• Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Vimeo
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Marathon Results and Tracking
#RunAustin
Austin Marathon
  • Event Details
    • About
      • About Us
        • Contact
        • Media Inquiries
          • Photography & Media Requests
      • Abbott World Marathon Major
        • How to Qualify for the AbbottWMM Age Group World Championships
    • Participant Info
      • FloTrack Live Coverage
      • Finisher Medal
      • Race Weekend Schedule
      • Divisions & Awards
      • Athlete Tracking & Results
      • Hotels
      • 5K Run
      • Mobile App
      • Official Race Photos
      • Finish Line Festival
      • Entertainment on Course
      • Rules & Violation Policy
      • FAQ
      • Shop
    • Packet Pick Up
      • Hours & Location
      • What’s In My Packet?
      • Explore the Expo
      • Parking
    • Teams & Charity
      • Team Registration
        • Team Perks & Deadlines
        • Team Leaderboard
        • Team Management
      • Charity
        • About Austin Marathon Gives
        • Run For Charity
        • Run Forward Initiative
    • Volunteer
      • About Volunteering & FAQ
      • Volunteer Registration
      • Returning Account Login
  • Course
    • Watch 2025 Coverage
    • Start Waves
    • Course Maps
    • Course & Amenities
    • Traffic Guide
    • Race Morning Parking
    • Spectating at the Austin Marathon
  • Blog
  • Heart Health
  • Sponsorship
    • Sponsors
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Become an Exhibitor
  • Register Now
    • Special Programs
      • Military Appreciation Year
      • Run For Charity
      • Run Forward Initiative
      • Gift Registration
      • Elite Athlete Program
      • RUN AUSTIN
        • Running Groups
    • Registration Details
      • Rules & Violation Policy
      • Flexible Payment with Affirm
      • Register On Mobile
      • Pricing
      • Registration Change Policy
      • Check Your Registration
  • Menu Menu
Image of runner tying her shoe with a water bottle nearby. Christy Thomas began running because she wanted to make a lifestyle change. She will run the 2020 Austin Half Marathon!

Lifestyle Change Introduces Mother of Two to Running

in Blog post, My Running Story

Lifestyle change leads to running, becoming more of a role model for her kids

Think back to when you started running – what was the reason? Just like every runner is different, so is the story of how every runner became a runner. Watching her boys grow up, Christy Thomas, mother of two, decided to make a lifestyle change. Read her edition of My Running Story to learn what led to this lifestyle change and what distance she’ll run during Austin Marathon weekend.

My running story is extraordinary because it has changed me inside and out

Image of Christy Thomas at a running event. She began running because she wanted to make a lifestyle change. Christy will run the 2020 Austin Half Marathon!

Christy started running after deciding to make a lifestyle change.

In 2015, I realized that I needed to make a lifestyle change. I would watch my two amazing little boys and be happy because they were mine. And then I would start thinking that if I wanted to be able to enjoy them as much as I could and as long as I could, I needed to change my habits and my health. There weren’t any major medical issues, but I was a bit overweight and pretty sedentary. I was ready to change my lifestyle.

I started with just a few miles at a time. During the Texas summer. And IT WAS HOT. Some would say it was the perfect time to begin. I was miserable. Then it got a bit better. And I found friends who ran. Better yet, friends that lived close, ran the same pace, and had kids about the same ages. It all clicked. 

Can’t stop running

I haven’t stopped running. In fact, my friends have pushed me to run farther and faster (not at the same time) than I ever thought I could do myself. Since I decided to make a lifestyle change and began running, I’ve become a healthy and happy role model for my kids. And I know I’ll be around for a long time to see my boys grow up. I’m excited to run the Austin Half Marathon and continue to be an excellent mother and role model.

My Running Story is a series of blog submissions from runners just like yourself. They submitted their inspirational running stories as part of a contest to win an entry of their choice to the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon. Their stories range from crossing their first finish line to drastic lifestyle change due to running. Everyone’s story is different and unique, impacting them in a specific way. While each story is specific to the author, everyone can resonate in some form or fashion because of the power of running. Other My Running Story submissions include Kayleigh Williamson, Kirsten Pasha, Michael Coffey, Samantha Santos, Tom Hamann, Erica Richart, Angela Clark, Rebecca Galvan, Jeremy Tavares, Axel Reissnecker, Blair Nagel, Brittany Drennan, and Rene Arguello.

