The Consistently Good Podcast

This week, coach Jeff Cunningham discusses how people in life transitions can chase new passions without becoming “all consumed." He contrasts being productively "all in” for defined windows of time with letting a goal become an identity that causes neglect, anxiety, or spiraling when training or races go poorly, and warns about hyper-obsession with diet and clean eating. He argues balan...

Listen guys, when coach says he has some important things he wants to address, you hit record. Coach collected GPS data from over 100 Boston Marathon runners to settle the "course was long" debate once and for all — then he breaks down fartlek execution, why missing a workout doesn't ruin your race, and why trying to optimize everything might be the thing that's actually holding...

Coach is walking you through his complete race weekend blueprint which starts 48 hours out and going all the way through post-race recovery.  Diet, pacing discipline, the danger zone at miles 13–17, fueling strategy, race morning prep, and why the plan you made calmly before race week is still your best plan at the starting line. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Racing Is an Investment 4:12 48 Hours Out 7:13 Carb L...

Mailbag goes deep this week answering as many of your questions as possible in a reasonable time. Just call it another chapter in our seasonal Q&A episode! We're talking mileage sweet spots, post-marathon recovery timelines, race day anxiety, carbon plate strategy, Boston qualifying buffers, fueling ratios, and why most runners aren't overtraining at all. This one is technically for ev...

Jeff is covering the real science behind heat training vs. altitude training from EPO production and red blood cell growth to plasma volume and stroke volume. Now, that's a lot of science, but he makes it very approachable. That's a promise. Plus, he walks through the carbohydrate conundrum, sodium strategy, and why fasted heat training simply doesn't work. We know this. Train smarter...

In this episode, I break down what to do before your fall marathon block begins. We talk summer mileage, running economy, heat training, 5Ks, hill circuits, fartlek workouts, strength training, nutrition, and how to stay fit without showing up to marathon training already cooked, crispy, and emotionally unavailable. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 03:06 The Consistently Good Paradox 05:21 Why Fitness Disapp...

Jeff Cunningham kicks off Season 3 with the chase every marathoner knows. Breaking three hours. However, the goal here is to accomplish this uncommon feat without losing your mind, your legs, or your family’s respect. Too much? He breaks down the benchmarks, mileage, workouts, long runs, fueling, taper, and race-day decisions that make sub-3 elite but possible. Simple? Not exactly. Doable? With co...

In this episode, Jeff sits down with his wife, Angelique Cunningham, to talk about the journey from elite athlete to coach, and the mindset that shaped both. They unpack how she came to Baylor from the Netherlands, struggled through a humbling freshman season, then rebuilt her confidence to become an NCAA champion.  The focus of the conversation though is about surrendering to great coaching, bloc...

The Boston Marathon is ONE DAY AWAY. Going into this race, what should you know and be thinking about? This bonus answers that.  Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 25% off FOR LIFE ⁠ ⁠https://www.bareperformancenutrition.com/collections/performance-nutrition⁠ Bat City Track Club is an emerging national class and regionally elite team with a primary focus on distances 5,000m to the marathon. ⁠ht...

Jeff sits down with Allie Ostrander to unpack the highs, lows, and hard truths behind an elite running career. From national titles and Olympic Trials to injury, disordered eating, and recovery, Allie shares her story with honesty and grit. It’s a conversation about performance, pressure, and why proper fueling, recovery, and speaking up matter a whole lot more than internet opinions. CHAPTERS: 00...

Jeff Cunningham breaks down what to look for in a running coach and why the right one can change more than just your finish times. He explains how good coaching adds structure, accountability, perspective, and a little protection from your own bad ideas. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Why a Coach Matters 00:48 Coaching Is a Privilege 02:21 My Journey With Coaches 07:37 Why Even Pros Need Coaches 10:48 Finding th...

This week, Jeff has a little fun shining a light on the unhinged habits that somehow make perfect sense to runners. From mileage math and weather-app stalking to shoe geekery, bathroom panic, and battle-worn feet, it’s a playful reminder that most runners are a little weird and proud of it. Like we said...If you know, you know. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 01:49 Whole Number Obsession 03:56 Gadget Overlo...

