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6 Awesome Austin Places You Can Visit On the Marathon Course

Experience Austin when you visit these 6 locations along miles 6-13

Austin is growing, but that doesn’t mean it’s losing some of its more well-known locations. Whether you’re a bookworm, trying to play a round of golf, or looking for some new shoes, we cover six must-visit locations along miles 6-13 of the Austin Marathon course. If you’re an Austinite, just moved here, or planning to visit during Austin Marathon weekend, put these places along miles 6-13 on your to-visit list!

View from the top floor of the Austin Central Library, located near Miles 6-13 of the Austin Marathon course.

View from the top Austin Central Library’s top floor.

1. Auditorium Shores

This slice of heaven in downtown Austin is home to the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Statue and the Zero Mile Marker, a common meeting place for runners. You can start here and run an uninterrupted, 10-mile loop around Town Lake. Auditorium Shores (900 W. Riverside Dr.) is home to a leash-free dog park and numerous concerts and festivals. Auditorium Shores will be on your left at Mile 6.

2. Austin Central Library

The Austin Central Library (710 W. Cesar Chavez St.) is one of the city’s newest jewels. In addition to its books, it features sweeping views of Town Lake. It’s also home to gallery space, a rooftop garden, downtown Austin’s largest solar installation, and a bar and cafe. In 2018, it was named one of the greatest places in the world by TIME. A Seaholm District staple, you’ll pass this beautiful 6-floor book hotel at Mile 6.5.

Runners test their speed on the Austin High Track.

3. Fleet Feet Austin

They opened their doors in July 2018 and have been so busy you’d swear they haven’t closed them since. Fleet Feet Austin (211 Walter Seaholm Dr.) is a great place to get fitted for the shoes that are perfect for you. They’re also the Official Running Store of High Five Events, supporting athletes of all abilities. Visit Ari and his team and let them know the Austin Marathon sent you!

4. Austin High Track

Athletes of all levels have completed a speed workout or two at the Austin High track (2100 Stephen F. Austin Dr.). This includes Olympic athletes and runners training for their first marathon. It’s downtown location and proximity to the 10-mile hike-and-bike-trail makes it one of the most-used public tracks in the country. You’ll pass Austin’s fitness hub at Mile 7.5.

View of Deep Eddy Pool, located near Miles 6-13 of the Austin Marathon course.

Deep Eddy Pool is the oldest pool in Texas.

5. Deep Eddy Pool

This man-made swimming pool is the oldest in Texas and features a bathhouse built during the Depression era. Today, Deep Eddy Pool (401 Deep Eddy Dr.) is popular with swimmers for its lap swimming pool and families for its large wading pool. Clear, cold, non-chlorinated water from two different wells fills the pool. The water temperature varies from 66-75 degrees, making it usable year-round. Runners can find this watering hole near Mile 8.5 of the course.

6. Lions Municipal Golf Course

This is one of Austin’s most popular courses. Lions Municipal Golf Course (2901 Enfield Rd.) opened in 1924, making it the city’s first public golf course. This 18-hole course is listed on the Registration of National Historical Places by the National Park Service. Miles 8.5-10.5 wrap around the course as it reaches its furthest point west before participants turn easy, heading back downtown.

Miles 6-13 of the Austin Marathon course showcase some of Austin’s oldest and newest locations you need to visit. Whether you’re getting new shoes, checking out a book, or going for a swim, pay these places a visit! Reach out on Facebook or Twitter and let us know your favorite.

Building an Unbreakable Bond through Running

in My Running Story

Running hundreds of miles has created an unbreakable bond between Samantha and her daughter

It’s no secret, running brings people together. They meet at a run club, on the roads, or at the Austin Half Marathon. Whether runners become fast friends or fall in love, it’s obvious running can build an unbreakable bond. Read Samantha’s edition of My Running Story to learn how running helped her and her daughter create their unbreakable bond. They’ve accomplished a lot and Samantha has her eyes set on a major goal on Austin’s streets on February 16, 2020!

Samantha's daughter loves running, it helps build their unbreakable bond.

The contagious smile of Samantha’s daughter when they’re running.

