1 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:08,250 Speaker 1: Thank you, New York. Today, we're reminded of the power 2 00:00:08,250 --> 00:00:13,710 Speaker 1: of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on your mark. 3 00:00:15,810 --> 00:00:19,380 Speaker 2: The first woman to finish for the second straight year 4 00:00:19,380 --> 00:00:22,980 Speaker 2: here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, a smiling 5 00:00:22,980 --> 00:00:24,210 Speaker 2: Miki Gorman. And why not? 6 00:00:24,510 --> 00:00:25,980 Speaker 3: 2: 29:30 the time for Grete Waitz. 7 00:00:27,780 --> 00:00:30,420 Speaker 4: Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she comes 8 00:00:30,420 --> 00:00:31,170 Speaker 4: to the line. 9 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:34,830 Speaker 5: Pointing to his chest, pointing to the USA he so 10 00:00:34,830 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 5: proudly wears across his chest. A great day for Meb Keflezighi. 11 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody, and welcome to a special holiday edition of 12 00:00:47,340 --> 00:00:50,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: Set the Pace presented by Peloton. It's the official podcast 13 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:53,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: of New York Road Runners, and I am the CEO 14 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:56,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: of NYRR, Rob Simmelkjaer. And I want to wish each and 15 00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:59,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: every one of you out there a happy, happy holiday 16 00:00:59,430 --> 00:01:04,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: season. Whether you celebrated Christmas yesterday or you're now celebrating 17 00:01:04,740 --> 00:01:08,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, I want to wish everybody a wonderful 18 00:01:08,580 --> 00:01:12,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: holiday season. Hope you're all resting, enjoying it with family, 19 00:01:12,330 --> 00:01:14,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: friends, and even if you're working, hope that you're having 20 00:01:14,940 --> 00:01:17,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great week as well. Well, this is a special 21 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:19,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: edition because we're going to take a little bit of 22 00:01:19,260 --> 00:01:23,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: a look back on some of the most inspiring conversations 23 00:01:23,130 --> 00:01:26,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: we had this past year. And one of the biggest 24 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: things we did at New York Road Runners this year 25 00:01:29,190 --> 00:01:32,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: was to launch a brand new mission statement that we 26 00:01:32,580 --> 00:01:36,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: thought was really reflective of what we as an organization 27 00:01:36,150 --> 00:01:39,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: do. This was my second full year as CEO of 28 00:01:39,569 --> 00:01:43,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners and really wanted to get the 29 00:01:43,140 --> 00:01:45,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: word out in terms of what we are, what we 30 00:01:45,660 --> 00:01:48,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: do. And so we created a new mission statement many 31 00:01:48,090 --> 00:01:51,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: of you may have seen to build healthier lives and 32 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:55,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: stronger communities through the transformative power of running. That's what 33 00:01:55,530 --> 00:02:00,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: we call our vision statement. And it really reflects so 34 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: much of what we do and what all of you 35 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:06,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: in our community do, our runners, our partners, everyone that 36 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: we work with. And we thought we'd just pull segments 37 00:02:09,270 --> 00:02:11,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: from a few of the conversations we had over the 38 00:02:11,910 --> 00:02:15,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: course of the year that really reflect that mission, what 39 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: it is that we do as an organization. And I 40 00:02:17,820 --> 00:02:20,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: hope that listening to some of these will also inspire 41 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of you because I think each and every 42 00:02:22,139 --> 00:02:25,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: one of you, you run for a reason. We all 43 00:02:25,380 --> 00:02:29,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: want to be the best version of ourselves, especially as 44 00:02:29,580 --> 00:02:33,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: we now count down the final days of this calendar 45 00:02:33,030 --> 00:02:36,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: year 2024, and look ahead to what will hopefully be 46 00:02:36,900 --> 00:02:39,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great 2025 for all of us. So hopefully you 47 00:02:39,810 --> 00:02:42,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: can draw a little inspiration as you go into your 48 00:02:42,030 --> 00:02:45,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: new year from some of the amazing people that we 49 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:48,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: have spoken to here on Set the Pace this year. 50 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:50,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: I hope all of you enjoy that. We'll look ahead 51 00:02:50,730 --> 00:02:53,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: to some great, great segments of some great conversations. 52 00:02:54,389 --> 00:02:57,120 Becs Gentry: Ready to level up your running? With the Peloton Tread 53 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:01,169 Becs Gentry: and Tread+, you can challenge yourself anytime, anywhere. Whether you're 54 00:03:01,169 --> 00:03:04,200 Becs Gentry: building strength or working on speed, Peloton has a class 55 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:09,180 Becs Gentry: for every goal, from 5 to 120 minute workouts. With 56 00:03:09,180 --> 00:03:13,290 Becs Gentry: muscle building classes and flexible training options, you'll have everything 57 00:03:13,290 --> 00:03:16,440 Becs Gentry: you need to crush your next race and then recover 58 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:20,580 Becs Gentry: from it. All access membership separate. Find your push, find 59 00:03:20,580 --> 00:03:27,330 Becs Gentry: your power at onepeloton. com/ race- training. Peloton, the official 60 00:03:27,330 --> 00:03:29,940 Becs Gentry: digital fitness partner for New York Road Runners. 61 00:03:30,570 --> 00:03:33,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, so let's jump into these conversations about how 62 00:03:33,270 --> 00:03:36,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: running can really transform lives. And I want to start with 63 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:43,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mariana Fernandez and Kirsten Ferguson, two incredibly inspiring Peloton instructors, 64 00:03:43,230 --> 00:03:46,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: each with great stories of their own. They shared with 65 00:03:46,020 --> 00:03:49,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: us how running transformed both of their lives. 66 00:03:49,650 --> 00:03:54,090 Mariana Fernandez: I had put myself into " marathon retirement" after my third 67 00:03:54,150 --> 00:04:00,180 Mariana Fernandez: marathon and I was living in New York and after 68 00:04:00,180 --> 00:04:03,390 Mariana Fernandez: just some hard blows, I would come back to running. 69 00:04:03,450 --> 00:04:05,670 Mariana Fernandez: I knew that that was the one thing I had 70 00:04:05,670 --> 00:04:08,790 Mariana Fernandez: for myself, that no matter what was happening, I could 71 00:04:08,790 --> 00:04:12,060 Mariana Fernandez: put those tennies on and go into Central Park and 72 00:04:12,060 --> 00:04:14,430 Mariana Fernandez: that it would serve me and it would bring me 73 00:04:14,430 --> 00:04:19,860 Mariana Fernandez: back to a sense of relief, a sense of checking 74 00:04:19,860 --> 00:04:24,719 Mariana Fernandez: in with my heart with how things were. And in 75 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:28,350 Mariana Fernandez: that way, that's where I felt like this is a 76 00:04:28,350 --> 00:04:30,779 Mariana Fernandez: healthy relationship that I have with something I've had my 77 00:04:30,779 --> 00:04:36,089 Mariana Fernandez: whole life. And after a massive breakup and the loss 78 00:04:36,089 --> 00:04:41,370 Mariana Fernandez: of a dear friend through suicide, really not finding anything 79 00:04:42,570 --> 00:04:46,380 Mariana Fernandez: that could give me a sense of clarity. And I 80 00:04:46,380 --> 00:04:49,140 Mariana Fernandez: remember putting my tennies on and just being like, " Let 81 00:04:49,140 --> 00:04:52,230 Mariana Fernandez: me just go outside and see what I can do, 82 00:04:52,620 --> 00:04:55,589 Mariana Fernandez: and see if I can move, and see if I 83 00:04:55,589 --> 00:04:59,970 Mariana Fernandez: can find a sense of solace." And I know that 84 00:05:00,660 --> 00:05:04,620 Mariana Fernandez: running and finding movement does that for so many people 85 00:05:04,620 --> 00:05:07,409 Mariana Fernandez: in so many different ways, and it can give you 86 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:11,520 Mariana Fernandez: the highest high and allow you to experience joy, but 87 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:14,789 Mariana Fernandez: also help you move through grief when you experience that. 88 00:05:14,790 --> 00:05:19,800 Mariana Fernandez: And I found that to be one of the biggest 89 00:05:20,310 --> 00:05:23,820 Mariana Fernandez: movements of hope in my life and to come back 90 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:28,170 Mariana Fernandez: to allow me to come into a new chapter of 91 00:05:28,170 --> 00:05:32,070 Mariana Fernandez: my life and I keep coming back to it. 92 00:05:32,610 --> 00:05:40,260 Kirsten Ferguson: I have learned so much. But the biggest thing is 93 00:05:42,420 --> 00:05:48,120 Kirsten Ferguson: that you can go through really hard things, really hard 94 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:51,990 Kirsten Ferguson: things, really hard things. And all you have to do is get back up and keep 95 00:05:51,990 --> 00:05:56,039 Kirsten Ferguson: going. Even despite it all, despite the weight, even it's 96 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:58,380 Kirsten Ferguson: heavy, you can keep going and that it doesn't have 97 00:05:58,380 --> 00:06:02,969 Kirsten Ferguson: to always look perfect. I think in my mind, I've 98 00:06:02,970 --> 00:06:07,440 Kirsten Ferguson: always had this vision of what a runner looked like, 99 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:12,690 Kirsten Ferguson: and I've had to let go of that and just 100 00:06:12,690 --> 00:06:16,739 Kirsten Ferguson: accept who I am and know that I am a 101 00:06:16,740 --> 00:06:22,350 Kirsten Ferguson: runner and I can finally say that out loud. I think just 102 00:06:22,350 --> 00:06:24,900 Kirsten Ferguson: recently I've been able to accept that like, " Wait, I 103 00:06:24,900 --> 00:06:29,279 Kirsten Ferguson: am a runner," and have let go of the vision 104 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:31,289 Kirsten Ferguson: of what I thought a runner was. So I think 105 00:06:31,890 --> 00:06:37,380 Kirsten Ferguson: learning to accept who I am today, knowing that I went through really 106 00:06:37,380 --> 00:06:41,460 Kirsten Ferguson: hard things and in two weeks this is going to 107 00:06:41,460 --> 00:06:45,540 Kirsten Ferguson: be the fun part, this is going to be the 108 00:06:45,540 --> 00:06:49,260 Kirsten Ferguson: celebration of everything, everything I've gone through. 109 00:06:49,770 --> 00:06:52,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Let's go now to two New York Road Runner members who 110 00:06:52,500 --> 00:06:55,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: we interviewed this year as part of our member moments, 111 00:06:55,230 --> 00:06:59,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: Susan Wong and Michelle Moore. For both of these runners 112 00:06:59,010 --> 00:07:03,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: running helped to transform their bodies and their minds after 113 00:07:03,029 --> 00:07:05,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: they were faced with some devastating news. 114 00:07:06,300 --> 00:07:08,159 Susan Wong: It's just really taught me to live in the present. 115 00:07:09,060 --> 00:07:13,590 Susan Wong: When I'm running, I'm grounded in the experience of running at that very moment. I listen, I 116 00:07:13,590 --> 00:07:16,590 Susan Wong: feel my heart rate, my breathing pattern. I sense my 117 00:07:16,590 --> 00:07:20,280 Susan Wong: cadence, my emotions, the weather and nature around me. It 118 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:23,520 Susan Wong: reminds me of the great fortune that I have in 119 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,130 Susan Wong: being able to wake up and live another day. And the 120 00:07:26,130 --> 00:07:29,010 Susan Wong: sad reality is that tomorrow is never guaranteed for anyone, 121 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:32,460 Susan Wong: especially so for our boys with Duchenne. I think about 122 00:07:32,460 --> 00:07:35,010 Susan Wong: that a lot and remind myself to be generous with 123 00:07:35,010 --> 00:07:38,190 Susan Wong: myself, my love and support for others. I think it's 124 00:07:38,190 --> 00:07:40,560 Susan Wong: okay to think about the future, but it's really important 125 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,770 Susan Wong: to be grounded in today and slow down because it 126 00:07:43,770 --> 00:07:44,970 Susan Wong: is truly a gift. 127 00:07:45,870 --> 00:07:50,700 Michelle Moore: So I realized that not until just this past year 128 00:07:50,700 --> 00:07:54,330 Michelle Moore: that writing and running have really played a pivotal role 129 00:07:54,330 --> 00:07:56,490 Michelle Moore: in kind of being able to recover from loss. And 130 00:07:56,490 --> 00:07:58,800 Michelle Moore: I found that in my early 20s as I was 131 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:01,980 Michelle Moore: trying to navigate this world after my brother died. And 132 00:08:01,980 --> 00:08:05,490 Michelle Moore: then it wasn't really until 20 years later, so in the 133 00:08:05,490 --> 00:08:10,080 Michelle Moore: past since 2017 that I really had this kind of 134 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,170 Michelle Moore: resurgence of where running played this really pivotal role. So 135 00:08:13,170 --> 00:08:16,980 Michelle Moore: my mom was diagnosed with ALS in 2017, and at that time 136 00:08:16,980 --> 00:08:19,380 Michelle Moore: I realized I needed to do something to take care 137 00:08:19,380 --> 00:08:22,320 Michelle Moore: of myself. As a psychologist, I had patients I was 138 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,810 Michelle Moore: caring for. I was a mother of two children. I 139 00:08:24,810 --> 00:08:26,550 Michelle Moore: had all these aspects of my life that I knew 140 00:08:26,550 --> 00:08:28,980 Michelle Moore: I had to hold together while also trying to support 141 00:08:28,980 --> 00:08:32,340 Michelle Moore: my mom and be a caretaker. And running gave me 142 00:08:32,340 --> 00:08:34,590 Michelle Moore: this place that I could go that was just for 143 00:08:34,590 --> 00:08:37,230 Michelle Moore: me where I was alone and I could be with 144 00:08:37,230 --> 00:08:40,350 Michelle Moore: my thoughts. Sometimes I could cry, I could run fast 145 00:08:40,350 --> 00:08:42,780 Michelle Moore: if I needed to, whatever I needed just to get 146 00:08:42,780 --> 00:08:46,230 Michelle Moore: the emotions flowing through. And it was such a relief 147 00:08:46,500 --> 00:08:48,840 Michelle Moore: to be able to have this space to be able 148 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:51,089 Michelle Moore: to get all the emotion out during this really pivotal 149 00:08:51,090 --> 00:08:53,700 Michelle Moore: time of my life. And at that same time, I 150 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:57,660 Michelle Moore: also realized that there was something about distance running, that 151 00:08:57,660 --> 00:09:00,780 Michelle Moore: having this time to run for long periods of time 152 00:09:01,050 --> 00:09:04,440 Michelle Moore: also was very cathartic and very therapeutic. And so I 153 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:08,099 Michelle Moore: signed up for my first half- marathon in 2017 after 154 00:09:08,100 --> 00:09:11,309 Michelle Moore: my mom's diagnosis. And after that I just got hooked 155 00:09:11,610 --> 00:09:14,160 Michelle Moore: and wanted to see how far I could take it 156 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,100 Michelle Moore: and how much further I could go. And I realized 157 00:09:17,100 --> 00:09:20,250 Michelle Moore: that a 5K then felt like a sprint and just 158 00:09:20,250 --> 00:09:24,360 Michelle Moore: wasn't enough time to really get into that pace and 159 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:28,050 Michelle Moore: that comfort space. And so getting all the way up 160 00:09:28,050 --> 00:09:33,480 Michelle Moore: to in 2023, I had an opportunity to run with 161 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:36,599 Michelle Moore: ALS Association of Greater New York during the New York 162 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:40,140 Michelle Moore: Marathon. And once I got that bib and knew I 163 00:09:40,140 --> 00:09:43,620 Michelle Moore: had secured that spot, not only was running giving me 164 00:09:43,620 --> 00:09:46,590 Michelle Moore: this physical wellness that I needed, but it also fulfilled 165 00:09:46,590 --> 00:09:49,440 Michelle Moore: the spiritual wellness. It was part of my purpose. It 166 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:52,140 Michelle Moore: was part of the reason of why I was running. 167 00:09:52,380 --> 00:09:54,840 Michelle Moore: It wasn't just about the running, it was about taking care 168 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:57,690 Michelle Moore: of all these many parts of me and being able 169 00:09:57,690 --> 00:10:00,510 Michelle Moore: to really give back to the community in a very different way 170 00:10:00,510 --> 00:10:02,490 Michelle Moore: and raise awareness for ALS. 171 00:10:03,059 --> 00:10:05,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: Over and over this year, we heard from guests that 172 00:10:05,550 --> 00:10:09,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: one of the greatest gifts running can give is that it 173 00:10:09,059 --> 00:10:11,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: teaches us that we can do more than we ever 174 00:10:11,610 --> 00:10:15,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: thought we could. David Jones told us how he used 175 00:10:15,510 --> 00:10:20,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: that knowledge to persist through a long night's trek to 176 00:10:20,130 --> 00:10:23,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: make it to his daughter's wedding. And also Amy Robach 177 00:10:23,700 --> 00:10:26,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: talked to us about how important it was for her 178 00:10:26,700 --> 00:10:29,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: to pass down that knowledge to her own children. 179 00:10:30,179 --> 00:10:34,470 David Jones: But in terms of the trek and accomplishing that, getting 180 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:39,240 David Jones: through the night in the pitch dark and through all 181 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:43,890 David Jones: the devastation and all that stuff, what it told me, 182 00:10:44,490 --> 00:10:47,610 David Jones: two things really. One is we can do far more 183 00:10:47,610 --> 00:10:54,120 David Jones: than we think we're capable of. And I think David 184 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,360 David Jones: Goggins who wrote, You Can't Hurt Me, the Navy SEAL, 185 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:04,199 David Jones: he said, " When you think you've reached your max, you're 186 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:13,020 David Jones: only about 40%." And so I believe that. I experienced 187 00:11:13,020 --> 00:11:18,360 David Jones: it pushing through. And most people who run marathons probably 188 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:21,630 David Jones: can agree with that, that there's at some point in 189 00:11:21,630 --> 00:11:25,230 David Jones: their training or some point on a race day where 190 00:11:25,410 --> 00:11:28,140 David Jones: you just have to keep pushing through and you find 191 00:11:28,140 --> 00:11:30,480 David Jones: out you're capable of more than you thought you could. 192 00:11:30,990 --> 00:11:33,600 Amy Robach: One of my favorite parts about running and always has 193 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:35,790 Amy Robach: been through all the different stages of my life is 194 00:11:35,790 --> 00:11:40,050 Amy Robach: that it's absolutely free. I mean, you can run anywhere 195 00:11:40,230 --> 00:11:42,329 Amy Robach: you are. You don't need a gym membership, you don't 196 00:11:42,330 --> 00:11:44,400 Amy Robach: need equipment. You do need shoes. That is the one 197 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:47,340 Amy Robach: thing that I know some people don't have access to. 198 00:11:47,340 --> 00:11:48,540 Amy Robach: And I know you all do a lot of work 199 00:11:48,540 --> 00:11:51,030 Amy Robach: and so many people do in making sure that kids 200 00:11:51,030 --> 00:11:53,640 Amy Robach: do have the running shoes they need. But short of 201 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:55,829 Amy Robach: that, you get yourself a pair of shoes, you can 202 00:11:55,830 --> 00:11:58,200 Amy Robach: run anywhere and you can take it wherever you go 203 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:00,360 Amy Robach: with you. And I just have always loved the freedom 204 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:03,390 Amy Robach: of that. And then just, yes, teaching kids that they're 205 00:12:03,390 --> 00:12:06,270 Amy Robach: stronger than they think. I mean, I've pushed my kids 206 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,600 Amy Robach: through running and hiking. And the whole point was to 207 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:11,700 Amy Robach: know what it's like when you can push through pain, 208 00:12:11,700 --> 00:12:13,710 Amy Robach: when you can push past pain, get to the other 209 00:12:13,710 --> 00:12:15,960 Amy Robach: side of it and really feel a sense of accomplishment. 210 00:12:16,290 --> 00:12:19,230 Amy Robach: That is part of building confidence, that is part of 211 00:12:19,230 --> 00:12:23,070 Amy Robach: building just the ability to get through tough times. I've 212 00:12:23,070 --> 00:12:26,070 Amy Robach: always said that running is a parallel to life. It 213 00:12:26,070 --> 00:12:28,800 Amy Robach: really is in so many ways. And I've used my 214 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:32,730 Amy Robach: runs to push past my own emotional pain to think 215 00:12:32,730 --> 00:12:34,260 Amy Robach: if I can get through this, I can do that. 216 00:12:34,260 --> 00:12:37,920 Amy Robach: And I'll use life to remember my runs. And when 217 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:39,720 Amy Robach: I'm on my runs, I'll remember life. " I got through 218 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:42,630 Amy Robach: this, I can do that." And just all of those types of 219 00:12:42,630 --> 00:12:45,179 Amy Robach: lessons are in a run, in a race. And if 220 00:12:45,179 --> 00:12:47,880 Amy Robach: we can give that to kids, that is an incredible 221 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:50,490 Amy Robach: tool that they can use for the rest of their lives. 222 00:12:50,970 --> 00:12:53,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: We just heard Amy Robach talking about passing along the 223 00:12:53,820 --> 00:12:58,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: lessons to her kids about what perseverance can do and 224 00:12:58,650 --> 00:13:00,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: how running can teach that lesson. Well, sometimes when you 225 00:13:00,900 --> 00:13:03,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: teach those lessons to a kid, you might just turn 226 00:13:03,900 --> 00:13:07,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: them into an Olympian. Here's three- time Olympian and world 227 00:13:07,470 --> 00:13:08,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: champion Jenny Simpson. 228 00:13:09,420 --> 00:13:12,000 Jenny Simpson: Rob, I'm so glad you asked about specifically Rising New 229 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,390 Jenny Simpson: York Road Runners because there couldn't be a more appropriate 230 00:13:15,390 --> 00:13:17,370 Jenny Simpson: time for me to be reflecting on the work I 231 00:13:17,370 --> 00:13:21,059 Jenny Simpson: did with you guys there and my own experience. Because 232 00:13:21,210 --> 00:13:25,260 Jenny Simpson: sitting here in Oviedo, Florida, I'm spending several weeks training 233 00:13:25,290 --> 00:13:30,150 Jenny Simpson: in Oviedo, staying with my high school coach in his 234 00:13:30,150 --> 00:13:34,950 Jenny Simpson: house. So those connections stay really strong. But the reason 235 00:13:34,950 --> 00:13:38,099 Jenny Simpson: I think there's such this beautiful connection, one of the 236 00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:41,040 Jenny Simpson: reasons that I was so compelled to work with Rising 237 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:44,429 Jenny Simpson: New York Road Runners is because the Road Runners provide 238 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:47,880 Jenny Simpson: free programming for public school kids. And I was just 239 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:51,420 Jenny Simpson: a public school kid. I had a public school teacher 240 00:13:51,420 --> 00:13:54,300 Jenny Simpson: who was a PE teacher who said, " This girl loves running 241 00:13:54,300 --> 00:13:57,300 Jenny Simpson: around on the playground and at recess. You should maybe 242 00:13:57,510 --> 00:14:01,620 Jenny Simpson: plug that energy into a sport," and suggested an afterschool 243 00:14:01,620 --> 00:14:05,550 Jenny Simpson: running program. And if it weren't for public school teachers 244 00:14:05,550 --> 00:14:09,929 Jenny Simpson: all along the way, including the University of Colorado for 245 00:14:10,470 --> 00:14:15,179 Jenny Simpson: 30 years of running, I've never had a private specialized 246 00:14:15,179 --> 00:14:19,350 Jenny Simpson: personal coach. I've had coaches from the public school system 247 00:14:19,350 --> 00:14:23,940 Jenny Simpson: all the way through. And it just shows how incredible 248 00:14:23,940 --> 00:14:27,990 Jenny Simpson: public school teachers are, how incredible PE and art and 249 00:14:27,990 --> 00:14:31,770 Jenny Simpson: music are for kids, how it can open up a 250 00:14:31,770 --> 00:14:35,580 Jenny Simpson: world to them. I didn't come from a family of 251 00:14:35,580 --> 00:14:39,300 Jenny Simpson: sports enthusiasts and athletes and the public school system made 252 00:14:39,300 --> 00:14:43,200 Jenny Simpson: that available and possible and exposed me to that. And 253 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,830 Jenny Simpson: so that's what New York Road Runners are doing for 254 00:14:46,860 --> 00:14:50,010 Jenny Simpson: literally over 100,000 kids in the New York City area. 255 00:14:50,010 --> 00:14:51,540 Jenny Simpson: And to be a part of that was just a 256 00:14:51,540 --> 00:14:52,560 Jenny Simpson: real privilege for me. 257 00:14:53,250 --> 00:14:56,430 Becs Gentry: Growing a business means a lot of audience attracting, a 258 00:14:56,430 --> 00:14:59,130 Becs Gentry: lot of lead scoring and a lot of long days. 259 00:14:59,460 --> 00:15:02,370 Becs Gentry: But with HubSpot, it's easier than ever for marketers to 260 00:15:02,370 --> 00:15:06,150 Becs Gentry: boost leads and score customers fast, which means pretty soon 261 00:15:06,300 --> 00:15:11,190 Becs Gentry: your company will have a lot to celebrate. Visit hubspot. com/ 262 00:15:11,670 --> 00:15:13,230 Becs Gentry: marketers to learn more. 263 00:15:13,860 --> 00:15:16,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: One of the things that makes running so special is that 264 00:15:16,650 --> 00:15:19,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: unlike other sports, the champions and the hobbyists all get 265 00:15:19,980 --> 00:15:22,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: to run the same race on the same day, the 266 00:15:22,950 --> 00:15:25,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: same course and the same time. And for people like 267 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:29,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runner's members, Christine Fagan and Michele Perez, 268 00:15:30,090 --> 00:15:32,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: the results can be intoxicating. 269 00:15:32,610 --> 00:15:35,940 Christine Fagan: So like a lot of people, I started running to 270 00:15:35,940 --> 00:15:38,940 Christine Fagan: lose some weight. I didn't start running until I was 271 00:15:38,940 --> 00:15:41,280 Christine Fagan: 40. I was going to the gym. I had gained 272 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:44,250 Christine Fagan: some weight, but then I started running and I loved 273 00:15:44,250 --> 00:15:46,650 Christine Fagan: the feeling of being outside. I loved being alone with 274 00:15:46,650 --> 00:15:49,680 Christine Fagan: my thoughts. The pounds dropped off. I ran about four 275 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:51,780 Christine Fagan: miles a day near the water, and then a lot 276 00:15:51,780 --> 00:15:54,150 Christine Fagan: of my friends ran races with New York Road Runners. 277 00:15:54,510 --> 00:15:56,730 Christine Fagan: I didn't know much about that, but my friend Mike 278 00:15:56,790 --> 00:16:00,060 Christine Fagan: encouraged me to sign up and I was hooked. 279 00:16:00,810 --> 00:16:04,890 Michele Perez: To be honest I started running because I delivered my 280 00:16:04,890 --> 00:16:08,790 Michele Perez: daughter. And after delivering her, I did suffer from postpartum 281 00:16:08,790 --> 00:16:11,130 Michele Perez: depression and I didn't know how to deal with it. 282 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:13,770 Michele Perez: A lot of my friends had already had children that 283 00:16:13,770 --> 00:16:17,010 Michele Perez: were teenagers. No one had small babies like me. And 284 00:16:17,010 --> 00:16:18,930 Michele Perez: a girlfriend of mine said, " You need to get out. 285 00:16:18,930 --> 00:16:20,609 Michele Perez: You need to be active. You need to be with 286 00:16:20,610 --> 00:16:23,760 Michele Perez: other people." I had always ran in the gym. She said, " 287 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,490 Michele Perez: Why don't you try running outside? Look for social groups." 288 00:16:26,970 --> 00:16:29,460 Michele Perez: And I searched on Facebook and I found New York 289 00:16:29,460 --> 00:16:32,940 Michele Perez: Road Runners and I immediately just started registering for races. 290 00:16:34,170 --> 00:16:36,030 Michele Perez: And it was the best thing I could have done. 291 00:16:36,060 --> 00:16:40,830 Michele Perez: I started meeting people, I started interacting with them, registering 292 00:16:40,830 --> 00:16:44,430 Michele Perez: for more races. As far as the Six Stars is 293 00:16:44,430 --> 00:16:47,400 Michele Perez: concerned, I did not have a plan. It just happened 294 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:50,670 Michele Perez: to be that I kept checking off all of these majors. 295 00:16:51,150 --> 00:16:54,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: For some runners, running can be a way to heal 296 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:58,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: from a difficult medical situation, including surgery. Rob Roberts was 297 00:16:58,290 --> 00:17:02,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: the 2024 NYRR Runner of the Year in the non- binary 298 00:17:02,610 --> 00:17:06,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: category, age 40 to 45. And Rob joined us to 299 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:07,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: talk about his journey. 300 00:17:07,890 --> 00:17:11,250 Rob Roberts: I had a, I'll call it a minor surgery, but 301 00:17:11,310 --> 00:17:16,619 Rob Roberts: important to me on March 13th of 2020, which here 302 00:17:16,619 --> 00:17:20,460 Rob Roberts: in New York was exactly two days before the hospitals 303 00:17:20,460 --> 00:17:24,930 Rob Roberts: shut down because of COVID. And running helped me with 304 00:17:24,930 --> 00:17:27,869 Rob Roberts: that recovery and helped me fill a void. I travel 305 00:17:27,869 --> 00:17:31,080 Rob Roberts: for work. I'm in consulting. I'm on the road every 306 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:33,179 Rob Roberts: week, and all of a sudden I went from that 307 00:17:33,690 --> 00:17:37,770 Rob Roberts: to never leaving my house. At the same time, the 308 00:17:37,770 --> 00:17:41,970 Rob Roberts: world was kind of falling apart around me and sanity 309 00:17:42,330 --> 00:17:45,000 Rob Roberts: and sleep were difficult to come by, and I kind 310 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,280 Rob Roberts: of had a choice that I could make. I could 311 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:50,070 Rob Roberts: sit on my phone at three in the morning and 312 00:17:50,070 --> 00:17:53,490 Rob Roberts: doom scroll and let anxiety and bad news consume me, or 313 00:17:54,150 --> 00:17:56,310 Rob Roberts: I could get out and do something kind of positive. 314 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:02,190 Rob Roberts: And following that surgery, it was a unique experience even 315 00:18:02,190 --> 00:18:06,209 Rob Roberts: for the doctor who said, " I can't approve you to 316 00:18:06,210 --> 00:18:08,190 Rob Roberts: go out and run. I can't approve you to lift 317 00:18:08,190 --> 00:18:10,830 Rob Roberts: weights until I see you. So I don't really know 318 00:18:10,830 --> 00:18:13,470 Rob Roberts: what I could do, but go out and walk." So 319 00:18:13,470 --> 00:18:16,770 Rob Roberts: I did and I started walking and I started walking further and 320 00:18:16,859 --> 00:18:19,980 Rob Roberts: I started walking faster. And then I met with the 321 00:18:19,980 --> 00:18:24,180 Rob Roberts: doctor virtually and we talked about it. I got myself, 322 00:18:24,180 --> 00:18:27,659 Rob Roberts: one of my goals was to do a half- marathon, 323 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:30,480 Rob Roberts: whether it was speed walking or jogging or whatever it 324 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:34,440 Rob Roberts: was. And I hit that goal in an unofficial way 325 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:38,220 Rob Roberts: in the summer of 2020. And my doctor was great about it. He went, " 326 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:40,800 Rob Roberts: I didn't mean that you'd never run a half- marathon. 327 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:45,600 Rob Roberts: I was just trying to prepare you for life." But he 328 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:47,850 Rob Roberts: really inspired me by saying, " Hey, look, this is something 329 00:18:47,850 --> 00:18:50,490 Rob Roberts: that you may not do." I was able to turn 330 00:18:50,490 --> 00:18:52,619 Rob Roberts: that into something that I could do. And getting out 331 00:18:52,619 --> 00:18:57,960 Rob Roberts: and running gave me an outlet for my energy. It 332 00:18:57,990 --> 00:19:02,490 Rob Roberts: let me burn off anxiety. And it also, probably more 333 00:19:02,490 --> 00:19:04,260 Rob Roberts: importantly, and part of the reason why we're here is 334 00:19:04,260 --> 00:19:08,460 Rob Roberts: it helped me find supportive community of runners and friends 335 00:19:09,300 --> 00:19:12,570 Rob Roberts: who got me to do the crazy things that I 336 00:19:12,570 --> 00:19:14,220 Rob Roberts: do now like running. 337 00:19:14,670 --> 00:19:17,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: One of our favorite conversations from the year was with 338 00:19:17,160 --> 00:19:21,149 Rob Simmelkjaer: Jessie Malone. And who can forget Jessie's story. Her life 339 00:19:21,150 --> 00:19:24,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: took a dramatic turn when her Apple Watch alert led 340 00:19:24,960 --> 00:19:28,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: her to a hospital bed. The shock of that moment 341 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:31,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: and the subsequent hospital stay opened her eyes to the 342 00:19:31,170 --> 00:19:36,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: importance of focusing on her health, which naturally included running. 343 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:40,740 Jessie Malone: Well, it's kind of really hard news to hear that 344 00:19:41,190 --> 00:19:45,359 Jessie Malone: you're the cause of this problem, but it's also the 345 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:49,169 Jessie Malone: best news because, great, I can get myself out of 346 00:19:49,170 --> 00:19:55,679 Jessie Malone: this, I can make these changes. And I just remember 347 00:19:55,740 --> 00:19:59,520 Jessie Malone: laying there and I was like, " I will never be in this 348 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:03,119 Jessie Malone: position again if I have anything to do with it." So 349 00:20:05,010 --> 00:20:07,290 Jessie Malone: just off the bat, it was like things were giving 350 00:20:07,290 --> 00:20:12,000 Jessie Malone: up caffeine, which was actually the hardest part was giving 351 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:16,080 Jessie Malone: up caffeine. Gave up caffeine. I was like, " There's going 352 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:19,619 Jessie Malone: to be no drinking as that can contribute to Afib." 353 00:20:19,830 --> 00:20:23,100 Jessie Malone: And then I was like, " I need to take my 354 00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:27,750 Jessie Malone: health as seriously as I take work." So I was like, " 355 00:20:27,750 --> 00:20:29,760 Jessie Malone: If I set myself up on a really good schedule 356 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:34,080 Jessie Malone: and prioritize my health and my heart has to be 357 00:20:34,260 --> 00:20:37,889 Jessie Malone: priority number one." So that's where it started. It was 358 00:20:37,890 --> 00:20:45,780 Jessie Malone: basically started meal prepping and then slowly integrating movement. So 359 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:49,950 Jessie Malone: the first thing, the first two days I was just 360 00:20:49,950 --> 00:20:53,550 Jessie Malone: at home on the couch, my parents came, so it was just 361 00:20:53,550 --> 00:21:00,630 Jessie Malone: movies and crying. And then Jess and I went on 362 00:21:00,630 --> 00:21:03,540 Jessie Malone: a walk around the block with the dogs, and I've 363 00:21:03,630 --> 00:21:06,990 Jessie Malone: never been more scared in my life to go on 364 00:21:06,990 --> 00:21:13,560 Jessie Malone: a walk because I was like, "Am I okay? What's this going 365 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:15,720 Jessie Malone: to feel like? Am I going to ... Is getting my 366 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:21,600 Jessie Malone: heart rate up even safe?" So yeah, I just started really, really 367 00:21:21,660 --> 00:21:27,930 Jessie Malone: slow as far as movement goes and then went from there. 368 00:21:28,470 --> 00:21:31,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: Of course, I have to ask, when did running get 369 00:21:31,980 --> 00:21:35,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: into the mix and when did this idea of not 370 00:21:35,820 --> 00:21:39,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: just doing a bit of running but running a marathon 371 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:42,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: even get into your head? I'm fascinated by that because 372 00:21:43,290 --> 00:21:47,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: a year after, the actual one- year anniversary or so 373 00:21:47,910 --> 00:21:51,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: of this event, you end up running your first marathon. 374 00:21:51,030 --> 00:21:54,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: How did that even get to be planted in your mind? 375 00:21:55,170 --> 00:22:00,480 Jessie Malone: So that happened about six months in, because I slowly, 376 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:04,260 Jessie Malone: slowly was taking classes on the Peloton bike because I had 377 00:22:04,260 --> 00:22:07,020 Jessie Malone: my heart rate monitor on. I felt safe that I could 378 00:22:07,020 --> 00:22:10,230 Jessie Malone: see the number on the screen. That just felt really 379 00:22:10,230 --> 00:22:15,390 Jessie Malone: good to me. And I needed to build muscle and 380 00:22:15,390 --> 00:22:18,810 Jessie Malone: I was also losing weight at the same time. So 381 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:22,080 Jessie Malone: my six- month checkup is when I kind of got 382 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:23,879 Jessie Malone: out of the woods, even as far as they were 383 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:27,330 Jessie Malone: thinking maybe I might need a pacemaker. So I got 384 00:22:27,330 --> 00:22:31,200 Jessie Malone: out of the woods for the pacemaker. I was feeling 385 00:22:32,250 --> 00:22:36,359 Jessie Malone: good as far as my training was going, and I 386 00:22:36,359 --> 00:22:39,270 Jessie Malone: asked. I was like, " Can I push this and do 387 00:22:39,270 --> 00:22:45,210 Jessie Malone: something big, let's say a marathon?" And my cardiologist gave 388 00:22:45,210 --> 00:22:48,615 Jessie Malone: the thumbs up. I called my best friend Jess, and 389 00:22:48,615 --> 00:22:51,928 Jessie Malone: I said, " Listen, I'm going to do a marathon in six months. I'm 390 00:22:52,619 --> 00:22:54,060 Jessie Malone: going to do it the one year from the hospital discharge." 391 00:22:54,510 --> 00:22:57,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: But sometimes the story works the other way around. Sometimes 392 00:22:57,690 --> 00:23:01,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: being a runner can actually save a person's life. Dr. 393 00:23:01,350 --> 00:23:04,649 Rob Simmelkjaer: Arnie Weg shared with Meb this year his story of 394 00:23:04,650 --> 00:23:07,649 Rob Simmelkjaer: how his years long- running habit kept him off an 395 00:23:07,650 --> 00:23:10,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: intubator early on during the COVID epidemic. 396 00:23:11,250 --> 00:23:15,119 Arnold Weg: Well, as you started mentioning, I mean I was about 397 00:23:15,270 --> 00:23:20,010 Arnold Weg: 320 pounds. I really just wasn't taking care of myself, 398 00:23:20,010 --> 00:23:25,500 Arnold Weg: not eating right, not exercising. And in about 2005, 2006, I 399 00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:31,680 Arnold Weg: went on a low carbohydrate diet and I felt very 400 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:34,740 Arnold Weg: strongly that it would be important to incorporate exercise. And 401 00:23:34,740 --> 00:23:38,070 Arnold Weg: since running was the best exercise, I started running. Then 402 00:23:38,070 --> 00:23:43,440 Arnold Weg: I started doing races in 2007, at which point I had 403 00:23:43,440 --> 00:23:46,140 Arnold Weg: done my first New York City half- marathon and then 404 00:23:46,140 --> 00:23:51,000 Arnold Weg: a marathon and have used that as a pivotal portion, 405 00:23:51,420 --> 00:23:56,490 Arnold Weg: essential part of my health maintenance and weight maintenance protocol. 