Jeff Cunningham breaks down the patient, practical way to come back from injury, illness, and anemia without digging the hole deeper. He walks through soft-tissue vs. bone-stress injuries, return-to-run progressions, smart cross-training, and why the hardest part is usually not the rehab plan, it’s having the discipline to respect the process before fitness comes rushing back. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Why...

Coach gets into what running is doing for your brain beyond just helping you split faster miles. He unpacks why an easy run can feel oddly spiritual, how runner’s high actually works, and why movement can act like medicine for your mind. From endorphins and endocannabinoids to BDNF, brain inflammation, oxygen flow, memory, and mental health, Jeff explains how running can help regulate your nervous...

Let's do a full Q&A! Jeff Cunningham answers listener questions with practical, no-BS guidance for runners trying to make steady progress without frying themselves in the process. He covers off-season structure, long runs, half-marathon timing, fatigue, base building, heart rate, and sub-3 readiness.  Reminder athletes...Stay patient, keep the main thing the main thing, and not turn every...

Jeff breaks down why critical velocity training has been a cornerstone of his coaching for 25 years. How it builds speed, extends endurance, and improves performance without killing your legs. He explains the science, the practical application, and how to use it to run faster, farther, and more efficiently. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 01:53 How Jeff Found Critical Velocity by Accident 05:36 The Origin o...

Jeff Cunningham sits down with the man, the myth, the legend, Mitch Ammons to unpack stories of their years of relationship as a coach and athlete pair. They also are covering the marathon build that led to a 2:14:48 at CIM. Topics include volume, patience, pacing, adversity, and purpose, showing how consistent work, community, and resilience can shape performance, career, and character over time...

Jeff kicks off Season 2 by breaking down how you can run my fastest marathon by starting with an honest audit of injuries, health, and real-life bandwidth. He'll walk through D-I-V-N: Density, Intensity, Volume, and Non-running. Lastly, he covers fueling (carbs/sodium), sleep, strength work, and mindset to stay consistent and keep progressing. 00:00 Season 2 Kickoff 01:51 Episode Goal: How to...

As we approach the holidays, it felt vital to get into the studio for a quick coach pep talk. Here's three thoughts as you head into the new year that should challenge you and inspire you keeping your goals on the forefront, but not letting them rob you of the holidays. Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFE ⁠https://bpn.team/member⁠ FOLLOW: IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/theco...

For the season 1 finale of the show, host Jeff Cunningham dives into the intricacies of the success-failure mindset that often prevails in running.  Ultimately, Jeff encourages a mindset of continuous improvement and self-compassion, urging listeners to redefine their notions of success and failure in their running journeys. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 The Success-Fail Dichotomy Explained 0...

Jeff Cunningham breaks down how money really flows in running—from pros chasing contracts to creators building brands online. He unpacks the evolution from amateurism to influence, the pressure athletes face to perform on the track and on social, and what it all means for the future of the sport. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Monetization in Running: Influencers vs. Pro Runners 04:32 Historic...

Jeff breaks down how real teams get built—not by chance, but by clarity, credibility, and commitment. After 24 years of coaching, he shows that cohesion starts with a shared target and relentless communication. He walks through the framework he used at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy and with Bat City Track Club—identify the true needs, set the standard, and lead from the front. When everyone knows...

Iron deficiency sneaks up on endurance athletes—and I’ve felt it.  In this episode, we break down why it happens (diet gaps, sweat loss, foot-strike hemolysis, heavy training) and how to fix it for good. You’ll learn what ferritin and hemoglobin really tell you, why heme iron absorbs differently than plant sources, and when smart supplementation makes sense. Beyond labs, it’s about training wiser,...

Today, we explore the intricate world of speed work in distance running. Jeff breaks down the concept of speed work, discusses different training zones, and explains how to build speed in distance runners. With insights into muscle fibers, various paces, and scientific principles, this episode is a comprehensive guide for runners and coaches of all experience levels.  CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction...

In this halfway mark of the season, coach dives into the intricacies of selecting races and the critical role of periodization in marathon training. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls like overtraining and understand the importance of integrating rest and variation into your regimen.  Whether you're aiming to break personal records or stay injury-free, this episode provides actionable insights to...