The Consistently Good Podcast · Bare Performance Nutrition

S2E4: Answering Your Consistently Good Running Questions

·41 min·2 clips

He lays out sub-three readiness with 60 to 80 miles a week and 800-meter reps in 2:55 to 3:00.

1. The Consistently Good Podcast episode S2E4, “Answering Your Consistently Good Running Questions,” is a listener Q&A focused on marathon training and day-to-day running decisions. 2. Jeff Cunningham is the host and running coach, and he says he answers questions from Instagram, text, WhatsApp, FaceTime, and phone calls. 3. The episode’s purpose is to give specific coaching answers for runners who want to know what to do between race blocks, in marathon build-ups, and during difficult training stretches. 4. On Olivia’s question about the off-season, Cunningham says runners should not let fitness fall “to the bottom basement.” 5. He recommends keeping about 50 to 65 percent, maybe up to 70 percent, of prior volume during that period. 6. He pairs that reduced volume with running economy work such as speed work, hill work, hill fartlek, strength training, and shorter faster sessions. 7. On Leah’s question about 20-plus-mile runs in a marathon block, Cunningham says the answer depends on whether the runner is new, intermediate, or highly experienced. 8. He says a first-time marathoner may need one 20-mile run, while more experienced runners can handle three, four, five, or even seven or eight 20-plus-mile runs. 9. He adds that some of those long runs should include marathon pace or faster segments, with six to 12 miles of marathon pace spread across several sessions. 10. On Charney’s question about racing a half marathon before a full marathon, Cunningham says the timing should account for recovery and taper needs. 11. He says some runners can race a half marathon four weeks before a marathon, but others should leave six weeks or even two months. 12. He explains that a half marathon usually needs five to seven days of taper before it and another three to seven days after it. 13. On Derek Deconte’s question about eating disorders in athletes, Cunningham says the problem can require a therapist, nutritionist, physician, blood work, and DEXA scans. 14. He names body image, body dysmorphia, food, and performance pressure as part of the burden. 15. He says athletes may need to trust confidants, open communication, and delayed performance goals while healing. 16. On fatigue, Cunningham says one hard workout does not define a marathon block and uses the rule of thirds: one third brilliant, one third okay, one third subpar. 17. He also says a runner with normal easy-run effort but a high 140s heart rate may still be fine if the effort truly feels conversational. 18. The style is informal and coach-like, with Cunningham speaking directly to named listeners and switching between detailed prescription and practical reassurance. 19. Runners training for marathons and building consistency will likely get the most from this episode. 20. Listeners wanting narrative storytelling or entertainment-first banter may skip it.

As heard by us

A brisk, coach-first Q&A that favors useful running advice over polish.

Jeff Cunningham turns the episode into a live coaching inbox, fielding listener questions about running, fitness, and life. The strength is how concrete he gets: he moves fast from the off-season question to mileage ranges, repeat sessions, and the gap between what most runners…

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Why you'd press play

For when you want straight running answers from a coach who thinks in workouts.

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