Never thought I would be a runner

I never thought I would be a runner, but my daughter changed all of that. I vividly remember our first run together. Lacing up a beat-up pair of sneakers, getting her little arms and legs inside her snowsuit (spring in Wisconsin), and slogging down the street just trying to sneak in one, maybe two miles. And why did I think that running with a stroller would be easy? Momentum or something? I was so wrong. I was also five months postpartum and had only ever gone for one intentional run before.

Sure, I ran here and there, but never had I set a mileage or pace goal. That morning in March 2017 was the start of it all. That April we ran our first 5K together and somehow snagged first in our age group. That June we ran our second 5K in our new home: California. Then the miles just kept adding up. We have seen so many miles of California coastline, the Midwest, and New York City strictly by stroller and street. We have completed 5Ks, 10Ks, and a half marathon together. For others, she has waited for me at the finish line.

Her smile is contagious

She has been my biggest cheerleader and coach. Her smile is contagious when she’s taking in the sights on a training run or amidst other runners in the middle of a race or listening to the cheering at the finish line. Running has brought so much joy to both of us. I am forever grateful for my daughter and the unexpected gift she has given to me with running.

Now here I am one month postpartum with our baby boy. We are moving to Austin soon. A new baby, a new home, and a new jogging stroller. There truly is no better way to see a city than by running through its streets. So much adventure, challenge, and joy lie ahead as we get ready to discover the streets of Austin by stroller and street. And what better goal to have than to run the Austin Half (or perhaps I will finally check that full marathon off my bucket list!). Update – Samantha has committed to the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon!

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, and Michael Coffey.

6 Must-Try Austin Restaurants Along the Austin Marathon Course

in Blog post, Explore Austin

Get a preview of the Austin Marathon’s west segment and eat at these amazing Austin restaurants

Austin is jam-packed with delicious places to eat. From breakfast to a midnight snack, Austin restaurants can answer any grumbling stomach. We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for a new place to eat or have friends and family in town. Below are six of our favorite restaurants that can be found along miles 6-13 of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon course.

ATX Cocina (Mile 6.5)

ATX Cocina, one of the Austin Marathon's favorite Austin restaurants on the course.

Picking your drink at ATX Cocina is easier than choosing what tequila you want! Credit – ATX Cocina

Austin has no shortage of Mexican food, but ATX Cocina (110 San Antonio St. Suite 170) takes their cuisine to another level. Corn, the foundation of their kitchen, is grown by small family farms in Mexico. Take a crowd so everyone can enjoy their tapas-style dishes. Happy hour is every day from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30. Don’t sleep on the Margarita de la Casa. All you have to do is decide what tequila you want!

68 Degrees Kitchen (Mile 8)

When you first sit down at 68 Degrees Kitchen (2401 Lake Austin Blvd.) start pouring over their extensive Italian wine list. The selection is pretty impressive. Their Mac & Cheese Balls are equally as impressive. Order some for the table or for yourself. We recommend the Penne with Spicy HouseMade Lamb Sausage. Get the half order so you can save room for dessert!

Magnolia Cafe (Mile 8)

Pancakes at Magnolia Cafe, one of the Austin Marathon's favorite Austin restaurants on the course.

Magnolia Cafe’s pancakes are the perfect pre-Austin Marathon meal. Credit – Magnolia Cafe

This Austin original is celebrating their 40th anniversary during 2019. Breakfast is served anytime at Magnolia Cafe (2304 Lake Austin Blvd.), but their bread and butter is literally bread and butter, PANCAKES! They’re open 24 hours a day, perfect for spectators watching loved ones run Austin’s streets on February 16th. Order the Kitchen Sink Burger if you find yourself looking over the Late Night Menu, trust us. It’s smothered in their famous queso. Pro tip – they also have a location near Mile 1.5.

Hula Hut (Mile 9)

Hula Hut has overlooked Lake Austin since 1993 (3825 Lake Austin Blvd.). Their Tex-Mex food has a Hawaiian twist and their island vibe pairs perfectly when you sit near the water. If you’re ordering for two, get the Hawaiian Fajitas. If you’re not, get the Grilled Fresh Fish Tacos. Whatever you decide, save room for Manual’s Fried Ice Cream!

