1 00:00:03,990 --> 00:00:08,340 Speaker 1: Thank you, New York. Today we're reminded of the power 2 00:00:08,340 --> 00:00:13,170 Speaker 1: of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on 3 00:00:13,170 --> 00:00:13,770 Speaker 1: your mark. 4 00:00:15,900 --> 00:00:19,440 Speaker 2: The first woman to finish for the second straight year 5 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 2: here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, a smiling 6 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:24,270 Speaker 2: Miki Gorman. And why not? 7 00:00:24,570 --> 00:00:27,002 Speaker 3: 2: 29:30 the time for (inaudible) . 8 00:00:27,002 --> 00:00:30,570 Speaker 4: Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she comes to 9 00:00:30,570 --> 00:00:31,230 Speaker 4: the line. 10 00:00:31,230 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 5: Pointing to his chest, pointing to the USA he so proudly 11 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:44,001 Speaker 5: wears across his chest. A great day for Matt (inaudible) . 12 00:00:44,220 --> 00:00:47,699 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody out there and welcome to Set the Pace 13 00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:51,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: presented by Peloton. It is the official podcast of New 14 00:00:51,510 --> 00:00:54,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners and it's a special live show here 15 00:00:54,810 --> 00:00:57,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: today. I'm your host, Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New 16 00:00:57,510 --> 00:01:00,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners, and we are so thrilled to be 17 00:01:00,180 --> 00:01:04,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: here live in Berlin, Germany at the New Balance Center 18 00:01:04,950 --> 00:01:08,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: for Modern Running. As we get set for the 50th 19 00:01:08,910 --> 00:01:13,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: running of the BMW Berlin Marathon. We got a nice 20 00:01:13,050 --> 00:01:15,479 Rob Simmelkjaer: crowd here joining us. Make some noise out there for 21 00:01:16,140 --> 00:01:21,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: all of our listeners. All right, we're fired up. This 22 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:24,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: is a really cool space that New Balance has in 23 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:28,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: Berlin. It's multiple floors. They've got obviously amazing running technology 24 00:01:28,530 --> 00:01:30,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: here. I just had a chance to hang out in 25 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:33,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: some of the compression boots. I needed a little compression 26 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:37,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: because I am getting ready for my first marathon run 27 00:01:37,380 --> 00:01:44,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: in 11 years on Sunday at the BMW Berlin Marathon. I'm 28 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:47,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredibly excited. I've been here since yesterday. I've had a 29 00:01:47,610 --> 00:01:50,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: chance to go around town, just get a vibe of 30 00:01:50,820 --> 00:01:55,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: the city. You are obviously a great athlete, you're great on the track, 31 00:01:55,950 --> 00:01:59,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: but being the best successful at the marathon distance both 32 00:01:59,730 --> 00:02:03,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: that day and then so many days since then, how 33 00:02:03,210 --> 00:02:04,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: has it changed your life? 34 00:02:07,170 --> 00:02:10,679 Catherine Debrunner: I think what's changed the most is that I actually 35 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:16,620 Catherine Debrunner: realized how big the marathon community is and what it brings 36 00:02:16,620 --> 00:02:20,490 Catherine Debrunner: to us wheelchair racer. I remember I also talked with 37 00:02:20,490 --> 00:02:23,970 Catherine Debrunner: Manuela and she always said to me that it's something 38 00:02:23,970 --> 00:02:29,610 Catherine Debrunner: so different than the track races because there normally we 39 00:02:29,610 --> 00:02:35,100 Catherine Debrunner: have not many spectators. It's really small and unfortunately not 40 00:02:35,100 --> 00:02:38,760 Catherine Debrunner: many people see our races. So when I saw this 41 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:41,550 Catherine Debrunner: year (inaudible) , I was completely flushed and I was 42 00:02:41,550 --> 00:02:46,350 Catherine Debrunner: so happy to see how far inclusion is here. We are 43 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:52,830 Catherine Debrunner: really equally treated. We have press conference with the top 44 00:02:52,830 --> 00:02:57,329 Catherine Debrunner: athletes from Olympics and that was for me reading something 45 00:02:57,330 --> 00:02:59,700 Catherine Debrunner: new and I was so happy to see this. 46 00:02:59,700 --> 00:03:05,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's something about you're on the same course as the 47 00:03:05,370 --> 00:03:08,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: male and the female runners and then of course the 48 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:13,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: same course as the 40 or 50, 000 athletes coming behind you, 49 00:03:13,350 --> 00:03:16,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: all the runners. There's something about being in that common 50 00:03:16,860 --> 00:03:19,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: field on that same day, your daily television coverage, you 51 00:03:19,889 --> 00:03:23,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: get crowds that is different than anything else you really experienced. 52 00:03:24,930 --> 00:03:28,050 Catherine Debrunner: Yeah, it was just amazing to be here on the 53 00:03:28,050 --> 00:03:32,400 Catherine Debrunner: same course as Olympic athletes to be cheered from so 54 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:36,180 Catherine Debrunner: many people on the road from home. We are tracking. 55 00:03:36,540 --> 00:03:41,130 Catherine Debrunner: There's just such big community who watch marathon and I 56 00:03:41,130 --> 00:03:42,480 Catherine Debrunner: love to be part of this. 57 00:03:43,740 --> 00:03:48,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: Catherine, you were the most successful para- athlete in the 58 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:53,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: Paris 2024 games. You won gold in the 400 meters, the 59 00:03:53,850 --> 00:03:59,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: 800 meters, the 1,500 meters and the 5, 000 meters on the track. And then 60 00:03:59,190 --> 00:04:01,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: of course your goal in marathon. I was like, you 61 00:04:01,620 --> 00:04:03,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: and (inaudible) , I bet if you guys should get 62 00:04:03,660 --> 00:04:07,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: together and have a meal and talk about how you 63 00:04:07,530 --> 00:04:12,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: could succeed at so many different distances at the same 64 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:17,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: Olympics. How can you do that and do it all 65 00:04:17,250 --> 00:04:19,289 Rob Simmelkjaer: that well, but in such a short period of time? 66 00:04:21,540 --> 00:04:23,640 Catherine Debrunner: Well, I cannot tell you our secret because it's not a secret, 67 00:04:24,660 --> 00:04:30,360 Catherine Debrunner: but I think it's a lot of things who actually 68 00:04:30,510 --> 00:04:33,690 Catherine Debrunner: came together. I have been doing the sport now for 69 00:04:33,690 --> 00:04:37,380 Catherine Debrunner: 21 years. I think I really learned a lot. I've 70 00:04:37,380 --> 00:04:40,589 Catherine Debrunner: made a lot of experiences, good ones and bad ones, 71 00:04:40,589 --> 00:04:44,279 Catherine Debrunner: and I think both are really important to become a 72 00:04:44,370 --> 00:04:50,250 Catherine Debrunner: top athlete. I had really good role models in Switzerland, 73 00:04:50,580 --> 00:04:56,370 Catherine Debrunner: but also a crowd and I have a really amazing environment in 74 00:04:56,370 --> 00:04:59,640 Catherine Debrunner: sport, but also (inaudible) to really helps me every 75 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:04,890 Catherine Debrunner: day to achieve my goals. And I think I made the right 76 00:05:05,010 --> 00:05:08,250 Catherine Debrunner: decisions the last couple of years. I changed a lot 77 00:05:08,250 --> 00:05:12,330 Catherine Debrunner: in my life and I had the courage to dream 78 00:05:12,330 --> 00:05:14,310 Catherine Debrunner: big and to work hard for them. 79 00:05:14,580 --> 00:05:17,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: What kind of things did you have to change? What 80 00:05:17,010 --> 00:05:19,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: were some of the biggest changes you had to make 81 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:21,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: in your life to get this kind of success? 82 00:05:23,250 --> 00:05:28,440 Catherine Debrunner: One big change was that I stopped working as a 83 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:33,330 Catherine Debrunner: primary teacher and honestly I was quite afraid of that 84 00:05:33,330 --> 00:05:38,490 Catherine Debrunner: step because in Switzerland it's not easy to live from 85 00:05:38,550 --> 00:05:43,080 Catherine Debrunner: our sport, especially when you are not a successful marathoner 86 00:05:43,380 --> 00:05:46,500 Catherine Debrunner: then it's super, super hard to live from it. So 87 00:05:46,500 --> 00:05:50,160 Catherine Debrunner: I was really scared if it's going to work out. 88 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:54,570 Catherine Debrunner: So it was quite a risk and I think that was the 89 00:05:54,570 --> 00:05:55,710 Catherine Debrunner: biggest step actually. 