Tag Archive for: half marathon

4 Reasons to Have a Training Partner

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The right training partner can make all the difference when preparing for longer distances

Don’t train alone! Finding at least one training partner can make all the difference. Perhaps it’s your neighbor, your best friend, or someone you meet through the Austin Marathon Facebook Group. However you met, your training partner just might be the most valuable asset in your training regimen.

So if you don’t have a training partner yet, read the four reasons you need one below.

1. Accountability

Being held accountable provides the extra jolt needed to get all your workouts in, this is especially beneficial if you’re adjusting your schedule to incorporate new training times. You’re less likely to hit the snooze button if you know someone is supposed to meet you for your morning run. Accountability is more than just meeting up to run. It should also include taking care of your body by incorporating proper nutrition and recovery.

2. Positive reinforcement

During training, there are a lot of smaller goals to meet before you reach the start line. Celebrate those achievements! A training buddy will be there for you with a high five when you finally hit a faster pace or when you reach your new long run goal. It also feels good to be there for someone else and to know that you are helping them meet their goals.

3. Push the boundaries

It’s easier to be complacent if you’re training alone. A training buddy will be there to push you. You can set up challenges for each other and help push the envelope of what you thought possible. Nothing like some friendly competition.

4. It is more fun

It really is that simple. Keep running as part of your life if it is something you enjoy.

Looking for someone to be your training buddy? Try posting in the Austin Marathon Facebook Group.

Under Armour, Inc. Returns as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2019 Austin Marathon

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The Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour will take place on February 17, 2019

High Five Events is excited to announce Under Armour, Inc. has returned as the presenting sponsor of the Austin Marathon®. The Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour will take place on February 17, 2019. The partnership will showcase Under Armour’s innovative performance products to runners from around the world, highlight their brand’s continued support of the sport of running, and provide finishers an opportunity to recover post-race in the Under Armour Recovery Zone.The 2019 Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour.

“Under Armour is thrilled to be back as presenting sponsor of the Austin Marathon—it is one of the highlights of the year for us and for the running community,” said Josh Rattet, General Manager of Under Armour Run. “The city of Austin and its dedicated running community truly offer an unprecedented experience for runners from all over the world, and UA Run is proud to support them.”

Partnership furthers both brands’ ability to positively impact the running community for second year

Under Armour will outfit 18,000 participants and 2500 race volunteers with their HeatGear® running shirts. Additionally, they’ll provide the 30-member Austin Marathon pace team with the newly-designed UA HOVR performance running footwear and race kits. Under Armour’s community involvement will deepen as Austin Marathon-related events are confirmed in the months leading up to race day.

[bctt tweet=”“By extending our partnership with @underarmour we’re both continuing our commitment to support runners from around the world and celebrate their race-day achievements,” said @JackSBR1, co-owner of @highfiveevents.” username=”austinmarathon”]

2019 will mark the Austin Marathon’s 28th 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. 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. 

Register for the 2019 Austin Marathon pres. by Under Armour

Austin Marathon Opens Elite Athlete Program Application

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Elite athlete program continues to grow

The 2019 Austin Marathon® presented by Under Armour® is accepting applications for the Elite Athlete Program from elite runners.The Elite Athlete Program creates a competitive field of elite male + female runners while discovering emerging talent. This pushes the entire talent pool closer to Olympic standards.[bctt tweet=”Elites will compete for $26K during the #AustinMarathon, #AustinHalfMarathon, and #ManzanoMile pres. by @dolesunshine.” username=”austinmarathon”]

Joey Whelan was accepted to the 2018 Austin Marathon Elite Athlete Program.

All smiles for Joey Whelan as he accepts his check.

“As a Texas resident, competing in and winning the 2018 Austin Marathon in my own backyard was a tremendous confidence boost, inspiring me to train harder and set higher goals for my running career,” said Joey Whelan. “I have since qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and am looking forward to returning to the streets of Austin in 2019 to continue the positive momentum created here in 2018.”

Runners accepted to the 2019 Austin Marathon/Half Marathon Elite Athlete Program will compete for a $20,000 prize purse. The Austin Marathon prize purse will total $15,000 and award the top five male and female finishers. The Austin Half Marathon purse will total $5,000 and award the top three male and female finishers. An additional $6,000 is up for grabs for elite milers in the Manzano Mile presented by Dole®. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2018.

Headed in the right direction

“Rebuilding the Elite Athlete Program has taken a great amount of time, vision, and dedication, but it makes it worth it to witness an amazing human and talented athlete like Allison Macsas qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials on our brand new marathon course,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events.” “Having other elites, like our champ Joey (Whelan) and Jocelyn Todd (3rd place female, half marathon) set PRs, gain confidence, and eventually run an Olympic Trials Qualifying time indicates our program is headed in the right direction.”

