My First Marathon

Lena Milligan’s first marathon came after years of rebuilding her relationship with movement. After a childhood spent as a competitive swimmer, Lena moved through seasons of overexercising, underfueling, injury, and anorexia recovery that forced her to step away from running entirely.In this episode, Lena shares how she slowly found her way back through walking, 5Ks, trail races, half marathons, and eventually the marathon start line. We talk about learning how to fuel without fear, distance dysmorphia, bad long runs, trusting your body again, and why being tired from something you love can feel like a privilege instead of a punishment.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 Wednesday mini episode is one I really wish someone had told me back when I was first trying to get into running: You're going to hate running until the day you don't. In this episode, I talk through my own start and stop relationship with running, why I hated it for years, and what finally changed when I stopped trying to prove something on every run. We get into the glamorization of running on social media, the importance of patience and consistency, and why falling in love with running has way more to do with who it slowly turns you into than how good any single run feels. If you’re early in your journey and waiting for running to click, this one’s 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/resourcesBook a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

Gabby’s running journey didn’t start with a finish line goal or a desire to be fast. It started after stepping away from Division I college sports, when the structure she’d built her identity around suddenly disappeared and movement no longer had a clear purpose.In this episode, Gabby walks us through what it looked like to relearn running on her own terms. From seeing running as punishment growing up, to signing up for a half marathon on a whim, to slowly building confidence through consistency, community, and letting go of pace expectations. Over the course of a few years, that approach led her to her first marathon at the Every Woman’s Marathon in Arizona, where she focused on fueling well, smiling often, and finishing strong without a time goal attached.We talk about pace inclusivity, why slow and steady actually works, how community shaped her training and race day, and what it meant for her to cross the finish line feeling proud without tying her identity to one result. This is a conversation about rewriting what success in running can look like, especially for former athletes learning how to move without a coach or a clock.Follow along with the show: 👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays 🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod 📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast 🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resourcesBook a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

It’s a New Year mini episode and we’re talking marathon goal setting! In this episode, I break down why time goals are not the only goals that matter and how relying on a single goal can set yourself up for failure.We walk through a simple three-layer approach to marathon goals: outcome goals, process goals, and the personal why that actually carries you through the long runs and hard weeks. If you’re feeling motivated one minute and overwhelmed the next after signing up for a marathon, 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/resourcesBook a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

Kelly Waddleton never thought she was a runner. She was the slowest kid on the team, hated conditioning, and fully stepped away from running in college. Years later, during a tough mental health season and a moment where she needed something solid to hold onto, running quietly found its way back in. What started as a scary decision to sign up for a half marathon with her dad turned into momentum, confidence, and eventually a bold goal of running 26 miles before turning 26. In this episode, Kelly walks through her full journey to the Philadelphia Marathon, from rebuilding consistency, navigating injury and nausea, trusting her body without a rigid training plan, and leaning on family, faith, and self belief when things got hard. We talk about hitting the wall, redefining success on race day, and what it means to carry every past version of yourself across the finish line. If you’ve ever thought “maybe one day I’ll run a marathon” but weren’t sure you were capable, this one might feel uncomfortably relatable in the best way. Follow along with Kelly on Instagram at @kellysproductions ! Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me:  https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

This week Andie Becker is sharing a story that will feel painfully familiar to anyone who’s ever made it deep into a training block only to have everything fall apart right at the worst moment. Andie didn’t grow up a runner. She found running later, first as something to do during lockdown, then as a way to feel more connected to her body and her community. What started as “just running for fun” quickly turned into half marathons, run clubs, and eventually signing up for a full marathon in her home state of Oregon.  But when peak week hit, her body said no. She made the tough call to drop down to the half in Eugene, trusting her fitness and listening to what her body needed, even if it wasn’t the original plan. In this conversation, Andie walks through the decision to start over, what she changed the second time around, and how community carried her all the way to the start line of the Marine Corps Marathon. We talk about balancing training with real life, learning when to listen to your body, and what it feels like to finish your first marathon on a day that doesn’t go according to plan, but still counts in every way that matters. Follow along with Andie on Instagram and Tiktok at @anderbecks! Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

