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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Favorite Austin Coffee Shops

There are so many amazing Austin coffee shops, here are our favorites

Did you know that coffee is the second most traded commodity on Earth? It has also been known to help runners “get ready” to run. We need to give a little mention to the suppliers of our favourite coffee shops. Without companies like Iron and Fire (in the UK) and suppliers around the world, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy our daily cups of coffee. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t even be writing this post! Whether you live, I’m sure you’ll be able to name a few of your favourite coffee shops, just like I have done below.

Coffee fuels late nights and early mornings around the world. Austin is no different. There are numerous Austin coffee shops that brew the wonderful bean. From hot coffee to iced, straight black to heavy cream, you can get that needed extra kick just about any time of day. You’re in town to PR at 3M Half Marathon or searching for a new coffee shop, we got you. The crew at High Five Events lets you in on their favorite Austin coffee shops.

Joey – Thunderbird at 2222

Laura – Summermoon on South 1st (that Moon Milk though!)

John – whichever one is closest when I want coffee

Emily – Genuine Joe

Tina – Cosmic Coffee (the atmosphere is perfect)

William – Spokesman (love the artwork inside)

Scott – Cuvee Coffee and Coffeebean

Dan – Jo’s Coffee on South Congress (before the crowds arrive)

Jo's Coffee is made our list of amazing Austin coffee shops.

“i love you so much” mural outside Jo’s Coffee.

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Highlight on Volunteers: Eloy Ojeda

Eloy Ojeda and his energy radiate on race day

Eloy Ojeda at the 2018 3M Half Marathon.

Eloy’s ready for runners at the finish line of the 2018 3M Half Marathon.

Eloy Ojeda is the winner of the latest Nomination Contest. He was nominated because of all the help he provided at packet pickup and on race day at the 2018 3M Half Marathon. At the expo, he kept participants flowing through packet pickup after they scooped up their bib. On race day, Eloy helped stock the finish line with medals and gave them to deserving runners after their achievement. He also played an integral volunteer role at the 2017 3M Half Marathon!

Eloy’s volunteer experience spans events of all types, including many produced by High Five Events. He has a great attitude and is always smiling. His experience and personality make him a good leader for other volunteers. He answers their questions and makes sure they have what they need to be successful. We truly appreciate Eloy. We’re grateful for everything he does to help us produce fun, safe, and successful events!

The High Five Events’ “Nomination Contest” features volunteers who go above and beyond at one of our events. These phenomenal volunteers help us produce successful, safe, and fun events for athletes, volunteers, and staff. Know an outstanding volunteer? Fill out this short form and nominate them today!

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September Running Gear Round Up

Read more
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Under Armour, Inc. Returns as 3M Half Marathon Presenting Sponsor

Agreement with Under Armour marks second year of supporting participants in their quest to PR

Under Armour, Inc. returns as the presenting sponsor of the 3M Half Marathon. The second-year partnership will highlight Under Armour’s support of the running community. It will also push runners to chase their personal edge on one of the country’s fastest half marathon courses.

“At Under Armour, there’s nothing we support more than helping athletes achieve their personal best. Our brand’s mission is to make athletes better and engineer the gear that helps them do just that,” said Josh Rattet, General Manager of Under Armour Run. “For this reason, we’re especially proud to support the 3M Half Marathon and runners from all over the world who will be chasing their PR this January.”

Under Armour will outfit participants and race volunteers with their HeatGear® running shirts. Additionally, Under Armour will outfit the 3M Half Marathon pace team with race kits. Pacers will lead runners to PRs in the newly-designed UA HOVR performance running footwear. Under Armour’s support will be felt by runners on race day in their quest to set a personal best.

“Under Armour’s mission to push runners to chase their personal best directly aligns with participants’ goals of setting a PR at 3M Half Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Continuing our partnership will allow for more creative pre-race and race-day engagement opportunities.”

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. The standalone half marathon will celebrate its 25th year running on January 20, 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 300+’ net elevation drop. Registration is currently open.

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3M Half Marathon Adds Virtual Option for 2019

Virtual option allows runners to participate in award-winning half marathon from anywhere in the world

Registration for the virtual 2019 3M Half Marathon opens today, Wednesday, August 14th. The 25th annual 3M Half Marathon will take place January 20, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Last year, more than 7,000 runners participated in the event. The virtual 3M Half Marathon allows runners to participate without running the course on race day.

“The 3M Half Marathon saw record participation in 2018 and we’re excited to produce the 25th edition in 2019,” said Stacy Keese, co-owner of High Five Events. “This race is well-known for its fast course, however, we want to provide runners who cannot run the streets of Austin the opportunity to celebrate our 25th anniversary with us.”

Register today!

Registration for the virtual 3M Half Marathon will be $55. Virtual participants will receive a custom, 25th anniversary spinner finisher medal and swag bag filled with 3M goodies. They will also receive a tube of nuun hydration, downloadable race bib, and finisher certificate. They will also have the option to purchase a custom-designed race shirt at time of registration. Runners will receive their gear prior to January 20, 2019. Results must be submitted by March 4, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. to receive a  finisher certificate.

A virtual race is a perfect way to run the half marathon distance or train for another upcoming race like Austin Marathon or Half Marathon. Virtual run participants will have six weeks to complete 13.1 miles. Registration and rules can be found on the race website.

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. They’ll celebrate their 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.

