Happy Marathon Week!! In this episode of Running on Pixie Dust (Ep 35), I’m officially in that “oh my gosh it’s happening” headspace as we head into Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend for Dopey Challenge number three. I share my highs (training is DONE, a super fun marathon kickoff party with my running friends, and yes…I’m officially registered for the Chicago Marathon!) and my lows (mostly anxious excitement…plus it’s going to be cold, which is honestly kind of a win). I also answer the questions you guys sent in about training pace, schedules, and how I’m thinking about outfits for the cold. Then I get into my real tips for first-time marathoners and first-time Dopeyers—broken down by Expo, race prep, race day, and a few extra “trial and error” things I swear by. I talk about why you need a fueling plan even for the Expo (because you will be there for hours), how I make a pacing plan and even a phone wallpaper pace band, and why I always prioritize the marathon as the focus race during Dopey. On race day, I’m all about extra snacks for the corrals, nothing new on race day, not starting too fast, not weaving (every step counts), taking tangents, and stopping at every water stop—especially when it’s cold and dehydration sneaks up on you.