This Wednesday mini episode is for those long runs where your mind starts wandering, the miles feel heavier, and everything turns into pace math and quiet spirals. I'm guiding you through a simple body scan you can use while you’re running to check in from head to toe, soften unnecessary tension, and come back to the moment you’re actually in. It’s a gentle reset you can return to anytime you need to feel grounded, steady, and reminded that forward is still forward. Follow along with the show:  Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

Ariel Greenstein didn’t grow up as an athlete. She didn’t fall in love with running early. And for a long time, movement just wasn’t part of her life. But in her early 30s, something shifted. What started as Broadway-themed Peloton classes during the pandemic slowly turned into outdoor runs, then half marathons, and eventually a very intentional, very patient build toward her first marathon at the Chicago Marathon. In this conversation, Ariel walks us through what it looks like to take your time with the sport. She shares how releasing pace and time expectations helped her actually enjoy running, how documenting her slower-paced journey online helped other runners feel seen, and why community, strength training, and consistency mattered far more than rushing to the next distance. We talk about training with a run group, navigating the mental side of marathon prep, handling tough long runs, and what it was like to race 26.2 miles through her home city with zero pressure beyond finishing and having fun. This episode is a reminder that anybody can go the distance, that there is no timeline you need to follow, and that running can be something you build slowly, joyfully, and on your own terms. Follow along with Ariel at @arielgreenstein_ on Instagram and TikTok! Follow along with the show:  Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

This week’s Wednesday mini episode is all about making winter running a little more bearable. I’m breaking down my top three cold weather running tips that I’ve been sharing in my December daily running tip series, from keeping your hands and feet warm, to starting your run slightly cold on purpose, to fueling earlier than you think when temps drop. I also share a simple bonus tip that makes a huge difference once you get home from a cold, sweaty run. If winter miles feel harder than they should, this one’s a quick listen with practical hacks you can use right away. Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

Heather Anderson’s running journey didn’t start with a training plan or a finish-time goal. It started with survival. From growing up running with her mom, to using running as a lifeline through trauma, chronic illness, surgery, and multiple injuries, Heather’s first marathon was built on years of resilience. In this episode, she shares how running became an act of resistance against everything trying to pull her away from herself. We talk about racing without time goals, rebuilding trust in your body after illness and injury, and why finishing your first marathon can feel more like a beginning than an ending. Heather’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is keep showing up. Follow along with Heather on Instagram at @hip_bean Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

This week’s mini episode dives into something a little different: the power of being too much. I grew up hearing that phrase constantly and spent years trying to shrink myself so no one would think I cared too much or tried too hard. But running marathons, hosting this show, and setting big goals flipped that script for me. Today I’m sharing how embracing that “too much” energy has pushed me toward the start and finish lines of some of my biggest dreams and why it might be the very thing that gets you where you want to go too. If you’ve ever been told you’re too much, this one is for you. Let it be your reminder that caring deeply, going all in, and taking up space is exactly what big goals require. Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources  Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

This week, I’m chatting with Karina Chiqui, whose first marathon story is layered with community, culture, and a whole lot of heart. Karina started running at 12 after getting cut from her middle school soccer team, which led her into a lifelong relationship with distance running and eventually a collegiate career she accidentally signed up for. After graduation she moved across the country, rebuilt her running community, and later found her way back to New York where she pitched a charity partnership that ultimately secured her spot in the NYC Marathon. Her journey to the start line was shaped by representation, fundraising creativity, and the people who showed up for her again and again. In this conversation, she walks through the highs, lows, ankle mishaps, and the emotional moments that carried her through all 26.2 miles. Karina’s story is a reminder of how powerful it is to be surrounded by people who believe in you and how deeply running can connect us to our roots, our why, and each other. Follow along with Karina - @karinaachiqui on Instagram! Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

