Yesterday morning I ran my third LIVESTRONG Austin Half Marathon.
I’m going to end up buying this one once all the photos have been uploaded, so don’t get upset that I borrowed it, MarathonFoto.
While 3M may be my favorite race in town to really race, LIVESTRONG Austin is my favorite race to run. It starts just north of the Capitol building, runs south on Congress past many amazing restaurants + bars before turning to come back into the city on South First, heads west on Cesar Chavez to Mopac and then takes 15th Street back east to end up finishing just south of the Capitol building. It’s an awesome way to see this amazing city!
The course isn’t flat or fast, in fact, it’s pretty damn tough. Rolling hills miles 1-3, uphill miles 3-6, downhill 6-9, uphill 10-11.5, a little downhill followed by a hill that will make you cry at mile 12, a little downhill to recover and then back up the San Jacinto hill to the finish.
The weather was absolutely perfect yesterday – 42 at the start and roughly 55 at the finish, with beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine.
Miles 2-6
Miles 6-9
Miles 9-12
Mile 12 (where “The Hill” lives) – Finish
From my 2011 recap:
What I thought of the Enfield Hill:
And, DONE!
Overall, I highly recommend this race, whether it be the half or the full. It might not be your goal race for the year or a super speedy PR-producing course, but I can promise you will NOT be disappointed. Everything from the expo to the finish line is incredibly organized and well executed. There may be hills but the course is scenic so there’s a lot to keep your mind off of the elevation side of things.
Never been to Austin? Sign up for the race, book a hotel downtown, and take in all this great city has to offer. You will eat the best food you’ve ever had in your life while you’re here. Yes, IN YOUR LIFE. No exaggeration. You’ll fall head over heels for the Live Music Capital of the World – I guarantee it!
The finish line of the LIVESTRONG Austin Half Marathon also marked the end of the Austin Distance Challenge. Brad and I covered 61.7 miles worth of races between October and yesterday, side by side, stride for stride. (I still feel bad that his first half marathon was Decker. Yikes!)
If Brad thinks he’s going to hide four chocolate chip cookies behind his back in the picture and not get caught, he’s clearly mistaken. Busted.
I loved every minute and mile covered together over the past few months. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in the future!
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I LOVE that you guys run the races together! Such an amazing thing to do! Congrats to you both!!
Ashley recently posted…Teaching My First Spin Class
Thank you Ashley! You should come run it next year
I know somewhere you could stay for freeee!
Twitter: masher52
February 18, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Great job! Impressive that you guys ran each race together. And 61.7 miles of racing since October, slightly jealous!
Chelsea recently posted…Frosty 5k Recap
Thanks Chelsea! For someone that “hates” running, Brad really was a trooper these past few months. Maybe my plan to turn him into a runner is working? He even mentioned possibly running a full next year – what?! LOVE it!
That hill looks brutal! I am planning on running this race in 2014. Thanks so much for sharing all of your pictures!
Lora @ Crazy Running Girl recently posted…Freezing in the park
You definitely should come run it
bring Ashley with you! I’m already registered (received free 2014 entry w/ 2013 entry – what a steal!) so I’ll be running it again too!
That’s awesome! How did you get that deal?!
Lora @ Crazy Running Girl recently posted…Knocking out the intervals
I did my favorite thing ever – PROCRASTINATE! They ran a BOGO special at the beginning of January (I think reg. was down bc of the whole Lance thing). I paid $115 for the half, which is OUTRAGEOUS, but that’s what I get for waiting til the last minute. At least I got TWO races out of it though – now I don’t feel so bad!
Damn, you were in serious blogger picture taking mode for that race. Love the pics that the photogs got. And I will second the best food in the world. I need to come back there so you can fatten me up again.
Congrats on finishing! Now get to that speed training!
Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run recently posted…I Did It Myself
Knew there wasn’t a chance in hell of a PR so decided to do a photo tour of the race. Glad we didn’t go hard (made me think of Kesha) because my quads are still hurting today despite our leisurely pace.
I am MORE THAN READY for speedwork
Operation Get Fast, coming soon.
Twitter: StephRunson
February 19, 2013 at 11:59 am
I love all your photos! Congrats to both of you for finishing this one, and ALL of the others!
Steph @ Steph Runs On recently posted…The LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon – From The Sidelines