Tag Archive for: Austin

PROfile: Joey Whelan, 2018 Austin Marathon champion

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Joey Whelan has been on fire since winning the 2018 Austin Marathon

Update on Joey Whelan – Things have been great since winning the Austin Marathon (watch his post-race interview). I received Nike support from Stotan Racing based on my performance. Stotan Racing is a post-collegiate Nike group based out of Syracuse, New York. I’m now a satellite athlete coached by John Aris.

Joey Whelan accepts his Austin Marathon championship check.

All smiles for Joey Whelan as he accepts his Austin Marathon championship check.

My current mission is to get a 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials standard (sub 2:19:00) at Grandma’s Marathon on June 16th. So far in my marathon build-up, I improved my half marathon personal best by more than a minute in Pittsburgh (1:07:34). I’m also aiming to improve my half marathon personal best at the Buffalo Half Marathon on May 27th*.

As of now, the plan is to lower my personal best in a half marathon this fall, training specifically for that distance. I’ll then begin my buildup to defend my Austin Marathon title to kick off 2019.

*Whelan won the Buffalo Half Marathon on May 27th (65:37) and set a new personal best.

I live in Spring Branch, Texas, (an hour south of Austin) but grew up in Buffalo, New York (Go Bills). When I’m not training, I work in ranch restoration in the Texas Hill Country making ranch roads and clearing properties. During my time as a student-athlete at Syracuse University, I competed on four NCAA qualifying teams, with my highest finish being 55th at the 2012 NCAA Championships. I’m spontaneous and enjoy traveling, nature, and drinking beer.

Marathon PR (2:21:37)

Training tip 

If you struggle with the mid-week workout, don’t stress, focus on the weekend long run. Consistency is key.

Race day tip

Look at the training you’ve done. Be confident.

Upcoming races for Joey Whelan: Grandma’s Marathon (June 16th) for a B-standard attempt.

Returning for 2019 Austin Marathon: Yep!

Social media:  Twitter and Instagram

Perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour

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Perks of registering for Austin’s premier running event

Registration for the 2019 Austin Marathon® presented by Under Armour officially opens on Friday, June 1st. There are numerous perks to participating in Austin’s premier running event. We break down the race weekend perks included with your registration.

Just think: tour of Austin, sweet belt buckle medals, live music at every turn, amazing food, beer garden, and so much more. It’s okay to get excited, promise!

2019 Austin Marathon race weekend perks

Under Armour gear: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

Half marathoner sports his Under Armour shirt on race day.

  • distances for the whole family
    • if 26.2 miles isn’t for you, register for the Austin Half Marathon or the Austin Marathon 5K
  • sweet Under Armour participant shirts and bags
  • choice of numerous downtown hotels
    • within walking distance of the start and finish lines
    • offer discounted rates for participants who book through our website
  • 2-day, jam-packed Health and Fitness Expo (Feb. 15 – 16)
    • test new products
    • sample new nutrition/hydration
    • exclusive, commemorative Austin Marathon gear
    • sit back and relax while you watch the indoor Jumbotron
  • bragging rights for the rest of your life!

Race day perks – February 17, 2019

  • 22 aid stations stocked with nuun performance and water

    belt buckle finisher medals: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

    2018 Austin Marathon belt buckle finisher medal.

  • 2 Clif Bar Zones on course
  • belt buckle finisher medals
  • tens of thousands of cheering spectators
  • all the live music you can handle
    • National Anthem singer also playing at the start line
    • 20+ acts on course
    • live performances at the finish line festival
  • 2500 volunteers supporting you with their time, dedication, and energy
  • 17 different pace groups to help you achieve your goals

    professional pacers: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

    They pace, you race.

  • tour of all of Austin
    • coolest landmarks (I Love You So Much mural, Hi, How Are You? mural, UT Tower, Stubb’s BBQ)
    • oldest neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Clarksville, East Cesar Chavez)
    • iconic locations (Lady Bird Like (twice), South Congress Ave. 6th Street, Guadalupe Street, University of Texas)

Wait, more perks!

  • FloSports live coverage showing every finisher cross the finish line
    • 2 Jumbotrons at finish line festival to watch coverage
  • Austin Gives Miles
    • make your miles more meaningful when you run on behalf of a Central Texas nonprofit
    • 2018 Austin Gives Miles raised more than $670,000
  • option to purchase access to not one, but two VIP sections
    beer garden: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

    Celebrate post-race with friends and family in the Oskar Blues beer garden.

    • start line VIP where you can relax, grab a quick bite, drop your bag, and access private restrooms
    • finish line VIP complete with more live music, delicious snacks, adult beverages, perfect finish line view
  • finish with Texas State Capitol as your backdrop
  • post-race recovery zone
    • recover, roll, and stretch those muscles
    • pre-book a post-race massage
  • finish line festival
    that finish line feeling: perks of the 2019 Austin Marathon

    The moment you realize you accomplished so much on the streets of Austin.