Tags: 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour, Angela Clark, Austin Half Marathon, Austin Marathon, Austin Marathon weekend, Axel Reissnecker, Blair Nagel, Brittany Drennan, Christy Thomas, Erica Richart, Jeremy Tavares, Kayleigh Williamson, Kirsten Pasha, lifestyle change, Michael Coffey, mom runner, My Running Story, Rebecca Galvan, Rene Arguello, Run Austin, Run Austin 2020, runner, running, running during the Texas summer, running leads to lifestyle change, running story, running with two kids, Samantha Santos, Texas half marathon, Texas marathon, Texas summer, Texas summer running, Tom Hamann
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://youraustinmarathon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/lifestyle-change-feature.jpg 400 495 Austin Marathon https://youraustinmarathon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/RBG-color-website-header-340x156website.png Austin Marathon2019-12-12 15:03:342019-12-09 15:04:06Lifestyle Change Introduces Mother of Two to Running
You might also like
Woman jogging on bridge with motivational text 6 Tips for Staying Motivated Until Race Day
Image of breakfast tacos from Pueblo Viejo, a great south Austin breakfast location. 6 South Austin Breakfast Spots You Must Try
Smiling woman runner wearing knee brace An Athlete’s Perspective – Issue 12
Image of a female runner at the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon with text reading July Running Playlist. The 2020 July Running Playlist: Music to Your Ears
Image of children running on the track during a Marathon Kids event. Marathon Kids is the beneficiary of the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods. Marathon Kids Named Beneficiary of Manzano Mile
Runner crossing Austin Half Marathon finish line 2018 Austin Marathon Announces Title Sponsor Opportunity

Signup for Newsletter

Search Search
Recent
  • Swimmer performing freestyle stroke in pool
    The Role of Cross-Training in Marathon SuccessJune 22, 2026 - 12:53 PM
  • Tired runner bent over at race finish
    How to Train When Motivation FadesJune 19, 2026 - 1:49 PM
  • Two smiling runners at Austin group run
    Run Clubs in Austin to Join This SummerJune 15, 2026 - 2:25 PM
  • Two runners in red shirts giving thumbs-up
    Nutrition Basics for Long-Distance RunnersJune 12, 2026 - 7:00 AM

High Five Events (owners of Austin Marathon) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com at no additional cost to the user.

Stay Up to Date

Latest Posts

  • Swimmer performing freestyle stroke in pool
    The Role of Cross-Training in Marathon Success
  • Tired runner bent over at race finish
    How to Train When Motivation Fades
  • Two smiling runners at Austin group run
    Run Clubs in Austin to Join This Summer

Search

  • Contact Us
  • Sponsors
  • Volunteer
  • Media
  • Privacy
  • USATF Safe Sport Handbook

Search

Search Search
© Copyright - Austin Marathon and Half Marathon
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Vimeo
  • Contact Us
  • Sponsors
  • Volunteer
  • Media
  • Privacy
  • USATF Safe Sport Handbook
Link to: Enjoy the Full Austin Experience at these 5 Iconic South Austin Locations Link to: Enjoy the Full Austin Experience at these 5 Iconic South Austin Locations Enjoy the Full Austin Experience at these 5 Iconic South Austin LocationsImage overlooking the Congress Avenue Bridge. This is a great place to watch the Mexican free-tail bats take off. It's part of the Austin experience! Link to: Don’t Miss these 2020 Expo Highlights at the Austin Marathon Expo Link to: Don’t Miss these 2020 Expo Highlights at the Austin Marathon Expo Image of mother and son in front of the Austin Marathon Winnebago at the 2019 Austin Marathon expo. Winnie is returning and will be a 2020 expo highlight.Don’t Miss these 2020 Expo Highlights at the Austin Marathon Expo
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top