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.
Preparing to Pace the Austin Marathon
By: Albert Marino aka Moose Malloy
This Sunday, 12/3, is my next marathon. It still hasn’t fully sunk in, but it’s starting to. I’ve been training since June. Five and a half months. All that work….
Marino at Hagerman Pass.
For this cycle, I’ve upped my mileage to 90, which a year ago would have seemed like insanity. I’ve been doing my workouts with guys and gals that not long ago I considered way out of my league. I’m very proud of my improvements, and I am now confident enough to say that I’m going for a 2:45 at the California International Marathon. Unreal.
But whether I hit that goal or not, isn’t why I run. My personal motto is “The Path Is The Goal.” I run because I love running. I train because I love training. When I get up for my morning run, I don’t think about PRs or BQs. As I wait for my Garmin to connect, I look up and thank the moon and the stars for the gift of running. I discovered running basically by accident. It changed my life so profoundly that I won’t attempt to summarize it here. If I can pay it forward, then I’m game.
My first and only pacing duty took place a few years back when I convinced a few of my high school Cross Country kids to run the Austin Marathon. They absolutely killed it. Their time goal was modest, but they didn’t care about that. They simply wanted to take on a herculean task, and see what happens. Well, they finished, right alongside their coach. We cried, we hugged, then we sat down and contemplated the fact that we just ran twenty-six point two blessed miles! Lives were changed that day, and that’s a beautiful thing.
So while I look forward to my race, and I’m trying not to look too far beyond it. I am already looking forward to my pacing duties at the Decker Challenge and Austin Marathon, where I’ll pace the 3:35 group. I remember how important and inspirational my pacers were during my first two marathons and the idea that I can be that for others in pretty exciting. Crossing the finish line with a group of warriors that accomplished something that was beyond themselves, now that sounds like something worth doing. For those hours, we will be a family. There will be ups and there will certainly be downs. But together we will succeed, and it will be a beautiful day.
There’s no better way to kick off the new year than by running the Austin Marathon as a team. Creating an Austin Marathon team is perfect for companies, groups, friends, and family. With race day a couple months away, it’s time to start thinking (if you haven’t already) about who you want running by your side. What people do you want pushing you when you think you can’t go anymore? Here are 4 reasons why you should run with a team on February 18th:
Built-in training partners
The Austin Runners Club team!
Running with people who are working towards the same goal just makes sense. Training with partners is a great way to keep each other on track and hold one another accountable.
Austin Marathon team packet pick up
Would you rather have one team member pick up everyone’s packet or have the whole team go as a group to soak up the energy of the expo? One good thing about building an Austin Marathon team is that you can choose. Love having options!
Finish line party with your Austin Marathon team
Parties are awesome, but parties are better with people you know. Finish the Austin Marathon or half marathon, kick back with your team at your team tent, and celebrate your accomplishments at the Austin Marathon finish line festival.
Trash talking
Team Kate at the 2017 Austin Marathon.
Who doesn’t like some good ol’ fashioned trash talk? Nothing fuels the competitive juices better than wanting to prove someone wrong!
After reading these reasons, why wouldn’t you get a team together? If you realize that you really want to run with a team but haven’t started making one, don’t worry, team registration doesn’t close until January 5th. Get started today!
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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.
6 Tips for Running the Austin Half Marathon
By: Kyle Kranz
Living in western South Dakota does not give me many options for winter half or full marathons.
After missing my half marathon PR by 1 second and 20 seconds in the fall, I was super pumped when gifted an entry into the Austin Half Marathon for a third try!
Below are my six favorite pieces of advice I like to share with those who ask for general racing tips, tuned specifically for Austin. Keep them in mind as you train for and when you run the Austin Half/Full Marathon and I have little doubt you’ll get a bit closer to that PR! You’ll notice that none of these have anything to do with your fitness level. They are applicable to everyone and every event.
1) Take the Tangents
We’re starting with the easiest.
Did you know that courses are measured via the shortest possible route?
People not running this route is one of the most frustrating things I see at races and something so easy to fix. Run straight from corner to corner instead of staying on one side of the path.
That means when you take a turn wide, you’re running farther than the course actually is! Now imagine you take 10 wide turns over a half marathon. You signed up for 13.1 miles, not 13.5! There went your PR.
2) Slow Down Going Up
I’ve read a lot of research studies over the years, but one that compared racers in an actual race and their position before and after a hill was the one that has stuck with me the best because it’s so applicable to real life and easy to put into practice.
