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From Postpartum to Pittsburgh: Rebecca Simonic's First Marathon Story

  • Writer: Taylor Sayles
    Taylor Sayles
  • Sep 29
  • 2 min read
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Rebecca Simonic never imagined herself as a marathoner. After the birth of her second child, she found herself in a dark place, scrolling TikTok in search of distraction. That was when she stumbled across a New York City Marathon highlight reel. The images of runners crying at the finish line, hugged by family and glowing with pride, made her realize she wanted to feel that kind of accomplishment. The very next day she laced up her shoes, told her family she was going to run a marathon, and took her first steps toward 26.2.


Setbacks and Snowy Miles

Her training was anything but smooth. Rebecca leaned on a one-size-fits-all app that pushed her harder than her body was ready for, and the result was stress fractures in both knees. She spent weeks in physical therapy and nearly quit altogether. But a canceled half marathon in South Carolina turned into a defining moment. Rather than give up, she ran the race distance alone in the snow and ice. It was painful, lonely, and imperfect, but it proved she had the grit to keep going.


Becoming a Student of the Sport

As she healed, Rebecca became a student of the sport. She tested different fuels, learned about shoes and gear, and found her place in the RunTok community where real runners shared struggles and advice. Her long runs became classrooms. One showed her she could run beyond 13 miles, another broke her down with mistakes that taught her how to be ready on race day. Even taper was its own battle, filled with restless nights and spiraling doubts, but she made it to the start line determined to finish.


The Pittsburgh Marathon

The Pittsburgh Marathon was everything Rebecca had imagined and more. The first half was joyful, filled with family cheers and gummy worms, but the second half demanded every ounce of resilience she had. She leaned on the six-hour pacers, cried through the wall at mile 20, and drew strength from strangers and loved ones who appeared at just the right moments. When her dad’s voice carried her around the final corner, Rebecca knew she had done it. Crossing that finish line was not just about a medal. It was about proving she was more than her struggles and reclaiming her identity as both a mother and a marathoner.


Lessons Learned

  • Inspiration can come from the smallest spark if you act on it

  • Setbacks and injuries do not have to define the outcome

  • The long runs that go wrong often teach you the most

  • Community, both online and in person, makes the journey possible

  • A marathon finish line can reshape how you see yourself


Want to hear Rebecca tell the story herself? Listen to the full episode now: Postpartum to Pittsburgh: Running for Herself w/ Rebecca Simonic— available wherever you get your podcasts.


Listen to my most recent mini episode: Battling The Taper Crazies (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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