This is the only official 10k I've done, so I don't have a basis for comparison. I live in Austin,…read moretrain on hills, so this wasn't bad for me (neither is the Turkey Trot or the Austin Half). So, train for hills. Great atmosphere and lots of energy.

For 45 years the Statemans 10k has been run with the exception of the last 3 years from what I…read moreheard over the PA system. It's Texas's largest 10k and the nations' sixth largest. Driving to the event, parking is easily accessible due in part of the starting location on the south side of the river. After parking one walks (or run for the crazies who like to run BEFORE THE RUN) up to the starting line, looking down the barrel of the state capital with the capital building directly in front of you. It's actually very inspiring to say the least. I was out of the state for a bit so my training was laxed to the point I almost didn't want to run but sleep. However, I have a phrase that keeps me motivated, "excuses only affect my goals, negating my efforts." This event and the 17k or 21k participants, depending on which report one is to believe, looked like a sherbet pushup with all the orange run tshirts that was this years' theme. I would say they're ugly until you are inundated in a flood of orange then it became a source of pride and unity. What I really enjoyed about the run is not only do you have those serious runners who set course and personal records but those in costumes, moms pushing kids in strollers, all ages, ethnicities, sizes, and even Darth Vader was running, which I wondered if he would get hot then I remembered he seems to like heat... (ok nerd jokes are done). Anyways it's a beautiful site to behold with that many people come together for a good cause and to get exercise in an overcast 60 degree morning with an ever intensifying medium wind setting in. I ran the Austin 1/2 marathon and this course is almost the exact reverse of the course! I found this very amusing but it also meant I remembered a lot of the course, which is good and bad b/c of those darn hills! Another cool aspect of the race is every mile had bathrooms and water stations! Dear God thank you Texas for nailing this and thx to all the volunteers, police, etc for helping. There's a sort of confidence when knowing water is always available. Also, there were lots of bands, DJs, and community support cheering everyone on littered all throughout the course. As someone who's only been here for 9 months, this says something about Texans, they support each other! On a more depressing note, as I got ready to cross the STARTING line on S Congress Ave, the announcers pointed our attention to the leader which was on the adjacent S 1st street bridge, close to finishing. The winner in 6 miles beat me by almost 45 minutes! After finishing the race with a LOT of cheering, you're welcomed with a scenic view that can fully be appreciated by those who completed a difficult task. A participation medal is given out, the only participation medal that I endorse but in my 5 Texas races I've run so far, it's the smallest. In fact, I've noticed all my Texas running medals are dinky. I suppose everything in Texas isn't bigger? I'm being petty but come on... they can do better. I did notice they weren't passing out food, only water and I sure could have used a boost. That said there's tons of food and beverage tents so one could stand in line if that's your thing. My final note is some directions could have been nice. I walked the wrong way to get to my car only to be cut off by a racing barrier. I was in no rush so water under the proverbial Congress Avenue Bridge I suppose. All in all I enjoyed the community, the race and view during the race, the pride and everything that went into making this Sunday a day and run to remember. If you're wanting to try a race but aren't a runner, I encourage trying the 10k just to get the experience. Of course, some level of fitness is needed, but that is a good thing. I applaud all those who were involved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I did this as the 3M but it's now the Austin international. This race may be "only" a half marathon…read morebut it is incredible! The course is fast, the swag is better than for the official Austin half, and lots of fantastic energy. I don't like that they charge you for the shuttle that you have to pre-arrange in advance. It was free the first few years I did it. If the half marathon is your jam, this is the one to do.

I have run the 3M Half Marathon three times. I might do it again. The only reason I would not is in…read moreorder to try other venues. I recommend this event, and I enjoyed it even after I tore my calf (and continued). It is, as advertised, downhill the whole way -- although there are a couple of very gentle rises, relative to the San Francisco Bay Area where I log most of my miles, they are nothing. At the end, you cut through the university campus, and that is a nice moment, since the environment changes and you can sense you are just about done. The main distinction of this sizable race is the format, point to point. I have finished more than 200 races of this distance. I'd estimate point to point, versus out and back or loop, constitutes much less than ten percent of the courses. That makes sense. You have a logistical issue, either for the organizers or the individuals, of making your way to the start line unless someone picks you up at the finish line. They operate charter buses for a fee. It is efficient. Mine had a passenger who suffered a medical incident. The driver was professional. After we pulled over into a parking lot, an EMT crew arrived. The total delay was less than fifteen minutes, which you can hardly begrudge. I was in my hotel room and cleaned up before my reliably slow friend had even finished. (They have many hotels within an easy walk of the corrals.) The other worthwhile feature is the swag bag. The title sponsor offers post-it notes and all sorts of products from their line, office supplies and cleaning tools. It is more stuff than any other race I've seen. One year they had a pair of scissors, which was too difficult to pack (I gave it to my friend). Overall, the folks who are in charge are competent. They have porta potties in ample number and aid stations. Austin is a fun city for a weekend. I'd bet I return; just not until I try some of the other destinations on my list.

I want to dedicate my final review in 2015 to a person whom made me believe a challenge is not…read moresimply a proof of physical demand, but endurance of a man's integrity. I was inspired by a young man who was eager to meet the challenge of his lifetime with this extreme sport. His name is Eddie "IRONMAN" S. of Houston. He kept his words of doing it. I have been following him on his Facebook about each practice meet and taking pride on each achievement. He made an announcement when he received his bib number 493 before the trip to Austin. I arrived at the expo and tried to find him. But there were over 2,000 participants. My eyes could hardly catch everyone riding by. We were fortunate to have a sunny day after a series of rain on that Sunday morning. It was kind of cold for me as compared to Houston's weather. I gave myself a tour of the finishing line at Travis County Exposition Center as well as the final 3-loop run course at Luedecke Arena. I think this facility is perfectly made for Ironman. Although I didn't stay for the entire event. I heard the emcees announced as few walked through an archway with their bikes and picked up their clothes bags before the final run. I must say, Ironman is one exciting sport to watch and I plan to catch more of these events.

2010 This was my second attempt at a half iron distance…read moretriathelon and boy things sure are a lot easier when you know what your doing. I registered for this race a few days before the event because that that's how I do things. Check in. I arrived a day before the race. Registration went smoothly. Participants received a nifty looking gear bag and tech t-shirt in addition to bib numbers, number labels and timing chips. Right after you register, athletes would enter the Ironman store. I was browsing through the bike and tri jerseys for the event and they were sold out within minutes. People really like to buy stuff when they go to these things. I just bought a hat because I didn't receive one in registration. I'm used carrying all my gear in my triathlon bag and preparing my area in one transition area. But things were different for this triathlon as there were two separate transitions zones (swim to bike located near the lake and bike to run located near the stadium) and no transition setups were allowed (everything had to be in a bag or on your bike before and after you leave transition). Everyone had to prepare 3 bags (morning, bike and running) for this purpose. The swim course was open for all who dared to swim without support but I was too exhausted after checking all my gear in and spent the rest of the day sleeping in my hotel. Race Day School buses, I mean the shuttles, operated at 5am but I arrived around 6am. I should have arrived earlier as cars lit up the road trying to get into the parking lot near the stadium. Everyone took the shuttles to get to T1 that was about 1-2 miles away. I saw one guy who decided to warm up by running over the T1 instead of taking the bus. There was a huge line for the male porta potties and surprisingly the female section didn't have a line. Some guys went ahead and used the female porta potties but I patiently waited in the males section. There is something about a guy going into a pink portapotty that is just not right. Swim The lake wasn't cold at all but I was thankful that I was wetsuit legal. I don't swim well so anytime I don't drown is a good outcome. I figure that I'll be able to make up time on the bike and run portions. I made sure that the volunteers applied suntan lotion to my shoulders in addition to the suntan I applied prior to the swim. Bike Only carried one water bottle on my bike as gatorade and water would be served on the course. This was a one loop course with several turns, hills, cautions and a no passing zone. There was some headwind at times but I'm used to fighting head winds back home. There were lots of cyclists drafting, blocking and passing dangerously close to me. I had to concentrate on the road as there were several cracks in the road that were marked with pink tape. I tried to eat 2 Clif bars during the ride but was only able to eat half a bar. I probably should have taken in more gels than I did during the race. Run Two loops that was part road run and part trail run. There were stretches where you would be going downhill knowing that you would have to go uphill. I held back my pace for the first 6 miles, thinking that I would kick it into high gear for the second half. The weather was cool and I was wondering if I really needed to use the icy sponges. Unfortunately, the sun came out and it felt like the strength from my legs disappeared. I attributed to the fact that I hadn't be utilizing gels/energy bars efficiently during the race. There was alot of support on the course as they offered bananas, oranges, gels, gatorade, water, ice and ice cold wet sponges. There was a band playing outside the entrance of the stadium before you go in. The finish line was inside the stadium where they give you a medal, a hat and take your picture. Had I known that I would receive a hat at the end of the race, I wouldn't have bought a had at the expo. Post Race They gave athletes pulled pork bbq sandwiches, doritos, lays potato chips, vanilla/chocolate blue bell ice cream, various sodas and beer. I sat in the stadium to eat my food and watch others cross the finish line. Everyone had to pick up their morning and bike bags over at the expo building in addition to gathering their bikes and running bag over at T1. Overall: I enjoyed the experience and actually PR'd for a half-iron race. I just need to work on the swim, nutrition and brick training for future races.

