Tag Archive for: 3M Half Marathon

An Athlete’s Perspective – Issue 8

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.

Returning from Injury: The Uphill Battle

By: Anita Perez

ON TOP OF THE WORLDAthlete's Perspective

The beginning of 2016 has definitely been the highlight of my running career. On February 13, I finished 33rd at my first Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles and two months later I ran a 10-mile race in Austin and set a PR of 57:46 on nothing but maintenance. My coach and I sat down and agreed on some solid goals for the upcoming months. I was fit and feeling great! I was unstoppable!

UNTIL…

The little nagging aches and pains. Nothing major, some hamstring tightness here, plantar tightness there. Just the typical pains every runner faces at least once every training cycle. It may not have stopped me from running but boy did it frustrate me. Good races came and went and next thing you know it was time to start the build-up for the 2017 Austin Marathon. On October 9th, I had my first ever DNF at the Army 10 Miler. I should have known that was a sign of things to come. Nonetheless, I kept training and pushing towards the goal of a great marathon in Austin.

THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

On Tuesday, December 13, 2016, everything came crashing down. The workout called for 4x1000m with 400 rec. First 1K…3:25…right on pace. Second 1K…this is when it happened, this is when I felt “pop.” I knew in an instant something was really wrong. I fell to the ground, couldn’t put any pressure on my foot, and remember thinking…this is it. It’s over. I tried hard to keep my composure because my little ones were there and I didn’t want them to know how much pain I was in.

Athlete's Perspective

THE DIAGNOSIS

Two days later I was diagnosed with a stress reaction. My running had come to a dead stop. In my 20 years of running, this was the first time I had experienced a “real” injury. Everyone around me told me I would be fine. They reminded me that the cross training I was doing was only going to make me stronger. I had people telling me that I’d be back running in as little as 4-6 weeks. Well, that wasn’t the case. What was diagnosed as a “stress reaction” seemed to act like a “stress fracture.” Every step I took hurt which left me no choice but to wear a boot. Fast forward 8 weeks after the initial diagnosis, I decided to give running a shot and met my coach at the track. After a failed attempt to make it halfway around the track, I realized I was no closer to running than I was in December. My frustration level grew and my confidence level dropped. I found myself wondering if I was ever going to run again. Fortunately, I have a really great support system. I had people encouraging me along the way and found motivation in the community of runners that surrounded me. But the one memory that stands out the most was the conversation I had with my 11-year-old daughter Jadeyn. We had discussed the 2020 Olympic Trials, and I remember her saying, “Mom, I know you’re injured but we’ve got plenty of time to qualify for the Olympic Trials.” Just like that my drive and desire for running came back. I had a goal, WE had a goal, and that goal was to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Trials. Slowly but surely I started to regain my fitness. In the spring of this year, I started to really focus on building my mileage. My eyes were set on the Chicago Marathon. Although things were going well, I would still have random foot pain.  Each time the pain would show up my confidence would drop. I have to admit, I had doubts that I would make it to the starting line. Every time I’d have a bad workout, my coach would assure me that “things are going to be fine.” I must have heard him say that over 1,000 times. Not just after workouts, but throughout the day. I was really struggling with the thought of not being able to run a marathon pain-free. I had my moments of struggle, moments of doubt, but I kept getting out the door at 4:30 am to get in the work. My goal was to run just run under 2:50. The hardest part was convincing myself, despite a subpar training cycle, that I could still run a decent marathon. However, my coach kept saying things to me that kept the trials standard in the back of my mind every day.

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

I finally agreed to his madness and decided that I would execute the race plan he put out for me. When that day came, I trusted the process, stuck to the plan, and somehow managed to run a 2:44:04 and once again qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials. WE DID IT JADEYN! After I finished the marathon I realized that I still can run fast, I still can put in the work to continue to improve in this sport, and I have a fantastic group of people around me to help me through the struggles we all go through.  My training partners, who are there every morning at 4:30to get in the work, my coach who puts up with the highs and the lows of an athlete struggling to move forward in this sport, and most importantly my kids who inspire me every day to be the best role model and mother I can be for them.

NEW GOALS. NEW PLAN. FAST COURSE.

With my confidence restored I can’t wait to toe the line at both the 3M Half Marathon and Austin Half Marathon to make up for the disappointment of missing both races last year. I especially look forward to 3M because you always know you have to be ready to race well as everyone else tends to bring their “A” game to this race. There is nothing better than lining up with some of the fastest ladies all looking to take advantage of the downhill course! A couple things to remember…1) Stick to the plan 2) Trust the process and most importantly 3) Have fun! See you at the starting line!

Clif Bar Fueling 3M Half Marathon Runners for Fifth Year

High Five Events announces Clif Bar & Company will be the Official Sports Nutrition for the 2018 3M Half Marathon. The partnership is in its fifth year and will provide runners with Clif Bar’s nutritious products before, during, and after one of the country’s fastest half marathons.

