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 (originally aired September 16, 2025, episode 256), 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.
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