90 00:05:56,700 --> 00:05:59,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: You were teaching, at what age levels were you teaching? 91 00:06:00,540 --> 00:06:02,250 Catherine Debrunner: 6 to 8 year old kids. 92 00:06:02,339 --> 00:06:07,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. Do you miss that much or now being full- 93 00:06:07,710 --> 00:06:11,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: time athlete, is it enough? Are you fulfilled as a full- 94 00:06:11,339 --> 00:06:12,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: time athlete as you were as a teacher? 95 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:20,969 Catherine Debrunner: That's a difficult question. It's just two completely different worlds 96 00:06:21,630 --> 00:06:27,000 Catherine Debrunner: and I love both. I mean, being a primary teacher 97 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:31,350 Catherine Debrunner: every day is so different. Even if you teach the same 98 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:37,349 Catherine Debrunner: topics, (inaudible) day so diverse and I really loved 99 00:06:37,350 --> 00:06:40,800 Catherine Debrunner: the way also they treated me with my wheelchair. For the 100 00:06:41,010 --> 00:06:45,089 Catherine Debrunner: kids the wheelchair was never a problem. They just treated 101 00:06:45,089 --> 00:06:50,250 Catherine Debrunner: me like every other teacher. And once I had an 102 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:55,710 Catherine Debrunner: evening with parents, I remember that very well. And when 103 00:06:55,710 --> 00:06:59,370 Catherine Debrunner: the parents came I realized that they looked at me 104 00:06:59,370 --> 00:07:03,060 Catherine Debrunner: really weird and then I felt little uncomfortable and then 105 00:07:03,060 --> 00:07:06,870 Catherine Debrunner: I asked the parents if there's something wrong and then 106 00:07:06,870 --> 00:07:10,739 Catherine Debrunner: one parent said, " Well, her kids did not tell that 107 00:07:10,740 --> 00:07:16,001 Catherine Debrunner: I was in a wheelchair," and they were just surprised. And that (inaudible) 108 00:07:16,001 --> 00:07:20,310 Catherine Debrunner: , had goosebumps and I really liked it. And I'm 109 00:07:20,310 --> 00:07:25,500 Catherine Debrunner: sure I do go back after my career, but right now I live a really 110 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:29,340 Catherine Debrunner: privilege life. I love what I do and I can 111 00:07:29,340 --> 00:07:30,810 Catherine Debrunner: do my passion every day. 112 00:07:33,030 --> 00:07:36,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: That makes me think back to you at the age 113 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:41,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: of eight, when you first started competing in a wheelchair. 114 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:45,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: What started that for you? What was it that showed 115 00:07:45,150 --> 00:07:48,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: you this path toward competing as an athlete in a 116 00:07:48,690 --> 00:07:50,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: wheelchair? How did it all start? 117 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:56,370 Catherine Debrunner: I was always someone who would like to move. In German, 118 00:07:56,370 --> 00:07:59,010 Catherine Debrunner: we say (foreign language) . I don't know the word in 119 00:07:59,010 --> 00:08:03,720 Catherine Debrunner: English, but just I cannot do nothing. And my parents 120 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:08,160 Catherine Debrunner: saw that kids camp in Nottwil, that's our paraplegic center 121 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:13,080 Catherine Debrunner: and there we could try a lot of different sports 122 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:18,450 Catherine Debrunner: and it was love at first sight with wheelchair racing. 123 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:22,920 Catherine Debrunner: And I think Marcel Hug played a really big role 124 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:26,340 Catherine Debrunner: for me because he was born just a village next 125 00:08:26,340 --> 00:08:30,390 Catherine Debrunner: to mine and at that time he also still trained 126 00:08:30,390 --> 00:08:35,640 Catherine Debrunner: there with my former coach, Paul Udernacht. And Paul came 127 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:38,190 Catherine Debrunner: to me when I was eight and showed me that 128 00:08:38,340 --> 00:08:42,990 Catherine Debrunner: chair and I knew that's my thing. So I started 129 00:08:42,990 --> 00:08:46,410 Catherine Debrunner: training with Paul and also Marcel and that's where it 130 00:08:46,410 --> 00:08:46,950 Catherine Debrunner: all begun. 131 00:08:48,059 --> 00:08:52,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: Why does Switzerland have so much success in this sport? 132 00:08:52,230 --> 00:08:56,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: You, Marcel, Manuela, what's happening there? Is there a lot 133 00:08:56,970 --> 00:09:00,001 Rob Simmelkjaer: of support being given to Switzerland? Is it just a (inaudible) 134 00:09:00,001 --> 00:09:01,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's been created? What do you think it is? 135 00:09:03,179 --> 00:09:06,840 Catherine Debrunner: Yeah, that's true. We have great wheelchair racers in Switzerland 136 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:11,309 Catherine Debrunner: and I get this question quite often. I think especially 137 00:09:11,309 --> 00:09:15,030 Catherine Debrunner: Nottwil is a perfect place for us to train. We 138 00:09:15,030 --> 00:09:19,470 Catherine Debrunner: have a really fast track. That's also why many athletes from 139 00:09:19,470 --> 00:09:24,450 Catherine Debrunner: abroad come always to the races we have in Switzerland. We have the 140 00:09:24,929 --> 00:09:30,150 Catherine Debrunner: Paraplegic Foundation who helps us a lot also financially. And 141 00:09:30,150 --> 00:09:34,050 Catherine Debrunner: we have the sports mix, we have the chains there. We have 142 00:09:34,260 --> 00:09:39,030 Catherine Debrunner: a lot of experts who actually helps us perform. So 143 00:09:39,300 --> 00:09:42,002 Catherine Debrunner: it's all together in one place and that's (inaudible) . 144 00:09:43,650 --> 00:09:47,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: I wonder, you mentioned the kids you taught and we 145 00:09:47,940 --> 00:09:51,328 Rob Simmelkjaer: had our own in New York Road Runners wheelchair, where 146 00:09:51,328 --> 00:09:53,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: you were saying trade program. You may be familiar with 147 00:09:53,850 --> 00:09:57,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: that. We're training young kids to raise some big chairs. 148 00:09:58,140 --> 00:10:00,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's been incredible. We added that as the kids go 149 00:10:00,300 --> 00:10:03,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Nationals in the United States this past year in 150 00:10:03,330 --> 00:10:06,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: Alabama. So it's something we're very proud of. And what from 151 00:10:06,870 --> 00:10:09,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: your point of view is impact you're making? Do you 152 00:10:09,570 --> 00:10:13,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: hear from kids whether they're in Switzerland or in other 153 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:17,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: places when you're competing that are in wheelchairs that are 154 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,699 Rob Simmelkjaer: trying to understand how they can do what you've done? 155 00:10:21,450 --> 00:10:25,800 Catherine Debrunner: I don't know if that's so actually, but I really 156 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,770 Catherine Debrunner: hope that I can be a role model for the new 157 00:10:29,130 --> 00:10:33,870 Catherine Debrunner: generation. If they are in that wheelchair or not, just in general, 158 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:36,599 Catherine Debrunner: my goal is to be a role model to show 159 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:38,550 Catherine Debrunner: the world that if you have a dream or if 160 00:10:38,550 --> 00:10:42,719 Catherine Debrunner: you have passion, it does not matter if it's in music or 161 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:46,470 Catherine Debrunner: art or whatever, just follow your dreams and work hard 162 00:10:46,890 --> 00:10:52,170 Catherine Debrunner: because so much is possible and sometimes unbelievable things happens. 163 00:10:53,340 --> 00:10:58,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. Of course in Berlin, everyone's excited about running on 164 00:10:58,140 --> 00:11:00,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: the flat course. That is a big part of why I 165 00:11:00,300 --> 00:11:03,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: decided to run this. I'm wondering for you being in 166 00:11:04,020 --> 00:11:08,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: the wheelchair of racing sport, what is it like? Does that make 167 00:11:08,490 --> 00:11:11,002 Rob Simmelkjaer: it easier as it does for runners to (inaudible) 168 00:11:10,710 --> 00:11:13,979 Rob Simmelkjaer: such a flat surface? How does it change? And being 169 00:11:13,980 --> 00:11:16,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: a track athlete where you're first running always on a flat 170 00:11:16,260 --> 00:11:18,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: surface, maybe that is a bit of an advantage for 171 00:11:18,870 --> 00:11:21,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: you here. Talk about the tactics of running a flat 172 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:22,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: course here in Berlin. 173 00:11:24,450 --> 00:11:27,000 Catherine Debrunner: The really nice thing about Berlin is because it's so 174 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:31,078 Catherine Debrunner: flat, we have really high speeds and you can just 175 00:11:31,620 --> 00:11:36,240 Catherine Debrunner: go in the flow and go fast. And there are not 176 00:11:36,390 --> 00:11:41,040 Catherine Debrunner: so many difficult turns like on other courses or hills 177 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:47,670 Catherine Debrunner: where you really need a lot of energy. So it's much more steady. And 178 00:11:48,420 --> 00:11:53,460 Catherine Debrunner: the last time I was here it was super exciting races, all 179 00:11:53,460 --> 00:11:57,300 Catherine Debrunner: very fast, and we have a really great spirit in our 180 00:11:57,300 --> 00:12:01,350 Catherine Debrunner: women's fields. We work really hard together because we all 181 00:12:01,350 --> 00:12:04,890 Catherine Debrunner: want to go for fast time. And last year we 182 00:12:04,890 --> 00:12:08,190 Catherine Debrunner: worked together and we made the time. We probably all 183 00:12:08,190 --> 00:12:12,840 Catherine Debrunner: never thought it's possible for us. (inaudible) so fast 184 00:12:13,230 --> 00:12:15,270 Catherine Debrunner: and I'm so proud of what we did last year here. 185 00:12:19,530 --> 00:12:22,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: You do well on flat courses. You do well on hilly courses. You obviously had an 186 00:12:22,260 --> 00:12:26,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible race in New York last year. Do you feel 187 00:12:26,130 --> 00:12:28,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: that one suits you more than the other? Do you 188 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:31,199 Rob Simmelkjaer: like the hills? Do you feel that you compete well at 189 00:12:31,770 --> 00:12:34,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: the hills or would you rather stay on the flat? If you 190 00:12:35,190 --> 00:12:37,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: have that one race to win, which would you prefer? Flat or 191 00:12:38,220 --> 00:12:39,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: with some hills? 192 00:12:40,140 --> 00:12:42,358 Catherine Debrunner: Well, there are a lot of New York people here, so I need 193 00:12:42,359 --> 00:12:48,270 Catherine Debrunner: to (inaudible) I guess, not that much. Now of course Europe 194 00:12:48,270 --> 00:12:52,260 Catherine Debrunner: is much more challenging because of the hill and especially the 195 00:12:52,260 --> 00:13:00,719 Catherine Debrunner: start on this big bridge. But it's everywhere amazing to 196 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,120 Catherine Debrunner: win if it's a flat course or if it's a 197 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:07,559 Catherine Debrunner: hilly course. But New York, I definitely had to prepare 198 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,829 Catherine Debrunner: really well with the hills. We found a hill in 199 00:13:10,830 --> 00:13:14,970 Catherine Debrunner: the Netherlands, which is pretty similar to the bridge in New York. 200 00:13:15,510 --> 00:13:18,030 Catherine Debrunner: And I remember the first time I went up this 201 00:13:18,030 --> 00:13:21,030 Catherine Debrunner: hill and said to my coach, " You are crazy to let me 202 00:13:21,030 --> 00:13:25,200 Catherine Debrunner: up there." And that I was suffering and I was complaining 203 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:29,309 Catherine Debrunner: a lot, but every time it went better. And I'm 204 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:32,910 Catherine Debrunner: so proud that I could win that race. 205 00:13:35,010 --> 00:13:36,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: They say you can make it there, you can make 206 00:13:36,929 --> 00:13:39,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: it anywhere in New York. So apparently you've done that 207 00:13:39,660 --> 00:13:42,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: and you're continuing to do it here as well. You 208 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:47,579 Rob Simmelkjaer: must be exhausted after Paris doing everything you did. So 209 00:13:47,580 --> 00:13:50,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: you've got Berlin, you've got Chicago coming up, is that 210 00:13:50,460 --> 00:13:52,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: right? And then you're going to take a break for 211 00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:52,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: a while? 212 00:13:53,670 --> 00:13:57,570 Catherine Debrunner: Exactly. It has been a super intense time. I did 213 00:13:57,570 --> 00:14:00,300 Catherine Debrunner: my first races this year already at the end of 214 00:14:00,780 --> 00:14:06,179 Catherine Debrunner: January (inaudible) and now actually we went all till 215 00:14:06,750 --> 00:14:11,790 Catherine Debrunner: now and as we were... Yeah, this marathon only three weeks after 216 00:14:11,790 --> 00:14:16,320 Catherine Debrunner: the really tough course in Paris, which was actually even tougher 217 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:16,920 Catherine Debrunner: than New York. 218 00:14:16,979 --> 00:14:20,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: And this was at the course that the runners were on in 219 00:14:20,730 --> 00:14:22,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Olympics, but still very difficult course. 220 00:14:23,250 --> 00:14:28,680 Catherine Debrunner: Yeah, it was a different course and especially the last from 221 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:37,800 Catherine Debrunner: 36K to 41, it was 5. 2K cobblestones, and really 222 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:41,820 Catherine Debrunner: hard cobblestones. So we were shaking around that race and 223 00:14:41,910 --> 00:14:46,140 Catherine Debrunner: I did not realize how steep it goes actually uphill 224 00:14:46,140 --> 00:14:47,610 Catherine Debrunner: up the Arc de Triomphe. 225 00:14:50,580 --> 00:14:50,581 Rob Simmelkjaer: On the Champs-Élysées. 226 00:14:50,581 --> 00:14:53,700 Catherine Debrunner: Yes. I think we both had really mixed feelings about 227 00:14:53,700 --> 00:14:59,490 Catherine Debrunner: that course because it was just not accessible for us 228 00:14:59,490 --> 00:15:03,960 Catherine Debrunner: and it was all about the monuments and seeing nice 229 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:07,002 Catherine Debrunner: pictures maybe, but I think it was really at (inaudible) . 230 00:15:07,002 --> 00:15:11,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: I mean had you ever raced on cobblestones before? Do you have 231 00:15:11,940 --> 00:15:15,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: that experience before? And as you said, those are big 232 00:15:15,060 --> 00:15:18,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: cobblestones on the Champs-Élysées. Had you ever experienced anything like that? 233 00:15:19,740 --> 00:15:23,310 Catherine Debrunner: No, never like this kind of cobblestones. I mean here in Berlin 234 00:15:23,700 --> 00:15:28,859 Catherine Debrunner: we have also about two and half meters cobblestones, but 235 00:15:28,860 --> 00:15:33,750 Catherine Debrunner: they are really easy ones and the last 200 to 236 00:15:33,750 --> 00:15:37,620 Catherine Debrunner: go anyway (inaudible) so you don't feel it anymore. But I 237 00:15:37,620 --> 00:15:42,870 Catherine Debrunner: think what we experienced in Paris was something what we all never 238 00:15:42,870 --> 00:15:44,160 Catherine Debrunner: experienced before. 239 00:15:45,630 --> 00:15:49,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: Something new. We got flats, you've got hills, you've got cobblestones 240 00:15:49,170 --> 00:15:51,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: in your repertoire so you can do it all. 241 00:15:51,660 --> 00:15:52,500 Catherine Debrunner: But what's the next? 242 00:15:52,500 --> 00:15:56,002 Rob Simmelkjaer: Maybe on a beach? I don't know. That would be about (inaudible) . 243 00:15:55,830 --> 00:15:57,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: But you could try anything I guess, there's a lot 244 00:15:57,930 --> 00:16:02,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: of different things you can try. So anybody who's been 245 00:16:02,070 --> 00:16:06,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: around Berlin this week will see your picture. You are now everywhere 246 00:16:06,270 --> 00:16:10,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: thanks to your partnership with New Balance as a part of this 247 00:16:10,410 --> 00:16:15,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: Run Your Way campaign. Talk about that, the campaign with 248 00:16:15,180 --> 00:16:17,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: New Balance, how it all came about and what does it mean for you 249 00:16:17,850 --> 00:16:18,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: to be a part of this? 250 00:16:19,530 --> 00:16:23,310 Catherine Debrunner: It's quite a long story actually. I had this dream 251 00:16:23,370 --> 00:16:27,930 Catherine Debrunner: really long already to be ambassador of a clothing brand 252 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:32,700 Catherine Debrunner: and I realized quick that as a para- athlete, but 253 00:16:32,700 --> 00:16:36,780 Catherine Debrunner: most especially as an athlete in a wheelchair, it's super, 254 00:16:36,780 --> 00:16:41,280 Catherine Debrunner: super difficult to get sponsored by a clothing brand. And 255 00:16:41,700 --> 00:16:44,340 Catherine Debrunner: I had talks to a lot of different brands and 256 00:16:44,730 --> 00:16:48,540 Catherine Debrunner: some of them gave me really honest answers and said, " 257 00:16:48,540 --> 00:16:52,530 Catherine Debrunner: Sorry, but we cannot take someone who cannot stand because 258 00:16:52,890 --> 00:16:56,400 Catherine Debrunner: for the campaign or photo shootings you need to be 259 00:16:56,400 --> 00:17:02,010 Catherine Debrunner: able to walk or stand." So it was tough, that 260 00:17:02,010 --> 00:17:06,390 Catherine Debrunner: answer, but I was grateful that I actually knew what 261 00:17:06,390 --> 00:17:09,720 Catherine Debrunner: the problem was because I did not really understand what 262 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:14,670 Catherine Debrunner: the issue was. So by a coincidence I met a 263 00:17:14,670 --> 00:17:19,020 Catherine Debrunner: friend and she told me try New Balance Switzerland. And 264 00:17:19,020 --> 00:17:22,050 Catherine Debrunner: at that point I did not really know that brand 265 00:17:22,050 --> 00:17:25,830 Catherine Debrunner: so well and I contacted them on Instagram and it 266 00:17:26,310 --> 00:17:30,900 Catherine Debrunner: didn't take half a day and I already got an 267 00:17:30,900 --> 00:17:34,830 Catherine Debrunner: answer and they said, " Yeah, please join us." And there 268 00:17:34,830 --> 00:17:38,159 Catherine Debrunner: it all started and I always felt so welcome in 269 00:17:38,340 --> 00:17:43,470 Catherine Debrunner: team New Balance Switzerland and step by step I worked 270 00:17:43,470 --> 00:17:48,990 Catherine Debrunner: forward and now seeing here running this campaign in the 271 00:17:48,990 --> 00:17:52,859 Catherine Debrunner: whole city of Berlin but worldwide that makes me so 272 00:17:52,859 --> 00:17:55,889 Catherine Debrunner: proud and I actually have not the words for it. 273 00:17:56,820 --> 00:18:01,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's amazing. And by the way, I think you'll all agree that 274 00:18:01,380 --> 00:18:03,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: you look great in the New Balance sneakers that you're 275 00:18:03,450 --> 00:18:10,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: wearing. They look absolutely fantastic on you. So congratulations to 276 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:14,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: you and congratulations to New Balance Switzerland for seeing that 277 00:18:14,580 --> 00:18:20,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: possibility and putting the investment behind an athlete like you. 278 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:25,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: Have you started to sense the impact from being featured 279 00:18:25,830 --> 00:18:29,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: in this? Are you being recognized more? Is it changing 280 00:18:29,490 --> 00:18:31,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: anything for you being a part of a campaign like this? 281 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:36,030 Catherine Debrunner: I think you should ask me the question maybe in 282 00:18:36,030 --> 00:18:40,410 Catherine Debrunner: half a year because the campaign just started some days 283 00:18:40,410 --> 00:18:44,880 Catherine Debrunner: ago, but I'm sure that there will be a lot 284 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:51,480 Catherine Debrunner: of great opportunities thanks to this campaign and I'm just 285 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:57,660 Catherine Debrunner: so grateful for New Balance that they include everyone. For 286 00:18:57,660 --> 00:19:04,800 Catherine Debrunner: them, every person is unique and they don't care if 287 00:19:04,830 --> 00:19:09,330 Catherine Debrunner: it's someone who's blind or in a wheelchair or who runs 288 00:19:09,390 --> 00:19:12,210 Catherine Debrunner: just for fun. I mean also here in Berlin, there 289 00:19:12,210 --> 00:19:14,910 Catherine Debrunner: are so many people running just for fun. It's not 290 00:19:14,910 --> 00:19:18,840 Catherine Debrunner: all about top athletes and I think that's a great 291 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:23,760 Catherine Debrunner: spirit New Balance has that running is universal like music 292 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:28,260 Catherine Debrunner: and that should be the goal I think to include everybody. 293 00:19:29,100 --> 00:19:32,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: 100%. We couldn't agree more at New York Road Runners 294 00:19:32,100 --> 00:19:36,689 Rob Simmelkjaer: and that's what we've seen in the sport, the explosion 295 00:19:36,690 --> 00:19:41,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: of popularity, the fact that Berlin is expecting over 50,000 296 00:19:41,010 --> 00:19:44,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: finishers this Sunday, most of those folks are running well 297 00:19:44,700 --> 00:19:48,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: over three hours. So it's that everyday runner that is 298 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: making the sport as exciting and as popular as it 299 00:19:51,180 --> 00:19:53,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: is right now in the everyday athlete. And you are 300 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:57,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: obviously an elite athlete of a type that people are 301 00:19:57,270 --> 00:19:59,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: now starting to understand it's part of this as well, 302 00:19:59,700 --> 00:20:03,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: so congratulations. So I'm curious for the future Catherine, for 303 00:20:03,030 --> 00:20:06,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: you and for the sport of wheelchair racing, what are you 304 00:20:06,390 --> 00:20:10,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: hoping to see? Is it new technology with chairs that 305 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:12,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: you think will continue to see new records? I mean 306 00:20:12,930 --> 00:20:15,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: the runners are seeing it with the shoes, obviously the 307 00:20:15,330 --> 00:20:17,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: shoes are making a huge difference. What's the technology in 308 00:20:17,970 --> 00:20:20,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: wheelchair racing that is going to keep pushing the envelope? 309 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:26,790 Catherine Debrunner: I think our sport is still quite young and we 310 00:20:26,790 --> 00:20:31,380 Catherine Debrunner: just started and I'm sure that the times will go 311 00:20:31,380 --> 00:20:35,280 Catherine Debrunner: down a lot and I really hope for our sport 312 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:39,810 Catherine Debrunner: that the professionality, how it has been the last years 313 00:20:39,810 --> 00:20:45,270 Catherine Debrunner: now, that it goes further in everything from material to 314 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:52,169 Catherine Debrunner: nutrition, in literally everything and that we really can reach 315 00:20:52,170 --> 00:20:56,220 Catherine Debrunner: the limits. I think they are most of the time 316 00:20:56,220 --> 00:20:59,880 Catherine Debrunner: in our head, but there is so much more possible than 317 00:20:59,880 --> 00:21:03,900 Catherine Debrunner: we think. And also what I see now in the 318 00:21:04,170 --> 00:21:08,399 Catherine Debrunner: women's field, we push each other to new limits and 319 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:09,450 Catherine Debrunner: that's so amazing. 320 00:21:10,530 --> 00:21:12,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: And for you, after this break you're going to take, 321 00:21:12,810 --> 00:21:16,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: after Chicago, have you set any goals in your mind 322 00:21:16,020 --> 00:21:21,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: for 2025? You obviously had this 2024 that is going 323 00:21:21,750 --> 00:21:23,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: to be unforgettable for anyone for the rest of their 324 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:27,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: lives, but for you, have you thought about 2025 and 325 00:21:27,030 --> 00:21:27,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: any goals? 326 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:34,950 Catherine Debrunner: Not yet. 24 has been so amazing and I really need 327 00:21:34,950 --> 00:21:39,720 Catherine Debrunner: a break and then I will realize it all and 328 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:43,500 Catherine Debrunner: then make new goals for the next year. But what 329 00:21:43,500 --> 00:21:46,139 Catherine Debrunner: I know I will not stop next year for sure. 330 00:21:46,290 --> 00:21:49,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. Well we know that you're going to take a 331 00:21:49,230 --> 00:21:52,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: break from New York this year and we understand that 332 00:21:52,050 --> 00:21:54,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: of course, you need a break, but we still owe 333 00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:58,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: you a little something from your incredible day in 2023 334 00:21:58,890 --> 00:22:01,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: in New York. And so to help deliver a piece 335 00:22:01,290 --> 00:22:04,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: of hardware that we still owe you from last year, 336 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:07,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm going to invite our race director of the TCS New 337 00:22:07,050 --> 00:22:09,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: York City Marathon, Ted Metellus up to the stage and 338 00:22:09,930 --> 00:22:12,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: Ted has a little something for you here. Ted. 339 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:16,619 Ted Metellus: All right Rob, I might need your help here because 340 00:22:16,619 --> 00:22:19,379 Ted Metellus: I'm holding and speaking all at the same time and 341 00:22:19,380 --> 00:22:21,810 Ted Metellus: I have some talking points that I want to hit here 342 00:22:22,020 --> 00:22:24,150 Ted Metellus: for you. Catherine, thank you so very much for being 343 00:22:24,150 --> 00:22:26,790 Ted Metellus: a part of the New York Road Runners community and 344 00:22:26,790 --> 00:22:29,700 Ted Metellus: the TCS New York City Marathon your very first time. We 345 00:22:29,700 --> 00:22:33,510 Ted Metellus: have a very special gift for you here. We get 346 00:22:33,510 --> 00:22:36,899 Ted Metellus: this set. So here we go. We have this lovely 347 00:22:36,930 --> 00:22:40,440 Ted Metellus: Tiffany plate brought to you here and this is your 348 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:46,500 Ted Metellus: presentation of the (inaudible) Trophy here. So on behalf 349 00:22:46,500 --> 00:22:48,390 Ted Metellus: of New York Road Runners, the TCS New York City 350 00:22:48,390 --> 00:22:52,020 Ted Metellus: Marathon and our team here, congratulations and thank you for the 351 00:22:52,020 --> 00:22:54,899 Ted Metellus: amazing work that you have done, not just in New 352 00:22:54,900 --> 00:22:56,820 Ted Metellus: York, but what you've done globally in the sport. 353 00:22:58,500 --> 00:22:59,609 Catherine Debrunner: Thank you so much. 354 00:23:05,310 --> 00:23:09,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's a beautiful plate for a beautiful champion from last 355 00:23:09,030 --> 00:23:12,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: year and we're happy for you. We wish you luck 356 00:23:12,330 --> 00:23:15,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: on Sunday and wish you luck for the rest of 357 00:23:15,210 --> 00:23:18,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: the year and just thank you for everything and for 358 00:23:18,270 --> 00:23:20,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: being an amazing champion. We'll miss you this year, but 359 00:23:20,580 --> 00:23:23,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: can't wait to hopefully have you back in 2025. 360 00:23:23,580 --> 00:23:26,580 Catherine Debrunner: Thank you so much for this lovely podcast and I wish you 361 00:23:26,580 --> 00:23:28,230 Catherine Debrunner: all the best for Sunday as well. 362 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:36,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you Catherine Debrunner. All right, so terrific having Catherine 363 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:38,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: join us and I'm going to keep Ted up here 364 00:23:38,460 --> 00:23:41,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: for a minute to talk a little Berlin. Oh, Ted's 365 00:23:41,460 --> 00:23:44,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: got a mic. Great. So hello Mr. Metellus. It's not 366 00:23:45,030 --> 00:23:48,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: our race this weekend, so you can relax a little 367 00:23:48,900 --> 00:23:51,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: bit for at least another weekend before we get back 368 00:23:51,810 --> 00:23:54,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: to the grind in New York. But what are you 369 00:23:54,359 --> 00:23:55,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: thinking about Berlin this weekend? 370 00:23:57,210 --> 00:23:59,639 Ted Metellus: A lot of things. First and foremost, a huge happy 371 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:02,790 Ted Metellus: 50th to them. Every time I see a member of 372 00:24:02,910 --> 00:24:06,030 Ted Metellus: the Berlin Marathon team, I greet them with a happy 373 00:24:06,030 --> 00:24:09,929 Ted Metellus: 50th. With great pride, the energy, it's been amazing here. 374 00:24:09,930 --> 00:24:13,199 Ted Metellus: The city's truly embraced it. Lots of the athletes are 375 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:16,710 Ted Metellus: super excited for this, so it's front of mind. And 376 00:24:16,890 --> 00:24:20,520 Ted Metellus: also thinking in 37 days we'll be having our own 377 00:24:20,550 --> 00:24:24,210 Ted Metellus: little party with over 50,000 athletes that'll be running through 378 00:24:24,210 --> 00:24:27,540 Ted Metellus: the city of New York. So it's been a great, 379 00:24:27,540 --> 00:24:29,760 Ted Metellus: great welcoming weekend. Lots of love here. 380 00:24:30,570 --> 00:24:34,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. And we're excited. So we're going to get ourselves 381 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:36,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: through this weekend and then it's right back to work 382 00:24:36,750 --> 00:24:38,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: and Ted, you'll be back on a podcast I'm sure 383 00:24:38,820 --> 00:24:42,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: before New York to take everybody through all the ins 384 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:46,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: and outs of running the 2024 TCS New York City 385 00:24:46,410 --> 00:24:48,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon. So you've got that to look forward to, but 386 00:24:48,780 --> 00:24:50,909 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the meantime, I've got a little work to do 387 00:24:50,910 --> 00:24:51,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: this Sunday myself. 388 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:54,240 Ted Metellus: Yes, what a perfect segue. It's like you've done this 389 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:57,030 Ted Metellus: before. When you were talking about the work that we 390 00:24:57,030 --> 00:24:59,280 Ted Metellus: have to do leading up to our TCS New York City 391 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:02,879 Ted Metellus: Marathon. We are two days away from the BMW Berlin 392 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:06,210 Ted Metellus: Marathon. You mentioned just briefly that it's been 11 years 393 00:25:06,210 --> 00:25:10,980 Ted Metellus: since your last marathon and in preparation for this, the 394 00:25:10,980 --> 00:25:13,020 Ted Metellus: one question that I wanted to ask you is really 395 00:25:13,020 --> 00:25:16,170 Ted Metellus: kick this thing off is, it's been 11 years, what 396 00:25:16,200 --> 00:25:21,660 Ted Metellus: would Rob Simmelkjaer say to Rob Simmelkjaer 11 years ago getting 397 00:25:21,660 --> 00:25:25,290 Ted Metellus: ready to run their second New York City Marathon? 398 00:25:26,580 --> 00:25:27,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's a good question. 399 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:30,002 Ted Metellus: (inaudible) . 400 00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:32,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: When I ran back in 2013, I was running with 401 00:25:32,670 --> 00:25:35,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: Fred's team, an amazing charity partner that we have in 402 00:25:35,940 --> 00:25:39,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York, and that was an amazing experience. I had 403 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:42,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: this great community and the training was perfect and the 404 00:25:42,810 --> 00:25:46,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: day was perfect and everything was perfect. So I realized 405 00:25:46,710 --> 00:25:50,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: that having a team is a huge part of what 406 00:25:50,580 --> 00:25:53,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: makes you successful, whether it's Team for Kids, which we're 407 00:25:53,130 --> 00:25:54,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to talk about in a bit or one of 408 00:25:54,810 --> 00:25:57,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: the many teams that are out there. And so unlike 409 00:25:57,960 --> 00:25:59,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: the first time I ran a marathon where I did 410 00:25:59,310 --> 00:26:02,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: it all by myself, I learned the value of teamwork. 411 00:26:02,970 --> 00:26:05,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: And so for this one, I've had a team as 412 00:26:05,609 --> 00:26:08,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: well. I've trained with our group training classes in New 413 00:26:08,460 --> 00:26:10,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: York. I've done lots and lots of my training in 414 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:13,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: Central Park with that amazing group training group and our 415 00:26:13,410 --> 00:26:16,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: phenomenal coaches at New York Road Runners. I've done a 416 00:26:16,140 --> 00:26:18,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: couple of my long runs with Team for Kids in 417 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:21,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York, so I felt some support there. And then 418 00:26:21,090 --> 00:26:23,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: I've also been very lucky to have as my running 419 00:26:23,790 --> 00:26:27,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: mate and on Sunday, my pacer, the one and only 420 00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:30,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: Roberto Mandje, who so many of you know out there is 421 00:26:31,350 --> 00:26:33,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great head of coaching for so many years at 422 00:26:33,300 --> 00:26:36,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners, former Olympic athlete. And so Roberto 423 00:26:36,750 --> 00:26:40,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: is going to try to drag me through these 26. 424 00:26:40,109 --> 00:26:40,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: 2 miles. 425 00:26:40,710 --> 00:26:42,959 Ted Metellus: You guys have been hammering some miles together last weekend 426 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:45,630 Ted Metellus: in the Bronx. You crushed it and you had a PR for your 427 00:26:45,630 --> 00:26:46,500 Ted Metellus: 10 mile, correct? 428 00:26:46,500 --> 00:26:49,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: I did. I had a PR by five minutes at 429 00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:52,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: the New Balance Bronx 10 mile. Hopefully I didn't leave 430 00:26:52,050 --> 00:26:54,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: it all in the Bronx because I got to bring 431 00:26:54,420 --> 00:26:57,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: some here to Berlin. But I mean having a former 432 00:26:57,450 --> 00:27:00,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: Olympian with you as you go out and run a 433 00:27:00,810 --> 00:27:03,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon, it gives you a little more confidence. There's no 434 00:27:03,090 --> 00:27:03,391 Rob Simmelkjaer: question about it. 435 00:27:03,391 --> 00:27:03,392 Ted Metellus: 100%. 436 00:27:03,392 --> 00:27:07,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: You know what it does for me and anybody who has run 437 00:27:07,350 --> 00:27:09,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: with a pacer or even one of the pacing groups 438 00:27:09,990 --> 00:27:11,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: and we've got in New York, of course we've got 439 00:27:11,940 --> 00:27:14,909 Rob Simmelkjaer: all those pacing groups that do such a great job 440 00:27:14,910 --> 00:27:18,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: getting people through the marathon at their goal time. It 441 00:27:18,420 --> 00:27:22,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: just takes so much of the mental stress away to 442 00:27:22,230 --> 00:27:25,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: not have to be looking at your watch, looking at 443 00:27:25,260 --> 00:27:28,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: a pace band, trying to think through your mind, am 444 00:27:28,500 --> 00:27:30,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: I on the pace I want? It just takes it 445 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:34,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: all away and you've got somebody who's working with you 446 00:27:34,470 --> 00:27:36,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: to try to keep you on that pace. Obviously your 447 00:27:36,660 --> 00:27:39,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: body's got to be down with the program, otherwise it's 448 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:42,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: not going to happen. But that's got to be there. 449 00:27:42,660 --> 00:27:44,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: You got to have the training put in, but at 450 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:48,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: least your mind can rest knowing that somebody's got your back. 451 00:27:49,020 --> 00:27:51,270 Ted Metellus: Well, you know it's funny, I'm watching you here and you're 452 00:27:51,270 --> 00:27:54,750 Ted Metellus: truly beaming. If you can't see it, you could definitely 453 00:27:54,750 --> 00:27:57,420 Ted Metellus: feel it and hear it on the pod here. And 454 00:27:57,690 --> 00:28:02,220 Ted Metellus: you were talking about running a marathon a little over a year ago 455 00:28:02,220 --> 00:28:04,830 Ted Metellus: and you had a plan and you had to navigate through some 456 00:28:04,830 --> 00:28:07,440 Ted Metellus: injuries and whatnot to get to where you are, but 457 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:11,609 Ted Metellus: you really and truly sound ready. You are ready to 458 00:28:11,609 --> 00:28:14,550 Ted Metellus: go. Two days you're going to crush this, you're going 459 00:28:14,550 --> 00:28:17,040 Ted Metellus: to have an incredible experience. Obviously the team here in 460 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:19,679 Ted Metellus: Berlin are super excited to have you. Tell us a 461 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:23,220 Ted Metellus: little bit about what is motivating you? You ran for 462 00:28:23,280 --> 00:28:26,670 Ted Metellus: Fred's team before, what and who are you running for 463 00:28:26,670 --> 00:28:27,359 Ted Metellus: this time around? 464 00:28:28,380 --> 00:28:29,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's a great question. 465 00:28:29,609 --> 00:28:30,810 Ted Metellus: Again, I'm crushing it. 466 00:28:30,810 --> 00:28:33,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: You're good, you're really good. We should have you do this 467 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:37,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: more often. I love it. For me, I did not 468 00:28:37,109 --> 00:28:39,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: think I would run another marathon after 2013. I had 469 00:28:39,510 --> 00:28:44,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: no plans to. I think being around this community as 470 00:28:44,430 --> 00:28:47,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: I am day in and day out, it's just hard 471 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:51,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: not to be inspired by it. And it's impossible in 472 00:28:51,420 --> 00:28:54,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: fact. And whether it's in New York or going to 473 00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:58,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: the other Abbott World Marathon Majors and being in these 474 00:28:58,380 --> 00:29:02,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: places with all these inspirational people, I just couldn't show 475 00:29:02,820 --> 00:29:04,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: up again and be like, " Okay, I'm going to watch 476 00:29:04,650 --> 00:29:07,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: this thing." I just had to be a part of 477 00:29:07,350 --> 00:29:11,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: it. And for me it's special because you remember I 478 00:29:11,130 --> 00:29:14,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: did take a shot at running Chicago last year. 479 00:29:14,340 --> 00:29:14,940 Ted Metellus: Yes, correct. 480 00:29:15,030 --> 00:29:18,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: And I got injured over the summer and had to 481 00:29:18,330 --> 00:29:20,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: call that off. And so I looked ahead to this 482 00:29:20,700 --> 00:29:23,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: year knowing it was the 50th anniversary in Berlin, knowing 483 00:29:23,850 --> 00:29:26,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: I was going to be here to help them celebrate 484 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:28,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: that. I just thought, well, why not give it another 485 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:31,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: shot? And the training went better. I think I ramped 486 00:29:31,590 --> 00:29:33,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: up at a better pace and so I was able to 487 00:29:33,660 --> 00:29:37,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: avoid injuries. And it reminds me, Ted, of what I 488 00:29:37,890 --> 00:29:40,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: said at the starting line of our marathon last year 489 00:29:41,190 --> 00:29:43,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: and what I'm going to say this year, and I think 490 00:29:43,050 --> 00:29:45,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: every year, which is to all the runners at the 491 00:29:45,900 --> 00:29:51,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: starting line, congratulations. Because it is really hard to get 492 00:29:51,330 --> 00:29:54,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: to the starting line of a marathon. I tried and 493 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:56,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: failed last year. It looks like I'm getting to the 494 00:29:56,700 --> 00:29:59,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: starting line this year if nothing befalls me in the next 495 00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:02,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: 48 hours. And I am proud to have gotten to the 496 00:30:02,610 --> 00:30:06,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: starting line of another marathon now at my advanced age 497 00:30:06,630 --> 00:30:10,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: of 50 something. So it's exciting to do it and 498 00:30:10,380 --> 00:30:12,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's exciting to be here to share it with you. 499 00:30:12,690 --> 00:30:14,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: I know I'll see you at the finish line. 500 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:14,400 Ted Metellus: 100%. 501 00:30:14,550 --> 00:30:16,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: So many of our colleagues at Road runners, we've got 502 00:30:16,590 --> 00:30:19,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of employees and colleagues of ours running, so 503 00:30:19,260 --> 00:30:22,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: many New York Road Runners members out there as well. 504 00:30:22,380 --> 00:30:24,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: Team for Kids members who are about to have a 505 00:30:24,120 --> 00:30:26,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: conversation with one of them. So thanks Ted for coming 506 00:30:26,610 --> 00:30:28,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: up and chatting with me for a couple of minutes. 507 00:30:28,050 --> 00:30:28,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: I appreciate it. 508 00:30:28,380 --> 00:30:30,510 Ted Metellus: Absolutely. I want to wish you the best. I've been 509 00:30:30,510 --> 00:30:33,330 Ted Metellus: putting you in bubble wrap to make sure you're safe 510 00:30:33,330 --> 00:30:36,690 Ted Metellus: and there's no issues. Really inspired by your story. I 511 00:30:36,690 --> 00:30:44,310 Ted Metellus: also ran the 2013 TCS New York City Marathon, so maybe one 512 00:30:44,310 --> 00:30:45,990 Ted Metellus: day you'll inspire me to run another one. 513 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:47,221 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm going to start working on that. 514 00:30:47,221 --> 00:30:47,222 Ted Metellus: All right. 515 00:30:47,222 --> 00:30:51,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: The day after our marathon. As soon as it's over, 516 00:30:51,300 --> 00:30:52,141 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'll start to inspire you to run again. 517 00:30:52,141 --> 00:30:54,930 Ted Metellus: Without a doubt. Well listen, best of luck. We'll be cheering for 518 00:30:54,930 --> 00:30:58,800 Ted Metellus: you for 26. 