Keira D’Amato’s running journey is a true comeback story. After almost a decade away from the sport, she started again as a new mom who could barely run 90 seconds and started her slow build back. That patient rebuild gave her a new perspective on running and eventually carried her from her first marathon in Missoula to breaking the American record.

In this episode, Keira talks about what it meant to start from zero, how motherhood changed the way she approached training, and the lessons she carried into some of her biggest performances. Her new book Don’t Call It a Comeback (out September 9th) tells the full story, but this conversation captures the heart of it: finding joy in the little steps and proving that a fresh start can lead to something bigger than you ever imagined.

Pre-order Keira's book: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/dont-call-it-9781250344946/

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This week’s mini episode is all about the five biggest lessons I’ve picked up after interviewing nearly 100 runners about their first marathons! From starting slow and taking the pressure off your debut race, to finding the right community, building strength, knowing your why, and ultimately just signing up and doing it, these themes came up again and again across countless conversations. If you’re gearing up for your first 26.2, this one is packed with advice that’ll help you train smarter, enjoy the journey, and step up to the start line with confidence.

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What do you do when mile 21 of your first marathon throws more at you than fatigue? For Molly, it wasn’t just the wall, it was four full-sized turkeys blocking the course. Her first 26.2 in Milwaukee was already a journey years in the making, starting with recovery from a near-death illness, a 17-mile charity walk with her dad, and a surprising half marathon finish she never planned to run. From spin classes to walking loops around her apartment, she slowly built the strength and belief that led her to the start line.

In this episode, Molly shares how she fell in love with the half marathon distance, learned to ditch the pressure of pace, and found her community along the way. We talk about Wisconsin winter training, fueling with fruit snacks and Nerds gummy clusters, and how her family made race weekend unforgettable. And of course, we break down the unforgettable mile 21 turkey showdown, a story that proves the marathon is never just about the miles.

Follow along with Molly on Instagram at @marathonmolly_

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In this mini episode I share a training update as I prepare for the Chicago Marathon. After battling injuries and barely finishing Eugene, I took May off, started working with a coach, and focused on getting back to running pain-free. Since then I’ve built mileage safely, added strength work, and slowly regained confidence. With 50 days to go, I’m feeling healthy, grateful, and more excited about running than I’ve been in a long time.

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Rachel O’Brien never thought she would call herself a runner. After quitting lacrosse in college following a thyroid diagnosis, she hated exercise and avoided running for years. That changed in 2023 when she saw the Broad Street Run on TV and decided to train for it. What started with a shaky half mile turned into 5Ks, a half marathon, and eventually the Philadelphia Marathon. Her first 26.2 was far from smooth. She dealt with plantar fasciitis, made the mistake of wearing new shoes at the expo, and started race morning unsure if she would finish. What got her through was Philly’s running community, her run club, her best friend by her side, and a bag of Sour Patch Kids for mile-by-mile motivation. Crossing the line in tears, she called it the proudest moment of her life.

This episode goes beyond race day. Rachel shares how marathon training helped push her forward in eating disorder recovery, gave her confidence to show up authentically in the sport, and showed her the power of surrounding yourself with support. 

Follow along with Rachel on Instagram at @rachobiee! 

Follow along with the show: 

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

🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod 

📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast 

🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources

This week’s mini episode is all about running mantras. Whether you’re struggling through a long run, hitting the wall during a race, or just need a little mental boost, these six phrases can help you push through and keep moving forward.

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Download the guide - https://www.myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/resources

Katelyn Fox never thought she’d call herself a runner. A swimmer for 19 years, she once saw running as punishment until a family step challenge led her to buy a treadmill, prove her mom wrong, and slowly discover a love for the sport. Walking turned into jogging, jogging into running, and eventually training for her dream Disney race.

That journey took her to the Walt Disney World Marathon, where she followed Jeff Galloway’s run-walk-run plan, pushed through the infamous ESPN Wide World of Sports stretch, and crossed the finish line dressed as a Fastpass. Along the way she found joy in costumes, castle miles, and the Disney magic that kept her moving forward.

Her first marathon story is equal parts Disney sparkle and grit, with lessons every runner can take away — especially her mantra: forward is a pace.

Follow along with Katelyn on Instagram at @Katelynrunsdisney !

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Choosing your first marathon can feel like picking a college or buying a house — exciting, overwhelming, and full of “what ifs.” In this mini episode, I break down the pros and cons of local races, mid-sized events, and big-ticket world majors so you can pick the race that actually fits your personality, training style, and budget.

From crowd support and race logistics to time cutoffs and travel costs, I share my own experiences running Wilmington, City of Oaks, and Eugene, plus what I’ve learned from guests who’ve run the majors. Whether you want a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list race or a hometown event with fewer moving parts, this episode will help you make the call.

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Brandon Hicks didn’t start running marathons the “traditional” way. He skipped the gradual 5K-to-half-marathon pipeline and went straight for the big goal. Along the way, he learned that the real value of a goal isn’t in the finish time, but in who you become while chasing it.

In this episode, we talk about running for community, hitting the wall (and bouncing back), and how Brandon turned a small-town virtual marathon into a multi-year journey that included breaking four hours and running a 12-hour treadmill fundraiser for stroke awareness. If you’ve ever put pressure on yourself to “hit the number,” this one is a reminder that progress counts for more than perfection.

Follow along with Brandon on Instagram at @realbhicks.

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Follow along with the show:

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

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📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast

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

In this week’s mini episode, I’m sharing three pieces of running advice that actually made a difference for me. Not the obvious stuff, but the kind of tips that stuck with me through injuries, setbacks, and training blocks that didn’t go as planned.

We’re talking about learning to run slower (yes, really), a random hill trick I picked up from a stranger during a race, and a mindset shift around goals that completely changed how I train. If you’ve been feeling stuck or need a little motivation, I think you’ll get something out of this one.

Save this for future reference: 

Follow along with the show:

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

🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod

📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast

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