1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:04,139 David Solan: The medical tent is run like a triage center, very 2 00:00:04,140 --> 00:00:07,260 David Solan: similar to an ER. An athlete is first evaluated when they cross 3 00:00:07,260 --> 00:00:10,140 David Solan: the line. We have medical staff out there trying to 4 00:00:10,140 --> 00:00:12,930 David Solan: determine what the issue may be. Then they'll see a 5 00:00:12,930 --> 00:00:16,200 David Solan: triage nurse and that person will again take their vitals 6 00:00:16,530 --> 00:00:19,500 David Solan: and try to figure out what department they need to 7 00:00:19,500 --> 00:00:19,890 David Solan: go to. 8 00:00:25,140 --> 00:00:28,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody and welcome to Set the Pace, the official 9 00:00:28,020 --> 00:00:31,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast of New York Road Runners, presented by Peloton. I'm 10 00:00:31,770 --> 00:00:34,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: your host, Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New York Roadrunners. And 11 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,979 Rob Simmelkjaer: today we're going to go behind the scenes of some 12 00:00:37,979 --> 00:00:40,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: of New York Road Runners biggest races with some of 13 00:00:40,380 --> 00:00:43,409 Rob Simmelkjaer: the people who know them best, three members of this 14 00:00:43,409 --> 00:00:47,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: year's New York Road Runners Volunteer Hall of Fame at every 15 00:00:47,610 --> 00:00:51,811 Rob Simmelkjaer: single race. Becs Gentry, we always talk up the volunteers and- 16 00:00:51,811 --> 00:00:51,812 Becs Gentry: ... we do. 17 00:00:51,812 --> 00:00:54,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... now we get to talk to them. Some of 18 00:00:54,150 --> 00:00:57,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: the most loyal volunteers that we have ever had. And 19 00:00:57,900 --> 00:01:00,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: so as we welcome in Becs Gentry, my co- host 20 00:01:00,990 --> 00:01:03,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: and Peloton instructor, and this is going to be fun, 21 00:01:03,330 --> 00:01:07,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, because these races don't happen without the volunteers and 22 00:01:07,050 --> 00:01:09,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's going to be great to have a little time 23 00:01:09,060 --> 00:01:11,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: to speak to some of the legends in that space. 24 00:01:11,490 --> 00:01:15,060 Becs Gentry: Absolutely. And they have been with New York Road Runners 25 00:01:15,060 --> 00:01:20,310 Becs Gentry: since Fred Lebow was running the organization. And it's so 26 00:01:20,310 --> 00:01:22,650 Becs Gentry: much history that we are about to hear about. We've 27 00:01:22,650 --> 00:01:28,590 Becs Gentry: got some funny stories and some real harking back to 28 00:01:28,620 --> 00:01:31,529 Becs Gentry: good times of running. I'm really excited for all of 29 00:01:31,529 --> 00:01:33,389 Becs Gentry: our listeners to hear from these three phenomenal humans. 30 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:37,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: I see some of these folks week in and week 31 00:01:37,590 --> 00:01:40,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: out. They've been doing it for years. So many of 32 00:01:40,470 --> 00:01:43,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: our volunteers, of course, come through the 9+ 1 Program 33 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:45,958 Rob Simmelkjaer: and we love them. We love all of our volunteers. 34 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:49,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: But these Hall of Famers are people who maybe started 35 00:01:49,650 --> 00:01:51,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: volunteering thinking it would be a one or a two- 36 00:01:51,510 --> 00:01:54,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: time thing, and they've just kept coming back year after 37 00:01:54,210 --> 00:01:57,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: year after year and we're so grateful to them. Looking 38 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:01,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: forward to hearing some history and talking to them during, 39 00:02:01,350 --> 00:02:05,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: what is April Volunteer Month. That's right, it's Volunteer Appreciation 40 00:02:05,850 --> 00:02:08,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: Month in the month of April so excited to talk 41 00:02:08,550 --> 00:02:12,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: to them. And Becs, we had a bunch of volunteers and runners 42 00:02:12,270 --> 00:02:14,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: out in Central Park this past weekend for the NYRR 43 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:17,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: Retro 4- Miler. 44 00:02:17,730 --> 00:02:21,150 Becs Gentry: I saw some outfits. I saw some outfits. I saw 45 00:02:21,870 --> 00:02:25,470 Becs Gentry: the New York Road Runners very fun Instagram video post. 46 00:02:26,850 --> 00:02:29,760 Becs Gentry: And the sun came out. That feels like a rarity 47 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,510 Becs Gentry: in New York at the moment, so what a day 48 00:02:33,540 --> 00:02:36,780 Becs Gentry: for the 2025 New York Road Runners Retro 4- Miler. Wow. 49 00:02:36,780 --> 00:02:39,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: It turned out to be a beautiful day. A lot 50 00:02:39,419 --> 00:02:41,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: of great spirit out there. People had a lot of 51 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:44,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun. And the winners on Sunday, non- binary winner was 52 00:02:44,910 --> 00:02:48,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sean Rankin, Dashing Whippets, a time of 25.20. On the 53 00:02:48,900 --> 00:02:51,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: women's side, it was Alexandra Conway from Central Park Track 54 00:02:51,780 --> 00:02:57,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: Club Tracksmith 23.16 and the men's winner, Jeremy Arthur, Dashing 55 00:02:57,540 --> 00:03:01,111 Rob Simmelkjaer: Whippets Club, 20 minutes and 35 seconds. Some fast times- 56 00:03:01,111 --> 00:03:01,471 Becs Gentry: Stellar times. 57 00:03:01,471 --> 00:03:05,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... on a gorgeous day with some epic, epic fashion 58 00:03:05,940 --> 00:03:10,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there in Central Park. Congratulations to everybody who ran. It 59 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:13,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: was a big race, about 8, 000 runners out there in Central Park. 60 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:14,002 Becs Gentry: (inaudible) . 61 00:03:14,010 --> 00:03:17,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: Really, really nice day and glad everybody enjoyed themselves at 62 00:03:17,910 --> 00:03:21,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Retro Run. Becs, after we talk to our volunteers 63 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:23,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little later in the show, Meb will be here 64 00:03:23,460 --> 00:03:26,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: with the Meb Minute, and today it's all about how 65 00:03:26,070 --> 00:03:30,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: to manage some rising temperatures. Thankfully, we're starting to see 66 00:03:30,030 --> 00:03:31,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little bit of warmth coming through. 67 00:03:31,860 --> 00:03:31,891 Becs Gentry: Oh, yeah? 68 00:03:31,891 --> 00:03:31,892 Rob Simmelkjaer: Just a little bit. 69 00:03:31,892 --> 00:03:31,952 Becs Gentry: Really? 70 00:03:33,330 --> 00:03:36,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: Just a little bit so far. But it's going to 71 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: get warmer, we know that will happen. And so how to 72 00:03:39,030 --> 00:03:42,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: manage those rising temperatures, that's what Meb will be talking 73 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:45,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: about a little later on. But we've got volunteers coming 74 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:46,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: at us. 75 00:03:46,470 --> 00:03:49,470 Becs Gentry: Looking for new ways to keep you moving? Step into 76 00:03:49,470 --> 00:03:52,770 Becs Gentry: the strongest and fastest version of you with the Peloton 77 00:03:52,770 --> 00:03:55,920 Becs Gentry: app. Try a range of instructor- led workouts that push 78 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:58,260 Becs Gentry: your current routine to the next level and track your 79 00:03:58,260 --> 00:04:02,370 Becs Gentry: progress in real- time metrics. Whether it's your first 5K 80 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:06,839 Becs Gentry: or full marathon, Peloton has thousands of classes from outdoor 81 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:10,620 Becs Gentry: runs, strength for runners, to yoga and stretching to choose 82 00:04:10,620 --> 00:04:13,980 Becs Gentry: from and support the runner you are. Try the app 83 00:04:13,980 --> 00:04:17,160 Becs Gentry: for free for 30 days. Download it now from the 84 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:21,180 Becs Gentry: app store or Google Play. Terms apply. All access membership 85 00:04:21,180 --> 00:04:25,320 Becs Gentry: not included. Peloton, the official digital fitness partner for New 86 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:26,130 Becs Gentry: York Road Runners. 87 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:29,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: All of our volunteers at New York Road Runners events 88 00:04:29,430 --> 00:04:33,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: are incredibly important, but none are more important than our 89 00:04:33,300 --> 00:04:37,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: medical volunteers. And David Solan has spent more than 35 90 00:04:37,110 --> 00:04:40,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: years safeguarding the health of runners as a medical volunteer 91 00:04:40,410 --> 00:04:43,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: with New York Road Runners becoming an essential part of 92 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:47,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: the marathon's medical team since 1989. From his years at 93 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:51,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: mile 25, helping runners push through that final mile, to 94 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:55,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: coordinating care at the crucial finish line 10, David has 95 00:04:55,650 --> 00:04:58,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: guided thousands of athletes safely across the TCS New York 96 00:04:58,890 --> 00:05:02,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon course. He's not only dedicated to countless race 97 00:05:02,670 --> 00:05:05,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: days to helping others, but also has mentored a new 98 00:05:05,670 --> 00:05:09,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: generation of medical volunteers sharing his expertise and passion. And 99 00:05:09,870 --> 00:05:13,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: this year David makes history as the first athletic trainer 100 00:05:14,130 --> 00:05:18,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: inducted into the New York Road Runners Volunteer Hall of Fame. 101 00:05:18,330 --> 00:05:20,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: David, it is great to have you with us. Welcome. 102 00:05:21,270 --> 00:05:22,200 David Solan: Oh, thank you for the invite. 103 00:05:22,860 --> 00:05:27,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. Your contributions are massive, David. People who run our 104 00:05:27,690 --> 00:05:31,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: races all have the goal, of course, of not ending 105 00:05:31,589 --> 00:05:33,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: up in the medical tent. That's not a place anybody 106 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: plans to visit when they train or show up at 107 00:05:36,930 --> 00:05:39,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: the starting line for a race, but some of them 108 00:05:39,570 --> 00:05:43,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: do. And that is one of the most important parts of 109 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:47,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: our operations here at New York Road runners. At every race, 110 00:05:47,490 --> 00:05:49,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: David, I'll usually pop my head in there once or 111 00:05:49,740 --> 00:05:52,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: twice to see how things are going. And you started 112 00:05:52,950 --> 00:05:57,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: doing this back in 1989, which is quite a run. 113 00:05:59,070 --> 00:06:03,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: If you can tell people listening, what has changed? What 114 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: was it like in 1989 versus now in terms of 115 00:06:06,779 --> 00:06:08,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: what happens in our medical tents? 116 00:06:09,210 --> 00:06:12,390 David Solan: It's funny because back in '89 when I first started 117 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:17,880 David Solan: I was at the 24- mile mark and I looked 118 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:20,039 David Solan: at our tent and the supplies that we had, and 119 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:23,339 David Solan: I think we had about 100 or 200 band- aids, maybe 100 120 00:06:23,339 --> 00:06:25,859 David Solan: gauze pads. And I'm thinking, wait a minute, this is 121 00:06:26,310 --> 00:06:29,070 David Solan: the biggest event in the world and we're working on 122 00:06:29,070 --> 00:06:33,390 David Solan: bare bones here. But it worked out well. We did 123 00:06:33,390 --> 00:06:37,050 David Solan: what we had to do with what we had. After 124 00:06:37,050 --> 00:06:40,380 David Solan: so many years out on the course, I decided to 125 00:06:40,410 --> 00:06:45,210 David Solan: come indoors and luckily they invited me in the triage 126 00:06:45,210 --> 00:06:48,060 David Solan: tent at the finish line, and that's really my home. 127 00:06:48,390 --> 00:06:52,860 David Solan: My expertise is exertional heatstroke so they had me overseeing 128 00:06:52,860 --> 00:06:56,039 David Solan: the heat deck, and that's really in my element right there. 129 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:01,050 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh, I cannot even begin to imagine the 130 00:07:01,650 --> 00:07:05,609 Becs Gentry: moments you've had, be it hopefully some joyful ones of 131 00:07:05,610 --> 00:07:09,900 Becs Gentry: seeing people come in and going back out and finishing 132 00:07:09,900 --> 00:07:14,460 Becs Gentry: off or to the, I'm sure very sad and heartbreaking 133 00:07:14,460 --> 00:07:17,610 Becs Gentry: moments over the past 35 years of doing this. Before 134 00:07:17,610 --> 00:07:19,200 Becs Gentry: I go any further, thank you. As somebody who runs 135 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:21,990 Becs Gentry: these races, thank you for being out there and keeping 136 00:07:21,990 --> 00:07:22,920 Becs Gentry: us all safe. 137 00:07:25,110 --> 00:07:25,170 David Solan: No, you're very welcome. 138 00:07:25,290 --> 00:07:29,460 Becs Gentry: What is the one thing, I suppose, aside from the 139 00:07:29,460 --> 00:07:35,310 Becs Gentry: bare bones minute amount of bandages you had back in 1989, 140 00:07:35,790 --> 00:07:39,150 Becs Gentry: what has been something that's really surprised you about your 141 00:07:39,150 --> 00:07:40,380 Becs Gentry: experience in this role? 142 00:07:41,580 --> 00:07:43,140 David Solan: Well, I'll tell you what, again, I'm going to refer 143 00:07:43,140 --> 00:07:46,680 David Solan: back to the 24- mile mark. Most of the time when 144 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,710 David Solan: runners reach that point, they can make the rest of 145 00:07:49,710 --> 00:07:51,869 David Solan: the way through and it's a lot of encouragement and 146 00:07:51,870 --> 00:07:55,470 David Solan: clapping and keep going, keep going type thing. A lot 147 00:07:55,470 --> 00:07:57,390 David Solan: of them want to come over and get stretched because 148 00:07:57,390 --> 00:08:00,660 David Solan: their muscles start to go into spasm. But the key 149 00:08:00,660 --> 00:08:02,220 David Solan: part is not to do that. You want to keep 150 00:08:02,220 --> 00:08:05,220 David Solan: moving because once they stop and you start stretching, everything 151 00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:07,230 David Solan: is going to seize and they're going to have difficulty 152 00:08:07,230 --> 00:08:11,550 David Solan: getting back on the course. Again, there's not really any 153 00:08:11,550 --> 00:08:15,930 David Solan: critical issues at the 24- mile mark, it's mostly just 154 00:08:15,930 --> 00:08:21,000 David Solan: encouraging runners and clapping and shouting their way and getting 155 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,850 David Solan: them to the line. When you're at the finish line, 156 00:08:23,850 --> 00:08:27,900 David Solan: however, that's when all the other things start taking place 157 00:08:27,900 --> 00:08:32,250 David Solan: as far as whether it's a serious injury or just 158 00:08:32,250 --> 00:08:34,170 David Solan: taking care of the things that they encountered over the 159 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:37,740 David Solan: course of the road to get them back out into 160 00:08:37,740 --> 00:08:39,660 David Solan: the family circle and meeting up with their family. It 161 00:08:39,660 --> 00:08:41,820 David Solan: could be something as simple as let's take care of 162 00:08:41,820 --> 00:08:44,130 David Solan: some blisters and clean them up and get them out 163 00:08:44,130 --> 00:08:47,189 David Solan: there. Or if it's a heat issue, we need to 164 00:08:48,450 --> 00:08:51,240 David Solan: cool their core temperature down so they can join their family. 165 00:08:51,990 --> 00:08:58,920 Becs Gentry: Wow. Wow. I am, wow. I'm in awe, I'm in absolute awe. And I love that. I hope our listeners really keyed into that, 166 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:03,780 Becs Gentry: Rob, the stretching. When your muscles you feel like are 167 00:09:03,780 --> 00:09:06,690 Becs Gentry: going into spasm that close to the end don't necessarily 168 00:09:06,690 --> 00:09:09,059 Becs Gentry: stop. Because you do, David, you see so many people 169 00:09:09,059 --> 00:09:11,910 Becs Gentry: right on that final couple of miles pulling over to 170 00:09:11,910 --> 00:09:14,339 Becs Gentry: the side. And I love to cheer. If I'm not 171 00:09:14,340 --> 00:09:17,220 Becs Gentry: running, I love to cheer around the 24 to finish 172 00:09:17,220 --> 00:09:20,250 Becs Gentry: line area. And you're right, it is. It's, " Go, go, go, 173 00:09:20,250 --> 00:09:21,540 Becs Gentry: go. No, just don't stop. Keep going." 174 00:09:21,540 --> 00:09:21,929 David Solan: Right. 175 00:09:21,990 --> 00:09:24,120 Becs Gentry: But you see so many people coming and stopping and 176 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:27,300 Becs Gentry: stretching their hamstrings and their calf muscles. And that's a 177 00:09:27,300 --> 00:09:31,679 Becs Gentry: great piece of medical knowledge there, listeners. Keep moving. Even 178 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:33,990 Becs Gentry: if it's a walk, just keep moving. You can get 179 00:09:33,990 --> 00:09:35,250 Becs Gentry: to that finish line. Wow. 180 00:09:35,250 --> 00:09:37,679 David Solan: Exactly. There were times when I walked with a person 181 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:40,260 David Solan: almost to the 25- mile mark, just to keep them 182 00:09:40,260 --> 00:09:42,240 David Solan: moving and keep them walking. I didn't want them to stop 183 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:42,750 David Solan: on the side. 184 00:09:42,750 --> 00:09:44,850 Becs Gentry: Did you hand them over to another medical professional? 185 00:09:45,150 --> 00:09:47,790 David Solan: Yes. We radioed ahead to the 25- mile mark and 186 00:09:47,790 --> 00:09:48,750 David Solan: they picked up from there. 187 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:49,860 Becs Gentry: Cool. 188 00:09:50,970 --> 00:09:55,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: David, what has kept you coming back year after year 189 00:09:55,350 --> 00:09:59,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: after year to be a medical volunteer? And it's not 190 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:01,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: just you, there's a community of medical volunteers out there. 191 00:10:01,770 --> 00:10:04,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: I've had a chance to meet many of them over 192 00:10:04,170 --> 00:10:07,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: the years. They play such a vital role in our 193 00:10:07,740 --> 00:10:10,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: setup and the way we put these races on safely. 194 00:10:10,410 --> 00:10:12,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: Of course, we've got a professional staff, we've got a 195 00:10:12,630 --> 00:10:17,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: great medical partner now in CrowdRx, which is setting up the 196 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:22,079 Rob Simmelkjaer: infrastructure for our medical care. But the volunteers play a 197 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:25,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: big role. What keeps you coming back year after year? 198 00:10:25,830 --> 00:10:29,160 David Solan: I'm glad you asked that because that's a question that people ask 199 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:33,450 David Solan: me from year to year. And starting with my family. " 200 00:10:33,660 --> 00:10:36,960 David Solan: Why do you keep doing this? They're not paying you. 201 00:10:37,020 --> 00:10:39,840 David Solan: As a matter of fact, you're paying money for travel, 202 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,900 David Solan: for food, you're working a 14 to 15 hour day 203 00:10:43,650 --> 00:10:46,410 David Solan: and you're at the end of your career. You don't 204 00:10:46,410 --> 00:10:49,559 David Solan: need this as a resume booster. Why do you keep 205 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:53,459 David Solan: doing this?" Friends ask the same thing, " I don't understand 206 00:10:53,970 --> 00:10:58,500 David Solan: why you're doing this." And my why is for the 207 00:10:58,500 --> 00:11:04,140 David Solan: runners. When you're on the course, it's that runner that says, " 208 00:11:04,140 --> 00:11:05,730 David Solan: This is my first race. All I want to do 209 00:11:05,730 --> 00:11:12,870 David Solan: is finish. Can you help me finish?" And there's communication 210 00:11:12,870 --> 00:11:14,700 David Solan: while you're taking care of the runner, there's some communication 211 00:11:14,700 --> 00:11:17,459 David Solan: there and runners that say, " I have a friend that 212 00:11:17,460 --> 00:11:21,600 David Solan: passed and I'm running this for my friend." When you're 213 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,929 David Solan: in the tent, it's the person that says, it's a 214 00:11:24,929 --> 00:11:27,120 David Solan: lot of distress, and they say, " Am I going to 215 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:30,000 David Solan: die? Don't let me die." Or the runner says, " I 216 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,309 David Solan: just want to join my family after the race." And 217 00:11:32,309 --> 00:11:36,480 David Solan: that's my why. Now, for the runners, the runners also 218 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:39,150 David Solan: have a why and their why is I want to 219 00:11:39,150 --> 00:11:42,390 David Solan: finish the race. We feed off each other. The runner 220 00:11:42,390 --> 00:11:44,760 David Solan: wants to finish a race, we help them finish a race. 221 00:11:45,150 --> 00:11:46,200 David Solan: Everyone goes home happy. 222 00:11:47,790 --> 00:11:52,020 Becs Gentry: Wow. Is there any runner, I'm sure there's a lot, 223 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,380 Becs Gentry: over 35 years you can't imagine, but is there anything 224 00:11:55,380 --> 00:11:57,660 Becs Gentry: that stands out? Any person that stands out in your 225 00:11:57,660 --> 00:11:59,550 Becs Gentry: mind when you're relaying this story? 226 00:12:02,100 --> 00:12:09,420 David Solan: One person in particular. Back in 2006, I had the 227 00:12:09,420 --> 00:12:12,960 David Solan: opportunity to meet Paul Tergat and Paul won the race 228 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,949 David Solan: in 2005. And the way I encountered him was, I'm 229 00:12:16,950 --> 00:12:21,929 David Solan: at the 24- mile mark and someone radioed over to 230 00:12:21,929 --> 00:12:25,620 David Solan: see if anybody wanted to volunteer for USADA. I had 231 00:12:25,620 --> 00:12:27,360 David Solan: no idea what I'd be doing, but I said, " Yeah, 232 00:12:27,420 --> 00:12:29,040 David Solan: I'll do it." I took a walk over to the finish 233 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:32,760 David Solan: line and I got the assignment of the second runner 234 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:35,429 David Solan: that crossed the line and they said, " My job is 235 00:12:35,429 --> 00:12:38,880 David Solan: to identify yourself to the runner, stay with that runner 236 00:12:39,090 --> 00:12:41,700 David Solan: until they produce a sample for us and then your 237 00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:45,030 David Solan: job is done." It happened to be Paul Tergat and 238 00:12:45,030 --> 00:12:47,640 David Solan: since he won the previous year, the media was all 239 00:12:48,030 --> 00:12:51,720 David Solan: around Paul. We went back to the New York Road Runner's 240 00:12:51,900 --> 00:12:56,100 David Solan: headquarters and Paul was having something to eat and my 241 00:12:56,100 --> 00:12:58,440 David Solan: instructions were, I couldn't communicate with Paul, I had to 242 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:01,709 David Solan: be completely neutral. And he called me over and he said, " 243 00:13:01,710 --> 00:13:03,780 David Solan: Would you like a photo with me?" And I said, " 244 00:13:03,990 --> 00:13:06,689 David Solan: I really can't take any pictures with you, Mr. Tergat." 245 00:13:07,050 --> 00:13:09,329 David Solan: And he said, " No, you call me Paul." He said, " 246 00:13:09,330 --> 00:13:11,490 David Solan: But there are no rules saying that I can't take 247 00:13:11,490 --> 00:13:14,069 David Solan: a photo with you." He called over one of the 248 00:13:14,070 --> 00:13:19,170 David Solan: security guys in the building, handed him my cell phone 249 00:13:19,590 --> 00:13:21,210 David Solan: and said, "I would like to take a picture with my 250 00:13:21,210 --> 00:13:24,150 David Solan: friend, David," So I have a photo with Paul Tergat. 251 00:13:24,990 --> 00:13:27,210 David Solan: And that was a really, really neat day for me. 252 00:13:28,410 --> 00:13:30,420 Becs Gentry: Oh, that's a wonderful story. Wow. 253 00:13:30,809 --> 00:13:33,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: Very cool. And if you've ever met Paul Tergat, you will 254 00:13:33,809 --> 00:13:36,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: not be surprised at that story because he was such 255 00:13:36,990 --> 00:13:41,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: an incredibly personable guy, and I'm not at all surprised he 256 00:13:41,850 --> 00:13:43,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: would want to make that moment for you. That is 257 00:13:43,590 --> 00:13:48,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: really, really cool. You've been in the finish line tent 258 00:13:48,210 --> 00:13:52,709 Rob Simmelkjaer: in recent years, David, and it's a different vibe there 259 00:13:52,740 --> 00:13:54,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of the time. The runners have finished the 260 00:13:54,900 --> 00:13:59,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: race, so they got that done. But that is where 261 00:13:59,130 --> 00:14:03,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: we do see a lot of the more acute situations. 262 00:14:04,050 --> 00:14:07,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: For whatever reason, people push really hard to that finish 263 00:14:07,530 --> 00:14:12,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: line, and that's where things oftentimes get serious. Things happen 264 00:14:12,030 --> 00:14:14,579 Rob Simmelkjaer: all along the course, but from what I've seen in my 2. 265 00:14:14,580 --> 00:14:18,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: 5 years here, the finish line tent can be a 266 00:14:18,030 --> 00:14:21,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: busy place. Can you talk about the sequence of events? 