Austin Gives Miles Archives

6 Tips for Staying Motivated Until Race Day

January 12, 2022/in Blog post /by tteichh5e

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.

2020 Austin Gives Miles Raises More than $700,000 for Nonprofits

May 11, 2020/in Press Release /by Austin Marathon

Since 2014, Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation has raised $3.8 million

Austin Gives Miles, the Official Charity Program of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour, raised $702,500 for the 29th annual Austin Marathon. Twenty-five Central Texas nonprofits participated in the 2020 Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation. Charities recruited 804 participants, elevated their organization’s profile, and maximized the exposure generated by Austin’s premier running event. The Moody Foundation matched each organization’s fundraising efforts, up to $10,000.

“Continuing our partnership with the Austin Marathon allows The Moody Foundation to contribute to numerous local charities and positively affect the Central Texas communities they serve,” said Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation and chairman and CEO of National Western Life Group. “We worked with the Austin Marathon to elevate our partnership with the goal of furthering our impact and we’re excited to grow our future footprint through the sport of running.”

Central Texans benefit from the growth of the partnership

For the fifth year in a row, Austin Gives Miles was the beneficiary of a grant from The Moody Foundation. The grant matched donations for each organization, up to $10,000. The 2020 grant totaled $250,000, bringing their five-year contribution to $1.2 million. Since 2014, Austin Gives Miles has raised $3.8 million. The money raised significantly impacts Central Texas and the communities the charities serve.

“Austin Gives Miles presented by The Moody Foundation continues to have a significant impact on Central Texas charities through the Austin Marathon and 2020 was no different,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Our ability and desire to support the community we live in is constantly growing and evolving and we’re already working with The Moody Foundation for 2021.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 30th year running in the capital of Texas on February 14, 2021. Austin’s flagship running event 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. Participants can register for the Austin Marathon, Austin Half Marathon, or Austin Marathon 5K beginning June 1st.

Austin Marathon Agrees to Two-Year Partnership with GU Energy Labs

January 28, 2020/in Press Release /by Austin Marathon

GU Energy Labs will refuel participants at two on-course Energy Zones

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour introduces GU Energy Labs (GU) as the Official Energy Gel and Chew. GU will refuel participants at two on-course Energy Zones which will be stocked with gels and chews. Austin Marathon has also taken GU’s TerraCycle pledge to upcycle all sports nutrition wrappers and divert them from the landfill. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“GU Energy Labs is thrilled to fuel all Ascension Seton Austin Marathon runners with GU Energy ROCTANE Gels at the on-course Energy Zones,” said Bridgette Travis, Experiential Marketing Manager at GU. “Prior to the race you can stop by the GU expo booth to taste test all 30 flavors of our Energy Gels to make sure there will be an on-course gel flavor that suits your palate.”

Austin Marathon takes GU’s TerraCycle pledge

On race day, GU will provide the following ROCTANE Energy Gels, Vanilla Orange (35 mg of caffeine), Chocolate Coconut (35 mg of caffeine), Blueberry Pomegranate (35 mg of caffeine) and Pineapple (no caffeine) on course. GU Blueberry Pomegranate Energy Chews (no caffeine) will also be available. In addition to other green initiatives, Austin Marathon has taken the GU TerraCycle pledge. TerraCycle-labeled bins will be available throughout race weekend in an effort to divert as many sports nutrition wrappers from the landfill as possible. This free recycling program is in addition to other green efforts. Austin Marathon also recycles, donates additional food and water, and donates discarded clothing to local nonprofits.

“We’re excited for our two-year partnership with GU because it expands beyond Feb. 16th and will allow us to enhance our community engagement efforts,” said Jack Murray, co-owner High Five Events. “GU’s race-day initiatives will support more than 17,000 participants at their Energy Zones while we reduce our event’s footprint.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ 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. Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is currently open.

Austin Marathon Announces Sponsorship with Tito’s Handmade Vodka

January 27, 2020/in Press Release /by Austin Marathon

Agreement marks the second year of Tito’s Handmade Vodka as a sponsor

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour has announced a sponsorship with another Austin original, Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The agreement marks the second year in a row that Tito’s is a sponsor of Austin’s premier running event. Participants will enjoy cocktails at the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Shack Bar inside the beer garden as well as at a bar in the Hilton VIP Experience near the finish line. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“Tito’s Handmade Vodka takes great pride in supporting events in our hometown that bring the community together to give back,” said Zack Flores, National Philanthropic Programs Manager at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “We’re honored to sponsor this year’s Austin Marathon to continue turning spirits into love and goodness. We’ll see you at the finish line!”

Tito’s will contribute to Austin Gives Miles

Tito’s will contribute to the celebratory finish line festival with custom cocktails and yard games. They will also donate $4,000 to Austin Gives Miles, the Austin Marathon’s philanthropic program benefiting Central Texas nonprofits. Through the company’s Love, Tito’s program, the Tito’s team has supported tens of thousands of causes—from lending a hand to communities affected by natural disasters to protecting the environment we all share to championing programs geared towards underserved communities. To learn more about Love, Tito’s, visit https://www.titosvodka.com/love/.

“We enjoy partnering with Austin companies like Tito’s Handmade Vodka because they love Austin and know how to showcase our city to the world,” said Jack Murray, co-owner High Five Events. “The return of Tito’s Handmade Vodka will add to the Austin experience that our participants travel from all over the world to enjoy.”