Tag Archive for: Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour

7 Tips for Better Race Photos

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Elusive perfect race photos are within reach

Get ready to level up your Austin Marathon photo game with these savvy tips, ensuring your snapshots are as memorable as your race day! Whether you’re tackling the full marathon, cruising through the ha

Women Runner with Arms Outstretched Official Photo Austin Marathon by Finisher Pix

lf, or sprinting in the 5K, these tips will have you Instagram-ready at the finish line. And remember, when you share those triumphant shots, give a shoutout to the Austin Marathon Instagram!

1. Perfect Your Posture

Strike a pose! It’s easy to hunch over during a race, especially when fatigue sets in. Keep an eye out for those photographers in yellow vests and use it as a cue to straighten up, roll those shoulders back, and align that spine. Not only will this improve your photos, but it’ll also feel oh-so-good for your body.

2. Lengthen Your Stride

Who doesn’t want to look like a running gazelle in their race photos? Give your legs the appearance of speed and grace by extending your stride just a tad more than usual as you spot a camera. It’s not about keeping it up for the entire race, just long enough to snag that perfect shot.

3. Clear the Way

Photo bomb-free zone coming through! Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming photographers and tactically position yourself so you’re not hidden behind other runners. It’s your moment in the spotlight, after all.

4. Smile Like You Mean It

Relaxing your face while running might seem like a tall order, but with a bit of practice, you can master the serene race-day look. Try whispering “Money” as you run—it works! Or,

better yet, practice that relaxed, happy facial expression during your training runs.

5. Positive Vibes Only

Adopt a race-day mantra that keeps your spirits high and reflects in your photos. Whether it’s “Running brings me joy” or “I’m a race-day warrior,” let that positive energy radiate. Feel free to

share a cheer or a shout as you pass by the photographers—a little enthusiasm goes a long way!

6. Bib Placement Matters

Aim for a clean, front-and-center bib placement. This not only ensures you look organized but also helps the race’s photo tagging system quickly identify your triumphant moments without you having to scroll through endless galleries.

7. Hold Off on Stopping Your Watch

Two women embrace as they finish half marathonn in Austin Texas

We get it, you’re eager to hit pause the moment you cross that finish line. However, give it a few more strides before you check your stats. Let your finishing moment be all about the joy and accomplishment, not the digits on your watch.

8. Emotions in the Spotlight

Don’t hold back—let those feelings show! A beaming smile, a victory jump, or even tears of joy can make for an unforgettable photo. Aim for expressive gestures that last more than a fleeting moment to ensure photographers capture your true race-day spirit.

As you gear up for the Austin Marathon, half marathon, or 5K, remember that the journey is as picture-perfect as the finish line. These tips aren’t just about creating Instagram-worthy moments; they’re about enhancing your race experience and capturing the memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. So, lace up, smile wide, and get ready to make some photographic magic. Here’s to a race day filled with personal bests, both on the course and on camera!

You got this!

4 Taper Tips: Focus on Controlling What You Can Control

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Get to the start line ready to roll with these taper tips

The Taper. If you’re unfamiliar, tapering refers to the reduction in volume and intensity of your workouts leading to race day. You’ve been running for months, increasing your mileage, getting better and better. Your body is in training mode and it can be difficult to turn that off. Follow these taper tips to effectively utilize the extra time you now have. Continue to follow your training plan, implement these taper tips, and get to the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon or Austin Half Marathon start line ready to run your best! 

Take care of yourself

This is vital and something you should’ve been doing since you began training! However, it becomes even more important leading up to Feb. 16th. Your training has introduced more miles than normal, early wake-up calls, and a reduction in time for yourself. Tapering your miles means you’ll have more time for self-care. Spend an extra 30-60 minutes a day foam rolling and stretching. Schedule a massage. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep.

Dial-in your nutrition/hydration

Keep an eye on your calorie intake! You burned more calories during training than you will when you taper. Adjust accordingly so the pounds you shed during training stay off! Focus on a balanced diet of moderate carbs, quality protein, and healthy fats. Start hydrating NOW. You should drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. Continue including electrolytes like you’ve done during training. Carry a tube of Nuun with you, pop a tablet into your reusable bottle, and make your water count! Make sure you try the on-course fuel, GU Energy Labs.

No new workouts

Just like nothing new on race day, no new workouts when tapering. This includes everything from a pick-up basketball game to lifting heavy weights at the gym. You don’t want to run the risk of spraining your ankle or pulling a muscle. Stick with what’s comfortable. If that’s running or cross-training (swimming, cycling, etc.), focus on less-intense and lower-volume workouts. 

Sidetrack yourself

An increase in your mileage could mean you’re behind on your favorite show. Maybe you haven’t read those new books you got for Christmas. Now’s the time to distract yourself from the fact that you aren’t running as much as you have been. Spend a couple of hours binging your favorite show. Grab that new book and read at your favorite park. If you find yourself getting antsy because you’re not moving, try to foam roll or stretch while watching your favorite show. Or try reading your book while riding a stationary bike.

