Ascension Seton Named 3M Half Marathon’s Official Medical Provider

Professionals from Ascension Seton bring decades of experience to race day

High Five Events names Ascension Seton as the Official Medical Provider for the 2019 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour. At the finish line medical tent, their experienced team will provide the best care available should participants need it. Similarly, they’ll have an on-course presence during the race. The 3M Half Marathon will take place on Jan. 20, 2019.

“Ascension Seton is excited to be a partner with the High Five Events team and the Official Medical Provider for the 3M Half Marathon,” said Adam Bauman, vice president of business development at Ascension Seton. “We are proud to support and care for the vibrant running community in the city of Austin and beyond.”

As the Official Medical Provider, Ascension Seton doctors and nurses will staff the finish line medical tent and work with Travis County EMS on course. They will have a presence at the two-day expo. Ascension Seton is part of the largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system.

“Participant safety is paramount at every event we produce,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We know that the thousands of 3M Half Marathon participants will be in good hands with the Ascension Seton doctors and nurses should they be needed.”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. It will celebrate its 25th year running in 2019. 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. Registration is currently open for all options.

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Tips to Get Your Best Race Photo

Look Your Best in Race Photos

Image result for ridiculously photogenic guy

Remember when “ridiculously photogenic guy” made is way around the internet? His race photo amazed us all. Regardless of how the race is actually going, the amount you are sweating, or the pain your feet are in, the elusive perfect running photo is actually within reach. With these 10 simple tips, you too can be like “ridiculously photogenic guy” and have race photos that you will be showing off for years to come.

1. Improve your form

Stand Tall! We tend to let our shoulders lean in, so when you see that yellow vest, pull the shoulders back and align the spine. This is also probably just feel good on your body if you have gotten into a slump.

2. Increase your stride

Make your legs look long and fast by slightly over exaggerating your stride. You don’t want to do this for all 13.1 miles, but it won’t hurt for a photo or three.

3. Pull your arms away from your sides

This was advice given by a wedding photographer but it also applies here. With your arms out a little bit, they don’t have the squished look like when they are pressed up against your sides.

4. Make your path

Be aware of the upcoming photographers and move so that other runners are not in your way. No point in putting in the work to look good if you are covered up by someone else.

5. Relax your face

We know easier said than done, but start practicing now on your training runs. Make your cheeks soft and say the word “Money.” Seriously go to a mirror and try it.

6. Do your hair

You do your hair for any other good photo… do it here too! A braid, a bun, a clean ponytail. Hats are okay at taming crazy hair, but they can also cast a shadow on your face.

7. Think positive thoughts

Have a photo mantra like ” I love running” or “I am awesome and am going to finish this race.” This positive energy will show through in the photo. You can even say something out loud to the photographer to get their attention, a whoohooooo never hurt!

8.Wear your bib on the front

Make sure your bib placement is clean looking and on the front. The automated photosystems use this to tag your photos. You don’t want to sift through thousands of photos to try and find yourself.

9. Don’t pause your watch… just yet

I know it is tempting to hit the pause button right when you cross the finish line, but give it a few steps. Otherwise, the photo will be of you looking at your watch and not enjoying the finish experience.

10. Bust out the major emotion!

Smiles, cheers, jumps, yells, tears… you’ll get a second look from the photographers. Avoid waving quickly or flapping your arms up and down, they can make you look like your falling in the photo. If you are going to make movements, make them meaningful and keep the pose for more than a few seconds.

You can pre-purchase your 2019 3M Half Marathon race photos now at a discounted price.

 

 

 

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2019 Under Armour Participant Shirt Reveal

Introducing Your 25th Anniversary Under Armour Participant Shirts!

This is a shirt that you will be proud to have in your collection! These custom Under Armour HeatGear shirts are built to keep you cool during any workout or competition. This shirt is only available this year, so don’t miss out!

 

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November Running Gear Round Up

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Join the 3M Half Marathon Volunteer Team

We want you to join our volunteer team!

Volunteer at the 25th anniversary of the 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour! Individuals, groups, and companies can be part of this beloved Austin event. The #3MHalfMarathon volunteer team helps others in the running community achieve their goals and dreams! Click To Tweet

There are several positions that are available to fit your schedule. You can provide a reassuring smile to runners at the expo on Friday and Saturday. Or you could assist on the course or at the finish line festival on Sunday. Some volunteers do both! There are even runners who volunteer at the expo and run on Sunday. So many options!

