Local Runner Profile: Kara Pettie

This time around we're profiling local runner Kara Pettie. Kara runs in most of the Charlotte-area races, and works at Run For Your Life. She's a great training partner who does her running homework in order to achieve her goals.

Name- Kara Pettie

Age- 27

Home- originally Rochester, NY currently residing in Huntersville, NC.

Years of Running- 5 years of running, 1.5 years of actually enjoying running.

Favorite Running Shoes- Mizuno Inspires

Where Do You Train- Anywhere and everywhere especially if I can find friends to run with. Running is more fun when you change the scenery and definitely more fun with friends.

Favorite Race Distance- I like 5k's because it's an all out war between some of my friends & I and I also enjoy trying to beat my own PR's.

Miles Per Week- It depends; usually anywhere between 25 and 40.

Favorite Race- Twlight 5k because I love running through uptown Charlotte at night and going to the restaurants around it after. Makes people give you weird looks because you're actually not dressed up and hanging out down there. And 26.2 With Donna was the Fight Breast Cancer Marathon and I did it in honor of my mom, it was a HUGE accomplishment for me.

Next Big Race You're Training For- Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in October and I'm trying to qualify for Boston.

Any Running Insights You'd Like to Share- I think it's really important to find your happy place when you're running. Run because you want to and enjoy doing it, not because you have to. If you don't, you're not going to want to continue running.

Thanks, Kara, and good luck with Marine Corps and qualifying for Boston!