Tag Archive for: fast half marathon

Run Austin Virtual Series Announces Armadillo 5K as Second Event

Armadillo 5K announcement coincides with 3M Half Marathon’s July 30th price increase

Earlier this month, 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour and Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour created the Run Austin Virtual Series. The 6-event series began with the Wildflower Mile. It will continue with the Armadillo 5K, which launches on Tuesday, August 4th. Registration for all six events is free to participants of the 3M Half Marathon or the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K. Registration for the 2021 3M Half Marathon, currently at $99, will increase tonight, July 30th at 11:59 p.m. CST.

“I’m loving the Run Austin Virtual Series because I can set monthly goals and feel confident in each increase in distance as we make our way through training for the 3M Half Marathon,” said Kat Green, 2021 3M Half Marathon Ambassador. “It’s motivating knowing others are out there training and running the same virtual races as me and I just might see them on the course in January!”

Run Austin Virtual Series leads up to 3M Half Marathon

August features the Armadillo 5K, the second event in the 6-event Run Austin Virtual Series. The series will continue through December. The remaining four virtual runs will increase in distance each month, finishing with a 10-miler. The virtual series was created to provide monthly milestones for 3M Half Marathon registrants. The goal is to keep everyone motivated in their journey to the start line. Participants who register after previously released events will have the opportunity to complete those events.

“I’ve had to do more solo running this year as I train for my 5th 3M Half Marathon,” said Scott Firth, 2021 3M Half Marathon Ambassador. “It’s great to have the Run Austin Virtual Series provide milestones along the way, maintain my motivation, and keep things fun!”

Participants of the Run Austin Virtual Series will receive themed, downloadable personalized bibs, digital finisher medals, and finisher certificates. Participants will also enjoy fun extras like an online finisher photo booth and virtual reality filters for social media. Registration is open for each of the events for $18. Free entry to the entire six-event series, a $108 value, is available to participants of the 2021 3M Half Marathon or the 2021 Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K. Limited-edition merchandise customized for each event is available for purchase.

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. It will celebrate its 27th year running on January 17, 2021. Runners will enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running. The 13.1-mile course showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Participants start in north Austin and finish near the Texas State Capitol. Many participants set their 13.1-mile PR because of the 300’ net elevation drop.

5 Reasons Why You Should Run Your First Half Marathon

Run your first half marathon and enjoy the benefits along the way

Have you ever thought about running a half marathon? Training for 13.1 miles is an investment, but the rewards are tremendous! You probably know friends and family who have completed a half marathon or marathon. They might’ve crossed the 3M Half Marathon finish line. Whether you’ve talked with them about the experience or cheered for them on race day, you can do the same. Join an exclusive club when you run your first half marathon. BONUS: Choose 3M Half Marathon as your first half marathon and learn about all the sweet perks you’ll enjoy!

Learn more about yourself

Image of a male and female runner showcasing their 2020 3M Half Marathon finisher medals at the finish line festivals. Run your first half marathon at 3M Half Marathon and cross your first 13.1-mile finish line and join runners like these two.

Two proud finishers of the 2020 3M Half Marathon.

If you plan to run your first half marathon get ready to learn even more about yourself! Like most of what you achieve in life, this is earned. You have to train your body to run the distance. That takes patience, self-belief, and dedication. At some point, every long run leading up to race day will be your longest run. But like the shorter distances, what was once difficult will become easier. Remember when you were happy to complete a 5K run? Well, now you’re just starting to feel good when you reach 5K. Throw in early morning runs and completing workouts you want to skip and you’ll learn a great deal about yourself. Just wait until you cross the finish line!

Improved health benefits

You’ll see some improved health benefits if you just started running or plan to increase your mileage. You more than likely won’t run 13.1 miles right off the bat. You’ll work up to that amount. Along the way, you might lose some weight or become more tone. You might experience a reduction in stress levels or the ability to think more clearly. There’s no doubt you’ll strengthen your heart and expand your lung capacity. Every runner doesn’t experience the same health improvements, but all runners will improve their health. Pro tip: these 7 tips will help you run your best.

