Sarah had been running for 15 years, but it wasn’t until she hit a rough patch that she finally started running on her own terms. What began as a way to manage body image in high school eventually became a tool for structure, clarity, and self-trust.

In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to feel like a beginner after years of running, the spreadsheet saga behind her marathon training plan, and the mental spiral that hit her at mile 15. Sarah shares how navigating injury, PCOS, and self-doubt helped her rebuild confidence—on and off the course.

We also get into what it took to actually enjoy marathon training, the pressure of first-time pacing, and how this race became more than just 26.2 miles.

Follow along with Sarah on Instagram at @runningwithyank 

Follow along with the show:

👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays

🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod

📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast

🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathonpodcast.com & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives