Coach Bennett's Podcast

Episode 137. Smart Stuff People Say About Running

In a world that seems to be giving more and more screen time to really dumb opinions and asinine commentary about running (and just about everything else for that matter) I thought it might be a great idea to celebrate some smart stuff runners say. You can look at this episode as the companion show to Episode 136 which was entitled Dumb Stuff Runners Say. As much fun as the Dumb Stuff episode was to make I got to say that this was was even more fun to make...

Episode 136. Dumb Stuff People Say About Running

I hear all sorts of stuff. Some of it is inspiring. Some of it is motivational. Some of it is super smart. Some of it challenges my preconceived notions. Some of it is really... really... really dumb. Well, I figured that I could save you the time figuring out that some advice is asinine and sub-moronic by calling out that stupendously stupid advice on one of my podcast episodes. This means you'll have more time in your day to do cool things and learn about new subjects and...

Episode 135. Easy Wins

We're talking about easy wins so you can end a losing streak and start a winning one. That's why we're going to talk about how we can set ourselves up for success. And that's why we're talking about why we should acknowledge and celebrate those easy wins. And that's why we're going to talk about a few different easy wins that I believe will lead to more easy wins and more confidence and more starting lines being crossed. By the way, listening to this episode of Coach Bennett's Podcast is an easy...

Episode 134. Do The Right Thing

It shouldn't be surprising that doing the right thing consistently leads to good things happening consistently or at the very least you can be proud of what YOU did consistently. And this is true between the start and finish lines and beyond the start and finish lines. This episode is about the foundational pillars of what exactly "do the right thing" means for a runner or coach and how it can shape the running journey they are on. It's never not the right time for this conversation but sometimes it's...

Episode 133. Right Here. Right Now.

You want to know where and when you can work on getting better? Right here and right now. That's the answer. And that's the only answer. You can't work on getting better yesterday. That starting line has left the station and it ain't coming back. And you sure can't work on getting better tomorrow. You'll be waiting forever for that starting line to show up. It's here and now that we get the work done. And it's the best time to do that work because it's the only time we...

Episode 132. How To Start or Keep On Running (Using U2 Songs as Inspiration) 

You ever wonder how you or someone you care about could best start, start over, start running again or just keep on running? And did you ever wonder about those things but also wonder if there is a way to solely use song titles from the epic and legendary Irish band U2 to serve as chapter titles for that noble and righteous quest? You too??? Get it? 

I'll wait. 

Well, the wait is over! Because that's what this epi...

Episode 131. Why I Didn't Break 4

I had a few big goals when I was running and racing competitively. One of those goals was breaking 4 minutes in the mile. Well, as you can probably surmise from the title of this episode... I didn't. But my failure to break 4 has led to this soon to be very successful episode of Coach Bennett's Podcast. That is assuming all of you listen to and share the episode with everyone you know. Anyway, in the episode I break down a whole bunch of reasons why I believe I came up...

Episode 130. How To End The Year Running

The end of the year is not the time that people start running. In fact, the end of the year os when most people stop running. Poor weather, less hours of sunlight, holiday obligations and travel, work and life stressors - it all adds up to less if any  running getting done at all. That's why we have Episode #130! Because we're going to flip the script. We're not going to wait until the New Year to start running or start running again. This good old year we're in i...

Episode 129. Maybe Is A Power

I headed out on my run today and it was drizzling. I though to myself that maybe I'll run 15 minutes... but maybe I'll run 20 minutes... and maybe I'll run 25 minutes. The power here resided in the word maybe. The ownership and the excitement and the honesty and the possibility was all birthed and made possible by that word maybe. This episode is about how you can make your running better by incorporating that word... maybe.. into your training and your running and your living, Thank you for listening!

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Episode 128. Winter Is Coming. Get Ready To Run It. 

Winter is coming. Just ask Jon Snow or really anyone from the Stark family. All my Game of Throne nerds are nodding their heads. The rest of you are confused. That's okay! Because this episode is actually about running. Running in winter to be specific. I start by telling you how to get into the groove. Yes, there will be a special nod to Madonna. And I'll talk about the importance of getting into gear and getting inspired and getting intelligent and getting inside and getting i...

Episode 127. Now What? 

The race is over. The training cycle is finished. You crossed. the finish line. Now what? I've wanted to do this episode for a few weeks. So, I was super excited when it came time to record it. The problem was that I had a bad cough. The kind of cough that won't let you speak more than two sentences without coughing. And, I'm in a car driving across the country. Luckily, I happen to know the best coach in the world AND I'm driving across the country with her. So, problem s...

Episode 126. Just Wait A Minute

Sometimes all it takes to set a day straight or a run right is a minute. But you'll need the strength and confidence to wait a minute and reset or refresh or retry or redo. I did just that today. Because I needed to tell myself to just wait a minute and take that minute to recharge. So, take 30 minutes here and now and listen to the latest episode of Coach Bennett's Podcast before you head out for a recovery run or long run or fartlek run or decide to...

Episode 125. How To Have A Better Race 

This is a special one. Because it's episode 125! And because running a race is special. And because we have Coach Bennett the Greater as a guest. That's right! Tammie Bennett of the Show Up Society is back! And this is also a special episode because you all asked for an episode on what you could do before race day and on the starting line on race day and on the other side of that starting line on race day so you have a better chance to run a better race. W...

Episode 124. Moving On

Sometimes the hardest part of a running a race isn't the race. And sometimes it's not even the training you need to do so you can run race that race. Sometimes the hardest part is after the race. It's letting go. It's moving on. We can give so much to a training cycle. We can put so much into the journey. We can invest so much into race day and the outcome. We can suddenly find ourselves lost and adrift when it's all over. This episode is about acknowledging all of this...

Episode 123. Success

Success. What is it? How do you define it? How do you measure it? What happens when you don't reach a goal? Is there such a thing as partial success? So many questions. Even more answers in this episode. Inspired by getting to talk to so many of you at the Berlin Marathon, Portland Marathon, Chicago Marathon, I wanted to make sure we talked about success from the point of view of the athletes and a coach. So, check it out. And thank you for inspiring me with your efforts and attitudes and...

Episode 122. On The Starting Line

We all stand there on starting lines. Together. Alone. With the unknown ahead of us. No guarantees. This episode is inspired by so many of you that have reached out over the last few weeks to ask about the starting line. Over the last few weeks I've been to the Berlin Marathon, the Portland Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and Kids Mile, and now I'm recording this episode in Chicago with this great city's marathon only a couple of days away. I talk nerves, confidence, looking ahead and behind, what to...

Episode 121. Ready, Set, Go! 

This is a really special episode. Because I get to talk about something that is near and dear to my heart - how to introduce the sport to kids (and adults). About ten years ago, I helped create something called Ready, Set, Go! for Nike Running. It was a guide for both kids and the adult in their lives that was going to help introduce them to this wonderful sport. Well, we decided to refresh Ready, Set, Go! and I couldn't be more excited about it. 

S...

Episode 120. Keep It Easy

It’s not just about making sure you run easy when you’re supposed to run easy. Keeping it easy is also about making sure you’re not making the hard stuff harder than it needs to be. Give this latest episode of Coach Bennett’s Podcast a listen and you’ll be a little better equipped to keep it easy… or at least help keep yourself from making the hard stuff harder.

Cheers,

Coach Bennett 

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Episode 119. Getting Ready For The Big Day

You got a big day coming up? Is it a race? 5K? 10K? Marathon? Maybe it's an exam you need to take or a presentation you need to give or a conversation you need to have. No matter what your big day is you can be better prepared to take it on AND enjoy it. How? How can you be better prepared and enjoy that big day more? So happy you asked! Just listen to this episode and there's a real good chance you're going to come up...

Episode 118: Better Autumn Running 

It's time to... wait for it... fall in love with running in the fall. Get it? Pretty great, right? I know. I just got whatever that thing is. Anyway, this episode is a few of my favorite tip and even a few rules for better Autumn running. So, fall back in your favorite chair or hit your favorite trail (or treadmill or road) and enjoy the latest episode. 

