1 00:00:00,540 --> 00:00:04,439 Jordan Litz: So my plan is to run the marathon and do 2 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:07,800 Jordan Litz: the shows, and anybody that has worked with me over 3 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:11,400 Jordan Litz: the past five years in Wicked knows that I never 4 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:14,940 Jordan Litz: call out of shows unless I am on my deathbed. 5 00:00:19,530 --> 00:00:22,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody, and welcome to Set the Pace, the official 6 00:00:22,590 --> 00:00:26,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast of New York Road Runners presented by Peloton. I'm 7 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:28,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: your host Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New York Road 8 00:00:28,770 --> 00:00:32,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners, and I am flying solo today. Becs is away, 9 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:34,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: so we'll miss her this week. Look forward to catching 10 00:00:34,740 --> 00:00:38,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: up with her next week. Well, for a lot of 11 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:42,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: people, this past weekend was all about the BMW Berlin 12 00:00:42,750 --> 00:00:46,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon. It was the 51st edition of that race and 13 00:00:47,010 --> 00:00:51,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: it featured more than 54,000 finishers, including a lot of 14 00:00:51,810 --> 00:00:54,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners members. And a number of New 15 00:00:54,750 --> 00:00:57,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners Set the Pace guests in the past, 16 00:00:57,150 --> 00:01:00,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: including Patina Miller, who ran with New York Road Runners 17 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:04,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: Team for Kids. And Becs's partner, Austin, who was one 18 00:01:04,770 --> 00:01:07,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: of a few hundred runners to earn their sixth star 19 00:01:07,410 --> 00:01:10,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: from the Abbott World Marathon Majors this past week. And 20 00:01:10,590 --> 00:01:13,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's why I'm solo because Becs was in Berlin. They're 21 00:01:13,230 --> 00:01:16,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: still making their way back from Germany. It was great, 22 00:01:16,530 --> 00:01:20,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: by the way, to see that moment on Becs's Instagram. It 23 00:01:20,069 --> 00:01:23,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: was beautiful. They exchanged a long hug and you could 24 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:26,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: see how much it meant for Austin to get that 25 00:01:26,700 --> 00:01:29,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: sixth star medal. We were so thrilled, by the way, 26 00:01:29,700 --> 00:01:32,819 Rob Simmelkjaer: to help Austin get in. You might remember an episode 27 00:01:33,030 --> 00:01:36,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: some time back when we told Austin that we were 28 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:38,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: using one of our entries for Austin to have that 29 00:01:38,940 --> 00:01:42,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: opportunity and he did a great job, so that was 30 00:01:42,300 --> 00:01:46,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: terrific. Congratulations to him, to Patina, to all of our 31 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: TFK runners and all of our New York Road Runners 32 00:01:49,260 --> 00:01:52,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: members over in Berlin. Listen, I know that it was 33 00:01:52,710 --> 00:01:55,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: a hot day over there. I was getting messages from 34 00:01:55,410 --> 00:02:00,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: people all through the weekend, all concerned about the weather. 35 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:04,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: Looks like it got up to about 80 degrees on 36 00:02:04,170 --> 00:02:07,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sunday in Berlin, and that is not easy. It sounds 37 00:02:07,980 --> 00:02:11,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: like the humidity was up as well. So congratulations to 38 00:02:11,669 --> 00:02:14,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: everybody who managed to get to the finish line over 39 00:02:14,730 --> 00:02:17,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: there in Berlin. That is not easy to run in 40 00:02:17,130 --> 00:02:20,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: those conditions. And so, if it wasn't a PR, I 41 00:02:20,580 --> 00:02:22,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: know a lot of people go to Berlin hoping to 42 00:02:22,230 --> 00:02:25,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: run that fast time because it's flat, but those conditions 43 00:02:25,860 --> 00:02:30,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: can definitely counteract the flatness of the course. So congratulations 44 00:02:30,690 --> 00:02:34,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: to everybody who finished in Berlin and I hope you guys 45 00:02:34,470 --> 00:02:37,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: had a great experience over there, as I did last 46 00:02:37,380 --> 00:02:42,329 Rob Simmelkjaer: year for the 50th Berlin Marathon. On the elite side, 47 00:02:42,330 --> 00:02:45,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was a Swiss sweep in the wheelchair division. Marcel 48 00:02:46,110 --> 00:02:50,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hug won with a time of 1:21: 46. Manuela Schar one on 49 00:02:50,820 --> 00:02:54,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: the women's wheelchair side, 1: 35:08. And it was a 50 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:59,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: Kenyan sweep in the open division. Sebastian Sawe with time 51 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:03,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: of 2:02: 16 was the men's open division winner. And 52 00:03:03,540 --> 00:03:08,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was Rosemary Wanjiru with a time of 2:21: 04 53 00:03:08,669 --> 00:03:11,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: to win the women's open division in Berlin. Well, back 54 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:14,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: here in New York City, we are officially in fall. 55 00:03:14,430 --> 00:03:19,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: And fall marathon season is in full swing as everybody 56 00:03:19,110 --> 00:03:21,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: starts to gear up for the TCS New York City 57 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:25,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon. We had our 18- mile training run in Central 58 00:03:25,980 --> 00:03:29,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: Park on Sunday. Over 4, 000 runners took on the 59 00:03:29,850 --> 00:03:33,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: hills of Central Park in a long run ahead of 60 00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:36,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of people's fall marathons, including my own by 61 00:03:36,690 --> 00:03:39,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: the way. I ran that training run for the first 62 00:03:39,810 --> 00:03:43,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: time since 2013, which is the last time I ran 63 00:03:43,740 --> 00:03:47,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: the TCS New York City Marathon. And man, oh man, 64 00:03:47,070 --> 00:03:50,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: let me tell you, that is no joke going around 65 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:56,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: Central Park three times, up Harlem Hill three times. I 66 00:03:56,520 --> 00:04:00,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: just don't know that I ever will do that again. 67 00:04:00,210 --> 00:04:05,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: That was really an incredibly difficult run. But the good news 68 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:10,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: was, unlike in Berlin, the weather was absolutely perfect for 69 00:04:10,590 --> 00:04:12,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: all of the runners. I was so glad to see that. 70 00:04:12,810 --> 00:04:15,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: We had a really a picture- perfect morning. I actually 71 00:04:15,870 --> 00:04:18,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: felt like the weather got better as the morning went 72 00:04:18,390 --> 00:04:21,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: on. A little breeze picked up and it just felt 73 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:24,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: terrific. I ran four miles before, so a total of 74 00:04:24,210 --> 00:04:27,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: 22. I'll talk about that in a second. The winners 75 00:04:27,390 --> 00:04:29,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: of that, and it's funny to talk about winners for 76 00:04:29,580 --> 00:04:32,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: a training room, but we had some folks go out 77 00:04:32,010 --> 00:04:36,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: who ran very, very quickly. Danqing Liu on the men's 78 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:41,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: side, 1:48: 12. Jacob Caswell, non- binary winner, 1: 51:30. 79 00:04:41,850 --> 00:04:45,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: And Alissa Kolarik on the women's side, 1:59: 03. So 80 00:04:45,870 --> 00:04:49,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: great times there. But yes, for so many people, this 81 00:04:49,529 --> 00:04:52,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: was really all about training for their fall marathons. Almost 82 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: everybody, of course, training for New York there, but we 83 00:04:54,930 --> 00:04:57,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: had a number of Chicago folks getting ready as well. 84 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:02,099 Rob Simmelkjaer: That race was three weeks out from Chicago and it 85 00:05:02,100 --> 00:05:05,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: was the perfect spot for me to do my last 86 00:05:05,550 --> 00:05:09,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: really long run. I'm now officially into the taper mode 87 00:05:09,990 --> 00:05:11,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: and my long runs will be getting shorter the next 88 00:05:11,670 --> 00:05:14,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: couple of weeks. I don't have Becs, so I can't really 89 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:16,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: bounce off of her much of what happened for me. 90 00:05:16,470 --> 00:05:19,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: But I did send her my day and I actually 91 00:05:19,110 --> 00:05:23,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: felt really good about it. I ran just about 15 92 00:05:23,370 --> 00:05:27,599 Rob Simmelkjaer: seconds on average over my goal marathon pace for that 93 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:31,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: full 22- mile run. I ran about 11 miles inside 94 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:35,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: the training run at marathon pace and considering the hills 95 00:05:35,580 --> 00:05:39,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Central Park and the flatness of Chicago, I felt 96 00:05:39,210 --> 00:05:41,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: really good coming out of that. I think that's one 97 00:05:41,190 --> 00:05:44,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the things that in New York we really have 98 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: going for us. Whether we're running New York and you 99 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:49,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: need those hills to train for the hills of the 100 00:05:49,890 --> 00:05:52,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: TCS New York City Marathon, Central Park is really the 101 00:05:52,620 --> 00:05:55,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: perfect place to train for our marathon here in New 102 00:05:55,890 --> 00:05:58,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: York because of the hills and the preparation you've got 103 00:05:58,710 --> 00:06:01,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: to do. And as I said, when I spoke at 104 00:06:01,380 --> 00:06:04,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: the starting line, for someone like me who's running Chicago, 105 00:06:04,950 --> 00:06:08,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: a very flat course, I'm hoping that running Harlem Hill 106 00:06:08,700 --> 00:06:12,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: and Cat Hill and the Three Sisters three times this 107 00:06:12,660 --> 00:06:16,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: weekend is going to make Chicago feel downhill. I really 108 00:06:16,589 --> 00:06:19,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: hope that that hill training is going to help me 109 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:21,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: feel like I'm running with a wind at my back 110 00:06:21,570 --> 00:06:24,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Chicago. So we'll see how it goes, but it's 111 00:06:25,110 --> 00:06:28,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: really a great thing for our running community here in 112 00:06:28,020 --> 00:06:31,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York to have that opportunity to train not only 113 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:34,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Central Park with those hills, but all the support 114 00:06:34,350 --> 00:06:36,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: that you've got when you run in an event like 115 00:06:36,630 --> 00:06:40,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: that. The fluid stations, the Maurten Gel station that we 116 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:44,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: had as well. So much support out there both in 117 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:46,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: terms of the things you need as well as just the 118 00:06:46,500 --> 00:06:50,729 Rob Simmelkjaer: other runners pulling for each other, the staff, the volunteers 119 00:06:50,730 --> 00:06:53,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: with the cowbells all out there. There's no better way 120 00:06:53,730 --> 00:06:55,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: to do a long run than in the New York 121 00:06:55,589 --> 00:06:58,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners TCS New York City Marathon training series. So 122 00:06:59,070 --> 00:07:01,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: congrats to everybody who ran this weekend here in New 123 00:07:01,830 --> 00:07:04,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: York. Coming up in just a moment on Set the Pace, 124 00:07:04,140 --> 00:07:07,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: we have the fastest man on Broadway joining the show, 125 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:11,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: Jordan Litz, who's currently starring in Wicked on Broadway, earned 126 00:07:11,610 --> 00:07:14,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: that title earlier this month, breaking the tape in the 127 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:17,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: inaugural Broadway Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile. 128 00:07:18,150 --> 00:07:20,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: He'll be on in just a few minutes to talk 129 00:07:20,010 --> 00:07:24,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: about his next role as a marathoner in the 2025 TCS 130 00:07:24,690 --> 00:07:26,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City Marathon. Then a little later on in 131 00:07:26,970 --> 00:07:30,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: this show, Harlem Run's Torian Wiggins will be Meb's guest 132 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: on today's member moment. And then finally, Meb will continue 133 00:07:33,900 --> 00:07:37,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: his mile by mile countdown to the TCS New York 134 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:43,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon with miles 16, 17, and 18. Those are some challenging 135 00:07:43,860 --> 00:07:47,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: miles. You're getting up into the Bronx during that stretch, 136 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:51,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: I believe. And so you got to get through those miles to 137 00:07:51,060 --> 00:07:55,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: get back down through Harlem into 5th Avenue and of 138 00:07:55,020 --> 00:07:57,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: course those final miles in the park. So definitely want 139 00:07:57,660 --> 00:08:00,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: to hear Meb's advice on taking on those miles as well. 140 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:04,140 Speaker 3: As you head into peak training. Don't let nutrition slow 141 00:08:04,140 --> 00:08:08,130 Speaker 3: you down. Let CookUnity's award- winning chefs fuel your run 142 00:08:08,130 --> 00:08:12,030 Speaker 3: with endurance- boosting dishes hand- picked by a sports dietician. 143 00:08:12,660 --> 00:08:15,510 Speaker 3: Every meal is delivered to your door and ready to 144 00:08:15,510 --> 00:08:19,770 Speaker 3: eat in two minutes or less. Head to cookunity. com/ 145 00:08:19,950 --> 00:08:25,620 Speaker 3: NYRR and use the code marathonmeals to get 50% off 146 00:08:25,710 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 3: your first week. 147 00:08:27,540 --> 00:08:31,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: Jordan Litz is a Broadway actor and singer currently starring 148 00:08:31,350 --> 00:08:34,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: as Fiyero in Wicked. He's a California native and a 149 00:08:34,470 --> 00:08:37,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: former competitive swimmer, and he's built a career on stage 150 00:08:37,860 --> 00:08:41,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: with performances in national tours as well as regional productions 151 00:08:41,580 --> 00:08:44,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: before he made his big Broadway debut. Now off the 152 00:08:44,190 --> 00:08:47,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: stage, he's still a passionate athlete who recently took first 153 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: place in the first- ever Broadway Mile at the New 154 00:08:50,460 --> 00:08:53,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: Balance 5th Avenue Mile. This November, he'll step into an 155 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:57,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: entirely new spotlight running his first- ever marathon at the 156 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:03,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Jordan, we've had some challenges 157 00:09:03,300 --> 00:09:05,699 Rob Simmelkjaer: technically, but we've got you back on. Thank you so 158 00:09:05,700 --> 00:09:07,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: much for joining us on Set the Pace. We appreciate it. 159 00:09:07,980 --> 00:09:10,020 Jordan Litz: Dude, thanks for your patience. We're going to make it 160 00:09:10,020 --> 00:09:11,400 Jordan Litz: happen. It's going to be a great chat. 161 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: I want to start with your run on 5th Avenue 162 00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:17,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: and what that was like for you. It was such 163 00:09:17,550 --> 00:09:21,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: a fun event, this Broadway Mile that we pulled together, 164 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:27,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: these amazing actors and people from behind the scenes, executives 165 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:30,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: from shows and theaters from around the city. You guys 166 00:09:30,660 --> 00:09:35,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: raised $ 15,000 for a great cause, Broadway Cares, Actors Equity 167 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:38,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: Fights AIDS. So what was that like for you both 168 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:41,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: to get to compete at that distance of a mile 169 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:45,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: and also to be around so many of your colleagues 170 00:09:45,270 --> 00:09:48,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: and people in that amazing New York City theater community? 171 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:51,000 Jordan Litz: Just to be able to get to be a part 172 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:54,630 Jordan Litz: of the 5th Avenue Mile was really special for me. 173 00:09:54,630 --> 00:09:58,800 Jordan Litz: I've watched that race now for several years. It's been 174 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:01,350 Jordan Litz: one that I've been excited to be a part of. 175 00:10:01,350 --> 00:10:05,040 Jordan Litz: I was actually signed up to run the race even 176 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:08,429 Jordan Litz: before the Broadway Mile became a thing. I was already 177 00:10:08,429 --> 00:10:10,920 Jordan Litz: going to run it this year, and then New York Road 178 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,579 Jordan Litz: Runners and the Broadway League and Broadway Cares all came 179 00:10:14,580 --> 00:10:17,580 Jordan Litz: together and through this Broadway Mile thing, which made it 180 00:10:17,580 --> 00:10:20,640 Jordan Litz: just even more special. And then to get to tap 181 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:26,400 Jordan Litz: into the competitive background, that side of my life was 182 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,370 Jordan Litz: also really special. So it was an incredible day. 183 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:33,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. And obviously, very different swimming and running. But at 184 00:10:33,870 --> 00:10:36,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: that distance of a mile, did it feel similar to 185 00:10:36,900 --> 00:10:40,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: you? What kind of distances did you swim when you 186 00:10:40,950 --> 00:10:43,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: were competing in the pool and how did it feel 187 00:10:43,500 --> 00:10:46,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: maybe similar or different competing at that one mile running distance? 188 00:10:47,100 --> 00:10:51,990 Jordan Litz: It was relatively similar. That's about as far as I 189 00:10:51,990 --> 00:10:55,260 Jordan Litz: would go distance- wise and time- wise. I went to 190 00:10:55,260 --> 00:11:00,929 Jordan Litz: Olympic trials in both the breaststrokes 100, breaststroke 200, breaststroke 200 IM, 400 191 00:11:00,929 --> 00:11:03,270 Jordan Litz: IM. So the longest race I did was about four 192 00:11:03,270 --> 00:11:07,290 Jordan Litz: minutes. So to get up and do a little extra, 193 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,949 Jordan Litz: an extra minute, is still within the range of my 194 00:11:10,950 --> 00:11:14,280 Jordan Litz: ability. But three hours, I don't know. We'll see how 195 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:15,510 Jordan Litz: that goes on November 2nd. 196 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:18,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. So that is a very different kettle of fish, 197 00:11:18,870 --> 00:11:22,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: if you will. What inspire you to sign up for 198 00:11:22,470 --> 00:11:24,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: your first marathon? 199 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:27,569 Jordan Litz: There were several things. I was looking for a new 200 00:11:27,570 --> 00:11:34,830 Jordan Litz: outlet to challenge myself. So running seemed like the natural 201 00:11:34,830 --> 00:11:39,150 Jordan Litz: progression from swimming. It's an aerobic sport and it's an 202 00:11:39,150 --> 00:11:42,240 Jordan Litz: accessible sport. All you need is a pair of shoes 203 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:44,490 Jordan Litz: and a road and you're good to go. You don't 204 00:11:44,490 --> 00:11:46,530 Jordan Litz: need any fancy things. You don't need a pool, you 205 00:11:46,530 --> 00:11:49,170 Jordan Litz: don't need any technical equipment. You can literally just go 206 00:11:49,170 --> 00:11:51,510 Jordan Litz: out and do it. If there's a sidewalk, you can 207 00:11:51,510 --> 00:11:54,960 Jordan Litz: run. So that was really appealing to me. Then the 208 00:11:54,960 --> 00:12:01,020 Jordan Litz: other thing, round about 2022 in the fall, Wicked was 209 00:12:01,020 --> 00:12:03,660 Jordan Litz: in Chicago. I was on the national tour with Wicked 210 00:12:03,660 --> 00:12:05,730 Jordan Litz: at that point, and we happened to be in Chicago 211 00:12:06,179 --> 00:12:10,590 Jordan Litz: and the Chicago Marathon took place while we were there. 212 00:12:10,590 --> 00:12:13,439 Jordan Litz: And so I got to walk out of my apartment 213 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:15,840 Jordan Litz: that I was staying in and be able to see 214 00:12:15,870 --> 00:12:19,740 Jordan Litz: those elite athletes and everybody else sprinting down the road. 215 00:12:19,740 --> 00:12:25,650 Jordan Litz: And that really inspired me. Then obviously Kipchoge had just 216 00:12:25,710 --> 00:12:28,800 Jordan Litz: broken the world record, I think, in Berlin around then, 217 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,640 Jordan Litz: so I became aware of him. And I fell in 218 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:38,130 Jordan Litz: love with his work ethic, and his personality, and who 219 00:12:38,130 --> 00:12:41,280 Jordan Litz: he was, and what he's done for the sport, and 220 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:44,579 Jordan Litz: that really inspired me to want to get out on 221 00:12:44,580 --> 00:12:49,020 Jordan Litz: the road. So it was a few combinations of things, but it's 222 00:12:49,020 --> 00:12:49,770 Jordan Litz: been a blast. 