Latest Gazelles News
New Class: Tuesday/Thursday AM Friendly Gazelles
Feb 6, 2012Due to popular demand, Gilbert and his coaching staff have added another Gazelle Training Session. Come join the other friendly runners in a non-competitive atmosphere for a program which focuses on form, biomechanics, strength and endurance, which form the basis for the Gazelles training program philosophies.
Gilbert Tuhabonye is an Olympian and NCAA All-American, who believes that by transforming an athlete's biomechanics, running becomes a joy and the likelihood of injury is significantly limited. Gilbert brings his running and life experience to the training in an educational & inspiring format that stresses his love and commitment to the sport.
Participants have the option of choosing between the following three weekly classes: M/W at 7:30 or 9:15 AM or T/Th at 8:15 AM. Each Saturday the group meets for a long run with a bonus stretching session afterwards.
To register, visit http://www.gilbertsgazelles.com/training/view.php?id=3
Gilbert's Gazelles Garners 2011 Awards from Competitor, AustinFit Magazines
Jan 10, 2012Competitor Magazine South Region - Best Running Club
http://running.competitor.com/2011/12/features/best-of-competitor-2011_43777/1
Individuals from all across the state voted to select Gilbert's Gazelles as the top running club. Competitor - which owns the Rock 'N Roll Marathon/Half Marathon events - distributes more than 55,000 copies of it's monthly magazine publication in Texas and surrounding states.
AustinFit Magazine - Gilbert Tuhabonye Best Runner, Gilbert's Gazelles #3 Running Club
http://www.austinfitmagazine.com/Lifestyle/Reviews/2012/January/best-of-2012.html
From the magazine:
Gilbert Tuhabonye - Best Runner - 13% of the vote
No surprise here – Tuhabonye, head of Gilbert’s Gazelles and cross country coach for St. Andrews, grew up a runner, representing Burundi in the Olympics as an 11th grader. He was also a national champion at Abilene Christian University and has been a staple in the Austin road running and training scene.
Gilbert's Gazelles - 3rd Best Running Club - 19% of the vote
Beginner to elite runners train with Gilbert Tuhabonye, noted runner and author of “This Voice in My Heart.”
Congratulations are in order to some of our friends/partners:
Jack & Adam's - Best Bike Shop
Laura CaJacob - Best Nutritionist/Dietician
AustinDEEP - 2nd, Massage Therapist/Studio
Desiree Ficker - 3rd, Triathlete
RunTex - 3rd, Retail/Apparel
The Bar Method - 3rd, Barre Studio
Didn't Get In the Houston Marathon Lottery? Here's Your Second Chance!
Aug 25, 2011If you weren't selected in the 2012 Houston Marathon/Half Marathon lottery there's no reason to fret. This year there are 26 charities needing runners to help them raise money for their cause - and by doing this you get to register in the race! Simply visit http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/RunForAReason/index.cfm?SRed=1& and select your organization of choice.
The list includes a number of local non-profits including Marathon Kids and Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services. Don't wait to sign up before your second chance is over!
Austin/Houston Marathon & Half Marathon Information Session - Saturday, August 27th
Aug 13, 2011Mark you calendars for Saturday, August 27th at 9:30 AM to join us in the Gazelle Training Center at RunTex Riverside for information on training with Gilbert's Gazelles for the 3M, Houston and Austin Marathon/Half Marathons as well as our other monthly groups.
Former NCAA Champion and world renowned running coach Gilbert Tuhabonye will cover topics such as weekly mileage, following the training calendar, pace runs, core workouts, and hydration. Hundreds of local runners ranging from long-time veterans to those who just bought their first pair of running shoes have joined our tried and true methods and captured Gilbert’s philosophy of running with joy and staying injury-free.
Training under the Gazelles programs will provide you an exciting group dynamic experience while gaining understanding of training philosophy, race strategy, nutrition, and more! Our workouts include various runs throughout downtown and west Austin, incorporating hills, intervals, pace runs, tempo runs, and long runs while also building a strong core. Groups meet three times per week - twice during the week and on Saturday for the long run. Joining the Gazelles also means you get to enjoy the benefits of six free weekly core classes, a yoga class, nutrition and injury-prevention clinics, discounts at RunTex and on Gazelle apparel, access to on-site physical therapists, and on-going video analysis of your running form!
The start date for all of these programs is Monday, September 5th. Class time options are Monday/Wednesday at 5:45, 7:30 and 9:15 AM and Tuesday/Thursday at 5:45 AM/5:30 PM with all groups meeting on Saturdays at 6 AM for the long runs. For more information on any of our programs, visit www.gilbertsgazelles.com or email info@gilbertsgazelles.com.
Book signing on Saturday: Mile Markers by Kristin Armstrong
Jun 1, 2011JOIN US ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4th FOR A SPECIAL BOOK SIGNING BY KRISTIN ARMSTRONG. SHE'LL BE IN THE GAZELLE TRAINING CENTER AT RUNTEX RIVERSIDE STARTING AT 8:00 AM!
Kristin Armstrong has only been running with the Gazelles for about six months, but she's been sharing her writing talent with many for a number of years. On March 1st Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run will hit the shelves of a bookstore near you.
A veteran of numerous marathons and half marathons, Kristin pens her experiences weekly at RunnersWorld.com on her blog "Mile Markers: Marking moments on the road of life."
http://milemarkers.runnersworld.com/2011/02/labor-pains.html
Labor Pains
Kristin Armstrong
RunnersWorld.comI have a mailing address for my mail for two reasons. One is because I travel and it's never good to have an overflowing mailbox or packages stacking up on your front porch to alert crooks to your absence. The other is because my mailbox is kind of ghetto and off kilter and a nearby sprinkler head is cockeyed and sprays water into the back of the box. All my flyers, Costco coupons, and letters from people who don't know better are always soggy.
The mail place where I get my goods is becoming high tech and now I get email notifications when I have packages to pick up. Last week I got a beep on my phone and happened to be right nearby, so I pulled in and hoped it wasn't another godforsaken tax thingy.
Instead it was three big boxes.
Immediately I started to pit out and my heart rate spiked just like the beginning of a track workout before I take one step. I knew what it was, or thought I did, but had to open the box right away to be sure. I demanded scissors, ignoring the line of customers who were patiently and politely waiting. I yanked the scissors from the clerk, dropped to my knees, stabbed the box louder and more violently than I meant to (nerves), slit the top open, threw off the puffy packaging airbags and there they were. The rest of the store faded in my mind and I was a kid on Christmas.
I was holding a copy of my new book.
And so much for maturity, manners, or the blasé cool of an experienced author. I squealed like a third grader, hopped up, danced around, showed the copy to anyone who wasn't suddenly evacuating the premises or pretending to check their phones. Ric, the manager, was happy for me. Or happy to help me carry my boxes to the car so I could get on my merry way. I didn't care. I floated home and ran inside to brew a cup of coffee with vanilla soy creamer and sit on the sofa with my spanking fresh, hot of the press, copy of Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run.
Have you ever been in the middle of a move or cleaning project and come across an old box of photographs, an old journal, diary, letters, or papers and found yourself lost in them, still sitting there, hours later? That's how I felt that afternoon. Like I had dipped into my running history, our running history sweethearts, and lingered there, reliving moments–some joyful, some raw and painful–and I delighted in shedding both kinds of tears. I got to remember my kids when they were small, how my legs felt when I first started to run, and go back and watch my friendships as they deepened.
It was like an old married couple finding love letters from courtship, only the love letters are a correspondence between running and us. Sometimes passionate, sometimes disillusioned, sometimes working through something, sometimes purely grateful–but always intimate. We have history together of inside jokes and shared experiences. This book is my evolution as a runner and at the same time it's the evolution of every woman runner, every beloved sweat sister. My running group, my pack, is an extension of you and yours. Because regardless of how talented or devoted we are, we are all juggling the same things in different ways. We are a community.
In a world where time, schedules, busyness, competitiveness, and the demands of careers and motherhood could work to drive us apart running routes us back together. Ponytails, thrown on clothes, laced up shoes, good weather, bad weather, victorious workouts and finish lines, as well as miserable, bonking defeats: We are all in this together.
Giving birth to a book involves gestation and labor pains. But in the end, when you hold it for the first time, it's a beautiful beginning. A very fine Mile Marker, to be sure. This book is for us, my dears, it's for you. I hope you love it. (Wait 'till you see who endorsed it for me–are you kidding me??? I am so not worthy.)
Please preorder a copy. Get one for you, your sweat sisters, your daughters, your moms, for all your valentines. Get a copy for anyone who thinks you are a total nut job for all your crazy miles. Get a copy for anyone you wish would get up and go for a run. Get a copy for the precious men in your life who could use a window into womanity. If I had one dream for this book it would be that it would be both a tribute to all the women who get out there and try over and over to be someone better than they were yesterday–and at the same time, an invitation to women who have never considered the idea that a runner might be hiding on the inside.
Finally, I have to say two of the most inadequate words in all of language: Thank you. I know that there is no writer without readers. You have marked these miles with me, these pages have your footsteps all over them.
I am grateful.
K
Fall Marathon/Half Marathon Info Session - June 4th
May 25, 2011We can't believe it's almost that time of year again, but June is just around the corner which officially kicks off the Fall Marathon/Half Marathon training season!
Gilbert's Gazelles is the group for you whether this will be your first foray in to the 13.1 or 26.2 mile distances, you're trying to qualify for Boston and New York, or anything in between! The Gazelles are not just for fast people - although we do help you get faster while staying off the injured list. In 2010 runners of all abilities and ages completed our training programs and clocked times from the 2:40's to over 6:00 hours in the Chicago Marathon alone! And that's not counting Portland, Steamtown, New York, San Antonio, Sacramento, St. George, Twin Cities, Grand Rapids...the list goes on and the opportunities are endless.
Join us on Saturday, June 4th at 10 AM in the Gazelle Training Center at RunTex Riverside for information on training with Gilbert's Gazelles during the 2011 Fall Marathon/Half-Marathon season. Gilbert will cover topics such as weekly mileage, following the training calendar, pace runs, core workouts, and hydration.
Training under former NCAA Champion Gilbert Tuhabonye and his highly qualified team of assistants, you'll experience an exciting group dynamic and gain a broad understanding of training philosophy, race strategy, nutrition, and more! Our workouts include runs all over downtown and west Austin doing hills, intervals, pace runs, and long runs. All groups meet three times per week - twice during the week and on Saturday for the long run. Joining the Gazelles also means you get to enjoy the benefits of eight free weekly boot camp and yoga classes, nutrition and injury-prevention clinics, discounts and RunTex and on Gazelle apparel, access to on-site physical therapists, and on-going video analysis of your running form! For more information on any of our programs, please email info@gilbertsgazelles.com.
Gilbert Speaks at TEDxAustin
Mar 28, 2011Our fearless leader was invited to TEDxAustin in February to speak at the all-day conference. Video of his speech is now available online, and have a box of Kleenex's handy because you're going to need them!
Check out why he received a standing ovation here: Gilbert Tuhabonye TEDxAustin
If you're interested in booking Gilbert to speak at your company or event, email susan@lenihangroup.com.
Upcoming Training - Boston Marathon and Spring 10K's!
Dec 1, 2010Gilbert's Gazelles will host an information session Saturday, December 4th at 9:30 AM at RunTex Riverside for those interested in training for the Boston Marathon. Annually 30+ Gazelles travel to the marathon of all marathons and in 2009 over 90% requalified.
In January our annual Spring 10K program will begin, focusing on speed and strength to get you prepared for whichever race(s) you choose to run.
For more information on any class we offer, please visit our classes page
http://gilbertsgazelles.com/training/classes.php or email us at info@gilbertsgazelles.com.
Gazelle Yoga Classes - FREE!
Nov 10, 2010Gilbert's Gazelles offers FREE Yoga classes to all runners and non-runners on Friday's at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 6:00 PM.
