Austin Marathon Happy Hour with nuun and Clif Bar

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Who doesn’t love happy hour?

Interrupt your week by joining us at the Austin Marathon Happy Hour at The Wheel on January 4th, brought to you by nuun and Clif Bar. Run with us through the newest parts of the Austin Marathon route and try products that will help your training now while helping you execute your plan on race day. Let’s get together and have a great start to the new year!

Kick back, relax, and enjoy happy hour with your fellow Austinites. Friends, great drinks, and a good time isn’t the only thing you’ll get at the Austin Marathon Happy Hour. Walk away with treats and swag from some of your favorite endurance brands! We do happy hour right; don’t miss your chance to win prizes because what would happy hour be without a raffle to top things off?

The benefits just keep on coming. The first 50 people through the door will receive a drink ticket and an awesome nuun pint glass! Join us January 4th at The Wheel (1902 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.) for some cardio, drinks, and camaraderie with your fellow runners! Don’t miss the run, it starts at 5:30. You absolutely don’t want to miss happy hour, which goes from 6:00 to 8:00. We can’t think of a better way to conclude your exercise than by ending it with a few drinks and great people. RSVP today. Please make plans to have a designated driver. Hope to see y’all there!

Austin Marathon Happy Hour

Staying Vertical with Kayleigh Williamson

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On Saturday, November 18th, Kayleigh Williamson and her mother, Sandy, spent the morning training on Town Lake and then sat down with William Dyson for the next Staying Vertical interview. Kayleigh is a highly decorated athlete and became the first runner with Down syndrome to complete the Austin Half Marathon in 2017. During the Staying Vertical interview, they chat about what it felt like to cross the Austin Half Marathon finish line, the support of her friends and coaches, what’s it like to impact people around the world, and who would win if she and her mom competed in various events. Read her interview below and if you see her on the trail or running around town give her a huge high five!

Follow Kayleigh on Facebook and join Kayleigh’s Club today! You can see all her recognition and awards at the end of the interview.

Staying Vertical

Kayleigh’s Club at the Austin High Track.

William Dyson – You’re a runner. When did you begin running? Why?

Kayleigh Williamson – I started running in 2013 because of my health. I had to take medication for Grave’s disease. I’m in remission now, no more medication. But I still take vitamins.

WD – In addition to running, you’re a decorated basketball player and swimmer. Why is physical fitness important to you?

KW – Because it keeps me moving. I’ve been playing basketball since 2006. I’ve been swimming since 2008.

WD – Aside from running, you have to choose one: basketball or swimming. Go.

KW – Swimming (without hesitation).

WD – What are some positives you see from remaining so active? What are some obstacles?

KW – Because I’ve been swimming for a while, I’ve seen the progress athletes see when they get better from practice. I get better sleep at night. I don’t have to take my medicine anymore. I always remember the Special Olympics motto, “Let ME be brave. Let US be strong.”

When I started running more I had a leg injury. I went to RunLab and they fixed the pain.

Staying Vertical

Shane and Kayleigh.

WD – Earlier this year, you became the first individual with Down syndrome to complete the entire Austin Half Marathon course. What was going through your mind when you crossed the finish line?

KW – I remember crossing the finish line and felt so happy that I had to do my victory dance. I was so glad to have my friends at the finish line. My friend Shane from RunLab was there the whole time, holding my hand at the finish line. Shane would play Britney Spears, she’s my favorite because she’s from the same place as me, McComb, Miss.

WD – You’re a superstar. What was it like to get coverage on ESPNW, Runner’s World, TODAY, and People?

KW – I really do like it. I liked being on TV, talking about my mom. I’m proud of myself. I do races and events for my grandma. She has a bad memory, she can’t walk or run. She’s my motivating factor.

WD – Your story has been seen and your impact has been felt around the world. You’re positively impacting others with your accomplishments. How does that feel?

KW – It’s a good thing. I’m proud of myself. I’m showing everyone what I can do and that they can do it too.