223 00:12:50,070 --> 00:12:53,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's amazing. And that's a fun tie into what we got 224 00:12:53,250 --> 00:12:55,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: going on the Chicago Marathon coming up in a couple of 225 00:12:55,530 --> 00:12:57,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: weeks, which by the way, I'm running, Jordan, so- 226 00:12:57,690 --> 00:12:57,691 Jordan Litz: You are? 227 00:12:57,691 --> 00:13:00,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... it'll be my first time running Chicago. Yep. Very excited about 228 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:01,741 Rob Simmelkjaer: that. We've been talking- 229 00:13:01,741 --> 00:13:01,742 Jordan Litz: Wait, so- 230 00:13:01,742 --> 00:13:04,141 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... about that on the podcast the last few months. 231 00:13:04,141 --> 00:13:06,510 Jordan Litz: ... how many of the majors will this be for 232 00:13:06,510 --> 00:13:06,870 Jordan Litz: you now? 233 00:13:06,900 --> 00:13:08,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: That'll be my fourth. 234 00:13:08,429 --> 00:13:09,360 Jordan Litz: Which ones are you missing? 235 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:13,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: I will still after this need Boston and London. So 236 00:13:13,230 --> 00:13:17,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: my goal is to qualify for Boston in Chicago. That's 237 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:20,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: the hope. We'll see how that goes. We'll need a 238 00:13:20,010 --> 00:13:20,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: good weather day. 239 00:13:21,390 --> 00:13:24,630 Jordan Litz: So what do you need? A 255? What do you 240 00:13:24,630 --> 00:13:24,870 Jordan Litz: need for that? 241 00:13:24,870 --> 00:13:26,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: Oh, you're so kind. I'm a little older than you 242 00:13:26,910 --> 00:13:30,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: think I am. So I actually, in my current age group, 243 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:33,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: which I'm aging up to another age group actually for 244 00:13:33,270 --> 00:13:37,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: the 2027 Boston Marathon, I need a 330 and I 245 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:39,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: ran a 327 in Berlin, but- 246 00:13:39,929 --> 00:13:40,201 Jordan Litz: Oh, come on. 247 00:13:40,201 --> 00:13:42,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... minus the buffer and everything, I'll probably need to 248 00:13:42,900 --> 00:13:45,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: shave a few minutes off of that, so we'll see. 249 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:47,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: But hey, if I get a good weather day, I 250 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:49,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: think I got a shot, I think I got a shot. 251 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,240 Jordan Litz: Well, from what I remember when I was there in 252 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:54,330 Jordan Litz: Chicago, obviously I didn't run it, but the weather felt 253 00:13:54,330 --> 00:13:57,090 Jordan Litz: perfect to me. So hopefully you get another day like that. 254 00:13:57,150 --> 00:13:59,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's what we're talking about, and hopefully you get a 255 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:02,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: day like that on November 2nd. It makes such a 256 00:14:02,790 --> 00:14:06,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: difference to folks when they get a good weather day. 257 00:14:06,030 --> 00:14:08,309 Rob Simmelkjaer: I've seen both sides of it. We had a beautiful 258 00:14:08,309 --> 00:14:11,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: day last year in New York. The year before that, 259 00:14:11,610 --> 00:14:15,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: not so much. So it's just all about catching that 260 00:14:15,390 --> 00:14:18,209 Rob Simmelkjaer: right weather and I'm obviously hoping that you and everybody gets 261 00:14:18,540 --> 00:14:20,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great day. How's the training been going? So we 262 00:14:20,910 --> 00:14:23,729 Rob Simmelkjaer: know you ran the mile for 5th Avenue, and that's 263 00:14:23,730 --> 00:14:27,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: obviously a little sprint compared to a marathon, the training. 264 00:14:27,660 --> 00:14:29,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: How has it all been going and how has it 265 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:33,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: been balancing your marathon training with acting in Wicked on Broadway? 266 00:14:34,770 --> 00:14:39,390 Jordan Litz: I'll not lie to you. It is really hard. When 267 00:14:39,390 --> 00:14:42,120 Jordan Litz: I started, this is going to sound crazy, but I 268 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:44,310 Jordan Litz: did a 26- week training block. 269 00:14:45,090 --> 00:14:45,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. 270 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,720 Jordan Litz: And I'll tell you why. I'll tell you why. I 271 00:14:49,530 --> 00:14:52,740 Jordan Litz: kind of just started running this year, to be honest. 272 00:14:53,700 --> 00:14:56,430 Jordan Litz: I had dabbled in it, threw in a couple of 273 00:14:56,430 --> 00:15:00,180 Jordan Litz: runs within my normal training regiment here and there from 274 00:15:00,210 --> 00:15:05,430 Jordan Litz: 2023 up until the start of this year. And then 275 00:15:05,490 --> 00:15:10,890 Jordan Litz: I ran in March or April, and that is when 276 00:15:10,890 --> 00:15:14,130 Jordan Litz: I kind of started to take running more seriously. And 277 00:15:14,130 --> 00:15:17,340 Jordan Litz: so I don't have a lot of miles on my 278 00:15:17,340 --> 00:15:19,530 Jordan Litz: legs. I have a lot of miles on my shoulders 279 00:15:19,710 --> 00:15:23,550 Jordan Litz: from swimming. But as far as being able to take 280 00:15:23,550 --> 00:15:27,090 Jordan Litz: the beating of what a training for a marathon entails, I 281 00:15:27,090 --> 00:15:30,120 Jordan Litz: wanted to start really, really slow and build up to 282 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:34,890 Jordan Litz: those high 40- mile weeks. So those first couple of 283 00:15:34,890 --> 00:15:39,840 Jordan Litz: weeks were 15 to 20 miles just kind of getting used 284 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:44,250 Jordan Litz: to the pounding and incorporating it into my normal lifestyle. 285 00:15:45,930 --> 00:15:47,700 Jordan Litz: So to start, I was running five days a week 286 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:51,420 Jordan Litz: and lifting two days a week. And about 13 weeks 287 00:15:51,420 --> 00:15:54,930 Jordan Litz: into the block, I was not doing well. I was 288 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,770 Jordan Litz: not surviving the runs, I was hitting all of my 289 00:15:58,770 --> 00:16:02,520 Jordan Litz: paces, but the effort to get there was not what 290 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:04,950 Jordan Litz: I wanted it to be. So I dropped that to 291 00:16:04,950 --> 00:16:08,520 Jordan Litz: four runs a week and still lifted twice, and then 292 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:13,350 Jordan Litz: I cut caffeine, I cut artificial sugars, and anything that 293 00:16:13,350 --> 00:16:15,570 Jordan Litz: was going to upset my stomach because that's also been 294 00:16:15,570 --> 00:16:18,750 Jordan Litz: a large challenge for me is figuring out the gut 295 00:16:18,750 --> 00:16:22,080 Jordan Litz: training aspect of it. And ever since then, it has 296 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:26,970 Jordan Litz: been smooth sailing. The training has been fun. It's been 297 00:16:27,810 --> 00:16:32,880 Jordan Litz: challenging, but not unattainable. So yeah, 26- week training block. 298 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:35,400 Jordan Litz: But I feel like it's going to pay off because I just did 299 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:40,200 Jordan Litz: a 20 miler last Saturday before two shows and felt great. 300 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. First of all, thank you for sharing all that. 301 00:16:43,710 --> 00:16:48,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love that story and it really does come down 302 00:16:48,330 --> 00:16:52,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: to finding what works for you and everybody's going to 303 00:16:52,260 --> 00:16:54,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: have something that's going to work for them. A number 304 00:16:54,900 --> 00:16:58,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: of runs a week mileage, it has to balance that 305 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:02,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: with the rest of your life and what your preexisting 306 00:17:02,910 --> 00:17:06,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: running experience was. So it makes sense to me actually 307 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: that you would've thought about a 26- week block when 308 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:10,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: you really hadn't been running. I mean, people ask me, 309 00:17:11,100 --> 00:17:14,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: okay, if I don't run, what do you think is 310 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:16,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: a good amount of time to train for a marathon? I 311 00:17:16,619 --> 00:17:18,899 Rob Simmelkjaer: think half a year makes a lot of sense because 312 00:17:18,900 --> 00:17:21,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: you need that gradual build up to keep from getting 313 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:23,879 Rob Simmelkjaer: hurt. And so you did that, plus you took a 314 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: little bit of load off by cutting that one day 315 00:17:26,220 --> 00:17:28,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: a week and it seems like it's working for you, 316 00:17:28,290 --> 00:17:29,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: which is fantastic. 317 00:17:29,640 --> 00:17:31,770 Jordan Litz: Yeah, it really is. Well, and then the other thing 318 00:17:31,770 --> 00:17:35,220 Jordan Litz: that I incorporated was I'm doing eight Broadway shows a 319 00:17:35,220 --> 00:17:39,869 Jordan Litz: week, 52 weeks a year. So I figured it was 320 00:17:39,869 --> 00:17:43,139 Jordan Litz: probably okay if I dropped off one day of running 321 00:17:43,830 --> 00:17:47,700 Jordan Litz: and counted those eight Broadway shows as an extra day 322 00:17:47,700 --> 00:17:51,660 Jordan Litz: of running or an easy day of running. So I 323 00:17:51,660 --> 00:17:54,300 Jordan Litz: felt like, yeah, that kind of makes sense and I 324 00:17:54,300 --> 00:17:56,340 Jordan Litz: won't be too hard on myself for cutting that day. 325 00:17:56,939 --> 00:18:01,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: I think that is really interesting. Really it's the breath work, 326 00:18:01,020 --> 00:18:06,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: right? Because you're out there singing, the amount of breath 327 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:10,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: control and stamina that you need. Especially I got to 328 00:18:10,230 --> 00:18:13,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: imagine on those days where you're doing a matinee and 329 00:18:13,050 --> 00:18:15,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: then a show at night, that's some serious stamina. Do 330 00:18:15,930 --> 00:18:19,649 Rob Simmelkjaer: you find that there really is that crossover between performing 331 00:18:19,650 --> 00:18:23,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: and the stamina endurance that that takes and what you do 332 00:18:23,490 --> 00:18:24,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: out on the road? 333 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:30,090 Jordan Litz: Absolutely, dude. Absolutely. I've had so many... Well, I won't 334 00:18:30,090 --> 00:18:34,619 Jordan Litz: name names, but I've had Fiyero's say that Dancing Through 335 00:18:34,619 --> 00:18:39,720 Jordan Litz: Life, Fiyero's big number, is taxing and they're out of 336 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,359 Jordan Litz: breath by the time they get to this big note 337 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:44,879 Jordan Litz: that you're on the statue holding this big long note. 338 00:18:45,330 --> 00:18:49,200 Jordan Litz: And because of the swimming background and now because of 339 00:18:49,230 --> 00:18:51,690 Jordan Litz: all of this running that I've been doing, I can 340 00:18:51,690 --> 00:18:54,689 Jordan Litz: honestly say that that has never been something that has 341 00:18:54,690 --> 00:18:59,850 Jordan Litz: even crossed my mind being out of breath or having 342 00:18:59,850 --> 00:19:02,850 Jordan Litz: my heart rate spike too high. Every now and then 343 00:19:02,850 --> 00:19:08,310 Jordan Litz: I'll wear my watch in rehearsal just because I'm curious like, " 344 00:19:08,310 --> 00:19:10,649 Jordan Litz: Hey, how hard am I working during Dancing Through Life? 345 00:19:10,650 --> 00:19:14,130 Jordan Litz: I'd be curious to know what's my max heart rate 346 00:19:14,130 --> 00:19:18,750 Jordan Litz: here." And my max heart rate's 119 during Dancing Through 347 00:19:18,750 --> 00:19:23,760 Jordan Litz: Life. So I think because of all of that aerobic 348 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:27,000 Jordan Litz: training, it has just made it so simple and so 349 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:30,928 Jordan Litz: comfortable to survive the rigors of eight shows a week. 350 00:19:31,230 --> 00:19:35,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's so interesting. A 119 is a very manageable number if you're 351 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:38,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: trying to get through and your voice has to stay 352 00:19:38,550 --> 00:19:40,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: even, right? The audience can't know- 353 00:19:40,830 --> 00:19:40,951 Jordan Litz: For sure. 354 00:19:40,951 --> 00:19:44,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... that you're working that hard, so you've got to be 355 00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:47,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: at a point where you're working, but super comfortable. 