Advertise on podcast: The Consistently Good Podcast

Jeff cuts through the noise and lays out the six types of running every runner needs: easy, marathon pace, one hour pace, critical velocity, VO2 max, and true speed work. He covers how much of each belongs in a week, why easy runs matter most, and how to stop overcomplicating training. 00:00 Stop Overcomplicating Running 02:45 Just Go Run A Lot 03:30 Earning Running Competence 04:45 Fast Twitch Versus Slow 08:20 Pace One: Easy Running 11:20 The Four Minute Excuse 13:45 Pace Two: Marathon Pace 16:10 Pace Three: One Hour Pace 20:40 Pace Four: Critical Velocity 28:30 Pace Five: VO2 Max 31:05 The Problem With Yasso 35:05 Pace Six: Actual Speed Work 41:05 How Much Of Each 43:45 Earn The Right 46:30 Finding Your Paces 48:45 Let Running Be Joyful 50:30 Mailbag: Doubles Or Singles Unlock 15% off your next BPN order: Use Code: BEGOOD15 ⁠https://www.bareperformancenutrition.com/jeff Bat City Track Club is an emerging national class and regionally elite team with a primary focus on distances 5,000m to the marathon. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB011XRFXKNKEE4

In this episode, Jeff sits down with BPN athlete Luke Hopkins: USC neuroscience grad, Ironman, and one of the toughest 23-year-olds he knows. They talk about going back to therapy after a broken ankle, feeling bad for feeling bad, why your brain quits before your body does, and why honesty isn't oversharing. 00:00 Meet Luke Hopkins 03:53 Connecticut to USC 06:29 Dad's Accident 09:52 Anxiety and Perfectionism 12:05 Back to Therapy 16:37 Feeling Bad for Feeling Bad 19:12 Stick Around 22:07 Why Neuroscience 27:49 Football to Ironman 29:19 Brain Quits First 34:07 Just Start 43:17 Vulnerability Is Honesty 48:28 Mental Health Education 52:42 Inspiration vs. Role Model 1:01:52 Ironman Florida 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB01WUEORYB6ICC

Jeff Cunningham kicks off Season 4 with what he'd do differently if he could start over as a runner.  He raced his workouts, ran too few miles, gray-zoned his easy runs, skipped the weight room, under-fueled, and didn't sleep enough.  Here's what almost 40 years of running and coaching finally taught him. So, don't make the same mistakes kids. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Season 4 kickoff 04:00 Mistake 1: Racing workouts (there is no cheat code for toughness) 06:45 Mistake 2: Too few miles 12:20 Mistakes 3 and 4: gray-zoning easy runs and not fueling after hard  20:20 Mistake 5: Skipping Workouts 22:20 Mistake 6: Sleep makes you Sleepy 26:45 Mistake 7: Alcohol and recovery (my best season was the sober one) 29:30 Mistake 8: "Have to run this race" vs. "Get to run this race" 32:30 Marathons on two gels: sodium, cramps, and a jelly donut from Elvis 37:30 Rookie coaching mistakes and discovering critical velocity by accident 41:45 You can't staple guts to the gutless: confidence over crushing souls 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB01JZKI9FWDWEH

Jeff is closing out Season 3 of the Consistently Good Podcast by taking on some of running’s most repeated clichés. From “no pain, no gain” to “run slow to run fast,” Jeff breaks down what’s actually useful, what can get runners into trouble, and why better training usually comes back to the same things: perspective, patience, and showing up consistently. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Running Clichés Are Everywhere 02:32 The Four Types of Clichés 05:10 Can You Really Get 1% Better Every Day? 12:50 The Problem With “No Pain, No Gain” 16:25 What “Embrace the Grind” Gets Wrong 22:45 Is Pain Really Weakness Leaving the Body? 24:30 When Comparison Helps and Hurts 31:55 “Just Worry About Us” 35:09 The Worst Nutrition and Body Image Clichés 40:32 Does Running Slow Really Make You Faster? 43:36 Do Summer Miles Bring Fall Smiles? 45:15 The Race Is Not Always to the Swift 47:13 Closing Out Season 3 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB01XCZAFHACAI1

Coach is devoting a full episode to how runners can chase ambitious goals while respecting the realities of aging. In this episode, Jeff breaks down what actually changes as runners move into their 30s, 40s, and beyond: hormones, recovery, strength, mobility, injury risk, and bandwidth. You know, the fun stuff nobody worried about when their biggest responsibility was keeping a goldfish alive. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome and Big Picture 00:57 Aging Realities Without Limits 04:13 Life Bandwidth and Responsibilities 06:48 Training Around Real Schedules 09:56 Hormones and Aging Basics 11:29 Testosterone Decline Explained 16:09 Strength, Speed and Rest 20:32 Supplements and TRT Rules 25:10 Estrogen, Perimenopause and Performance 29:54 Run, Lift and Recover Through Transition 33:58 Strength Training for Bones 35:25 Speed Work for Mitochondria 37:04 Reduce Training Density 37:45 Protein and Carbs Strategy 40:24 Bone Nutrients, Vitamin D and Calcium 43:35 HRT and Anti-Doping Rules 45:20 Desiccation and Hydration 50:47 Warmups, Recovery and PT 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB014G1M05I2QO4

We are about 11-14 weeks out from some of the major marathons in the US.  Today, Coach is breaking down how to build a marathon training block for fall races like Chicago, New York, and Indianapolis. He covers periodization, weekly workouts, long runs, marathon-pace training, fueling, recovery, heat adjustments, and tapering.  Most importantly guys, he explains how to train consistently, build mileage safely, and avoid cramming missed workouts like some college student facing a Monday deadline. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 02:17 Marathon Training Periodization Explained 05:27 How Long Should a Marathon Block Be? 09:28 Why a 13-Week Marathon Plan Works 13:51 Critical Velocity Repeats and Pacing 19:01 Tempo Runs and Combination Workouts 22:05 Long-Run Workouts and Marathon Tapering 24:52 How to Space Workouts for Recovery 27:05 Adding Marathon Pace to Long Runs 28:18 Adjusting Training for Heat and Humidity 30:01 Maintaining Speed During Marathon Training 33:22 What to Do When You Miss a Workout 38:02 Gut Training, Carbohydrates, and Sodium 39:54 How to Prepare for Your Marathon Course 42:00 How Many 20-Mile Runs Do You Need? 43:24 Balancing Repeats and Threshold Workouts 46:32 Marathon Block Length and Mental Fatigue 48:40 Mailbag 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB01CJB7DV9B4VS

Coach revisits his disastrous first marathon to explain why race-day success depends on preparation, confidence, adaptability, and competitive integrity. He’s covering managing anxiety to trusting your training and adjusting to conditions, he shares how runners can execute when doubt arrives without turning every workout into the Olympic Trials. Here we go! CHAPTERS:00:00 Houston Marathon Wakeup Call 01:57 Why Racing Feels Hard 06:52 Competitive Integrity Explained 10:46 Stop Racing Workouts 16:50 Make the Decision Midrace 23:33 Three Step Race Day Switch 25:39 Ditch Negativity and Noise 30:41 Avoid Overcontrol and Superstition 37:51 Accept Imperfect Outcomes 44:04 My 1998 Marathon Meltdown 48:25 Race Day Checklist and Sendoff 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB01EU36CNZWWZL

Coach Jeff Cunningham sits down with filmmaker and runner Eric Floberg to unpack the road from under 4 hours to 2:29 at Boston. They talk breakthrough races, brutal training blocks, creative burnout, family, online criticism, and why simplifying life helped Eric rebuild belief, enjoy the process, and finally put it all together. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:04 Marathon Journey Begins 06:21 Creative Roots and Filmmaking 14:44 Handling Online Hate 18:23 Bittersweet PRs and Progress 23:45 Burnout and Too Many Pots 28:55 Boston Build and Belief 33:38 Race Week 38:21 Closing Miles Breakdown 41:45 Racing With an Audience 55:11 Berlin Plans and Fueling 57:52 Speed Gains and Haters 59:25 Dad Life and Sports Joy 01:04:11 Impact Beyond Running 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB01WH1HTYXIY1B