This mini episode looks back at the first few weeks of working with my coach, Victoria from Train Smart Run Strong, when I showed up unsure, uncomfortable, and trying to figure out if my body could handle another marathon. We walk through how she approached my situation, the way she separates normal training fatigue from true red-flag pain, and why building a pain free foundation matters more than any workout. Along the way, we talk about the mindset shifts she teaches all injured athletes, the role of early confidence wins, and how variety and communication can quietly move you from panic mode to steady progress. Follow along with Victoria at @trainsmartrunstrong on Instagram and TikTok or check out her website at https://www.trainsmartrunstrong.com/ Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources  Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

Sheila started running at 53 with nothing but a Couch to 5K app and a feeling that something in her life needed to change. What she didn’t know then was that running would carry her through one of the hardest chapters of her life. After a breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, radiation, and chemo, she rebuilt her strength mile by mile until she found herself standing on the start line of her first marathon at 59. Her story is full of late beginnings, grit, gratitude, and the quiet confidence that grows when you prove to yourself that you can do hard things. In this episode, Sheila walks us through the long path to 26.2, the training moments that nearly broke her, the ones that carried her, and the finish line that shifted everything. We talk about aging as a runner, learning to fuel, becoming mentally tough, and that it's never “too late” to start.  If you need a reminder that running can rewrite your life at any age, this one 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  Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

A couple weeks ago I shared a post about starting my period the day before my marathon, and the response from female runners was huge. So many of you had questions about how it went, what I researched beforehand, and whether running a marathon on day two of your cycle is actually doable. In this mini episode I walk through what the experience was really like and dig into the research I did leading up to race day. We talk about why this happens more often than people think, the mental resilience it builds, how cycle tracking and knowing your body can help you feel more prepared, and the science-backed physical advantages that might actually work in your favor. If race day ever lines up with your cycle, or if you just want to understand this topic better, this episode offers helpful context and reassurance. Medical disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only. I’m not a medical professional, and you should always consult your doctor for personalized guidance. Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources  Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

This week I am breaking down my fifth marathon and closing the chapter on what has been one of the most chaotic, emotional, and growth filled years of running I have ever had. Richmond came together after an injury filled spring, a party pace summer, and zero plans to race again in 2025. Then an unexpected opportunity popped up, three weeks of prep began, and suddenly I was lining up for a marathon I never thought I would get to run for myself this year.  This episode walks through the entire story from the frustration of losing a time goal back in April to finding joy again in training, testing out paces on tired legs, running Richmond on day two of my period, and finally crossing the finish line with a five minute PR that felt like the most meaningful win of my year. It is more than a race recap. It is the full circle moment that reminded me why I run, what this sport has taught me, and why episode 100 feels so special.  Follow along with the show:  👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays  🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod  📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast  🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources  Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me! -> https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37408473&appointmentType=85354440

Getting sick a week out from a marathon used to send me into full panic mode. But after five marathons, I’ve learned that training never goes perfectly, and it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I’m sharing how my mindset has shifted over time, why one missed or modified run won’t ruin your race, and the three questions I ask myself anytime things go off plan during training. Follow along with the show: 👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays 🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod 📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast 🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources Book a free 1:1 Coaching Call with me here! 

When Stephanie Dyer started running 34 years ago, it wasn’t love at first sight. As a former tennis player, running felt like punishment. But surrounded by the energy of Marathon Monday at Boston College, she gave it another chance and found a lifelong passion. In this episode, Stephanie shares how her first marathon grew into decades of lessons about patience, simplicity, and self-trust. From training with nothing but a Timex and a quarter for a payphone to learning to listen to her body (and sometimes craving nothing but rotisserie chicken), her story reminds us that running doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours. Follow Stephanie at @runwithredness on Instagram! Join the waitlist for her e-course that includes everything you need to know to be equipped and empowered to run a great marathon with a focus on nutrition and mindset -> runwithredness.com Follow along with the show: 👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays 🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod 📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast 🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources

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