267 00:14:21,990 --> 00:14:26,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: What happens when a runner comes into the finish line 268 00:14:26,250 --> 00:14:29,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: medical tent and what that care sequence looks like? 269 00:14:30,900 --> 00:14:32,370 David Solan: Okay, well, first of all, I can say that the 270 00:14:32,370 --> 00:14:36,180 David Solan: medical tent is run like a triage center, very similar 271 00:14:36,180 --> 00:14:41,430 David Solan: to an ER. An athlete is first evaluated when they 272 00:14:41,430 --> 00:14:44,460 David Solan: cross the line, we have medical staff out there trying 273 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:48,570 David Solan: to determine what the issue may be. They go into 274 00:14:48,570 --> 00:14:51,180 David Solan: a wheelchair most of the time and come into the 275 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:54,780 David Solan: tent that way. Then they'll see a triage nurse and 276 00:14:54,780 --> 00:14:58,170 David Solan: that person will again take their vitals and try to 277 00:14:58,170 --> 00:15:02,040 David Solan: figure out what department they need to go to, whether 278 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:05,190 David Solan: it's an ICU area, whether it's heat deck, whether it's 279 00:15:05,190 --> 00:15:09,330 David Solan: orthopedic issue, and then they would move that person into 280 00:15:09,330 --> 00:15:13,440 David Solan: that particular department. The tent is so large, I'm not 281 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:16,530 David Solan: sure what goes on in the other areas because I'm focused 282 00:15:16,530 --> 00:15:19,920 David Solan: on heat deck. And for a lot of the time I'm 283 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:22,950 David Solan: just sitting there waiting for someone to come in. Probably 284 00:15:22,950 --> 00:15:25,320 David Solan: the first third of the race I would say, or 285 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:27,960 David Solan: first third of the day, we don't really see much 286 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:33,300 David Solan: heat issues because the runners are fast, they're trained and 287 00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:36,990 David Solan: they come across the line and they're on their way, 288 00:15:37,350 --> 00:15:39,720 David Solan: they're going home. We see a lot of the heat 289 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:43,200 David Solan: with the middle third. These are the runners who are 290 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:45,630 David Solan: out there for quite a long time, they're usually the 291 00:15:45,630 --> 00:15:46,590 David Solan: recreational runner. 292 00:15:47,250 --> 00:15:52,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: You're talking maybe four hours to five, 5.5 hours finishing time? 293 00:15:52,260 --> 00:15:55,680 David Solan: Right. And they're trying to beat their PR, so they're 294 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:57,510 David Solan: really trying to push and they generate a lot of 295 00:15:58,050 --> 00:16:01,410 David Solan: core heat. The last third, again, it drops off. We 296 00:16:01,410 --> 00:16:03,780 David Solan: don't see much heat with the last third because in 297 00:16:03,780 --> 00:16:06,090 David Solan: that group, if they get tired, what do they do? 298 00:16:06,270 --> 00:16:09,180 David Solan: They slow down and they start walking so they don't give themselves an 299 00:16:09,180 --> 00:16:11,880 David Solan: opportunity to generate the heat. It's really the middle part 300 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:13,980 David Solan: of the day that it really gets crazy in the 301 00:16:13,980 --> 00:16:14,430 David Solan: heat tent. 302 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:19,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: And what happens when someone, David, does come in with 303 00:16:19,650 --> 00:16:22,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: a heat condition, a heat stroke, what do you do? 304 00:16:22,590 --> 00:16:23,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: How do you treat that person? 305 00:16:24,270 --> 00:16:26,550 David Solan: Okay, so first you want to make a differential diagnosis 306 00:16:26,550 --> 00:16:28,860 David Solan: to make sure it is a heat issue. And by 307 00:16:28,860 --> 00:16:33,540 David Solan: doing that, we do a temperature check. We do a 308 00:16:33,540 --> 00:16:36,210 David Solan: rectal temp because that's the most valid way of checking 309 00:16:36,210 --> 00:16:40,500 David Solan: core temperature. And if they're elevated above 105, then we 310 00:16:40,500 --> 00:16:42,750 David Solan: bring them right over to the dunk tank and they'll 311 00:16:42,750 --> 00:16:46,380 David Solan: go right into some cold water, usually around 50 degrees 312 00:16:46,380 --> 00:16:50,640 David Solan: or so of water. The thermometer stays in them until 313 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:52,920 David Solan: we see that it drops below 102, and once it 314 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:58,110 David Solan: reaches 102, we pull them out of the tub because 315 00:16:58,110 --> 00:17:00,180 David Solan: we don't want them overshooting and now having their temperature 316 00:17:00,180 --> 00:17:05,100 David Solan: drop too low. It's this fine science of when do 317 00:17:05,100 --> 00:17:06,870 David Solan: you go in and when do you come out type thing. 318 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:12,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: And I've seen those tubs with the ice water in 319 00:17:12,660 --> 00:17:15,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: them and seen people get dunked and it's amazing the 320 00:17:15,840 --> 00:17:18,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: difference it makes. Those folks come in in really bad 321 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,149 Rob Simmelkjaer: shape and they almost just about always walk out of 322 00:17:21,150 --> 00:17:25,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: there after being cooled down. It's incredible. And Becs, if 323 00:17:25,530 --> 00:17:28,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's not enough incentive for anybody out there to train 324 00:17:28,230 --> 00:17:31,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: and make sure they're ready for the marathon, I think 325 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:34,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: David just gave it. If you come in overheated, first 326 00:17:34,350 --> 00:17:37,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're going to have your temperature taken rectally, which is 327 00:17:37,109 --> 00:17:39,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: not what anybody plans to do when they show up- 328 00:17:39,990 --> 00:17:39,991 David Solan: Nope. 329 00:17:39,991 --> 00:17:42,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... at the starting line and then you're going to 330 00:17:42,510 --> 00:17:44,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: get dunked in a bucket of cold water. 331 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:44,521 David Solan: None of that sounds fun. 332 00:17:44,521 --> 00:17:48,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: I would say for most people that's a strong incentive to not 333 00:17:48,570 --> 00:17:49,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: end up in the medical tent. 334 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,520 David Solan: And I need to add, people will say, " Well, why 335 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,500 David Solan: do you do the temperature? Why can't you just stick them 336 00:17:55,500 --> 00:17:58,170 David Solan: in the tub?" Well, there are a lot of similar signs 337 00:17:58,170 --> 00:18:03,690 David Solan: with the central nervous system dysfunction such as hypoglycemia. You can have 338 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:06,960 David Solan: very similar signs and you might put someone in the 339 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:11,250 David Solan: tub who's actually having a hypoglycemic episode, so you want to 340 00:18:11,250 --> 00:18:13,440 David Solan: make sure you're doing the proper treatment with them. 341 00:18:14,310 --> 00:18:17,340 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh, so many things, so much quick thinking. 342 00:18:17,340 --> 00:18:21,030 Becs Gentry: As you say, it's triage. It truly is an emergency room. 343 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:24,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: David, you are the first athletic trainer ever to be 344 00:18:24,930 --> 00:18:28,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: inducted into New York Road Runner's Volunteer Hall of Fame. 345 00:18:28,830 --> 00:18:29,491 Rob Simmelkjaer: What does that mean to you? 346 00:18:29,491 --> 00:18:39,300 David Solan: I'm in awe and I'm excited and I'm humbled, and not because it's 347 00:18:39,300 --> 00:18:43,290 David Solan: me, but just because an athletic trainer has been recognized. 348 00:18:45,090 --> 00:18:47,310 David Solan: There were a few other halls of fame over the 349 00:18:47,310 --> 00:18:50,040 David Solan: years that I've been inducted into and they were athletic 350 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:52,650 David Solan: training halls of fame, and it was for my advocacy 351 00:18:52,650 --> 00:18:56,609 David Solan: for the profession, it's for what I've done to promote 352 00:18:56,609 --> 00:19:00,060 David Solan: the profession, to make improvements in the profession. But this 353 00:19:00,060 --> 00:19:02,760 David Solan: particular Hall of Fame is an outside group, it's not 354 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:06,600 David Solan: an athletic training group, and they're looking at my years 355 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:08,820 David Solan: of service and what I've done to help the New 356 00:19:08,820 --> 00:19:09,510 David Solan: York Road Runners. 