Why the Race Isn’t the Point: Loving the Training More Than the Medal w/ Steven Salefske

This week’s episode dives into a runner who has been logging miles for nearly three decades, from high school cross country to Navy decks to marathon training on a treadmill in the middle of the ocean. Steven shares what hooked him on running early on, how his first marathon came together through a Groupon deal and a deployment timeline, and why the joy of running has always come from the training itself, not the finish line.

We talk about finding peace in the process, what it means to stay adaptable through parenthood, work, and military life, and how running becomes a lifelong anchor when you keep it fun.

Follow along with Steven on Instagram at @Itsme_phteven!

Follow along with the show:
👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays
🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod
📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast
🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathon.co & myfirstmarathon.co/resources

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