, color, go over letter sounds (she knows A says ahhh and B says Bah!) and work on letter recognition.

She's soaking it up like a sponge and I'm super proud. Once we learn letter D, we'll have enough letters to spell the word BAD so I'm hoping I can get her to sound it out so she knows why we're doing what we're doing. I think if she figures out that we're learning to read she'll be even more excited.

Lastly, tonight we head off to the Ballet open house so she can sign up for lessons. I think getting out of the house once a week will be super great for her, and seeing other kids will be even better.

Here are a few pics of all our fun!

Oh, did I mention that I've had so much fun writing all these lesson plans that I've decided to start my Masters degree in Elementary ed?? I start the 29th of this month :)

F%$#ing A Right it was five clicks...

Hopefully you've seen Sideways so you know what that means.. I giggle every time I say it.

I thought it was a fitting title to my post concluding my Couch to 5k training, and celebrating my participation in my first ever 5k.

This morning, after an entire summer of training, I achieved my goal.... I finished the Plymouth Coop Covered Bridge 5k road race, no walking, just running.

It wasn't fast... in fact I spent most of the run keeping pace with a senior citizen, but damn that lady could move!

I finished in 43 mins 24 seconds.... (yes, that's a wicked slow mile, shush, I'm proud of myself!)

I've lost 15 pounds along the way, but lost way more inches, as the amount of muscle I've added to my legs is insane... I can feel something in them other than blubber... sweet.....

My goal now is to continue my weight loss, and eventually run a 10k. And next summer, I want to run this same race in 30 minutes :)


My hubs started the training this week and we plan on running the Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving once he finishes.

Two weeks from now I'm going to run another in Portsmouth...

As Dori would say..... Just keep swimming, just keep swimming....


Ready to head out!


All registered and ready to go.. with my tiny cheerleader by my side!



HOT with bad hair, but damn it I did it!!!!


Correct me if my wrong, but wasn't I the one that ran this morning?