How to Stay Motivated after the Austin Marathon/Half Marathon

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Keep the good times rolling, stay motivated with these tips

You trained a great deal in preparation for the Austin Marathon or Austin Half Marathon. Most of you trained at least 3-4 months, some of you as many as 12 months! Either way, you’ve established a rhythm and created a solid foundation with which you can build off of in preparation for the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon! Read below to see how to stay motivated now that you’ve crossed the Congress Ave. finish line.

Reward yourself

Early mornings. Late nights. Months of training. Hundreds of miles. One finish line. You achieved your goals and accomplished dreams! Reward yourself and commemorate your moment when you purchase official, limited-edition Austin Marathon gear from the online Fleet Feet Austin store. Show off in your Run Austin Under Armour gear during your next workout or on your next long run. Be proud of your accomplishments! Hurry, because supplies are limited. Pro tip: when you don’t feel like working out or going for a long run, bust our your Run Austin gear for an energy boost!

Join a running club

If you don’t already run with a club or a group, this section is for you! If you do run with a club or group, check out some other options around town. It never hurts to meet more runners, try new workouts, and log more miles! Various groups and clubs around Austin have differing schedules, so they can accommodate most any runner in any part of Austin.

  • RAW Running meets twice a week on Tuesday evening (7:00 at Deep Eddy Cabaret) and Friday morning (6:30 at Fleet Feet Austin).
  • East Side Beer Runners meet on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Hops and Grain and explore Austin’s trails on Sunday morning. RAW and ESBR don’t charge for membership.
  • Austin Runners Club has runs just about every day of the week in every part of Austin. ARC dues are $30/year, but if you join ARC while registering for the Austin Marathon or 3M Half Marathon it only costs $25!
  • Pro tip: if you’re not in Austin, use this helpful tool from the Road Runners Club of America to find a running club near you.

Branch out

Chances are high that all or a high percentage of your Austin Marathon or Austin Half Marathon training miles were completed on the road. Now’s the time to branch out and explore other locations and endurance sports! There are numerous benefits to running on trails or completing your first triathlon.

  • Trail running will purposefully slow you down. You can really dial in your pace, allowing your body to continue getting stronger. With the ups and downs, twists and turns, you work your muscles differently. This helps with the strengthening, especially with your ankles and feet. Wherever you run on trails, you get to see some of the prettiest locations in your city! Pro tip: pay attention! You can’t just zone out like you sometimes can on the road, you have to pay attention to everything, from roots to rocks. The last thing you want is to end up on the ground!
  • Register for your first triathlon, like Rookie Triathlon. The benefits of cross-training are endless! With a 300m swim, 11.2-mile bike, and 2-mile run, this event is perfect for first-timers. You’ve got the running part down, now focus on the swim and bike portions. Once you adjust your training you’ll really feel your body get stronger. Austin has several pools where you can start your swim training and numerous bike paths where you can lock in your bike training.

Register for short-distance races

Speedwork makes the dream work! Now is the time most runners switch from long-distance training to shorter distances, especially with the impending Texas heat. This allows them to remain in shape while strengthening their muscles differently. Speedwork will help you get faster if you utilize your training properly. Just because you focus on shorter distances doesn’t mean you can ignore recovery, stretching, foam rolling, etc. You still have to take care of your body! 

  • Cap10K – Cap10K is entering its 42nd year and is the largest 10K in Texas. With more than 24,000 registrants expected on April 7th, Cap10K is annually one of the largest 10Ks in the US. Cap10K starts on Congress Ave. Bridge and finishes near Auditorium Shores. The finish line festival is complete with a selfie drone, beer garden, and live music.

Workout with Camp Gladiator

This crew got you loose on Feb. 17th, so you know they know their stuff. They also had 12 cheer stations on course, so you know they can bring the energy! CG is an outdoor fitness program for all fitness levels. They have workouts all over Austin, find one near you. These workouts will make you a better runner because you can trim down, work on your core, and increase your overall strength. Learn how you can take advantage of their best pricing of the season!

Raise money for your favorite charity

Another great way to stay motivated is to fundraise on behalf of your favorite Austin Gives Miles nonprofit leading up to Feb. 16, 2020. Add more meaning to your training miles and make a significant impact on Central Texas. Raise money from family and friends for each mile you run or each run you complete. Either way, you’re using your legs for good! It’s tough to choose from all the amazing Austin Gives Miles charities, but if you ran with us on Feb. 17th, think back to the aid station that gave you the most energy. The one that pumped you up when you needed it the most. Write down that nonprofits name and fundraise on their behalf when you train for the Austin Marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

Start a team for 2020

It’s never too early to begin planning for 2020 3M Half Marathon (Jan. 19th) and Ascension Seton Austin Marathon (Feb. 16th). There are many reasons to create a team. Starting a team is a great way to hold others accountable during training. Plus, running is better with friends! Why pick either event when your team can register to run both events. Grab brunch after long runs, make shirts for race day, or support an Austin Gives Miles charity. Let the recruiting begin!

