The main question I have received is .... why do it in the first place? In Episode #522 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the behind the scenes of our first official marathon, why “finishing” can be its own kind of win, the three layers of marathoners you meet on race day, solo marathon attempts compared to the buzz of an organised event, tips (racing lines, shade-hunting, aid stations), where the wheels came off (cramps and blistered feet), reflect on why we choose hard things, what it would actually take for us to go sub‑4 and why halves and 10ks might be our sweet spot. Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortalsTimeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:15) Placings shock and expectations vs reality(00:03:59) Cut-offs, DNFs, and what "winning" really means(00:07:50) Atlas Events series and the gamification of running(00:13:02) Race day atmosphere: fun, roads and course quirks(00:17:16) Course difficulty matters: elevation and flatter options(00:19:14) Post-race reflections and future distance preferences(00:22:06) How their race unfolded: pacing, packs and turning points(00:25:28) The wall arrives: hills, slowing and first walks(00:29:29) Fuel, fluids, and the underrated racing line(00:33:34) On-course coaching with AI? Ethics and usefulness(00:38:03) Juan's rocky prep, surprises, and recovery week(00:41:04) Kyrin's near-perfect prep and where sub-4 slipped(00:45:02) Why do a marathon at all? Choosing hard things(00:48:12) Mental vs physical barriers: running vs lifting(00:51:09) What it takes to go faster: sub-4 and beyond  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/K99e8fysBnTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:V4V: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast