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Explore these 7 East Austin Highlights Near the Austin Marathon Course

Explore some of our favorite East Austin highlights and learn about their rich history

There are numerous legendary, significant, and beautiful locations in East Austin. From Huston-Tillotson University, Austin’s first institution of higher learning, to the many green spaces, parks and trails, East Austin is brimming with places you should visit. We whittled down our favorite East Austin highlights to those that are in close proximity to the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon course. We’re proud that the course runs through historic East Austin once again. On Feb. 16th, runners from around the world have a chance to soak in all that East Austin has to offer. That’s something we enjoy on a daily basis. Check out our list of the seven East Austin locations you must visit!

Huston-Tillotson University

Huston-Tillotson University is Austin’s first institution of higher learning.

Established in 1875, Huston–Tillotson University was the first institution of higher learning in Austin. It is a private, historically black university. The university’s history resides with two schools, Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College, which merged in 1952. During Labor Day Weekend, the university plays host to Six Square’s The District Cultural Arts Festival. It’s an exciting celebration that honors the rich legacy and cultural contributions of Central Texas’ Black community and provides a gathering place for everyone to enjoy Austin’s unique black arts, music, history, and culture. Photo credit: Huston-Tillotson University Facebook page.

Yellow Jacket Stadium

Yellow Jacket Track is a stone’s throw from the Boggy Creek Trail. This track is a haven for the East Austin community and those doing speedwork during their Austin Marathon training. It was restored by L.C. Anderson High alum Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson The former Dallas Cowboys linebacker is heavily invested in the track, fundraising twice to improve the track, and East Austin.

Rosewood Neighborhood Park

Near Mile 19.5, Rosewood Neighborhood Park offers numerous amenities when you visit. This East Austin highlight offers plenty of open space for a picnic, a couple of baseball fields for a pick-up game, and a splash pad.

Six Square

The Peterson Brothers headlined the 2018 Austin Marathon’s finish line festival.

Six Square’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the cultural legacy of the African American community that once thrived in Central East Austin through cultural arts, education, economic development, and historic preservation. They have a gallery that highlights up-and-coming artists. Six Square provides historical tours, hosts The District Culture Arts Fest, and showcases Austin’s best musicians during Black Music Month with blues, R&B, hip-hop, and jazz showcases. The Peterson Brothers headlined the 2019 Blues Music Showcase. They also headlined the 2018 Austin Marathon finish line festival!

Boggy Creek Trail

Want a short recovery run while training for the Austin Marathon? Leave Rosewood Park, walk across the railroad tracks, and hop on the Boggy Creek Trail. This out-and-back trail is ideal for stretching your legs on Sunday after your Saturday long run.

George Washington Carver Complex

We’re fortunate to have the Carver Complex and its dedication to the past, present, and future in Austin.

Known as the “Drumbeat of the Black Community,” the Carver Complex is an institution that is dedicated to the collection, preservation, research, interpretation, and exhibition of historical and cultural materials reflecting all dimensions of experiences of persons of African descent living in Austin, Travis County, and in the United States. The 36,000-square foot facility is also a key source of information on the history and celebration of Juneteenth. Visit this East Austin highlight and explore the George Washington Carver Museum, Carver Branch Library, and Carver Genealogy Center. Photo credit: George Washington Carver Complex Facebook page.

Texas State Cemetery

Establishment of the Texas State Cemetery (909 Navasota St.) began in 1851. The 18-acre site is just three blocks from the final mile of the Austin Marathon course. The Texas State Cemetery is the final resting place of many influential individuals, including former governors, Senators, and people instrumental with Texas gaining its independence. It has a meditation area and features monuments honoring Texans who have served the United States of America. If you’re a history buff or want to pay your respects, the cemetery is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Was the above list of East Austin locations not enough? Visit these Google Maps of our favorite murals and other places we love around Austin!

Putting Her Mark on the World through Running

in My Running Story

Kayleigh is putting her mark on the world and improving her health through running

Sandy Williamson submitted My Running Story’s first entry. However, the story isn’t about her. It’s about Kayleigh, her daughter and the first runner with Down syndrome to cross the Austin Half Marathon finish line. Kayleigh’s health was trending in the wrong direction. She was faced with a difficult task, one she is still working towards today. Read how Kayleigh has greatly improved her health and is putting her mark on the world.

Kayleigh Williamson, the first runner with Down syndrome to cross the Austin Half Marathon finish line, is putting her mark on the world through running.

Kayleigh Williamson was surprised with her Austin Distance Challenge jacket at the 2019 Austin Half Marathon finish line.

The start of putting her mark on the world

Kayleigh began running shortly after she was diagnosed with ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura – low blood platelets) in 2008. Auto-immune disorders tend to affect individuals with Down syndrome. In 2012, she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. That was in addition to developing sleep apnea due to her weight and becoming pre-diabetic. In 2014, her diagnoses changed from hypothyroidism to hyperthyroidism (Grave’s Disease).

In 2016, Kayleigh started training for the Austin Half Marathon (her first!) as part of the Austin Distance Challenge. However, along the way, her platelets dropped to a life-threatening level and she had to have her spleen removed. This affected her training due to her recovery. But nine months later, she stood at her first half marathon. That first race took her almost six and a half hours to complete, but she completed it. She did not earn her jacket for the Distance Challenge.

Running to succeed

Not earning her jacket did not deter her from signing up two more times for the Austin Distance Challenge. On her third attempt, she earned her jacket. During her attempts to complete the Distance Challenge, she steadily lost weight resulting in the elimination of her sleep apnea. I bet you didn’t know that 22 million Americans have sleep apnea, however surgery isn’t the only option. Often a special mouthpiece can help patients get back to a restful sleep. But also, Kayleigh’s sugar count was back in a normal range and her Grave’s Disease went into remission. She did not develop any new autoimmune diseases and was taken off all medications. In 2019, not only did she earn her jacket, Kayleigh lost a total of 60 pounds.

Kayleigh Williamson’s book, It’s Cool to Be Me.

Through running

Kayleigh completed her first out-of-state half marathon last April. She helped found Kayleigh’s Club, a nonprofit running group for runners with disabilities. Kayleigh was not raised to use Down syndrome as a reason for not trying something. She was raised to know that there are things she will be able to do just like everyone else (and we celebrate that). Just like everyone else, there will be things she won’t be able to do (and we celebrate that since that means it’s something for someone else to do and we want to cheer them on).

Running has empowered Kayleigh to the point of writing and publishing her first children’s book. It’s Cool To Be Me is about the experience of her first half marathon. Her first book signing will take place on Thursday, July 11th, in Austin, Texas, at Fleet Feet Austin. Kayleigh is an Athlete Ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society. She has goals to influence other individuals with disabilities to start running and make healthy food choices.

My Running Story is a series of blog submissions from runners just like yourself. They submitted their inspirational running stories as part of a contest to win an entry of their choice to the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon. Their stories range from crossing their first finish line to drastic lifestyle change due to running. Everyone’s story is different and unique, impacting them in a specific way. While each story is specific to the author, everyone can resonate in some form or fashion because of the power of running. Submissions will be accepted through July 31, 2020.

9 Types of Runs Every Runner Should Know About

in Beginner, Blog post

Know the difference between these 9 types of runs and build them into your training

Whether you’re new to the running scene or have been around a while, it’s good to know all the different kinds of runs you can work into your training program. This will help you become a better runner and keep you from getting bored while training. Below are 9 types of runs in no particular order that will benefit you during your training!

Long

This is a run that is longer than any of the other types of runs. Long runs have many benefits: builds muscle/heart strength, improves endurance, and teaches the body to burn fat rather than glycogen as a fuel source. They differ based on your current fitness level and the overall distance that you’re trying to achieve (like 5K or a marathon). Most training plans call for no more than one long run per week. Follow our recovery guide after your next long run.

Man runs up hill during austin marathon with a spectator dressed as wonder woman cheering them on

A spectator dressed as Wonder Woman cheers runners up the 11th Street hill at the Austin Marathon.

Hill repeats

Running hill repeats increases leg strength, improves fitness, and uses the muscles of the legs, arms, and core in ways that are different than running on flat surfaces. Hill repeats help improve running economy, which translates into less energy expended over the course of a long-distance race.

Start from the bottom of the hill, choose a destination point at the top of the hill and sprint up the hill to get there as fast as you can. Jog back to your starting point and repeat. The distance will be much shorter than your usual run, but the high-intensity sprint, as well as the incline, will make this challenging. Check out these Austin locations and try the recommended workouts from 3M Half Marathon!

Progression

Progression run is a run with a structured pace that increases from beginning to end. The distance and pace will vary based on your specific training goals. This type of run is good for improving your running stamina, mental strength, and teaching the body to run increasingly faster at the end of a race. It’s also a way to get a run in that is more difficult than the base run but not as intense as other different types of running.

Fartlek

Fartlek is Swedish for “speed play.” It is similar to interval training but in a less structured way and not as intense. It could be a mix of jogging and sprinting, but for beginners, it could be walking with jogging sections added. You can make the distances up on the fly such as – when I get to the light pole, I’ll sprint to the next light pole.