Patrick Smyth ran with the 2018 Austin Half Marathon Elite Athlete Program.

Patrick Smyth misses the half marathon OTQ B standard by 16 seconds.

Joey Whelan (2:21:37) and Austinite Allison Macsas (2:43:11) both won the 2018 Austin Marathon. Macsas won her second Austin Marathon title in a row and qualified for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. Patrick Smyth (1:04:16) and Hillary Montgomery (1:16:15) won the Austin Half Marathon. Smyth barely missed out on an Olympic Trial Qualifying time. Review last year’s marathon and half marathon times.

Athletes accepted into the Elite Athlete Program must meet the program’s standards. Those that meet standards will receive a comped entry, standards bonuses, comped entry to the 3M Half Marathon, and be eligible for hotel and transportation reimbursement up to $350. Runners could still be accepted into the Elite Field if their times fall within a 10-15 minute window of Program standards. They would receive a comped entry only.

To be eligible for reimbursement athletes must be accepted into the Elite Athlete Program and start the race. All athletes are subject to random drug testing pre- and post-race. Read more about program details, including eligibility standards, here. Interested athletes with questions can contact elites@youraustinmarathon.com.

Apply to run with the 2019 Austin Marathon elites!

An Athlete’s Perspective – Issue 13

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An Athlete’s Perspective is a blog series of event and/or training experiences written firsthand by the athletes themselves. An Athlete’s Perspective is a completely unscripted and raw look into the mind and daily life of an athlete as they prepare for their next race. Readers will discover training regimens, eating tips, gear recommendations, and an uncut perspective into the lives of people like you and me.

Still Going

By: Robert Mange with Leslie and Andrea Leyton-Mange

I am 65 years old and for most of my adult life, up until about 5 years ago, I was a runner. I began running in 1976 after moving to the Washington, DC area for a job with the Federal government. Eventually, I had a 36 miles per week habit. I’ve completed 16 marathons, a dozen triathlons, and assorted other races of varying distances.   

On February 18, 2018, I completed the Austin Half Marathon with my daughter, finishing with a chip time of 4 hours and 18 minutes, which was certainly nothing spectacular… except for the fact that I have Parkinson’s Disease. 

Parkinson's Disease

Andrea enjoys a post-race meal with her family after completing the Austin Half Marathon with her father, Robert.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that affects both brain and body. Typical symptoms can include tremors, slowness of movement, rigid muscles, trouble with balance, fatigue, and loss of mental sharpness (dementia), among other things. Over time, swallowing and other bodily functions are affected and there is no cure. Not everyone will display the same symptoms, but symptoms that are experienced will become more frequent and severe.

Prior to the half marathon, I didn’t (and still don’t) know of any other Parkinson’s Disease patients who attempted this distance and, when we spoke, neither had my neurologist. He said that he had never treated anyone at my fitness level so I should be confident. This time, I would be attempting my first long distance race while having a disease that dominated my life. So many things could go wrong. I was terrified. I only knew how to train for normal running distances while free from disease.

How do I train by walking, with the kind of effect I would need to build strength for the long haul? What do I do to substitute for long runs and speed work? I trained hard but could not tell if I was getting a training effect. I just walked for as long as I could and jogged for short spurts in between. Would it be enough? Would it be enough to enable me to take the nearly 70,000 steps to the finish?

Race Day – February 18, 2018

It was still dark when I awoke the morning of the race. I needed extra lighting to take the 10 different medications that I need to keep my symptoms at bay. My Parkinson’s Disease meds are generally effective for most of the day but by evening have completely worn off, so I wondered as I downed my morning pills how long they would keep me upright on that day. I wore a shirt signed by the members of my weekly Power for Parkinson’s (PFP) exercise class. They’re a courageous group of people who offered me encouragement and support as I trained. Before heading to the course, my daughter helped me attach my race bib. My tremors and coordination issues make it difficult to use something like safety pins on my own.  

Happy just to be alive at the start, we set off. I was tired after 3 miles. What went wrong? Did we start out too fast?  I was going to have to grit it out. Support on the sidelines helped. At around mile 11, encouragement came from about 30 young adults who formed a canopy over us, cheering us on. I walked and ran for the duration of the 13.1-mile course with my daughter beside me, supporting my efforts and guiding me to the finish. I was more tired than I had ever been before.

Crossing the finish line that day had special meaning to me because it showed me that I could still accomplish fitness goals in my life despite the challenges of a disease that seeks to rob me of my ability and strength. I’ll need them both when I try the Austin Half Marathon again next year.