356 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:51,810 Jordan Litz: Well, yeah, and Fiyero's philosophy of life is Dancing Through 357 00:19:51,810 --> 00:19:55,109 Jordan Litz: Life. Everything should be cool. It should be smooth. You're 358 00:19:55,109 --> 00:19:58,350 Jordan Litz: gliding through life, so it has to seem like it's 359 00:19:58,380 --> 00:20:01,350 Jordan Litz: easy and comfortable for him. So if you're up there 360 00:20:01,350 --> 00:20:05,490 Jordan Litz: and you're huffing and puffing through the song, the audience 361 00:20:05,490 --> 00:20:07,590 Jordan Litz: is not going to believe anything you say. 362 00:20:08,100 --> 00:20:11,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. This is a, it's great, great behind the scenes of 363 00:20:11,940 --> 00:20:14,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: what it's like to perform and run at the same 364 00:20:14,550 --> 00:20:17,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: time. I'm sure you heard the stories about Taylor Swift 365 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:22,949 Rob Simmelkjaer: running on a treadmill, and performing, rehearsing her songs for 366 00:20:22,950 --> 00:20:26,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: her tour while running on a treadmill. So you really 367 00:20:26,580 --> 00:20:31,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: see how that VO2 max really carries over to live performance. 368 00:20:31,770 --> 00:20:34,350 Jordan Litz: I actually had not heard that before. She practiced her 369 00:20:34,350 --> 00:20:35,550 Jordan Litz: songs on the treadmill? 370 00:20:35,670 --> 00:20:38,699 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. She would get on a treadmill, and actually I 371 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:41,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: think she was either lightly running or at least fast 372 00:20:41,580 --> 00:20:44,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: walking, and she would try to get through her whole 373 00:20:44,130 --> 00:20:47,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: set list on a treadmill. And that was part of 374 00:20:47,310 --> 00:20:51,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: her preparation for her big Eras Tour. So yeah, you're 375 00:20:51,300 --> 00:20:52,321 Rob Simmelkjaer: not alone in seeing that connection. 376 00:20:52,321 --> 00:20:57,510 Jordan Litz: Interesting, interesting. Yeah, I can see that for sure. I 377 00:20:57,510 --> 00:21:01,109 Jordan Litz: think I'd probably have to walk at an incline or 378 00:21:01,109 --> 00:21:05,340 Jordan Litz: something like that because I don't know that the bouncing 379 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:10,050 Jordan Litz: of running would be all that conducive to helping me 380 00:21:10,050 --> 00:21:11,820 Jordan Litz: figure out how to sing Dancing Through Life in a 381 00:21:11,820 --> 00:21:15,150 Jordan Litz: healthy way. But walking at an incline I think works. 382 00:21:15,510 --> 00:21:18,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. It's so interesting. So tell us about 383 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:21,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: your journey as an actor. How did it start? When 384 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:24,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: did you realize that the stage was the place for 385 00:21:24,510 --> 00:21:28,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: you, and how did you manage that journey from California 386 00:21:28,350 --> 00:21:28,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Broadway? 387 00:21:30,210 --> 00:21:32,580 Jordan Litz: Well, I failed as an athlete and I had to 388 00:21:32,580 --> 00:21:36,150 Jordan Litz: find something else that I liked to do and that I had a skill 389 00:21:36,150 --> 00:21:39,119 Jordan Litz: for. Yeah, as I mentioned earlier, I went to Olympic 390 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:46,050 Jordan Litz: trials in 2012, swam the IMs and breaststrokes. And unfortunately, Michael 391 00:21:46,050 --> 00:21:49,021 Jordan Litz: Phelps and Ryan Lochte went to those trials as well, and- 392 00:21:49,021 --> 00:21:49,291 Rob Simmelkjaer: They were pretty good, pretty tough competition. 393 00:21:49,350 --> 00:21:53,430 Jordan Litz: They're pretty good. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, they're the greatest 394 00:21:53,430 --> 00:21:56,820 Jordan Litz: in history. If Michael Phelps doesn't exist, Ryan Lochte is 395 00:21:56,820 --> 00:22:00,209 Jordan Litz: the new Michael Phelps. So those guys were just behemoths 396 00:22:00,300 --> 00:22:03,359 Jordan Litz: in the sport of swimming. And look, I wasn't even 397 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:07,470 Jordan Litz: close to them anyway, so it was either wait around 398 00:22:07,470 --> 00:22:11,010 Jordan Litz: four more years and try again in 2016 for Rio 399 00:22:11,010 --> 00:22:14,010 Jordan Litz: or move on with your life. And I decided to 400 00:22:14,010 --> 00:22:15,359 Jordan Litz: move on with my life and it was the right 401 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:17,490 Jordan Litz: choice because those guys didn't retire anyway, and they came 402 00:22:17,490 --> 00:22:22,169 Jordan Litz: back. So I decided to go back to school. I 403 00:22:22,170 --> 00:22:26,100 Jordan Litz: studied vocal performance for maybe a year or so in 404 00:22:26,100 --> 00:22:30,390 Jordan Litz: school. And in the process, as part of the curriculum, 405 00:22:30,390 --> 00:22:32,790 Jordan Litz: I had to do a musical. And I didn't want 406 00:22:32,790 --> 00:22:35,040 Jordan Litz: to do it. I wasn't interested. I wanted to be a 407 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:40,500 Jordan Litz: session vocalist in the studio and record for pop artists, 408 00:22:40,500 --> 00:22:43,619 Jordan Litz: and jazz artists, and things like that as maybe a 409 00:22:43,619 --> 00:22:47,970 Jordan Litz: backup vocalist, but I fell in love with it. I 410 00:22:47,970 --> 00:22:51,119 Jordan Litz: was the first person to have all of my notes 411 00:22:51,119 --> 00:22:54,060 Jordan Litz: and words memorized. I showed up to rehearsal every single 412 00:22:54,060 --> 00:22:57,600 Jordan Litz: day so prepared because I was so excited about this 413 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:02,460 Jordan Litz: prospect of marrying acting with singing and movement and all of 414 00:23:02,460 --> 00:23:07,050 Jordan Litz: that. I became obsessed in the way that all great 415 00:23:07,050 --> 00:23:11,700 Jordan Litz: athletes become obsessed with their sport. And so after that 416 00:23:11,820 --> 00:23:14,790 Jordan Litz: production of Sound of Music, I did a couple of 417 00:23:15,090 --> 00:23:18,960 Jordan Litz: smaller community theater/ regional productions just to make sure that, 418 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:20,790 Jordan Litz: yeah, I have a love for it, but do I 419 00:23:20,790 --> 00:23:24,359 Jordan Litz: actually have the skill set to take this and make 420 00:23:24,359 --> 00:23:29,040 Jordan Litz: it something professional? And because there are two very distinct 421 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:31,950 Jordan Litz: things. I love running. I'm not going to go compete 422 00:23:31,950 --> 00:23:36,330 Jordan Litz: with Conor Mantz in a marathon to qualify for Olympics 423 00:23:37,380 --> 00:23:41,340 Jordan Litz: or be a professional. So I wanted to make sure 424 00:23:41,340 --> 00:23:44,070 Jordan Litz: that I knew that I had that ability to... If 425 00:23:44,070 --> 00:23:47,190 Jordan Litz: I wanted to go to new or somewhere else and 426 00:23:47,190 --> 00:23:49,500 Jordan Litz: be a professional performer that I could do it. And 427 00:23:49,500 --> 00:23:53,790 Jordan Litz: fortunately, the feedback was really, really positive. So I ended 428 00:23:53,790 --> 00:23:56,639 Jordan Litz: up going to work at Disney World for three and 429 00:23:56,640 --> 00:23:59,490 Jordan Litz: a half years. The plan was three months. I ended 430 00:23:59,490 --> 00:24:01,020 Jordan Litz: up staying there for three and a half years because 431 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:03,959 Jordan Litz: I was having so much fun. I actually met my 432 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:07,680 Jordan Litz: wife there who was a Disney princess at the time, 433 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:11,550 Jordan Litz: and so we met working at Disney World together and 434 00:24:12,030 --> 00:24:14,970 Jordan Litz: bonded over our desire to move to New York and 435 00:24:14,970 --> 00:24:15,359 Jordan Litz: conquer that- 436 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:19,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: What roles did you have, what were you cast as at Disney World? 437 00:24:20,700 --> 00:24:22,590 Jordan Litz: People are always like, " Ah, he was a prince. He 438 00:24:22,590 --> 00:24:25,260 Jordan Litz: was a prince." I actually was never a prince. I 439 00:24:25,260 --> 00:24:28,230 Jordan Litz: did the singing show. So I was a Dapper Dan, 440 00:24:28,230 --> 00:24:31,500 Jordan Litz: the barbershop quartet on Main Street. I did this group 441 00:24:31,500 --> 00:24:34,080 Jordan Litz: called The Voices of Liberty, which is an a cappella 442 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:37,260 Jordan Litz: group in Epcot. I also did Gaston at the Beauty 443 00:24:37,260 --> 00:24:41,970 Jordan Litz: and the Beast musical. And several other things. I recorded 444 00:24:41,970 --> 00:24:44,790 Jordan Litz: for parades and fireworks shows and all of that. It was 445 00:24:44,790 --> 00:24:47,310 Jordan Litz: a dream. I would go back in a heartbeat. I 446 00:24:47,310 --> 00:24:50,100 Jordan Litz: loved it there. And some of my best friends to 447 00:24:50,100 --> 00:24:53,850 Jordan Litz: this day still work for Disney. But yeah, my wife 448 00:24:53,850 --> 00:24:55,949 Jordan Litz: and I met there and we moved up to New 449 00:24:55,950 --> 00:24:58,530 Jordan Litz: York together and not, I want to say five months 450 00:24:58,530 --> 00:25:03,480 Jordan Litz: after working in New York, I got cast in the National 451 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:07,649 Jordan Litz: Tour of Wicked. And five, six years later, I'm now 452 00:25:07,650 --> 00:25:10,770 Jordan Litz: the longest running Fiyero in Broadway history. So it's been a- 453 00:25:10,770 --> 00:25:10,771 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. 454 00:25:10,771 --> 00:25:14,430 Jordan Litz: ... crazy, crazy journey, but one that I wouldn't trade 455 00:25:14,430 --> 00:25:14,820 Jordan Litz: for anything. 456 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:17,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow, what a great journey. 457 00:25:17,250 --> 00:25:17,760 Jordan Litz: I loved it. 458 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:21,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: A life of a performer is so interesting. It's so 459 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:26,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: different and fascinating. You have to be a bit of 460 00:25:26,130 --> 00:25:29,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: a rarity. I mean, someone who competed at an Olympic 461 00:25:29,460 --> 00:25:34,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: trials for any sport to then be a Broadway performer. 462 00:25:34,380 --> 00:25:36,689 Rob Simmelkjaer: Do you know of anybody else who was an athlete 463 00:25:36,990 --> 00:25:40,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: at that level who has been on Broadway as well? 464 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:44,310 Jordan Litz: I can only think of one. His name is Cody 465 00:25:44,310 --> 00:25:51,990 Jordan Litz: Simpson. He is a huge pop star in Australia. He 466 00:25:51,990 --> 00:25:57,090 Jordan Litz: was also growing up a stellar swimmer until 15, 16 years 467 00:25:57,090 --> 00:26:00,389 Jordan Litz: old, and then he became wildly famous as a pop 468 00:26:00,390 --> 00:26:04,440 Jordan Litz: star. So he quit swimming to become a pop star. 469 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:06,990 Jordan Litz: He does all of that. And then he came over here 470 00:26:06,990 --> 00:26:08,939 Jordan Litz: and he was in a production of, I think he 471 00:26:08,940 --> 00:26:13,050 Jordan Litz: was Dimitri and Anastasia for maybe six months to a 472 00:26:13,050 --> 00:26:16,290 Jordan Litz: year or something like that. After that was all over, 473 00:26:16,290 --> 00:26:18,450 Jordan Litz: he said, " You know what? I miss swimming. I want 474 00:26:18,450 --> 00:26:21,480 Jordan Litz: to do that again." And he jumped back into swimming 475 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:24,900 Jordan Litz: and he went to Olympic trials for Australia. He came 476 00:26:24,900 --> 00:26:28,140 Jordan Litz: up short, I want to say he was 4th or 5th 477 00:26:29,190 --> 00:26:31,980 Jordan Litz: in the 100 fly. So he came up short to 478 00:26:31,980 --> 00:26:35,010 Jordan Litz: that top two to make it to the Olympics. But 479 00:26:35,010 --> 00:26:37,740 Jordan Litz: still that's unbelievable to all of a sudden just say, " 480 00:26:37,740 --> 00:26:40,409 Jordan Litz: Ah, I'm going to stop performing for a little while 481 00:26:40,410 --> 00:26:43,560 Jordan Litz: and just tackle swimming." And within a year and a 482 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:46,740 Jordan Litz: half or two years, he already jumped to the ranks 483 00:26:46,740 --> 00:26:47,670 Jordan Litz: and almost made- 484 00:26:47,670 --> 00:26:47,671 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. 485 00:26:47,671 --> 00:26:50,699 Jordan Litz: ... the Olympics for Australia. And Australia is one of 486 00:26:50,700 --> 00:26:52,470 Jordan Litz: the best swimming countries in the world. 487 00:26:53,070 --> 00:26:55,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: Always. It's always the US and Australia going head-to-head- 488 00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:55,080 Jordan Litz: Exactly. 489 00:26:55,081 --> 00:26:56,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... in the pool at the Olympics. 490 00:26:57,480 --> 00:27:00,389 Jordan Litz: Yeah, exactly. So I think he's the only one that 491 00:27:00,390 --> 00:27:02,790 Jordan Litz: I can think of that was at a very, very 492 00:27:02,790 --> 00:27:07,379 Jordan Litz: elite level in athletics and also a performer at an 493 00:27:07,380 --> 00:27:07,980 Jordan Litz: elite level. 494 00:27:08,220 --> 00:27:12,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. It's incredible. The people with that kind of combination 495 00:27:12,660 --> 00:27:15,869 Rob Simmelkjaer: of talents do not grow on trees. So all I 496 00:27:15,869 --> 00:27:18,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: can say is it's more than a little impressive. And 497 00:27:18,750 --> 00:27:21,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: I have a feeling you're going to show another impressive 498 00:27:21,900 --> 00:27:26,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: performance on November 2nd. So I'm curious about Wicked and 499 00:27:26,460 --> 00:27:30,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: what it's been like as the longest running Fiyero you 500 00:27:30,570 --> 00:27:35,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: said on Broadway and your castmates. What's it been like to 501 00:27:35,609 --> 00:27:39,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: watch the movie and how the movie has succeeded? I'm 502 00:27:39,660 --> 00:27:43,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: really curious as a stage performer, what it was like 503 00:27:43,530 --> 00:27:46,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: when that movie came out and you saw the success 504 00:27:46,890 --> 00:27:50,399 Rob Simmelkjaer: and the cultural impact that the movie ended up having 505 00:27:50,490 --> 00:27:50,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well. 506 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:54,570 Jordan Litz: There has been no better time to be a part of Wicked 507 00:27:54,630 --> 00:27:59,760 Jordan Litz: than this last three years or so. I was fortunate 508 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:03,390 Jordan Litz: enough to be cast in the 20th anniversary cast of 509 00:28:03,390 --> 00:28:07,050 Jordan Litz: Wicked, and this was back in 2023. The show opened 510 00:28:07,080 --> 00:28:13,050 Jordan Litz: October 30th, 2003. In that process that I got to do 511 00:28:13,050 --> 00:28:17,130 Jordan Litz: a lot of unbelievably cool things surrounding the 20th anniversary. 512 00:28:17,130 --> 00:28:19,859 Jordan Litz: And then the following year, the first movie came out, 513 00:28:19,859 --> 00:28:26,369 Jordan Litz: which took this unbelievable musical phenomenon to a worldwide stage. 514 00:28:26,430 --> 00:28:31,350 Jordan Litz: There had already been productions in Japan, and Korea, and 515 00:28:31,350 --> 00:28:36,570 Jordan Litz: Germany, and all over South America, and it was a 516 00:28:36,570 --> 00:28:40,560 Jordan Litz: worldwide phenomenon before. But now it was a household name. 517 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:44,040 Jordan Litz: Everybody throughout the entire world knew what Wicked was and 518 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:47,310 Jordan Litz: had the access to be able to watch it. So 519 00:28:47,550 --> 00:28:52,740 Jordan Litz: our ticket sales went through the roof. Wicked is always 520 00:28:52,740 --> 00:28:56,130 Jordan Litz: sold out, but the prices were just astronomical. 521 00:28:56,130 --> 00:28:56,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. 522 00:28:56,190 --> 00:28:59,940 Jordan Litz: People were clamoring to get in and see our show, 523 00:28:59,940 --> 00:29:02,880 Jordan Litz: because the part one of the movie was just the 524 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:05,700 Jordan Litz: first act. So you could come and see ours and 525 00:29:05,700 --> 00:29:07,530 Jordan Litz: know what happens in the end. So we had so many 526 00:29:07,530 --> 00:29:11,370 Jordan Litz: first time people that were coming to see Wicked for 527 00:29:11,370 --> 00:29:13,410 Jordan Litz: the very first time. I got to meet people at 528 00:29:13,410 --> 00:29:16,200 Jordan Litz: the stage door after all the shows, and they were 529 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:20,400 Jordan Litz: so excited to know what happens and get to meet 530 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:23,040 Jordan Litz: us. And it's the best time to be a part 531 00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:25,890 Jordan Litz: of Wicked. And now with part two coming out somewhere, 532 00:29:25,890 --> 00:29:27,570 Jordan Litz: I want to say, a couple weeks after I run 533 00:29:27,570 --> 00:29:31,080 Jordan Litz: the marathon, I'm sure that there will be a new resurgence 534 00:29:31,140 --> 00:29:34,470 Jordan Litz: of people wanting to come and see the show again. 535 00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:38,729 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, it's just turned into an unbelievable franchise, if you 536 00:29:38,730 --> 00:29:42,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: will. It started on Broadway and now to see what 537 00:29:42,450 --> 00:29:45,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's doing in theaters on the movie side is incredible. 538 00:29:45,150 --> 00:29:47,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: Did you ever get a chance to hang out with 539 00:29:47,940 --> 00:29:52,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: Jonathan Bailey, or Ariana Grande, or Cynthia Erivo? Was there 540 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:56,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: a stage and a movie cast kind of get together 541 00:29:56,430 --> 00:29:58,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: or maybe give Jonathan Bailey some tips on how to 542 00:29:58,950 --> 00:29:59,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: play Prince Fiyero? 543 00:29:59,670 --> 00:30:04,650 Jordan Litz: So first off, I would never give that guy tips. 544 00:30:04,650 --> 00:30:08,250 Jordan Litz: He killed it. He was so good, man. It's obviously 545 00:30:08,250 --> 00:30:13,410 Jordan Litz: a different medium. The song was in a different key. They 546 00:30:13,410 --> 00:30:18,719 Jordan Litz: had different scenes. It felt like somebody running a marathon 547 00:30:18,750 --> 00:30:22,290 Jordan Litz: in Alphaflys and somebody running a marathon barefoot. It's just 548 00:30:22,290 --> 00:30:26,040 Jordan Litz: like a completely different kind of feel. But we had 549 00:30:26,040 --> 00:30:31,920 Jordan Litz: a screening for the original Broadway cast, the current Broadway 550 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:36,090 Jordan Litz: cast, and a bunch of the movie cast and people 551 00:30:36,090 --> 00:30:38,850 Jordan Litz: involved with the movie maybe a month before the first 552 00:30:38,850 --> 00:30:41,130 Jordan Litz: movie came out. So we all got to sit in 553 00:30:41,130 --> 00:30:45,930 Jordan Litz: a room at the Director's Guild of America Theater somewhere, 554 00:30:45,930 --> 00:30:48,150 Jordan Litz: I want to say, on 57th Street. And we all 555 00:30:48,150 --> 00:30:50,940 Jordan Litz: got to watch the movie together. And it was this 556 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:55,950 Jordan Litz: unreal experience. It was almost like watching live theater. There 557 00:30:55,950 --> 00:30:59,790 Jordan Litz: were standing ovations after every song. The energy in the 558 00:30:59,790 --> 00:31:02,340 Jordan Litz: room I can't even describe to you. And that's the 559 00:31:02,400 --> 00:31:05,970 Jordan Litz: only time that I've seen Wicked the movie, because the 560 00:31:05,970 --> 00:31:08,460 Jordan Litz: experience was so amazing that I don't want to go 561 00:31:08,460 --> 00:31:10,500 Jordan Litz: back and watch it again because I feel like I'll 562 00:31:10,500 --> 00:31:13,170 Jordan Litz: watch it with a more critical eye this time around. 563 00:31:13,500 --> 00:31:15,840 Jordan Litz: And I want to leave it in my memory as 564 00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:20,520 Jordan Litz: this perfect night, this perfect experience. But yeah, Jon Chu 565 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:23,610 Jordan Litz: was there. I got to have a lovely 25, 30- minute 566 00:31:23,610 --> 00:31:26,550 Jordan Litz: conversation, Jon Chu's the director of the movie, with him. 567 00:31:26,550 --> 00:31:29,880 Jordan Litz: And he is a Wicked nerd, man. He wanted to 568 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:33,300 Jordan Litz: talk about nothing but Wicked, and it made me so 569 00:31:33,300 --> 00:31:36,030 Jordan Litz: excited for part two of the movie because I could 570 00:31:36,030 --> 00:31:40,470 Jordan Litz: tell how much he truly cares about this story and 571 00:31:40,980 --> 00:31:43,650 Jordan Litz: doing it justice. I didn't get to meet Ariana, I 572 00:31:43,650 --> 00:31:46,260 Jordan Litz: didn't get to meet Cynthia, but I know that a 573 00:31:46,260 --> 00:31:49,650 Jordan Litz: lot of the witches did because they have the special 574 00:31:49,650 --> 00:31:54,750 Jordan Litz: green and pink camaraderie that is so unique within our 575 00:31:54,750 --> 00:32:00,120 Jordan Litz: community. And I don't think Jonathan Bailey was there, but maybe 576 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:02,310 Jordan Litz: for the part two screening, we will get a chance 577 00:32:02,310 --> 00:32:03,210 Jordan Litz: to bump into each other. 578 00:32:03,330 --> 00:32:06,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's really cool. What a great story of having a 579 00:32:06,420 --> 00:32:09,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: chance to watch that with those two casts together. Very, 580 00:32:09,510 --> 00:32:12,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: very cool. And yeah, your point is so interesting. I 581 00:32:12,540 --> 00:32:16,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: mean, obviously film is such a completely different process and 582 00:32:16,800 --> 00:32:19,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: it really is. If you got to run the marathon 583 00:32:19,890 --> 00:32:22,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: broken up one mile at a time, that's kind of 584 00:32:22,830 --> 00:32:23,371 Rob Simmelkjaer: what it's like when you- 585 00:32:23,371 --> 00:32:24,660 Jordan Litz: Oh, exactly, dude. 586 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:28,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. You're not doing it in one fell swoop when 587 00:32:28,710 --> 00:32:29,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: you put a movie together. 588 00:32:30,150 --> 00:32:32,040 Jordan Litz: Well, and doing it, you got to think of it 589 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:39,930 Jordan Litz: like running the marathon on a track indoors with very 590 00:32:39,930 --> 00:32:45,150 Jordan Litz: controlled settings. It's still impressive. It's just a different kind 591 00:32:45,150 --> 00:32:50,970 Jordan Litz: of thing. You're not singing it live, it's edited. There's 592 00:32:50,970 --> 00:32:55,050 Jordan Litz: a lot of post- production that goes into it that 593 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:57,450 Jordan Litz: changes the feel of it. 594 00:32:57,870 --> 00:33:01,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, no doubt about it. It's a fascinating parallel. So 595 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:04,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: what are your goals when you show up to the 596 00:33:04,050 --> 00:33:07,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: starting line in Staten Island on November 2nd? Do you 597 00:33:07,530 --> 00:33:10,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: have a time goal in mind? Is it just to 598 00:33:10,470 --> 00:33:12,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: finish? What are you hoping to do that day? 599 00:33:13,380 --> 00:33:15,930 Jordan Litz: Am I crazy for wanting to try to run as 600 00:33:15,930 --> 00:33:17,820 Jordan Litz: close to three as possible? 601 00:33:18,060 --> 00:33:22,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: Ooh, three hours. I love it. That is a legit 602 00:33:22,710 --> 00:33:26,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: goal for a first time marathoner. But with your athletic 603 00:33:26,490 --> 00:33:29,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: pedigree, I don't think it's crazy. I don't know much 604 00:33:29,850 --> 00:33:33,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: about how your training has been. What have your mile 605 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:34,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: splits been in your long runs? 606 00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:40,650 Jordan Litz: Well, so I'm trying to take my long runs conversational, 607 00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:46,560 Jordan Litz: which is I've been using Runna. Shout- out Runna. It's 608 00:33:46,620 --> 00:33:53,610 Jordan Litz: unbelievable. It's been an unbelievable source of information and inspiration 609 00:33:53,670 --> 00:33:56,610 Jordan Litz: because I'm training completely alone. I think I've had maybe 610 00:33:57,330 --> 00:34:00,270 Jordan Litz: a couple people join me on a couple 6- mile, 7- 611 00:34:00,270 --> 00:34:03,060 Jordan Litz: mile easy runs, but the majority of my training has 612 00:34:03,060 --> 00:34:08,610 Jordan Litz: been completely solo. It's been fine. My 20- mile run 613 00:34:08,610 --> 00:34:11,850 Jordan Litz: last week was like, I think I was 856 pace 614 00:34:11,850 --> 00:34:16,050 Jordan Litz: for 20 miles with average heart rate of 124. So 615 00:34:16,050 --> 00:34:20,460 Jordan Litz: it was really, really cozy, felt nice. I've got a 20- 616 00:34:20,460 --> 00:34:24,750 Jordan Litz: mile progressive run in a couple of weeks, and that will 617 00:34:24,750 --> 00:34:28,200 Jordan Litz: be really, really telling for me on whether or not 618 00:34:28,200 --> 00:34:29,880 Jordan Litz: three hours is going to be possible. 619 00:34:30,060 --> 00:34:34,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, because Runna will push you to hit some time 620 00:34:34,620 --> 00:34:38,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: goals in some of those long runs. They'll ask you 621 00:34:38,130 --> 00:34:41,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: to hold a fast pace for a good number of 622 00:34:41,820 --> 00:34:44,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: miles just to see if you can do it. So 623 00:34:44,520 --> 00:34:48,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: you will learn some things. And it's interesting, I mentioned 624 00:34:48,210 --> 00:34:51,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: that I'm running Chicago, so a big topic of conversation 625 00:34:51,300 --> 00:34:53,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: between me and Becs Gentry, who's normally my co- host, 626 00:34:54,210 --> 00:34:57,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: has been how hard to go at those long runs. 627 00:34:57,630 --> 00:35:01,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: And this is my 5th marathon. I've normally done exactly 628 00:35:01,770 --> 00:35:05,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: what you do, keep it very conversational, and a lot 629 00:35:05,010 --> 00:35:06,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: of my long runs have been that way. But Becs 630 00:35:06,989 --> 00:35:10,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: has pushed me to push myself a little harder in 631 00:35:10,590 --> 00:35:12,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: some of these long runs. So I ran a half 632 00:35:12,750 --> 00:35:17,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon Labor Day weekend, and I ran 20 miles that 633 00:35:17,010 --> 00:35:19,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: day, but the half I ran at marathon pace. And 634 00:35:19,920 --> 00:35:23,489 Rob Simmelkjaer: I ran 22 this past weekend. A good chunk of 635 00:35:23,489 --> 00:35:25,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was in the 18- mile training run that we 636 00:35:25,410 --> 00:35:27,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: have at Road Runners, and I ran about 11 of that 637 00:35:28,170 --> 00:35:32,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: at my marathon pace. So I trying to just establish in 638 00:35:32,370 --> 00:35:35,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: my mind that, all right, I can hold this pace 639 00:35:35,489 --> 00:35:37,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: for a while so that I have the confidence when 640 00:35:37,980 --> 00:35:40,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: I come out in Chicago to know I can do 641 00:35:40,110 --> 00:35:42,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: it for a sustained period. So Runna will push you 642 00:35:42,780 --> 00:35:45,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: to do that as well. And you'll learn a lot 643 00:35:45,420 --> 00:35:46,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: between now and the marathon, I'm sure. 644 00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:51,480 Jordan Litz: Yeah, exactly. I did the Bronx 10 Miler a couple of 645 00:35:51,480 --> 00:35:55,560 Jordan Litz: weeks or a week ago, and my long run for 646 00:35:55,560 --> 00:35:59,070 Jordan Litz: that day was 15 miles, but 10 miles at marathon 647 00:35:59,070 --> 00:36:01,440 Jordan Litz: pace, so that worked out perfectly. I was able to 648 00:36:01,440 --> 00:36:04,920 Jordan Litz: get out on the road, do a couple mile warmup, 649 00:36:04,920 --> 00:36:09,000 Jordan Litz: and then do the race. And Runna had me at seven- 650 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:13,110 Jordan Litz: minute miles for a projected 303 or something like that, 651 00:36:13,620 --> 00:36:17,580 Jordan Litz: and it felt super cozy. So I think- 652 00:36:17,580 --> 00:36:17,701 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's awesome. 653 00:36:17,700 --> 00:36:22,620 Jordan Litz: ... maybe if the weather is right and the conditions 654 00:36:22,620 --> 00:36:25,500 Jordan Litz: are good and I hit my taper just right, who 655 00:36:25,500 --> 00:36:28,440 Jordan Litz: knows? Maybe I can drop that down to a 652 pace 656 00:36:28,500 --> 00:36:32,190 Jordan Litz: and yeah, I have no idea what I'm capable of. 657 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:36,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's going to be fun to see what happens. So 658 00:36:36,060 --> 00:36:38,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: everybody out there listening, we're all going to track you right 659 00:36:38,700 --> 00:36:42,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: now. Let's see. We can put your name in the 660 00:36:42,570 --> 00:36:45,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: app as soon as it's ready, and I want to 661 00:36:45,239 --> 00:36:46,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: see how it goes. And I'll be there at the 662 00:36:46,980 --> 00:36:49,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: finish line to see you come across as well. But 663 00:36:50,250 --> 00:36:52,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's really an awesome goal. And listen, it's your first 664 00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:56,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: one, so no matter what happens, you're going to feel 665 00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:59,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: great when it's over and you're setting a bar for 666 00:36:59,219 --> 00:37:00,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: yourself, right? If you decide you want to do it 667 00:37:00,840 --> 00:37:03,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: again, you'll know what went well, what didn't go well, 668 00:37:03,780 --> 00:37:05,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: and you go from there. 669 00:37:05,430 --> 00:37:10,980 Jordan Litz: Yes, exactly. And I hope that this experience instills a 670 00:37:10,980 --> 00:37:14,430 Jordan Litz: love of distance running in me, and it doesn't make 671 00:37:14,430 --> 00:37:16,800 Jordan Litz: me hate it, you know what I'm saying? I hope 672 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:18,930 Jordan Litz: that I finish it and I'm like, I'm itching for 673 00:37:18,930 --> 00:37:21,839 Jordan Litz: more and I want to run all the major marathons, 674 00:37:21,840 --> 00:37:24,000 Jordan Litz: and that's my hope. At the end of the day, 675 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:26,460 Jordan Litz: regardless of what the clock says at the end, I 676 00:37:26,460 --> 00:37:29,340 Jordan Litz: hope that the experience makes me fall in love more 677 00:37:29,340 --> 00:37:30,150 Jordan Litz: with this sport. 678 00:37:30,390 --> 00:37:33,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: One thing I can just about guarantee anyone who runs 679 00:37:33,210 --> 00:37:37,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: the TCS New York City Marathon, the experience on the 680 00:37:37,080 --> 00:37:40,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: day will blow you away no matter what your time 681 00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:43,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: is. And that's one thing I also really encourage people 682 00:37:43,380 --> 00:37:47,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: to do, especially the first time they run, is, okay, 683 00:37:47,100 --> 00:37:49,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: have a time goal if you want to, that's all 684 00:37:49,170 --> 00:37:53,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: great, but make sure you soak in the experience of 685 00:37:53,700 --> 00:37:57,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: it as well. And don't let your time goal and 686 00:37:57,120 --> 00:38:00,509 Rob Simmelkjaer: looking at your watch keep you from looking at the 687 00:38:00,510 --> 00:38:04,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: crowds, and hearing the music, and hearing the energy and 688 00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:07,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: the people yelling your name as you go by, because 689 00:38:07,050 --> 00:38:08,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's such a huge part of what makes it special. 690 00:38:09,690 --> 00:38:13,770 Jordan Litz: Yeah, that is my number one priority. I think everybody 691 00:38:13,770 --> 00:38:16,379 Jordan Litz: talks about having the A goal, B goal, C goal. 692 00:38:16,500 --> 00:38:21,360 Jordan Litz: My A goal is just have an incredible experience. C 693 00:38:21,360 --> 00:38:24,330 Jordan Litz: goal is sub- three. 694 00:38:24,330 --> 00:38:27,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. I love the way you're approaching it. 695 00:38:27,239 --> 00:38:30,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: I am super impressed at the times you're talking about, 696 00:38:30,840 --> 00:38:33,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: so I can't wait to see what you do. How nervous 697 00:38:33,810 --> 00:38:36,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: do you think you'll be at the starting line? The 698 00:38:36,750 --> 00:38:39,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: nerves, and I've done a little theater for fun when 699 00:38:39,420 --> 00:38:41,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: I was in school, but nothing remotely serious. But I 700 00:38:41,580 --> 00:38:46,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: still can't think of the butterflies that you get or 701 00:38:47,190 --> 00:38:49,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: just doing... I've done a lot of live television, like 702 00:38:49,980 --> 00:38:53,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: the butterflies that you get before the red light goes 703 00:38:53,250 --> 00:38:56,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: on for a broadcast. How do you think your pre- 704 00:38:56,850 --> 00:39:00,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: show butterflies will compare to your pre- race butterflies on 705 00:39:00,840 --> 00:39:01,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: November 2nd? 706 00:39:01,890 --> 00:39:04,200 Jordan Litz: Well, I'll be honest with you, I don't get nervous 707 00:39:04,200 --> 00:39:09,360 Jordan Litz: for Wicked anymore. I have done 1500 shows of Wicked, 708 00:39:10,170 --> 00:39:13,469 Jordan Litz: so it's pretty ingrained in my body and in my 709 00:39:13,469 --> 00:39:17,730 Jordan Litz: mind at this point. It's very rare that I will 710 00:39:17,730 --> 00:39:21,480 Jordan Litz: go out to do a show and feel any sort 711 00:39:21,480 --> 00:39:25,710 Jordan Litz: of nerves. If there's somebody in the audience, we had 712 00:39:25,710 --> 00:39:29,820 Jordan Litz: Norbert Leo Butz, who's the original Fiyero, in the show 713 00:39:29,820 --> 00:39:34,290 Jordan Litz: a couple of weeks ago. And so that definitely jacked 714 00:39:34,290 --> 00:39:36,960 Jordan Litz: the energy a little bit, and that was one of 715 00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:39,780 Jordan Litz: the most nervous performances I've had of Wicked. The 20th 716 00:39:39,780 --> 00:39:45,060 Jordan Litz: anniversary performance of Wicked was very nervy, and my debut 717 00:39:45,060 --> 00:39:49,710 Jordan Litz: in Wicked was very nervy. As far as the marathon 718 00:39:49,710 --> 00:39:56,100 Jordan Litz: goes, I have no expectations of success other than finishing 719 00:39:56,100 --> 00:39:59,280 Jordan Litz: it. So I don't feel a lot of pressure to 720 00:39:59,280 --> 00:40:03,030 Jordan Litz: perform at a high level, although now that I said 721 00:40:03,330 --> 00:40:05,400 Jordan Litz: I'm trying to go as close to three hours as 722 00:40:05,400 --> 00:40:07,109 Jordan Litz: possible and all these people are going to hear this, 723 00:40:07,110 --> 00:40:10,290 Jordan Litz: maybe I feel the pressure now. But I don't feel- 724 00:40:10,290 --> 00:40:12,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: You put it out there, I love it. We're manifesting 725 00:40:12,569 --> 00:40:14,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: this for you. Come on now, let's go. 726 00:40:14,520 --> 00:40:17,520 Jordan Litz: It's in the universe. I've got my Alphafly 3s, they're ready 727 00:40:17,520 --> 00:40:23,760 Jordan Litz: to go. But I don't feel the nerves really with 728 00:40:23,760 --> 00:40:26,100 Jordan Litz: this. The only thing that I will say is that 729 00:40:26,100 --> 00:40:30,840 Jordan Litz: I hope that my knee cooperates. I broke my knee 730 00:40:30,870 --> 00:40:37,140 Jordan Litz: about five or six years ago playing Disney Company softball 731 00:40:37,140 --> 00:40:41,910 Jordan Litz: of all things, stupid. So I hope that that cooperates. 