Recovery

Track workouts are great for fartlek & tempo runs.

A relatively short, easy-paced, run performed within 24 hours after a hard session; usually an interval workout or a long run. Easiest training day of the week after rest days. A recovery run is done at an easy pace, “easy” being relative to your fitness level.

Base

A natural pace run to build up aerobic capacity, endurance, and running economy. It is a short-to-moderate-length run and not meant to be challenging, but meant to be done frequently. Base runs will make up the bulk of your weekly training mileage.

Tempo

Tempo run refers to a “comfortably hard” pace that you can maintain for a longer period of time. It is different than race pace, however. A tempo run (also known as an anaerobic threshold or lactate-threshold run) is a pace about 25 to 30 seconds per mile slower than your current 5K race pace. Basically, when you run, your muscles build up lactic acid, a metabolic byproduct that causes them to fatigue. The intention of a tempo run is to increase your threshold so that your muscles don’t fatigue as fast. This allows you to keep running longer.

Sprints

two-people-sprint-to-the-finish-of-the-austin-marathon

Two men sprint to the finish line at the 2020 Austin Marathon.

Sprint workouts mean to run shorter distances at a faster than normal pace with multiple repeats during the workout. Sprint training is essential if you want to increase your speed. It builds strength and power so that you can run faster. Even if you’re a long-distance runner, sprinting is beneficial. Sprints actually help you run longer. They condition your body to be able to handle the distance without fatiguing as quickly.

Interval

Interval training runs are a mixture of low-moderate and high-intensity runs. It incorporates shorter periods of fast, hard runs where you put in more effort, followed by longer periods of jogging or walking. Interval training means that you will alternate between the two. For instance, you’ll run high intensity for one minute, followed by jogging for two minutes, one minute hard, two minutes easy (for a specified amount of time). Pro tip: the intense interval is key and you really need to push yourself to deliver the benefits, which include improving your running efficiency and your ability to maintain higher speeds for longer. It also burns a lot of calories very quickly.

Now that you’ve learned about 9 types of runs to do it’s time to get after it! Don’t feel like you have to train alone. Read about four reasons why you should have a training partner. The more the merrier. Plus, y’all will hold each other accountable and celebrate your training accomplishments along the way to the start line!

2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon Registration Opens June 1st

in Press Release

2020 Austin Marathon prepares for runners from around the world

Registration for the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour® officially opens Saturday, June 1st. The 29th Austin Marathon will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2020, in Austin, Texas. Earlier this year, Austin’s premier running event featured more than 16,000 participants from all 50 states and 38 countries. Planning for 2020 began months ago so participants can chase their PR, meet their goals, and celebrate at the three-block-long finish line festival in front of the Texas State Capitol on February 16, 2020.

“We’re proud to share the City of Austin with participants from all over the world and provide them with an experience that lives with them forever,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “Vigorous planning has been underway since the final participant crossed the finish line and we can’t wait to share the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon with the world!”

2020 Austin Marathon perks

Those who register before the first price increase on Monday, June 10th, will receive a free customized nameplate for their finisher medal. Finishers of the Austin Marathon will receive a custom Under Armour long sleeve finisher’s shirt. On course, participants will enjoy 22 fully stocked aid stations, two fuel zones, thousands of cheering spectators, and live music. When runners cross the finish line, they can celebrate at a three-block-long party that will feature the Under Armour recovery zone, a beer garden, local food trucks, Jumbotrons displaying FloTrack’s live coverage, and hours of live music.

Giving back

Austin Gives Miles aims to surpass the $1,187,000 raised for 36 Central Texas nonprofits in 2019. A search is underway to replace Lance Armstrong as Charity Chaser and carry his momentum into 2020. The Charity Chaser will begin the marathon as the final participant and earn money for every marathoner they pass. For the fourth year in a row, AGM was the recipient of a generous matching grant from The Moody Foundation.

Elites

The Austin Marathon Elite Athlete Program will return for 2020. The application process will open during the summer. Joey Whelan (2:17:03) successfully defended his title as Austin Marathon champion. Heather Lieberg (2:42:27) claimed the female crown as the Austin Marathon female champion. Both athletes easily hit the Olympic Marathon Trials B standard. James Ngandu (1:04:32) and Caroline Rotich (1:13:24) were the male and female half marathon champions. All the action was streamed live through the Austin Marathon’s continued partnership with FloTrack.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas on February 16, 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination.

The initial pricing structure follows: Austin Marathon ($109), Austin Half Marathon ($89), Austin Marathon 5K benefitting Paramount Theatre ($39). Participants can register for any distance and the Austin Marathon VIP Experience beginning June 1st.