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Long runs are a great opportunity to practice for your race and work out the kinks in your training before you line up at the start line. But the hard runs are also an opportunity to prepare yourself mentally for the uncertainty of the marathon.

Ryan Trask tells his first marathon story. A lifelong Texan, Ryan ran the Houston Marathon after years of finding his way back to running, and training through Zone 2 frustrations, fatherhood, and doubts.

As you gear up for your next race, consider your race strategy and how you'll make it to the finish line. While specifically geared towards the marathon, some can be adjusted to fit for other race distances too!

Ilana Dunn tells her first marathon story at the NYC Marathon, battling injury, panic attacks, and doubt to the finish line.

Meet Audra, one of the incredible first-time marathoners in the First Marathon Buddy Program.

Cass played sports a lot as a kid, but unexplained joint instability issues (which she now knows is from Ehlers-Danlos syndromes) prevented her from continuing movement long-term. She grew up thinking pain was normal. Cass gained a lot of weight, she had chronic dislocation and pain and she started to dislike herself. She moved to Texas in 2008 and went to a weight loss camp, where she started running.

Krissy found running through a "couch to 5K" program, and fell in love with the sport. She ran a 10K mostly by accident to avoid socializing, and crossed her first marathon finish line at Richmond.

Maya trained for her first marathon when she was struggling, and found the joy in something hard that she could control.

Training for your first marathon? These FAQs will give you an idea of what to expect and how to get to the finish line.

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from runners is how to create a marathon fueling strategy. Here are some quick tips on how you can develop your own plan.

Holly never thought she'd run a marathon. As a cheerleader for her husband's Six Star journey, she realized there was no reason she couldn't run a marathon - and joined the 1%.

Meet Emily (@rockytoprunner), one of the incredible mentors in the First Marathon Buddy Program.

Everyone’s first marathon experience is different, but one of the themes I see again and again is that runners almost always feel like a different person on the other side of the finish line. Why is that?

Kristine started dancing at age three, While she was dancing, running was not expressly forbidden, but it was discouraged - the injury risk just wasn't worth it. At 19, after struggling with her body image and extreme diet culture, she left ballet and started rebelling against every rule she had to follow as a dancer. She cut her hair, she got more piercings, and she started running.

Annie always knew she was meant to run a marathon. She never expected the community she met along the way.

Norah overcomes a difficult diagnosis to run her first marathon.

Introducing the First Marathon Buddy Program, making training for your first marathon easier - and less lonely!

In this episode, Nancy walks through her path from seven half marathons to the start line of her first full marathon at Richmond, training as a busy mom, navigating doubt, leaning on community, and learning to let go of pace goals in favor of gratitude. It’s a story about starting later, doing the work anyway, and proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.

In this episode, Rose walks through training for her first marathon at the Every Woman’s Marathon in Scottsdale, including self-doubt, fueling mistakes, rough long runs, unexpected heat, and the mental battle that defined her race. We talk about trusting training when your confidence wavers, leaning on community when things fall apart late in the race, and what it means to cross the finish line carrying proof that you’re capable of more than you ever thought. This is a story

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.