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Join Nate Boyer and Run with Heart for Dell Children’s

Run with heart and join Nate Boyer in supporting Dell Children’s Heart Program

Nate Boyer, former Green Beret, Texas Longhorn, and Seattle Seahawk has always followed his heart. Like when he decided to serve our country and when he taught himself to long snap leading to his career in the NFL. His decision to run his first marathon and fundraise for the new Dell Children’s Heart Program is no different. And you have the opportunity to join Nate Boyer and make a difference!

Nate Boyer carries the American flag for the Texas Longhorns before a home game. Courtesy of Nate Boyer.

Boyer leads the Texas Longhorns onto the field before a home game. Image courtesy of Nate Boyer.

“Now’s a time when we need to love ourselves and one another,” said Boyer. “2021 is a year where we have an opportunity to do things differently, do them better.”

Boyer’s fully committed

Boyer is committed to running the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, his first marathon, on Valentine’s Day weekend despite many obstacles. The Austin Marathon, originally set for February 14th, was canceled because of COVID-19. The Austin Half Marathon and KXAN SimpleHealth 5K were moved to April 25th.

Boyer will follow his heart and stick with his plan to run the Austin Marathon on Valentine’s Day weekend. He’s raising funds for Dell Children’s Heart Program and you can join him! See below for all the ways you can take part. As a Longhorn, Boyer and some teammates would visit Dell Children’s before games. Those visits left an enduring mark on both patients and players. 

Nate Boyer smiles for the camera in front of a Humvee while serving as a Green Beret. Image courtesy of Nate Boyer.

Boyer served our country as a Green Beret. Image courtesy of Nate Boyer.

“I’ve always wanted to run a marathon and I’m fully committed to my goal,” said Boyer. “When things get tough I’ll run with my heart knowing the money raised will give kids the opportunity to follow their heart later in life.”

Boyer is a philanthropist, humanitarian, and the oldest rookie in NFL history at age 34. Being a member of both the military veteran and athlete community, he saw an opportunity to team up both populations to tackle their transition struggles together through his charity Merging Vets & Players (MVP). He currently works in film and TV as a producer, director, actor, and host. Among several other projects, he currently produces and hosts the NFL Network show: Indivisible with Nate Boyer. It features NFL cities, players, and community leaders across America. They discuss issues relevant to their communities and how football unites us all to solve these problems.

How you can help make a heart-filled difference

  1. Donate to Boyer’s fundraising page! Every dollar donated will be doubled up to $10,000 thanks to a generous grant from Moody Foundation, presenting sponsor of Austin Marathon Gives.
  2. Sign up to virtually run with Boyer! Receive a limited-edition Love Austin virtual finisher medal and a virtual swag bag with discounts around town so you can go show Austin some love. Run all 26.2 miles or you can do any distance you choose! Sign up here!
  3. Run the Austin Half Marathon or 5K on April 25th! When you register you can select to create your own charity campaign to raise money for Team Dell Children’s.
  4. Purchase a shirt! Through February 14th, 50% of profits from the Run Austin Love Austin shirts will go directly to Boyer’s fundraising page for Dell Children’s Heart Program!
  5. Follow along on social! Follow Boyer’s 26.2-mile journey through Austin during Valentine’s Day weekend on our Facebook and Instagram. Join us for the virtual afterparty and share photos from your own virtual run with Boyer. Use #RunAustinLoveAustin and encourage others to help support the campaign.

6 Signs You Need to Take a Day Off from Running

Take a day off from running if you exhibit one of these 6 signs

If you are a regular runner, you know how you can get stuck in a rut during training. Perhaps you skip your rest day thinking you can get ahead. You may train longer and eat healthier, but you are not getting any faster or stronger. Sounds like you’re overtraining. Rest days are vital and the key to preventing overtraining. By overtraining, your body doesn’t have the opportunity to recover. This results in getting stuck into the black hole called overtraining. Check for these 6 signs to see if you need to take a day off from running. 

6 signs you need a rest day

1. Tired

If you feel exhausted, sore, or fatigued even after getting 7-8 hours of sleep, take a rest for a day or two. This will aid in your body’s recovery process and give your muscles a chance to heal. In addition to a rest day, follow these tips that’ll help you balance life and training better.

2. Not sleeping

You need a rest day if you still feel fatigued after 7-8 hours of sleep.

If you are having trouble sleeping, it is a sign that your nervous system is working overtime. Lack of proper sleep results in poor performance. It could also inhibit the conversion of carbs to glycogen. Avoid scrolling on your phone before bed. Establish and follow a bedtime routine to signify to your body it’s time to sleep.

3. Dehydrated

If you feel super thirsty constantly or the color of your urine is dark yellow, it is a sure sign of dehydration. Exhausted adrenal glands start releasing cortisol, also called the stress hormone, resulting in an increased demand for water. Without proper hydration, the body reaches catabolic state, a condition that can include extreme fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and sleeplessness.

4. Sluggish during run

Every runner experiences a bad workout every now and then. If you feel weak and slow during several workouts, it is a red flag. Your body may not be getting time to recover making you feel fatigued and tired.

5. Mental burnout

Mental exhaustion is a major symptom of overtraining. Though it is normal to feel like not working out every once in a while, if this becomes regular it may indicate a deep physical and mental burnout. Your body is so worn out that your desire to run may not be as high as it normally is. Running can reduce your stress, but it can also increase anxiety if you don’t take a rest day.

You need a rest day if you experience burnout from overtraining.

6. Abnormal heart rate

An elevated or reduced heart rate is also an indication of exercise-related stress. If your body isn’t responding how it normally does then you need to take a day or two off from running. If it persists you need to visit your doctor. Pro tip: become a more efficient runner with this advice on how to breathe properly.

Rest is extremely beneficial

Remember, rest and recovery are great for your body. They provide the opportunity for you to make mental and physical repairs. Take your rest days and make sure you’re sleeping well. Pair that with proper nutrition and hydration and you’ll breeze through your training. Remember, if you experience these red flags your body is telling you to take a day off from running.

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