2019 3M Half Marathon volunteer team

Join the 2019 3M Half Marathon volunteer team today!

Make it fun! Volunteer with your family and friends, as well as with any other groups or organizations. Do you need to complete service hours? We got you! As a volunteer, you are assisting the staff in the production of a fun and safe event. You are also helping the participants reach their goals and have a great experience!

Don’t worry if you haven’t volunteered before. We will make sure that you know everything you need to know to have fun and succeed as a volunteer. We will also provide snacks during your shift. And to top it off, everyone on the volunteer team will receive an official Under Armour 25th Anniversary volunteer shirt. Don’t wait any longer, register NOW!

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4 Downhill Running Tips

These downhill running tips can save your legs

It’s no secret, running on hills is beneficial. You strengthen your lower body and your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Over time, running gets easier, allowing you to push your body further. You think hill workouts and your mind immediately goes to the uphill climb. But don’t forget, coming back downhill is just as important. Incorporate these downhill running tips to improve your form, become a better runner, and save your legs. With a ~300 ft. elevation drop from start to finish, this advice will benefit you at 3M Half Marathon.

Lean forward from your hips

Gravity naturally pulls you downhill (thanks Sir Isaac Newton!). Lean slightly forward from your hips, not your shoulders, to help maintain control of your body as you descend. If it helps, you can lean your shoulders back slightly, but not too much. This combination might feel awkward during your first couple of runs. Maintaining your center of gravity when running downhill will help avoid injuries and give your body a chance to recover from running uphill. Pro tip: engage your abs and glutes to provide extra control.

Use your arms for balance, not power

When running downhill, you don’t need the forward-back arm movement to generate power. That’s mainly used when running on flat ground and uphill. Take the above advice and partner it with your arms. As you descend, find the arm placement that best helps you maintain your balance. Your arms will naturally move back-and-forth, that’s okay. But remember that specific movement needs to focus on balance, not power.

Shorten your stride

As mentioned above, coming downhill doesn’t require as much power as going uphill. You need to alter your stride just like you altered how you use your body. Don’t overstride, you’ll overextend your body which forces you to lose control. Shorten your stride and keep your feet underneath you. You’ll feel like you should fly down the hill, but maintaining a controlled descent will benefit you during and after the race or workout.

Focus downhill

Focus beyond your feet. Continue to pay attention to your surroundings and the terrain, but don’t look at your feet. Doing so will disrupt your center of gravity and throw your stride out of sync. Adjusting your stride going downhill is designed to prevent injuries, maintain control, and allow for recovery. Looking at your feet leans your shoulders forward and disrupts your center of gravity. Then gravity takes over and you begin running faster, overextending your stride as you descend. Focus on what’s downhill and trust that your lower body will take care of you.

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4 Tips to Grow Your 3M Half Marathon Team

You’re a Captain, now grow your 3M Half Marathon team

Having a large team running at 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour is really fun! But motivating everyone to sign up on time can be challenging. Here are 4 tips to help you grow your 3M Half Marathon team and have everyone registered before the Tuesday, December 18th team deadline. This one’s on the house: remind them it’s our 25th anniversary!

1. Emails

Make matching shirts as a perk to grow your 3M Half Marathon team.The most important part of this is the -s. One email inviting everyone to the team is not enough. You may feel pushy but trust us, you’re not. Reminding people of the deadline and perks is important. We suggest at least 3 emails between now and the team deadline to remind everyone if you want to grow your 3M Half Marathon team.

2. Challenge others

Nothing gets the competitive juices flowing more than an accepted challenge. You can challenge the group to all run PRs or see who can raise the most funds for a nonprofit, like the 2019 3M Half Marathon beneficiary, Austin Youth River Watch. You could even have weekly challenges to keep everyone motivated and following their training plan. The possibilities are endless! If you can think of it, you can make it happen.

3. Add perks

Some need a little something extra. If you are able, you may want to offer something special to everyone who joins the team before a certain date. This can be something like having their name on their shirt, if you are doing a group shirt, or maybe a hat, jacket, or special pin. Make your group members feel important by making the group that much more exclusive! Pro tip: perks can act as recruiting tools that can help you grow your 3M Half Marathon team!

4. Share it on social media

If you are a public team, share it everywhere. 🙂 A great way to do this is a Facebook Event where the event date is the team registration deadline. You can then invite all your friends and then ask them to invite everyone they know who might be interested. In no time you may find yourself with 100s of people who are interested in joining your team. Post in the event or private message these people to make sure they are reminded of the deadline. You can also use this opportunity to stay connected, talk about training, provide updates, and recognize team members with shoutouts. The possibilities are endless!

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2019 Finisher Medal

The 2019 3M Half Marathon Finisher Medal

We are proud to reveal our 25th Anniversary Finisher Medal. This awesome piece of race history can be yours when you cross the finish on January 20, 2019!

Don’t forget to pre-order your personalized nameplate with your finishing time.

You can purchase your nameplate by logging in and then selecting the Shop next to your registration.

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4 Reasons to Build Your 3M Half Marathon Team

Start building your 3M Half Marathon team today

There’s no better way to kick off the new year than by running the 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour as a team. Creating a 3M Half Marathon team is perfect for companies, groups, friends, and family. With race day a few 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 January 20th:

Build your 3M Half Marathon team and make matching shirts!

Build your 3M Half Marathon team and make matching shirts!

  1.    Built-in training partners
  • 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. Plus, you can design sweet team shirts for race day!
  1.   3M Half 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 a 3M Half Marathon team is that you can choose. Love having options!
  1. Finish line party with your 3M Half Marathon team
  • Parties are awesome, but parties are better with people you know. Finish the 3M Half Marathon, kick back with your team at the beer garden, and celebrate your accomplishments at the 3M Half Marathon finish line festival.
  1. Trash talking
  • 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, 3M Half Marathon team registration doesn’t close until Tuesday, December 18th. Get started today!

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4 Reasons to Wear Running Headgear

Check out the benefits of running headgear and scoop up our recommendations

Runners tend to obsess about running shoes and clothing. Are the shoes comfortable? Do they fit my style of running? Will my clothing wick sweat effectively? Does this outfit make me look good? Don’t overlook running headgear! Putting a lid on your top for your next run will have benefits that are similar to your running shoes and clothing. Check out this list of running headgear benefits and see our recommendations. Get the one that best fits your needs and take off!

There are many benefits provided by running headegear.

We recommend the UA Launch ArmourVent Cap to wick sweat and keep you cool.

Keeps your dome cool or warm

Depending on your location and environment, you’ll want to keep your head cool if it’s hot and warm if it’s cold. Wearing a running hat in warmer temperatures wicks sweat from your head keeping you cool through evaporating sweat. It also helps keep sweat out of your eyes. A hat like Under Armour’s Launch ArmourVent Cap keeps your head cooler with its breathability. In cooler temps, you’ll want to maintain breathability while not allowing all of the heat from your head to escape. The ability to wick sweat away from your head and dry quickly is important, especially if you’re running in much colder temperatures for longer distances. The UA Vented Run Beanie provides exactly what you need. The material is light and keeps your head warm, it wicks sweat and dries quickly, and the mesh insets allow for ventilation.

Controls your hair

If you run with long hair you know the importance of taming your lovely locks. You want the same benefits listed in Reason #1, but you want to keep your hair from flying everywhere and sticking to your neck and/or back. Men’s and women’s running headgear can get the job done. We recommend the UA Fly-By Cap. It’ll keep you cool while extending your ponytail further from your neck and/or back. This allows those areas to ventilate better and allow your hair to dry quicker.

Protects from the elements

Running headgear will protect your face from the elements, just like sunglasses. A low profile cap like the UA Microthread Run Crew Cap will help keep debris out of your eyes, especially rain. It will also keep the sun off your head and your face. Running headgear can also protect from wind and dust, especially on those early morning long runs when everyone is out mowing their lawn. Protection from the elements includes people! If you don’t want to be bothered on a run, wearing a hat can help conceal your identity. This allows you to focus more in your stride, breathing, and rhythm.

Look good

Who doesn’t want to look good when running?! Some say looking good it half the battle. It’s an accessory, so have fun with it! Get bright colors or radical designs. You’ll feel more confident during your workout. You’ll worry less about your external conditions because you have protection, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. Add in the fact that most running headgear has reflective properties. This is one more layer of visibility to keep you safe on those early morning or late evening runs.

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