406 00:23:56,910 --> 00:24:00,600 Arnold Weg: So it was actually March of 2020 I fell victim with 407 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:03,540 Arnold Weg: a very big case of COVID. I was hospitalized, I 408 00:24:03,540 --> 00:24:07,530 Arnold Weg: was in the intensive care unit. And I was in 409 00:24:07,530 --> 00:24:10,379 Arnold Weg: the intensive care unit at Cornell where I'm an associate 410 00:24:10,380 --> 00:24:13,409 Arnold Weg: professor of medicine and teach the people that were taking care of 411 00:24:13,410 --> 00:24:16,050 Arnold Weg: me and they take great care of me. My oxygen 412 00:24:16,050 --> 00:24:19,350 Arnold Weg: level had gone down to 75 and they had moved 413 00:24:19,350 --> 00:24:21,990 Arnold Weg: me to the intensive care unit with the intention of 414 00:24:22,290 --> 00:24:26,730 Arnold Weg: intubating me. At the same time, my son, who now 415 00:24:26,730 --> 00:24:29,609 Arnold Weg: practices with me and his brother who are trying to 416 00:24:29,609 --> 00:24:33,600 Arnold Weg: get approval for remdesivir and were on multiple media, including 417 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:40,109 Arnold Weg: CNN and NBC and ABC and various different news organizations, and had 418 00:24:40,109 --> 00:24:44,429 Arnold Weg: shown videos of me running the New York City Marathon 419 00:24:44,940 --> 00:24:47,460 Arnold Weg: as part of who I was and what I was. 420 00:24:48,270 --> 00:24:52,260 Arnold Weg: In the interest of trying to avoid intubation, I convinced 421 00:24:52,260 --> 00:24:56,909 Arnold Weg: the pulmonologists that I could sustain a high level of 422 00:24:56,910 --> 00:25:00,780 Arnold Weg: physical stress and to try to allow me to try 423 00:25:00,780 --> 00:25:04,170 Arnold Weg: to do this based on my stamina from running marathons 424 00:25:04,170 --> 00:25:08,280 Arnold Weg: and my daily exercise. They agreed because they had seen 425 00:25:08,310 --> 00:25:13,500 Arnold Weg: my accomplishments in road running and I saved off intubation, 426 00:25:13,500 --> 00:25:17,220 Arnold Weg: which I think in large measure contributes to the fact 427 00:25:17,220 --> 00:25:19,050 Arnold Weg: that I'm here today and able to talk to you. 428 00:25:19,590 --> 00:25:23,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: For some of our members, including 86- year- old Julianne 429 00:25:23,100 --> 00:25:26,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: Grace, a lifetime of running has meant a lifetime of 430 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:29,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: health. Here Julianne talks about what it meant to her 431 00:25:29,730 --> 00:25:33,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: to run the Mini 10K this year for the 48th time. 432 00:25:33,930 --> 00:25:39,780 Julianne Grace: It gives me a goal. I see family members obviously different times 433 00:25:39,780 --> 00:25:46,169 Julianne Grace: during the year, but somehow that Mini shines there, like 434 00:25:46,470 --> 00:25:48,899 Julianne Grace: something at the end of the street where you see 435 00:25:48,930 --> 00:25:51,330 Julianne Grace: it and you want to get to it. It keeps 436 00:25:51,330 --> 00:25:56,340 Julianne Grace: me going. I've been very lucky and I'm very grateful. 437 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:00,180 Julianne Grace: I still have my original knees and hips and at 438 00:26:00,180 --> 00:26:04,590 Julianne Grace: age 86, that's saying a lot. But I get out 439 00:26:04,590 --> 00:26:08,369 Julianne Grace: and I run from four to seven miles, typically five 440 00:26:08,369 --> 00:26:12,270 Julianne Grace: days a week. And it's pretty flat here in Florida. 441 00:26:13,470 --> 00:26:16,139 Julianne Grace: And of course the Mini has hills. But it's a 442 00:26:16,140 --> 00:26:19,410 Julianne Grace: goal, and I think each of us needs goals and 443 00:26:19,410 --> 00:26:23,669 Julianne Grace: each of us needs to move. My message to people 444 00:26:24,210 --> 00:26:29,820 Julianne Grace: in the octogenarian period is move, just move. If you 445 00:26:29,820 --> 00:26:33,780 Julianne Grace: can walk or run or bicycle ride or do yoga, 446 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:37,680 Julianne Grace: move. So to me it's movement and keeping at it, 447 00:26:37,890 --> 00:26:41,730 Julianne Grace: keeping a goal. I'm trying to build up my distance. 448 00:26:41,730 --> 00:26:46,260 Julianne Grace: So I've been doing more 10 kilometer and seven mile 449 00:26:46,260 --> 00:26:51,270 Julianne Grace: runs. I try to do intervals during my runs, a speed- 450 00:26:51,270 --> 00:26:54,180 Julianne Grace: up and then a slow- down to a very slow 451 00:26:54,180 --> 00:26:57,690 Julianne Grace: jog. But I have to admit, I've gotten much slower 452 00:26:57,690 --> 00:27:00,090 Julianne Grace: over the years. I mean, last year I finished the 453 00:27:00,090 --> 00:27:03,510 Julianne Grace: Mini in 14 minute miles, and I know a number 454 00:27:03,510 --> 00:27:06,030 Julianne Grace: of people in my age group are running much better 455 00:27:06,030 --> 00:27:09,480 Julianne Grace: than that. But I keep on slogging along and I 456 00:27:09,480 --> 00:27:14,250 Julianne Grace: figure I'm an example of just an ordinary person running. 457 00:27:15,660 --> 00:27:16,679 Julianne Grace: You do what you can. 458 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:20,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: I especially love to hear stories about how running has 459 00:27:20,850 --> 00:27:24,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: turned people's lives around and led them to much better 460 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:26,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: outcomes than they ever could have imagined. One of those 461 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:30,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: stories was from Janie Deegan, the founder of Janie's Life 462 00:27:30,300 --> 00:27:33,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: Saving Pie Crust Cookies, and she told us the story 463 00:27:33,750 --> 00:27:37,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: of how running helped her fuel a true turnaround of 464 00:27:37,380 --> 00:27:37,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: her life. 465 00:27:38,460 --> 00:27:40,890 Janie Deegan: A friend of mine who I was nannying for her 466 00:27:40,890 --> 00:27:44,490 Janie Deegan: daughter, I saw her, she had just given birth. Her 467 00:27:44,490 --> 00:27:48,000 Janie Deegan: daughter was, I don't know, three months, four months. Or 468 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:49,919 Janie Deegan: maybe a little later. It was probably like a year after 469 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:52,260 Janie Deegan: her daughter was born and I was nannying for her daughter. 470 00:27:52,260 --> 00:27:56,190 Janie Deegan: So I was seeing her every day and she started running. 471 00:27:56,190 --> 00:27:57,869 Janie Deegan: And I remember I'd be out with her daughter in 472 00:27:57,869 --> 00:28:00,420 Janie Deegan: the park and I'd see my friend running around us. 473 00:28:00,420 --> 00:28:02,760 Janie Deegan: And I saw her over the course of a couple 474 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:05,609 Janie Deegan: months going from not being able to run a quarter 475 00:28:05,609 --> 00:28:08,790 Janie Deegan: mile, more than a quarter mile at a time and 476 00:28:09,090 --> 00:28:11,730 Janie Deegan: doing quarter mile, walking a quarter mile, running a quarter 477 00:28:11,730 --> 00:28:15,630 Janie Deegan: mile. I saw her go from that in a really physical way 478 00:28:16,260 --> 00:28:18,390 Janie Deegan: to being able to run a whole mile and then 479 00:28:18,390 --> 00:28:20,700 Janie Deegan: two miles, and then all of a sudden her sister lives 480 00:28:20,790 --> 00:28:23,820 Janie Deegan: in Atlanta. They were training for the New York Marathon, the 481 00:28:24,119 --> 00:28:29,520 Janie Deegan: New York Half Marathon in March together. It's still the 482 00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:30,301 Janie Deegan: United Half, right? 483 00:28:30,301 --> 00:28:31,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's right. Yep. 484 00:28:31,770 --> 00:28:34,320 Janie Deegan: Yeah. So they were training for the United Half together, 485 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:37,830 Janie Deegan: and I was like, " This is wild." And not only 486 00:28:37,830 --> 00:28:40,229 Janie Deegan: did I see her physically change, but I saw her 487 00:28:40,380 --> 00:28:43,140 Janie Deegan: spirits change and she had this light in her eyes 488 00:28:44,820 --> 00:28:46,650 Janie Deegan: and I was like, " Oh my God, if she can 489 00:28:46,650 --> 00:28:48,675 Janie Deegan: do that. She just had a child. If she can 490 00:28:48,675 --> 00:28:52,200 Janie Deegan: do that, maybe I can." And then another thing happened 491 00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:55,410 Janie Deegan: is that I heard that exact same time all within 492 00:28:55,410 --> 00:28:58,290 Janie Deegan: a month or two, I heard this woman who probably 493 00:28:58,290 --> 00:29:00,900 Janie Deegan: had 20 years sober, and it was November and it 494 00:29:00,900 --> 00:29:03,239 Janie Deegan: was the day after the marathon. And I was in 495 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:06,450 Janie Deegan: a conversation listening to her with a bunch of other 496 00:29:06,450 --> 00:29:08,730 Janie Deegan: people, and I didn't know her very well. And she 497 00:29:08,730 --> 00:29:10,650 Janie Deegan: was talking about how she had just run the New 498 00:29:10,650 --> 00:29:14,190 Janie Deegan: York City Marathon yesterday. And this woman has tried every 499 00:29:14,190 --> 00:29:18,270 Janie Deegan: drug in the world. And she was like, " The New 500 00:29:18,270 --> 00:29:21,900 Janie Deegan: York City Marathon was the best high I've ever had 501 00:29:21,900 --> 00:29:25,620 Janie Deegan: in my life." And I'm tearing up a little thinking 502 00:29:25,620 --> 00:29:30,330 Janie Deegan: about it. And I was like, " Sign me up." These 503 00:29:30,330 --> 00:29:34,410 Janie Deegan: three things together were just this magic little open the 504 00:29:34,410 --> 00:29:38,700 Janie Deegan: door a little bit in my mind. And a couple 505 00:29:38,700 --> 00:29:43,530 Janie Deegan: months later, it was time to sign up for Road 506 00:29:43,530 --> 00:29:48,870 Janie Deegan: Runner's Races, and it was probably January, two months later 507 00:29:48,870 --> 00:29:51,900 Janie Deegan: and my friend who was training for the New York 508 00:29:51,900 --> 00:29:55,590 Janie Deegan: half was like, " Oh, why don't we sign up? There's 509 00:29:55,590 --> 00:30:01,620 Janie Deegan: this women's race called the Mini 10K, and only women 510 00:30:01,620 --> 00:30:04,140 Janie Deegan: run it. And why don't we sign up for that 511 00:30:04,140 --> 00:30:06,630 Janie Deegan: together? And that can sort of be your next goal 512 00:30:06,630 --> 00:30:11,040 Janie Deegan: is running 6. 1 miles." And so I signed up 513 00:30:11,040 --> 00:30:16,830 Janie Deegan: for that and then thinking back, heard this woman speak 514 00:30:17,280 --> 00:30:21,450 Janie Deegan: and was like, " There's this thing called the 9+ 1. 515 00:30:21,990 --> 00:30:26,010 Janie Deegan: Why stop at one race? Let's do nine this year," 516 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:31,170 Janie Deegan: like a true addict. And she was like, " That's crazy." 