# 159: What’s Harder: Your First Marathon or Your Fastest Marathon?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-running-channel-podcast-5981532/159-what-s-harder-your-first-marathon-or-your-fastest-marathon
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-running-channel-podcast-5981532/159-what-s-harder-your-first-marathon-or-your-fastest-marathon.md
Podcast: [The Running Channel Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-running-channel-podcast-5981532)
Published: 2026-02-28T06:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://runningchannel.captivate.fm/episode/159-whats-harder-your-first-marathon-or-your-fastest-marathon
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/470bc492-2150-4ff2-b076-0e91ed10b51c.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-running-channel-podcast-5981532/episodes/159-what-s-harder-your-first-marathon-or-your-fastest-marathon
Duration seconds: 3120

## Resource

In Episode 159, Andy, Rick, and Sarah dive into a classic runner’s debate: is it harder to complete your first marathon or to chase your fastest one? Each comes with its own unique challenges, and you only really discover which you find harder after experiencing both. Whether you’re deep into training or just starting to consider your first marathon, or a new personal best - this episode is full of practical tips, honest insights and relatable anecdotes. A must listen! The Running Channel Podcast tackles one big topic each episode, amongst helpful tips and light-hearted chat on the latest news in the running world. Hosted by Sarah Hartley (amateur runner) and Andy Baddeley (former pro runner) alongside Rick Kelsey (recovering runner), the TRC Podcast is friendly, jargon-free, and the perfect accompaniment to your runs. Join The Running Channel Club for exclusive additional podcast episodes, bite-sized courses, live Q&As and so much more! Head to The Running Channel Club For all enquiries contact podcast@therunningchannel.com . If you liked this, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And leave us a 5* review and rating, it really helps us get discovered. We're on YouTube too, so check us out there: www.youtube.com/runningchannel .

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## Transcript

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