My First Marathon

Today's runner is a physical therapist, run coach, and running content creator with over 20 years of experience. While her early love for running was more casual—fitting in between high-level tennis competitions—her journey eventually led her to chase the marathon distance. Her first attempt? The 2020 New York City Marathon… and we all know how that turned out. After completing an entire training block, she had to make the tough call to defer. When she finally got to the start line in 2022, she was ready for her dream NYC moment—but instead, faced one of the hardest race days of her life. Still, that race gave her a mindset shift that she carries into every training cycle and coaching session today. I was smiling the entire time we recorded this. Runners love to talk running—and this conversation was no exception.  Follow along with Victoria at @trainsmartrunstrong on Instagram! 

Today's runner's journey started in the hospital on Mother's Day where reality hit with his doctor telling him he needed to make an immediate change in his health. Since then he's lost 160 plus pounds, ran multiple Spartan races, an ultra marathon and eventually ran his first marathon and has no intentions of stopping there.  We get into how much we're in our own ways and how proving to yourself over and over again that you can do hard things is what really pulls you out of that negative thought loop of thinking that you can't. There's so much good in this episode - check out the extended version on myfirstmarathonpodcast.com! And follow along with Jared at @jaredbercera on Instagram!

On this weeks episode, I get the mic turned on me on the Super Awesome You Podcast to tell my story! We talk about my journey to running, exploring the power of your words, community, and finding yourself through running.  I hope you all enjoy getting to know me a bit more, and make sure you following along with Sam's show at @superawesomeyou on Instagram and Threads, and check out the show on Spotify using the link below!  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RCPEonAazK3lQlECpBwWQ?si=wUrIT4pfT0KhutvWHri3Zw

Today's runner went from watching the New York City Marathon on social media to running her own marathon at the Every Women's Marathon in a year.... so you could say she got the marathon bug! Her journey was no easy feat though. She had to overcome the challenges of being a slower runner, a mom of two and struggling with having confidence in her body.  Throughout the process, she was able to shift that mindset entirely, learning to embrace where her pace was at and celebrate her body in ways that she hadn't before. Follow along with Mary Beth on instagram at @marybethdalton !

Today's runner ran her first marathon in 2024 at the Philly Marathon in honor of her dad's life. Movement started for her as a softball player through high school and college where quite frankly, she was not a fan of running. After finding some joy in walking, she decided to take the jump to running and after running her first half marathon, she was completely hooked. The passing of her father further fueled her journey as she went through the grieving process while training. This is really great story episode from someone who's been through a lot of trials and tribulations through her marathon journey. And at the end of the day, she made it out the other side with a new love for running. Follow along with Ashley on Instagram at @run.with.ash !

Today's runner comes from the classic cross country runner to marathoner pipeline and walks us through her 10 year running journey leading up to the New York City Marathon in 2023. We talk about her experience with the 9 plus 1 program, her experience working with a coach for her first marathon, as well as the electricity of running the New York City Marathon in her home city. For newer runners, she provides a great perspective on taking things slow in the beginning and how 26.2 miles is the same distance no matter how fast you finish it, but if you want to see what you're capable of and go for time, that's okay too.  Follow along with Athina on Instagram @athina_sonitis and on TikTok @athina.sonitis!

On today's episode, we're celebrating the one year anniversary of the My First Marathon Podcast by throwing it back to the very first episode of the show talking about MY first marathon.  We've got a brand spankin' new website out now as well - check out myfirstmarathonpodcast.com for free resources, extended/bonus content, and more!  We'll be back with regular episodes next week, make sure you're following along with the show at @myfirstmarathonpod on Instagram and TikTok. 

We're launching a website! March 9th myfirstmarathonpodcast.com will be live equipped with paywall bonus Q&A's + solo chats breaking down our guest episodes, extended episodes, free first marathon resources, and more. Make sure you're following @myfirstmarathonpod on Instagram and TikTok for updates!  Today's runner is a fellow podcaster who recently ran his first marathon at the 2024 New York City Marathon. We dig into how his relationship with running started with an amazing high school cross country coach who helped him realize that running can truly be a space for peace in life.  After 10 years of running off and on, he spectated a friend at the New York City Marathon and knew from that moment that he was gonna run it too. His training was derailed by an injury causing him to miss peak training weeks, so we get into how he was able to bounce back from a setback in training as well.  Follow along with Sam on Instagram at @superawesomerunner! 

Today's runner has four marathons and five years of running under her belt, each with a different lesson learned. The biggest lessons she's learned over time is to continually be reevaluating your "why" when it comes to distance running because at the end of the day, the marathon distance owes you nothing and it's important to know why you're showing up for you.  Lots of stories on this one from someone who's battled stomach issues, an IT band injury, and more, so if you're looking for an episode with plenty of marathon experiences with curveballs along the way, this is the one for you.  Follow along with Anna at @running.withanna on Instagram! 

Today we speak to a runner who's been able to use walking and running as a tool for sobriety. We talk about how after being in and out of rehabilitation centers for a few years, there was one consistent bright spot in her life, moving. It was time for processing, for routine and time to do something for herself.  Eventually in her fifth year anniversary of being sober, she was able to pull lottery for Chicago and at that point now had the plan to run her first marathon. Her experience was one of resilience, strength and community. There's so much that I got out of this episode and I hope that you all feel inspired as well.  Follow along with Helen-Hanson on Instagram at @helonhansonsmith!

Today's runner is normally on the other side of the mic telling inspiring stories of the everyday runner. So I was very fortunate to turn the tables and ask him some questions today! We dive into how he went from training for a half marathon on a whim and initially hating running to running his first marathon and falling in love with endurance sports. After training for Boston and not having the race experience he hoped for, he turned to the triathlon sport where he found himself completely immersed and ended up competing in 8 Ironmans.  He's built a business around finding inspiration from the everyday runner, and he's still out here proving to himself and his community that he can do hard things.  To follow along with Jason and his community, you can find them on all social media platforms at @runtrimag!  ___________________________________________________________________________ Shop our friends of the show!  Favorite pre/post run fuel: Use code tay.says for 25% off your order at GoMacro.com!  The best water bottles around! Use code tay.says for 15% off your order at Takeya.com!

Today's runner has 110 marathons under his belt with a little under half of those being at the Boston Marathon. You may have seen him on TikTok, #slaying the day or passing on all the tips and tricks for running a marathon and how to find longevity in the sport. I love the running community for bringing runners like this to the show because he was truly such a joy to listen to. To follow along with Mike, you can find him at @runboston47 on Instagram and @bman363 on TikTok! 

On today's episode we've got another runner whose marathon and training are fresh on her mind because she ran her first marathon just a few months ago in September of 2024. We go into a lot of detail of reframing her relationship with running, training for her first two halves and eventually training for her full.  We also get into a lot of new runner tips and tricks as well as the importance of training your stomach so lot's of good topics on this one! If you'd like to follow along with Paige, you can find her on TikTok at @peaziggy! 

On today's episode we've got a lifelong runner with 66 marathons and a wealth of knowledge under her. We're talking someone who's ran New York 27 times, Chicago seven times and Boston six times.  We break down her journey to her first marathon in San Francisco where she was finding out what it meant to be a marathoner and got through a lot of the triumphs and low points of running multiple marathons in a year. I love this runner's perspective on making sure you adjust your goals and at the end of the day, make running fun.  To follow along with Erica, you can find her on Instagram @ericaagran! 

On today's episode, we talked to someone who running hasn't left alone since 2020. After having the itch to give it a go in 2020 and having the race canceled to trying to sign up again a couple of years later and getting COVID, the odds were stacked against her to run her first marathon.  But running kept coming up and in 2023, she got the opportunity to run her first marathon in New York City. We get into topics of fueling challenges and the mental battle of training for your first marathon, as well as experiencing racing as a slower runner.  Follow Amanda on Instagram and TikTok at @racewithamanda!

This runner is someone I've personally followed for a while and I think brings such a joy to the running community. In 2020, she found herself searching for new ways to prove herself wrong and push beyond her limits, which eventually led her to run three DIY races in the span of two years. It started with a DIY half, then a DIY full, and then finally, a DIY Ironman.  We break down the mental battle of these races and how those experiences helped shape the future of her running. We also get into topics of coaching and when to get a coach, as well as social media influencing as a runner. So there's a lot of great stuff in this episode.  Follow along with Ryley at @ryleejade.fit on Instagram and TikTok!

On today's episode we talk to an ultra runner who started running over 20 years ago in middle school but because of a delivery job at Jimmy John's actually ended up getting away from running for a while and dove headfirst into the biking world. After bike racing for a year he decided he wanted to get back into running and tackled the challenge of completing his first marathon.  From there, we get into how this road eventually led to ultras and how the mental toughness aspect of running in ultras where the change can really happen in yourself.  To follow along with Cass on Instagram, find him at @dog_cog_stew!

On today's episode, we talk to a runner with eight marathons and 13 years of running under her belt. We get into how she's heavily involved in the Cape Cod marathon community as both a runner and announcer, and also break down the differences between running your local marathons versus running world majors as she chases her six stars.  Julianna is SO engaging to listen to and has a lot of experience to work with, don't forget to listen to her podcast (Runnah Pod) and follow along with her journey on Instagram at @jellyanna_runs! 

Today's runner is a dad marathoner and run-streaker with 10 years in between his first and second marathon. We dive into a lot of detail about training for the Philly Marathon last year where he PR'd his marathon time by nearly two hours as well as how consistency through his run streak has really allowed him to show up better for his family and for himself.  We go in a little shoe tangent at the end, so if you're a shoe fanatic, make sure you stick around for that. We also talked about Bobby's awesome running playlist that we wanted to share with all of you so make sure you check out that link below! To follow along with Bobby, find him at @cs0xruns on Instagram.  Bobby's Playlist

In today's episode, we got to talk to the queen of Chicago running, whose first marathon and several marathons since then have been at THE Chicago Marathon. I seriously would have sat and chatted about every race with this runner, but since she's ran quite a few, we talked about a few of her race experiences, some tips and tricks she's learned along the way and how running has changed over time.  After all, runners like to yap about running and that's what this episode is.  To follow along with Cynthia, you can find her at @cynthiajwheeler on Instagram and TikTok!

Thirteen months ago, this runner was plagued by addiction and was at the lowest point in his life where he had started thinking that life was no longer worth living. He thankfully reached a point where he found resources to recovery and along the way found that movement could be something that he could direct his energy into rather than putting it towards something harmful.  From there it was a whirlwind of races and experiences where he kept proving to himself that he could do hard things that that life was worth sticking around for. Now he has the goal of sharing a story with others and hope that they can find their way out of the darkness just like he did. To follow along with Brad, find him on YouTube and Instagram @Soberdadruns! 

If you're curious what it takes to train for three full Ironmans, this is the episode for you! This runner started running pretty young and eventually found her way into the triathlon world that she ended up falling in love with.  Her first marathon experience was actually a training run leading up to her first full Ironman, and for both of those races she experienced the trap we're all familiar with with setting the bar a little too high for her first experience and coming out a little too quick. The positive though is that she's been able to learn so much from those experiences and pick up little improvements that she's trying to apply now to her third full Ironman attempt, which by the way, by the time this podcast episode comes out, she'll have already completed. To follow along with Kaitlin you can find her on Instagram @kaitlin_carew_tri! 

On today's episode we talk to a runner, physical therapist, run coach and social media influencer about the changes from her first marathon to her second. We dive into what a lot of us experience going from number one to number two, that you just don't know what you don't know. Because this runner has a unique experience being in the physical therapy world, we also talk about injury prevention, shoes, fuel and more.  To follow along with Lisa, you can find her at @dr.lisa.dpt on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! 

It's been 9 months since I filmed my last solo episode breaking down how I trained from couch to marathon in 11 months. On today's  episode we're bringing the solo show back to break down the last 9 months of training since my first marathon and all of the things that have changed since all leading up to marathon #2!  We get into having to train your stomach to take in fuel, how following a professional plan impacted training, and eventually broke down race day for my second marathon.  To follow along with me and the show, follow @tay.says and @myfirstmarathonpod on Instagram and TikTok!

Today's guest joins us all the way from Australia! We dive into her first year of running and how she truly was able to prove to herself in that time frame that ANYONE can do hard things. We talk about how her relationship with running changed drastically - from not enjoying it one bit to eventually MISSING her long runs as she got closer to race day.  We also talk about the absolute electricity of the running community and how showing up to an expo and seeing how many crazy people are out here accomplishing the same things you are can really help you build a sense of camaraderie on race day. Tune in for some great insight from a runner who's first marathon is fresh on her mind!  Follow along with Belle on Instagram at @belles.trails.and.run.tales! 

On today's episode, we get a unique experience from a runner who has only started his marathon journey 5 months ago. After a scary MS diagnosis, he knew he needed to introduce more movement into his life which started out at first with committing to a walk every day.  Eventually, this turned to curiosity about running, and led to him running his first half marathon and first full marathon rather quickly. Because the experience is so fresh on his mind we go into a ton of detail about how mentally and physically he worked his way through the challenges of training for his first marathon. You can follow along with John on Instagram @johneveresthealth! 

On todays episode, I talk to the host of the Ordinary to Ultra podcast who you may have heard me on a few months back! We breakdown his journey into running and how he found his way to the goal of running farther, rather than working on getting faster.  If you're looking to dip your toes into the ultra world, this is a great episode to tune into. And make sure you follow along with Brendon's episodes at @ordinarytoultra on Instagram, and on his group on Facebook. 

On today's episode, we chat with a runner who talks about running as a way to help with his mental health. We get into how it's helped so much with his anxiety, and how it's been a major source of motivation for him.  We break down his first marathon experience and his upcoming 2 marathons - which he announces on the podcast today, so stay tuned to hear which races he's running as a part of team Ultra!  To follow along with Ned, you can find him on Instagram at @see.ned.run. 

On today's episode we interview a runner whose first marathon training is fresh on his mind after running the Jersey City Marathon in April of this year. We dove into how he originally got involved with running to lose weight and how along the way he really found a passion for it.  He's the true couch to marathon story. So if you can relate to that, this episode's gonna be great for you.  To follow along with Randy, you can find him on Instagram @randymcboomboom! 

On today's episode, I sit down with a runner with a super unique start to her running career. Most people we've interviewed on the show have maybe not come from a running background, but usually some sort of athletic background that they were starting off with. Not this runner - she's the true "hating to loving running" pipeline.  Her journey starts out in Ukraine, where she was stationed as part of the Peace Corps which allowed her to explore her new home in a way that not a lot of people have. After living there for some time, she eventually decided to sign up for a half marathon in Ukraine and the rest is history.  I really enjoyed this episode, I hope you get as much from it as I did! Follow along with Emmery on Instagram at @emrunsalaut. 

On today's episode, we get a good mix of coaching advice from a wonderful run coach in the marathon space, and personal anecdotes and stories from his own experiences. My favorite takeaway from this episode is how individual all of our running journey's are and how if you're constantly working towards something, you can never truly be behind. To quote this runner, "No matter what I'm still moving closer to finishing this marathon in a way that is going to be a beautiful experience one way or another" To follow along with Nick, you can find him on Instagram and Tiktok at @runstrengthacademy. 

On today's episode, we chat with a podcast host, author, and charity runner who is passionate about running for others. We dive into what it really means to run for charity, the mental aspects of being a "back of the pack runner" and how to mentally cope with running in this space, and more.  This runner is absolutely lovely to talk to and has a lot of great advice from her over 13 marathons ran, so make sure you tune in!  You can follow along with Sonia at @chand_sonia on Instagram, tune into her podcast at On the Spectrum with Sonia, and get updates on her book at soniakrishnachand.com. 

