My First Marathon

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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Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast
🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathonpodcast.com & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives

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.

Win free coaching! Apply at -> https://forms.gle/3HhTRgQSGVcqe1qw8

Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 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

This week, I’m joined by Paige Foote, who ran her first marathon on a half-mile loop at an Air Force base after the 2020 NYC Marathon was canceled. We talk about what it was like training solo during lockdown, fueling with sour candy and Rice Krispie treats, and turning her make-it-work marathon into the idea that would later become Noogs.

She shares how her second marathon—the real NYC race in 2021—gave her the full finish line magic she missed the first time. From accidentally meeting a long-run buddy at mile 20 to bonding with other first-time marathoners in the start village, Paige’s story is a great example of how much running can change when you do it alongside other people. We also get into how a viral TikTok helped Noogs take off and what it’s been like growing a brand while still running for fun.

Follow along with Noogs at @noogsofficial!

Save 15% on Noogs at Noogon.com with code myfirstmarathon!

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

This week’s mini episode is a fun one! We're welcoming my mom, Monique, to the show who is currently training for her first marathon (Chicago 2025!) We talk about how things are going so far, what’s changed since she last ran eight years ago, and why she now sets a 4 a.m. alarm and carries candy in her running belt.

She’s made it very clear that it’s all my fault getting her into this, but she’s learning a lot, doing things differently this time, and slowly becoming a morning runner (against her will). 

Follow along with my mom's journey at @monique.sayles on Instagram, or follow my page (@tay.says) where I'll be posting her training updates here and there as well. 

Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast
🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathonpodcast.com & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives

Paige Spangler’s first marathon had all the ingredients for a disaster: a solo start, limited aid stations, an unexpectedly hilly course, and an 80-degree forecast she definitely didn’t plan for. But somehow, through tears, cramping, and complete dehydration, she made it across the finish line.

In this episode, Paige shares how a petty goal to beat her dad’s marathon count turned into a full-on running career, why her first race nearly broke her, and what convinced her to try again. We talk about the reality of training through tough life seasons, learning how to fuel on a sensitive stomach, and the mental shift that happens when you finally start to call yourself a runner.

Follow along with Paige on Instagram and Tiktok at @pacingpaige!

Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast
🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathonpodcast.com & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives

In this solo mini episode, I’m breaking down five injury-related mistakes I made during my third marathon training block—so you don’t have to. From rushing recovery to trusting the wrong training plan, I’m sharing what went wrong, what I’d do differently, and how I’m approaching things smarter this time around. Whether you’re training through an injury or trying to avoid one, this episode’s for you.

Stay tuned for the guide to go along with this episode at myfirstmarathon.co/resources

Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast
🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathonpodcast.com & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives

Emily Bailey never saw herself as athletic. She played sports growing up but didn’t feel like she was naturally good at any of them. Over the years, she stayed active and even ran 5Ks for fun, but it wasn’t until 2022 that she started to take running more seriously. What started as a challenge with a cash prize turned into something much bigger.

In this episode, Emily shares how she trained for her first half marathon, navigated recurring injuries, and eventually signed up for her first full with a mindset of no regrets. We talk about what it looked like to go from feeling like an outsider in the running world to crossing the finish line at the Every Woman’s Marathon — and finally claiming the title of athlete.

Follow along with Emily on Instagram and TikTok at @rockytoprunner!

Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast
🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives

In this mini episode, I’m answering the most common questions I get from first-time marathoners. Whether you’re deep into training, thinking about signing up, or just trying to figure out where to begin, this is for you. I’m covering how long to train, what to eat on the run, how to pace yourself, and what actually matters on race day. These are real questions from real runners, with simple answers you can actually use.

Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast
🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathonpodcast.com & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives

John Calabrese turned to running during one of the hardest seasons of his life. After a difficult divorce and a period of personal reflection, he signed up for a marathon as a way to process pain and find purpose. What started with solo training runs quickly evolved into a love for ultras, trails, and the weird, welcoming community that came with them.

In this episode, John opens up about how running helped him through grief, injury, and burnout, why returning to the sport was harder than starting, and what it means to reconnect with your "why" after life knocks you off track.

Follow John on Instagram at @breezytrailhead

Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast
🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathonpodcast.com & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives