To-Do List for Valentine's Day in Austin

1) Get a running start on the day with the Austin Marathon & Half Marathon, the "greenest race in the country." Roll out of bed and grab your significant other for 26.2(!) miles of intimate bonding with the pavement, each other, and 40 bands. It'll also give you an opportunity to break in those New Balance M587's you got for Christmas, not to mention the chance to take in an early morning view of the mist-shrouded Capitol and Lady Bird Lake as the course winds through the foot of the hill country. The commitment-challenged can always opt for the less demanding Paramount Break-A-Leg 5K. Either way, it'll get your heart pumping a lot faster than that little blue pill. Race time is 7am and you can enjoy paperless registration online at www.youraustinmarathon.com

2) Afterwards you'll want to shower and congratulate yourself for finishing by getting some food in your stomach. Head -- as in walk or wheel yourself -- over to The Caswell House (1404 West Avenue at Fifteenth Street ) for a Valentine's Day Brunch benefiting the Central Texas SPCA from 11am-2pm. Sip champagne on the expansive porches and balconies of this historic home that overlooks the Capitol. Later, enjoy a an elegant buffet brunch followed by a silent auction whose proceeds go directly to help those other loves in our lives... the four-legged ones. $125 tickets get you a romantic table for two, complimentary champagne, wine and beer. Menage a quatre? That'll set you back $225 for the 4-top. To reserve, go to www.CentralTexasSPCA.org or email them at ValentinesDay@CentralTexasSPCA.org

3) Es tiempo para una pelicula? With all of that running and eating, come 3 o'clock you'll be speaking in tongues too, but not of the French variety. Save that for later. The Blanton Museum in conjunction with the ongoing exhibit "Desire" will screen what is arguably Spanish director Pedro Almovodar's 1988 masterpiece "Women On the Verge of A Nervous Breakdown."

One of four films the museum will be rotating that highlight desire in one form or another, from the comedic to the heartbreaking, this screening will give you and yours a little cuddle time in a dark theater. The Blanton Auditorium to be exact. Plus, you can rest your feet. For more information, call 512-471-7324.

4) Did someone say dinner? This is the make or break portion of the day that will single-handedly determine whether or not you make it to number 5 on the list, and you definitely want to make it to number 5 on the list. Reserve a table for Sweetheart Night at Phara's Mediterranean Cuisine and Christopher's Casbah for a festive evening that includes full course vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals with dessert, live world music, belly dancers, fire dancers, and "coffee readings." With a BYOB policy, the chances of getting lucky tonight increase exponentially with the number of bottles of wine that you bring. Located at 111 E. North Loop, Phara's event has become legendary, and will serve as the perfect ending to a perfect day as you linger in the new VIP tent over coffee a rich slice of Baklava. $50 per person and you win the showcase. Call 512-632-7067 to reserve.

5) "Anyplace I hang my hat is home." If you still wear hats, this evening it should be hanging from a hook in a room at the Mansion at Judges' Hill (1900 Rio Grande). With Valentine's Day packages starting at $239, and including options such as chocolate covered strawberries in your room upon arrival or truffles and a dozen long-stemmed roses, this is a no-brainer. The special turndown service complete with rose petals and candles just may help you to stretch this into a 3-day weekend. Tell your boss that you won't be on Monday until after the 12 noon check-out time. Or not. Call 512-495-1800 for reservations or email reservations@judgeshill.com