30th annual Austin Marathon Archives

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Guide to Enjoying Outdoor Spaces in Austin

Take advantage of the beautiful weather at these outdoor spaces in Austin

Finally, the Texas summer is over. While our evenings get darker earlier, there is still plenty of time during the day to enjoy many outdoor spaces in Austin. There are tons of great locations, but we’ve narrowed it down to some of our favorites. From coffee to cocktails and paddleboarding to parks, our list has you covered! Pro tip: this list is a great way to reward yourself or spend your rest day if you’ve started to increase your mileage.

Austin’s murals

There are countless amazing murals around town. We’ve showcased some of our favorite murals along the Austin Marathon course, but that’s just the tip of the paint can! Cycle around town, visit some of the murals, and take a selfie with them. Check the mural for the artist’s handle so you can give them a shoutout on social media. Pro tip: the earlier you get there the better the chances you won’t have to work with traffic or other visitors.

Mozart’s

Start your morning at Mozart’s, one of the best places in Austin to get coffee. While you’re there, post up on the massive deck and enjoy the Lake Austin views. With plenty of outdoor space, Mozart’s is also an ideal place to work for a few hours or watch the Austin sunset. Mozart’s is on the Austin Marathon course.

Cosmic Coffee

From breakfast to dinner, Cosmic Coffee has it all. And there is a ton of outdoor space. Start your morning next to waterfalls with a latte and a bagel. Or you could visit the chickens or coy pond before grabbing lunch from one of the food trucks. Pro tip: when it gets really chilly they light the fire pits so you can snuggle up next to a fire with a hot cup of coffee.

Kayak/paddleboard

Austin is fortunate to have Town Lake, a massive body of water downtown that offers so much. Now that the sun isn’t blazing hot, it’s time to get out on the water and really enjoy yourself! Whether you’re into kayaking or stand up paddleboarding, there are plenty of places to get started. Pro tip: this is a great way to spend your rest day. No running, but you’re still outdoors, getting a workout, and enjoying the fresh air.

Gibson Street Bar

Grab a beer and enjoy the outdoor space at Gibson Street Bar. They’re located off Lamar and offer 16 craft beers, cocktails, and wine. There’s something for everyone. Don’t feel like cooking dinner? Visit Luke’s Inside Out trailer for appetizers and burgers. This is a great place to wind down your day.

The Wheel

If you’re in East Austin looking for a neighborhood bar with ample outdoor space, look no further. The Wheel has a rotating selection of local and craft beers. Visit their outdoor beer garden and you’ll be greeted by a beer fountain! The Wheel is on the Austin Marathon course.

Austin Parks

From the world-famous Barton Springs Pool and Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, Austin is known for its green spaces. It’s truly a benefit to our city. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic. Finish the book you’ve been reading. Go for a trail run or bike ride. There are so many ways you can enjoy Austin’s parks. Visit the city’s site to find a park near you.

Stargazing

The stars at night, are big and bright, deep in the heart of Austin! Even the lights of Austin can’t keep all the stars from shining. Take some time after dinner to gaze at the night’s sky and search for shooting stars. Two places to get you started involve a short walk. Visit Mt. Bonnell or the overlook near the 360 Bridge. Both offer sweeping views of the Texas sky. Mt. Bonnell has steps and a longer walk, while the 360 Bridge Overlook is a shorter, more rocky climb. Want to get away from Austin’s light saturation and really see the stars? Visit Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg.

Sour Duck Market

Their outdoor seating is ideal for relaxing in the cool air and enjoying happy hour. Sour Duck Market have an on-site smoker and smoke their own meat. Looking to start your day with some coffee and fresh air? Swing by for breakfast and get something from their coffee shop and bakery. Sour Duck is on the Austin Marathon course.

Comedor

Take your upscale dining outside or enjoy craft cocktails on Comedor’s patio. Chefs Gabe Erales and Philip Speer have truly elevated the food game in Austin. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, from appetizers to dessert. Don’t sleep on their mouth-watering Bone Marrow Tacos! Their outdoor space is a relaxing oasis in the middle of downtown. Comedor is also home to Austin’s newest running club, Comedor Run Club. Their purpose is to create an inclusive space for Austin’s food community to connect and live a healthier lifestyle.