Register for the virtual 3M Half Marathon
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Hydration: 5 Things You Should Know and How it Can Help You

You know about hydration, now learn about how it helps your body

nuun is the official hydration partner of the 3M Half Marathon. They know a thing or two about hydrating athletes. The experts at nuun are constantly gathering information about how athletes can better fuel their bodies. This blog post was written by the experts to educate athletes and provide them with the information needed to be successful during training and racing.

1. Hydration is energy (for your muscles)

nuun: official hydration of the 3M Half Marathon.Most people think that the main purpose of hydration is to help prevent dehydration (and to replenish electrolyte stores that may be lost via sweat). Although both of those are true (recent studies have shown that electrolytes may play greater roles in fluids absorption than sweat replenishment), the fundamental goal of hydration is to deliver oxygen to working muscles. Try to think about the fluid you are consuming as a way of helping your muscles breathe, which in turn gives them the energy they need to perform.

2. Water does not hydrate you

Yes, you read that correctly! While water does fundamentally provide your body with fluid, it does not truly hydrate you. Water needs to be in a specific concentration (composing of carbohydrates and electrolytes) to exit the stomach and move into circulation where it can be used by the body. Our water needs to contain sodium to ensure proper fluid absorption. To make matters even more complicated, your “water” should contain different amounts of carbohydrates and electrolytes before/during/after your workout! It is highly recommended that rather than using tap water, you purchase a filter to ensure all the bad chemicals are removed from it. Having a look a sites such as reviews by Best Products Pro to help you find the best and most beneficial filter possible.

3. Proper hydration will help mitigate gastric distress during exercise

To put it simply, when you are exercising, your body (stomach) is under stress. There are ways you can eat and drink to mitigate that stress or to encourage it. When it comes to hydration, if the ratio of carbohydrates to fluid is too high or the electrolyte profile is too low, the delivery of fluid slows down and sits in the stomach. That’s what causes sloshing and GI issues during racing.

4. Hydration will help you fuel better

This builds on the previous point. With proper hydration you can help eliminate the GI issues that can come with it and allow faster and more efficient fueling. This is achieved by not overloading your system and using multiple pathways to absorb fluids and carbohydrates.

5. Hydration aids in recovery

One area that is very crucial to the recovery process is rehydrating. Rehydrating not only replenishes fluids lost during exercise, but it also aids in replenishing the electrolytes that were also lost. Keep in mind: drinking too much too fast can degrade the potential gains of the workout, here’s why: your body, over time, has developed a strong immune system that helps repair itself when it is under the stresses of exercise. Therefore, naturally you want your body to begin repairing itself, slowly rehydrate, and continue to hydrate throughout the day.

nuun hydration is our official hydration partner. Head over to nuunlife.com to stock up and train with what will be on course.

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Pre-Purchase 2019 3M Half Marathon Race Photos

Pre-purchase your race photos now at a discounted rate!

Get your 2019 3M Half Marathon race photos by FinisherPix now!Let our official photo service, FinisherPix, capture your personal 2019 3M Half Marathon memories. FinisherPix produces high-quality race photos using professional equipment. Capture the memories of your first half marathon or your half marathon PR and share them online; you earned it. Of course we’ll score some amazing images to commemorate our 25th anniversary!

Your images are processed on the spot because this allows us to get them online faster. Photos are normally available within 24-48 hours after the event so you can relive race day.

Use the link below to pre-purchase your race photos at a discounted rate.

 
This pricing is only available for pre-purchase, after January 19th, prices increase.
3M Half Marathon – $19.99
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July Running Gear Round Up

What’s Hot Right Now in Running

Here is a list of what we are excited about right now with running gear, clothing, and recovery.


Under Armour Women’s Warp Knit High Sports Bra

Delivers strategic support, tailored for high-impact activities like running. Material wicks sweat & dries really fast. 4-way stretch construction moves better in every direction.


Buy Now




Under Armour HOVR

You’ve never felt a shoe like this before. It’s literally like wrapping your foot in a pillow. UA HOVR technology provides ‘zero gravity feel’ to maintain energy return that helps eliminate impact on every run. And they come is some super cool colors.


Buy Now



Garmin vívoactive HR GPS Smart Watch

13 hours of active GPS battery life + 8 days of battery in Smart watch mode. The wrist heart technology gives you heart rate all day and night without an additional strap. The sunlight-readable, high-resolution touchscreen features smart notifications such as call, text, email, social media alerts and more.


Buy Now



Waterloo Sparking Water

When the cold bubbles hit your mouth after a long run it is all over. Waterloo Sparkling Water was born in Austin, Texas, and produces delicious sparkling waters using natural ingredients like real fruit and fruit extracts for an enticing aroma, delightful flavor and refreshing mouthfeel, naturally. We are all about the Watermelon and Coconut flavors.


Buy Now




Hickies

Tying your shoes is so 2017. Fasten Hickies once and never tie your shoes again. Hickes turns lace up shoes into slipons so you don’t have to worry about loose laces.


Buy Now



SmartyPants Adult Complete Daily Gummy Vitamins

Delish + Super easy to take and easy on the stomach. Fuel your body right so it can take you everywhere you want to go. Smarty Pants vitamins contain 13 essential nutrients, including vitamin D as D3, vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, and folate as methylfolate, alone with omega 3 EPA and DHA fish oil – all in one


Buy Now

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