1 00:00:00,270 --> 00:00:03,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a 2 00:00:03,270 --> 00:00:06,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the 3 00:00:06,660 --> 00:00:10,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: transformative power of running. The support of members and donors 4 00:00:10,740 --> 00:00:13,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the 5 00:00:13,950 --> 00:00:17,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: health and well- being of our communities through inclusive and 6 00:00:17,250 --> 00:00:22,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn 7 00:00:22,110 --> 00:00:25,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: more and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. 8 00:00:29,940 --> 00:00:34,349 Announcers: Thank you, New York. Today we're reminded of the power 9 00:00:34,350 --> 00:00:39,780 Announcers: of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on your mark. 10 00:00:41,909 --> 00:00:45,510 Announcers: The first woman to finish for the second straight year here in the 11 00:00:46,020 --> 00:00:49,380 Announcers: New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, a smiling Miki 12 00:00:49,380 --> 00:00:52,559 Announcers: Gorman. And why not? 2: 29:30, the time for good advice. 13 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:56,520 Announcers: Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she comes 14 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:59,820 Announcers: to the line. Pointing to his chest, pointing to the 15 00:00:59,820 --> 00:01:03,930 Announcers: USA he so proudly wears across his chest. A great day 16 00:01:03,930 --> 00:01:09,990 Announcers: for Meb Keflezighi. 17 00:01:09,990 --> 00:01:13,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody, and welcome to Set the Pace presented by 18 00:01:13,410 --> 00:01:16,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: Peloton. It is the official podcast of New York Road 19 00:01:16,350 --> 00:01:18,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners and I am your host and the CEO of 20 00:01:18,810 --> 00:01:21,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: NYRR, Rob Simmelkjaer. Great to have you with us a 21 00:01:21,420 --> 00:01:24,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: few weeks after the TCS New York City Marathon. Hope 22 00:01:24,810 --> 00:01:28,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: all of those who ran out there are recovering. I 23 00:01:28,140 --> 00:01:31,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: hope none of you are experiencing those dreaded post- marathon 24 00:01:31,890 --> 00:01:35,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: blues. I've heard from a few folks who have been 25 00:01:35,370 --> 00:01:38,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: struggling with that a little bit and it's a common 26 00:01:38,310 --> 00:01:41,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: thing, so if you're feeling it, don't feel bad. You're 27 00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:44,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: in good, good company. And there's lots of things you 28 00:01:44,340 --> 00:01:46,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: can do, like find a way to set your sights 29 00:01:46,530 --> 00:01:49,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: on something else. It could be another race you want 30 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: to sign up for. It could be another non- running 31 00:01:52,590 --> 00:01:54,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: event you want to get excited about. And then of 32 00:01:54,330 --> 00:01:56,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: course, there's always the holidays to be excited about. So 33 00:01:57,270 --> 00:01:59,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: those of you who are experiencing that, we feel you, 34 00:01:59,850 --> 00:02:02,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: we hear you, and we hope that you will find 35 00:02:02,220 --> 00:02:04,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: some new goals to set. Because that's what it's all 36 00:02:04,110 --> 00:02:06,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: about, is having a new goal in mind to set 37 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:09,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: and motivate yourself in the weeks to come. Well, I'm 38 00:02:09,660 --> 00:02:13,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: flying solo again today because as many of you know, 39 00:02:13,020 --> 00:02:16,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: my co- host, Peloton instructor Becs Gentry is on the 40 00:02:16,980 --> 00:02:20,549 Rob Simmelkjaer: adventure of a lifetime as she competes in the Great 41 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:25,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: World Race. Seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. 42 00:02:25,650 --> 00:02:29,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: And as we record this episode, and we're recording on 43 00:02:29,010 --> 00:02:32,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tuesday, November 19th, Becs is in the middle of her 44 00:02:32,910 --> 00:02:38,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: sixth marathon in six days. She's in Cartagena, Colombia for 45 00:02:38,190 --> 00:02:40,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon number six. I was just watching a bit of 46 00:02:40,470 --> 00:02:43,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: it live on Twitch. Directly after that race she will 47 00:02:43,500 --> 00:02:46,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: head back to the US for her seventh and final 48 00:02:46,470 --> 00:02:50,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon in Miami. And if you have not been following 49 00:02:50,910 --> 00:02:55,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: her, she is absolutely killing it on this unbelievable adventure. 50 00:02:55,950 --> 00:03:00,329 Rob Simmelkjaer: Listen to these numbers. Her first marathon in Wolf's Gang, 51 00:03:00,330 --> 00:03:05,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: Antarctica, 3:20: 44. That was her worst time because from 52 00:03:05,250 --> 00:03:10,019 Rob Simmelkjaer: there it was 3: 15:00 in Cape Town, South Africa, 3: 53 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:16,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: 02:00 the next day in Perth, Australia. Then they flew 54 00:03:16,139 --> 00:03:20,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Istanbul, she ran 3: 07:00 on the European side, 55 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:24,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: then 3:07: 00 again on the Asian side. And now 56 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:28,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: she's in Cartagena. It's just an unbelievable feat that she 57 00:03:28,860 --> 00:03:32,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: is putting on. Cartagena looks to me like probably the 58 00:03:32,430 --> 00:03:36,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: hardest one that they're running. Maybe harder than Antarctica, because 59 00:03:36,270 --> 00:03:39,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: I just heard the commentator say it is eighty- something 60 00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:43,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: degrees and humid, as it probably is most of the 61 00:03:43,140 --> 00:03:46,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: time in Cartagena, Columbia. So I'll be curious to see 62 00:03:46,050 --> 00:03:49,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: how she goes there, but she's getting it done. It's 63 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible. By the way, another friend of the show, Jenny 64 00:03:52,710 --> 00:03:56,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Simpson, is running as well and doing a great, great 65 00:03:56,190 --> 00:03:59,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: job. What's amazing about Jenny is she just found out 66 00:03:59,850 --> 00:04:02,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: about this and signed up a few days before they 67 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:06,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: left. So she was a late, late add, hadn't really 68 00:04:06,750 --> 00:04:08,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: been training for this. Of course, she had been training 69 00:04:08,460 --> 00:04:11,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: for the TCS New York City Marathon, which she ran 70 00:04:11,460 --> 00:04:14,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: and completed with a great time, but she wasn't planning 71 00:04:14,670 --> 00:04:17,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: on seven marathons in seven days. And she's doing it, 72 00:04:17,220 --> 00:04:20,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: she's hanging on, running with Becs a lot of the time, so congrats 73 00:04:20,220 --> 00:04:23,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: to her as well. And we just can't wait to 74 00:04:23,310 --> 00:04:27,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: hear from Becs about what this adventure has been like. 75 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: So when she's back with us after Thanksgiving, we're going 76 00:04:31,170 --> 00:04:34,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: to get the full download from Becs Gentry, but congratulations 77 00:04:34,529 --> 00:04:38,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Becs. And you can follow her on Twitch. I actually 78 00:04:38,730 --> 00:04:41,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: just saw her times on pelobuddy. com. Thanks to those 79 00:04:41,970 --> 00:04:45,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: guys. And we wish her all the best for the 80 00:04:45,270 --> 00:04:49,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: remainder of this incredible adventure. Well, back here in New 81 00:04:49,529 --> 00:04:53,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: York, we are all still kind of in our post- marathon 82 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:55,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: haze at New York Road Runners. I'm sure many of 83 00:04:55,589 --> 00:04:58,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: you are as well, but we can't stay there for 84 00:04:58,950 --> 00:05:01,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: long because we've always got more races coming up in 85 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:04,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York. And this coming weekend we've got two races. 86 00:05:04,589 --> 00:05:07,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: We've got the Race to Deliver 4- miler to Benefit 87 00:05:07,350 --> 00:05:10,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: God's Love We Deliver. That one's in Central Park. And 88 00:05:10,890 --> 00:05:14,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: then I will actually be headed to Van Cortlandt Park 89 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:17,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the Bronx for New York Roadrunner. Van Cortlandt Park Cross- 90 00:05:17,310 --> 00:05:21,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: Country Race number three. This is a 5K on the 91 00:05:21,060 --> 00:05:24,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: trails of Van Cortlandt Park. And I'm actually really excited 92 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:28,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: about this because I have not run one of our cross- 93 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:32,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: country races before. And this one I'm going to run. 94 00:05:32,730 --> 00:05:34,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm going to run it with my daughter Julia if 95 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:36,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: she doesn't bail on me between now and the race on 96 00:05:36,510 --> 00:05:39,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sunday. And this will be a return to my old 97 00:05:39,990 --> 00:05:43,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: stomping grounds in high school because I ran cross- country 98 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:46,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: at Horace Mann School in Riverdale. And this of course 99 00:05:46,470 --> 00:05:49,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: was our track. This was the place we ran cross- 100 00:05:49,770 --> 00:05:52,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: country right up the hill from Van Cortlandt Park. And 101 00:05:52,770 --> 00:05:56,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: I have not seen these trails since then, so I'm 102 00:05:56,460 --> 00:05:59,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: really excited to go check it out, show it to 103 00:05:59,580 --> 00:06:04,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: Julia, and kind of go down memory lane running that Cross- 104 00:06:04,050 --> 00:06:06,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: country event up in the Bronx. So can't wait to 105 00:06:06,089 --> 00:06:08,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: be there. Look forward to seeing anybody who is taking 106 00:06:08,970 --> 00:06:13,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: on the 5K in Van Cortlandt Park this weekend. One 107 00:06:13,650 --> 00:06:16,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: note by the way, about this past weekend in running, 108 00:06:16,529 --> 00:06:20,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of New York Road Runners members and staff 109 00:06:20,550 --> 00:06:25,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: went down to a new event, the Every Woman's Marathon in 110 00:06:25,170 --> 00:06:28,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: Savannah, Georgia. This was a brand new event, a marathon 111 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:31,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: just for women, and it sounds like it was a 112 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:36,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: huge success. They had over 7, 000 runners finish this 113 00:06:36,300 --> 00:06:40,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon. For a first time event, that's incredible. We also 114 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: had a New York Road Runners member as a winner 115 00:06:43,740 --> 00:06:47,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: of this event. That's right, it was Khai Kurtenbach coming up 116 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:50,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: with the win. Congratulations to her. We hope to talk 117 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:52,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: to her at some point as a New York Road 118 00:06:52,500 --> 00:06:55,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners member about her win and the debut of this 119 00:06:55,410 --> 00:06:57,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: event. But it looks like it was really great. So 120 00:06:57,750 --> 00:07:01,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: congrats to all the ladies who went down and ran, 121 00:07:01,020 --> 00:07:03,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: and all the guys who went down to support, because 122 00:07:03,150 --> 00:07:05,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: there were a lot of people on the course. Our 123 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: own Ted Metellus was down there cheering on the runners, 124 00:07:08,670 --> 00:07:10,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well as a lot of our other staff members. 125 00:07:11,010 --> 00:07:14,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: Christine Burke, one of our senior leaders ran and completed 126 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:16,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: it as well. So just a great day in Savannah, 127 00:07:16,710 --> 00:07:20,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: Georgia. Congratulations to everybody who got it done. No matter 128 00:07:20,430 --> 00:07:23,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: what season of life you're in, Peloton has everything you 129 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: need to keep your running on track. From challenging classes 130 00:07:26,940 --> 00:07:30,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: and training programs to outdoor runs and walks, we've got 131 00:07:30,090 --> 00:07:33,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: you covered, whatever your level. Whether you're gearing up for 132 00:07:33,060 --> 00:07:36,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: a race or in between events, unlock your personalized training 133 00:07:36,750 --> 00:07:40,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: plans, expert coaching, and a community that supports you every 134 00:07:40,620 --> 00:07:43,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: step of the way. Find your push, find your power 135 00:07:43,890 --> 00:07:51,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: at onepeloton. com/ race- training. Today's guest left a remarkable 136 00:07:51,570 --> 00:07:54,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: mark on the streets of New York City this past 137 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:59,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon Sunday. Sara Vaughn, the top American female finisher at 138 00:07:59,070 --> 00:08:02,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: this year's TCS New York City Marathon delivered an impressive 139 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:08,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: performance with a time of 2: 26: 56, placing sixth 140 00:08:08,550 --> 00:08:13,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: overall. Incredible performance. And this is really impressive for someone 141 00:08:13,290 --> 00:08:17,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: who has transitioned from middle distance events to the marathon, 142 00:08:17,610 --> 00:08:20,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: and doing it all while balancing life as a mother 143 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:24,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: of four, a full- time real estate agent, as well 144 00:08:24,930 --> 00:08:27,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: as obviously an elite runner. So it was really something 145 00:08:27,690 --> 00:08:31,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: to see Sara cross the finish line on Sunday. I've 146 00:08:31,170 --> 00:08:33,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: never really had a chance to talk to Sara, but 147 00:08:33,330 --> 00:08:35,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: I was right there when she crossed the finish line. 148 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:38,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: And so I'm very excited to have Sara on to 149 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:41,309 Rob Simmelkjaer: talk about her incredible day here at the TCS New York City 150 00:08:41,309 --> 00:08:44,819 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon and what comes next for this really, really impressive 151 00:08:44,820 --> 00:08:48,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: American runner. And keeping to the theme of top female 152 00:08:48,780 --> 00:08:52,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: finishers, today's member moment welcomes Maryann Gong, the top female 153 00:08:52,890 --> 00:08:57,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: finisher from this year's top local club. Like Sara Vaughn 154 00:08:57,090 --> 00:09:00,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: Maryann Gong balances her commitment to running with a demanding 155 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: career, and she'll be here with Meb to share her 156 00:09:03,570 --> 00:09:07,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: strategies for success on the roads. But not all of 157 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: our listeners are seasoned marathoners who are trying to figure 158 00:09:10,110 --> 00:09:12,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: out how to balance career and family with long runs 159 00:09:12,900 --> 00:09:15,689 Rob Simmelkjaer: and far- off races. Some of you may be new 160 00:09:15,750 --> 00:09:18,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: to racing and maybe even new to running. So today's 161 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:22,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: Meb minute is for you because with Thanksgiving, almost upon 162 00:09:22,410 --> 00:09:26,699 Rob Simmelkjaer: us, the traditional turkey trots are everywhere. I love a 163 00:09:26,700 --> 00:09:29,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: good turkey trot. I'll be running on Thanksgiving morning. Meb 164 00:09:29,970 --> 00:09:32,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: is here to tell us everything we need to know 165 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:37,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: about getting ready for your very first 5K, if in 166 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: fact, the turkey trot is your first time running a 167 00:09:39,900 --> 00:09:43,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: 5K. A lot of those turkey trots are 5K's. The one I run 168 00:09:43,470 --> 00:09:45,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: here in Connecticut is actually a five miler, so a 169 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:47,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: little bit harder. But if you're thinking about giving it 170 00:09:47,550 --> 00:09:48,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: a shot, stay tuned for Meb. 171 00:09:49,530 --> 00:09:52,710 Advertisements: Growing a business means a lot of audience attracting, a 172 00:09:52,710 --> 00:09:55,380 Advertisements: lot of lead scoring, and a lot of long days. 173 00:09:55,710 --> 00:09:58,620 Advertisements: But with HubSpot, it's easier than ever for marketers to 174 00:09:58,620 --> 00:10:02,400 Advertisements: boost leads and score customers fast, which means pretty soon 175 00:10:02,550 --> 00:10:07,440 Advertisements: your company will have a lot to celebrate. Visit hubspot. com/ 176 00:10:07,890 --> 00:10:09,449 Advertisements: marketers to learn more. 177 00:10:09,780 --> 00:10:13,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Our guest today is Sara Vaughn, who was a late 178 00:10:13,020 --> 00:10:16,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: addition to this year's TCS New York City Marathon pro 179 00:10:16,140 --> 00:10:20,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: field. Initially, Sara was training to run the Chicago Marathon 180 00:10:20,460 --> 00:10:23,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: one month before the TCS New York City Marathon, but 181 00:10:24,330 --> 00:10:28,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: COVID reared its head and sidelined her from Chicago. So 182 00:10:28,530 --> 00:10:31,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: she made a quick pivot to New York and that 183 00:10:31,350 --> 00:10:33,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: worked out pretty well for Sara, as she came in 184 00:10:33,900 --> 00:10:37,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: as the top American female finisher with an incredible time 185 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:41,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: of 2: 26: 56. She was a top six finisher 186 00:10:42,179 --> 00:10:45,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: in this race. And Sara's journey from a middle distance 187 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:48,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: standout to a rising star in the marathon scene is 188 00:10:48,090 --> 00:10:51,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: really a testament to the adaptability and resilience that led 189 00:10:51,929 --> 00:10:54,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: her to this year's finish line. And includes not just 190 00:10:54,660 --> 00:10:58,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: training, but juggling a career in real estate and a 191 00:10:58,260 --> 00:11:04,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: family of four children in Boulder, Colorado. Sara Vaughn, welcome 192 00:11:04,350 --> 00:11:06,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Set the Pace. When I read your intro, the 193 00:11:06,780 --> 00:11:08,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: first thing that occurs to me is you just must 194 00:11:08,250 --> 00:11:11,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: be exhausted all the time. You do so much, and yet 195 00:11:11,940 --> 00:11:15,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: here you are running marathons. Top six marathon here in 196 00:11:15,809 --> 00:11:17,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York. Congratulations and welcome. 197 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,640 Sara Vaughn: Thank you. Thanks for having me. I love my experience 198 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,080 Sara Vaughn: in New York, so I'm happy to talk about it 199 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:23,100 Sara Vaughn: as much as possible. 200 00:11:23,550 --> 00:11:25,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: I bet you are, and we are happy to talk 201 00:11:25,590 --> 00:11:29,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: about it as well. And I can take you to 202 00:11:29,070 --> 00:11:32,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: the finish line of the marathon, and I was standing 203 00:11:32,460 --> 00:11:36,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: there with our staff at New York Road Runners, everybody 204 00:11:36,510 --> 00:11:40,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: there excited to welcome our pro finishers in. And I 205 00:11:40,230 --> 00:11:44,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: can tell you, Sara, that the excitement that people were 206 00:11:44,370 --> 00:11:48,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: feeling, seeing how well you were performing in this race, 207 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: how strong you came to the finish line, people were 208 00:11:51,510 --> 00:11:54,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: just thrilled to see you come across that finish line 209 00:11:54,090 --> 00:11:58,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: in sixth place, tremendous time, and obviously holding the crown 210 00:11:58,860 --> 00:12:02,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: as top American finisher. How did it feel to you? I mean, what 211 00:12:03,540 --> 00:12:07,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: a crazy pivot you had there, expecting to run Chicago, 212 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: pivoting to New York because of COVID. What did it 213 00:12:09,929 --> 00:12:11,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: feel like to cross that finish line was such an 214 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:13,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible result? 