With so many outdoor spaces in Austin, the only problem you should have is deciding what to visit first! Many of these you can combine into an epic day. Start off with some coffee, kayak for a few hours, enjoy happy hour, and grab some dinner. And you can do this all outdoors! Make sure you take advantage of the amazing Austin weather and visit these outdoor spaces in Austin.

Run Austin Virtual Series Cooks Up Fifth Event, Taco 10K

in Blog post, Press Release

Taco 10K recognizes every runner’s favorite post-run nutrition, the taco

In July, the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour and 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour created the Run Austin Virtual Series. Everyone is invited to participate in the 6-month-long virtual series. The events provide monthly milestones as participants train for Austin’s two most beloved running events. The Run Austin Virtual Series began with the Wildflower Mile in July. It has continued with the Armadillo 5K (August), Round the River 4-Miler (September), and Makin’ Music 5-Miler (October. The series continues in November with the Taco 10K. The final event, a 10-miler, will be announced in December.

“Participants continue to hit their monthly milestones for the Run Austin Virtual Series while training for the Austin Marathon or 3M Half Marathon,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “It’s no secret that we love tacos, so you know we’re extra excited for the Taco 10K!”

Run Austin Virtual Series

Participants of the Run Austin Virtual Series receive themed, downloadable personalized bibs, digital finisher medals, and finisher certificates. Participants will also enjoy fun extras like an online finisher photo booth and virtual reality filters for social media. Registration is open for each of the events for $18. Free entry to the entire six-event series, a $108 value, is available to participants of the 2021 3M Half Marathon or the 2021 Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K. New distances will be launched at the beginning of the month. Limited-edition merchandise customized for each event will be available for purchase throughout the series.

Austin’s flagship running event, the Austin Marathon, will celebrate its 30th anniversary on February 14th. It annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 35+ countries around the world. The start and finish locations are just a few blocks apart. They are within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants. The finish line is in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol. The Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is currently open.

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. It will celebrate its 27th year running on January 17th. Runners will enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running. The 13.1-mile course showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Participants start in north Austin and finish near the Texas State Capitol. Many participants set their 13.1-mile PR because of the 300’ net elevation drop. Registration is currently open.

How to Build Mental Toughness for Running

in Blog post

You can become a better runner when you build mental toughness

It’s easy to get caught up in the latest gear and gadgets during training. Runners can get caught up in the newest shoes, the latest GPS watch, or the latest update to your training app. But are these gadgets the answer to potential struggles? Maybe not. Most agree that a big part of success in any sport is due to mental factors. Building mental toughness is about setting up strategies for when we encounter an obstacle or feel uncomfortable. Don’t ignore the need to build mental toughness during your training.

Assume that thoughts, feelings, and performance are intertwined. With that, runners can begin the process of overcoming their runs rather than the feeling overcome by their runs. Mental training is an important part of an athlete’s overall development. Many runners do not identify this part of training and often find themselves struggling during their training or a race. One of the basic principles of success is to simplify the process of thinking. Pro tip: adjust your expectations according to the weather when you learn how temperature affects performance.

As many runners will confirm, you run as well as you think. With so many thoughts running through the brain, it can be difficult to reduce distractions and negatives. One of the reasons why runners ignore the mental aspect of running is that they are not familiar with the basics of sports psychology and mental training. In keeping with the “less is better” philosophy, mental training is better understood using the construction of the following three words: Think –> Feel–> Perform

Think

Before your next run, take a moment to identify your thoughts. Are you optimistic about your planned distance? Are you thinking about how good you will feel during and after the race? Maintaining positive thoughts before and during the run is the first step to controlling your performance. Uncomfortable and negative thoughts might start to creep in. Bring yourself back to your “why” and tell yourself positive “I am” statements. The statements below and these 11 other tips can help make running easier.

I am strong.
I am willing to push through and complete my goal.
I can do this effort longer.
I am doing this to better myself.

Feel

Determine your emotional state as you warm up with these 4 stretches. Identify your thoughts. Are you excited about the run? Do you feel a personal challenge with the distance? Do you feel confident in your abilities? Are you anxious, nervous, or stressed about the mileage? Maintaining positive emotions before and during the run is the second step in gaining control over your performance.