Cheers and thank you for listening!

Coach Bennett

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Episode 117. All I Got

It's been a tough couple of weeks. So much travel. Dropping kids off on the other side of the country. ER visits. Sickness. Heimlich Maneuvers. 7 year streaks being broken. Podcasts not getting published... or at least getting published a week later. So, this is the episode you're getting. It won't be the longest Coach Bennett's Podcast ever. It won't have the most rambles or even gloriously terrible weak jokes. But it is all I got. And it's the best I could do. I hope it's enough for you. And I hope...

Episode 116: Goals: How To Set, Change, Drop and Achieve Them

It's always a great time to talk about goals. And when you talk about goals you need to talk about more than how to set them. You need to know how to change and adjust goals and how to drop goals too. Big goals. Little goals. Medium sized goals. Long term goals. Short term goals. We cover it all. So, enjoy the show and please know that one of my goals in making this episode was to help you have a better chance achieving all...

Episode 115. Get Out Of Your Own Way

We all do it. We self-sabotage. We trip ourselves up. We set ourselves up for something less than success. Well, this episode is all about ways we can get out of our own ways so we can run ourselves somewhere better without the self-destructive hurdles and barriers we place in front of ourselves. 

And obviously you need to listen to Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac. And because my brain decides to simply go rogue here is Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac too. Don't worry... a...

Episode 114. Recovery On The Run

You've probably heard me say that great running dependent on great recovery. Well, it's the truth. And if you can recover great and do that consistently you're going to give yourself the best chance to run great. So, listen up. Because this episode is all about how you can recover better and recover better consistently. None of the things I talk about in this episode are recovery techniques that you can't start taking advantage of today. Because almost everything I talk about in this episode you are probably already doing...

Episode 113. Get Fast

Buckle up buttercup! Because we're about to go fast talking about getting fast. I do my best to rip through this episode... fast. That means the rambling on this episode may not be non-existent but it's sure not excessive. And yes, it was not easy for me to not ramble. It's also not easy for me to not write sentences with double negatives. I digress. Sit back or start it up... no matter how your listening to the show or what you're doing while you listen to the show... I hope you...

Episode 112. 5 Ways To Build Confidence

Being confident takes work. And that means that confidence is something that can be built up, grown, maintained. That also means that confidence is something that can be torn down, weakened, atrophy. So, we're going to discuss a few ways that you can work on and build confidence. I know I named this episode 5 Ways To Build Confidence but I'm not entirely sure how many ways I actually talk about. I feel like it's more than 5 though. Anyway, it's a great episode and you're a great person so it seems...

Episode 111. Setbacks (How To Deal With Them)

It's inevitable. If you show up consistently... if you chase after great goals... if you get better and want to get better... if you try your best... you're going to need to deal with setbacks. How you deal with those setbacks will help decide just how consistent you'll continue to be and whether you'll chase down those goals or not and whether you'll get better and better and if you'll get closer to your best. So, let's talk setbacks. Shall we? We shall! 

Thank you for l...

Episode 110. Risk and Reward.

Some risks can lead to great rewards. Some rewards are not worth the risks. Whether you realize it or not every run and race you do and rest day you take has risks and rewards associated with them. This episode is all about the relationship between the two. This episode was inspired by the mile run by Faith Kipyegon in her Breaking 4 attempt and the 1500m race run by Jessica Hull at the Prefontaine Classic the following week. Enjoy the episode and be sure to check out the links to both...

Episode 109. It's OK To Not Be OK

It's OK to be OK. It's OK to not be OK. But it's not OK to say you're OK when you're not OK. And it sounds like a lot of you are not OK. The good thing is that you are reaching out to me and admitting that you're not OK. That takes honesty and strength. Both of those things help you when it comes to running by the way. You're also reaching out and asking for some help. (Asking for help is another sign or strength.)

