Finding My Pace: How I Went From Skipping the Mile to Running a Marathon

If you would’ve told me two years ago that I’d run a full marathon, I would’ve laughed and rolled my eyes, then asked if you had the wrong person. I wasn’t a runner. I couldn’t even run half a mile. I skipped every gym class mile I could get out of in middle and high school. I hated how out of breath I felt. I hated being slow. I hated the way it made me feel like I just wasn’t good enough.

In early 2023, after graduating from college, I decided I wanted to “get in shape” (whatever that meant) for like the 5th time in my life. College was busy. I felt as though I didn't have any free time to take care of myself physically, so I developed a mentality where I just gave up and let my fitness go. After graduating, I just knew I needed something to make me feel better, physically and mentally. And honestly? It felt like everyone on social media was getting into running. I saw people tracking their miles, sharing their sunrise jogs, and wearing matching sets and hydration vests. I figured, why not me too?

So I signed up for a 5K.

Spoiler: I Had No Idea What I Was Doing

When I started, I thought running meant pushing yourself to the edge every time. So that’s what I did. I went out way too fast, trying to look like a runner instead of learning to be one.

It was awful. Every run felt like punishment. I couldn’t breathe, my legs were constantly sore, and I remember thinking, why does anyone do this for fun? I was embarrassed. It felt like proof that I just wasn’t built for this.

But then I slowed down. I started running a 13-minute mile. And that was hard in a different way. Not physically, but emotionally. Slowing down forced me to let go of my ego. To admit where I was, not where I wished I was. And at that pace I could finally breathe. I could finish a run without collapsing. I could enjoy it, and smile while doing it.

From Half a Mile to 26.2

The progress was slow. It didn’t happen overnight. But one step at a time, things started to change. In October 2023, I ran my first 5K without stopping. When I finished, I didn’t cry, but I did devour a plate of chicken wings. And yes, I was proud of myself. But that annoying little voice in my head kept whispering, it was only a 5K, other people are out here running marathons. I kept comparing my progress to someone else’s finish line.

It took some time to quiet that voice. But once I did, I realized I deserved to feel proud. I had done something I once thought I couldn’t. And that gave me the confidence to try something bigger.

The half marathon.

That one broke me in the best way. I trained for months. I crossed the finish line with my whole body aching and tears in my eyes. But, when my mom asked me if I’d ever do it again, without thinking, I said "yes". It was a blast, despite the pain. There’s something about pushing past your limits that’s weirdly addictive.

Not long after that race, I started dreaming about the full thing. It felt huge and terrifying and maybe a little ridiculous. But one day I told myself, why not make that day today? So I signed up. I downloaded Runna, picked a training plan, and for six months, I stuck to it. It was hard, really fucking hard. But in May 2025, I crossed the finish line after 26.2 miles.

Sometimes I still wonder if it was a dream. But then I remember how much it hurt. How much I showed up. How proud I felt.

And honestly, I still am. Proud as hell.

It Was Never Just About Running

What running gave me was so much bigger than mileage or medals. It gave me proof that I could do hard things. That I could show up for myself, over and over again, even on the days I didn’t want to. It gave me purpose at a time when everything else felt messy. Your twenties are weird, wonderful, and deeply confusing. You’re figuring out how to be a person and live with intention. And how to make choices that feel good on the inside, not just the outside. Running gave me something stable to hold on to. It was a way to track progress when everything else felt like a big question mark.

But honestly, it doesn’t have to be running.

Maybe for you it’s painting, writing, or training for a different kind of challenge. Whatever it is, the magic comes from showing up for something that scares you just enough to grow.

I'm Still Figuring It Out

I don’t have it all figured out. I’m still learning how to balance rest and goals, how to listen to my body, and how to run for joy instead of pressure. But I’m excited for what’s ahead. There are still runs that suck. I still experience mornings when I don’t want to get out of bed. But I do it anyway, because now I know I can. This whole journey was never about becoming an Olympian; it was about trying something new, sticking with it, and showing up for myself in a way I never had before.

So yes, I am a runner now. I’m NOT naturally gifted and I don't always love every second of it, but I have found my own pace and have kept going. And I can proudly say that it is now faster than 13 minutes per mile.

And right now, that’s more than enough.

Next up, I’m diving into the things that kept me going during training. I’ll be sharing my favorite running gear, playlists, the highs and lows of using Runna, and how I managed long runs without completely losing my mind.

So if you're curious about the behind-the-scenes stuff or thinking about starting your own running journey, stay tuned. We’re just getting started.

Thanks for reading!

<3Delilah