357 00:19:11,190 --> 00:19:13,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: 100%. And you have done a lot- 358 00:19:13,619 --> 00:19:13,620 David Solan: A lot. 359 00:19:13,620 --> 00:19:17,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... and we are very excited to recognize you, your 360 00:19:17,100 --> 00:19:20,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: fellow volunteer Hall of Famers. And David, I hope there 361 00:19:20,340 --> 00:19:23,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: are many more years of you coming out and volunteering 362 00:19:23,790 --> 00:19:24,031 Rob Simmelkjaer: for us- 363 00:19:24,031 --> 00:19:24,032 David Solan: Absolutely. 364 00:19:24,032 --> 00:19:28,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... in those medical tents. Don't rest on your accomplishments now, 365 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:28,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: we want to keep you coming back. 366 00:19:28,620 --> 00:19:35,460 David Solan: It's funny because when I was notified of this, I started looking back at 367 00:19:35,550 --> 00:19:38,129 David Solan: some old photos that I had and I came across 368 00:19:38,130 --> 00:19:42,869 David Solan: one article from a local newspaper here, and it was 369 00:19:42,869 --> 00:19:47,310 David Solan: back in 2008 and the article said, Athletic Trainer Is 370 00:19:47,310 --> 00:19:50,700 David Solan: In For The Long Haul. Little did I know back in 2008, 371 00:19:50,700 --> 00:19:51,689 David Solan: this was the long haul. 372 00:19:53,850 --> 00:19:57,359 Becs Gentry: That's fantastic. Oh, my gosh. Well, keep that long haul 373 00:19:57,359 --> 00:19:59,970 Becs Gentry: going. Thank you so much, David. It's been a pleasure 374 00:19:59,970 --> 00:20:02,879 Becs Gentry: to talk to you and learn from you and I 375 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:04,231 Becs Gentry: hope to see you out at the next race. 376 00:20:04,231 --> 00:20:04,232 David Solan: Oh, great. 377 00:20:04,232 --> 00:20:06,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: But not in the medical tent, right Becs? 378 00:20:06,090 --> 00:20:06,091 Becs Gentry: No, no, no, no, no. 379 00:20:06,091 --> 00:20:06,302 David Solan: That's right. 380 00:20:08,369 --> 00:20:10,200 Becs Gentry: On the course passing you by with a wave. 381 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:13,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's right. I want to see David on his way into 382 00:20:13,950 --> 00:20:15,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: work, not while he's working. 383 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:17,850 David Solan: That's right. Or you can always stop by to say 384 00:20:17,850 --> 00:20:18,960 David Solan: hello, that's okay. 385 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:21,031 Becs Gentry: Yes, absolutely. Those two. 386 00:20:21,031 --> 00:20:24,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: David Solan, thank you very much and congratulations. 387 00:20:25,230 --> 00:20:25,830 David Solan: Thanks again. 388 00:20:26,430 --> 00:20:29,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: Our next volunteer Hall of Famer has been a New York 389 00:20:29,010 --> 00:20:34,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners volunteer since 1979, first stepping up when an injury 390 00:20:34,170 --> 00:20:37,409 Rob Simmelkjaer: kept him from running the marathon. Over the years, Larry 391 00:20:37,410 --> 00:20:40,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sillen has handed out bib, he's hauled water from fire 392 00:20:40,740 --> 00:20:44,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: hydrants and even helped Fred Lebow create early signage for 393 00:20:44,609 --> 00:20:47,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners Run to Work Program, which I 394 00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:50,699 Rob Simmelkjaer: can't wait to hear about. Now, 80 years old, Larry 395 00:20:50,700 --> 00:20:53,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: is a familiar face at Open Runs across the city, 396 00:20:53,609 --> 00:20:57,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: especially at Marine Park where he grew up. With more 397 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:01,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: than 90 volunteer shifts, logged at Open Runs alone, Larry's 398 00:21:01,050 --> 00:21:04,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: commitment and signature bell have made him a cornerstone of 399 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:08,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: the NYRR community. This year, he is being inducted into 400 00:21:08,100 --> 00:21:12,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Volunteer Hall of Fame, recognition for a lifetime of 401 00:21:12,030 --> 00:21:14,909 Rob Simmelkjaer: showing up. Larry, thank you for showing up here. And 402 00:21:15,150 --> 00:21:16,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: let's hear that bell. 403 00:21:17,609 --> 00:21:17,731 Becs Gentry: There we go. 404 00:21:17,731 --> 00:21:20,551 Rob Simmelkjaer: There we go. What's going on, Larry? 405 00:21:20,551 --> 00:21:20,552 Larry Sillen: Awesome. 406 00:21:20,552 --> 00:21:23,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's great to have you with us. Congratulations on the 407 00:21:23,070 --> 00:21:23,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hall of Fame induction. 408 00:21:23,940 --> 00:21:24,960 Becs Gentry: Congratulations. 409 00:21:25,619 --> 00:21:28,560 Larry Sillen: I was so surprised about it. Just doing what I 410 00:21:28,560 --> 00:21:30,958 Larry Sillen: love to do, volunteer all my life. 411 00:21:31,979 --> 00:21:31,980 Becs Gentry: Wow. 412 00:21:31,980 --> 00:21:31,981 Larry Sillen: It's great. 413 00:21:31,981 --> 00:21:39,720 Becs Gentry: You are unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. I cannot believe that I'm sitting 414 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:42,660 Becs Gentry: here getting to talk to you having seen you at 415 00:21:42,660 --> 00:21:46,440 Becs Gentry: races and now hearing a lot of your stories. Since 416 00:21:46,770 --> 00:21:51,359 Becs Gentry: 1979, you were sidelined by plantar fasciitis, is that right? 417 00:21:51,359 --> 00:21:51,629 Larry Sillen: Yeah. 418 00:21:52,109 --> 00:21:55,199 Becs Gentry: And so you decided to not just stay home and 419 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:57,869 Becs Gentry: rest, you were like, no, I'm not going to rest. I'm going 420 00:21:57,869 --> 00:22:01,590 Becs Gentry: to go and volunteer at the marathon instead. And you 421 00:22:01,590 --> 00:22:06,210 Becs Gentry: did both the expo and the water stations, is that correct? 422 00:22:06,660 --> 00:22:07,740 Larry Sillen: Yes, it is. 423 00:22:07,740 --> 00:22:07,800 Becs Gentry: Wow. 424 00:22:08,160 --> 00:22:10,980 Larry Sillen: The water station was very hard, but we did it. 425 00:22:10,980 --> 00:22:13,229 Becs Gentry: You did. And what was that like? 426 00:22:14,220 --> 00:22:18,900 Larry Sillen: I remember bringing buckets, trash cans of water from one 427 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:22,950 Larry Sillen: side of the other without being run into by the 428 00:22:22,950 --> 00:22:28,800 Larry Sillen: runners. That was hard. You got to cross the roadway to get 429 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:34,138 Larry Sillen: to the water fountain and put the water into the 430 00:22:34,138 --> 00:22:38,070 Larry Sillen: buckets and all that, and then come back and start 431 00:22:38,070 --> 00:22:39,271 Larry Sillen: filling the cups for the runners. 432 00:22:39,271 --> 00:22:41,400 Becs Gentry: Wow. And so there were some close calls that day, 433 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:45,720 Becs Gentry: but you managed it. I have almost a comedic Warner Brothers 434 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:48,480 Becs Gentry: style skit in my mind. A cartoon of you just 435 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:54,419 Becs Gentry: with the water dodging everybody. What an experience. 436 00:22:55,230 --> 00:22:59,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: You started there and then what kept you volunteering, Larry? 437 00:22:59,880 --> 00:23:03,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: You started because you couldn't run, but I assume the 438 00:23:03,090 --> 00:23:07,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: plantar fasciitis went away, but the desire to volunteer did 439 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:10,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: not go away. Why did you keep coming back to 440 00:23:10,020 --> 00:23:11,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: volunteer again and again? 441 00:23:12,570 --> 00:23:17,520 Larry Sillen: Because I enjoyed myself doing it, cheering on the runners and 442 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:20,880 Larry Sillen: all that stuff. I felt like I was actually running 443 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:26,100 Larry Sillen: when I volunteered. When I am course martial, I have 444 00:23:26,100 --> 00:23:30,840 Larry Sillen: my bell and I use it and cheer on the 445 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:35,190 Larry Sillen: runners. And every time I volunteer I lose my voice 446 00:23:35,850 --> 00:23:37,260 Larry Sillen: because I'm yelling so much. 447 00:23:37,950 --> 00:23:40,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. And I know how much the runners appreciate 448 00:23:40,980 --> 00:23:43,919 Rob Simmelkjaer: that. We all need to hear that encouragement- 449 00:23:43,920 --> 00:23:43,921 Becs Gentry: It does. 450 00:23:43,921 --> 00:23:47,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... even from total strangers. Makes a big difference. Okay, 451 00:23:47,460 --> 00:23:50,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: I have to ask you about this Run to Work 452 00:23:50,130 --> 00:23:53,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: program that you worked with Fred Lebow to design signage 453 00:23:53,850 --> 00:23:56,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: for. What was that? What was the Run to Work 454 00:23:56,310 --> 00:23:58,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: program and how were you involved? 455 00:23:59,550 --> 00:24:06,869 Larry Sillen: Back in '79, Fred used to have the bib pick 456 00:24:06,869 --> 00:24:15,300 Larry Sillen: up at the Y on 63rd Street, and I was 457 00:24:15,300 --> 00:24:18,180 Larry Sillen: there to pick up a bib for a race. And 458 00:24:18,180 --> 00:24:20,760 Larry Sillen: I saw Fred in the hallway and I went over 459 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:23,609 Larry Sillen: to him and I told him that I work at 460 00:24:23,609 --> 00:24:28,290 Larry Sillen: an advertising agency and if I could help in any 461 00:24:28,290 --> 00:24:32,820 Larry Sillen: way. So he told me he had this thought about 462 00:24:33,210 --> 00:24:39,780 Larry Sillen: Run to Work program and I kind of liked it 463 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:44,340 Larry Sillen: and he needed me to actually help him with the 464 00:24:44,340 --> 00:24:49,380 Larry Sillen: logo, which was a stick figure of a runner holding 465 00:24:49,380 --> 00:24:55,514 Larry Sillen: a briefcase. And what he had problems with was putting 466 00:24:55,515 --> 00:25:03,480 Larry Sillen: the type around the outside of the emblem. So he 467 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:09,180 Larry Sillen: asked me to ask one of my patriots at the 468 00:25:09,180 --> 00:25:13,709 Larry Sillen: advertising agency that I worked for to put the type 469 00:25:13,710 --> 00:25:18,600 Larry Sillen: around it, which I asked a friend, his name was 470 00:25:19,500 --> 00:25:22,109 Larry Sillen: Joe Morales. That's the name of my friend. 471 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:22,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, Joe. 472 00:25:24,060 --> 00:25:26,550 Larry Sillen: And he helped and he put it together and then 473 00:25:26,550 --> 00:25:29,640 Larry Sillen: he gave it to Fred and he was very happy. 474 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:35,190 Larry Sillen: I lived in Brooklyn Heights and I worked at 50th 475 00:25:35,190 --> 00:25:40,230 Larry Sillen: and Madison where the agency was. And I started running 476 00:25:40,230 --> 00:25:44,010 Larry Sillen: to work and that's why I joined the New York 477 00:25:44,010 --> 00:25:47,730 Larry Sillen: Health and Racquet Club so I could go there before 478 00:25:47,730 --> 00:25:51,630 Larry Sillen: I got to work and take a shower, so I'd 479 00:25:51,630 --> 00:25:56,190 Larry Sillen: feel comfortable during the day, which I did. Sometimes I run home 480 00:25:56,190 --> 00:25:58,830 Larry Sillen: from work. I have two workouts. 481 00:25:59,520 --> 00:25:59,910 Becs Gentry: Brilliant. 482 00:25:59,910 --> 00:26:02,280 Larry Sillen: And that was good. We were getting ready for the 483 00:26:02,280 --> 00:26:07,830 Larry Sillen: marathon in 1979, which I couldn't do, but I did 484 00:26:08,609 --> 00:26:11,100 Larry Sillen: the marathon the next year, but I race walked it. 485 00:26:11,190 --> 00:26:12,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: Beautiful, beautiful. 486 00:26:13,109 --> 00:26:17,340 Becs Gentry: Still did it. You still did it. Larry, you also 487 00:26:17,340 --> 00:26:21,119 Becs Gentry: had apparently a very early and strong connection with Dick Traum. 488 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:21,241 Larry Sillen: Yes, I did. 489 00:26:21,241 --> 00:26:24,240 Becs Gentry: Can you tell us a little bit about that relationship? 490 00:26:24,300 --> 00:26:29,580 Larry Sillen: Well, I went to a running camp at Lake Tahoe 491 00:26:29,580 --> 00:26:33,000 Larry Sillen: and met some of the people from Runners World because 492 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:39,990 Larry Sillen: it was Jeff Galloway's running camp and he did some 493 00:26:40,950 --> 00:26:47,130 Larry Sillen: writing for Runners World. Andy Burfoot and his wife came 494 00:26:47,130 --> 00:26:52,500 Larry Sillen: to the camp and it was really an interesting session 495 00:26:52,500 --> 00:26:56,820 Larry Sillen: and all that. And I said to Amby, " I'm a 496 00:26:56,820 --> 00:27:01,889 Larry Sillen: photographer, is there any freelance I could do?" And he said, " 497 00:27:01,890 --> 00:27:06,540 Larry Sillen: Okay, just give me your name, address and telephone number." 498 00:27:07,290 --> 00:27:10,830 Larry Sillen: And I think it was before we had email, so 499 00:27:11,220 --> 00:27:14,040 Larry Sillen: he'd have to send me a letter or something. I 500 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:18,090 Larry Sillen: don't remember what it was back then. But anyway, he got 501 00:27:18,090 --> 00:27:21,300 Larry Sillen: in touch with me or someone from the group got 502 00:27:21,300 --> 00:27:24,090 Larry Sillen: in touch with me asking me to take pictures of 503 00:27:24,090 --> 00:27:29,010 Larry Sillen: this group that just started. But he gave me the 504 00:27:29,010 --> 00:27:32,159 Larry Sillen: name of the person to get in touch with and 505 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:36,390 Larry Sillen: it was Dick Traum. And I had seen Dick Traum 506 00:27:36,390 --> 00:27:40,980 Larry Sillen: in a video that someone produced, and it was where 507 00:27:40,980 --> 00:27:48,150 Larry Sillen: he was running the 1976 marathon and being passed by 508 00:27:48,180 --> 00:27:54,359 Larry Sillen: Bill Rodgers. Dick used to get an early start. Dick 509 00:27:54,359 --> 00:28:01,290 Larry Sillen: probably was involved with the New York Road Runners from 510 00:28:01,290 --> 00:28:03,689 Larry Sillen: an early time because he was able to get an 511 00:28:03,690 --> 00:28:12,810 Larry Sillen: early start. After the Road Runners asked me to take 512 00:28:13,109 --> 00:28:16,080 Larry Sillen: a photo of the team, which I did in front 513 00:28:16,080 --> 00:28:20,609 Larry Sillen: of our building on 89th Street, way back when where 514 00:28:20,609 --> 00:28:22,830 Larry Sillen: we used to pick up our bibs and all that, 515 00:28:22,830 --> 00:28:31,020 Larry Sillen: and the organization was there too. And afterwards I took 516 00:28:31,020 --> 00:28:34,500 Larry Sillen: pictures there and then we went to the Central Park 517 00:28:35,070 --> 00:28:41,970 Larry Sillen: at 98th Street off of Fifth Avenue, the Engineers Gate, 518 00:28:42,630 --> 00:28:48,330 Larry Sillen: the World Famous Engineers gate. And we would go, I took 519 00:28:48,330 --> 00:28:54,240 Larry Sillen: pictures there and Dick said, " Let me get your telephone 520 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:58,170 Larry Sillen: number," and we became friends ever since then. And I 521 00:28:58,170 --> 00:29:02,460 Larry Sillen: realized I could volunteer as a guide for an athlete 522 00:29:03,420 --> 00:29:08,400 Larry Sillen: or actually take photos for the team, which I did 523 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:16,200 Larry Sillen: almost to '19, or actually two years ago I decided, 524 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:20,850 Larry Sillen: or three years ago, I decided to be more of 525 00:29:20,850 --> 00:29:27,480 Larry Sillen: an athlete than their photographer so I got more involved 526 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:33,510 Larry Sillen: in volunteering and doing that. And then I discovered Open Run. 527 00:29:33,540 --> 00:29:35,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's right. That's right. Which we'll get to in a 528 00:29:35,190 --> 00:29:39,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: second. But Dick Traum, of course, those who know, know 529 00:29:39,540 --> 00:29:43,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: that he was a founder of Achilles, which we all 530 00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:45,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: know and love in New York Road Runners was an 531 00:29:45,930 --> 00:29:51,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: early New York Roadrunners advocate for athletes with disabilities and 532 00:29:51,540 --> 00:29:55,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: obviously just a legendary figure in New York running and 533 00:29:55,230 --> 00:29:58,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: passed away within the last year or so. We miss 534 00:29:58,500 --> 00:30:00,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: Dick, and I'm sure you miss Dick. He was a 535 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:05,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: special guy. Larry, you mentioned Open Run. You have volunteered 536 00:30:05,430 --> 00:30:08,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: over 90 times with Open Run. Of course that's New 537 00:30:08,580 --> 00:30:12,209 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners free running program in parks around the 538 00:30:12,210 --> 00:30:15,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: city week in and week out. And you've been doing 539 00:30:15,540 --> 00:30:18,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: it in Marine Park, which is where you grew up. 540 00:30:18,330 --> 00:30:21,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: What has kept you coming back to Open Run and 541 00:30:21,630 --> 00:30:23,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Marine Park year after year? 542 00:30:23,460 --> 00:30:27,330 Larry Sillen: Well, it's fun to be there. Everybody is so nice 543 00:30:27,900 --> 00:30:31,710 Larry Sillen: and friendly and you make new friends and stuff like 544 