Discover your city

There’s no better way to discover your neighborhood and your city than by running! Everything slows down. You see that mural for the first time. A restaurant you drive by and never notice now looks appetizing. That park your friends talk about becomes a part of your route. You should always have a plan when you go out for a run. But there are times when you learn the most by getting lost! Pro tip: make sure you have several reference points so you can always work your way back to familiarity.

Inspire others

Why are you planning to run your first half marathon? Do you know someone who inspired you to run? Are you running to support a local nonprofit like Central Texas Food Bank? Maybe your just running to get healthier or show your children what’s possible. Whatever your reasoning, you just might inspire someone else. You never know who’s watching and taking notes! You’ll definitely make a difference in your own life. But running becomes even sweeter when you inspire others.

3M Half Marathon perks

Image of the 2020 3M Half Marathon with the finish line in the background. Run your first half marathon at 3M Half Marathon and this commemorative spinner finisher medal is just one of the perks you'll receive!

2020 3M Half Marathon finisher medal.

Know someone who has completed 3M Half Marathon? Then you’ve certainly heard about the world-famous gear bag stuffed with 3M products! Every year features different items, from Post-it Notes to scissors, and Command Hooks to a dozen different types of tape. Like every great infomercial, that’s not all! Participants receive a custom Under Armour participant shirt that they proudly wear year-round. Cross the finish line, earn your commemorative spinner finisher medal, and head to the finish line festival! Celebrate with friends and family at the beer garden, enjoy live music, and visit an Austin food truck.

You have to put in the work if you want to run your first half marathon. When you finally make that decision you’ll be rewarded in many ways! From the sweet perks you receive to improving your health, you’ll reap the benefits when you train for and complete your first half marathon. Is there a specific reason you decided to run your first half marathon? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

Central Texas Food Bank Named Beneficiary of 2021 3M Half Marathon

In selecting Central Texas Food Bank, 3M Foundation continues support of Austin organizations with a significant community impact

3M Foundation selects the Central Texas Food Bank as the beneficiary of the 2021 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour. This grant will allow the Central Texas Food Bank to continue its mission of nourishing hungry people and leading the community in the fight against hunger. 3M Foundation continues its support of Austin organizations that positively impact the local community. The 27th annual 3M Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, January 17, 2021, in Austin, Texas.

Image of Central Texas Food Bank worker in a mask and hi-vis vest holding a sign saying, "Don't worry, we got you." The Central Texas Food Bank is the beneficiary of the 2021 3M Half Marathon.

“3M is playing a unique and critical role in the fight against COVID-19 and it’s a responsibility we take seriously. Part of that is to assist with alleviating hunger and providing basic needs and support for vulnerable populations. Choosing the Central Texas Food Bank as the beneficiary of the 2021 3M Half Marathon is the perfect match for how we want to help here in Central Texas,” said Stacey Claessens, Community Relations Manager of 3M Foundation. “It supports our initiative to invest in the most critical local needs of our hometown operating communities and especially during these challenging times.”

Supporting Central Texas

The Central Texas Food Bank is one of the leaders of hunger relief. They help nearly 50,000 people each week through a network of approximately 300 Partner Agencies and mobile food pantries. Though headquartered in Austin, they serve 21 counties in Central Texas. That equals an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. In addition to the grant, their staff will have a booth at the expo. They will also support an aid station on race day. While registering online for the 3M Half Marathon, participants have the opportunity to further support the Central Texas Food Bank and add an additional donation.

“We’re thrilled to be named as beneficiary of the 2021 3M Half Marathon,” said Mark Jackson, Chief Development Officer of the Central Texas Food Bank. “Responding to the unprecedented need created by the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched our resources to the limit. Every dollar donated will help us in our ongoing mission of providing nutritious food for our neighbors in need.”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. It will celebrate its 27th year running in 2021. Runners will enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running. The 13.1-mile course showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Participants start in north Austin and finish near the Texas State Capitol. Many participants set their 13.1-mile PR because of the 300’ net elevation drop. Participants can register on the website.