732 00:40:41,910 --> 00:40:44,400 Jordan Litz: It hasn't been an issue this entire training block, and 733 00:40:44,400 --> 00:40:47,130 Jordan Litz: I hope that my gut cooperates. If those two things 734 00:40:47,130 --> 00:40:49,950 Jordan Litz: happen, I'm not worried about my conditioning. I think that's 735 00:40:49,950 --> 00:40:54,870 Jordan Litz: going to come through for me. Yeah, I don't think 736 00:40:54,870 --> 00:40:57,510 Jordan Litz: the nerves are going to play a factor for me. 737 00:40:57,510 --> 00:41:00,719 Jordan Litz: I'm just excited. I'm excited to lace up the shoes 738 00:41:00,719 --> 00:41:02,910 Jordan Litz: and get out there and see what I can do. 739 00:41:03,150 --> 00:41:05,009 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. I really do love it. If you 740 00:41:05,010 --> 00:41:07,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: need any help on the nutrition side with your gut, 741 00:41:08,219 --> 00:41:10,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: let us know offline. We've got some great folks in 742 00:41:10,920 --> 00:41:14,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Road Runners community who are nutritionists. I'm actually working 743 00:41:14,310 --> 00:41:18,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: with one myself to make sure that that stays right 744 00:41:18,120 --> 00:41:20,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: too, because that's a big, big, big factor. All right, 745 00:41:20,790 --> 00:41:22,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: so one last question I got to ask you before 746 00:41:22,320 --> 00:41:23,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: we let you go. 747 00:41:23,460 --> 00:41:23,850 Jordan Litz: Ask away. 748 00:41:23,850 --> 00:41:26,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: Is it true that you are going to go from 749 00:41:26,070 --> 00:41:29,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: the finish line of the marathon to perform not once 750 00:41:30,090 --> 00:41:33,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: but twice on Broadway? You're going to do Wicked two 751 00:41:33,750 --> 00:41:36,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: performances after the marathon, is that true? 752 00:41:36,750 --> 00:41:41,160 Jordan Litz: So look, we have two scheduled that day. And anybody 753 00:41:41,160 --> 00:41:43,530 Jordan Litz: that has worked with me over the past five years 754 00:41:43,530 --> 00:41:47,160 Jordan Litz: in Wicked knows that I never call out of shows 755 00:41:47,580 --> 00:41:50,790 Jordan Litz: unless I am on my deathbed. I think the first 756 00:41:50,790 --> 00:41:52,770 Jordan Litz: two years that I was in Wicked, I called out 757 00:41:52,770 --> 00:41:55,890 Jordan Litz: one time. And then my first year on Broadway, I 758 00:41:55,890 --> 00:41:59,520 Jordan Litz: think I called out no times. I called out no 759 00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:01,980 Jordan Litz: times except for my paternity leave. I had a kid 760 00:42:01,980 --> 00:42:07,468 Jordan Litz: the first year at Wicked. So my plan is to 761 00:42:07,469 --> 00:42:12,660 Jordan Litz: run the marathon and do the shows. I don't know 762 00:42:12,660 --> 00:42:16,650 Jordan Litz: if that will come to fruition, but the goal is 763 00:42:16,650 --> 00:42:21,930 Jordan Litz: to do two Wickeds after the marathon. So I can't promise 764 00:42:21,930 --> 00:42:27,000 Jordan Litz: that'll happen. I'm not sure logistically time- wise. You've run 765 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:30,030 Jordan Litz: the marathon, when should I expect to finish? 766 00:42:30,120 --> 00:42:32,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, first, we got to figure out what wave you're 767 00:42:32,340 --> 00:42:35,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: in and let's make sure we talk offline with our 768 00:42:35,340 --> 00:42:37,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: team to make sure you're in the first wave because 769 00:42:37,770 --> 00:42:39,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're going to have to be to have any chance 770 00:42:39,390 --> 00:42:39,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: of that. 771 00:42:40,200 --> 00:42:43,711 Jordan Litz: I am in wave one. I am in wave one. I can tell you that now. 772 00:42:43,710 --> 00:42:46,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, so if you're in wave one and you're talking about three hours and the matinees 773 00:42:46,230 --> 00:42:47,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: are at what? 2: 00? 774 00:42:47,760 --> 00:42:51,511 Jordan Litz: 2: 00. Got to be in the building at 1: 30. 775 00:42:51,511 --> 00:42:55,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Be in the building at 1:30. So yeah, you could do it. It's possible. You 776 00:42:55,500 --> 00:42:57,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: could really do it. I think we got to get 777 00:42:57,750 --> 00:43:01,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: you off that walk off very quickly, get you to 778 00:43:01,170 --> 00:43:04,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: a shower, a massage I think as well. I want 779 00:43:04,710 --> 00:43:07,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: to see this happen, okay? Because this has to be 780 00:43:07,200 --> 00:43:10,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: some sort of Guinness Book of World records. It has 781 00:43:10,170 --> 00:43:12,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: to be only person ever to run a marathon and 782 00:43:12,989 --> 00:43:15,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: then perform twice on Broadway. No one has ever done 783 00:43:15,690 --> 00:43:18,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: this. I am quite confident no one's ever done this. 784 00:43:18,420 --> 00:43:21,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: So we're going to work with you, Jordan, to see 785 00:43:21,270 --> 00:43:23,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: if we can make this happen. And I want to 786 00:43:23,550 --> 00:43:25,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: make sure our PR people are on board as well, 787 00:43:25,860 --> 00:43:28,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: because if this happens, this has to be covered by 788 00:43:28,320 --> 00:43:31,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: the media. This is something that must be told and 789 00:43:31,980 --> 00:43:32,879 Rob Simmelkjaer: given attention to. 790 00:43:33,390 --> 00:43:36,030 Jordan Litz: I will do my best. I don't want to sacrifice 791 00:43:36,030 --> 00:43:40,170 Jordan Litz: my experience of having a good time, and enjoying, and 792 00:43:40,170 --> 00:43:43,530 Jordan Litz: savoring the moment of finishing a marathon in order to 793 00:43:43,530 --> 00:43:47,219 Jordan Litz: get to that first show. So if it doesn't happen, 794 00:43:47,219 --> 00:43:51,030 Jordan Litz: I won't be crushed, but I will definitely do the 795 00:43:51,030 --> 00:43:52,320 Jordan Litz: night show, 100%. 796 00:43:52,739 --> 00:43:56,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: Incredible. Really incredible. So much fun talking to you, Jordan. 797 00:43:57,090 --> 00:43:57,480 Jordan Litz: Thank you. 798 00:43:57,480 --> 00:44:00,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: You're quite an inspiration as an athlete, as a performer, 799 00:44:01,469 --> 00:44:05,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: truly doing everything. So congrats. We wish you luck. I 800 00:44:05,219 --> 00:44:08,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: cannot wait to see you on race day. And I 801 00:44:08,160 --> 00:44:11,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: just wish you good training from here till then, and we'll 802 00:44:11,610 --> 00:44:12,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: see you at the finish line. 803 00:44:13,020 --> 00:44:14,880 Jordan Litz: Thank you so much. Good luck in Chicago, man. You're 804 00:44:14,880 --> 00:44:15,390 Jordan Litz: going to kill it. 805 00:44:15,750 --> 00:44:18,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, and thank you for your perseverance. It was 806 00:44:18,210 --> 00:44:21,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: not easy to get this interview done, but Jordan stuck 807 00:44:21,180 --> 00:44:25,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: with it and it was a great conversation with Jordan Litz, 808 00:44:25,320 --> 00:44:26,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Broadway star. 809 00:44:26,760 --> 00:44:31,770 Speaker 3: Maybelline New York, the official cosmetic partner of the 2025 TCS 810 00:44:31,770 --> 00:44:35,340 Speaker 3: New York City Marathon. Get a bold look that lasts 811 00:44:35,340 --> 00:44:40,290 Speaker 3: with SuperStay Matte Ink. Focus on your finish. Maybelline has 812 00:44:40,290 --> 00:44:41,129 Speaker 3: your look covered. 813 00:44:41,730 --> 00:44:44,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: Torian Wiggins is not just logging miles, he's helping others 814 00:44:44,940 --> 00:44:47,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: do the same. He's a New York Road Runners member 815 00:44:47,040 --> 00:44:50,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: who has finished major races including the TCS New York 816 00:44:50,190 --> 00:44:53,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon, the New Balance Bronx 10 Miler, and the 817 00:44:53,640 --> 00:44:57,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: United Airlines NYC Half. For Harlem Run, Torian is known for 818 00:44:57,719 --> 00:45:00,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: leading the eight- minute pace group at Monday night runs and 819 00:45:00,780 --> 00:45:04,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: organizing Saturday morning long runs. He even helped launch Harlem 820 00:45:04,650 --> 00:45:07,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: Run's weekly speed workouts in order to make the community 821 00:45:07,920 --> 00:45:11,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: faster and stronger. Torian's passion for running comes with a 822 00:45:11,580 --> 00:45:15,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: passion for people. He's all about seeing his neighbors challenge 823 00:45:15,180 --> 00:45:17,641 Rob Simmelkjaer: themselves and strive to be better. 824 00:45:17,641 --> 00:45:21,810 Meb Keflezighi: Torian, welcome to Set the Pace podcast. How's it going today? 825 00:45:22,380 --> 00:45:24,180 Torian Wiggins: It's going good. Thank you for having me. 826 00:45:24,870 --> 00:45:28,290 Meb Keflezighi: Glad to have you. You have run some NYC's biggest races, 827 00:45:28,290 --> 00:45:32,250 Meb Keflezighi: the Marathon, the Bronx 10 Miler, the NYC Half. What was 828 00:45:32,250 --> 00:45:34,410 Meb Keflezighi: your experience like conquering those events? 829 00:45:34,920 --> 00:45:38,820 Torian Wiggins: The experience is always great. I think just getting one 830 00:45:38,820 --> 00:45:43,440 Torian Wiggins: with the community of just running and just feeding off the 831 00:45:43,440 --> 00:45:47,670 Torian Wiggins: energy of the crowd, the people that you're running by, 832 00:45:47,940 --> 00:45:52,710 Torian Wiggins: it makes things so easy and just motivating and inspiring 833 00:45:52,710 --> 00:45:55,110 Torian Wiggins: to just go out there and just run along with everyone. 834 00:45:55,530 --> 00:45:58,170 Meb Keflezighi: Pretty awesome. The friendship that you make is huge. You are 835 00:45:58,380 --> 00:46:01,649 Meb Keflezighi: a leader with the Harlem Run, have 10 pace and the 8- 836 00:46:01,650 --> 00:46:05,400 Meb Keflezighi: minute per mile group on Mondays. What do you enjoy 837 00:46:05,400 --> 00:46:09,420 Meb Keflezighi: about guiding the pace group and how does your running 838 00:46:09,420 --> 00:46:11,219 Meb Keflezighi: together help the community bond? 839 00:46:12,900 --> 00:46:17,160 Torian Wiggins: Well, I like doing the eight- minute pace group. I actually initially 840 00:46:17,550 --> 00:46:20,520 Torian Wiggins: fell into it because someone got hurt and I end up 841 00:46:20,520 --> 00:46:23,160 Torian Wiggins: becoming the pacer at that time and then I just 842 00:46:23,160 --> 00:46:27,090 Torian Wiggins: never let it go. But I love it because at 843 00:46:27,090 --> 00:46:30,899 Torian Wiggins: one point you feel the energy of the people that 844 00:46:30,900 --> 00:46:35,609 Torian Wiggins: are depending on you to hit a certain pace and 845 00:46:35,610 --> 00:46:38,279 Torian Wiggins: at the same time I'm feeding off the energy of 846 00:46:38,280 --> 00:46:42,270 Torian Wiggins: them. So in a way, we're all just working together 847 00:46:42,330 --> 00:46:47,580 Torian Wiggins: to just hit a pace, be at a conversational pace. 848 00:46:48,450 --> 00:46:50,340 Torian Wiggins: I think I enjoy it because it's outside of my 849 00:46:50,340 --> 00:46:54,180 Torian Wiggins: comfort zone as well as someone to just start to 850 00:46:54,420 --> 00:46:57,450 Torian Wiggins: lead to become a leader of the group as well. 851 00:46:57,540 --> 00:47:01,950 Torian Wiggins: And it was, it's just amazing. So from there I started 852 00:47:01,950 --> 00:47:05,910 Torian Wiggins: from just running along with some of the slower paces to 853 00:47:06,300 --> 00:47:08,879 Torian Wiggins: building my way up to it and then now I'm 854 00:47:08,880 --> 00:47:12,300 Torian Wiggins: in a position to lead as well as try to 855 00:47:12,300 --> 00:47:15,690 Torian Wiggins: encourage others to get better along the way. 856 00:47:16,560 --> 00:47:20,130 Meb Keflezighi: Wow, you all are about helping others and that pace, eight- 857 00:47:20,130 --> 00:47:22,350 Meb Keflezighi: minute pace is no slouch either. Keep up the great 858 00:47:22,350 --> 00:47:25,980 Meb Keflezighi: work that you're doing. But we know you also help 859 00:47:25,980 --> 00:47:29,880 Meb Keflezighi: organize started long runs. What do you think having multiple 860 00:47:29,880 --> 00:47:33,870 Meb Keflezighi: paces group or routines is important for runners training for 861 00:47:33,870 --> 00:47:34,680 Meb Keflezighi: the big races? 