# 86: The Goal is the Spark, Not the Measure: Lessons in Letting Go w/ Brandon Hicks

An episode of [My First Marathon](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1740805607), 11 Aug 2025, 1 h 16 min.

Audio: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audioboom.com/posts/8761561.mp3?modified=1754904734&sid=5128391&source=rss

Brandon Hicks didn’t start running marathons the “traditional” way. He skipped the gradual 5K-to-half-marathon pipeline and went straight for the big goal. Along the way, he learned that the real value of a goal isn’t in the finish time, but in who you become while chasing it. In this episode, we talk about running for community, hitting the wall (and bouncing back), and how Brandon turned a small-town virtual marathon into a multi-year journey that included breaking four hours and running a 12-hour treadmill fundraiser for stroke awareness. If you’ve ever put pressure on yourself to “hit the number,” this one is a reminder that progress counts for more than perfection. Follow along with Brandon on Instagram at @realbhicks. Win free coaching! Apply at -> https://forms.gle/3HhTRgQSGVcqe1qw8 Follow along with the show: 👣 Personal IG/TikTok: @tay.says / @taysays 🎙️ Podcast IG/TikTok: @myfirstmarathonpod 📺 YouTube: @MyFirstMarathonPodcast 🌐 Website & extras: myfirstmarathonpodcast.com & myfirstmarathonpodcast.com/exclusives

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