WD – You plan to run the 2018 Austin Half Marathon. Do you feel like you have unfinished business?

KW – Yes!

WD – What are your race-day goals for February 18, 2018?

KW – I want to improve on my time. I want to run more of the course and walk less.

Gabriel, Kayleigh, and Natasha.

WD – How is training coming along?

KW – I ran four miles today (11/18) I’m doing good. I have my mom and my friend at 24-Hour Fitness, Gabriel, who helps me with the weights. Capital Metro takes me everywhere: 24-Hour Fitness, RunLab, McBeth Recreation Center.

WD – Take me through your Saturday training regimen.

KW – I get up early at 5:30 to run. I go to my Weight Watchers meeting with my best friends, Norma and Beth Ann. I roll at home with my pink Worm. I have a monthly dance at McBeth Rec Center on Saturdays.

WD – You can give advice to someone who’s beginning to go through a situation similar to yours. What is that advice?

KW – Come run/walk the Austin Half Marathon with me!

WD – You’re training, you’re exhausted, you want to quit. What keeps you going?

KW – I keep going because I want to beat my mom.

WD – How do your RunLab coaches inspire you?

KW – I inspire them! Dr. Davis started Kayleigh’s Club. Natasha is now the coach of Kayleigh’s Club. She’s a sweet girl, she’s with me every step of the way.

WD – You have a big supporter and training partner in your mom, Sandy. How does that impact you?

KW – My mom challenges me, I love her. I call her Coach Mommy. She’s my sweetheart. On Mother’s Day, I tell her she’s the best mom in the whole world. She plays Bohemian Rhapsody for me.

Staying Veritcal

Sandy and Kayleigh.

WD – You and your mom compete in the following events. Tell me who wins:

KW – 100m dash – Me.

One mile – My mom.

Basketball game, first to 10 points – Me, I’ve been playing basketball for a while.

100m freestyle – Me.

WD – Favorite place to swim and run in Austin?

KW – swim – 24-Hour Fitness – William Cannon; run – Town Lake

WD – Favorite non-training activity?

KW – Dancing at McBeth Rec Center.

WD – What do you do for fun?

KW – Dance in the car with my mom, I’m the better dancer. We listen to Shania Twain, Man I Feel like a Woman, and Aretha Franklin, You Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman.

WD – Favorite Austin restaurant?

KW – West Gate Central Market, WestGate and Mr. Natural’s.

WD – Morning or evening workouts?

KW – Both.

WD – Friends or family come to visit. What’s the first Austin thing y’all do?

Staying Vertical

Kayleigh: half marathoners.

KW – Town Lake, I want to show them where I run.

WD – What’s your favorite holiday?

KW – Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

WD – You can choose one – dogs or cats?

KW – Both, we have four dogs and a cat. Their names are MegPie, Shadow, Nara, Maggie Mae, and Hercules (cat).

WD – What’s your favorite color?

KW – Red and black, those are my swim team colors.

WD – Kayleigh, thank you for taking the time to visit our office and lend your time for this interview. I had a blast getting to learn more about you, your motivations, and the amazing things you’ve done. We wish you all the best and we’ll see you on the trail and then at the start line on February 18th. Keep training and working hard and you’ll accomplish all your goals. Thanks for bringing your mom!

KW – You’re welcome. Thank you for interviewing me. I tried to keep my mom from talking too much. I will keep working hard because I want to beat my half marathon time and my mom. I also want to have more friends run with me. You can come to one of the workouts with Kayleigh’s Club. See you soon!

Recognition – At State (this last October), Kayleigh medaled in the 100m freestyle, the 50m backstroke, and the 25m breaststroke.  She has more than 15 medals at Area and State in swimming and more than 10 in basketball in Area and State.  She just completed her second 10-mile race (Run for the Water) in addition to 14 5K races, two 10K races, and two 8K races. She has Special Olympic medals in tennis, cycling, bowling, and track. The longest distance she has swum is 1600m.  

