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Do It Scared: How New Mom “Marathon Mama V” Went from Treadmill Miles to First Marathon in 15 Months
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In this episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, I sit down with new marathoner and mom of two, Vicky Hurd, a.k.a. @marathonmamav, who went from zero running routine to 26.2 miles at the Every Woman’s Marathon in just over a year.
Vicky shares how she went from running eighth-grade cross country “just to make the soccer team” to becoming a runner again after kids, inspired by everyday runners she saw online. We talk about her decision to run one race every month, the brutal first half marathon that almost broke her, and how she turned that experience into a full-hour PR at her next half simply by trusting her plan.
We also dive into what it’s really like training for a first marathon as a full-time working mom with a 3-year-old and 18-month-old, why she did most of her early miles on the treadmill out of fear and embarrassment, and how community—online and in person—carried her through the hardest miles of race day in Scottsdale.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really do this?” when it comes to a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon, Vicky’s story will feel like a permission slip to start scared and show up anyway.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How Vicky went from “not a runner” to racing every month for a year
- The couch-to-5K journey that turned into multiple half marathons and a full
- The disaster first half marathon that taught her to stick to her plan
- Why she spent four months running only on the treadmill before braving the park
- Training for a marathon as a working mom of two small kids (4 a.m. alarms and all)
- The emotional highs and lows of the Every Woman’s Marathon
- Vicky’s go-to gear and fuel: Goo Tane, Bonk Breaker chews, and Brooks Glycerin
- Her advice to anyone afraid to take the first step: “Do it scared.”
🎧 Listen in if you need a reminder that you belong at the start line—no matter your pace, your age, or how long you’ve been away from running.
✨ Helpful Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- Download your free 5:50 marathon pace band.
- Watch the full episode on YouTube.
- Join the Interval Running for Beginners course (Starting Smart & Strong).
Connect with Vicky on Instagram: @marathonmamav
Support the show
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
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By Stephanie DunlapSend us a text
In this episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, I sit down with new marathoner and mom of two, Vicky Hurd, a.k.a. @marathonmamav, who went from zero running routine to 26.2 miles at the Every Woman’s Marathon in just over a year.
Vicky shares how she went from running eighth-grade cross country “just to make the soccer team” to becoming a runner again after kids, inspired by everyday runners she saw online. We talk about her decision to run one race every month, the brutal first half marathon that almost broke her, and how she turned that experience into a full-hour PR at her next half simply by trusting her plan.
We also dive into what it’s really like training for a first marathon as a full-time working mom with a 3-year-old and 18-month-old, why she did most of her early miles on the treadmill out of fear and embarrassment, and how community—online and in person—carried her through the hardest miles of race day in Scottsdale.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really do this?” when it comes to a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon, Vicky’s story will feel like a permission slip to start scared and show up anyway.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How Vicky went from “not a runner” to racing every month for a year
- The couch-to-5K journey that turned into multiple half marathons and a full
- The disaster first half marathon that taught her to stick to her plan
- Why she spent four months running only on the treadmill before braving the park
- Training for a marathon as a working mom of two small kids (4 a.m. alarms and all)
- The emotional highs and lows of the Every Woman’s Marathon
- Vicky’s go-to gear and fuel: Goo Tane, Bonk Breaker chews, and Brooks Glycerin
- Her advice to anyone afraid to take the first step: “Do it scared.”
🎧 Listen in if you need a reminder that you belong at the start line—no matter your pace, your age, or how long you’ve been away from running.
✨ Helpful Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- Download your free 5:50 marathon pace band.
- Watch the full episode on YouTube.
- Join the Interval Running for Beginners course (Starting Smart & Strong).
Connect with Vicky on Instagram: @marathonmamav
Support the show
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"