Ok, so I am biased because I have been a member of this sports team for going on three years now,…read morebut it could be argued that objectivity doesn't exist. This is a serious team and a seriously fun team. Rugby is an incredibly complex game, yet simple. In the United States we don't grow up around it so it's less familiar, but if you just play with intensity and hit someone really hard you are probably doing it right! I've played sports all my life and nothing has been as fulfilling as playing this sport. The Valkyries are a highly competitive team, but there aren't tryouts, no one gets cut, and there is such excellent camaraderie. No matter what off-the-field problems you might be having in your life, playing this game seems to make it all disappear. It's an all women's team, so if you are a man wanting to try out rugby, check out the Austin Huns Rugby Club or the Austin Blacks Rugby club. Former high school or college athletes will find fulfillment in the tough workouts, and newer athletes will have an introduction into the world of sport like no other.

I am biased as well, but can't help but throw in my two cents on this team and this sport. This…read moresport may seem foreign to you, or may be very familiar, you should check us out either way. The sense of community, love, dedication, determination and teamwork this team envelopes is a breath of fresh air. If you have been around rugby you know that rugby is more than a sport, it is a family, tradition and a community. We work hard, train hard and play hard!

For our final outing before my brother-in-law headed off to "never-never land," also known as…read moreChicago, IL, we spent the morning on the Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. It was the perfect way to end his visit and enjoy one last Austin adventure together. Although he does not move as quickly as he once did, he enjoys people-watching as much as I do. We found a bench, settled in, and enjoyed muffins and ice-cold water we had brought from home. The trail circles Lady Bird Lake and offers some of the most beautiful skylines in the city. As we looked from our perch, we enjoyed the Austin skyline views, serene Lady Bird Lake, and lush green spaces. Can you imagine with this spectacular scene, that we were snap dab in the middle of downtown Austin? As folks sauntered by, we witnessed an eclectic Austin living up to our name of "Keep Austin Weird:...men working out at the bars, teenagers walking by in brightly colored clothing and families with children tagging along. We watched with rapt attention. What I enjoyed most was the chance to slow down and simply spend quality time together. There was no agenda, no schedule to keep...just good conversation, and plenty of opportunities to take in the views - people and scenery. We watched runners, cyclists, kayakers, and fellow walkers enjoying the trail, which perfectly captures Austin's active spirit and nature loving. The trail is well-maintained, clean and easy to navigate. As last outings go, this one couldn't have been better. The combination of beautiful scenery, fresh air, and quality family time made for a memorable ending to a wonderful visit.

What a nice respite just on the other side of the bridge from downtown. I was feeling a little…read moreoverwhelmed and overworked the passed few days, and it turns out all I needed was a grounding walk in nature. I saw so much wildlife while on this trail, turtles for days, different bird species, even butterflies and ladybugs. This trail is great for getting those steps in, running, or enjoying ones surroundings. It also leads to the bat viewing bridge, where you can watch those adorable little creatures take flight at dusk.

If you want to be part of the running group but on a tight budget, I highly recommend Austin…read moreRunners Club. This is such a great non-profit organization and I'm glad it exists. I don't have the luxury of paying hundreds of dollars to sign up for a running group. I am a former rower who has now become a runner. Training with Austin Runners Club is great because everyone is supportive of each other. I am a slow runner but this organization welcomes people who have a passion for running whether they are elite athletes or starting out. There are running groups that meet early morning or evenings at various locations. I happen to be with the group called Al's Ship of Fools which meets every Tuesday and Thursday evenings at O Henry Middle School. In addition the club has a group run on Saturday.

The construction here makes it sooooo hard to get to on bike from circle C now. It's a pain. But…read morethis is a great 3 mile course.

Cycling track 1.86k/ 3miles in length natural areas featuring Texas wild flowers and a dad yelling…read moreat his daughter, but that's gonna happen I guess. One draw back to the Veloway is accessibility, if you drive there no problem if you cycle there as I do problem. It will force you to ride down Mopac South to reach the entrance. Used to be able to access the track via the Bowie High parking lot but not anymore! Giant fence has been installed. Still the Veloway is a wonderful resource for our cycling city.

Coach Ashley is an amazing running coach along with being a wonderful person. Her programs range…read morefrom very beginner 1-2mile run walks to full marathon training. I'm a person who could do a 2mi but anything more than that would leave me sore for DAYS and ready to puke... I'm happy to say just two weeks ago with Ashley's help I ran The Cap 10K!!! Seriously! Not just jogged but I completed the whole race with 12min miles and her by my side the whole time helping with visualizations and breathing techniques. She was so wonderful during the training, but I did not expect her to coach me side by side through the whole race. It's really a testament to her beautiful spirit and commitment as a coach.

Coach Ashley has changed my life. Become A Runner program was a great way for me to start running-…read morefirst time runner. She is knowledgeable, not intimidating and knows how to motivate and support!