Kayleigh was the first individual with Down syndrome to train in International Krav Maga. Krav is Israeli self-defense. She trained for three years. International Krav has to be trained under a Master Krav Instructor. There are only two Masters in the US, one being in Texas.

Williamson will be the Ambassador for the Austin Rockin’ Resolution 10-Miler on 12/31.

An Athlete’s Perspective – Issue 10

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An Athlete’s Perspective is a blog series of event and/or training experiences written firsthand by the athletes themselves. An Athlete’s Perspective is a completely unscripted and raw look into the mind and daily life of an athlete as they prepare for their next race. Readers will discover training regimens, eating tips, gear recommendations, and an uncut perspective into the lives of people like you and me.

Preparing to Pace the Austin Marathon

By: Albert Marino aka Moose Malloy

This Sunday, 12/3, is my next marathon. It still hasn’t fully sunk in, but it’s starting to. I’ve been training since June. Five and a half months. All that work….

athlete's perspective

Marino at Hagerman Pass.

For this cycle, I’ve upped my mileage to 90, which a year ago would have seemed like insanity. I’ve been doing my workouts with guys and gals that not long ago I considered way out of my league. I’m very proud of my improvements, and I am now confident enough to say that I’m going for a 2:45 at the California International Marathon. Unreal.

But whether I hit that goal or not, isn’t why I run. My personal motto is “The Path Is The Goal.” I run because I love running. I train because I love training. When I get up for my morning run, I don’t think about PRs or BQs. As I wait for my Garmin to connect, I look up and thank the moon and the stars for the gift of running. I discovered running basically by accident. It changed my life so profoundly that I won’t attempt to summarize it here. If I can pay it forward, then I’m game.

My first and only pacing duty took place a few years back when I convinced a few of my high school Cross Country kids to run the Austin Marathon. They absolutely killed it. Their time goal was modest, but they didn’t care about that. They simply wanted to take on a herculean task, and see what happens. Well, they finished, right alongside their coach. We cried, we hugged, then we sat down and contemplated the fact that we just ran twenty-six point two blessed miles! Lives were changed that day, and that’s a beautiful thing.

So while I look forward to my race, and I’m trying not to look too far beyond it. I am already looking forward to my pacing duties at the Decker Challenge and Austin Marathon, where I’ll pace the 3:35 group. I remember how important and inspirational my pacers were during my first two marathons and the idea that I can be that for others in pretty exciting. Crossing the finish line with a group of warriors that accomplished something that was beyond themselves, now that sounds like something worth doing. For those hours, we will be a family. There will be ups and there will certainly be downs. But together we will succeed, and it will be a beautiful day.

Four Reasons to Build Your Austin Marathon Team

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There’s no better way to kick off the new year than by running the Austin Marathon as a team. Creating an Austin Marathon team is perfect for companies, groups, friends, and family. With race day a couple months away, it’s time to start thinking (if you haven’t already) about who you want running by your side. What people do you want pushing you when you think you can’t go anymore? Here are 4 reasons why you should run with a team on February 18th:

  1.    Built-in training partners

    austin marathon team

    The Austin Runners Club team!

  • Running with people who are working towards the same goal just makes sense. Training with partners is a great way to keep each other on track and hold one another accountable.
  1.   Austin Marathon team packet pick up
  • Would you rather have one team member pick up everyone’s packet or have the whole team go as a group to soak up the energy of the expo? One good thing about building an Austin Marathon team is that you can choose. Love having options!
  1. Finish line party with your Austin Marathon team
  • Parties are awesome, but parties are better with people you know. Finish the Austin Marathon or half marathon, kick back with your team at your team tent, and celebrate your accomplishments at the Austin Marathon finish line festival.
  1. Trash talking

    austin marathon team

    Team Kate at the 2017 Austin Marathon.

  • Who doesn’t like some good ol’ fashioned trash talk? Nothing fuels the competitive juices better than wanting to prove someone wrong!

After reading these reasons, why wouldn’t you get a team together? If you realize that you really want to run with a team but haven’t started making one, don’t worry, team registration doesn’t close until January 5th. Get started today!