7 Ways to Calm Pre Race Nerves

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Do you hav a big race coming up? Is tomorrow is the big day? While we know you are excited you are probably a little nervous as well. Whether this is your first 5K or your 100th marathon, everyone has pre-race nerves. So most importantly, don’t feel alone, it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

1.Breathe

Yeah it sounds easy now doesn’t it. But with the excitement of being on site you may notice an increase heart rate and faster breathing. Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine your training. Collect your thoughts and take deep breaths in through your nose and out through the mouth. You will have a better race if you start off relaxed.

2. Be Prepared

Stop doubt before it happens. Make a list and prepare everything the night before. Make the list simple and leave stuff you don’t need at your hotel or with a loved one. You don’t want to feel like you are juggling a million different things in the morning. Charge your phone all the way to 100% and leave plugged in until you have to leave.

3. Turn on some tunes. or not

Everyone has their own tastes so do what you need to here. Whether it is Metallic or Enya that gets you in the mood, now is the time to tap into music that has positive emotions for you. Some people find just the general buzz of people talking and and moving around to be soothing enough and save their own tunes for later on in the course.

4. Don’t over warm up

Take time going through your normal warm-up routine. Your muscles may feel a little tighter than normal but don’t worry – it is just pre-race nerves. Don’t give into the urge to copy what people are doing around you. Just because people are jumping around, contorting into unknown yoga poses, and running shuttle sprints doesn’t mean that you have to!

5. Set Your Motivation

Why are you here? Find your motivation and purpose. It doesn’t have to be anything grand, it can be as simple as “I want to challenge myself”.

6. STOP THINKING ABOUT IT

At some point, you’ve just got to lace up your running shoes and get on with it. Trust us, you’re as prepared as you’ll ever be. Evaluations can wait till after the race. In our opinion give yourself a few days to reflect before you jump into a full race evaluation/ race report.

7. Use the restroom

This may or may not fall under the category of calming the nerves but hey it is still important. Even if you “don’t need to.” You can always get in there and do nothing, but better safe than sorry and better than finding out in between aid stations.

Don’t Forget These Austin Marathon Race-Week Reminders

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Don’t sleep on these Austin Marathon race-week reminders

It has finally arrived! Race week for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour’s is here! We know you’re just as excited as we are for our 28th anniversary. With all the excitement it’s easy to forget the simple things you need to do race week. We’re here to help with these race-week reminders.

Under Armour HOVR Shakeout Run

  • This is one Shakeout Run you don’t want to miss! Kick off Austin Marathon weekend on Friday morning (Feb. 15th) with hundreds of your running friends, UA HOVR shoe demos, a jog around Town Lake, tacos, and coffee. All distances and paces are welcome.

Invite your friends

  • Fact – running is best enjoyed with friends! They can run with you, cheer for you at various points along the course, or celebrate with you at the finish line festival. If your friends have been on the registration fence, now is the time. Tell them about the upcoming price increase on Thursday, Feb. 14th, or gift them a registration yourself!
  • If you have friends and family who cannot watch you run the streets of Austin on Feb. 17th, have them tune in to the FREE FloTrack livestream! FloTrack will cover all the action between the elite males and females racing the half marathon and marathon. Once elites cross the finish, FloTrack will capture every finisher as they cross their finish line! KXAN will provide FloTrack’s coverage to the local Austin market.

Hydration/nutrition

  • Begin hydrating during race week. It’ll help ensure your body has the fluids needed to secure that next PR! Make sure you’re getting a nice balance of electrolytes and fluids during the week. You’ve put in the training miles, now make sure all systems are ready for race day! BONUS – hydrate with the Mango Orange nuun performance, it’s what’ll be on course at all 22 aid stations.
  • There will be 2 Gatorade Endurance Fuel Zones at Miles 9.5 and 20. providing runners with Endurance Gels and Chews.

Plan your race day

  • There aren’t many runners who don’t already do this, but nevertheless, it’s a great reminder. Layout everything you’ll need the night before and double-check it. This increases the likelihood that you forget nothing race morning. You should even plan what you’ll eat the morning of and the night before. Stick with what works!
  • Driving to the expo on Friday or Saturday? Parking downtown race morning? Check out all the parking options or reserve your parking spot with Spot Hero!

If you didn’t train with it…

  • Don’t do it on race day! As simple as it seems. If you didn’t run with it, eat it, or drink it during training, don’t do it on race day!

