How Jéssica Fazzio Tackled Her Chicago Marathon Debut
Prioritizing experience over pace obsession, the runner completed her 26.2-mile debut in 3:48 after overcoming training injuries.
In a conversation on Girls Who Run, Jéssica Fazzio looked back at joining a running club and training for her very first marathon. Focusing on finishing strong and respecting her body, she crossed the finish line in Chicago with a time of 3:48.
Before formally joining a running club, Jéssica Fazzio had an individual, almost isolated relationship with running. The turning point came in late 2018, when she decided to take on the marathon distance and began training under coach Nelson Evêncio. This shift introduced her to a whole new world: early morning workouts at USP and Ibirapuera Park, surrounded by runners committed to their training routines.
Frustrated plans and a Chicago spot
Jéssica's initial plan was to make her debut at the Porto Alegre Marathon in June, followed by the Chicago Marathon, where she had secured a lottery spot. However, holiday and Carnival travel led to knee inflammation, forcing her to withdraw from the Brazilian race and focus all her energy on the American major.
The training block required key adjustments. Struggling with chronic shin splints caused by the increased mileage needed for the distance, her training practically eliminated structured interval workouts. The focus shifted almost entirely to consistent easy miles, building the necessary aerobic base without overloading her shins.
The strategy for a happy finish
Fearing hitting the wall or suffering in the final miles, Jéssica asked her coach for a conservative pacing strategy. Nelson's guidance was clear: under no circumstances run faster than a 5:20 min/km pace. Keeping a close eye on her watch to avoid getting carried away early on, the marathoner held her planned pace and crossed the finish line in 3:48, right within her target window of 3:45 to 3:50.
The value of beginner humility
Reflecting on the experience, Jéssica emphasizes that the biggest mistake first-time marathoners make is putting excessive pressure on themselves regarding pace, Boston qualifying times, or sub-3 benchmarks. That disproportionate pressure often turns what should be a memorable achievement into unnecessary trauma.
For anyone tackling their first training cycle, each milestone cleared—like the first long run over 13 or 18 miles—brings a unique mix of nerves and satisfaction that is never quite the same again. Her core advice is to embrace a beginner's mindset, respect the distance, and prioritize crossing the finish line with a positive memory to build on for future challenges.