Visualize other times in your life or training where you have achieved a goal you set for yourself. Harness this feeling and project it towards your current goal. Check your playlist if you are listening to music. Make sure your running playlist consists of music that’ll pump you up and energize you. If more relaxed music or a podcast helps, listen to that to calm your nerves.

Perform

Practice daily. This does not mean you have to run every day, but you can put yourself in situations where you have to practice mental toughness. Increase the weights during your workout or add more reps. If you ride your bike, add more miles to your ride.

Introduce yourself to situations that may happen on race day during your training. Get out of bed and start that workout in the cold weather. Next time it is raining, instead of skipping, go out and run in the rain. These 7 tips will make running in the rain more fun. Didn’t sleep well? Attempt your planned run. You can see how the lack of sleep affects your ability to keep positive thoughts and emotions. Pro tip: get a good night’s sleep and save some money during Austin Marathon weekend when you book these hotels!

Overcome the common struggle

Having positive thoughts and feelings right from the start will give you a chance to succeed. This may not result in PR, but you are in a much better position to have a pleasant experience with the right mindset. Your thoughts can affect your emotions, and your emotions can affect how you perform. Once you get into the race, a strong mile will lead to more positive thoughts, more confident emotions. Conversely, negative thoughts usually lead to negative feelings.

If you find yourself struggling with a few runs, understand your thought process during the runs. Chances are it’s a negative, self-defeating thought that makes you question your abilities. Turn your thoughts into something positive, optimistic, and confidence-building. When you go out on the streets, it will help you feel good about yourself and crush your runs.

Don’t Make these Foam Rolling Mistakes

in Blog post

Recover faster when you avoid these foam rolling mistakes

Sore muscles are both an unavoidable evil and a pet peeve of most runners. Muscles break down due to the exertion from a run or workout. They need rest and soothing care to repair themselves. Muscle recovery is essential for any exhaustive exercise. But, it is especially true for cardio-muscular exercises, like running, swimming, and cycling. The older one gets, the more time that it takes for muscles to recover and the amount of care and attention that muscle recovery takes tends to increase. Speed up the recovery process when you avoid the 4 foam rolling mistakes below.

Foam rolling with its simple techniques is one of the most popular and trusted methods of muscle recovery for runners. However, one must be careful to do it right. The techniques of foam rolling if executed wrong can cause irreparable damage instead of boosting run recovery and muscle release. When foam rolling is done correctly, the benefits are enormous. Avoid the 4 foam rolling mistakes below to speed up the recovery process. Pro tip: learn how booty bands can strengthen your muscles and help prevent injury.

Don’t ignore the knots

Foam rolling won’t be effective if you don’t take care of your knots (muscle adhesions) first. You can use a foam roller to loosen the knots. If they are localized in a small area, use a tennis or massage ball to ease the tension. Exert pressure on the area with your weight until you feel the muscles loosen. Then, lengthen the muscle out with a foam roller for 90 seconds.

Don’t skip the warm-up

Foam rolling is an effective warm-up and you shouldn’t skip it. It is advisable to set aside at least 10 minutes pre-workout or pre-run to foam roll. If your muscles aren’t properly attuned for the exertion, there is a high risk that you will pull on your adhesions which will increase pain and damage. Pro tip: add these 4 stretches to your foam rolling for the ultimate warm-up.

Don’t foam roll forever

If you need more than 20-25 minutes of foam rolling (pre- and post-workout) it might be due to an underlying condition. You shouldn’t foam roll any muscle group of your body for more than 90 seconds. Excessive foam rolling of an injured muscle might increase pain. As a rule of thumb, it is advisable to underwork your muscle tissues than to overwork it. If you suspect an injury, visit Dr. Allen and the experts at Ascension Seton Sports Performance. They can identify the issue and help you become a better runner.

Don’t start with a textured roller

If you are an occasional runner, above 35 years of age, or new to foam rolling, do not start with a textured or hard roller. It will compress your muscles, make them stiff, cause needless pain. Start with an even and soft roller. Once your muscles become accustomed to the pressure, then incrementally move on to firmer and textured rollers.