PROfile: Samantha Calderon, 2019 Austin Half Marathon Elite Athlete Program
Samantha Calderon will compete against a stacked Austin Half Marathon field
Samantha Calderon has been accepted to the Austin Half Marathon’s Elite Athlete Program. She will compete against other top runners for a prize purse that totals $26,000 on Feb. 17, 2019. Earlier this year, Calderon qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. She currently trains in Colorado and has a bright future ahead of her! Run with her on race day, cheer her on, or watch the FloTrack live stream on race day from anywhere in the world.
About Samantha Calderon
Marathon PR (2:44:44).
My name is Samantha Calderon. I am from Minnesota, where I ran track and cross country at St. Cloud State. I now live in Boulder, Colorado, with my husband Julian, and my dog Chardonnay. I run for Run Boulder AC with Coach Kathy Butler. In January of 2018, I qualified for my first Olympic Trials! I’m excited to keep grinding and see where this sport takes me! I was 3x NCAA All-American. I love cooking, baking, reading, and of course running! Qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials at the 2018 Houston Marathon (2:44:44)
Training tip: Do the work. Sometimes training gets hard and you don’t want to do it. Show up every day and get through the workout, whether it’s great or not. You’ll add money to the training bank and it will show dividends.
Race day tip: Don’t do anything different. Eat the same thing that worked in training. Wear the same outfit you wore in your toughest workouts. Most importantly: smile and remember why you love to run!
Our Favorite Thanksgiving Foods
Compiling our favorite Thanksgiving foods wasn’t easy, but we did it!
Most will say pies are their favorite Thanksgiving foods.
That’s right, foods, plural! The High Five Events‘ staff had a few debates over favorite Thanksgiving foods the last several days. We decided to post the results and see where our answers rank amongst everyone else. For the purposes of this semi-scientific study, desserts count. Don’t forget the most important part, run before you eat!
Before we dive in, we’re thankful for all participants, volunteers, partners, sponsors, spectators, and supporters for your continued support of the Austin Marathon!
Laura – apple or pecan pie
Tina – mashed potatoes and gravy and all the pies!
Emily – pumpkin pie, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, and tons of turkey
Joey – oyster dressing and any pie mom makes
William – black-eyed peas
Scott – ham and Key Lime Pie
Stacy – sweet potato casserole with marshmallows (it doesn’t count as a dessert even though it kind of is)
John – dark meat turkey
Jack – Stove Top Stuffing!
Now we want to know your favorite Thanksgiving foods! Let us know on the Austin Marathon Facebook page.
PROfile: Will Christian, 2019 Austin Marathon Elite Athlete Program
Will Christian will race the Austin Marathon during his first trip to Texas
Will Christian has been accepted to the Austin Marathon’s Elite Athlete Program. He will compete against other top runners for a prize purse that totals $26,000 on Feb. 17, 2019. Christian is looking forward to his first trip to Texas, running the streets of Austin, and a post-race celebration that includes Texas BBQ. Run with him on race day, cheer him on, or watch the FloTrack live stream on race day from anywhere in the world.
Will Christian has been accepted to the Elite Athlete Program and will run the Austin Marathon.
About Will Christian
Marathon PR (2:19:13)
My name is Will Christian and I was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. I grew up in several different places due to my father being in the United States Navy. I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2006 and served six years active duty in the U.S. Navy. I’m currently serving in the U.S. Navy Reserves. I’m employed as an engineer for the City of Virginia Beach. My wife and I have a two-year-old son and we are expecting our second child in May of 2019! I love traveling, seeing new places, and meeting new people. Additionally, I enjoy daring activities, like skydiving, scuba diving, and zip lining. I have a goal to visit all 50 states before I’m 50 years old.
Champion and course record holder for 2018 Newport News One City Marathon (2:22:05)
Training tip: Don’t neglect speed training when training for a marathon and allow time for your body to rest.
Race day tip: Don’t try anything new (i.e. don’t wear brand new gear you haven’t worn before or eat something new the day of/day before a race.). Bonus tip: Don’t give up on yourself during the hard parts of the race!
