Inspired Soles
Inspired Soles is a podcast that fuels your passion for running and helps you achieve peak performance with every stride. Host Carolyn Coffin talks with industry experts, coaches, Olympians and everyday runners to educate and inspire you to take your running to the next level.
Inspired Soles
256. Jeff Cunningham | Slay the Dragons & Run Strong in the Final 10K of Your Marathon
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Pacing a marathon is simple in theory but brutally hard in practice. Go out too fast, and the fire-breathing dragons will find you in the final 10K. Go out too cautiously, and you’ll spend the last miles wondering if you left time on the table.
In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Cunningham — a lifelong runner, NCAA Academic All-American, and coach of countless Boston Marathon qualifiers and multiple U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers. Jeff has a gift for blending humor with hard truths, and today he breaks down why pacing is the most important (and most misunderstood) part of the marathon.
We discuss:
- Why you can undo 16 weeks of training in the first 45 minutes of the race
- How to build trust in your fitness so you don’t panic early
- The psychology of pacing and emotional momentum
- Why finishing strong is far better than blowing up
- Jeff’s signature advice on patience, perspective, and keeping the long view
If you’re running a fall marathon, this conversation will fire you up and give you the tools to run your smartest race yet.
Connect with Jeff:
Resources & Related Episodes:
- Jeff on Relay with Peter Bromka: Beware of the Dragons
- Inspired Soles Episode with Polly
(Jeff’s Canadian elite athlete)
Connect with Carolyn & Inspired Soles:
- Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin
- Browse 250+ episodes in the archives
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