“Clif Bar is excited to return for our 5th straight 3M Half Marathon in January – we love feeding the adventure of all 3M Half runners,” said Christina Yamanaka, South Marketing Manager at Clif Bar. “We will provide nutrition and on-course support as the runners strive to hit their PRs on January 21!”

Clif Bar returns for another year to the 3M Half Marathon, set to take place on January 21, 2018. Runners can look for CLIF SHOT® Energy Gel on course at the CLIF® Energy Zone and other products at the finish line. Flavors include: Mocha, Citrus, Razz, and Vanilla. The famous packets, stuffed with essential 3M products, will have one of the newest CLIF® Nut Butter Filled Energy Bars: Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter, Caramel Chocolate Peanut Butter, or Blueberry Almond Butter. In addition, the 3M Half Marathon and Clif Bar will increase community engagement and product awareness by offering free samples to training clubs, sampling product at running stores, and supporting various demo runs around Austin.

“Clif Bar has been an integral part of the 3M Half Marathon for the past four years and we’re glad they’ll fuel hundreds of PRs for a fifth year,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “They have a strong commitment to community engagement and it shows before, during, and after race day.”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country and will celebrate its 24th year running in 2018. Runners enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running that showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Starting in north Austin and finishing near the Texas State Capitol, runners will appreciate a 300’+ net elevation drop. Participants can register on the website.

3M Half Marathon, Heavenly Care Moving Create Divine Partnership

High Five Events, one of the largest privately owned event production companies in the United States, is proud to have Heavenly Care Moving join the 2018 3M Half Marathon as the Official Moving Company. The locally owned, family business will sponsor the gear bag area, provide trucks and drivers for gear bag transportation, and have volunteers available to handle all gear bags.

“With 26 years here in Austin, and having run it several times myself, I’m thrilled to be a part of the 3M Half Marathon as a sponsor this year,” said Scott Kandel, owner of Heavenly Care Moving.

Founded in Austin in 2004, Heavenly Care Moving is a local and nationwide moving company also offering storage, packing, office, and senior citizen specialization. A combined 85 years of service history on their management team ensures that high-quality service remains the focus and that their customer’s experience is a great one. All of these traits will transition to race day perfectly, ensuring smooth and seamless gear bag collection and transportation for the runners. Heavenly Care Moving will also have a presence at the expo and several employees will participate in the 3M Half Marathon. Visit their Facebook page to learn more.

“Efficient and reliable gear bag transportation is a logistical need with our point-to-point course,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Participants entrust us with their belongings at the start line and we know Heavenly Care Moving will deliver them to the finish line with care.”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country and will celebrate its 24th year running in 2018. Runners enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running that showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Starting in north Austin and finishing near the Texas State Capitol, runners will appreciate a 300’+ net elevation drop. Participants can register on the website.

High Five Events Continues Support of Texas Coast

Run Austin, Help Texas

High Five Events announces that 100% of registration and processing fees received by the 2018 Austin Marathon and 2018 3M Half Marathon from Tuesday, September 5, through Friday, September 8, will be donated to Texas Coastal Bend Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

“Half of our staff grew up in or around these small coastal communities and we’re committed to helping them rebuild,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “The destruction that I’ve seen first-hand in towns like Port Aransas is heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to Texans on the coast, especially our friends and family that live in the affected areas.”

To date High Five Events has:

  • donated more than $15,000 in new materials such as trash bags, cleaning supplies, new shirts, and duffle bags to Austin Disaster Relief Network
  • assisted clean up efforts in Aransas Pass, Sinton, and Rockport and will continue to volunteer in those communities and other coastal towns over the coming weeks

All event registrations are included in this relief effort: Austin Marathon, half marathon, 5K, VIP Experience, and 3M Half Marathon. High Five Events is working closely with EventDog, who will ensure all processing fees are included with registration totals. Once totals have been calculated, a donation of up to $50,000 will be made to assist in the rebuilding of the Texas Coastal Bend.

3M Half Marathon Partners with Austin Runners Club

High Five Events announces a partnership between the 3M Half 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 3M Half Marathon registration process.

“We are proud to host the Austin Distance Challenge and our goal is to get more Austinites running and properly trained for these iconic Austin races,” said Iram Leon, Austin Runners Club President. “We’ve prepared thousands of Austinites for Downhill to Downtown and we’re excited to see that growth continue by working directly with the 3M Half Marathon.”

Austin Runners Club is a nonprofit organization that has been running in Austin since 1974. Participants registering for the 3M Half Marathon have the option of adding an Austin Runners Club annual membership 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 3M Half Marathon is the fourth event in the Austin Distance Challenge, a series of five running events hosted by the Austin Runners Club.

“New runners and veterans alike search for the level of training Austin Runners Club provides and now you can add their membership during registration,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Hundreds of runners have earned 3M Half Marathon PRs because of ARC’s training and 2018 will be no different!”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country and will celebrate its 24th year running in 2018. Runners will enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running that showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Starting in north Austin and finishing near the Texas State Capitol, runners will appreciate a 306’ net elevation drop. Participants can register on the website.

***Press Release