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The Peloton-to-Marathon Pipeline and Proving Your Own Doubt Wrong w/ Rose Meadows

  • Writer: Taylor Sayles
    Taylor Sayles
  • Jan 26
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 28


Changing the Mindset Around Fitness

Rose grew up equating fitness with punishment, something to burn calories and get ready for swimsuit season. It wasn't until she found the Peloton platform that she discovered a community focused on body positivity and she realized that fitness was much more than a punishment. It was a new challenge, a way to feel better mentally and physically.


She started cycling five days a week, throwing in running here and there. Eventually, she was ready to run her first half marathon. In 2024, she lined up at the start line of the Flying Pig Half Marathon, and her relationship with running, and fitness, changed forever.


From a Bad Half to Her First Full Marathon

Rose is the first to admit that her training was not what it should have been leading into her first half marathon. She went out of the race in a wheelchair with bad cramping after some unexpected hills. She was unfamiliar with how to fuel properly, and struggled with every step. She said those immortal words we all say: "I'm never doing that again."


Like many of us, Rose quickly realized she wasn't done with running. She ran her second half and enjoyed herself, and that's when the wheels started turning...maybe a marathon was doable.


Rose loves challenging herself. She might cry during a long run, but as soon as she's finished, she feels the endorphins flowing -- and that's exactly why she runs. But when starting out training for the marathon, she wasn't really sure where to look. She describes herself as a "Type B" runner who doesn't plan well. She cobbled together a training plan from the internet, ChatGPT, and a Hal Higdon training plan.


Building Confidence through Running

Rose slowly built confidence over the course of her training. She had ups and downs in her training, including an injury, and a 16-mile long run that made her feel defeated. But through it all, she thought about how much she had grown. She never thought she'd run a marathon, and now here she was. It was a privilege and a blessing. Sure, it can be challenging, and you can question all your decisions on your long run, but at the end of the day, it's so rewarding. And that duality kept Rose hooked through training.


"You've Got This"

Rose ran the Every Woman's Marathon in November 2025. She woke up on the day of the race amped and ready to run. She knew she had the training under her belt and was ready to crush the race. It wasn't until she got to the start line that the nerves hit.


She started off strong, but hit a mental and physical wall at mile 12. Crying by the half, an incredible marathon volunteer got her water, electrolytes, fuel, and most importantly, a pep talk. Rose saw her husband right after that, and it was the push she needed to keep going, even as the Arizona heat and sun started ramping up later in the race.


With a killer DJ at mile 17, a fellow runner sharing electrolytes, and encouragement from the community around her, Rose crossed the finish line, becoming a marathoner and joining the 1%.


Lessons Learned

  • Fitness doesn't need to be a punishment, we just need to reframe our mindset.

  • Trust your training, not the negative self-talk.

  • Lean on community and the people around you when you need help.

  • There's no such thing as "can't." You can do anything you put your mind to.


Want to hear Rose tell the story herself? Listen to the full episode now: The Peloton-to-Marathon Pipeline and Proving Your Own Doubt Wrong w/ Rose Meadows— available wherever you get your podcasts.


Listen to my most recent mini episode: You'll Hate Running Until You Don't



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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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