517 00:30:31,170 --> 00:30:33,630 Janie Deegan: And I was like, " Just do it. Just give in. 518 00:30:33,870 --> 00:30:37,470 Janie Deegan: You're running 13 miles. Why can't you run twice that in a 519 00:30:37,710 --> 00:30:39,660 Janie Deegan: year and a half? You have a year and a half to 520 00:30:39,660 --> 00:30:42,209 Janie Deegan: train and I have a year and a half to 521 00:30:42,210 --> 00:30:45,900 Janie Deegan: train." And so that's sort of what started it off. 522 00:30:45,900 --> 00:30:49,200 Janie Deegan: And it was just, so I think the Mini 10K, 523 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:50,970 Janie Deegan: I signed up for, it was when it was much 524 00:30:50,970 --> 00:30:52,320 Janie Deegan: easier to sign up for races. 525 00:30:52,980 --> 00:30:53,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yes. 526 00:30:53,250 --> 00:30:56,820 Janie Deegan: So this was 2016, so I signed up for the 527 00:30:56,820 --> 00:31:02,340 Janie Deegan: Mini 10K, and was just like ... I was like, " There's 528 00:31:02,340 --> 00:31:03,480 Janie Deegan: no way I'm going to be able to run six 529 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:06,360 Janie Deegan: miles," and that one foot in front of the other, 530 00:31:06,360 --> 00:31:11,850 Janie Deegan: it was just such a miracle. What was crazy was 531 00:31:11,850 --> 00:31:16,620 Janie Deegan: that for me, running is always synced up with huge 532 00:31:17,670 --> 00:31:21,030 Janie Deegan: personal growth, spurts of personal growth. And that's sort of 533 00:31:21,030 --> 00:31:24,450 Janie Deegan: at the same time, 2015 I had started the business, 534 00:31:25,830 --> 00:31:29,790 Janie Deegan: but 2016 is when I really pushed forward. And same 535 00:31:29,790 --> 00:31:33,420 Janie Deegan: with 2017 right before the marathon in 2017. So a 536 00:31:33,420 --> 00:31:36,900 Janie Deegan: year and a half later I was able to go full- time with my 537 00:31:36,900 --> 00:31:40,050 Janie Deegan: business and quit my day job. And then on top 538 00:31:40,050 --> 00:31:44,160 Janie Deegan: of that, my autoimmune disorder went into remission. And I 539 00:31:44,160 --> 00:31:46,260 Janie Deegan: remember a doctor being like, " Well, you're training for a 540 00:31:46,260 --> 00:31:49,800 Janie Deegan: marathon, right? And I was like, " Yeah." He's like, " Exercise 541 00:31:49,800 --> 00:31:54,120 Janie Deegan: is the most powerful anti- inflammatory. Isn't that interesting?" 542 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:57,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: Chef Daniel Humm of 11 Madison Park was a pro 543 00:31:57,810 --> 00:32:01,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: cyclist before he was a chef. For Chef Humm, running 544 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:04,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: became the bridge between his passion for cooking and his 545 00:32:04,410 --> 00:32:08,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: body's need for intense physical activity and competition. 546 00:32:08,610 --> 00:32:13,020 Daniel Humm: Cycling is extremely dangerous and it was very competitive and 547 00:32:13,020 --> 00:32:15,510 Daniel Humm: I wasn't going to be the best. So I sort 548 00:32:15,510 --> 00:32:20,760 Daniel Humm: of pivoted towards cooking, which I had this tremendous love 549 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:27,510 Daniel Humm: to. And yeah, I kind of made cooking my new 550 00:32:27,510 --> 00:32:31,860 Daniel Humm: sport. It's very much in that way, it's more like 551 00:32:31,860 --> 00:32:37,050 Daniel Humm: a team sport, but for me it always has been about 552 00:32:37,050 --> 00:32:44,070 Daniel Humm: competing, about being the best. And so I definitely drew 553 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:50,940 Daniel Humm: a lot of parallels to it. I ran cross country 554 00:32:50,970 --> 00:32:55,920 Daniel Humm: before cycling. So running was always sort of in me, 555 00:32:56,250 --> 00:32:59,220 Daniel Humm: but then when I started cooking, I definitely didn't have 556 00:32:59,220 --> 00:33:02,190 Daniel Humm: as much time anymore to go on the bike. And 557 00:33:02,700 --> 00:33:06,960 Daniel Humm: as you know, to get a solid bike ride in, 558 00:33:06,960 --> 00:33:12,360 Daniel Humm: it's a three- hour commitment. I think when you go 559 00:33:12,360 --> 00:33:15,570 Daniel Humm: for a run in 45 minutes or an hour, you 560 00:33:15,570 --> 00:33:17,970 Daniel Humm: can get a really solid run in. So it was 561 00:33:17,970 --> 00:33:22,350 Daniel Humm: more like timing wise, running started to be much more 562 00:33:22,410 --> 00:33:26,610 Daniel Humm: suitable to my schedule. And then moving to New York, 563 00:33:26,790 --> 00:33:29,490 Daniel Humm: I mean the New York Road Runner, I mean, it's 564 00:33:29,490 --> 00:33:36,990 Daniel Humm: such an incredible organization, truly the way the races are 565 00:33:36,990 --> 00:33:42,780 Daniel Humm: organized, the amount of races there are. And then of 566 00:33:42,780 --> 00:33:45,630 Daniel Humm: course also I think Central Park is the greatest place 567 00:33:45,630 --> 00:33:49,920 Daniel Humm: to run in the world. So as I moved to 568 00:33:49,920 --> 00:33:52,950 Daniel Humm: New York, I joined New York Road Runners, and ever 569 00:33:52,950 --> 00:33:56,190 Daniel Humm: since it's been such a big part of my being 570 00:33:56,190 --> 00:33:57,090 Daniel Humm: here in this city. 571 00:33:57,600 --> 00:33:59,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: Building communities has been a part of New York Road 572 00:33:59,820 --> 00:34:03,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runner's mission since its founding in 1958. For New York 573 00:34:03,600 --> 00:34:06,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runner's members like Dana Coleman, that has meant no 574 00:34:06,570 --> 00:34:10,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: matter where she is in her life, the NYRR community 575 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:12,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: is always there for her to return to. 576 00:34:12,989 --> 00:34:17,640 Dana Coleman: New York Road Runners is amazing. They are always there. And 577 00:34:17,670 --> 00:34:20,790 Dana Coleman: there have been periods in my life when I haven't 578 00:34:20,850 --> 00:34:26,580 Dana Coleman: been able to run as regularly when I've had children through 579 00:34:26,940 --> 00:34:33,030 Dana Coleman: after childbirth or different family things that have taken me 580 00:34:33,030 --> 00:34:40,080 Dana Coleman: away or personal traumas. But anytime I've been ready to 581 00:34:40,080 --> 00:34:45,060 Dana Coleman: come back, New York Road Runners has been the vehicle 582 00:34:45,060 --> 00:34:49,650 Dana Coleman: that's helped me get back to running. And I never 583 00:34:49,650 --> 00:34:56,910 Dana Coleman: pause for long. I know through COVID, through just all 584 00:34:56,910 --> 00:35:01,350 Dana Coleman: kinds of things. It's always there and it's always something 585 00:35:01,350 --> 00:35:04,440 Dana Coleman: to work towards. And whenever I show up for a 586 00:35:04,440 --> 00:35:08,460 Dana Coleman: race, there's always other runners with me. I'm never alone. 587 00:35:10,140 --> 00:35:12,930 Dana Coleman: I showed up to volunteer last month for the New 588 00:35:12,930 --> 00:35:17,520 Dana Coleman: York Retro in the pouring rain. It was so rainy, 589 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:20,609 Dana Coleman: it was such a heavy downpour, and there were just 590 00:35:20,610 --> 00:35:24,180 Dana Coleman: so many enthusiastic runners that I was able to tear 591 00:35:24,239 --> 00:35:29,460 Dana Coleman: on, and it's just so inspiring. They're just lovely. I 592 00:35:29,460 --> 00:35:33,330 Dana Coleman: love it and I love that I can consider myself a part of that. 593 00:35:33,900 --> 00:35:37,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love stories about how people come together during races 594 00:35:37,350 --> 00:35:40,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: to support each other. Bachelor Matt James shared a great 595 00:35:40,530 --> 00:35:43,739 Rob Simmelkjaer: story about how the community came together to support him 596 00:35:43,860 --> 00:35:48,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: during the London Marathon, something I experienced myself during the 597 00:35:48,270 --> 00:35:50,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: Berlin Marathon I ran this past September. 598 00:35:51,150 --> 00:35:54,840 Matt James: But I love the community aspect of it. I love being 599 00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:58,890 Matt James: able to be social and build community around things outside 600 00:35:58,890 --> 00:36:04,680 Matt James: of going to a bar, drinking, those type of activities. I 601 00:36:04,680 --> 00:36:12,300 Matt James: love the idea of building friend groups, network, networks around 602 00:36:12,420 --> 00:36:16,800 Matt James: those type of activities and some of my best friendships. 603 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:18,390 Matt James: And you spend a lot of time with these people 604 00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:23,460 Matt James: when you're training. And it's what I look forward to 605 00:36:23,460 --> 00:36:26,460 Matt James: most. When I have someone like a Shalane that's going 606 00:36:26,460 --> 00:36:29,880 Matt James: to selflessly decide to pace me. One of the coolest 607 00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:32,610 Matt James: things that's ever happened to me since I've become a 608 00:36:32,610 --> 00:36:38,040 Matt James: runner or self- proclaimed runner is the London Marathon this 609 00:36:38,040 --> 00:36:41,069 Matt James: year. I had a goal of going under three hours 610 00:36:41,430 --> 00:36:47,370 Matt James: and I had no pacer. This was like my first 611 00:36:47,370 --> 00:36:52,350 Matt James: time running a marathon without a pacer, and I didn't 612 00:36:52,350 --> 00:36:54,540 Matt James: know anybody running the race. I didn't know anybody out 613 00:36:54,540 --> 00:36:58,739 Matt James: there. And it's the day of the race. I just am 614 00:36:59,820 --> 00:37:02,009 Matt James: going to try to pace myself. I'm just going to 615 00:37:02,190 --> 00:37:05,310 Matt James: hold myself to whatever time I need to hold myself to. And 616 00:37:06,120 --> 00:37:09,000 Matt James: I'm on a bus headed to the starting line of 617 00:37:09,000 --> 00:37:14,070 Matt James: the marathon, and I meet the most amazing people ever, 618 00:37:15,870 --> 00:37:25,770 Matt James: Tommy, Mikey Kratzer, Mikey Kratzer, he's a Berlin- based marathon 619 00:37:25,770 --> 00:37:28,980 Matt James: runner. And we just get to talking about running and 620 00:37:28,980 --> 00:37:30,660 Matt James: he's like, " What's your goal for the day?" And I'm like, " 621 00:37:31,230 --> 00:37:32,700 Matt James: Oh, I want to try to go into three hours. 