This one is simple as well, slow down when you go up an incline instead of trying to maintain the pace.
The researchers determined that while this may cause you to lose time compared to other runners right at that very moment, over the course of the race duration the individuals who slowed going up had more stamina once they reached the top and were able to accelerate and pass the runners who expired because they maintained their pace.
3) Preview the Course and Event
Course previews range from the obvious physically checking out the course before race day to reading about the event online.
A fast way is to simply search Google for the name of your race + race report and read the experience other people have had during past years of the event. Race reports will often mention how the start is organized, what aid stations are like, crowd support, etc.
Of course, the race website is full of helpful information as well. Get familiar with what hydration and calorie options will be available and at what intervals on the course, and look at the elevation profile so you’re aware of any steep bridges or climbs at the end of the course.
The absolute best option is to actually train on the course. If you’re training in Austin, your long runs will likely be very near to 15-20 miles and doing them on the course is wise. The more familiar you are the better!
Another note from a friend of mine that did the full: Be aware that for the first few miles you’ll be running with a bunch of half marathoners. Know when and where the split is. Otherwise, you may suddenly and surprisingly find yourself running solo.
4) Be mindful of the weather
When I arrived in Austin it was actually warmer in South Dakota than in Texas on that February day! However, on race morning it was about 70 degrees and humid.
I re-evaluated my pacing and goals and decided to skip the warm up to keep my core temp down and take the first uphill 5k super easy before dropping the hammer for the remaining 10 miles. I ended up running the first 3-4 miles about 25-30 seconds slower per mile than I would end up averaging.
Due to the proper pacing, I was able to run comfortably for the entire race duration, never needing water or calories and not experiencing any cramping or stomach issues.
5) Don’t Forget the 5P’s
Proper pacing prevents poor performance. Do not forget it!
No amount of good training, perfect calories, and adequate hydration will save you if you run the first third of the race distance too fast.
The final third of a race is full of people barely shuffling forward who “had a great first half.” Don’t be one of them! Let people go off ahead during the first third of the race distance, many of them will expire and you will pass them feeling well. Just don’t count passes out loud, it’s rude.
For just about any distance, I like to recommend my clients break it up into three parts. Run the first part easy, which will be much faster than your typical easy pace. Speed up a bit for the middle third but keep it controlled. And then for the final third, whether it’s during a 5k or a marathon, you can basically run at best effort. It’s harder to bonk when your body knows the finish line is near!
6) Treat Yourself
No one needs a sport or luxury car, but when you have one it sure is nice.
No one needs the VIP Experience at the Austin Marathon, but it sure was nice!
From the indoor waiting area with couches, refreshments, little breakfast burritos, and indoor bathrooms to the post-race meal looking over the finish line area and massage, it made me pretty darn special to be a VIP for a day! Oh, and I LOVE the free cap I got at the expo for being a VIP.
I hope you found these tips helpful!
Regardless of your experience level or knowledge, putting even one of these into practice will help. You will put hundreds of hours into training for this half marathon, don’t sacrifice your goal by making any easily avoidable mistakes at the event!
– Kyle Kranz
Kyle Kranz finished the 2017 Austin Half Marathon in 1:27:46. He works with runners from around the globe helping them achieve their goals. Follow him on his social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) to gain more insight!
Partnership will bring together Austin’s most recognized running entities
High Five Events announces a partnership between the Austin Marathon® and the Austin Runners Club. The primary goal of the partnership is to increase the growth of the Austin Runners Club by offering a discounted club membership during the Austin Marathon registration process.
“We want to increase membership, get more Austinites running, and properly train them for the Austin Marathon or half marathon,” said Iram Leon, Austin Runners Club President. “We’ve experienced tremendous growth over the last couple of years and we’re excited to see that trend continue by working with the Austin Marathon.”
Austin Runners Club is a nonprofit organization that has been running in Austin since 1974. Participants registering for the Austin Marathon, half marathon, or 5K can join the Austin Runners Club for $25 during the registration process. The Austin Runners Club’s annual dues are normally $30 and free group-based marathon and half marathon training is included in the annual membership. In addition to the training, members receive various discounts to local running stores, recovery services, and other events. The Austin Distance Challenge, a series of five running events culminating with the Austin Marathon, is hosted by the Austin Runners Club.
“Austin Runners Club has trained Austinites for more than 40 years,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We want to highlight their great work preparing runners for the Austin Marathon and half marathon and offer non-ARC members a chance to join and get trained by their reputable coaches.”
The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ 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. Participants can registerfor the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.
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1) Take the Tangents
