Hydration: 5 Things You Should Know and How They’ll Help

You know about hydration, now learn about how it helps your body

Nuun is the Official Hydration partner of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon. They know a thing or two about hydrating athletes. The experts at Nuun are constantly gathering information about how athletes can better fuel their bodies. This blog post was written by the Nuun experts to educate athletes and provide them with the information needed to be successful during training and racing.

Hydration is energy (for your muscles)

Most people think that the purpose of hydration is to prevent dehydration and replenish electrolyte stores that may be lost via sweat. Although both of those are true (recent studies have shown that electrolytes may play greater roles in fluids absorption than sweat replenishment), the fundamental goal of hydration is to deliver oxygen to working muscles. Try to think about hydration or the fluid you are consuming as a way of helping your muscles breathe, which in turn gives them the energy they need to perform.

Editor’s note: proper hydration, along with these 6 tips from this Austin Marathon blog will help you run your best!

Water does not hydrate you

Yes, you read that correctly! While water does fundamentally provide your body with fluid, it does not truly hydrate you. Water needs to be in a specific concentration (composing of carbohydrates and electrolytes) to exit the stomach and move into circulation where it can be used by the body. Our water needs to contain sodium to ensure proper fluid absorption. To make matters even more complicated, your “water” should contain different amounts of carbohydrates and electrolytes before/during/after your workout.

Mitigate gastric distress during exercise

To put it simply, when you are exercising, your body (stomach) is under stress. There are ways you can eat and drink to mitigate that stress or encourage it. When it comes to hydration, if the ratio of carbohydrates to fluid is too high or the electrolyte profile is too low, the delivery of fluid slows down. It sits in the stomach. That’s what causes sloshing and GI issues during racing. 

Help you fuel better

This builds on the previous point. With proper hydration, you can help eliminate the GI issues that can come with it. This allows for faster and more efficient fueling. This is achieved by not overloading your system and using multiple pathways to absorb fluids and carbohydrates.

Aids in recovery

One area that is critical to the recovery process is rehydrating. Rehydrating not only replenishes fluids lost during exercise, but it also aids in replenishing the electrolytes that were also lost. Keep in mind: drinking too much too fast can degrade the potential gains of the workout. Here’s why: over time your body has developed a strong immune system that helps repair itself when it is under the stresses of exercise. Therefore, naturally, your body begins repairing itself, slowly rehydrating, and continuing to hydrate throughout the day.

Editor’s note: recover faster when you follow this long training run recovery timeline from the Austin Marathon!

Nuun Hydration is our Official Hydration partner. Head over to www.nuunlife.com to stock up on your hydration supply and train with what will be on course. Save 25% with the code below!

6 South Austin Breakfast Spots You Must Try

Don’t sleep on these 6 south Austin breakfast spots

What’s tougher than your weekend long run? Figuring out where to eat breakfast after! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Austinites and outsiders can agree on one thing: Austin has a plethora of delicious breakfast taco places. But that’s not all Austin has to offer! South Austin has something for everyone, from smoothies to donuts and yes, breakfast tacos. Add one of these 6 south Austin breakfast spots to your post-Austin Marathon plans and check out Miles 1-6 of the course. Lunch and dinner places coming soon!

Torchy’s (Miles 1.5 and 4)

If you’re craving tacos, visit Torchy’s. They have two locations along Mile 1-6 of the Austin Marathon course. Their brand-new spot on South Congress (1822 S. Congress Ave.) is massive. Sit outside on pretty days! If you’re feeling nostalgic, visit the original Torchy’s on South First St. (2809 S. 1st St.). Their list of tacos is fairly extensive and one can make the hungriest of runners full. They even hosted an Austin Marathon watch party earlier this year! Feeling adventurous? Check out their secret menu. Just don’t tell anyone…

Update – Torchy’s closed the original location on October 22nd.

Image of Magnolia South's sign, a great spot to get breakfast in south Austin.

You can’t go wrong with the pancakes at Magnolia Cafe! Credit – Magnolia Cafe Facebook page.

Magnolia Cafe (Mile 1.5)

As mentioned in our overview of restaurants on the western portion of the course, Magnolia (1920 S. Congress Ave.) is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019. If you’re looking for good ol’ fashioned home cooking, this joint is for you. Pro tip -they’re open 24 hours a day, but get there early on the weekends for brunch. Both locations are extremely popular and get crowded quickly!