Celebrate at the finish line festival

  • Last but definitely not least, recoverate (recover + celebrate)! Once you cross the finish line, snag your commemorative belt buckle finisher medal and head to the finish line festival. Grab your snack bag and some hydration. Then check out the food trucks, music, and the Oskar Blues Austin beer garden! Tito’s Handmade Vodka will serve delicious mixed drinks in the beer garden as well. BONUS – family or friends who cheered or tracked you via the app can meet you and help celebrate.
  • Did you pre-purchase your post-race massage with Austin Massage Company? Good call! If you didn’t, there’s still time to purchase a quick massage before continuing your celebration.
  • If you didn’t get enough live music on course, you can rock out with Austin’s own Delivery Service at the finish line festival. After their two sets, Fusion will keep the party going when they cover all the hits!

Expo Highlights You Don’t Want to Miss!

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Our expo highlights showcase the booths you have to visit

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Expo & Packet Pick Up is just days away! The expo is a chance for participants to visit our sponsors and partners and check out what they have to offer. The 2019 Marathon Health & Fitness Expo will have more than 100 vendors selling all sorts of runners’ goodies. From on-course hydration to Official Austin Marathon Under Armour gear, below are the expo highlights you can’t miss. There are tons of prizes, giveaways, and discounts too!

The expo is open to the public on Friday, February 15th, from  1:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m and Saturday, February 16th, from 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.

Get in the Groove 2020 Tour 

It is never too early to get excited about running next year! Get in the groove with us as we spread our love of Austin and running during our tour in our 1972 Winnebago, nicknamed Winnie. Come meet Winnie at the 2020 Austin Marathon booth.

Ascension Seton

Ascension Seton is part of the largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. and their doctors and nurses will be on course and at the finish line tent. They will also volunteer throughout the expo and be available on course. Say hi! You can stop by their booth to talk about taking care of your body as your train, get free blood pressure readings, and more.

KXAN

Not only will KXAN be showing the 2019 Austin Marathon live coverage to all locals looking to watch from home, but they will also be at the expo providing healthy living and wellness tips and information from expert medical professionals as part of their Simple Health initiative. You will have the opportunity to learn hands-on CPR training.

2020 Registration Combo Deal

Do you love to RUNAUSTIN?! Save an extra $10 off registration when you add 3M Half Marathon at time of check out. This pricing is the best that will be available for 2020, so take advantage of it. 3M Half Marathon is a stand-alone half marathon on January 19, 2020. It is known for its point-to-point course and swag bag filled with 3M products.

Official Merchandise

Visit our friends at Fleet Feet Austin and snag your Official Austin Marathon Under Armour gear before it’s gone! From shirts and jackets to pint glasses and coffee mugs, this year’s official merch is awesome and will make you smile when you remember running the Austin Marathon or Austin Half Marathon.

Jumbotron & Pacer Booth

Take a seat and watch the big screen as we go over both the marathon and half marathon courses. Have questions or a goal time you are looking to meet? Be sure and stop by the Pacer booth and talk to our amazing pacers. There are 18 different pace groups available. Pace groups run based on marathon finish times and will run the first part of the course with the half marathon.

Smile! Great Photo Opportunities

The Insta opportunities are at an all-time high at this year’s expo. There will be several fun photo opportunities set up throughout the expo including our GIF photo booth, a larger than life-size version of this year’s finisher medal, course maps, and more. Be sure to visit them all, some not to miss include:

  • Austin Marathon & Half Marathon course map
  • Carvana DeLorean
  • Hilton Hotels

Shopping & Giveaways

  • There will be tons of products to sample including Kodiak cakes, Kicking Horse Coffee, Thunderbird Real Food Bars, REBBL, Snap Nutrition, and Honey Badger.
  • SPIbelt will have a spinning wheel out sporadically during the event where people can spin to win! Stop by, say hey, learn about their new products, and spin to see what you could win.
  • nuun hydration will be sampling a ton of their flavors including Orange Mango, which will be at all aid stations on race day.
  • Kerrville Triathlon – from awesome trucker hats to free shirts, The Most Scenic Triathlon in Texas will have a prize wheel full of great giveaways.
  • fitppl – while reducing plastic and cleaning the world, these superfoods combine plant-based protein, spirulina, alkalizing grasses, and phytonutrient-packed fruits creating a wholesome, all-in-one, nutrient-dense shake.
  • Hilton will have a photo booth set up, plus opportunities to win awesome prizes including a grand prize which includes free hotel stays.

The Nutmobile

It’s ok to get a little nutty sometimes, especially when you encounter the Planter’s NUTmobile. Come talk to the Peanutters and get a sample of delicious Planter’s products.