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Austin Marathon #89

This was my first time running the Austin Marathon, and I was excited to participate in the Fleet Feet VIP event hosted by the West Hartford, Chicago, and Austin teams. It felt like the perfect motivation to train through the winter. At the time, it seemed like a great idea.


Jeanne Corey Marchand, Austin Marathon, 2022 - Jeanne Runs

Winter Training

Training began in late November. December brought tolerable running conditions, but January hit hard with snow, sub-zero temperatures, and brutal wind chills. Long runs in such conditions were challenging; I could only run so far before my core temperature dropped, and my sweat started to freeze. Our training group missed a few scheduled long runs, so Kim and I had to make up one of our 20-mile runs during the week by splitting it into three segments: 5 miles before work, 8 miles at lunch, and 8 miles after work. Thankfully, our first long run took place at the Daufuskie Island Marathon in South Carolina, which was a nice change of scenery.

Traveling to Texas

The day before we were supposed to travel, our flight was canceled. Fortunately, we found a flight that same night, quickly packed, and headed to the airport. The journey wasn’t smooth—a delayed flight to Nashville, a lengthy wait on the tarmac, and turbulence—but we finally arrived in Austin at 3 a.m. and managed to settle in for some rest.

The Expo

We headed to the expo to meet our Texas Team Beef friends, Karen and Fred, whom we’d met in Napa. After picking up our bibs, we collected our VIP swag, which included a hat, scarf, coffee cup, t-shirt, quarter-zip shirt (picked up at the finish line), backpack, and nutrition samples. The expo was lively, reminiscent of pre-COVID events, with plenty of running gear and supplies. Since race morning was forecasted to be in the 30s, I bought some throwaway gloves and a hat. That evening, we enjoyed happy hour with our friends, bonding over our shared passion for running.

Shake-Out Run

Kim woke me up at 5 a.m., eager to attend a shake-out run. Reluctantly, I got ready and joined him and Jonathan for a mile run to the Austin Fleet Feet store. Despite the cold (31 degrees), the run was scenic, with the fog lifting off the river. My legs felt heavy, and I couldn’t shake the thought: “How am I going to run a marathon tomorrow?” Afterward, we explored a farmer’s market, where we enjoyed delicious scones and warming sunlight. The rest of the day was spent sightseeing—including a Capitol tour—before I managed to sneak in a nap.

Pre-Race Dinner

The Fleet Feet pre-race dinner featured food I wasn’t used to eating, which made me nervous. The keynote speaker, Nate Boyer, a former Seattle Seahawks player and Green Beret, shared an inspiring story about his journey into running and his determination to qualify for Boston. His speech reminded me of how privileged we are and set the tone for race day. Afterward, we returned to the hotel to prepare for the marathon.

Race Day

We started the day with oatmeal, but my nerves wreaked havoc on my stomach. After several trips to the port-o-lets, I resigned myself to dealing with stomach issues during the race. At the starting line, a fireworks display added excitement, but I quickly realized I wouldn’t make it far without a bathroom stop. Despite the rocky start, I found comfort running with Hur-Shiu, whose conversation made the early miles fly by.

The course was hilly—notably the steep incline at mile 12—and the music along the way was sparse but energizing. I drew strength from the “Go Team Beef” shouts and moments of camaraderie with other runners. Around mile 8, I finally managed a bathroom stop, which alleviated some of my discomfort. By mile 13, Hur-Shiu began her race pace, and I shifted to focusing on mental toughness to get through the rest of the course.

The latter miles reminded me of other marathons: long straightaways like Vermont City, hilly sections like Big Sur, and steep descents like San Francisco. Each hill was a mental battle, especially the infamous final hill before the finish. By then, my quads were burning, but crossing the finish line with Kim at 3:55:31 was exhilarating.

Post-Race

To my surprise, I placed first in my age group! After recovering in the VIP tent, we celebrated with barbecue at a local spot, enjoying live blues music and the warm Texas atmosphere. The experience left an indelible mark on me, and when Hur-Shiu mentioned returning next year, I found myself agreeing.

Final Thoughts

Would I run the Austin Marathon again? Absolutely. The course was challenging, but the camaraderie, the city, and the support made it unforgettable. It’s not just a marathon; it’s an experience—one I’d gladly relive.


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