215 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:16,080 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, I mean I think up until the finish line, 216 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:19,319 Sara Vaughn: I was trying to stay very, very focused, so I 217 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:22,770 Sara Vaughn: didn't really get to take in much of... You can 218 00:12:22,770 --> 00:12:25,920 Sara Vaughn: hear and you can witness the crowds all the way 219 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:28,170 Sara Vaughn: up to the finish, but it wasn't until I hit 220 00:12:28,170 --> 00:12:30,720 Sara Vaughn: those flags coming up to the finish line where I 221 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:32,819 Sara Vaughn: could relax just a little bit and try to enjoy 222 00:12:32,820 --> 00:12:35,370 Sara Vaughn: the moment. And I think that's when it all hit 223 00:12:35,370 --> 00:12:39,120 Sara Vaughn: me that I actually did what I set out to 224 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:41,910 Sara Vaughn: do. We all know the marathon, it's really hard to 225 00:12:42,150 --> 00:12:46,920 Sara Vaughn: put it all together on the day. And like you 226 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:48,569 Sara Vaughn: mentioned, with all the things I have going on in 227 00:12:48,570 --> 00:12:51,720 Sara Vaughn: my life, sometimes I just can't do that, things out 228 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:55,920 Sara Vaughn: of my control that derail my plans. So to cross 229 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:58,380 Sara Vaughn: the finish line, to realize that I've done what I 230 00:12:58,380 --> 00:13:01,200 Sara Vaughn: set out to do and to kind of carry the 231 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:03,420 Sara Vaughn: honor of being top American in New York City, that was 232 00:13:03,420 --> 00:13:04,230 Sara Vaughn: really special. 233 00:13:05,010 --> 00:13:08,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sara, as you stepped to the starting line on the Verrazano- 234 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:12,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: Narrows Bridge, did you feel that this kind of result 235 00:13:12,660 --> 00:13:15,329 Rob Simmelkjaer: was possible at that moment? I mean, you had been 236 00:13:15,330 --> 00:13:19,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: training for Chicago. Chicago and New York are very different races, 237 00:13:19,890 --> 00:13:24,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: obviously. Very flat in Chicago. New York, very hilly, very 238 00:13:24,809 --> 00:13:29,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: different. I don't know if you specifically were training for 239 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:31,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: a flat course and you just had to pivot to 240 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:33,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: this or if hill work is just part of your 241 00:13:33,870 --> 00:13:36,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: regular routine, but did you think you could make this 242 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:38,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: pivot that successfully? 243 00:13:39,300 --> 00:13:42,570 Sara Vaughn: I went in with a very open mind. Also, standing 244 00:13:42,570 --> 00:13:44,340 Sara Vaughn: on the start line. I had a lot of peace. 245 00:13:44,580 --> 00:13:46,860 Sara Vaughn: I just thought I'm going to get to the finish 246 00:13:46,860 --> 00:13:50,490 Sara Vaughn: and today's going to be whatever it is. And allowing 247 00:13:50,490 --> 00:13:53,820 Sara Vaughn: it to unfold and sort of just being curious about 248 00:13:53,820 --> 00:13:57,330 Sara Vaughn: it instead of forcing something was a little bit of 249 00:13:57,330 --> 00:13:59,940 Sara Vaughn: a relief from my race plan going into Chicago where 250 00:13:59,940 --> 00:14:04,530 Sara Vaughn: it's very focused on pace and executing certain things. And 251 00:14:04,530 --> 00:14:06,420 Sara Vaughn: instead I just stood on the start line and thought, 252 00:14:06,420 --> 00:14:09,360 Sara Vaughn: I'm just going to race today and New York Road 253 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:11,490 Sara Vaughn: Runners put together an amazing field, so if I could 254 00:14:11,490 --> 00:14:13,080 Sara Vaughn: just hold my own in that field, it was going 255 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:17,550 Sara Vaughn: to be a good day. Yeah, Boulder's not flat and 256 00:14:17,550 --> 00:14:19,500 Sara Vaughn: it turns out a lot of the hills here mimic the 257 00:14:19,500 --> 00:14:23,640 Sara Vaughn: bridges really, really well. So I was surprisingly prepared for 258 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:25,440 Sara Vaughn: that even though I was trying to train for a 259 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:28,170 Sara Vaughn: flat course up until that point. The first 12 weeks of 260 00:14:28,230 --> 00:14:30,660 Sara Vaughn: my training I was focusing on pace and trying to 261 00:14:30,660 --> 00:14:34,380 Sara Vaughn: get rhythm in my legs, but fitness is fitness. And 262 00:14:34,380 --> 00:14:37,860 Sara Vaughn: I knew if I could just feel good until over 263 00:14:37,860 --> 00:14:40,080 Sara Vaughn: halfway that I was probably going to have a good day. 264 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:45,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: There's something about throwing your plans out the window that 265 00:14:45,750 --> 00:14:49,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: can actually, as you said, bring you peace and set 266 00:14:49,140 --> 00:14:51,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: you free a little bit, right? Because now all the 267 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:54,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: things you were planning for, they're all gone and you're 268 00:14:54,690 --> 00:14:57,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: just out there to run and run your race. And 269 00:14:58,020 --> 00:15:00,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: you mentioned staying with the leaders, you stayed with that 270 00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:05,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: lead pack through 20 miles, so you clearly were feeling 271 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:11,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: good. As the race unfolded, Sara, did anything surprise you? 272 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:14,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: How did you feel as it unfolded and what was 273 00:15:14,340 --> 00:15:17,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: the mindset as you stayed with those leaders for such 274 00:15:17,370 --> 00:15:17,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: a long time? 275 00:15:18,930 --> 00:15:20,670 Sara Vaughn: I do think I was a little bit surprised that 276 00:15:20,670 --> 00:15:22,260 Sara Vaughn: I felt as well as I did as late as 277 00:15:22,260 --> 00:15:24,540 Sara Vaughn: I did. Like I said, fitness is fitness, but I 278 00:15:24,540 --> 00:15:26,580 Sara Vaughn: didn't ever look at my watch. I didn't know how 279 00:15:26,580 --> 00:15:30,090 Sara Vaughn: fast we were running. I knew we weren't blazing, but 280 00:15:30,090 --> 00:15:36,630 Sara Vaughn: I thought it felt pretty honest. Some of the women 281 00:15:36,630 --> 00:15:38,640 Sara Vaughn: I was racing, I've actually looked up to for a 282 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:42,960 Sara Vaughn: long time. I remember thinking at one point, I was 283 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,720 Sara Vaughn: edging up in front of Helen on a couple of 284 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:47,609 Sara Vaughn: occasions and thinking, man, I don't know if I should 285 00:15:47,610 --> 00:15:51,120 Sara Vaughn: be in front of the defending champion, but let's see 286 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,040 Sara Vaughn: how this goes. So there are a few things that 287 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:55,440 Sara Vaughn: happened that did surprise me, including taking the lead at 288 00:15:55,440 --> 00:15:58,500 Sara Vaughn: 17 miles. That was not in my plan, but I 289 