How frequently do you check your watch stats during training runs and/or races? (Tell us why in the comments!)

Howdy MFM crew! 🤠 Happy Monday :) First off - a MASSIVE welcome to our newest members! We're so stoked you're here, tell us a little bit about yourself in comments! @Shelby Herban @Melissa Beilfuss @Amy Artyomenko @Ashley Blankenship @Kaitlin Ketcham @Ryan Czar @Bobby SIsock Second - couple updates based on ya'lls feedback! - Added the "Ask a Marathoner Tab" and moved some of the questions we've gotten so far in there. I'll be adding a FAQ post both from questions I get on the show and ones we've gotten here from the community. The goal is to make it a judgement free zone to ask the group of experienced runners we have here, so ask away! - Added a separate "weekly posts" section to keep the gen discussion page a little less crowded, and give @Kristine Owen Wood a place for her polls so you never miss one :) Thanks for being here! Go crush whatever goals you have this week!

Happy Friday friends! Little check-in poll: where are you currently at in your training? Feel free to give us a quick update in the comments!

If you could only choose ONE type/consistency of running fuel to take DURING your runs for the rest of your life, which would you choose? (Add why in the comments!)

My first marathon was such an incredible experience! The first few miles were so hard because I was feeling like I didn’t belong there. Around mile 3, I settled in with the 4:00 pacer for a little while, then felt good and moved ahead. I saw my family around mile 12 and my daughter ran next to me for about 30 seconds which was so special. At the halfway point, I was feeling so strong and was on pace for a sub-4 finish. Around that time, the headwinds kicked in and really made the entire second half so much harder. Since it was my first marathon, I decided not to push myself too hard. I knew enjoying the day and feeling strong at the finish was more important. I took some walk breaks and really loved everything about this. My fuel timer went off at a mile and a half left, and I debated skipping the fuel since I was so close to the finish. @amanda_katzz and @runnergirldietitian popped into my head so I knew I needed to take it! That definitely helped me get to the finish feeling strong. (I also saw my family 2-3 other times before the finish line!) All in all, this was an incredible experience and I can’t wait until my next one!