FITNESS AUTHOR
Caroline Betik
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS: THE KEY TO FITNESS IN 2021 n How these Austinites found success in their fitness journey through accountability.
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hen the alarm clock sounds beside you at five o’clock in the morning, it can be almost impossible to roll out of the warm blankets swaddling you, put on your athletic gear and hit the gym — but having an accountability partner may make getting out of bed exceptionally easier. “Having someone to rely on — having friends that get up early with you and are consistent is a huge thing when training early in the morning,” marathon runner Amanda Rycraft says. “There are a lot of days I fight with myself to get out of bed, just to be an accountable person with my own goals, but having other people out
JANUARY 2021
there also showing up at 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning — I can’t even describe it. It just forces you to get out of bed and go.” Rycraft started running in her late twenties. She began placing in some races in her age group and slowly began running longer
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races. One year, a friend challenged Rycraft to run a marathon. Now 40 and part of a running group here in Austin, Rycraft has competed in 20 marathons since her first one five years ago. The Austinite and marathon runner knows firsthand what it