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:00,990 Sara Vaughn: felt like I had been cutting my stride short up 290 00:16:00,990 --> 00:16:02,910 Sara Vaughn: until that point, and I just wanted to feel out 291 00:16:02,910 --> 00:16:05,190 Sara Vaughn: my body and see how I felt when I actually 292 00:16:05,370 --> 00:16:10,350 Sara Vaughn: tapped into my own pace. So that sort of surprised 293 00:16:10,350 --> 00:16:11,880 Sara Vaughn: me. And then I will say I thought I was 294 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:14,880 Sara Vaughn: very prepared for the course. I had watched the course 295 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:18,660 Sara Vaughn: previews and used my treadmill that had a course preview 296 00:16:18,660 --> 00:16:21,180 Sara Vaughn: on it. But what caught me by surprise was I 297 00:16:21,180 --> 00:16:24,300 Sara Vaughn: can't remember if it's the... I think it's the second to last bridge when 298 00:16:24,300 --> 00:16:25,920 Sara Vaughn: you're going up into the Bronx, it's almost like a 299 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:29,070 Sara Vaughn: two part hill. You get up on the bridge and 300 00:16:29,070 --> 00:16:31,410 Sara Vaughn: then it keeps going up. That surprised me. I was 301 00:16:31,410 --> 00:16:33,630 Sara Vaughn: like, oh, I thought we were at the apex of this 302 00:16:33,630 --> 00:16:35,340 Sara Vaughn: bridge. And then it goes up a little bit. And 303 00:16:35,340 --> 00:16:37,470 Sara Vaughn: that's actually where I got dropped. So that caught me 304 00:16:37,470 --> 00:16:39,600 Sara Vaughn: a little off guard, but I'll be ready for it 305 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:40,080 Sara Vaughn: next year. 306 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:42,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: The Willis Avenue Bridge you're talking about. 307 00:16:42,210 --> 00:16:42,750 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, exactly. 308 00:16:42,990 --> 00:16:44,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: That is a tricky one. It's a sneaky bridge. 309 00:16:44,820 --> 00:16:44,940 Sara Vaughn: It is. 310 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: You really don't think it's much in looking at it. 311 00:16:48,030 --> 00:16:50,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: And then there you are working a little harder than 312 00:16:50,490 --> 00:16:53,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: you expected. So been there, done that. I know exactly what 313 00:16:53,610 --> 00:16:57,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're talking about, Sara, your story is really a great 314 00:16:57,660 --> 00:16:59,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: one. I want to go back to how it all 315 00:16:59,700 --> 00:17:02,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: started for you. A lot of runners who end up 316 00:17:02,550 --> 00:17:05,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the marathon do start in the middle distances. You 317 00:17:05,130 --> 00:17:08,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: are a 1500 meter person, remind me a little bit of 318 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:11,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: Jenny Simpson. And not only that, but you've also been 319 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:13,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: a miler here with us in New York. You've run 320 00:17:13,170 --> 00:17:15,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Fifth Avenue Mile a number of times. So you 321 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:19,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: and Jenny kind have a similar track record, although Jenny 322 00:17:19,590 --> 00:17:23,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: came to the marathon much later than you. But how 323 00:17:23,250 --> 00:17:26,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: was that transition? What motivated the transition from the middle 324 00:17:26,790 --> 00:17:27,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: distance to the marathon? 325 00:17:28,740 --> 00:17:30,990 Sara Vaughn: So I think when you're training in the middle distances 326 00:17:30,990 --> 00:17:36,179 Sara Vaughn: year after year, my husband was my coach at the 327 00:17:36,180 --> 00:17:38,250 Sara Vaughn: time, we were sort of looking for a new way to 328 00:17:38,250 --> 00:17:41,580 Sara Vaughn: challenge my training and up my training. And after a 329 00:17:41,580 --> 00:17:43,740 Sara Vaughn: couple of years, it got to the point where when you're 330 00:17:43,740 --> 00:17:47,190 Sara Vaughn: building fall base fitness, on paper looks an awful lot 331 00:17:47,190 --> 00:17:50,940 Sara Vaughn: like marathon training. I was running in 90 mile weeks. 332 00:17:50,940 --> 00:17:54,540 Sara Vaughn: I was doing these long, hard, long runs every week, 333 00:17:55,290 --> 00:17:58,740 Sara Vaughn: mile and two mile reps. And I think it was 334 00:17:59,550 --> 00:18:03,210 Sara Vaughn: 2021 after the trials on the track when we were 335 00:18:03,210 --> 00:18:05,730 Sara Vaughn: getting back into base fitness, I was looking at our 336 00:18:05,730 --> 00:18:08,730 Sara Vaughn: training plan and I said to him, " This actually just 337 00:18:08,730 --> 00:18:11,040 Sara Vaughn: looks like marathon training to me. So maybe what happens 338 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:12,389 Sara Vaughn: if we just put a race at the end of 339 00:18:12,390 --> 00:18:15,750 Sara Vaughn: this three month block? Because that was served as extra 340 00:18:15,750 --> 00:18:18,570 Sara Vaughn: motivation for me. I don't love training for months on 341 00:18:18,570 --> 00:18:22,649 Sara Vaughn: end without racing." So we picked a half marathon in 342 00:18:22,650 --> 00:18:26,310 Sara Vaughn: my hometown in September just to test the waters a 343 00:18:26,310 --> 00:18:29,910 Sara Vaughn: little bit, and that went okay. And so I signed 344 00:18:29,910 --> 00:18:34,560 Sara Vaughn: up for CIM, California International Marathon in December, and it 345 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:36,540 Sara Vaughn: was really just a way to get through fall training. 346 00:18:36,540 --> 00:18:38,189 Sara Vaughn: And then I was totally planning on going back to 347 00:18:38,190 --> 00:18:41,190 Sara Vaughn: the track that next spring, but I just wanted to 348 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,699 Sara Vaughn: see what that fitness looked like over the course of 349 00:18:44,700 --> 00:18:48,000 Sara Vaughn: a marathon race, and it went better than expected, so 350 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,120 Sara Vaughn: that completely changed the trajectory of the last three years. 351 00:18:51,869 --> 00:18:58,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: You won that CIM race in 2021, a time of 2:26: 53 352 00:18:58,530 --> 00:19:02,909 Rob Simmelkjaer: that surpassed Deena Kastor's debut marathon time, which was a pretty 353 00:19:02,910 --> 00:19:05,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: impressive feat that I'm sure had to get your attention 354 00:19:05,940 --> 00:19:08,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little bit. And so how did that change your 355 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:11,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: perception of yourself as a runner, to see that you 356 00:19:11,850 --> 00:19:12,869 Rob Simmelkjaer: could go out like that? 357 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:16,020 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, I'll be really honest, I didn't quite understand marathon 358 00:19:16,020 --> 00:19:18,660 Sara Vaughn: times. I wasn't super familiar with what the time meant. 359 00:19:18,660 --> 00:19:21,090 Sara Vaughn: So I finished, I was happy that I won, I 360 00:19:21,090 --> 00:19:23,669 Sara Vaughn: think I set the course record, and it was just 361 00:19:23,790 --> 00:19:27,659 Sara Vaughn: a fun day. But as the day progressed, Dave Monty's 362 00:19:27,660 --> 00:19:30,270 Sara Vaughn: sending me stats. I think it was the fifth fastest 363 00:19:30,300 --> 00:19:33,900 Sara Vaughn: debut for an American woman at the time. All these 364 00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:37,020 Sara Vaughn: things that I didn't even know about. And I think 365 00:19:37,020 --> 00:19:41,580 Sara Vaughn: it really put things into perspective, people helping me along like, " 366 00:19:41,580 --> 00:19:44,160 Sara Vaughn: Hey, that was actually a really good professional time. Maybe 367 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:47,940 Sara Vaughn: you should consider jumping into major or continuing down this 368 00:19:47,940 --> 00:19:51,000 Sara Vaughn: path." And then Puma jumped on board to sponsor me 369 00:19:51,270 --> 00:19:54,090 Sara Vaughn: and they really incentivized me to keep running the marathon 370 00:19:54,570 --> 00:19:57,750 Sara Vaughn: instead of track. So that really did change the trajectory. 