Welcome — you made a real decision today.

Most people talk about running a marathon. You're actually doing something about it.

Here's how to get started:

1. Head to the Training Program tab — your full 16-week plan is there, week by week. Start with Week 1 even if it feels easy. Building the base is everything.

1. Check Updates & Tips regularly — I'll post weekly coaching notes, injury prevention tips, race day prep, and nutrition guidance here.

1. Introduce yourself in Community Chat — tell us your name, where you're running from, and which race you're targeting. Accountability is a massive part of getting to the start line.

A few things to know up front:

• You don't need to be fast. You need to be consistent.

• Missed runs happen. Make up nothing — just move forward.

• Ask questions. That's what the chat is for.

Let's get to work. Your finish line is waiting.

I've seen it over and over: runners who train hard for months, then fall apart in the last 6 miles.

It's almost never a fitness problem. It's a pacing problem.

First-timers almost always go out too fast. The first 10 miles feel incredible — adrenaline, crowd energy, fresh legs. So they bank time. Then mile 18 hits and the wheels fall off.

Here's the rule I give every beginner: run the first half at a pace that feels embarrassingly easy. Like, people-will-judge-me easy. That's your pace.

The marathon doesn't start until mile 20. Everything before that is just getting there.

A few other things that matter more than most training plans admit:

→ Long run pacing — your long runs should be 60-90 seconds slower per mile than goal pace. Most people run them too fast and wonder why they're always tired.

→ Back-to-back days — more important than any single long run. Running on tired legs teaches your body to run on tired legs.

→ Taper trust — the 3 weeks before your race when mileage drops. You'll feel sluggish. That's normal. Don't add extra miles "just in case."

If you're training for your first 26.2 and want a structured plan with coaching built in, that's what we do at Finish Line Academy. Happy to answer questions below.