32 days...

Remember that time I said I was going to work out every day until the 15k on Dec 3rd?

Yeah, I'm not doing the best job of keeping up with that. With this past Halloween weekend I sort of...skipped out on a few workouts.

Check out me with these two beautiful ladies!

Ok, I got to the gym Thursday, Friday, and Saturday...but skipped Sunday and today. And tomorrow I may or may not have a date so I won't be able to get to the gym after work. I'm also pretty terrible at waking up in the morning before work to run, but that's the plan, so we will see how it goes!

Anyway, I expect my date to turn out like this...

I may be watching Twilight right now...

....only no vampires, no proposals, and no half vampire babies. Secretly, I just hope Edward Cullen shows up. I'll be terribly disapointed if he doesn't.

Anyway, enough of my fantasy and back to my running. The alarm is set for 6am. I really hope I don't roll over and turn it off like every other morning. I really got to get my motivation back!!

Boo! Run For Life 10k Race Photos

36 days to go

Inspired by Ericka over at The Sweet Life...

Recently, on my runner friends blogs, I've been seeing a ton of inspirational quotes, pictures, and even videos over at Carly Bananas. It's made me think a lot about how I got into running and how far I've come. I can remember how I used to think 3 miles was a long shot, how I almost got sick after my first 5k, and how it took next to nothing to convince Marisa to be my race partner. I've come quite a long way in the past year and a half. Namely, having run my first half marathon. I am so proud of myself and my accomplishments and as the above picture says I'm not stopping. At least not any time soon.

Sometimes it's hard, I mean really hard to stay motivated and sometimes it's not, but the results are all the same. Healthy body, healthy heart, healthy mind. I run because of the swag, the friends, the mental clarity, and effects on my body. Amongst 100 other reasons. I'm not the best athlete around. Not by a long shot, but I'm the best I can be and I'm only going to keep getting better.

Stronger.

I even think my parents are proud of me!

36 days until the the 15k and I'm going to bust my ass to get there. Can't wait to blow it out of the water and get my hands on on a wind breaker and a large mug of hot cocoa!

40 days

Guess who got new shoes today!! This happy girl. Can't wait to try them out tomorrow!

43 days....and life decisions...

There are only 43 days to get to 9.32 miles and I had to stop after 2 miles on the TM tonight. *Sigh* At least I got that in and capped off my workout with 20 minutes on the elliptical.

I think I'm going to try out the Hal Higdon 15k Trainging Schedule for the intermediate. I used his trainging schedule for the novice for the half marathon and it worked out pretty well.

And on a different note...

Things I've decided recently:

• Stay Positive - Sometimes it's hard, but there's no point dwelling on negative emotions and I do not do not do not want to be a negative person. Some things and some people you can't change, you just have to accept it and move on.
• Work out every day until the 15k - I WILL do this, even if it's just 15 minutes on the elliptical or going on a walk. Getting those endorphins flowing will help with the positive attitude as well.
• Work harder on finding a better job - I've been a total slack ass about this and the only person who can change/improve my future is myself. I have to keep reminding myself of this.

Positive affirmations are so cliche, but sometimes they are needed when you're feeling crummy.

Boo! Run For Life 10k

Yesterday I ran the Boo! Run For Life 10k and didn't do too shabby for only having run a handfull of times since the half marathon (and not once being over 4 miles!).

Boo! Run for Life 10K

Washington, DC October 16, 2011
ChronoTrack Timing and Scoring
by Capital Running Company


Official Women's Results


Place Div/Tot Num Name Lname Age Hometown              Gun    T Net  T Pace
177    64/113   271   Allison Alter    26   ARLINGTON VA    60:56  60:43   9:47


I REALLY didn't want to do this race to be quite honest, it was only $25, and I just didn't feel prepared. I had a hard time motivating myself to do any running, which is why I only ran a handfull of times. But all in all I'm very glad that I did, if for no other reason then I felt better about day drinking and eating greasy/cheesey nachos later in the afternoon.

The day was beautiful and the weather/temperature was perfect for a nice flat 6 miles around the tidal basin. There were nearly 1,000 people running the race, some in silly costumes like Harry Potter, and we even ran into Colin Farrell (before he turned into a vampire bat and flew off...). Ok, not really, but this kid looked eerily like him from 10 years ago...

I have 46 days before the Hot Chocolate 15k. Here's hoping I get that motivation back and train for this thing. 9.32 miles sounds easy until you're out there and it's below freezing!