371 00:19:57,750 --> 00:20:01,139 Sara Vaughn: But like I said, when I finished, I didn't know 372 00:20:01,170 --> 00:20:03,000 Sara Vaughn: if it was really that good or not. I was 373 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,369 Sara Vaughn: just trying to run as fast as I could and 374 00:20:05,369 --> 00:20:10,320 Sara Vaughn: maybe get a trials standard. But yeah, we surpassed all 375 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:12,810 Sara Vaughn: the expectations for that, so that was exciting. 376 00:20:13,590 --> 00:20:17,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: So Sara, from there with the win at CIM, did 377 00:20:17,820 --> 00:20:20,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: you kind of consider yourself at that point a marathoner? 378 00:20:20,970 --> 00:20:23,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: Were you fully committed to the distance at that point 379 00:20:23,430 --> 00:20:27,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: or were you still thinking about where you actually belong 380 00:20:27,090 --> 00:20:28,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: in terms of distances as a runner? 381 00:20:29,190 --> 00:20:31,800 Sara Vaughn: I was committed to trying it again, but I wasn't 382 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:34,619 Sara Vaughn: sure that I would continue that. And we really had to 383 00:20:34,619 --> 00:20:36,359 Sara Vaughn: debate through that winter if I was going to go 384 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:38,850 Sara Vaughn: back to the track or pick a spring marathon. I 385 00:20:38,850 --> 00:20:44,429 Sara Vaughn: didn't want to attempt to do both. But Boston persuaded 386 00:20:44,430 --> 00:20:47,580 Sara Vaughn: me and I was super excited to experience a major 387 00:20:47,580 --> 00:20:53,760 Sara Vaughn: in a big city, so I went to Boston. I've 388 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:55,950 Sara Vaughn: had an up and down marathon career, to say the 389 00:20:55,950 --> 00:20:58,619 Sara Vaughn: least. I feel like I've had these really good performances 390 00:20:58,619 --> 00:21:01,800 Sara Vaughn: and then just either a DNF or just it not 391 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:06,060 Sara Vaughn: really going well. And that's what happened next. So my 392 00:21:06,330 --> 00:21:10,170 Sara Vaughn: path down the marathon, either if it goes really well 393 00:21:10,170 --> 00:21:12,689 Sara Vaughn: or goes really poorly somehow, it always keeps me wanting 394 00:21:12,690 --> 00:21:14,369 Sara Vaughn: to come back for more and see if I can 395 00:21:14,369 --> 00:21:17,100 Sara Vaughn: do it better. So yeah, that was my next experience, 396 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:20,580 Sara Vaughn: but again, it just makes me want to figure it 397 00:21:20,580 --> 00:21:22,408 Sara Vaughn: out and conquer the marathon. 398 00:21:23,430 --> 00:21:26,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: You were coached at least for a while by your 399 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:30,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: husband, and tell me what that was like. And you obviously 400 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:34,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: had a lot of conversations about making this transition and 401 00:21:34,410 --> 00:21:36,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: what you were capable of. You showed very quickly what 402 00:21:36,630 --> 00:21:39,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: you were capable of, but how much was it helpful 403 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:43,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: to have someone that close to you there to guide you through and 404 00:21:43,590 --> 00:21:46,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: coach you through this interesting transition? 405 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:48,389 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, I think for the first couple of years it 406 00:21:48,390 --> 00:21:50,430 Sara Vaughn: made a lot of sense because we could be really 407 00:21:50,430 --> 00:21:54,030 Sara Vaughn: flexible with changing workouts. If I was up all night 408 00:21:54,030 --> 00:21:56,100 Sara Vaughn: with a kid with an ear infection, we could bump 409 00:21:56,100 --> 00:22:00,179 Sara Vaughn: the workout to another day. In a lot of ways 410 00:22:00,180 --> 00:22:02,760 Sara Vaughn: it was really easy, but it did get to a 411 00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:05,220 Sara Vaughn: point a few years in where we'd needed some outside 412 00:22:05,220 --> 00:22:09,630 Sara Vaughn: influence. My husband, his main gig is not coaching, so 413 00:22:09,630 --> 00:22:12,840 Sara Vaughn: it also became like it was taking up too much 414 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:15,300 Sara Vaughn: space in our relationship and in our home life. We 415 00:22:15,300 --> 00:22:17,190 Sara Vaughn: sit down to family dinner, we don't want to talk 416 00:22:17,190 --> 00:22:19,109 Sara Vaughn: about my training, we want to hang out with the 417 00:22:19,109 --> 00:22:22,500 Sara Vaughn: kids. And so we decided to outsource that, as we 418 00:22:22,500 --> 00:22:25,530 Sara Vaughn: do certain things in our lives. And so it was 419 00:22:25,530 --> 00:22:27,540 Sara Vaughn: really nice having him coach me. He was there for 420 00:22:27,540 --> 00:22:29,250 Sara Vaughn: a lot of big moments and it made it extra 421 00:22:29,250 --> 00:22:34,379 Sara Vaughn: special. Again, it just got to the point where we needed 422 00:22:34,380 --> 00:22:37,950 Sara Vaughn: to outsource that and get some extra input. 423 00:22:39,030 --> 00:22:41,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, it makes sense. You see that a lot with 424 00:22:41,340 --> 00:22:44,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: runners at a certain level, you got to move on to someone 425 00:22:44,310 --> 00:22:46,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little bit farther from this situation. 426 00:22:46,859 --> 00:22:47,280 Sara Vaughn: Exactly. 427 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:50,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: You have two other things going on which can't make 428 00:22:50,010 --> 00:22:52,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: it easy for you to do what you're doing. First 429 00:22:52,109 --> 00:22:55,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: of all, you are a realtor. You are full- time 430 00:22:55,500 --> 00:22:59,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the real estate industry. Is that a setup that 431 00:22:59,070 --> 00:23:01,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: is good for you in terms of being able to 432 00:23:01,500 --> 00:23:04,409 Rob Simmelkjaer: balance? Being a realtor is busy, but there's also I 433 00:23:04,410 --> 00:23:06,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: think probably a little bit of flexibility in terms of 434 00:23:06,810 --> 00:23:09,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: when you're involved with showing a house or going around. 435 00:23:10,050 --> 00:23:13,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: Do those two things go together, being a pro runner and a realtor? 436 00:23:14,340 --> 00:23:17,070 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, I think it works really well, the logistics of 437 00:23:17,550 --> 00:23:20,520 Sara Vaughn: real estate and running. Nobody wants to look at houses 438 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:22,200 Sara Vaughn: at eight in the morning, so that's usually when I 439 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:25,350 Sara Vaughn: get my training done, and then I can kind of 440 00:23:25,350 --> 00:23:28,050 Sara Vaughn: be available the rest of the day. It's not super 441 00:23:28,050 --> 00:23:30,300 Sara Vaughn: conducive to family life, because I'm working a lot on 442 00:23:30,300 --> 00:23:32,280 Sara Vaughn: the evenings and weekends. 443 00:23:34,859 --> 00:23:34,949 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yes. 444 00:23:36,990 --> 00:23:40,650 Sara Vaughn: And that was the other thing about switching to the marathon, was I'm not racing every weekend, so 445 00:23:40,650 --> 00:23:43,560 Sara Vaughn: I could actually work a little more. So it kind 446 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:47,520 Sara Vaughn: of benefited both things. My last track season, I think 447 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:49,859 Sara Vaughn: I traveled every other weekend, like 20 weeks in a 448 00:23:49,859 --> 00:23:53,250 Sara Vaughn: row or something between indoor and outdoor. So switching to 449 00:23:53,250 --> 00:23:55,800 Sara Vaughn: the marathon, really having only two big races a year, 450 00:23:56,820 --> 00:23:59,460 Sara Vaughn: easier on family life, easier on my career for sure. 451 00:24:00,090 --> 00:24:03,780 Sara Vaughn: And I do get a lot of crossover, especially further 452 00:24:03,780 --> 00:24:05,879 Sara Vaughn: down the marathon road that I go. A lot of my 453 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:08,550 Sara Vaughn: clients come from the running world. They'll know me from 454 00:24:08,550 --> 00:24:11,609 Sara Vaughn: running and they want to move to Boulder. Or I 455 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:15,000 Sara Vaughn: get a lot of referrals from other agents who are 456 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:17,369 Sara Vaughn: runners. So it's kind of fun in that way, when my 457 00:24:17,369 --> 00:24:18,600 Sara Vaughn: two worlds collide. 458 00:24:19,260 --> 00:24:21,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's funny, any network is a good network when you're 459 00:24:21,780 --> 00:24:22,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the real estate business, right? 460 00:24:22,830 --> 00:24:23,010 Sara Vaughn: Yes. 461 00:24:23,010 --> 00:24:26,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: Because it's referring people. And Boulder is such a destination 462 00:24:26,130 --> 00:24:28,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: for runners, I could see how that could work out. 463 00:24:28,859 --> 00:24:33,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: So it must be fun though, someone's meeting you to 464 00:24:33,390 --> 00:24:35,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: show a house or listing a house with you and 465 00:24:35,310 --> 00:24:37,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: then they look up and there you are finishing sixth 466 00:24:37,830 --> 00:24:40,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: place in the New York City Marathon. I'm sure some 467 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:42,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun conversations come up with clients because of that. 468 00:24:43,530 --> 00:24:45,570 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, I did get a text after New York from a 469 00:24:45,570 --> 00:24:48,030 Sara Vaughn: client who didn't know I was a runner, or she 470 00:24:48,030 --> 00:24:51,090 Sara Vaughn: knew I ran but not professionally. And she was like, " 471 00:24:51,300 --> 00:24:53,670 Sara Vaughn: Are you the same Sara Vaughn I just watched on 472 00:24:53,670 --> 00:24:55,919 Sara Vaughn: TV?" She's like, " I have you in my phone as 473 00:24:55,920 --> 00:24:58,710 Sara Vaughn: my realtor, but I just thought I'd send you this 474 00:24:58,710 --> 00:25:01,350 Sara Vaughn: text. I'm pretty sure that was you." So there is 475 00:25:01,350 --> 00:25:04,290 Sara Vaughn: every once in a while this funny situation where people 476 00:25:04,290 --> 00:25:07,320 Sara Vaughn: don't quite realize, but I enjoy it all. 477 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:11,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's pretty funny. And you mentioned the balance with family 478 00:25:11,430 --> 00:25:14,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: life, and that's the part I guess I find more 479 00:25:15,210 --> 00:25:19,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: hard to imagine trying to do, is balancing a family 480 00:25:19,590 --> 00:25:23,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: with four kids, with everything else that you're doing. I'm 481 00:25:23,250 --> 00:25:26,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: sure you have help, obviously your husband and whatever other 482 00:25:26,340 --> 00:25:28,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: help you can get. But how do you guys do 483 00:25:28,020 --> 00:25:30,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: it? How do you manage to do all these things 484 00:25:30,869 --> 00:25:31,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: and keep them all afloat? 485 00:25:32,430 --> 00:25:35,070 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, well listen, you said the main thing. We are 486 00:25:35,070 --> 00:25:38,399 Sara Vaughn: a team. At the beginning of every marathon block, we 487 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:40,770 Sara Vaughn: actually literally have a family meeting and we say, " Hey, 488 00:25:40,770 --> 00:25:43,350 Sara Vaughn: this is the goal." And it kind of gets everybody 489 00:25:43,350 --> 00:25:46,619 Sara Vaughn: on board, allows them to give me a little more 490 00:25:46,619 --> 00:25:49,320 Sara Vaughn: grace in the thick of training when things are busy. 491 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,280 Sara Vaughn: And also, yeah, they're all school age now. We have 492 00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:56,790 Sara Vaughn: a preschooler. He goes every morning, so I have all 493 00:25:57,119 --> 00:26:01,679 Sara Vaughn: my mornings covered. And then just a lot of flexibility 494 00:26:01,859 --> 00:26:04,740 Sara Vaughn: and, like I said, a lot of grace. We'll do 495 00:26:04,740 --> 00:26:07,290 Sara Vaughn: take out for dinner when things get busy, and I just refuse 496 00:26:07,290 --> 00:26:12,240 Sara Vaughn: to feel guilty about stuff like that. I hate to 497 00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:14,340 Sara Vaughn: use the word balance, because it never is. It's always 498 00:26:14,340 --> 00:26:16,859 Sara Vaughn: very lopsided when you're going all in on a big 499 00:26:16,859 --> 00:26:21,720 Sara Vaughn: goal. But I think just communicating with the family has helped 500 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:24,689 Sara Vaughn: a ton. Especially my older girls, they understand that it 501 00:26:24,690 --> 00:26:28,859 Sara Vaughn: takes sacrifice to get something big, so they're just a 502 00:26:28,859 --> 00:26:31,350 Sara Vaughn: little more helpful, a little easier on me during those 503 00:26:31,350 --> 00:26:32,490 Sara Vaughn: big marathon blocks. 504 00:26:33,300 --> 00:26:36,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm sure that a lot of our listeners can relate 505 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:39,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: to that, whether it's balancing their own running, even if 506 00:26:39,780 --> 00:26:42,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: they're not a pro, with other priorities in their life. 507 00:26:42,780 --> 00:26:46,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: Or just the general challenge that so many people have, 508 00:26:46,170 --> 00:26:49,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: of all the things they've got coming at them, job, 509 00:26:50,070 --> 00:26:53,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: family, things like that. And so it's interesting to hear you 510 00:26:53,220 --> 00:26:56,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: talk about the keys, which communication is key, right? It 511 00:26:56,790 --> 00:27:00,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: really is. Let everybody know what's happening. It's interesting that 512 00:27:00,180 --> 00:27:02,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: you actually kind of... Sounds like you have a family meeting going 513 00:27:02,190 --> 00:27:02,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: into a block, right? 514 00:27:02,850 --> 00:27:03,119 Sara Vaughn: Mm-hmm. 515 00:27:03,180 --> 00:27:05,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: A training block so that everybody knows what's coming. And 516 00:27:05,850 --> 00:27:07,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm sure that makes it a lot easier. 517 00:27:07,710 --> 00:27:10,470 Sara Vaughn: And the fact that the marathon is usually, for me, a 12 518 00:27:10,470 --> 00:27:14,520 Sara Vaughn: week block. It's not forever. It's not sustainable if it 519 00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:16,800 Sara Vaughn: was all year, every year. It's three months at a 520 00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:19,020 Sara Vaughn: time, we get to the end, and then we have a little break. 521 00:27:19,350 --> 00:27:22,109 Sara Vaughn: We'll go on a vacation in a few weeks. I'm 522 00:27:22,109 --> 00:27:24,000 Sara Vaughn: spending a lot more time with the kids these weeks 523 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:26,700 Sara Vaughn: and doing house projects that we've put off and stuff 524 00:27:26,700 --> 00:27:31,440 Sara Vaughn: like that. It's just never balanced. I guess the one 525 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:33,869 Sara Vaughn: other thing I'll point out is that you just have 526 00:27:33,869 --> 00:27:36,630 Sara Vaughn: to be okay with how it goes when you're juggling 527 00:27:36,660 --> 00:27:40,320 Sara Vaughn: all this stuff. As we know in Chicago stuff, the 528 00:27:41,340 --> 00:27:44,430 Sara Vaughn: race didn't go my way and COVID popped up and 529 00:27:44,700 --> 00:27:46,830 Sara Vaughn: I couldn't do anything about that other than just to 530 00:27:46,830 --> 00:27:49,440 Sara Vaughn: roll with it and try again later. We don't always 531 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:52,619 Sara Vaughn: get another shot three weeks later. I mean, I've definitely 532 00:27:52,619 --> 00:27:55,350 Sara Vaughn: had terrible marathons and I've had to wait six months 533 00:27:55,350 --> 00:28:00,629 Sara Vaughn: to run another one. But just being okay with that, giving 534 00:28:00,630 --> 00:28:03,060 Sara Vaughn: yourself grace, and just knowing that sometimes stuff is out 535 00:28:03,060 --> 00:28:04,919 Sara Vaughn: of our control and that's okay. 536 00:28:06,570 --> 00:28:10,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: Speaking of family, you clearly are passing the running gene 537 00:28:10,770 --> 00:28:14,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: along as well. Your daughter Kiki just became a freshman 538 00:28:14,580 --> 00:28:18,959 Rob Simmelkjaer: runner at Northern Arizona University. How does it feel to 539 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: see her following in your footsteps? I also saw that 540 00:28:21,510 --> 00:28:24,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: you paced her in a mile a couple of years 541 00:28:24,210 --> 00:28:26,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: ago and managed to get her under five minutes for 542 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:30,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: the first time. So clearly this is becoming something passed 543 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:31,918 Rob Simmelkjaer: down in the family. 