Join us in the Annex building at RunTex Riverside on Fridays for Beginner's Yoga. Taught by Beth Marek - a certified Yoga instructor - the one hour session focuses on the basics of Yoga in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
On Sundays, Beth teaches Hatha Yoga from 6:00-7:00 PM. Come and learn the practice while increasing flexibility, strengthening your core, and ridding the body of toxins.
All that is needed for either session is a Yoga mat. Parking is available on either side of the RunTex Riverside store, and look for the building with the big Gazelle banner hanging from it. If you have any additional questions, email Beth at bethmarek@hotmail.com.
November Updates: Christmas Party, New Groups, and a Thank You!
Nov 5, 2010Run for the Water Thank You
We can't say thank you enough to all of those who volunteered and/or participated in the 2010 Run for the Water. It was our largest event in the four year history and you are the reason for it. Thanks in large part to the continued success of the race the Gazelle Foundation is able to continue it's life-changing work both here and abroad. If you aren't a fan of the Facebook page become one today and check out all the latest pictures that have been updated. First one to spot Gilbert's mother gets a high five! And if you filled out a Reasons to Run card you might just find yourself HERE!
Far West and Circle C Gazelle Groups
Did you know that we have Gazelle groups at in the Far West and Circle C neighborhoods? Together they rocked the Run for the Water 10-Miler and now they are both transitioning to training for 3M and Austin. If you'd like to be a part or have friends that live in the area, come on out and give the class a try! More information can be found here on Far West and Circle C.Christmas Party Time!
Finally the weather is starting to turn a little cooler and that means it's time to start making plans to attend the Gazelle Christmas Party! This year we'll be holding it on Saturday, December 18th at a time to be determined (6 or 7 PM). The trending tradition is to have the party inside RunTex as they allow us to clear out all the merchandise and make room for a dance floor. Have you ever seen Gilbert dance? You don't want to miss this. Spouses and children are welcomed, and please reserve your spot so that we can have an accurate head count: Christmas Party Signup.Boston Training Up Next
I tried to warn you the weekend before registration opened about Boston filling up fast. Some heeded that advice and registered early, and others were in disbelief when they heard it sold out in seven hours. But for those of you who were lucky and have fast fingers on the keyboard, congrats! Gazelle Boston Training begins on Monday, December 6th. We'll have an information session for all who are interested on Saturday, December 4th at 10 AM. Recent years have seen 25-35 Gazelles make the trip up north for one of the world's most renowned marathons, and the training features hills, more hills, and Meriden to help prepare you for the race day course. We'll even do a long run starting late in the morning so that you can practice all your pre-race prep and treat it like it's April 18th!Where are the Gazelles? Look for them here...
We're sending off runners to marathons and half marathons just about every weekend. Up for this Sunday is the New York Marathon, and then the Gazelle contingent travels south I-35 to San Antonio next week. From there we go to Dallas, Las Vegas, Portland, Sacramento, Philadelphia…the list is endless! Some runners are already planning their spring assault and looking at Napa Valley.Soon it will be time to switch gears for many and look towards all the great 5K's and 10K's central Texas offers. If you're interested in the shorter distances we'll be launching our various programs in January to help you reach your goals at the Cap 10K, Chuy's 5K, Texas RoundUp and other spring events. Traditionally these classes focus more on core strength, short interval-type workouts, and form.
The Bridge to Somewhere
Earlier this week Austin voters passed Proposition 1 which included funding for the completion of the Boardwalk connecting the trail east and west of Interstate 35. The Trail Foundation - which works with the City of Austin to protect and enhance the trail and is responsible for the recent upgrades - will have a major role in the building and maintaining the structure. If you would like to get involved, visit them and view their various Volunteer Opportunities.Another Championship for Gilbert
Congrats to Gilbert and his cross country team at St. Andrews High School for their third consecutive SPC State Championship. In Dallas this morning his boys dominated their competition, taking four of the top 10 spots. Roberto Diaz - who many of you have seen running with the Gazelles at one time or another - claimed his second straight individual title.Run With Joy,
Your Friendly Gazelle Coaches
