Tag Archive for: running

Meet the 2020 3M Half Ambassadors

Take a few minutes to meet the 2020 3M Half Ambassadors

Meet the 2020 3M Half Marathon Ambassadors, follow them on social media, and say hey to them in-person at expos and on January 19, 2020! This group loves the 3M Half Marathon, but they love running even more! Learn a little about the 3M Half Marathon Ambassadors and how running impacts their lives. They share their Ambassador codes often, so make sure you follow them on social media for a discount on the 2020 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour.

Agatha Kerr, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, takes a selfie during a trail run.Agatha Kerr

Agatha works full time as the Project & Process Manager at her church. She’s a single mom of two lovely daughters (ages 7 and 16) and is an ultrarunner. Her distance PR is 152 miles! She’s self-admittedly not fast, but has the courage to endure. She runs when her schedule allows because running is her release. It’s her quiet time and how she’s met some of her closest friends. She applied to be a 3M Half Marathon Ambassador because she loves the course and the people, not to mention the great medals and swag!

Airon Andrews, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, poses for the camera.Airon Andrews

Airon is a native Austinite and avid endurance athlete. She’s a Program Analyst and also a Run Lead at Lifetime South Austin. She participates in various running, biking, and triathlon events. She enjoys running on the Hike and Bike trail in Austin. Airon is proud to be an ambassador to promote the 3M Half Marathon organized by High Five Events. Follow her on Instagram.

Ashley Rollins, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, smiles for the camera.Ashley Rollins

Ashley is a running coach with Rogue Running in Austin. Her running journey started as a way to relieve stress in college and accelerated when she moved to Austin in 2010. When she’s not found running the local streets, she’s the editor-in-chief of her healthy lifestyle blog, Swift. She’s excited to be a 2020 3M Half Ambassador and spread the Downhill to Downtown love! Follow her on Instagram.

Barbara Bussey, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, poses for the camera.Barbara Bussey

Barbara began her running career just trying to get an “A” in her PE class in nursing school. Luckily for her, the exercise stuck (and yes, she got the “A”).  That was back in 2000. Since then, she has run 12-15 half marathons, more 5Ks and 10Ks than she can count, and this September, she will complete her second 70.3 triathlon at Kerrville Triathlon Festival. Running feels like freedom to her. Freedom from worries, freedom to truly enjoy the outdoors, freedom to challenge herself to be better. Running has also brought her closer to her daughter, who seems to have caught the same bug her mother did all those years ago. Now they challenge each other to reach greater achievements than they thought possible.

Brittany Bussey, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, poses with giant 2019 3M Half Marathon medal.Brittany Bussey

Brittany is 25 and began running at the end of 2013 to live a healthier lifestyle and to lose weight. She ran her first half marathon by 2015. Starting off 2017 with a bang, Brittany and her mother ran their first marathon. Three short years later, they will run the 3M Half Marathon half for the second year in a row and enjoying the time they spend together. Her favorite part of running is being able to enjoy the journey with her mom. She is her rock and inspires her to be a better person. Follow Brittany on Instagram.

Katrina Green poses in her 2020 3M Half Ambassador shirt.Katrina Green

Katrina loves being active. Her favorite thing to do is to combine vacations with running race events and enjoying the outdoors. Because of this, she started working towards a goal to complete a marathon in all 50 states. She has completed six states so far with #7 coming this fall. She has participated in the 3M Half Marathon three years in a row and continues to tell everyone that it’s her favorite half marathon (maybe even favorite race as it’s one of the few races she’s repeated). Follow her on Instagram.

Lauren Dehdari, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, poses at the 2019 3M Half Marathon finish line.Lauren Dehdari

Lauren lives in Plano with her wife and their dog, Penny. She works as a Medical Librarian at a hospital in Dallas. She came to love running in high school on the cross country and track team and have been on the move ever since! With more than 25 half marathons and 5 full marathons under her belt, her love for the sport continues to grow with each race start line she crosses. She is honored to represent the 3M Half Marathon again in 2020 and run the streets of Austin! Follow Lauren on Instagram.

Liubov Lomonosova, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, crosses the 2019 3M Half Marathon finish line with excitement.Liubov Lomonosova

Liubov is originally from Ukraine. She moved to Austin in 2014. When she came to the US she was not a runner nor an active person. In 2015, she began her transformation journey by running just 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week. She lost 50 pounds! Eventually, she became a run addict and her favorite distance is the marathon. Running has changed her lifestyle and mindset and made her a better person. She wants to inspire people by showing how she became healthier and happier. Follow her on Instagram.

