Tag Archive for: Olympic Trials Qualifier

PROfile: D’Ann Arthur, 2018 Austin Marathon 3rd place female

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D’Ann Arthur continues to masterfully blend her professional and running career

About: UPDATE – I’m working at a hospital near downtown LA until the end of June, so I’m enjoying exploring the parks and running routes near Griffith Park and the Hollywood sign. I’m currently focusing on strength and speed work for the early months of summer. There are plans to race a few 5K and 10Ks before gearing up for a marathon this fall (which one is still to be decided). I’m currently scheduled to be one of the chiefs for the Orthopedic trauma service from February 2019 to April.

I was born and raised in Texas and spent my childhood as a competitive gymnast. I walked onto the cross country team at Trinity University my sophomore year and quickly fell in love with running. After graduation, I shifted my focus to triathlons and raced as a professional triathlete while I was in medical school. I moved out to Los Angeles in 2014 for residency. I’m currently a third year resident in orthopedic surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. I ran my first marathon in May of 2016. My goal is to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. - D'Ann Arthur Share on X

Training tip: Don’t underestimate the importance of figuring out your nutrition plan before the race. Your stomach and your body will thank you for it.

Race day tip: When it starts to get tough, smile and remind yourself that you signed up for this and push yourself to run a race you can be proud of.

Upcoming Races: A few summer 5K and 10Ks.

Returning for 2019 Austin Marathon: As a chief for the Orthopedic trauma service (during February 2019) travel will be difficult due to the call schedule. If I can make it out to Austin, then I’ll definitely race as it’s a top notch event!

Social media: Facebook and Instagram

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

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