7 Valuable Tips You Need to Know to Run Your Best

These 7 valuable tips will help you run your best and get the most out of training

Run your best when you follow these 7 tips! There are some things that are out of our control, like the weather. But when you execute the things you can control, you truly run your best. These tips are as easy as relaxing while you run and as technical as checking your cadence. Keep these tips in mind when you’re training during the summer months. Need a reminder? Click the infographic below to download for yourself. Take your training to the next level when you take care of yourself with this vital advice!

Relax

Downloadable infographic highlighting 7 tips you should follow to run your best.Sounds simple, but we can unknowingly put a strain on our body in an effort to produce mileage or a certain pace. Really focus on relaxing your body. Unclench your fists and loosen your shoulders and jaw. You can even begin your run or workout at a slightly slower than normal pace to really dial in your breathing. Slowly increasing your heart rate at the beginning will help with relaxation.

Check your cadence

The average runner’s cadence should be 160-170 steps per minute. You don’t have to count this in your head! Every runner is different, especially if you’re just starting out or have been running all your life. Under Armour makes knowing your cadence seamless. Their Bluetooth connected shoes, like Under Armour’s HOVR Velociti 2, send the information from your run directly to their MapMyRun app. The app even provides personalized coaching tips! Tracking your cadence, mileage, pace, and other running-related data will help you see improvement.

Focus on your stride

This coincides with the first tip to relax. Your stride improves when you relax. Don’t overstride or run on your tippy-toes. You want your stride to be smooth and comfortable. This better optimizes the energy your body uses and helps avoid injury.

Take time off

Listen to your body, whether you suspect an injury or just don’t feel good. The last thing you want is to have something minor become a major issue. If you have to take more than a day or two off, visit a specialist at the Ascension Seton Sports Performance and get checked out. If you think something is wrong get it diagnosed so you can build a plan to get back to running. 

Get more sleep

Feeling a little sluggish since you’ve increased your mileage? Add one extra minute of sleep per night for every mile you run that week. If you run 30 miles per week, add 30 minutes of sleep. Your body repairs itself when you sleep. Make sure you give your body enough time to recover when you begin asking more of it.

Hydrate

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s extremely vital. At a minimum, you should drink 60-80 ounces every day. The more active you are, the more you should increase that amount. Make sure you have a good balance of water and an electrolyte-infused fluid, like nuun hydration.

Cross-train

Don’t run every day, mix it up. Cross-training is important to prevent overuse injuries. Try swimming, cycling, yoga, lifting weights, or online workouts. You’ll work different muscles and build strength. When lifting weights, focus on a lighter weight with more reps. Here are 8 reasons to include cross-training with Camp Gladiator!

You will ask more of your body as you increase your mileage. It’s important that you take care of your body. Incorporate these tips so that you can run your best. Do you have a tip that helps you run your best? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

2020 June Running Playlist: Your PR-Chasing Soundtrack

The 2020 June running playlist is the anthem you need to chase your 13.1-mile PR

We’ve got more tunes for you because Austin is The Live Music Capital of the World. We’re sharing our favorite tunes with you every month so you can train for and chase your half marathon PR. Often times one song (or several!) can power you through a tough time during an intense workout or a long run. Trust us, we speak from experience! Jam out to the entire June running playlist or take your favorites and make your own list. The 2020 June running playlist has the music you need, from Survivor’s classic anthem to Austin’s own Ghostland Observatory. We share every song on the massive #WeLiketheSoundofThat playlist and Twitter. Follow us so you know what’s next!

Playlist pro tips:

1) drag the 2020 June Running Playlist to your ‘Playlists’ section for quick access

2) click the download button so you can listen even if you’re offline

Utilize the June running playlist and these 5 self-care tips to maximize your training. Keep the volume at a level where you can pay attention to your surroundings. It’s important to know what’s going on around you! Is there something you like that we didn’t list? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.