Tag Archive for: Austin Marathon

Children’s Book to Inspire the Next Generation of Runners

in

Austin family writes children’s book about running

Matt and Hayley Sorenson have both completed the Austin Half Marathon and have run numerous marathons. Running and fitness have been a part of their relationship since before they were married to present day, with their two energetic young boys. In an attempt to help themselves and other parents have positive conversations with their children about why they run, Matt authored and self-published a children’s book entitled My Mommy Runs.

A child reads My Mommy Runs, a children's book about running.A motivating children’s book for all types of runners

My Mommy Runs is a lively, engaging, and whimsical hardcover children’s book. It’s inspired by running around Austin with kids in tow. The book inspires kids and empowers adults to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through running. With themes of friendship, goal setting, perseverance, and even taking selfies, this book encourages runners of all ages. Moreover, My Mommy Runs teaches children, and adults, that taking care of yourself is not selfish, but an essential part of caring for others.

How the running community helped

The running community played a critical role in making this children’s book a reality. Content and illustrations were inspired by individuals that the Sorensons have met. Dozens of runners reviewed and suggest edits to the book, making sure that the book resonates with a wide range of athletes. 

My Mommy Runs is available for purchase

In Austin, Texas, you can currently find My Mommy Runs for sale in-person at Lucky Dog Running. Owner Hill Abell says, “Lucky Dog Running is proud to offer the My Mommy Runs book. It’s a cute book that exemplifies our mission of transforming people’s lives by connecting them to an active lifestyle.”

You can also order the book at www.g5active.com or contact author Matt Sorenson via social media (@g5active) on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

After Diagnosis Erica is Running to Feel Whole Again

in

Rebecca got back to running after defeating ulcerative colitis

Running was an unquestionable part of Rebecca Galvan’s life. It was there for her whenever she needed. Then suddenly, thanks to ulcerative colitis, running wasn’t there for her. Read how she got back to running in her edition of My Running Story. Rebecca’s happy to once again be the runner she once was and is training for the 2020 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon! Follow her journey on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Rebecca Galvan at the 2018 Austin Half Marathon finish line, after she beat ulcerative colitis.

Rebecca after she crossed the 2018 Austin Half Marathon finish line!

Running is a part of me

Have you ever done something for so long that it felt like it became a part of you, part of your identity? Running was that for me.

Before middle school, I was convinced that I wasn’t an athletic person. Sixth grade PE changed that thought. I found that I was actually a very competitive person and not bad at running. I was constantly runner up to one girl during morning runs. One day I won and running instantaneously became MY thing.

When things got hard, running was always there for me. It was so readily available to aid in times of fear, anger, sadness, and uncertainty. I never thought twice about lacing up my running shoes and hitting whatever type of trail was outside my door.

I thought running was a thing of my past

During my sophomore year of college, things started to change. My health deteriorated, got better, and then went downhill. That went back and forth for what seemed like ages. Running took a back seat in my life and at some points was non-existent. There were several times that I thought it would just be a thing of my past and then, not all of a sudden, I got to kick ulcerative colitis out of my life by removing my colon.

As soon as I got the okay from my surgeon, I jumped back into running. It was difficult at first, but then, just like riding a bike, it came back to me. Just a couple of days short of 10 weeks post-op, I took part in my first race, a local relay marathon. It was rough, but I was so incredibly happy to be back out there.

Goodbye ulcerative colitis

Since then I’ve taken part in 5Ks, a couple of half marathons, including the 2018 Austin Half Marathon, and a 25K. I celebrated my 30th birthday by running 30 miles. I want to continue challenging myself by doing longer distances and faster paces. This is why I have committed to running a marathon at the end of 2019 and again in 2020 in my favorite city, Austin, Texas.

I cannot even get close to being able to explain how wonderful it is to run again. I lost so many parts of myself during my battle with ulcerative colitis, so many that it didn’t even feel like I was really living. Now that I have my health back, I’m that runner that everyone, including myself, used to know, perhaps even stronger.

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. Other My Running Story submissions include Kayleigh Williamson, Kirsten Pasha, Michael Coffey, Samantha Santos, Tom Hamann, Erica Richart, and Angela Clark.

Marathon Grows to $48.5 Million in Economic Impact

in

Austin Marathon’s contributions to Austin’s economy in 2019 experienced major jump 

Runners traveled from all 50 states ad 38 countries to participate in the 2019 Austin Marathon, which contributed $48.5 million to the Austin economy.

Runners traveled from all 50 states and 38 countries to participate in the 2019 Austin Marathon.

High Five Events proudly announces that the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour pumped $48.5 million into the Austin economy during race weekend. The Austin Marathon was able to better calculate its economic impact by providing more detailed data and continuing its partnership with Dr. Ali Dadpay, Associate Professor of Finance at the Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas. This year’s economic impact on the City of Austin is an $11 million (23 percent) increase from the 2018 event. The growth of Austin’s flagship running event continues to benefit Austin and the Austin economy.

“The Austin Marathon’s economic impact is growing because of the increasing participation rate and more spectators supporting the event,” said Dr. Dadpay. “High Five Events collecting a wider array of quality data has improved the accuracy of our estimations.”

Analyzing the data

For the third year in a row, Dr. Ali Dadpay conducted the research for the Austin Marathon economic impact report. Dr. Dadpay reviewed participants’ survey data, tax revenue, High Five Events’ localized spending, and jobs created. Additional data points were reviewed, including money raised for Austin Gives Miles, participants’ spending, and hotel room nights. This data allowed him to measure direct, indirect and induced effects. Dr. Dadpay expects the Austin Marathon’s economic impact to continue to grow with the increase of out-of-state and overseas participants. 

“The 2019 economic impact report highlights the ever-increasing, annual financial impact the Austin Marathon has on the Austin economy,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “The continued growth of Austin’s flagship running event furthers the belief that Austin is a destination for runners from around the world.”

2020 will mark the Austin Marathon’s 29th year running in the capital of Texas. 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 and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants. Participants finish in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol, making the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is still open on the Austin Marathon website.

Running Towards a Better Life

in

Erica began running and discovered a better life, both physically and mentally

Erica Richart with her kids before she made a change to better her life through running.

Erica with her kids before she made the decision to better her life through running.

Running’s physical and mental benefits are well-known. Yet many are reluctant to run for one reason or another. Erica Richart talks about the many reasons why she didn’t run in her edition of My Running Story. She talks about wanting a better life, but nothing ever seemed to work for her. Read about the experience that seemingly made everything click for her. Erica’s journey hasn’t been easy, but with the support of her group and the running community, she’s created a significantly better life.

Making a positive change

Hi there! My name is Erica. I’ve struggled with my weight since adolescence (eight years old). At my peak, I weighed 320 lbs. I’m pretty sure I went higher, but after seeing that number I dug my head in the sand. After two high-risk pregnancies with gestational diabetes, I developed type 2 diabetes. Over the years I tried every diet you could think of. I tried personal trainers and fitness camps. The result was always the same – I’d lose 30-50 lbs., then gain back 40 lbs. I tried C25K (Couch to 5K) so many times because my husband enjoyed running and I tried to like it as well. I hated it and couldn’t help but be reminded of my school days and collecting popsicle sticks for each lap (I was always last).

More time went by and the only activity I could bring myself to do in a public setting was Zumba. February 2017 was a game-changing time in my life. Something clicked after an embarrassing moment that involved burpees in front of a group at my kids’ school event. It brought to me to all these feelings but something clicked. The next day I asked my husband if he would join me in figuring out my health. (At this time I was 280 lbs.) After losing 15 lbs. I decided to give C25K one more shot (after more than a dozen failed attempts).

Next stop, Austin Marathon

Erica Richart and her husband after she made a change to better her life through running.

Erica and her husband after finishing the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.

In June 2017, I ran for five minutes without stopping. By the end of July I ran my first mile. Reaching the mile was huge in my world because I had built up a mile as if it were a marathon ?. By December 2017, I completed C25K successfully! A few months later I ran my first race, Texas Ragnar relay (March 2018). After that, I completed my first half marathon in San Antonio (April 2018). I caught the running bug and by July I hit a huge milestone – 100 lbs. down! After the half marathon, my husband and I were determined to continue running. We kept training for no event in particular. We needed more support for what we were planning……. a full marathon.

Building a better life with the help of the running community

I was terrified to join a group; I still didn’t feel like a real runner. The group at Round Rock Fit is awesome. Truth is that the running community is absolutely amazing and super encouraging. There was a wide variety of people that had many years of experience, including Boston qualifiers newbies (like myself). It was super encouraging. The 2019 Austin Marathon was a life-changing experience for me. I learned on that course and throughout my training that I’m much stronger than I ever knew. Running, while I hated it at the start, has become so centric to my life. I’ve learned to love the lessons it teaches like running your own race, there are no shortcuts, building mental toughness, and the joy in just embracing the suck. 

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. Other My Running Story submissions include Kayleigh Williamson, Kirsten Pasha, Michael Coffey, Samantha Santos, and Tom Hamann.