Pueblo Viejo (Mile 2.5)

This is a High Five Events staff favorite. It’s within walking distance of the office and close to Cosmic Coffee (121 Pickle Road), an amazing coffee spot. Pueblo Viejo’s tacos are made the moment you order them and they’re fairly close to perfection. You can’t go wrong with the migas or Don Chago Taco! Sit outside and soak up the ambiance of your surroundings while you wait.

Papalote (Mile 2.5)

Want another High Five Events staff favorite? Here you go! Visit Papalote (3632 S. Congress Ave.) and choose from their list of 20+ tacos. Build your own taco if your tastebuds like exploring! Want to get a head start on your BBQ consumption? Ask for their brisket breakfast taco. You won’t be disappointed! Pro tip – don’t skip the queso!

Image of Soup Peddler smoothie, a great place to grab breakfast in south Austin.

Soup Peddler offers healthier breakfast options. Credit – Soup Peddler Facebook page.

Soup Peddler (Mile 5)

Looking for something a little healthier? Soup Peddler (501 W. Mary St.) has you covered. Fresh juices, made-to-order smoothies, and grab-and-go salads are just the tip of the iceberg. Soup Peddler is another High Five Events staff favorite!

Are you thinking about breakfast yet? We are! If you can’t decide where to grab breakfast first, start with the High Five Events staff favorites and go from there. Did your favorite south Austin breakfast spot not make the list? Let us know what it is on Facebook or Twitter.

2020 Austin Marathon Seeks Official Sponsorship Opportunities

Secure your official sponsorships with a world-class event 

Birds eye view of the 2019 Austin Marathon start line from a drone. Brands can partner with this world-class event with their official sponsorship.

2019 Austin Marathon group photo. Credit – Pat Wong.

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon is seeking official sponsorships with companies wanting to associate themselves with one of the sports’ top events in the #1 city in America. The 2019 Austin Marathon had an estimated combined total of 125,000 participants, volunteers, and race-day spectators, an economic impact of $48.5 million for the City of Austin, and online impressions that soared into the millions. Official sponsorships with the Austin Marathon are ideal for companies looking to increase their brand recognition and strengthen their brand loyalty within the local and global health and fitness community. High Five Events owns and produce the Austin Marathon.

“The Austin Marathon has become one of Austin’s premier events due to their economic impact, global footprint, and ability to showcase Austin as the amazing city that it is,” said Austin Sports Commission’s Drew Hays. “Their continued growth in 2019 and trajectory for 2020 showcases the opportunity businesses have to increase their brand recognition in Austin and within the global endurance community.”

Official sponsors can utilize corporate social responsibility benefits like large-scale volunteer opportunities. This includes increased employee health and wellness through event participation and enhanced community engagement both pre-race and race weekend.

Sponsor perks

Runners show off their Austin Marathon finisher medals at the Oskar Blues Austin beer garden in the Austin Marathon's 3-block-long finish line festival.

Runners show off their Austin Marathon finisher medals at the Oskar Blues Austin beer garden. Credit – Ed Sparks.

Official sponsors of the Austin Marathon can benefit from being associated with – 

  • FloTrack’s world-class live broadcast of the Austin Marathon 
  • Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, Official Race Ambassador
  • Raising more than $1 million for nonprofits in 2019
  • An exciting Elite Athlete Program focused on showcasing the sport’s top athletes
  • The support of Mayor Steve Adler and the Austin Sports Commission
  • Austin, Texas – The Live Music Capital of the World
  • Participants from all 50 states and 38 countries
  • A 3-block-long finish line festival complete with beer garden, recovery tent, live music, and more

“The Austin Marathon’s growth and community support have increased along with the uptick in sponsorship involvement,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Brands utilize this opportunity to engage with their audience and align with a world-class event whose reach expands beyond race day.”

The 29th annual Austin Marathon will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2020, in Austin, Texas. Earlier this year, Austin’s premier running event featured more than 16,000 participants from all 50 states and 38 countries. Sponsorship and partnership inquiries can be sent directly to Jack Murray at sponsorship@highfiveevents.com.