00:30:31,710 --> 00:30:34,830 Larry Sillen: that. I'd see them at the races all the time 545 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:38,130 Larry Sillen: and they know I always love to take pictures with 546 00:30:38,130 --> 00:30:44,910 Larry Sillen: my phone. And what I do is I've photographed every 547 00:30:44,910 --> 00:30:48,000 Larry Sillen: single Open Run that I've been at so I got 548 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:53,190 Larry Sillen: a long chain of Open Runs on Facebook. If anybody 549 00:30:53,190 --> 00:30:56,130 Larry Sillen: wants to see them, they're free, I put them up 550 00:30:56,130 --> 00:31:01,380 Larry Sillen: there because... And lately I've been sending them to the 551 00:31:01,950 --> 00:31:07,080 Larry Sillen: actual Open Run on Facebook. I go to Canarsie Park 552 00:31:07,080 --> 00:31:12,720 Larry Sillen: on Saturday, Marine Park on Sunday and Brooklyn Bridge Park 553 00:31:12,750 --> 00:31:16,500 Larry Sillen: on Tuesday nights. And then Thursday night I go to 554 00:31:16,650 --> 00:31:24,330 Larry Sillen: Achilles, Brooklyn, which on Thursday is our 10th anniversary of 555 00:31:24,330 --> 00:31:31,500 Larry Sillen: forming a chapter there. I'm proud to be there at 556 00:31:31,500 --> 00:31:32,310 Larry Sillen: the first one. 557 00:31:32,730 --> 00:31:35,280 Becs Gentry: Larry, you certainly run a lot. Oh my gosh. It has been 558 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:39,300 Becs Gentry: such a pleasure to have you on the show to 559 00:31:39,300 --> 00:31:41,550 Becs Gentry: talk about all the things you have done and all 560 00:31:41,550 --> 00:31:45,120 Becs Gentry: the things you continue to do for the running community. 561 00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:49,200 Becs Gentry: It's a true inspiration. And I know there are hundreds 562 00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:51,780 Becs Gentry: and thousands of people around the world who are grateful 563 00:31:51,780 --> 00:31:55,620 Becs Gentry: to you and we can't wait to see you being 564 00:31:55,980 --> 00:31:58,560 Becs Gentry: honored into that Volunteer Hall of Fame. 565 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:00,571 Larry Sillen: Thank you. 566 00:32:00,571 --> 00:32:02,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you, Larry. Congratulations. 567 00:32:02,790 --> 00:32:03,570 Larry Sillen: You're welcome. 568 00:32:03,570 --> 00:32:05,041 Rob Simmelkjaer: One more bell ring. Come on. One more. 569 00:32:05,041 --> 00:32:05,042 Becs Gentry: One more. 570 00:32:05,042 --> 00:32:05,043 Rob Simmelkjaer: There we go. All right. 571 00:32:05,043 --> 00:32:05,402 Larry Sillen: Go volunteers. 572 00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:10,471 Rob Simmelkjaer: There you go. 573 00:32:10,471 --> 00:32:11,220 Larry Sillen: We love volunteers. 574 00:32:13,770 --> 00:32:14,191 Rob Simmelkjaer: Larry Sillen. 575 00:32:14,191 --> 00:32:14,791 Larry Sillen: Good thing. 576 00:32:14,880 --> 00:32:16,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: Larry Sillen. Thanks so much, Larry. 577 00:32:16,770 --> 00:32:17,580 Larry Sillen: You're welcome. 578 00:32:18,090 --> 00:32:20,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: Nancy Chu is the force behind one of New York 579 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:24,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runner's most vibrant volunteer communities. As the Open Run 580 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:28,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: captain at Cunningham Park and the leader of the CunningHammers 581 00:32:28,200 --> 00:32:32,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: Run Club, Nancy has built a network rooted in encouragement 582 00:32:32,010 --> 00:32:35,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: and consistency. She's introduced countless people to the joy of 583 00:32:35,670 --> 00:32:39,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: running and volunteering, especially during the pandemic when her presence 584 00:32:39,660 --> 00:32:43,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: became a lifeline for community connection. Whether she's leading a 585 00:32:43,740 --> 00:32:47,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: water station or sending updates to her team, Nancy shows 586 00:32:47,970 --> 00:32:51,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: up with purpose. This year she's being honored as a 587 00:32:51,210 --> 00:32:56,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: 2025 Volunteer Hall of Fame inductee, recognized not just for 588 00:32:56,220 --> 00:32:59,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: what she's done, but for the community that she has 589 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:03,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: inspired. Nancy Chu, welcome. Congratulations on being a member of the- 590 00:33:03,840 --> 00:33:03,841 Becs Gentry: Congratulations. 591 00:33:03,841 --> 00:33:05,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... Volunteer Hall of Fame. 592 00:33:05,700 --> 00:33:08,640 Nancy Chu: Thank you. Thank you so much for the opportunity for 593 00:33:08,640 --> 00:33:10,350 Nancy Chu: doing all this for the community. 594 00:33:11,070 --> 00:33:14,820 Becs Gentry: Nancy, you are an incredible human. We are so honored 595 00:33:14,820 --> 00:33:18,030 Becs Gentry: to have you here to talk to us today. You are the 596 00:33:18,360 --> 00:33:21,570 Becs Gentry: Open Run captain at Cunningham Park and you lead the 597 00:33:21,570 --> 00:33:25,680 Becs Gentry: CunningHammers. Can you tell us how that role started and 598 00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:29,220 Becs Gentry: what your goals were when you first got involved? 599 00:33:32,220 --> 00:33:35,280 Nancy Chu: First when I first start running, and the very first race that I did 600 00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:38,460 Nancy Chu: with New York Road Runners was to run at one J. 601 00:33:38,460 --> 00:33:42,720 Nancy Chu: P. Morgan Chase back in 2016. I don't know how 602 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:46,500 Nancy Chu: it was, so when I finished it felt really good 603 00:33:46,500 --> 00:33:51,660 Nancy Chu: and satisfying, especially when I never ran before. After that, 604 00:33:51,660 --> 00:33:55,830 Nancy Chu: I was asking myself now what? What to do? I 605 00:33:55,830 --> 00:33:59,850 Nancy Chu: kept searching and searching and that's when I found out there 606 00:34:00,090 --> 00:34:03,660 Nancy Chu: was a new Open Run launching at Cunningham Park back 607 00:34:03,690 --> 00:34:08,640 Nancy Chu: in May 2016. And the timing was perfect, it was right after I 608 00:34:08,640 --> 00:34:14,760 Nancy Chu: finished the (inaudible) . And first running, still imitating though, 609 00:34:15,300 --> 00:34:20,250 Nancy Chu: I wasn't really a runner and more a jog/ walk person, 610 00:34:20,760 --> 00:34:24,030 Nancy Chu: I was nervous to join the run with other runners, 611 00:34:24,540 --> 00:34:29,520 Nancy Chu: so instead I choose to volunteer. I showed up Sunday 612 00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:35,850 Nancy Chu: after Sunday and after (inaudible) , the Open Run operation 613 00:34:35,850 --> 00:34:38,580 Nancy Chu: opened me the role as a run director, back then 614 00:34:38,580 --> 00:34:42,509 Nancy Chu: called director and right now called captain. I didn't know 615 00:34:42,510 --> 00:34:48,300 Nancy Chu: what to expect, all I knew was it made me 616 00:34:48,360 --> 00:34:54,000 Nancy Chu: happy seeing this group of people, individuals every Sunday learning their running story 617 00:34:54,060 --> 00:34:57,299 Nancy Chu: and experience. And sometimes even sharing (inaudible) too. As 618 00:34:57,299 --> 00:35:06,150 Nancy Chu: for the CunningHammers, it wasn't something I created myself. I 619 00:35:06,150 --> 00:35:11,070 Nancy Chu: just helped coordinate between (inaudible) . And the name came 620 00:35:11,070 --> 00:35:15,509 Nancy Chu: from Cunningham Park Open Running Community. It was started by 621 00:35:15,510 --> 00:35:20,190 Nancy Chu: the Open Run captains, actually, Horace and Annie and a few 622 00:35:20,550 --> 00:35:26,460 Nancy Chu: regular runners who begin adding more new ones. One week 623 00:35:26,460 --> 00:35:30,090 Nancy Chu: for them it just wasn't enough, so they add more 624 00:35:30,090 --> 00:35:32,670 Nancy Chu: runs to the week and I joined them soon after. 625 00:35:34,140 --> 00:35:40,950 Nancy Chu: From the year 2017 to 2014 people keep encouraging me to 626 00:35:40,950 --> 00:35:42,840 Nancy Chu: make it official, a official group to New York Road Runner. 627 00:35:43,560 --> 00:35:43,621 Rob Simmelkjaer: An official club. 628 00:35:43,621 --> 00:35:52,529 Nancy Chu: I reached out to New York Road Runner and with the help 629 00:35:52,530 --> 00:35:56,850 Nancy Chu: of the club coordinator, Neil, we got it done quickly 630 00:35:57,330 --> 00:36:00,359 Nancy Chu: and we are the CunningHammer Running Club now. 631 00:36:00,960 --> 00:36:04,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. I love it. And that club, the CunningHammers, 632 00:36:05,219 --> 00:36:08,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: you not only run together, but you volunteer together as 633 00:36:08,640 --> 00:36:14,218 Rob Simmelkjaer: a group. And what's different about volunteering with a group like 634 00:36:14,219 --> 00:36:17,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: that versus just showing up and doing it on your own? 635 00:36:18,150 --> 00:36:23,070 Nancy Chu: As a group it's really motivating and especially for the sign 636 00:36:23,070 --> 00:36:26,310 Nancy Chu: people. I am one of those to begin with. And 637 00:36:27,900 --> 00:36:31,469 Nancy Chu: that even volunteering solo is a great way to meet people 638 00:36:31,469 --> 00:36:35,219 Nancy Chu: too and learn from each other about our learning experience, 639 00:36:35,520 --> 00:36:39,689 Nancy Chu: sharing all the information, going places to run. It's fun. 640 00:36:41,580 --> 00:36:46,110 Becs Gentry: Nancy, you have been described by a runner as the 641 00:36:46,110 --> 00:36:50,910 Becs Gentry: glue of Cunningham. Can you share what you do week 642 00:36:50,910 --> 00:36:54,750 Becs Gentry: to week that helps build and sustain such a beautiful, tight- 643 00:36:54,750 --> 00:36:55,739 Becs Gentry: knit community? 