Follow these taper tips so the taper doesn’t frustrate you or stress you out. The sudden addition of extra time and the feeling that you should be running can be confusing. Follow these taper tips and focus on controlling what you can control. What do you do to get to the start line ready to roll when you taper? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

6 Tips for Staying Motivated Until Race Day

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Keep your training momentum high with these tips for staying motivated

For many, running is an integral part of their day. Consistently running will prepare you for your distance, but there are factors out there that can sap your motivation. Don’t let that happen! Be diligent, keep your motivation cranked up, and race day will be here before you know it. The tips for staying motivated that you’ll need are below!

Track your progress

Friends pose the 2019 Austin Half Marathon finish line. Accountability is a great tip to stay motivated.

Friends hold each other accountable and keep them motivated all the way to the finish line.

Motivation can be quickly lost when you don’t see progress. It’ll feel like you’re not going anywhere. Track your progress to stay motivated! You can see the data for each workout, improvement from week-to-week, and total mileage once you cross the finish line. We run with Under Armour’s MapMyFitness. The insights are tremendous, it lets you know about everything, including stride and cadence.

Find accountability

We can’t stress this enough. Running with a friend or your local running group ( like RAW or Austin Runners Club) will elevate your motivation. The accountability factor is real and it benefits everyone. Everyone wants to cross the Austin Marathon finish line and you want to help each other get there. Accountability will keep that pact intact, especially if you have trouble getting up in the morning. 

Reward yourself

One reason people lose motivation is they focus on the big goal – the Austin Marathon finish line. That’s fantastic, but it shouldn’t be your only goal because that one goal will produce only one reward. Set up monthly, weekly, or daily goals and reward yourself! Get out of bed for that early morning workout? Get your favorite coffee. Complete your weekend long run? Reward yourself with brunch from your favorite spot.

Prep your stuff the night before

Lance Armstrong, the Austin Gives Miles Charity Chaser, at the 2019 Austin Marathon finish line. Running on behalf of Austin Gives Miles is a great tip to stay motivated.

Lance Armstrong was the 2019 Austin Gives Miles Charity Chaser, lending his legs and his miles!

Your alarm goes off, you roll out of bed, just trying to get out the front door. The last thing you want to do is think about what you need for your run or to pack a bag so you can shower at the gym. Knock all this out the night before and set your bag near the front door. This will save time in the morning and ensure you don’t forget something important, like soap, deodorant, or your underwear! Pro tip: sleep in your running clothes to save even more time!

Find a cause to support

Run for someone or something other than yourself! A great place to look is Austin Marathon Gives – the Austin Marathon’s philanthropic program. Austin Marathon Gives supports Central Texas nonprofits, helping them raise funds and increase awareness for their cause. There’s a range of causes for runners to choose from! Pick a nonprofit you love, lend your legs and miles, and make a difference with your training. You can also run and fundraise on behalf of your favorite charity! Plus every dollar you raise is matched by the Moody Foundation, up to $10,000 per charity!

Sign up for a race

There are benefits to registering for another race. It’ll act as another goal for you to work towards, you can test your hydration/nutrition plans, and eliminate some of those race-day jitters. 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour on January 23rd is the perfect tune-up race for the Austin Marathon. It has one of the fastest half marathon courses in the country and is 4 weeks before the Austin Marathon. 

Keep your momentum levels on HIGH. The more you have fun during your runs and workouts, the more likely you are to continue the next day. Incorporate these tips for staying motivated throughout your training. Do you have a tip that keeps you motivated during your training? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

The 2020 September Running Playlist: Music to Your Ears

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We curated the 2020 September Running Playlist just for you

You want music? We’ve got music! Austin is known as The Live Music Capital of the World and we are big music lovers. Every year, we showcase live music throughout the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon course and at the 3-block-long finish line festival. These monthly playlists will allow y’all to hear what we’re listening to. Each song can be found on its monthly playlist and our master #WeLiketheSoundofThat playlist! We also share every song on Twitter. Hit the ‘Follow’ button on Twitter so you know what’s next! The 2020 September Running Playlist has everything you need, including the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers and the energy-creating Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Pro tip: having a playlist that you love is a great motivational tool to get you out of bed for your morning run!

Playlist pro tips:

1) In Spotify, drag the 2020 September Running Playlist to your ‘Playlists’ section for quick access

2) Then click the download button so you can listen even if you’re offline

Click play on the 2020 September Running Playlist before you take off for your next run. These songs can pump you up, allow you to catch your breath, or help you focus on the warm-up/cool-down. However you incorporate music, just make sure you can still hear your surroundings. It’s important to know what’s going on around you! Is there something you like that we didn’t list? Let us know in the Austin Marathon Facebook Group and Twitter.