The Mother Runners Podcast with Whitney Heins

EP. 9: POLLY CUNES: Incremental Goals, Big Risks & Getting Faster as a Master’s Runner

• The Mother Runners I Whitney Heins

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Polly Cunes, a mom of two, PE teacher, and master’s runner, is only getting faster at the age of 42. But Polly’s times aren’t what’s so impressive about her. It’s her patience, consistent work, and quiet confidence. 

In this episode, Polly shares what drives her to wake up early and run big workouts on her treadmill before a busy day of work and kids’ activities. Polly opens up about battling mom guilt as she pursues her ambitions, revealing how she confronts self-doubt and maintains her health as a master’s runner. 

Other topics we delve into:

- How a major knee injury ultimately transformed her into a better runner.

- A surprising VO2Max test result that could unlock even greater potential.

- Strategies she employs to maintain balance as a mother and athlete.

- Secrets to staying injury-free and healthy during her running journey.

- Insights into the most challenging aspects of being a mother runner.

You will find our conversation inspiring as a mom navigating the balance of family, fitness, and personal growth!

MORE ABOUT POLLY:

Polly Cunes is a competitive marathoner, teacher, and mother of two based in Calgary, Canada. Her marathon personal best is 2:41:27, achieved at the 2025 Chicago Marathon, and her half PR is a 1:18:22. She’s also a running coach. 

You can learn more about Polly on Instagram at @mommytosubthree,.

Head to the Patreon for our bonus episode on how Polly eats, supplements she loves, and what her recovery routine looks like..

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS:

Previnex offers the highest quality supplements that can help runners feel and perform better. I have been a long-time Previnex customer and credit Previnex supplements to feeling healthier than ever. Save 15% off your first purchase with code MOTHERRUNNER at Previnex.com.

AmazFit offers wearable tech including GPS watches with all the biometrics a runner could possibly want for about half the price of other brands. And the battery lasts 3 weeks! Save 10% on the GPS watches at the link. 

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.