Rachel Meador, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, smiles for the camera.Rachel Meador

Rachel is like most runners: she loves running, she hates running, she loves running, she hates running! A self-described fitness freak, taco connoisseur, and coffee lover, being a 3M Half Marathon Ambassador makes her complete! Her running journey has allowed her to run for those who can’t. She wears bibs for fallen soldiers, those challenged with health issues, and those in memoriam. Follow her on Instagram.

Sara Ferniza, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, smiles for the camera.Sara Ferniza

Sara discovered her passion for running more than 20 years ago while living in her hometown of Chicago. She has run 50 marathons. Sara moved to Austin 10 years ago and loves the amazing Austin running community. She had a brain tumor removed in 2015. Thankfully the tumor was benign, but she had a long road of recovery ahead of her. She ran her first 50K ultra race seven months after brain surgery. She is the Director of Volunteer Services for the Austin Runners Club, a local nonprofit organization. Volunteering and working with visually impaired and disabled athletes has been a very rewarding experience for her. Follow her on Instagram.

Scott Firth, 2020 3M Half Ambassador, runs the 2019 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.Scott Firth

Scott is 63 years old and has been running off and on for more than 30 years. He mostly ran shorter distances and completed his first half marathon, the 2016 3M Half Marathon. Scott lives in Georgetown and volunteers with the Georgetown Running Club. Scott said the great thing about 3M Half is the significant net downhill, making it the perfect half marathon for someone running their first 13.1 miles. Follow him on Instagram.

13.1 Reasons to Love 3M Half Marathon

Here are 13 of the many reasons runners love 3M Half Marathon

We hear from runners all the time about why they love 3M Half Marathon. We think it’s pretty awesome too! Everyone loves Downhill to Downtown for various reasons. Check out the list below; we’ve compiled the most frequent answers. Join us on January 19, 2020, to experience all we have to offer for yourself. 

1. Austin, Texas – shall we continue? You got it!

Runner runs in her Under Armour participant shirt, the shirt is just one reason you'll love 3M Half Marathon.

Participants love 3M Half Marathon because of the sweet Under Armour participant shirts!

2. Under Armour shirts – be the envy of your running friends who didn’t join you

3. The industry’s best gear bag – you’ll love all the useful 3M products

4. Commemorative, spinner finisher medal – slow-motion videos, boomerang GIFs, photos with the Texas State Capitol in the background, so many ways to show off your medal

5. 300+ ft. elevation drop – run our point-to-point course and see why hundreds set their half marathon PR every year; soak in all the on-course live music

6. Finish line festival – post-race massage, food trucks, hydration, live music, and so much more

7. Free finish line transportation – park at the start line, run to the finish line. We’ll take you back to the start line

Halfway there!

8. Amazing on-course support – hundreds of volunteers get up early and they stay late, helping you have the best experience possible

Participants celebrate their accomplishment in the beer garden, one reason people love 3M Half Marathon.

Participants (21+)celebrate their 3M Half Marathon accomplishments at the beer garden!

9. Expanded beer garden – because you and your friends need another place to celebrate

10. Pacers – the Twenty-Six Two pacers will keep you on track to finish when you want, helping you reach your goals

11. Two-day packet pick up and expo – purchase official 3M Half Marathon gear, check out the latest running products, and grab any last-minute needs

12. USATF-certified course – you won’t run anymore or less than you have to, we double-checked

13. Eight fully-stocked aid stations featuring Nuun Endurance – grab hydration, make a pitstop, or both (don’t forget to thank the volunteers)

13.1. Benefits Austin Youth River Watch – 3mgives selected this Austin nonprofit as the beneficiary for the second year in a row, helping this organization continue to positively impact Austin’s youth and our environment.

You just read 13.1 reasons runners love 3M Half Marathon. Your friends rave about it. Your running partners can’t stop talking about their experience. Now it’s your turn! Reserve your spot at the 2020 3M Half Marathon start line and experience all that we have to offer. And if 2020 won’t be your first time, you’re now on a mission to set your half marathon PR! Why do you love 3M Half Marathon? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!

8 Reasons to Include Cross-Training This Summer

Increase strength and get leaner when you include cross-training this summer with Camp Gladiator

There are some days where it feels like summer is already here. That means the constant heat and humidity is right around the corner! Most runners reduce the number of long runs from their training because of these conditions. As we know (because we’re runners too!), runners want to consistently better. Add Camp Gladiator workouts to your running schedule and include cross-training to your summer workouts. The benefits will be numerous when fall arrives. Check out the following 8 reasons you should include their 4-week training cycles.