644 00:36:56,370 --> 00:37:01,200 Nancy Chu: I was surprised with that phrase, the glue. I never 645 00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:05,640 Nancy Chu: thought of myself that way. And maybe it's from just 646 00:37:05,640 --> 00:37:11,969 Nancy Chu: talking to people, sharing race information and tips, and making 647 00:37:11,969 --> 00:37:15,150 Nancy Chu: sure new- comers felt included in all the conversation we 648 00:37:15,150 --> 00:37:19,050 Nancy Chu: have about races, volunteer. That might just help them. 649 00:37:19,560 --> 00:37:19,890 Becs Gentry: Amazing. 650 00:37:20,340 --> 00:37:24,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's great. I know that a lot of people found 651 00:37:24,900 --> 00:37:27,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: your group during the pandemic, which, Nancy, is something I 652 00:37:27,930 --> 00:37:30,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: hear all the time. I've met so many runners who 653 00:37:31,050 --> 00:37:34,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: went to Open Run during the pandemic and needed to 654 00:37:34,560 --> 00:37:38,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: find, people move their bodies. And that was happening in 655 00:37:38,850 --> 00:37:42,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: Cunningham Park as well. What was it like during that 656 00:37:42,090 --> 00:37:45,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: pandemic? How did you keep people engaged? What was it 657 00:37:45,420 --> 00:37:48,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: like when you would have new people coming to that 658 00:37:48,510 --> 00:37:49,739 Rob Simmelkjaer: group during that time? 659 00:37:50,250 --> 00:37:54,150 Nancy Chu: I think Open Run is the best place to introduce 660 00:37:54,150 --> 00:37:58,860 Nancy Chu: someone to running, walking, especially during the pandemic, people were 661 00:37:58,860 --> 00:38:04,890 Nancy Chu: afraid to go indoor, any activity indoor. Open Run is 662 00:38:04,890 --> 00:38:09,690 Nancy Chu: outside and it's the best place to meet up and 663 00:38:10,290 --> 00:38:11,069 Nancy Chu: stay connected. 664 00:38:11,700 --> 00:38:14,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: And those connections have lasted for a long time and 665 00:38:14,610 --> 00:38:18,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's thanks to the work of volunteers like you, which 666 00:38:18,060 --> 00:38:20,489 Rob Simmelkjaer: is amazing. Nancy, I know you're a runner as well. 667 00:38:20,489 --> 00:38:23,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: You've run a lot of Road Runner's races. Is there 668 00:38:23,850 --> 00:38:26,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: one that you would say has been meaningful to you 669 00:38:26,430 --> 00:38:27,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: or your favorite race that you've run? 670 00:38:28,500 --> 00:38:34,350 Nancy Chu: There is no specific races that is meaningful. Every one 671 00:38:34,350 --> 00:38:39,030 Nancy Chu: of them, it's unique, especially with the people that you are 672 00:38:39,390 --> 00:38:45,029 Nancy Chu: running with. All the feeling after all the pain, after, 673 00:38:45,390 --> 00:38:48,540 Nancy Chu: it's all different, it is in the memory. 674 00:38:50,010 --> 00:38:54,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: No, it's great. When you're getting out there, you experience 675 00:38:54,390 --> 00:38:57,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: it as a runner, you experience it as a volunteer 676 00:38:57,510 --> 00:39:00,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well. It's a beautiful thing. What was your reaction, 677 00:39:00,719 --> 00:39:03,299 Rob Simmelkjaer: Nancy, when you heard you were being inducted into the 678 00:39:03,300 --> 00:39:06,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: Volunteer Hall of Fame? What does that mean to you? 679 00:39:09,600 --> 00:39:13,710 Nancy Chu: Honestly, at first I was like, it wasn't me. It 680 00:39:13,710 --> 00:39:20,549 Nancy Chu: wasn't just me, it's about everyone around me and Cunning Park, CunningHammer, 681 00:39:20,790 --> 00:39:23,400 Nancy Chu: it's been a team effort that support me and helped 682 00:39:23,400 --> 00:39:27,570 Nancy Chu: me to do more. It motivates me a lot to 683 00:39:27,570 --> 00:39:29,760 Nancy Chu: just go out and do what I like. And I 684 00:39:29,760 --> 00:39:34,140 Nancy Chu: like seeing people and without Cunningham Park, Open Run and 685 00:39:34,380 --> 00:39:40,320 Nancy Chu: CunningHammer and the Volunteer Leaders Group, without them, I am 686 00:39:40,650 --> 00:39:41,550 Nancy Chu: really nobody. 687 00:39:41,550 --> 00:39:45,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, you're definitely not a nobody to Road Runners to 688 00:39:45,690 --> 00:39:48,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: the runners who you help get together every week. You've 689 00:39:48,840 --> 00:39:52,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: made a real impact in their lives. And that's the 690 00:39:52,140 --> 00:39:55,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: thing about volunteering, it has an impact on the volunteer's 691 00:39:55,020 --> 00:39:57,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: life as much as it does the people that they 692 00:39:57,390 --> 00:40:00,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: help. Right, Nancy? And that's what I love to hear 693 00:40:00,870 --> 00:40:03,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: about. What impact do you think it's had on your 694 00:40:03,750 --> 00:40:06,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: life being a volunteer as frequently as you have been? 695 00:40:07,500 --> 00:40:10,410 Nancy Chu: It kept me going and make me happy. That is 696 00:40:10,410 --> 00:40:15,600 Nancy Chu: the most important thing. And life is tough, and that 697 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:19,050 Nancy Chu: is the moment that I escape from the regular stressful 698 00:40:19,050 --> 00:40:22,860 Nancy Chu: life. And that may make me go on, which is very 699 00:40:23,190 --> 00:40:25,080 Nancy Chu: nice. I'm happy to be part of it. 700 00:40:25,410 --> 00:40:28,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, we're happy to have you as a part of 701 00:40:28,140 --> 00:40:31,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: it and we're happy to welcome you to the Volunteer Hall 702 00:40:31,110 --> 00:40:34,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Fame. Congratulations. Thank you so much for joining us 703 00:40:34,950 --> 00:40:36,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: to talk a little bit about it on Set the 704 00:40:36,690 --> 00:40:40,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace, and can't wait to see you inducted very soon 705 00:40:40,620 --> 00:40:42,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: into that Hall of Fame and see you at another 706 00:40:42,210 --> 00:40:42,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: event soon. 707 00:40:43,170 --> 00:40:46,140 Nancy Chu: Thank you so much for the opportunity and recognition. 708 00:40:46,739 --> 00:40:49,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: And now it's time for today's Meb Minute. Take it away, Meb. 709 00:40:50,040 --> 00:40:53,580 Meb: Successful people have routine. Run early in the morning or 710 00:40:53,580 --> 00:40:58,260 Meb: evening to avoid heat and reduce dehydration risk. Stay hydrated 711 00:40:58,260 --> 00:41:02,160 Meb: throughout the day and replenish electrolyte on long runs. Adjust 712 00:41:02,160 --> 00:41:07,170 Meb: pace expectation. Heat increases efforts so focus on effort rather 713 00:41:07,170 --> 00:41:12,450 Meb: than speed. Wear moist clothing, sunscreen and a hat for 714 00:41:12,930 --> 00:41:16,770 Meb: sun protection. Personally, if you running on the road and 715 00:41:16,770 --> 00:41:19,710 Meb: you see a water fountain, make sure you stop there, 716 00:41:19,890 --> 00:41:22,650 Meb: get water and make sure you put water on your 717 00:41:22,650 --> 00:41:25,320 Meb: top of your head, on your back of your neck 718 00:41:25,380 --> 00:41:27,690 Meb: and your palm of your hand. And make sure you 719 00:41:27,690 --> 00:41:30,180 Meb: wet the hat because it will keep you cooler for 720 00:41:30,180 --> 00:41:30,960 Meb: a longer period. 721 00:41:31,320 --> 00:41:33,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, that does it for another episode of Set 722 00:41:33,390 --> 00:41:35,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Pace. We want to thank our guests today, three 723 00:41:35,760 --> 00:41:39,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: of our 2025 inductees to the New York Road Runners Volunteer 724 00:41:39,750 --> 00:41:44,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hall of Fame, David Solan, Larry Sillen and Nancy Chu. 725 00:41:58,350 --> 00:42:01,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a 726 00:42:01,410 --> 00:42:04,799 Rob Simmelkjaer: vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the 727 00:42:04,800 --> 00:42:08,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: transformative power of running. The support of members and donors 728 00:42:08,880 --> 00:42:12,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the 729 00:42:12,060 --> 00:42:15,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: health and well- being of our communities through inclusive and 730 00:42:15,360 --> 00:42:20,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn 731 00:42:20,250 --> 00:42:24,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: more and contribute at nyrr.org/donate.