2 strong miles on Sunday and looking 519 00:30:58,800 --> 00:31:00,180 Ted Metellus: forward to you at the finish line for what will 520 00:31:00,180 --> 00:31:02,100 Ted Metellus: be one of the greatest celebrations ever. 521 00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:04,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you my friend. Ted Metellus, the race director of the 522 00:31:04,770 --> 00:31:09,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: TCS New York City Marathon. Thank you, Ted. All right, 523 00:31:09,750 --> 00:31:13,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: now on to today's member moment. She's taking on her 524 00:31:13,890 --> 00:31:18,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: first ever international marathon this Sunday in support of Team 525 00:31:18,150 --> 00:31:20,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: for Kids, which of course is the charity program for 526 00:31:20,820 --> 00:31:24,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runner's youth and community programs. Arlene Rivera 527 00:31:25,020 --> 00:31:27,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: had always dreamed of running the TCS New York City 528 00:31:27,150 --> 00:31:32,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon, but it wasn't until 2022 after facing a particularly 529 00:31:32,580 --> 00:31:35,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: tough year that she decided it was time to pursue 530 00:31:35,820 --> 00:31:38,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: her marathon dreams. And when she sets her mind to 531 00:31:38,550 --> 00:31:42,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: something, Arlene sees it through. In less than two years, 532 00:31:42,210 --> 00:31:46,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: she has now completed multiple half- marathons, conquered her first 533 00:31:46,500 --> 00:31:50,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon at the California International Marathon. And if all goes 534 00:31:50,250 --> 00:31:54,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: well, she will count three marathons in the next five 535 00:31:54,180 --> 00:31:59,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: weeks. That is crazy. The BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, 536 00:31:59,130 --> 00:32:01,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: then the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and then of 537 00:32:01,470 --> 00:32:06,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: course the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. So let's welcome 538 00:32:06,060 --> 00:32:13,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: up to the stage Arlene Rivera. Welcome. Thanks for coming. 539 00:32:13,110 --> 00:32:14,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: Welcome to Set the Pace. 540 00:32:14,430 --> 00:32:15,660 Arlene Rivera: Thank you for having me. 541 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:18,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: Great to see you. Great to have you as a 542 00:32:18,270 --> 00:32:21,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: part of Team for Kids. You guys are incredible. I 543 00:32:21,810 --> 00:32:24,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: actually am running in support of TFK as well for 544 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:28,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: my run, but talk to me about getting into this 545 00:32:28,830 --> 00:32:32,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: world of marathons. You jumped into your first half- marathon 546 00:32:33,060 --> 00:32:34,979 Rob Simmelkjaer: with only three and a half weeks of training. 547 00:32:35,070 --> 00:32:40,590 Arlene Rivera: Yes. I'm a little bit crazy. I just took a 548 00:32:40,590 --> 00:32:45,540 Arlene Rivera: leap of faith and I decided that I wanted... I 549 00:32:46,260 --> 00:32:49,320 Arlene Rivera: had this goal to run the marathon and I just 550 00:32:49,560 --> 00:32:53,790 Arlene Rivera: went on the New York Road Runners website and I saw 551 00:32:53,790 --> 00:32:56,370 Arlene Rivera: the (inaudible) was coming up, my birthday was coming up 552 00:32:56,370 --> 00:33:00,300 Arlene Rivera: and I said, " Hey, why not? Let's see." It was actually 553 00:33:00,330 --> 00:33:06,210 Arlene Rivera: all full register and I entered regardless and I ended 554 00:33:06,210 --> 00:33:09,750 Arlene Rivera: up getting an email and they're saying, " Hey, you were 555 00:33:09,750 --> 00:33:12,690 Arlene Rivera: on this waiting list." And I'm looking at the timeline. 556 00:33:12,690 --> 00:33:14,310 Arlene Rivera: I'm like, " Wait, I only have three and a half 557 00:33:14,310 --> 00:33:17,219 Arlene Rivera: weeks to..." Was December. I was like, "I have only three and a half 558 00:33:17,220 --> 00:33:19,890 Arlene Rivera: weeks to do this." And I just set my mind 559 00:33:19,890 --> 00:33:21,990 Arlene Rivera: to it and I just decided this is what I'm 560 00:33:21,990 --> 00:33:22,440 Arlene Rivera: going to do. 561 00:33:23,070 --> 00:33:27,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: I always wonder with people who dive into running and 562 00:33:27,900 --> 00:33:30,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: not as a 15- year- old, but as an adult, 563 00:33:30,450 --> 00:33:33,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: what it was? What was the why for you? I 564 00:33:33,450 --> 00:33:36,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: mentioned in the intro that you had a difficult year 565 00:33:36,930 --> 00:33:41,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: at one point. What inspired you to start all of this? 566 00:33:47,010 --> 00:33:51,990 Arlene Rivera: I had a difficult year with my mental health. I 567 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:57,450 Arlene Rivera: had some challenges. My family and I were affected... There 568 00:33:57,450 --> 00:34:00,690 Arlene Rivera: was a fire in my apartment building and we were 569 00:34:00,690 --> 00:34:06,270 Arlene Rivera: affected by that. And it was just like so much 570 00:34:06,270 --> 00:34:09,900 Arlene Rivera: was out of my hands, out of my control and 571 00:34:11,820 --> 00:34:15,090 Arlene Rivera: I just felt inspired by seeing other people run. And 572 00:34:15,090 --> 00:34:19,650 Arlene Rivera: I had done 5K's in the past, sporadically here and there, 573 00:34:19,950 --> 00:34:23,430 Arlene Rivera: and I just still had this passion and this goal 574 00:34:23,430 --> 00:34:27,660 Arlene Rivera: that to complete something. I just felt like this was 575 00:34:27,660 --> 00:34:29,820 Arlene Rivera: going to be my year to take control of something 576 00:34:29,820 --> 00:34:34,830 Arlene Rivera: that I can do this. And so that was my motivation. 577 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:38,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: I can see how that would occur to you because 578 00:34:39,510 --> 00:34:41,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: in life there's so many things that we can't control. 579 00:34:43,050 --> 00:34:45,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: There can be health issues, there can be things that 580 00:34:45,750 --> 00:34:50,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: happen to us, fires or tragedies in our family. And 581 00:34:50,820 --> 00:34:54,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: so there's a lot of uncontrollables, right? And running isn't 582 00:34:54,420 --> 00:34:57,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: always controllable either, but you do have the ability to 583 00:34:57,930 --> 00:35:00,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: control a bit, right? The work you put in, the 584 00:35:00,780 --> 00:35:03,899 Rob Simmelkjaer: training you put in to running a race, it doesn't 585 00:35:03,900 --> 00:35:07,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: always work out perfectly, but oftentimes you get out what 586 00:35:07,290 --> 00:35:10,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: you put in, right? So has that been part of 587 00:35:10,469 --> 00:35:13,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: what's brought you to becoming a runner this way? Is 588 00:35:13,200 --> 00:35:16,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: that controllability and somewhat predictable nature of running? 589 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:21,239 Arlene Rivera: Absolutely. Yeah. And sometimes I think it's weird to consider 590 00:35:21,239 --> 00:35:24,719 Arlene Rivera: myself a runner. I never thought I was athletic. I've 591 00:35:24,719 --> 00:35:28,770 Arlene Rivera: always been active. But definitely it's something that I feel that 592 00:35:28,770 --> 00:35:32,340 Arlene Rivera: I can control. I can control how much energy I 593 00:35:32,340 --> 00:35:41,310 Arlene Rivera: put into it, my training, my nutrition, and basically that's really it. 594 00:35:43,290 --> 00:35:46,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: We make a big deal of our final finisher at 595 00:35:46,410 --> 00:35:49,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: the TCS New York City Marathon every year. You had the 596 00:35:49,410 --> 00:35:52,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: experience of being a final finisher, not in New York, 597 00:35:53,130 --> 00:35:55,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: but I'm told at your first marathon in California, at 598 00:35:55,920 --> 00:35:59,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: the California International Marathon. And that ended up being a 599 00:35:59,850 --> 00:36:02,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: big story. You were on the news. What was it 600 00:36:02,250 --> 00:36:05,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: like that experience of being the final finisher and what 601 00:36:05,370 --> 00:36:06,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: did you take from that? 602 00:36:06,450 --> 00:36:13,469 Arlene Rivera: It was amazing. Honestly, around mile 18 and 19, I wanted 603 00:36:13,469 --> 00:36:16,920 Arlene Rivera: to quit. I thought this is a terrible idea. 604 00:36:18,330 --> 00:36:20,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: We're not the first to think that at mile 19 of a marathon. 