862 00:47:35,070 --> 00:47:37,980 Torian Wiggins: I think it's important and mostly for those that even just 863 00:47:38,460 --> 00:47:42,870 Torian Wiggins: preparing for the races here in New York, we have 864 00:47:42,900 --> 00:47:45,480 Torian Wiggins: the course in our backyard. I done ran all up 865 00:47:45,480 --> 00:47:48,510 Torian Wiggins: and down Harlem, so it's like for me, someone that 866 00:47:48,630 --> 00:47:51,270 Torian Wiggins: came from Florida, that was a good way for me 867 00:47:51,270 --> 00:47:56,129 Torian Wiggins: to explore the city. So with me and just doing 868 00:47:56,130 --> 00:47:59,520 Torian Wiggins: the running community and getting paces not only to just 869 00:48:00,120 --> 00:48:03,960 Torian Wiggins: to be out there training, but just to socialize and 870 00:48:03,960 --> 00:48:06,600 Torian Wiggins: just be with the community to say, " Hey, you want 871 00:48:06,600 --> 00:48:09,569 Torian Wiggins: to see what this place is with a cafe? Let's 872 00:48:09,570 --> 00:48:12,630 Torian Wiggins: just run there and everything." So that's how that kind 873 00:48:12,630 --> 00:48:14,670 Torian Wiggins: of originally started. It was a way to explore the 874 00:48:14,670 --> 00:48:18,960 Torian Wiggins: city, but not just Harlem, but the rest of the 875 00:48:18,960 --> 00:48:24,450 Torian Wiggins: community. So going to Queens, going to Brooklyn, going all 876 00:48:24,450 --> 00:48:26,250 Torian Wiggins: the way up in the Bronx just for some carrot 877 00:48:26,250 --> 00:48:30,690 Torian Wiggins: cake. I think it was important to just do something 878 00:48:30,690 --> 00:48:34,950 Torian Wiggins: different but at the same time enjoy the city while 879 00:48:34,950 --> 00:48:35,310 Torian Wiggins: it's here. 880 00:48:35,969 --> 00:48:39,509 Meb Keflezighi: I'm in Florida and those Harlem hills are really tough, 881 00:48:39,510 --> 00:48:42,150 Meb Keflezighi: so I'd rather come from Harlem to Florida than Florida 882 00:48:42,150 --> 00:48:45,120 Meb Keflezighi: to the Harlem hills. Those are very, very challenging. But 883 00:48:45,450 --> 00:48:48,690 Meb Keflezighi: you also do the Harlem Run, introduce weekly speed workout 884 00:48:48,690 --> 00:48:51,660 Meb Keflezighi: to help everyone get faster. You were part of the 885 00:48:51,660 --> 00:48:55,650 Meb Keflezighi: starting those sessions. What inspired that and how have you 886 00:48:56,040 --> 00:49:01,020 Meb Keflezighi: seen that once the speed workout impact runners over time? 887 00:49:02,280 --> 00:49:06,270 Torian Wiggins: So for me, speed workout is pretty critical to training 888 00:49:06,330 --> 00:49:10,830 Torian Wiggins: and I know for me that it's really hard to do 889 00:49:10,830 --> 00:49:14,069 Torian Wiggins: speed workout by myself because I tend to slow down 890 00:49:14,070 --> 00:49:18,180 Torian Wiggins: and just take my time with it. So with me, 891 00:49:18,180 --> 00:49:20,460 Torian Wiggins: and the good thing is with the community, it's not 892 00:49:20,460 --> 00:49:23,280 Torian Wiggins: just me that personally built it up, but also another 893 00:49:23,280 --> 00:49:26,010 Torian Wiggins: leader. His name is Hussain, so shout out to him. 894 00:49:27,390 --> 00:49:29,250 Torian Wiggins: There was just one day where we was just talking, 895 00:49:29,250 --> 00:49:31,230 Torian Wiggins: it was like, " Hey, let's just get some speed workout 896 00:49:31,230 --> 00:49:34,710 Torian Wiggins: in." And then we decided to say, " Hey, we'll just 897 00:49:34,710 --> 00:49:37,770 Torian Wiggins: see if anybody else wants to join." And so from 898 00:49:37,770 --> 00:49:41,760 Torian Wiggins: there it was just maybe initially started off with four 899 00:49:41,760 --> 00:49:45,360 Torian Wiggins: people and then we just being consistent, we're showing everyone 900 00:49:45,360 --> 00:49:48,029 Torian Wiggins: that we did our speed workout, we're showing pictures, and 901 00:49:48,030 --> 00:49:52,710 Torian Wiggins: then it started to gain speed. Everyone seemed to recognize 902 00:49:52,710 --> 00:49:54,930 Torian Wiggins: it and then that's when we started to say, " Hey, 903 00:49:54,930 --> 00:49:58,830 Torian Wiggins: well what's a good day for everyone to do the 904 00:49:58,830 --> 00:50:02,640 Torian Wiggins: speed workouts?" So we put it in the app, we 905 00:50:02,640 --> 00:50:06,750 Torian Wiggins: got a vote, everyone said, " Hey, this day, this time 906 00:50:07,290 --> 00:50:09,840 Torian Wiggins: we can do so." And then it just started to 907 00:50:09,840 --> 00:50:11,850 Torian Wiggins: build up from there. So we've been doing it since 908 00:50:11,850 --> 00:50:16,890 Torian Wiggins: the beginning of the year and it's always encouraging because 909 00:50:17,460 --> 00:50:21,509 Torian Wiggins: running with people that are faster than you or even 910 00:50:21,510 --> 00:50:24,569 Torian Wiggins: at the same pace and at different paces is always 911 00:50:24,570 --> 00:50:27,569 Torian Wiggins: motivating to know that you're not going through the pain 912 00:50:27,570 --> 00:50:30,450 Torian Wiggins: by yourself and everything like that. So you come in, 913 00:50:30,540 --> 00:50:35,040 Torian Wiggins: get the speed workout in, just enjoy yourselves and watch 914 00:50:35,040 --> 00:50:38,460 Torian Wiggins: yourself grow as you consistently come out. 915 00:50:39,330 --> 00:50:41,250 Meb Keflezighi: I'm just curious, what was the first intervals that you 916 00:50:41,250 --> 00:50:42,480 Meb Keflezighi: guys did or the speed session? 917 00:50:43,500 --> 00:50:47,969 Torian Wiggins: Yeah, so we started with, so we're always Wednesdays on 918 00:50:47,969 --> 00:50:51,660 Torian Wiggins: the Great Hill in Central Park and what we initially 919 00:50:51,660 --> 00:50:54,780 Torian Wiggins: did is we did a one mile warmup, we did 920 00:50:55,170 --> 00:50:59,850 Torian Wiggins: four 400s and then two 800s, and then we had some 921 00:50:59,850 --> 00:51:02,520 Torian Wiggins: rest in between there. And what we did initially was 922 00:51:02,520 --> 00:51:05,700 Torian Wiggins: to just start to build from there. So the very 923 00:51:05,700 --> 00:51:07,710 Torian Wiggins: next week we would say, " Hey, we're still doing the 924 00:51:07,710 --> 00:51:10,529 Torian Wiggins: 400s, and then we'll add a 800 and then we'll 925 00:51:10,530 --> 00:51:14,850 Torian Wiggins: just keep adding each week until we got to six 926 00:51:14,850 --> 00:51:17,219 Torian Wiggins: or eight. And then we'll start to switch it up just 927 00:51:17,219 --> 00:51:18,870 Torian Wiggins: to kind of keep the variety going and everything." 928 00:51:19,469 --> 00:51:22,170 Meb Keflezighi: That's pretty awesome. So you have said that running gives 929 00:51:22,170 --> 00:51:26,130 Meb Keflezighi: you a sense of freedom while challenging you physically, mentally, 930 00:51:26,130 --> 00:51:29,400 Meb Keflezighi: and spiritually. Can you talk about what means for you 931 00:51:29,400 --> 00:51:33,120 Meb Keflezighi: personally, maybe an example of how running has tested or 932 00:51:33,120 --> 00:51:34,770 Meb Keflezighi: feed you in those ways? 933 00:51:35,250 --> 00:51:43,440 Torian Wiggins: Yeah, so always feel like, again, mentally, physically, and spiritually, you 934 00:51:43,440 --> 00:51:45,660 Torian Wiggins: have to have that alignment to have that balance in 935 00:51:45,660 --> 00:51:47,550 Torian Wiggins: order to have a good run. Because if one thing 936 00:51:47,550 --> 00:51:51,690 Torian Wiggins: is not aligned with the other two, it's going to 937 00:51:51,690 --> 00:51:55,890 Torian Wiggins: affect your run in a way. So whether it's physically, whether you're hydrated, 938 00:51:56,160 --> 00:51:58,200 Torian Wiggins: you warm up, make sure you respect the warm up 939 00:51:58,410 --> 00:52:02,640 Torian Wiggins: of course, and you're ready to go run, that's good in 940 00:52:02,640 --> 00:52:06,120 Torian Wiggins: itself. So where's your mind? Is your thoughts are on 941 00:52:06,120 --> 00:52:09,300 Torian Wiggins: the stresses of this world or what are you focusing 942 00:52:09,300 --> 00:52:11,520 Torian Wiggins: on at that time? And of course, you've got to have 943 00:52:11,520 --> 00:52:14,549 Torian Wiggins: the right attitude in order to do that. So if 944 00:52:14,550 --> 00:52:17,850 Torian Wiggins: one thing is out of balance, I feel that you 945 00:52:17,850 --> 00:52:20,400 Torian Wiggins: could potentially have a bad run. But if you can 946 00:52:20,550 --> 00:52:27,480 Torian Wiggins: just center, just warm up, be prepared, well hydrated, your 947 00:52:27,480 --> 00:52:30,000 Torian Wiggins: mind is not wondering, you just kind of focus on 948 00:52:30,180 --> 00:52:32,100 Torian Wiggins: to clear your mind from the stresses of the world. 949 00:52:32,100 --> 00:52:35,700 Torian Wiggins: You have the right attitude most importantly, I think that 950 00:52:35,700 --> 00:52:39,870 Torian Wiggins: is the formula to having a good run. And when 951 00:52:39,870 --> 00:52:43,080 Torian Wiggins: you think of the stresses in the world of what's going outside, maybe 952 00:52:43,350 --> 00:52:50,400 Torian Wiggins: political, maybe recent shootings, what's going on when Gaza, Ukraine, 953 00:52:50,400 --> 00:52:53,670 Torian Wiggins: Burma, anything. It's a lot of things that can get you 954 00:52:55,260 --> 00:52:58,200 Torian Wiggins: depressed or in a sad form of state. But the 955 00:52:58,200 --> 00:53:01,020 Torian Wiggins: time that when I'm running and I'm aligned and I 956 00:53:01,020 --> 00:53:05,280 Torian Wiggins: can focus, I can just for that run for 45 957 00:53:05,280 --> 00:53:10,320 Torian Wiggins: minutes or so, I can just ignore everything and just be in the 958 00:53:10,320 --> 00:53:14,370 Torian Wiggins: now, focus on myself, focus on my breathing, saying that 959 00:53:14,370 --> 00:53:16,830 Torian Wiggins: I'm blessed to be able to run. And that gives 960 00:53:16,830 --> 00:53:21,390 Torian Wiggins: me a sense of freedom from everything just for that moment. 961 00:53:22,799 --> 00:53:25,500 Meb Keflezighi: Torian, it's great work that you guys are doing, just 962 00:53:25,500 --> 00:53:28,529 Meb Keflezighi: keep up the great work. And yes, running is all 963 00:53:28,530 --> 00:53:31,469 Meb Keflezighi: about the expectation about yourself, not somebody else's. And for 964 00:53:31,469 --> 00:53:33,480 Meb Keflezighi: that hour or an hour and a half, you're in 965 00:53:33,480 --> 00:53:36,660 Meb Keflezighi: the zone and it's a beautiful thing. And keep up 966 00:53:36,660 --> 00:53:37,200 Meb Keflezighi: the great work. 967 00:53:37,860 --> 00:53:40,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: If you're training for a race or just trying to 968 00:53:40,440 --> 00:53:44,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: stay motivated, Peloton is the perfect running companion. Their instructor- 969 00:53:44,760 --> 00:53:47,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: led runs and walks are built to fit into your 970 00:53:47,130 --> 00:53:50,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: training routine with classes that help you stay consistent, build 971 00:53:50,940 --> 00:53:54,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: speed, and enjoy the experience. Take your metrics, see your 972 00:53:54,660 --> 00:53:59,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: progress, and train smarter with pace targets, hit runs, and 973 00:53:59,040 --> 00:54:01,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: so much more. They've got it all to help you 974 00:54:01,020 --> 00:54:03,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: reach your goals and stay on track. Ready to take 975 00:54:03,989 --> 00:54:09,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: your race training up a notch. Learn more at onepeloton. com/ race- 976 00:54:09,930 --> 00:54:14,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: training. Peloton, an official partner of the 2025 TCS New York 977 00:54:14,910 --> 00:54:18,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon. Thank you so much Torian for joining us 978 00:54:18,390 --> 00:54:21,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: and for being an outstanding member of New York Road 979 00:54:21,210 --> 00:54:23,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners. Now it's time for the final part of today's 980 00:54:23,910 --> 00:54:25,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: show, our Meb Minutes. 981 00:54:27,180 --> 00:54:31,080 Meb Keflezighi: Thanks, Rob. Back to my mile- by- mile countdown to the 2025 982 00:54:31,290 --> 00:54:36,150 Meb Keflezighi: TCS New York City Marathon. This week we are counting down mile 983 00:54:36,150 --> 00:54:42,150 Meb Keflezighi: 16 through 18, 1st Avenue North in Manhattan. This is the 984 00:54:42,210 --> 00:54:49,739 Meb Keflezighi: time of amazingness, flat and loud and electrifying. This is where you kind 985 00:54:49,739 --> 00:54:53,400 Meb Keflezighi: of came from a silence of the Queensborough Bridge to 986 00:54:53,400 --> 00:54:58,950 Meb Keflezighi: the people whether they're watching from their condominiums. They're 10 987 00:54:58,950 --> 00:55:03,330 Meb Keflezighi: deep, 15 deep. This is where the sound can move 988 00:55:03,330 --> 00:55:06,420 Meb Keflezighi: you, literally, can move you. But you have to be 989 00:55:06,420 --> 00:55:09,690 Meb Keflezighi: able to control that you still have 10 miles to 990 00:55:09,690 --> 00:55:13,230 Meb Keflezighi: go. But pump your chest, give them thumbs up like 991 00:55:13,230 --> 00:55:16,770 Meb Keflezighi: I did. This is where you acknowledge them, but at 992 00:55:16,770 --> 00:55:19,469 Meb Keflezighi: the same saying, " Hey, I still got 10 miles to 993 00:55:19,469 --> 00:55:23,880 Meb Keflezighi: go." And miles 16 to 18 is fairly flat. The crowd does 994 00:55:23,880 --> 00:55:26,730 Meb Keflezighi: move you, but use it to your advantage. Don't sprint 995 00:55:27,120 --> 00:55:30,870 Meb Keflezighi: but be able to say, " Hey, (inaudible) ." Feel the 996 00:55:31,110 --> 00:55:35,460 Meb Keflezighi: thrilling sound of the TCS New York City Marathon. People come 997 00:55:35,460 --> 00:55:38,880 Meb Keflezighi: to support the marathon and this is pretty evident. And you know 998 00:55:39,270 --> 00:55:42,719 Meb Keflezighi: what? Acknowledge it, but at the same time, don't push 999 00:55:42,719 --> 00:55:43,500 Meb Keflezighi: too hard too soon. 1000 00:55:44,130 --> 00:55:46,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right folks, that does it for another episode of 1001 00:55:46,560 --> 00:55:49,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: Set the Pace. We missed Becs today, but I tried 1002 00:55:49,440 --> 00:55:52,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: to carry the load for her. Thanks to our great 1003 00:55:52,800 --> 00:55:56,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: guest today, Jordan Litz and Torian Wiggins. If you liked 1004 00:55:56,850 --> 00:56:00,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: the episode, make sure you subscribe, rate it, leave us 1005 00:56:00,360 --> 00:56:02,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: a comment or a question. We'd love to hear from 1006 00:56:02,730 --> 00:56:06,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: you and that helps other people find the show as 1007 00:56:06,210 --> 00:56:09,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: well. Enjoy the miles. Good luck to everybody out there 1008 00:56:09,660 --> 00:56:13,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: as you continue your builds or maybe your tapers if 1009 00:56:13,140 --> 00:56:16,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're running Chicago. We'll see you next week. Enjoy the miles.