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From Poison Ivy to Philly: Asher’s First Marathon Story

  • Writer: Taylor Sayles
    Taylor Sayles
  • Sep 17
  • 2 min read
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Asher didn’t grow up with sports, organized teams, or even a background in running. His story began in Brooklyn, where movement wasn’t part of his daily life. That all changed in the most unexpected way. After a camping trip, he ended up with a nasty poison ivy rash that left him unable to sleep or sit still. One day, out of sheer restlessness, he decided to run a mile in his basketball shoes. That mile turned into two, then three, and within weeks he had signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon with only a month of running behind him.


A Crash Course in Training

Going from zero to marathon in 17 weeks meant Asher learned almost everything the hard way. He pushed too far too fast, dealt with shin splints early on, and trained with the help of an app that wasn’t exactly tailored to his experience. Fueling wasn’t a priority at first, which caught up with him during long runs and even a half marathon tune-up race that left him limping. Then came the dreaded IT band pain that sidelined him in the final stretch of training. Despite all of it, he kept showing up and made it to the Philly start line.


Race Day in Philadelphia

The Philly Marathon gave Asher his first taste of what makes big city races so special. From the electric start near the Rocky steps to the wild crowd support in Manayunk, the course was filled with energy. But it wasn’t all smooth. His music cut out at mile 15, his IT band flared up, and the quiet stretches along Kelly Drive tested his resolve. By the final miles, he was running on grit alone. When he finally crossed the finish line, the emotion hit him hard. He felt like he had left his past struggles and trauma behind him in those miles, stepping into a new version of himself.


Looking Ahead to Chicago

That first marathon experience was painful, messy, and transformational. Asher walked away knowing he wanted more. He has since shifted his training approach completely, focusing heavily on strength work, proper fueling, and a structured plan through his charity partnership. His next stop is the Chicago Marathon, where he’s running for Lupus research, a cause that holds deep meaning for him and his family.


Lessons Learned

  • Running will change more than just your fitness — it can shift your mindset and outlook on life.

  • Fueling matters. Skipping it only makes the hard miles harder.

  • Strength training is non-negotiable if you want to stay healthy through the marathon grind.

  • You don’t need a background in sports to be a runner. You just need the courage to start.


Want to hear Asher tell the story himself? Listen to the full episode now: Poison Ivy to Philly: Leaving the Past at the Finish Line w/ Asher Brummel — available wherever you get your podcasts.


Listen to my most recent mini episode: My Mental Health Journey (Mini Episode)


Download the newest guide: Top FAQs From First Time Marathoners


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Follow along with the show:

👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays

🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod

📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast


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