    • Oskar Blues Austin beer garden (for 21+)
    • access to different food trucks
    • 2 different bands
    • largest party on Congress Avenue!
  • awards for various divisions
    • elites
    • age groupers
    • visually impaired runners
  • the spine-tingling, goosebump-initiating feeling of achieving goals and realizing dreams

PROfile: Allison Macsas, 2018 Austin Marathon female champion

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Allison Macsas qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials at 2018 Austin Marathon

Allison Macsas becomes back-to-back Austin Marathon female champion.

Allison Macsas becomes back-to-back Austin Marathon female champion in 2018.

Update on Allison Macsas – I just spent six weeks in Morocco guiding a running trip. I’m also planning my wedding and deciding where to move to and actually move before June! Read her 2018 Austin Marathon recap and watch her post-race interview.

I’ve been a mileage junkie since the age of 15 when I was convinced to (reluctantly) join my high school cross country team. That decision has led to a life built around running: a successful collegiate career at the University of Tampa, 2012, 2016, and 2020* Olympic Marathon Trials qualifiers, a coaching position with Rogue Running here in Austin and, most recently, a 2017 and 2018* Austin Marathon win, and an FKT on the 93-mile Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier.

In 2012, I co-founded Rogue Expeditions, an adventure travel company for runners. I currently balance my training and racing with a packed travel schedule and the demands of running (literally) a small business. This unorthodox approach has worked well for me so far. I’ve run my 10K, half marathon and marathon PRs (34:11, 1:13:02 and 2:39:41) within the past couple of years, all while bouncing between short bouts of structured training and long stretches of guiding and trail running all over the world.

*Macsas earned “B” standard for 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials at 2018 Austin Marathon (2:43:11)

Marathon PR (2:39:41)

Allison Macsas draped in the American flag after winning the 2017 Austin Marathon.

Allison Macsas draped in the American flag after winning the 2017 Austin Marathon.

Training tip 

Embrace discomfort! Nothing about running 26.2 miles is comfortable, and any number of things could happen on race day: hot weather, rain, wind, a bad night of sleep, a sour stomach. I think that it’s good to have these things happen in training because it gives you a chance to figure out a solution or an adjustment. Then if something goes wrong on race day, you can deal with it – you’ve done it before.

Race day tip

Focus on efforts, not paces. This course is covered in rolling hills, and your pace is naturally going to be faster while descending; you’ll drive yourself crazy if you keep checking your watch! The more important thing to do is to pay attention to how you feel, and make sure that you feel relaxed for the first half – any faster is likely to cause problems in the later miles! I personally like to check my watch in 3-4 mile intervals, to get a more realistic idea of my average pace.

Upcoming races for Allison Macsas: Planning for 2018 CIM (Dec. 2nd) for an A-standard attempt

Returning for 2019 Austin Marathon: It’s on my radar, but TBD

Social media: Facebook and Instagram

How to Pick A Training Plan

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How to pick a training plan.

Pick the training plan that’s right for you

Here are some important things to consider when picking your training plan.

1. Be honest with your goals

Many training plans are based on training for one event. If you have other goals along your journey be sure to keep them in mind. For example, wanting to run a fast 10K three months out from your half marathon in February may cause some changes to your earlier training, like focusing on speed work instead of just endurance.

2. Be realistic about your time commitment

If a plan has you running long runs on Saturday mornings, but that is when your son’s baseball games are, that might not be the plan for you. Starting your training further out leaves you more time to adjust for when “life happens.” Shorter plans are great for feeling the pressure and for those who find themselves losing interest after a period of time.

3. Build upon what you’re running right now

Find a training plan that matches where you are right now in your running. If a plan has more miles than you are ready for, you may be on the road to injury instead of training.

4. Check The Author

Look for a certified coach with experience in your goal distance. Don’t trust a random website with such an important goal (like running a marathon!). Look for a local group or club in your city, like Austin Runners Club.

5. General or personal plan?

Decide if you want to invest in a personal plan or do you just want to follow a general plan. A general plan may be great to start and then switch to a more personalized plan once you feel you are ready to take it to the next level.

6. Include cross training

Some plans are strictly running while others incorporate other activities like yoga, cycling, or weightlifting. Cross training can be great for building strength, reducing injuries, and for preventing burnout.

7. Rest days are a necessity

Don’t follow a plan that does not include recovery. Training for long distance running is a challenge and your body will be stronger if you give it the proper time to recover.

8. Be kind to yourself and allow change

Life happens. You miss a run because you’re sick, your sister comes to town, you went out for drinks with friends and only ran three miles instead of five. That’s fine! Just reset and focus on the next workout. Also if you pick a plan and don’t like it — drop it and get a new one.