26.2 Reasons Why Y’all Will Love the Austin Marathon

Experience the #1 City in America

Finding reasons you’ll love the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour was easy. Selecting 26.2 reasons for this blog post was the difficult part! Some said we were crazy, others said we couldn’t do it. But we knew deep down we needed to share this intel with you. Visit The Live Music Capital of the World and experience the best Austin has to offer. Tacos, murals, live music, Austin Gives Miles, cold beer, and ohhh so much more.

We think that country music legend Gary P. Nunn, who played the National Anthem in 2018, said it best “That’s the most fun I’ve had before 9:00 a.m. in a long time.”

Reason #2 you'll love the Austin Marathon: Under Armour participant shirts!

Reason #2 you’ll love the Austin Marathon: Under Armour participant shirts!

The below reasons why you’ll love the Austin Marathon are in no particular order, promise.

  1. Austin, Texas – need we say more? Okay, here you go…
  2. Under Armour shirts – you’ll be the envy of those who didn’t run Austin
  3. #DiscoverYourAustin – visit the best Austin has to offer near the Austin Marathon course and try all the tacos (we did all the hard work!) #DiscoverYourAustin - visit the best #Austin has to offer near the #AustinMarathon course and try all the tacos (we did all the hard work!) Click To Tweet
  4. Customized belt buckle finisher medals – when you wear your buckle, it will speak of your accomplishment in Austin, Texas, without saying a word
  5. Austin Marathon KXAN Simple Health 5K benefitting Paramount Theatre – perfect for the entire family, run out and back on South Congress, then enjoy the finish line festival
  6. Support Austin Gives Miles – run on behalf of an AGM charity and make a difference for a Central Texas nonprofit organization
  7. On-course murals – visit them before, during, or after… your choice, just bring your camera

    Reason #7 you'll love the Austin Marathon: murals on course!

    Reason #7 you’ll love the Austin Marathon: murals on course!

  8. Three-block-long finish line festival – post-race massage, recovery, food trucks, 2 Jumbotrons, hours of live music from 2 bands, and more
  9. Expanded beer garden – celebrate your accomplishments with a cold beer
  10. Live music from 15 bands on course – we’re not the Live Music Capital of the World for nothin’
  11. 17 amazing pacer groups – they pace, you race
  12. Manzano Mile presented by Dole– cheer everyone, from families to elites, or stretch out your legs before you run on Sunday
  13. Marathon course showcases all of Austin – north, south, east, and west, drink it all in
  14. Two-day Health & Fitness Expo – purchase official Austin Marathon Under Armour gear, check out the newest running products, grab any last-minute needs
  15. Top-notch start line and finish line VIP – gear check, delicious food, custom cocktails, private restrooms, and more
  16. Photo finish – the magnificent Texas State Capitol is your finish line backdrop
  17. Spectator-friendly course (never more than 4 miles from downtown) – cheer family and friends from multiple spots on course, including the finish line
  18. Thousands of amazing and supportive volunteers – they’re up early and they stay late, ensuring you have the best experience
  19. Unbeatable rates at downtown hotels – save money when planning your Austin runcation
  20. Austin Marathon Winnie – visit our ‘72 Winnebago (just don’t think you can sleep in it!)
  21. Mobile App – all the info you need in the palm of your handRunners take off at the start of the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon. Austin's flagship running event contributed $48.5 million to the Austin economy.
  22. FloTrack live broadcast – they follow the elite action, then watch every finisher cross the finish line
  23. Leo Manzano: race ambassador – Austinite and Olympic silver medalist in the 1500m (2012 – London)
  24. USATF-certified course – you won’t run anymore or less than you have to, we double checked
  25. 22 fully-stocked aid stations featuring nuun performance – grab hydration, make a pitstop, or both (don’t forget to thank the volunteers)
  26. “There’s no better city to recover in.” – Mayor Steve Adler – spend time in our phenomenal city before and after Feb. 16th, take in all that Austin has to offer

  26.2. In conclusion, the Austin Marathon begins with a strike of the #RunAustin gong… yeah, you read that right

 

Friends have raved about Austin. Running partners can’t stop talking about their experience. Now it’s your turn! Reserve your spot at the Austin Marathon start line and experience all that Austin has to offer.