Episode 108. How To Slow Down (So You Can Speed Up)

Sometimes you need to slow down so you can speed up. Yes, it makes sense. And it's true. In fact, it's essential to understand if you want to get better at this fantastic sport. That's why we're going to talk about it on this episode. You'll learn why it's important and how to do it just by listening to the show. Pretty good deal if you ask me. So, sit back or stand up or go for a walk or a run and enjoy the...

Episode 107. 7 Ways To Make Your Running More Fun

It doesn't matter how fast or how far you can run. There's always an opportunity to make your running more fun. And if you can make your running more fun then you can make your running better and if you can make your running better then you can make the runner doing that running better. That was definitely a run on sentence. But I hope it was easy to understand. Because if you can figure out how to get better and have fun getting better then you...

Episode 106.  I Believe. 

I figured it was time that I told you what I believe in. Especially, since I believe in you! But this is episode goes old school. There was once a time when seven statements I wrote on a cheap legal pad became the foundation for NRC... and how so may of us (including me) look at ourselves and support ourselves and cheer for ourselves. YOU deserve the best if you are trying your best.

Cheers,

Coach Bennett

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Episode 105.  Happy Global Running Day

Sure, this episode may be dropping the day after Global Running Day in many parts of the world... the sentiment remains true. Happy Global Running Day! I'm taking the opportunity to state what it means to be a runner and how we can best acknowledge and experience and what it means to be a part of this sport. So, press play and turn up the volume and get ready to celebrate, share and save the sport on Global Running Day 2025... or the day after Global Running Day 2025... or really whatever d...

Episode 104.  7 Ways To Make Your Summer Running Better

This could actually be 5 or 6 or maybe even 8 or 9 ways. I'm not exactly sure. I kind of went into a zone there for a little while and when I came out of it the episode was done. Doesn't really matter. What does matter is that by the end of the episode you're going to know a whole bunch of different ways you can make your summer running better! And that's a good thing! So, enjoy the episode and thank you for listening. 

Cheers,

Episode 103. Comebacks

Don't call it a comeback? No, call it a comeback! Coming back from an injury? It's a comeback. Coming back from sickness? It's a comeback. Coming back from a life event? It's a comeback. Coming back from a long season or a big setback or a tough race or a great one? Comebacks! You know what? Every time you come back to a starting line it's a comeback! This episode is all about how you can make any comeback a return to the starting line that gets you to a finish line excited...

Episode 102. How To Do More

So, you want to know how to do more? I get it. More is better, right? Well, maybe. Maybe not. That's why before we decide what we need to do more of (or less of) we need to have a conversation. And that's what this episode is... a conversation. I'll give you a series of questions that you need to ask and answer  before you decide what you need to do more of. If you're an athlete then this is an essential episode. And if you have a body you're a...

Episode 101. Searching For Balance. 

We're all searching for some balance in our lives and in our running. But I don't think there's such a thing as perfect balance. I believe we're just trying to balance all our imbalances as best as we can. And that's what this episode is all about. If we can look from a different and more supportive point of view and give a little more grace and have a little more empathy towards out own balancing acts we're going to have a better chance of maintaining that balance. So, enjoy the p...

Episode 100.  Why Do You Run? 

Why do you run? This is a conversation... but it's also a celebration of running. And it's a celebration of runners. That means it's a celebration of YOU! Hey, great opportunity to thank you for getting us here... Episode 100. This podcast is for YOU! So, enjoy the show. Be ready to join in on the discussion. Because this is about why WE run. And there is no WE without YOU. 

Cheers,
Coach Bennett

Check out the video that those teenagers watched that inspired thi...

Episode 99. You Gotta Have Faith 

It was announced today that Faith Kipyegon is going to try and break 4 in the Mile this Summer in Paris. What was that? I said that Faith Kipyegon has committed to trying to run under 4 minutes for a mile in June. You read that right, twice. 

This episode is about Faith and faith and Breaking 4 (that's what this is being called) and Breaking 2 and Eliud Kipchoge and this episode is about you and me and goals and confidence and failure and success and courage and Prince and George Mi...