On today's episode, we sit down with THE Below Average Running leader as she breaks down her first and second marathon experiences. In the episode, we talk a lot about the mental battle of running a marathon and how the people around you truly can pull you through anything. Stay tuned for her success story of running her first marathon and how she worked towards that goal initially, to the opposite experience on her second where she was fighting to the finish without knowing if it were possible or not.  Follow along with Nicole at @belowaveragerunning on Instagram and TikTok! 

On today's episode, we get to hear another perspective on running Boston from someone who ran the Marathon with a charity instead of by BQ'ing. We've talked to a lot of Boston runners, but found it really fascinating to hear from someone who experienced this prestigious race in a different way!  We also get into his fitness journey from boxing to running and how he's been able to lose significant weight by dedicating himself to a life full of movement.  To follow along with Stephen, find him on Instagram @305nomore!  He also has several discount codes mentioned in the episode for UCAN, Venture Endurance Races, and Athletic Brewing, Linketree below!  https://linktr.ee/305nomore

On today's episode we interview a runner with the classic couch to 5k during COVID pipeline where he was searching for goals and a way to get outside, and happened upon running! From there, his love for running blossomed as he signed up for several 5k's that eventually turned to 10k's and half marathon's. Once he hit the half marathon point, the marathon became a question of "why not me?" His first marathon was the NYC marathon, stay tuned for that breakdown!  Follow along with Pete at @themanorruns on Instagram and YouTube! 

On today's episode, we have another crossover guest! If you remember the very first guest episode with Cody Caswell, this is the runner who helped Cody through his first 50k. Aside from that race, this runner has more than 15 Ultras and 3 Marathons under his belt, and talks about his journey from not liking running at all to pushing himself to run the San Fransisco marathon.  After several races under his belt, we get into an injury that set him back and essentially had him back to zero starting over and learning how to fall in love with the journey all over again.  Follow along with Lane @LaneBabin on Instagram! 

Remember the episode with Ellie where she talked about running her first marathon with her college best friend? This is that friend! We get to hear the other side of her first marathon story where she talks about how special it truly is to run a marathon for the first time. It starts in training - every week hitting milestone after milestone until eventually you make it to the big day.  We also get into what's changed in marathons since, and how this runner has been able to keep things interesting with destination races, ultras, downhill races and more.  Follow along with Lindsey on Instagram at @linds_lacedup ! 

On today's episode, we sit down with an inspiring runner who shares the highs and lows of his debut marathon journey. He opens up about the crucial lesson he learned: why comparing ourselves to other runners can be a major hurdle to personal growth and enjoyment. From his first steps in training to the exhilarating (and often challenging) race day, he delves into the fundamentals of marathon preparation—covering everything from fueling strategies to overcoming common injuries. Tune in to gain valuable insights on how to navigate your own marathon path with confidence and self-compassion. Follow along with Trevor on Instagram @trevorsswope! 

On today's episode, I sit down with a runner who got the nudge she needed to run a marathon from family after years of cross country and casually running. From this experience, she was able to form an all new relationship with running post college and decided to see if she could tackle the infamous BQ! It took 4 marathons to put the pieces together, and we dive into each element that changed for her from race to race because as we all know - each training cycle is different!  To follow along with Kayley, find her on Instagram @runwithkayley! 

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with a remarkable athlete and coach who transformed his life through the power of endurance sports. Battling addiction, experiencing the harsh realities of jail time, and navigating deep personal loss from an early age, this runner faced challenges that could have defined his life. Instead, he chose to rise above them. Join us as we delve into his incredible journey of resilience and redemption. Discover how running became a lifeline and a path to healing, leading him not only to reclaim his life but to inspire others along the way. As he prepares for an ambitious transcontinental run, this runner shares insights on perseverance, the importance of community, and how he now helps others find their own strength through coaching. Follow along with Kallup @therecoverylion on Instagram, and to support his non-profit follow along on Instagram @the_official_rezhope_recovery. 

Today we interview a runner who had the classic "hater to lover" pipeline with running so if this is you, listen up! In 2020 like many, she started running as a way to get out of the house when things were in shut down, and because there were no races available at the time her first race experience was actually her first full marathon at Disney World.  Now, she's embarking on a journey of running 50 races in 50 states! If you want to follow along with this journey, you can find Kacy on Instagram @50states50races! 

On today's episode, we hear from a runner and coach who took 4 marathons to finally get to the marathon she always hoped for. From running a virtual marathon as her first (even putting together her own route!), to weather conditions and unexpected turns on her second and third, to finally putting all of the pieces together on her 4th. Her journey of resilience and learning along the way is something we can all learn from! Follow along with Maria at @brightsiderunning on Instagram! 

In today's episode, we sit down with a runner who's been able to run NYC not once, but twice for his first two marathon experiences. We dive into how he went from a team sport background to starting to get into running, and how over time he's been able to appreciate the process more and more through his first race experience.  After many lessons learned at the first race, he was inspired to go back a second time as redemption and have the race he was hoping for.  To follow along with Sean, you can find him at @dadruns26 on Instagram, and @dadruns on TikTok! 

Think about your first marathon experience, and then add in 90% of the racers moving to the half due to weather, an unexpected downpour, and limited aid stations. In this episode, we explore the gripping journey of a first-time marathoner who faced all of these challenges and a tricky course for her first experience and now is looking to use all the lessons she learned to prepare for her second marathon!  To follow along with Emma, you can find her on Instagram @em.denbow and TikTok @.itsemmarae ! 

In this episode, I sit down with a runner with marathoning fresh on her mind - she recently completed her first marathon at the 2024 Rock n' Roll Marathon in Nashville this past April. We explore her transition from a novice runner to crossing the marathon finish line, discussing the challenges, triumphs, and valuable insights she gained along the way. Whether you're an experienced runner or just starting out, this episode will inspire you to lace up your sneakers and chase your own running goals.  Follow along with Jasmeet at @miles_with_jasmeet on Instagram! 

In this captivating episode, we sit down with a seasoned runner whose passion for the sport has spanned years. Their journey began with the nerves and excitement of their very first marathon—a memory etched forever. From early morning runs, interval training, and the power of consistency—discover the secrets behind their progress as they embarked on a relentless pursuit: qualifying for the iconic Boston Marathon. Follow along with Corey on Instagram @corcor_the_herbivore ! 

In this episode, I sit down with a runner whose journey began with soccer cleats and evolved into marathon shoes. We explore the spontaneity of his first 26.2 miles—an impulsive decision that led him to want to do it all over again 10 years later. But this isn't just about running; it's about finding balance. As a busy dad and professional, he shares how he carves out time for running. Join us for anecdotes, practical advice, and the joy of chasing endorphins.  You can follow along with Josh on Instagram at @thelifestylecrna ! 

On today's episode, I sit down with Jess, an avid runner whose journey transcends personal achievement. We explore running inclusivity, mental health, and the unexpected lessons she learned during the New York City Marathon—lessons that went beyond race times and finish lines. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that reminds us it's not always about the race we want, but sometimes the race we truly need.  Follow along with Jess on Instagram and TikTok at @jfrazz_running024!

In this episode of “My First Marathon,” we dive into the riveting journey of a runner who defied expectations. From a 5K and first marathon experience with her husband to a Boston Marathon qualification, her story is one of resilience and determination. But it's the third marathon that truly tests her mettle—a battle against injury, pushing her limits to cross the finish line. Tune in for inspiration, sweat, and heartache! Follow along with Amanda at @amanda_ontherun on Instagram! 

In this episode, we dive into the incredible journey of a runner who has conquered an astounding 111 marathons and shows no signs of slowing down. From the starting line to the finish tape, we explore the highs, the lows, and the unwavering determination that keeps this athlete pounding the pavement. Discover how their passion ignites a fire in the hearts of aspiring runners, encouraging them to lace up and chase their dreams. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just starting out, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to hit the road!

Today we get to sit down with Below Average Running ambassador Ellie who shares her unique experiences from five distinct marathons, each presenting its own set of challenges and triumphs. From the highs of crossing the finish line to the lows of a race that was cancelled, she recounts how she persevered and even ran the race solo, embodying the true spirit of a marathoner.  Follow along with Ellie at @marathonellie on Instagram!