Texas Chili Parlor (Mile 12.5)

Walk through the door at 1409 Lavaca St. and you’ll step back in time while your senses are overwhelmed with the scent of chili and booze. Texas Chili Parlor has been mostly lit with neon signs since 1976. The menu is littered with delicious options, but we recommend you keep it simple. Order a Chili Dog or Frito Pie. Or both! Pro tip – don’t drink mad dog margaritas and eat chili the night before the Austin Marathon.

Clay Pit (Mile 12.5)

Inside of Clay Pit, one of the Austin Marathon's favorite Austin restaurants on the course.

Clay Pit has called the Bertram House home since 1998. Credit – Clay Pit

Clay Pit (1601 Guadalupe St.) has called the Bertram House their home since 1998. They offer exquisite Indian food in the two-story stone building that was built in 1853 as a trading post on the outskirts of Austin. They make the best Chicken Tikka Masala you’ll ever eat. Make sure you save room for dessert. Their Mango Cheesecake was featured in Bon Appetit magazine!

There are many delicious places to eat along miles 6-13 of the Austin Marathon course. Did we miss your favorite Austin restaurant? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter. If you find yourself in East Austin, check out these restaurants and places to visit!

7 Tips to Help You Run Your Best

in Blog post

These 7 tips will help you run your best and get the most out of training

Run your best when you follow these 7 tips! There are some things that are out of our control, like the weather. But when you execute the things you can control, you truly run your best. These tips are as easy as relaxing while you run and as technical as checking your cadence. Keep these tips in mind when you’re training for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.

Stay relaxed and keep your body loose during your run.

Relax

Sounds simple, but we can unknowingly put a strain on our body in an effort to produce mileage or a certain pace. Really focus on relaxing your body. Unclench your fists and loosen your shoulders and jaw. You can even begin your run or workout at a slightly slower than normal pace to really dial in your breathing. Slowly increasing your heart rate at the beginning will help with relaxation.

Take time off

Listen to your body, whether you suspect an injury or just don’t feel good. The last thing you want is to have something minor become a major issue. If you have to take more than a day or two off, visit a specialist and get checked out. Ascension Seton’s Dr. Martha Pyron specializes in sports performance. If there’s something wrong she’ll diagnose it and help you build a plan to get back to running.

Get more sleep

Feeling a little sluggish since you’ve increased your mileage? Add one extra minute of sleep per night for every mile you run that week. If you run 30 miles per week, add 30 minutes of sleep. Your body repairs itself when you sleep. Make sure you give your body enough time to do what it needs when you begin asking more of it.

People try different nuun hydration flavors at the 2019 Austin Marathon expo.

Hydrate

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s extremely vital. At a minimum, you should drink 30-50 ounces every day. The more active the are, the more you should increase that amount. Make sure you have a good balance of water and an electrolyte-infused fluid, like nuun hydration.

Lift weights

Don’t run every day, mix it up. Cross-training is important to prevent overuse injuries. You work your muscles differently and build strength when you lift weights. When lifting weights, focus on a lighter weight with more reps. If you can’t make it to the gym, build your own workout that includes push ups, sit ups, squats, and lunges. Not a fan of lifting weights? Cross-train with these five non-running activities.

Check your cadence

The average runner’s cadence should be 150 steps per minute. You don’t have to count this in your head! Every runner is different, especially if you’re just starting out of have been running all your life. Under Armour makes knowing your cadence seamless. Their bluetooth connected shoes, like the UA HOVR Velociti 2, sends the information from your run directly to their MapMyFitness app. The app even provides personalized coaching tips! Tracking your cadence, mileage, pace, and other running-related data will help you see improvement.

Focus on your stride

This coincides with the first tip to relax. Your stride improves when you relax. Don’t overstride or run on your tippy toes. You want your stride to be smooth and comfortable. This better optimizes the energy your body uses and helps avoid injury.

You will ask more of your body as you increase your mileage. It’s important that you take care of your body. Incorporate these tips so that you can run your best. Do you have a tip that helps you run your best? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.