For many students, running can seem like a burden to surmount. Labored breathing combined with the hot Texas sun makes the trek all the more difficult. However, training for 5K’s, half-marathons and even the full marathon can be a rewarding experience to cherish throughout your collegiate career.
The Austin International Half Marathon, formerly known as the 3M Half Marathon, passed through campus on Sunday, but there is another chance to run at the Austin Marathon on Feb. 16 and the Longhorn Run on April 12.
With only two months of training, I decided to run the Austin International Half. A consistent running schedule prioritizing progressive overloading, a routine that gets more intense throughout the week, made my goal of running 13.1 miles much more achievable.
The looming deadline motivated me to make it to the treadmill or Pease Park most days to get my runs in. To supplement running, I took ample rest days and worked in weight training.
Although the training increased my stamina, the adrenaline helped me make it to the end. Building mental strength is just as crucial.
“On days when I don’t want to run, and I’m supposed to, I just start it,” said accounting senior Julian Herrera, who is running the Austin Half Marathon this February. “Once you start and get the run going, eventually, you start to enjoy it, or at the very least, you don’t mind that you’re doing it.”
Herrera claims his training habits have helped him overcome struggles with procrastination.
“It helps me with procrastination,” Herrera said. “I feel like we choose not to do something because we get anxious about starting it.”
Without a tangible goal and timeline, getting to the gym can feel overwhelming. However, when you are signed up for an event, a sense of camaraderie, friendly competition and motivation is spurred by having a pressing deadline alongside others who are signed up.
Some workouts are aimed at achieving specific aesthetic goals. This motivator can become toxic, especially when a “look” is trying to be achieved. When training for some of these significant events, the goals now lean toward performing at a certain pace and increasing stamina and mileage.
“Usually, I’m just setting goals for aesthetic purposes,” psychology senior Emma Estrada said.
However, her Austin Marathon training “is more of a competitive goal.”
Setting yourself up for these races is a great way to motivate yourself to move throughout the day. Whether it’s the money spent signing up, running the whole thing or even trying to beat a personal record, these races can sustain long-term workout goals.
Though a race may seem individualistic, training and making it to the finish line is a group effort, from the people cheering on the sidelines to the volunteers handing out water and even the runners beside you. My half-marathon was extremely rewarding and helped me build up my confidence as a runner. If you are looking to start running, try joining UT organizations like Healthy Celebrations and Texas Running Club.
If my story doesn’t convince you, maybe the cool race shirt and merch can.
Shenoy is an economics and English junior from Houston, Texas.