605 00:36:21,210 --> 00:36:24,360 Arlene Rivera: I called my husband on the phone, the plan was for him 606 00:36:24,660 --> 00:36:28,440 Arlene Rivera: to meet at about mile 23 and I called him on 607 00:36:28,440 --> 00:36:31,380 Arlene Rivera: the phone and I was like, " This is stupid. I don't 608 00:36:31,380 --> 00:36:33,930 Arlene Rivera: know why I decided to do this. I just want 609 00:36:33,930 --> 00:36:36,810 Arlene Rivera: to go home. I want to go home. Get on the plane right 610 00:36:36,810 --> 00:36:38,460 Arlene Rivera: now, go to the airport. I just want to go 611 00:36:38,460 --> 00:36:41,730 Arlene Rivera: home." And he was like, " No, you can do this. I'm going 612 00:36:41,730 --> 00:36:43,920 Arlene Rivera: to meet you." So he ended up taking an Uber, 613 00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:50,160 Arlene Rivera: he remember between 18 and 19. And I also had 614 00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:53,550 Arlene Rivera: a friend who, his name is Hassan, he was at 615 00:36:53,550 --> 00:36:56,130 Arlene Rivera: the finish line and he kept texting me. He was like, " 616 00:36:56,130 --> 00:36:59,700 Arlene Rivera: It's all just one single digits from here. You're going 617 00:36:59,700 --> 00:37:03,090 Arlene Rivera: to make it." Between him and my husband, they all in 618 00:37:03,090 --> 00:37:05,969 Arlene Rivera: this group chat texting and we're like, we're just going 619 00:37:05,969 --> 00:37:09,029 Arlene Rivera: to continue to do this. And I made it to 620 00:37:09,030 --> 00:37:12,270 Arlene Rivera: the finish line. I was surprised to see that there was people 621 00:37:12,270 --> 00:37:15,900 Arlene Rivera: there because they were taking everything down. The roads are 622 00:37:15,900 --> 00:37:20,700 Arlene Rivera: being open, I'm running against traffic. My poor husband carrying 623 00:37:20,700 --> 00:37:25,500 Arlene Rivera: my bag, my hydration vest. I was feeling exhausted. And 624 00:37:26,910 --> 00:37:29,339 Arlene Rivera: Project Finish was there and it was their first year to 625 00:37:29,340 --> 00:37:33,090 Arlene Rivera: be at the California International Marathon. And so it was 626 00:37:33,090 --> 00:37:37,110 Arlene Rivera: nice for me to be met with people. And then I was 627 00:37:37,110 --> 00:37:40,650 Arlene Rivera: surprised when the local news was there. They're like, " We want 628 00:37:40,650 --> 00:37:44,009 Arlene Rivera: to interview the last finisher because we never get to 629 00:37:44,010 --> 00:37:46,560 Arlene Rivera: see who the last finisher is. We never get to 630 00:37:46,560 --> 00:37:48,750 Arlene Rivera: see who the last person to cross that finish line is." 631 00:37:48,989 --> 00:37:50,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: It was like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? You 632 00:37:50,910 --> 00:37:52,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: feel like you phoned a friend, right? 633 00:37:52,140 --> 00:37:54,661 Arlene Rivera: Yes, they were my lifeline. 634 00:37:54,660 --> 00:37:56,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: Got on the phone... Lifeline and got you to the finish line. 635 00:37:56,940 --> 00:37:57,600 Arlene Rivera: Absolutely. 636 00:37:57,750 --> 00:37:59,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. I love it. So this is your 637 00:37:59,550 --> 00:38:01,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: first international marathon. Mine too, by the way. 638 00:38:02,130 --> 00:38:02,131 Arlene Rivera: Yes. 639 00:38:02,131 --> 00:38:05,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: So what got you to get on a plane, fly 640 00:38:05,100 --> 00:38:07,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Germany to give this a go? 641 00:38:08,219 --> 00:38:11,760 Arlene Rivera: So I have the goal to do all the majors. 642 00:38:11,820 --> 00:38:15,810 Arlene Rivera: I said I did a half- marathon, I did one in 643 00:38:15,810 --> 00:38:20,130 Arlene Rivera: California and I said, what's the next big thing? Talking with 644 00:38:20,460 --> 00:38:24,930 Arlene Rivera: my other running friends and they're like, you know, Berlin is coming up. You 645 00:38:24,930 --> 00:38:27,540 Arlene Rivera: can run with TFK. And I ran with TFK before for 646 00:38:27,540 --> 00:38:31,890 Arlene Rivera: the Brooklyn half. I reached out to them. There were 647 00:38:31,890 --> 00:38:33,660 Arlene Rivera: no spaces available. They were like, " Oh, you could get 648 00:38:33,660 --> 00:38:35,040 Arlene Rivera: on the waiting list." So I said, " Oh, you know 649 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:38,819 Arlene Rivera: what, if it happens, it happens, if it doesn't..." And 650 00:38:39,900 --> 00:38:42,930 Arlene Rivera: I get an email a few months later and they said 651 00:38:42,930 --> 00:38:46,950 Arlene Rivera: there's a spot available, first come, first serve. And I 652 00:38:46,950 --> 00:38:52,529 Arlene Rivera: was at the dentist's office actually reading my emails and 653 00:38:52,920 --> 00:38:54,600 Arlene Rivera: I told the dentist, " Hold on one moment, I have 654 00:38:54,600 --> 00:38:57,719 Arlene Rivera: to fill something out really quickly on my phone." And she was like, " 655 00:38:58,260 --> 00:39:01,200 Arlene Rivera: Okay, take your time." I was filling this out because I 656 00:39:01,200 --> 00:39:04,500 Arlene Rivera: was just so excited. And then I'm texting my husband like, " 657 00:39:04,500 --> 00:39:06,900 Arlene Rivera: Guess what? We're going to Berlin." And he's like, " What?" 658 00:39:09,060 --> 00:39:10,469 Arlene Rivera: Yeah, that was my motivation. 659 00:39:10,500 --> 00:39:13,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. So the cleaning could wait, you had 660 00:39:13,860 --> 00:39:15,899 Rob Simmelkjaer: to fill out immediately, added to Berlin. 661 00:39:15,900 --> 00:39:15,960 Arlene Rivera: Yeah, absolutely. 662 00:39:16,320 --> 00:39:18,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: It makes sense. And you mentioned Team for Kids. What 663 00:39:18,930 --> 00:39:21,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: does it mean for you to do it with that 664 00:39:21,000 --> 00:39:24,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: team? It's such an incredible community. There'll be a breakfast 665 00:39:24,090 --> 00:39:27,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: the day before the marathon. I'll come as a member 666 00:39:27,450 --> 00:39:29,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the team as well. But for those who've never 667 00:39:29,760 --> 00:39:31,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: done it, what does it mean, not just to run 668 00:39:31,830 --> 00:39:34,259 Rob Simmelkjaer: these races, but to do it with Team for Kids? 669 00:39:36,270 --> 00:39:40,500 Arlene Rivera: Just being able to be part of a community that 670 00:39:40,500 --> 00:39:44,730 Arlene Rivera: wants to keep our youth active, educated, and not just 671 00:39:44,730 --> 00:39:49,710 Arlene Rivera: the youth, the community that we live in and supporting 672 00:39:49,710 --> 00:39:53,968 Arlene Rivera: that and raising funds for that. It means a lot 673 00:39:54,030 --> 00:39:57,390 Arlene Rivera: to me because I used to teach in New York 674 00:39:57,390 --> 00:40:00,840 Arlene Rivera: City public school system and I taught art to ninth 675 00:40:00,840 --> 00:40:08,760 Arlene Rivera: graders and middle school. And sometimes not having the actual 676 00:40:09,060 --> 00:40:12,420 Arlene Rivera: space for a gym or to have activities and Team 677 00:40:12,450 --> 00:40:17,010 Arlene Rivera: for Kids gives teachers those tools so they can keep 678 00:40:17,010 --> 00:40:20,160 Arlene Rivera: the kids active. They need to be active. Kids now 679 00:40:20,160 --> 00:40:22,260 Arlene Rivera: are not as active as they were when I was growing 680 00:40:22,260 --> 00:40:26,969 Arlene Rivera: up. I rode my bike everywhere. And just having them 681 00:40:27,030 --> 00:40:29,100 Arlene Rivera: active, they can use the classroom, they can use a 682 00:40:29,100 --> 00:40:32,910 Arlene Rivera: multipurpose space, a lunchroom. They just get those tools to 683 00:40:32,910 --> 00:40:34,110 Arlene Rivera: keep the kids motivated. 684 00:40:35,040 --> 00:40:38,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: I couldn't have said that better myself. That was beautiful. 685 00:40:38,070 --> 00:40:40,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: You clearly have been listening at all those Team for 686 00:40:40,860 --> 00:40:41,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: Kids get togethers. 687 00:40:42,239 --> 00:40:42,240 Arlene Rivera: Absolutely. 688 00:40:42,240 --> 00:40:45,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: So thank you so much for that. Thank you for 689 00:40:45,120 --> 00:40:47,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: running with Team for Kids, and I just want to 690 00:40:47,880 --> 00:40:50,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: wish you all the best on Sunday. I hope you 691 00:40:50,250 --> 00:40:52,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: have a great day and I hope to see you at 692 00:40:52,410 --> 00:40:52,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: the finish line. 693 00:40:53,219 --> 00:40:54,090 Arlene Rivera: Yes, absolutely. 694 00:40:54,090 --> 00:40:55,261 Rob Simmelkjaer: Both of us with our medals on, right? 695 00:40:55,261 --> 00:40:55,531 Arlene Rivera: Absolutely. 696 00:40:55,770 --> 00:40:59,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: Let's do this. We'll do it with a selfie, with medals. Sound like 697 00:40:59,010 --> 00:40:59,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: a date? 698 00:41:00,570 --> 00:41:00,571 Arlene Rivera: Absolutely. Yes. 699 00:41:00,571 --> 00:41:00,572 Rob Simmelkjaer: Let's do it. Yes, absolutely. 700 00:41:00,572 --> 00:41:01,262 Arlene Rivera: Thank you. 701 00:41:01,530 --> 00:41:05,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, Arlene Rivera, thank you so much and appreciate 702 00:41:05,790 --> 00:41:09,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: having you here. And that does it for another episode 703 00:41:09,180 --> 00:41:11,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Set the Pace, an incredible set of guests, great 704 00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:15,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: conversations. Want to thank again, Catherine Debrunner, my friend Ted 705 00:41:15,300 --> 00:41:19,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Metellus, Arlene as well. If you like this episode, please 706 00:41:19,020 --> 00:41:21,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: make sure you go ahead, subscribe, rate, leave a comment 707 00:41:21,960 --> 00:41:24,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: for the show. I'll be back in the States with 708 00:41:24,750 --> 00:41:27,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: my friend Becks next week to talk about Berlin and 709 00:41:27,960 --> 00:41:31,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: everything coming up this fall. Everybody out there with your 710 00:41:31,110 --> 00:41:34,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: training or you're racing this weekend, have a great one. 711 00:41:34,200 --> 00:41:36,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: Good luck and enjoy the miles. We'll see you next week. 712 00:41:49,680 --> 00:41:52,320 Speaker 10: Take your running to the next level with the Peloton Tread+, 713 00:41:53,280 --> 00:41:56,700 Speaker 10: featuring a rubberized shock absorbing slap belt. It's designed to 714 00:41:56,700 --> 00:42:00,569 Speaker 10: optimize your runs and walks to the fullest potential. 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