I didnt disappear

My mom was in town and then we went to Maine to visit my cousin.  She lives in the mountains.  It was the best time ever.  It was a truly relaxing vaacation that me and the hubs (and our kids) totally enjoyed.  There really wasnt any place to run though.  Its odd because I suppose I could have *found* somewhere to run on her 20 acres but it just didnt seem natural to run on non paved wooded land with no paths or trails.  So instead we ate lots of ice cream, drank some wine, and ate very very yummy food.  Now, keep in mind that before I went I was in the middle of my half marathon training schedule and was already up about 10 lbs from my lowest weight.  I was disappointed to see the scale said 183 when I got home.  That is 22 lbs up from my lowest.  Ugh.  It just doesnt seem deserved.  Who gains that much weight that fast?  I just dont get my body. 

My pants were snug by the time I left.  My joints all hurt for some reason and it has taken me most of this week of being home to start to feel better.  It was a very valuable learning lesson for me to realize that how I was eating was making my body physically hurt.  Interesting right?  I am happy to say that I am back on track and back into full swing of my half marathon training schedule.  I might backpedal a few weeks because my friend decided that she might run the half marathon with me!  She is a few weeks behind me on the schedule.  And, I have extra weeks from when the schedule ends and the time of the half.

I am so excited that I now have a running partner on some days!  I never thought I could run with a friend and manage to talk instead of using my Ipod.  But we have been running together several times during the past few weeks and its been great!   I think she is hooked!  She did 4 miles the other day and was so proud of herself!  And I was so proud too!  She was so proud that she went home and signed us up for a 5K this weekend!  We checked out the route yesterday and it was very hilly and also seems to be smaller scale than the ones I have done before.  So it will be interesting.  Our hubbies and 5 girls are going to watch and have even made us signs.  How great to have a support systems!  She is already looking at other races we can run and is considering the half in October with me! 

Here are some pics of our trip to the mountains:

This goat loved to give kisses!  He is so sweet!

Me and the chicken.  She is so cute.

At the beach.

Sunset

At the lake 

She was so happy to see me in the morning!  I brought her grapes  :)

We went on quadding

sparkly water

Ahhh...the ocean.

So peaceful.

What a view.

Loved this beach.

So thats it for now. Yup, obviously I love animals and really enjoyed our time at my cousins house.  My hubs is an animal person too.  I am trying to convince him to let me get goats (just two!) and maybe some chickens...  He isnt really going for it.  But I will keep working on it!  I loved going out everyday and getting the chicken egg!  And her goats (not the milking kind) were so adorable and loving!  I am a country girl at heart for sure.  I am now wishing we had more than an acre of land.  Maybe someday!