My First Marathon

In this episode, I’m sharing my side of the 2025 Chicago Marathon story. This was my fourth marathon and the one I ran alongside my mom for her first. After missing out on the lottery, I joined the American Cancer Society charity team and used this race as a way to rebuild my confidence after a tough experience in Eugene. I talk about the highs, the setbacks, and what it was like pacing my mom through one of the biggest marathons in the world. It’s a story about patience, perspective, and finding joy in running again, and how the finish line feels even more meaningful when you help someone else get there too.

In this week’s mini episode, I’m tackling a question that came my way recently: “What’s the point of running a race if you’re not measuring progress by time?” After four marathons, I’ve learned that progress isn’t always about pace or PRs. It can show up in the way you fuel, how you handle the tough miles, or how you keep your mindset strong when things don’t go to plan.

If you’re training for your first marathon or just need a reminder that growth comes in many forms, this episode is for you.

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

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Last fall, my mom and I ran a half marathon together in North Carolina, the first time she’d really laced up again in years. Not long after, I sent her a text about the Chicago Marathon lottery and told her to throw her name in just to see what happens. She wasn’t convinced, but she humored me. Months later, she opened her inbox to find an email that started with one word: “Congratulations.”

That moment kicked off an entirely new chapter. In this episode, we talk about her first marathon journey, from learning how to train smarter in her 50s to balancing early mornings, long runs, and a full-time job. She shares how getting sick years ago nearly ended her running for good, how she rebuilt her confidence, and what it felt like to finally cross the finish line in Chicago.

It’s a story about grit, patience, and what happens when a little lottery luck and a slightly pushy daughter change everything.

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

Join my coaching waitlist! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPqUiZnVWcXaD-N14Qpcf4YL7zejJqcWEMUslPAAbw4/edit

This week’s mini episode is all about post-marathon recovery, and I’m speaking from experience. Fresh off the Chicago Marathon, I’m breaking down what I’ve learned across four marathons about how to actually recover well (and what not to do after your first one). From the “marathon flu” to why you should never stop moving right after you cross the finish line, we’re covering it all. Plus, my one hard and fast rule for returning to running that’s helped me build a healthier long-term relationship with the sport.

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

Join my coaching waitlist! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPqUiZnVWcXaD-N14Qpcf4YL7zejJqcWEMUslPAAbw4/edit

Our podcast editor, Erin Phifer, is back for her second episode to recap her wild ride at the 2025 Berlin Marathon. What started as a race that just happened to fit her work schedule turned into her hottest, hardest, and most meaningful marathon yet.

Erin opens up about juggling a foot injury, getting certified as a run coach mid-training, and learning when to trust herself instead of an app. She shares how she handled the record heat, why her run-walk strategy saved the day, and what it felt like to run through the Brandenburg Gate after wondering if she’d even make it to the start line.

It’s an honest, funny, and full-circle conversation about growth, grit, and showing up anyway.

Follow along with Erin at @erin.runs.a.marathon on Instagram and follow her Substack at https://substack.com/@notjustaphaserunning?utm_source=global-search

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

Join my coaching waitlist! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPqUiZnVWcXaD-N14Qpcf4YL7zejJqcWEMUslPAAbw4/edit

Long runs are about more than just building mileage. In this mini episode, we’re breaking down how to use your long runs as dress rehearsals for race day—from testing your fueling and pre-run meals to figuring out your outfit and mental strategy. We’re also talking about why the hardest, most frustrating runs often end up being the ones that matter most when it comes to marathon day.

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

Join my coaching waitlist! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPqUiZnVWcXaD-N14Qpcf4YL7zejJqcWEMUslPAAbw4/edit

This week’s episode dives into a runner who has been logging miles for nearly three decades, from high school cross country to Navy decks to marathon training on a treadmill in the middle of the ocean. Steven shares what hooked him on running early on, how his first marathon came together through a Groupon deal and a deployment timeline, and why the joy of running has always come from the training itself, not the finish line.

We talk about finding peace in the process, what it means to stay adaptable through parenthood, work, and military life, and how running becomes a lifelong anchor when you keep it fun.

Follow along with Steven on Instagram at @Itsme_phteven!

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

Join my coaching waitlist! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPqUiZnVWcXaD-N14Qpcf4YL7zejJqcWEMUslPAAbw4/edit

On this weeks episode, we're breaking down common race strategies for you fall marathoners gearing up for race day!

As always, I recommend consulting with a coach or experienced running to develop the perfect strategy for you.

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

Join my coaching waitlist! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPqUiZnVWcXaD-N14Qpcf4YL7zejJqcWEMUslPAAbw4/edit

Myka’s road to 26.2 came with plenty of detours. After years of stopping and starting, she found her stride again on the Raleigh greenways and signed up for the Tobacco Road Marathon. Her training leaned heavy on mileage, peaking at 60 miles a week with little recovery or fueling, which left her constantly tired and wondering if that was just part of marathon prep.

Race day brought its own challenges. She went out too fast, fought the mental grind of a quiet course, and leaned on the mantra “there’s nothing to it but to do it” to keep moving. Family support along the way, a surprise shot at mile 19, and encouragement from a pacer all helped carry her to the finish. Having her mom there to see it made the moment even more meaningful, especially after losing her unexpectedly soon after. Now Myka is training for Richmond with lessons learned, more balance in her approach, and the drive to keep running for her mom.

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

Join my coaching waitlist! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPqUiZnVWcXaD-N14Qpcf4YL7zejJqcWEMUslPAAbw4/edit

This week’s mini episode is all about taper. Fresh off my 20-mile peak run, I share what taper has felt like across my marathons - from the taper crazies to finally learning to enjoy it.

We talk about why taper feels so strange, how to keep yourself busy without overdoing it, and why this is the perfect time to rest, reset, and thank your support system before race day.

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

Join my coaching waitlist! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPqUiZnVWcXaD-N14Qpcf4YL7zejJqcWEMUslPAAbw4/edit