Ride and Run Austin with Project Connect

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How Project Connect can help make Austin an even better city

For the past several years, High Five Events, owners and producers of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, have worked in tandem with CapMetro. We’ve partnered to ensure that runners and fans can move about promptly and safely on big race days. But our partnership with CapMetro goes beyond that. High Five Events and CapMetro have a shared vision of what the future of Austin can be—cleaner, safer, faster, more equitable. We believe Project Connect will achieve that. 

Austin runners number in the hundreds of thousands. Most of the time our daily run starts and ends right outside our front door. But it’s beneficial, even essential, for fitness, training, and emotional health to have some variety. The solution is to run through any of Austin’s iconic environs like circling Ladybird Lake, flying past foliage on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, or tackling the difficult terrain of the Brushy Creek Trail. 

Bettering Austin

If you’ve been a runner here for a few years, you know that those places are harder and harder to get to. It takes longer to get there and back, probably longer than the run itself. Austin traffic pollutes the air we breathe. Traveling, whether by car or on foot, is not as safe. Traveling by rail will help to reduce traffic fatalities.

If runners across Austin support Project Connect and Prop A, we’ll all reap the same benefits. More access to trails, greenbelts, and parks. Cleaner, more breathable air. And a safer run or bike ride along often-used corridors. A good example of improving safety is the planned construction of a new bridge over Ladybird Lake. The plans will reduce foot and bike traffic along Pleasant Valley Road and Longhorn Dam.

Thinking about the future

Austin’s runners often travel on weekends to events around the country and that, too, will return once the pandemic is over. Project Connect makes getting to the airport much less of a Heartbreak Hill, no matter where in Austin you live. 

For running families, our children are facing a real challenge if they want to continue to live here. Two million additional people will move to Austin by 2040, four million total. Austin can certainly remain the best place in the country to work and live. However, we need to think about what life will be like in 20 years if we don’t act now to solve our traffic problems. 

If you want to learn more about Project Connect and how you can offer your support, visit TransitNowATX.com

High Five Events has long worked with CapMetro and the City of Austin transportation department to create event plans and race routes that minimize disruption to the transportation network. CapMetro planners collaborated with High Five Events on the redesign of the Austin Marathon route, which was introduced in 2018. The new route resulted in a significant decrease in the number of affected bus stations and allowed for less disruption to the overall bus network.

Booty Bands: 4 Reasons Why You’ll Love Their Benefits

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The resistance from booty bands can make you a stronger runner

Booty bands: funny name, legit benefits. Running by itself is great. But if that’s all you do you might experience burnout or have an overuse injury. That’s why we’re always talking about cross-training! The benefits runners can see from cycling, swimming, and yoga are endless. Now you can add booty bands to the list! They’re inexpensive, lightweight, and you can work out with them anywhere. We breakdown what they are, talk about their benefits, and provide some of our favorite workouts. They’re especially helpful for first-time runners!

Booty bands explained

https://youraustinmarathon.com/booty-bands-benefits/Booty bands are small loop bands that can be made from different materials including rubber, cloth, and elastic. These bands usually come in sets with different weights and resistance. They can add additional resistance to natural movements like squats, lunges, slides, and kicks. While they are great for targeting your core and lower body, they can also be used for shoulders and arms. Also known as resistance bands, mini bands, butt bands, and hip bands. They’re a great compliment to your training, especially when you’re increasing your mileage.

Do they work?

Heck yeah they do! Once you work out with them you might realize that you’ve been slacking on working out certain muscles. Because of the added resistance, you will use more stabilizing muscles and feel the burn. They’re one of the simplest additions to your training/workout routine. They’re also great for preventing painful injuries like shin splints. Pro tip: add these endurance circuit workouts to your training too!

Benefits

  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to use
  • Durable
  • Lightweight and easy to pack/store
  • Adds a variety to workouts
  • Great for different levels of fitness

How to use them

Search booty band workouts on Google. You’ll discover so many options that you could literally do a new one each day. That is how versatile they can be. Here are some that caught our eye and that we added to our own workout lineup:

As you can see, we still take cross-training seriously. If we don’t have time to rock climb or ride our bike, we bust out our booty bands. There are times where we even add them to our warm-up routine. Do you already use booty bands and have a favorite workout? Let us know in the Austin Marathon Facebook Group or on Twitter!

4 Reasons Why You Should Try a Virtual Race

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Learn about all the benefits before you sign up for a virtual race

Are you looking for a way to find adventure and excitement this fall? A virtual race is the answer you’ve been searching for. While there are many things in life we have no control over, physical fitness is one thing that we still have a grasp on. And with the Run Austin Virtual Series from Austin Marathon and 3M Half Marathon, you’ll have monthly milestones and get fit in no time!

Virtual events explained

Virtual races are an innovative addition to the racing community, giving participants an opportunity to stay fit and motivated while we work towards returning to in-person events. They can be completed in the comfort of your own home and at a time of your choice. Competitors can pick their starting points and routes, be it the walkway outside their house, in a different state, or even a completely different country. The Run Austin Virtual Series will only dictate the distance you run and there are various races to choose from. It’s a great opportunity to return to racing and enjoy the keen satisfaction that comes with completing a task. Take your virtual races off the roads and to the trails. If you are in Austin you can complete your next virtual run on Austin’s top running trails.

Why you should try virtual racing

1. Set new goals and achieve them

Competitors are given the opportunity to set personal goals and achieve them. Although you won’t run alongside others, you can still achieve your running goals, increase your mileage, and possibly set personal records along the way. Additionally, you can work your way from smaller, more achievable goals to larger ones. Since virtual events have fewer time restrictions than in-person events, you can work towards completing a longer distance than you would normally run, significantly increasing your endurance levels.

2. Explore the social aspect of racing

It’s a shared, fun experience that’s enjoyable for everyone involved. Although virtual, you’ll still be able to interact with fellow runners and connect over the races you’ve completed and the records you’ve set. This also allows you to get your family and friends from different parts of the world in on all the fun. Additionally, participation in virtual races also prepares you for traditional races once you feel the time is right.

3. Take your fitness to the next level

See this as a wake-up call to start achieving your fitness goals today. Virtual races can advance your fitness level, motivating you to change any unhealthy habits, and live your best life. This is a great way for beginners to implement our useful advice for first-timer runners.

4. Virtual racing swag

With each virtual race comes unique swag! You can also purchase official merchandise just like you would for an in-person event. These fun momentos are great ways to remind you of your accomplishments and push you towards your new goal. Share this with your fellow competitors and friends by flaunting your digital swag courtesy of Austin Marathon on our photo booth.

Virtual runs are for people who chase adventure and the sense of accomplishment that follows. It’s definitely an opportunity worth experiencing. You won’t regret supporting your local virtual race provider. How excited are you to take part in a virtual race? Let us know in the Austin Marathon Facebook Group or on Twitter.

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