622 00:37:32,700 --> 00:37:35,069 Matt James: I've never done it." And this guy, I've never met 623 00:37:35,070 --> 00:37:37,680 Matt James: this guy in my life. And he's like, " Matt, I'm 624 00:37:37,680 --> 00:37:39,690 Matt James: going to pace you." He's like, " I'm going to get 625 00:37:39,690 --> 00:37:43,468 Matt James: you to that goal." And I'm just like, almost brought 626 00:37:43,469 --> 00:37:46,980 Matt James: me to tears on the bus, these random strangers from 627 00:37:46,980 --> 00:37:51,180 Matt James: all over the world. Tommy's from Detroit, Mikey's from Berlin, 628 00:37:52,050 --> 00:37:54,450 Matt James: and they're just like, " Yeah, we got you." And then 629 00:37:54,450 --> 00:37:58,170 Matt James: made it about pacing me. And that's what the running 630 00:37:58,170 --> 00:38:02,580 Matt James: community is. It's such a selfless place to be. And 631 00:38:02,850 --> 00:38:04,950 Matt James: there's been so many instances I've seen that with other 632 00:38:04,950 --> 00:38:08,520 Matt James: people on the course. It's like if someone's hurting, if 633 00:38:08,520 --> 00:38:12,690 Matt James: someone needs that extra motivation, race day stories of complete 634 00:38:12,690 --> 00:38:18,390 Matt James: strangers motivating and pushing people to the finish. And that's, 635 00:38:19,860 --> 00:38:23,460 Matt James: to answer your question, those type of interactions keep my 636 00:38:23,460 --> 00:38:28,980 Matt James: mind off of going from these short wind sprints to 637 00:38:28,980 --> 00:38:34,770 Matt James: being able to endure a long, treacherous route, is having 638 00:38:35,280 --> 00:38:40,050 Matt James: an amazing community, amazing people who decide to uplift you 639 00:38:40,380 --> 00:38:44,820 Matt James: and make a race day experience the best. And that's 640 00:38:44,820 --> 00:38:46,290 Matt James: why I look forward to New York every year. 641 00:38:46,590 --> 00:38:49,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, Matt, I know exactly what you're talking about. I 642 00:38:49,020 --> 00:38:51,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: had a similar experience in Berlin, I've talked about on 643 00:38:51,300 --> 00:38:54,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: the podcast. I ran Berlin, was struggling the last few 644 00:38:54,360 --> 00:38:56,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: miles, and a New York Road Runners member who just 645 00:38:56,969 --> 00:39:00,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: recognized me, came along with me and Roberto. We were 646 00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:03,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: running together and helped me get through the finish line 647 00:39:03,600 --> 00:39:06,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well. So it's amazing how people want to help 648 00:39:06,480 --> 00:39:11,549 Rob Simmelkjaer: each other out there. And these communities persist through sickness 649 00:39:11,550 --> 00:39:15,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: and absence and family responsibilities. New York Road Runners member, 650 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:19,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Ido Simyoni discovered just that this year as he recovered 651 00:39:19,500 --> 00:39:20,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: from surgery. 652 00:39:20,790 --> 00:39:23,280 Ido Simyoni: When I stopped running, I was very solace. I was like, " 653 00:39:23,280 --> 00:39:25,290 Ido Simyoni: I don't understand how can you run with other people? 654 00:39:25,590 --> 00:39:27,810 Ido Simyoni: What does it mean? I'm just going for a run." 655 00:39:28,140 --> 00:39:31,529 Ido Simyoni: And again, I don't know if you've heard it before, 656 00:39:31,530 --> 00:39:34,440 Ido Simyoni: I didn't even consider myself as a runner before. I 657 00:39:34,440 --> 00:39:36,989 Ido Simyoni: think the first two years I say, " I'm someone who 658 00:39:36,989 --> 00:39:39,210 Ido Simyoni: goes on runs, but I'm not a runner. I'm not a runner." 659 00:39:39,870 --> 00:39:42,270 Ido Simyoni: I did maybe four marathons by then. I'm like, " No, 660 00:39:42,270 --> 00:39:44,820 Ido Simyoni: I'm not a runner. I'm just someone who goes for a run." But the 661 00:39:44,820 --> 00:39:48,870 Ido Simyoni: community is something that as you keep going on running 662 00:39:48,870 --> 00:39:51,480 Ido Simyoni: and you go to races, and I want to give a 663 00:39:51,480 --> 00:39:55,260 Ido Simyoni: big kudos to New York Road Runners, and I encourage 664 00:39:55,260 --> 00:39:57,210 Ido Simyoni: a lot of my friends who are just like me 665 00:39:57,210 --> 00:40:01,890 Ido Simyoni: starting to run. They see me and they're like, "Hey, I want us to go 666 00:40:01,890 --> 00:40:04,080 Ido Simyoni: run," or, " I went for a run." I'm like, " Go for 667 00:40:04,260 --> 00:40:06,689 Ido Simyoni: a race." " No, I can't go for a race." " Why 668 00:40:06,690 --> 00:40:08,880 Ido Simyoni: can't you go for a race?" 'Cause I think the 669 00:40:08,880 --> 00:40:11,669 Ido Simyoni: word race scares people, but what I want to say 670 00:40:11,670 --> 00:40:17,100 Ido Simyoni: is that I met friends through New York Road Runners races. 671 00:40:17,130 --> 00:40:19,500 Ido Simyoni: So I'm not even talking about run clubs. I'm talking 672 00:40:19,500 --> 00:40:23,100 Ido Simyoni: about going to a race, being in a corral. By 673 00:40:23,100 --> 00:40:24,870 Ido Simyoni: the way, I started in Coral B when I started 674 00:40:24,870 --> 00:40:27,840 Ido Simyoni: running, and then now I'm in Coral A for New York 675 00:40:27,840 --> 00:40:30,930 Ido Simyoni: Road Runners. But the people, you see them every week 676 00:40:31,260 --> 00:40:34,590 Ido Simyoni: and you run next to them on the race. At 677 00:40:34,590 --> 00:40:36,600 Ido Simyoni: the end of the race, you talk to them and 678 00:40:36,600 --> 00:40:39,570 Ido Simyoni: you walk. You do the walk outside and you make 679 00:40:39,570 --> 00:40:44,430 Ido Simyoni: friends. And that's an amazing feeling. And that community stayed 680 00:40:44,430 --> 00:40:46,440 Ido Simyoni: with me. And I think that's another fear that I had. 681 00:40:47,100 --> 00:40:49,680 Ido Simyoni: I am off running. I was not running for almost 682 00:40:49,680 --> 00:40:56,370 Ido Simyoni: seven months after my surgery. Will my friend? I don't 683 00:40:56,370 --> 00:40:58,260 Ido Simyoni: share the same hobbies with them. I don't go for 684 00:40:58,260 --> 00:41:01,440 Ido Simyoni: runs with them. And they did. They were there for 685 00:41:01,440 --> 00:41:05,340 Ido Simyoni: me and they were there in the most genuine and 686 00:41:05,340 --> 00:41:08,940 Ido Simyoni: beautiful way of like, " We're waiting for you. Don't worry. 687 00:41:08,940 --> 00:41:12,030 Ido Simyoni: Your shoes are here. The road is waiting for you. 688 00:41:12,030 --> 00:41:14,879 Ido Simyoni: The races are waiting for you. Just get the approval 689 00:41:14,880 --> 00:41:17,549 Ido Simyoni: from your surgeon to run and you'll be able to 690 00:41:17,550 --> 00:41:17,880 Ido Simyoni: do it." 691 00:41:18,390 --> 00:41:22,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: For first time marathoners, Sovena Ngeth, everything about running was 692 00:41:22,469 --> 00:41:24,509 Rob Simmelkjaer: new, including the community. 693 00:41:24,930 --> 00:41:27,750 Sovena Ngeth: When the pandemic hit, all the gyms were shut down. 694 00:41:27,810 --> 00:41:31,650 Sovena Ngeth: And during that time, I was in my senior year 695 00:41:31,650 --> 00:41:35,759 Sovena Ngeth: of college and I remember literally waking up and everything 696 00:41:35,760 --> 00:41:39,930 Sovena Ngeth: was shut down. We had no more in- person classes, 697 00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:43,440 Sovena Ngeth: no social events to go to, no graduation, and not 698 00:41:43,440 --> 00:41:46,739 Sovena Ngeth: even the gym at the bare minimum. And that's when 699 00:41:46,739 --> 00:41:50,340 Sovena Ngeth: I got introduced to running. At that time, my boyfriend 700 00:41:50,340 --> 00:41:54,000 Sovena Ngeth: was training for a half- marathon that unfortunately got canceled 701 00:41:54,000 --> 00:41:57,029 Sovena Ngeth: because of the pandemic. And I just remember thinking to 702 00:41:57,030 --> 00:42:01,560 Sovena Ngeth: myself for the first time, " Are humans really capable of running 13 703 00:42:01,560 --> 00:42:05,070 Sovena Ngeth: miles?" Keep in mind, I was super new to running, 704 00:42:05,070 --> 00:42:08,190 Sovena Ngeth: so I couldn't even wrap my head around what a half- 705 00:42:08,190 --> 00:42:12,150 Sovena Ngeth: marathon was. And then a couple of years later, I 706 00:42:12,150 --> 00:42:14,339 Sovena Ngeth: watched my boyfriend and two of our friends complete their 707 00:42:14,340 --> 00:42:17,969 Sovena Ngeth: first half- marathon. And there's something about seeing your peers 708 00:42:17,969 --> 00:42:22,200 Sovena Ngeth: accomplish something that kind of makes it more achievable for 709 00:42:22,200 --> 00:42:26,910 Sovena Ngeth: you to do. So I feel like running was learning 710 00:42:26,910 --> 00:42:30,150 Sovena Ngeth: a new language for me. It was something super brand 711 00:42:30,150 --> 00:42:32,009 Sovena Ngeth: new, but it was something that helped me beat the 712 00:42:32,010 --> 00:42:36,450 Sovena Ngeth: overwhelming sense of depression and anxiety that the pandemic had 713 00:42:36,450 --> 00:42:39,719 Sovena Ngeth: caused. Again, I was a senior in college who didn't 714 00:42:39,719 --> 00:42:42,690 Sovena Ngeth: get to walk for graduation. And as a first- generation 715 00:42:42,690 --> 00:42:45,180 Sovena Ngeth: student, that really hurt because I really wanted to celebrate 716 00:42:45,239 --> 00:42:50,010 Sovena Ngeth: that with my family. But yeah, I think that something 717 00:42:50,010 --> 00:42:53,520 Sovena Ngeth: I definitely learned about myself with running was that I am so 718 00:42:53,520 --> 00:42:56,700 Sovena Ngeth: capable of anything that I put my mind to. And 719 00:42:56,700 --> 00:42:58,920 Sovena Ngeth: signing up for the New York City Marathon was the 720 00:42:58,920 --> 00:43:01,650 Sovena Ngeth: first step in this long training block and just being 721 00:43:01,650 --> 00:43:05,670 Sovena Ngeth: able to accomplish my crazy goals. I just did a 19- 722 00:43:05,670 --> 00:43:08,940 Sovena Ngeth: mile run on Saturday, and just even doing that I 723 00:43:08,940 --> 00:43:13,500 Sovena Ngeth: was shocked at myself and my body, especially also with 724 00:43:13,500 --> 00:43:17,400 Sovena Ngeth: just the New York City running community. It's so inclusive. And 725 00:43:17,400 --> 00:43:20,370 Sovena Ngeth: just seeing people run at Central Park at the New 726 00:43:20,370 --> 00:43:23,610 Sovena Ngeth: York Road Runner races, there's such a sense of belonging 727 00:43:23,610 --> 00:43:25,169 Sovena Ngeth: and a sense of community in that. 728 00:43:25,530 --> 00:43:28,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: Community is a big part of every program we run 729 00:43:28,230 --> 00:43:32,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: here at NYRR. Run for the future coach, Shelly Ramoni, and 730 00:43:32,070 --> 00:43:35,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: 2024 New York Road Runners Volunteer Hall of Fame inductee, 731 00:43:35,940 --> 00:43:40,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: Chandra Darsan, are passionate about the communities they are building 732 00:43:40,410 --> 00:43:41,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: with NYRR. 733 00:43:42,300 --> 00:43:47,910 Shelly Ramoni: Everyone's walking into this program, very scared, very nervous, very 734 00:43:48,270 --> 00:43:51,480 Shelly Ramoni: unsure of themselves, their bodies and what they're going to 735 00:43:51,480 --> 00:43:55,290 Shelly Ramoni: do. There were a couple of young women that knew 736 00:43:55,290 --> 00:43:57,629 Shelly Ramoni: each other, but most of them are coming into this 737 00:43:57,630 --> 00:44:02,910 Shelly Ramoni: program, not really knowing anyone. And by the end, we 738 00:44:02,910 --> 00:44:08,610 Shelly Ramoni: had a celebration breakfast and these young women were sitting 739 00:44:08,610 --> 00:44:11,610 Shelly Ramoni: around and they didn't want to leave. They had become 740 00:44:11,610 --> 00:44:16,230 Shelly Ramoni: such close friends with one another. And to just see 741 00:44:16,230 --> 00:44:20,070 Shelly Ramoni: that and see how running builds this community, I mean, 742 00:44:20,070 --> 00:44:25,350 Shelly Ramoni: I've experienced that myself as an adult and the people that 743 00:44:25,560 --> 00:44:32,640 Shelly Ramoni: I have come to know, coaches, fellow runners, we've watched 744 00:44:32,640 --> 00:44:39,000 Shelly Ramoni: each other get married, have families, watch their kids grow up. 745 00:44:39,360 --> 00:44:43,890 Chandra Darsan: Open Run is all about community, family, coming out there. 