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 balance is often a cliché and reframes it as healthy imbalance, where excellence requires weighting time toward a pursuit while protecting non-negotiables.  CHAPTERS: 00:00 Chasing Change 02:08 All In vs Consumed 03:43 Poker Chips Metaphor 06:56 Protect Your Identity 10:11 All In Done Right 13:01 Quixotic Passion 17:42 When More Is Justified 21:27 Sponsor Fuel Break 22:18 Myth of Balance 24:08 LeBron and Talent Garden 31:24 Consistently Good Mindset 37:35 Faith and Audacious Goals 40:41 Mailbag Heart Rate 44:30 Final Sendoff 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB01I73BYB7R5WI

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 you back. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro: 1:17 GPS vs. Race Time 2:55 How Race Courses Are Officially Measured 9:08 The Boston Marathon Data Study 11:33 What Extra Distance Costs You in Real Time 18:13 What Is a Fartlek? 20:48 The GPS Anxiety Problem 24:19 The Highway Analogy 27:04 Skipped Workouts, Bad Workouts & the Rule of Thirds 38:08 Bandwidth Management 46:54 Mailbag 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

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 Loading Is Real 9:24 It's a Business Trip, Not a Vacation 11:38 Pack Smart: Weather, Logistics & Throwaway Clothes 13:43 Have a Plan. Know It. Trust It. 17:25 Race Morning 24:22 At the Start Line 26:57 Miles 0–13: Restraint, Fueling & Neurological Calm 35:54 Miles 13–17: The Danger Zone 38:28 Miles 17–21 40:30 Miles 21–Finish 42:38 Post-Race: Celebrate, Refuel & Rest 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

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 everyone even if your question wasn't answered. Just go ahead and drop it in the comments so coach can see it (We'll remind him to check, but he's pretty good). 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.⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW:IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcastYT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM:IG: @jdcunningham97BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

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 this summer, wherever the heck you are. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 01:12 Setup 07:33 Why Altitude Works 13:08 Heat Training Basics 17:41 Heat Adaptations Explained 26:05 Heat and Red Blood Cells 35:43 Fueling in the Heat 40:23 Heat Prep Mindset 42:30 Preload Calories Overnight 46:09 Hourly Sodium Targets 50:13 Small Bites Fueling 52:09 Race Day Salt Tactics 56:41 Heat Training Takeaways 01:04:20 Mailbag 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

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 Disappears Faster Than You Think 07:49 Periodization For Summer Training 09:21 Lower Volume, Lower Stress, Better Timing 12:23 Improve Your Running Economy 15:21 Speed Work, Hill Reps, And Fartlek Training 21:41 How Much Mileage Should You Run? 25:05 Why Strength Training Matters Now 27:33 Heat Training Is A Gift 32:59 Mailbag 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

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 consistency, patience, and fewer heroic mistakes, we say yes. More people can do it than they think! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Season 3 Starts Now 01:00 The Sub-3 Marathon Standard 02:25 How Rare Is Sub-3 Really? 04:44 Raising Your Marathon Ceiling 07:52 Do You Have the Wheels? 09:45 The D.I.V.N Training Framework 12:55 Building the Weekly Mileage 16:39 Long Runs That Actually Matter 20:24 Density, Easy Days, and Not Being a Hero 24:52 Setting Up the Hard Work 31:53 Three Track Workouts That Build the Engine 41:55 Tempo Work That Transfers 50:40 Long Run Workouts for Sub-3 57:29 How to Taper Without Panicking 01:03:57 Picking a Race That Helps You 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. ⁠https://www.batcitytc.com/⁠ FOLLOW: IG: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast YT: @theconsistentlygoodpodcast JEFF CUNNINGHAM: IG: @jdcunningham97 BAT CITY: @batcitytrackclub This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal [health or profession] advice. Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) is not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice. MB01JQJAPHE4KXZ