Realize How Good You Really Are: Run Dedicated to Live Uncommon

Today was the Race for the Cure. Overall time: 24:44. Average pace: 7:48. Mile one: 7:35; mile two: 7:48; mile three: 8:01; .17: 7:42. I feel like I ran this race backward. I was hoping my first mile would be around 7:50 and then I would pick it up from there. However, I have a tendency to go with my adrenaline and pick up my pace at the beginning only to fall apart later in the race. I need to do a better job of slowing myself down at the beginning. Side note: my brother said he completed a Kenyan run today at practice and this is exactly what he worked on - going out conservatively and then picking it up intentionally.

I can't say I am disappointed in today's race. I perform better in cooler weather, and I felt like I pushed myself the entire race. One thing I would like to practice is my kick at the finish. I always tell myself that I am going to push it at the end, but mentally, I don't pull through.

It was great to see so many people out supporting the Race for the Cure. I have dedicated this run to Live Uncommon and the LU Race Team. My enthusiasm for running has been rejuvenated by this group. I remember going to races last fall and seeing people with these "Live Uncommon" shirts. They were so positive and smiley. At the QC Marathon, I happened to be running the same relay leg as Maddie Reynolds, so we had a chance to talk and she told me about LU. However, it wasn't until early 2012 that I decided to join.

To be honest, having been a part of athletic groups around the area in the past, I was pretty skeptical. I am not fast, and I'm not really good at meeting new people, so I never really felt like a part of these groups. I found that Live Uncommon is totally different. What I love about it are the core values: family, work ethic, fitness and health, giving back, balance, and excellence. It's not about just being uber-fast or competing. To me, LU is about bettering myself in all aspects of life. Through the race team, I am able to help my community, make friends, and better myself health-wise. If not for LU and the Race Team, I would not have run the Race for the Cure and I wouldn't be committed to running a marathon in September. I wouldn't be raising money for great causes around the area. I would not have met this awesome group of people who make me want to be a better person and represent LU well. I realize that sounds mushy, and if I am anything, I am not mushy. But, that's how it is.

Not having any pictures from the race this morning, I will share a few from the Torchlight Parade.