Hi my name is Audra and I’m beyond excited to be a part of this group. I have been running off and on since my 30s and I am currently 52. I have done 4 half marathons and quite a few 10k&5ks. I have dreamed of doing a full marathon for many years and have finally committed to training and signed up for my very first to run in December. I am so happy to have found this group and Taylor’s podcast. Listening to all these amazing stories on my runs brings me such excitement and motivation to run my first at the end of this year. Love these podcasts Taylor and keep them coming 😁👏🏼

After nearly 2 years of interviewing runners on their first marathon stories, there were two really clear patterns: coaching support isn’t accessible for everyone, and even for those it is accessible to, many don’t feel ready for 1:1 coaching. On top of that, there’s simply too much information out there to make sense of when you’re a beginner marathoner. I built The First Marathon Buddy community to fill that gap. This space is meant to be community first and to make the training process feel less isolating and more supported, no matter what plan you’re following. The My First Marathon Buddy Program is officially out now!! I’m really excited to build this with you all and see where it goes. -Taylor 🧡

Hi, I’m Rebecca! I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and I now live in Charleston, South Carolina. I started running in November 2024 and ran my very first marathon in my hometown of Pittsburgh in May of last year. It was emotional, humbling, and completely changed how I see myself. I’m heading back to Pittsburgh this May for what will be my third marathon! Earlier this year, I completed the Dopey Challenge at Disney, which is 48.6 miles over four days, all run for charity. It was hard, messy, and incredibly meaningful. My training includes running, biking, strength training, and daily movement. I care deeply about supporting running moms, runners who are fundraising for causes close to their hearts, and runners navigating chronic health challenges. I’m so thankful to be part of this community that Taylor created, and I’m really excited to walk alongside you through your first marathon journey!

Hey everyone! I'm Heather, from Cochrane Alberta Canada 🇨🇦 I'm a lifelong runner, starting with runs with my Mom then leading to sprinting & track, when I was a teenager I stopped running for 4 years as I was diagnosed with endometriosis and didn't start running again until that felt managed. By my 20th birthday I was running again and with a new best friend, my dog. In this time I survived a violent DV situation. Not realizing that our daily 10k runs would lead me to understand I'm an endurance runner. I started to run half marathons (I now run marathons) in his honor while I was facing my own serious health battles. I know what it's like to show up during different phases of life, in a different body, with fear while managing a business. I also know what's on the other side of showing up - finding yourself! I'm 37 currently going on 38 so I've almost earned my master runner title! Happy to help in any way that I can, if anything I've learned along the way is going to help anyone - I feel that's why I learned it. Thanks for having me!

Hi friends!! I'm Taylor, a RRCA-certified running coach and host of the My First Marathon Podcast 👋 I often joke on the show that my life existed before and after I ran a marathon, and I believe that wholeheartedly. I’m an ex-competitive softball player who lost my way after losing my mentor and coach tragically and suddenly to cancer right before starting my college career, which sent my entire sense of purpose into a spiral. For years after, I searched and searched for a way to scratch the itch that sports had filled my entire life. It wasn’t until taking a leap of faith and training for my first half marathon that I started to feel like myself again. Since then, I’ve run 10+ half marathons, 5 marathons, and several smaller races in between. I’m passionate about first-time marathoners because I truly believe there is magic on the other side of proving to yourself that you are capable of so much more than you think! If you’re a fan of the show, a running friend, or just finding me for the first time, I want you to know how grateful I am that you’re here and that you’re taking this chance on yourself. I can promise you, and so can all of the other wonderful mentors on this page, that you will never regret pouring into yourself by taking this chance. Can’t wait to see what you do. -Taylor 🧡