CG trainers cheer on runners at the 2019 3M Half Marathon. Expand your summer training with Camp Gladiator trainers!

Expand your summer training with Camp Gladiator trainers!

Don’t forget! The Camp Gladiator crew warmed you up before the 2019 3M Half Marathon and cheered for you as you charged to the finish line.

Camp Gladiator Benefits

  • 4-week training cycle provides variety and proper progression to keep your body able to do what you love
  • Increase and maintain strength in your upper body, lower body, and core
  • Full-body workouts make you a more well-rounded athlete
  • Improve posture and strength for your long races and those final miles
  • Train in ALL planes of motion, not just the repetitive linear motion (like swimming, biking, running)
  • Reduced chance of injury by training different muscles and foundational movement patterns
  • Build speed and endurance with the training volume and intensity provided at camp
  • Increased agility, balance, and coordination will help you move better and more efficiently

Visit Camp Gladiator to get started and find an Austin location near you! Not in Austin? Find a workout near you.

Always Better with Friends

It’s no secret, 3M Half Marathon is better with friends

Much like happy hour and weekend brunch, 3M Half Marathon is always better with friends!

Friends hold you accountable during your 3M Half Marathon training. They support you at the end of long runs when you’re feeling sluggish. Often times they lighten the mood when you just don’t want to run, making the miles pass. And they’re always there to celebrate your accomplishments.

On race day, they cheer for you. They might pace you to your first half marathon. If they get ahead, they wait for you at the finish line. And they’re always the first to take a selfie with your new Downhill to Downtown medals and post it on social media.

You might have folks that do this for you. Just remember: this is a two-way street. What your buddies do for you, you do just as much for them in return. That’s why you should train for and run 3M Half Marathon with friends!

4 Reasons to Try Rookie Triathlon

If you’re looking for something new, try Rookie Triathlon

You put in months of training leading up to the 25th anniversary of the 3M Half Marathon. Hopefully, you’ve recovered by now! Many runners keep their training going, but they focus on shorter distances. Instead of more running, expand your endurance horizons when you try Rookie Triathlon. There are many benefits to not focusing on running and trying Rookie Triathlon. Some will make you a better runner!

First triathlon of your life

If you’ve never completed a triathlon, Rookie Triathlon is for you! With a 300m swim, 11.2-mile bike ride, and 2-mile run, this event is perfect for first-timers. The swim entry is very controlled, 1-2 participants enter the water every couple of seconds. This prevents clusters of swimmers in the water at one time, helping to calm Rookie nerves and provide a safer swim. Which then leads to more space for cyclists on the road during the bike portion. The field consists of veterans too, so if you need some last-minute advice you don’t have to go far.

Cross-training

The repetitive motion of logging hundreds of miles can stress the body. Plus, if you only run, you’re using your muscles in one motion repeatedly. This can lead to overuse and possibly injury. Cross-training could prevent some of these issues, help you stay healthier, and make you a better runner. Swimming is excellent for two main reasons: 1) you’re using your entire body during the workout, and 2) you’re not pounding the pavement putting additional stress on your muscles, joints, and ligaments. Cycling will help you build lower body strength while working your joints and muscles differently. Both of these activities can build your overall strength, help you lose weight (if needed), increase your lung capacity, and prevent injury from overuse.

16 years

That’s right, Rookie Triathlon will celebrate their Sweet 16 on Sunday, May 5th! This isn’t some fly-by-night triathlon, Rookie Tri is owned and produced by High Five Events, just like 3M Half Marathon. So you know you’re getting a top-notch event that focuses on participant safety and features an energetic finish line festival. And don’t worry, you won’t be the first Rookie to cross the finish line and you won’t be the last. Rookie Triathlon has seen thousands of Rookies begin their triathlon career!

Something different

Pretty straightforward, triathlon is something different. Instead of logging hot and sweaty miles during the summer, knock out your swim in Barton Springs. Forget a long run with humidity, at least on a long bike ride you can generate your own wind to stay cool. You’ll meet new people, make friends, and possibly join a triathlon club, like Austin Triathlon Club. They’re an excellent resource for Rookie and Veteran triathletes. The one thing that isn’t all that different, you still have to train to cross the finish line!