746 00:44:44,430 --> 00:44:50,219 Chandra Darsan: It's free races, bringing people together, learning about different culture, 747 00:44:51,510 --> 00:44:55,950 Chandra Darsan: staying healthy, helping you with your mental health. You meet 748 00:44:55,950 --> 00:45:01,380 Chandra Darsan: people from all different races, culture, and what's important is 749 00:45:02,310 --> 00:45:05,339 Chandra Darsan: being there for each other and helping out each other, 750 00:45:05,340 --> 00:45:13,440 Chandra Darsan: inspiring each other. We're there every day and staying positive 751 00:45:13,440 --> 00:45:16,650 Chandra Darsan: and having that kind of energy around everyone and they 752 00:45:16,650 --> 00:45:17,790 Chandra Darsan: continue to come back. 753 00:45:18,270 --> 00:45:20,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: One of the things that we are most proud of here 754 00:45:20,190 --> 00:45:23,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: at NYRR is the opportunity that we've had to build 755 00:45:23,280 --> 00:45:27,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: entirely new running communities. Five- time New York City Marathon 756 00:45:27,420 --> 00:45:32,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: Champion and six- time Paralympian, Tatyana McFadden, shared the impact 757 00:45:32,280 --> 00:45:34,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: that all of that has had on her. 758 00:45:34,440 --> 00:45:39,719 Tatyana McFadden : Well, I first want to thank NYRR for starting the wheelchair 759 00:45:39,719 --> 00:45:45,239 Tatyana McFadden : program because nothing brings me more joy than seeing the 760 00:45:45,239 --> 00:45:50,520 Tatyana McFadden : kids together. It's across all walks of life. And I 761 00:45:50,520 --> 00:45:54,450 Tatyana McFadden : love that. And I think the kids also really enjoy 762 00:45:54,480 --> 00:46:00,210 Tatyana McFadden : it together because they learn from each other, right? Kids 763 00:46:00,210 --> 00:46:03,630 Tatyana McFadden : with disabilities are interacting with kids with not disabilities, and 764 00:46:03,989 --> 00:46:07,800 Tatyana McFadden : they both can learn so much from each other. So 765 00:46:08,520 --> 00:46:12,450 Tatyana McFadden : as they get older, they can say, " Hey, I met 766 00:46:12,450 --> 00:46:16,590 Tatyana McFadden : someone with disability and they're awesome. We raced together in 767 00:46:16,590 --> 00:46:19,890 Tatyana McFadden : Times Square. We did the 100- meter dash, we did 768 00:46:19,890 --> 00:46:23,010 Tatyana McFadden : the 400- meter dash, and gosh, they were fast and 769 00:46:23,219 --> 00:46:27,210 Tatyana McFadden : they were really cool, and now they're my friend." And 770 00:46:27,210 --> 00:46:31,440 Tatyana McFadden : so it really teaches such a really important skill and 771 00:46:31,469 --> 00:46:34,739 Tatyana McFadden : that acceptance. And so I really, really thank New York 772 00:46:34,739 --> 00:46:38,790 Tatyana McFadden : Road Runners for that. And my message is to have 773 00:46:38,790 --> 00:46:43,290 Tatyana McFadden : fun while you're out there. Life is not about what 774 00:46:43,290 --> 00:46:45,390 Tatyana McFadden : you don't have. It's what we do with the gifts 775 00:46:45,390 --> 00:46:49,500 Tatyana McFadden : that you're given. And to really enjoy every minute out 776 00:46:49,500 --> 00:46:53,969 Tatyana McFadden : there. It's not always about winning races. It's about just 777 00:46:54,090 --> 00:46:58,290 Tatyana McFadden : having fun and just really enjoying what you're doing. And 778 00:46:58,770 --> 00:47:01,560 Tatyana McFadden : maybe it's about goal setting and having that courage and 779 00:47:01,560 --> 00:47:06,210 Tatyana McFadden : taking that risk and having fun with your friends that 780 00:47:06,210 --> 00:47:07,080 Tatyana McFadden : you're doing it with. 781 00:47:07,590 --> 00:47:10,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: I couldn't say it any better than the great Tatyana 782 00:47:10,050 --> 00:47:13,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: McFadden. Life's not about what you don't have. It's about 783 00:47:13,020 --> 00:47:15,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: what we do with the gifts that we're given. And 784 00:47:15,330 --> 00:47:17,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: for all of us here at New York Road Runners, 785 00:47:17,070 --> 00:47:20,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: you are community. You are one of the greatest gifts 786 00:47:20,520 --> 00:47:23,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: we could give or receive. So thank you all so 787 00:47:23,460 --> 00:47:26,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: much for being a part of this community. That does 788 00:47:26,700 --> 00:47:29,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: it for the year of Set the Pace. I want. 789 00:47:29,100 --> 00:47:33,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank my great co- host, Becs Gentry and Meb Keflezighi and 790 00:47:33,750 --> 00:47:37,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: frequent guest host, Carrie Tollefson. Thank you, Carrie. And now 791 00:47:37,080 --> 00:47:39,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: I want to thank all of our guests this year 792 00:47:39,060 --> 00:47:41,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: to everybody out there who has towed the line at 793 00:47:41,730 --> 00:47:44,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: any of our races and to our whole team at 794 00:47:44,580 --> 00:47:48,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners that makes everything possible, including the 795 00:47:48,840 --> 00:47:51,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: group that helps us put on this podcast every week. 796 00:47:51,330 --> 00:47:53,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: And there's a lot of great people. We're going to 797 00:47:53,460 --> 00:47:55,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: thank here at the end of the year, our audio 798 00:47:55,469 --> 00:48:00,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: engineer, Lou Pellegrino, our producers, Kathryn Jones and Matt Singer, 799 00:48:00,660 --> 00:48:02,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: our production manager who's left us, we miss him, but 800 00:48:02,969 --> 00:48:06,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: we still think of him, Kyle Vines, our fact- checkers 801 00:48:06,000 --> 00:48:10,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: and quality control team, Gordon Bakoulis, Stefanie Leland, Christine Burke, 802 00:48:10,860 --> 00:48:15,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tamikka Pate, and Summon Wakad, our marketing lead, Angie Sit, 803 00:48:15,480 --> 00:48:18,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: our pro athlete team who help us book our incredible 804 00:48:18,239 --> 00:48:22,739 Rob Simmelkjaer: set of pro athlete guests, Dorian Kail and Sam Grotewold, members of our 805 00:48:22,739 --> 00:48:25,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: business development team who get our partner guests on, Julie 806 00:48:25,320 --> 00:48:30,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: Schweigert, Artie Athas, and Anne Liao, our PR team, Crystal Howard, Stuart 807 00:48:30,450 --> 00:48:33,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: Lieberman, Carole Harsch, and Laura Paulus, as well as Emily 808 00:48:33,719 --> 00:48:36,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: Heine. Some of our team members who've helped bring our 809 00:48:36,300 --> 00:48:39,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: live shows around the world to life, including Brian Yu, 810 00:48:40,140 --> 00:48:45,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: Nicole Bocchi, Kayleen Romero, Lorraine Lowe, Denise Mileson, Courtney Yu, 811 00:48:45,989 --> 00:48:50,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: Erin Feeney, Zach Forman, and Bryan Benavides. And to our 812 00:48:50,340 --> 00:48:55,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible sponsors at New Balance, Volvo, HubSpot, Shake Shack. And 813 00:48:55,650 --> 00:48:58,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: last but not least, our incredible partners at Peloton, the 814 00:48:58,680 --> 00:49:02,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: title sponsor of Set The Pace, including Nicole St. Jean, 815 00:49:02,670 --> 00:49:08,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Katie Van Buren, Emily Rothschild, Denise Kelly, Barry Perlman, and 816 00:49:08,070 --> 00:49:11,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: Alana Crotcht. Just like all of our races, this podcast 817 00:49:11,520 --> 00:49:14,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: truly takes a village. Thanks to everybody who's helped us 818 00:49:14,310 --> 00:49:16,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: put it on all year. But hey, the running year 819 00:49:16,830 --> 00:49:19,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: is not over yet. We'll see some of you at 11: 820 00:49:19,050 --> 00:49:23,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: 59 this December 31st for the annual New York Road 821 00:49:23,280 --> 00:49:26,009 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners Midnight Run, so we can all ring in the 822 00:49:26,010 --> 00:49:29,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: New Year together and a new year of healthier lives, 823 00:49:29,460 --> 00:49:33,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: stronger communities, and the transformative power of running. Set the 824 00:49:33,420 --> 00:49:35,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace will be back on January 2nd to ring in 825 00:49:35,850 --> 00:49:39,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: the New Year with a special resolutions episode. So we 826 00:49:39,030 --> 00:49:41,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: can't wait to have you join us then. Thank you 827 00:49:41,310 --> 00:49:44,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: so much for joining us all year. We appreciate you. 828 00:49:44,550 --> 00:49:47,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: Have a great, great holiday. Enjoy the miles, and we'll 829 00:49:47,370 --> 00:49:49,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: see you in 2025.