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Amanda Viola-Brooke – Training for my first marathon

Amanda Viola-Brooke – Training for my first marathon

It’s a story as old as time: someone tries running at a young age, goes about it the wrong way, and ends up hating it. Amanda Viola-Brooke was ready to try again in 2020 after seeing her sister-in-law complete a half marathon. The excitement was contagious and the success awakened something within her.

Amanda realized that it wasn’t the running that she hated, but the way her younger self approached it. She remembered the middle school mile. The moment the whistle blew, she started sprinting before realizing how long four laps actually was.

This can be a terribly impactful experience at this age and can give someone a harmful association with running. As a trauma therapist, Amanda knows this connection all too well. But awareness is not only enough to overcome the problem, it also requires action.

Train for your first marathon with Runner’s World

When Amanda saw her sister-in-law complete the half marathon, she felt that perhaps she didn’t have the right approach to running. “She just seemed so happy, and this looks like a lot of fun,” Amanda says. “There must be something here that I’m missing.”

She took the initiative and just started Runner’s world‘s Couch to 5K program, and after completing her first 5K, she was hooked. Her training kept pace with her passion, which grew more intense with each run, leading to her signing up for her first marathon in 2023.

Amanda ran alongside nine other Runner’s World+ members as part of the 2023 New York City Marathon Train with Runner’s World+ Program. Even when she made the classic mistake of starting too quickly, buoyed by the New York City crowds and the excitement of the experience, she crossed the finish line with tears in her eyes and a new sense of appreciation for the sport.

And like most runners, once they tasted that feat, all she could think about was her next one.

Want to train for a big upcoming marathon? Runner’s world? Become a Runner’s World+ member now for your chance to win free entry and personalized training, plus curated plans for every running goal, gear testing opportunities and instant access to our exclusive offer How to master the marathon Program!