544 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:35,669 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, it's really exciting. I mean, it's so fun to 545 00:28:35,670 --> 00:28:38,040 Sara Vaughn: watch a kid discover something that they love on their 546 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:41,550 Sara Vaughn: own terms. And we have tried to be fairly hands 547 00:28:41,550 --> 00:28:45,780 Sara Vaughn: off with their running. I don't coach them or try 548 00:28:45,780 --> 00:28:47,280 Sara Vaughn: to tell them what to do too much, but they 549 00:28:47,280 --> 00:28:49,860 Sara Vaughn: come to us for advice and it's great. I think 550 00:28:49,860 --> 00:28:53,550 Sara Vaughn: that they, the older two, the second oldest one is 551 00:28:53,550 --> 00:28:55,950 Sara Vaughn: 14, and then my oldest who's 18, I think they've 552 00:28:55,950 --> 00:28:58,500 Sara Vaughn: gotten to the age where they understand that they have 553 00:28:58,500 --> 00:29:01,050 Sara Vaughn: a really cool life with access to a lot of 554 00:29:01,050 --> 00:29:05,760 Sara Vaughn: really amazing and accomplished people. And they are learning to 555 00:29:06,180 --> 00:29:08,670 Sara Vaughn: take advantage of that, to ask the right questions. But 556 00:29:08,670 --> 00:29:09,990 Sara Vaughn: up until a certain point, I think it was kind 557 00:29:09,990 --> 00:29:11,430 Sara Vaughn: of lost on them that we would go for a 558 00:29:11,430 --> 00:29:15,030 Sara Vaughn: run and two Olympians would wave hi and know them 559 00:29:15,030 --> 00:29:18,300 Sara Vaughn: by name. But that's our cool community in Boulder, and 560 00:29:18,300 --> 00:29:21,510 Sara Vaughn: I think that they both are becoming really appreciative of 561 00:29:21,510 --> 00:29:25,500 Sara Vaughn: that. And watching Kiki go off to one of the 562 00:29:25,500 --> 00:29:28,890 Sara Vaughn: top programs in the country, pursue her dreams, we miss 563 00:29:28,890 --> 00:29:32,160 Sara Vaughn: her a ton, but she's totally chasing after her dreams 564 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:36,870 Sara Vaughn: and fulfilling her destiny. So it's beyond words how exciting 565 00:29:36,870 --> 00:29:39,750 Sara Vaughn: it is to watch her. And it's nice just to 566 00:29:39,930 --> 00:29:43,170 Sara Vaughn: sit back and let her do it and watch her 567 00:29:43,530 --> 00:29:45,570 Sara Vaughn: have her own goals that maybe are different than mine. 568 00:29:45,570 --> 00:29:47,400 Sara Vaughn: And there's no doubt in my mind she's going to 569 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:49,170 Sara Vaughn: be much faster than I was. 570 00:29:49,890 --> 00:29:53,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sara, this balance that we talk about and the challenge 571 00:29:53,100 --> 00:29:57,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: of doing all these things seems to have inspired you 572 00:29:57,000 --> 00:29:59,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: to create something to help others in this area as 573 00:29:59,970 --> 00:30:03,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: well. You launched something called the Vaughn Child Care Fund, 574 00:30:03,690 --> 00:30:07,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: which supports student athletes with child care needs. It's right 575 00:30:07,830 --> 00:30:09,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: along the lines of all the things we're talking about. 576 00:30:10,260 --> 00:30:13,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: What inspired you to start this and what does the 577 00:30:13,650 --> 00:30:14,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: organization do? 578 00:30:15,180 --> 00:30:18,780 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, well, Kiki, who's now 18, we had her when 579 00:30:18,780 --> 00:30:21,630 Sara Vaughn: we were in college. We were students, and it was 580 00:30:21,630 --> 00:30:25,170 Sara Vaughn: before there was a pregnancy redshirt or a lot of 581 00:30:25,170 --> 00:30:28,290 Sara Vaughn: other things in place that there are now. We've come 582 00:30:28,290 --> 00:30:31,740 Sara Vaughn: a long way as a sport in a society supporting 583 00:30:31,770 --> 00:30:36,450 Sara Vaughn: moms, especially young moms. And so my fund is particularly 584 00:30:36,450 --> 00:30:39,870 Sara Vaughn: for student athletes who end up having a baby in 585 00:30:39,870 --> 00:30:42,630 Sara Vaughn: college and don't have time to get a job because 586 00:30:42,630 --> 00:30:46,110 Sara Vaughn: they're full- time students. They're raising a kid. So it 587 00:30:46,110 --> 00:30:48,420 Sara Vaughn: just goes to cover the cost of child care, which 588 00:30:48,420 --> 00:30:50,610 Sara Vaughn: is one less thing they have to worry about and 589 00:30:50,610 --> 00:30:53,310 Sara Vaughn: one less hurdle to get them to graduation. That's really 590 00:30:53,310 --> 00:30:55,860 Sara Vaughn: the goal of the organization, is we want to get 591 00:30:56,160 --> 00:31:00,540 Sara Vaughn: these people to graduation. The dropout rate, the attrition rate 592 00:31:00,540 --> 00:31:04,560 Sara Vaughn: for young moms in college is pretty high, so we're 593 00:31:04,560 --> 00:31:06,090 Sara Vaughn: just trying to eliminate that hurdle. 594 00:31:06,510 --> 00:31:10,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, I can imagine so, Sara. And I also can imagine 595 00:31:10,650 --> 00:31:15,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: when you had this experience, it must have been very difficult 596 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:21,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: to... You're a student athlete, people are focused on your 597 00:31:21,420 --> 00:31:24,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: performance as an athlete, and now you're like, " Well, I'm 598 00:31:24,930 --> 00:31:27,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: having a baby," which is not generally probably what a 599 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:32,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: college coach expects to hear from one of their athletes. 600 00:31:32,850 --> 00:31:39,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: And they're wondering, wait a second, how is this going to work? How are you going to compete? When are you coming back? 601 00:31:39,330 --> 00:31:41,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: Things like that. What was that experience like for you? 602 00:31:43,680 --> 00:31:47,790 Sara Vaughn: The statistics are that one in five college students, one 603 00:31:47,790 --> 00:31:51,060 Sara Vaughn: in five college athletes will experience pregnancy in their time 604 00:31:51,060 --> 00:31:54,630 Sara Vaughn: in college. I think that the path that we took 605 00:31:54,660 --> 00:31:58,710 Sara Vaughn: staying in college, choosing to raise our baby was definitely 606 00:31:58,830 --> 00:32:01,140 Sara Vaughn: unpaved at that time. It was a little bit shocking 607 00:32:01,140 --> 00:32:04,230 Sara Vaughn: to everyone involved, including ourselves. It was a surprise and 608 00:32:04,230 --> 00:32:05,880 Sara Vaughn: it was the best surprise of our life, but it 609 00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:10,170 Sara Vaughn: wasn't easy. I think at the time we were in 610 00:32:10,170 --> 00:32:12,090 Sara Vaughn: the mode of just doing what you have to do, 611 00:32:12,090 --> 00:32:14,460 Sara Vaughn: so we did a lot of trading off. We literally 612 00:32:14,460 --> 00:32:16,440 Sara Vaughn: would hand Kiki off on campus when Brent would be 613 00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:19,200 Sara Vaughn: going to class and I would be coming home. We had 614 00:32:19,350 --> 00:32:22,020 Sara Vaughn: a lot of teammates who became aunt and uncle to 615 00:32:22,020 --> 00:32:25,020 Sara Vaughn: her and who helped in any way they could. So 616 00:32:25,020 --> 00:32:27,510 Sara Vaughn: in a way, it was really special. She had such 617 00:32:27,510 --> 00:32:32,190 Sara Vaughn: a special infanthood and childhood, but it was really hard. 618 00:32:32,190 --> 00:32:33,750 Sara Vaughn: And I think when we got to the end of it, 619 00:32:33,750 --> 00:32:35,820 Sara Vaughn: we thought, okay, if we got through that we can 620 00:32:35,820 --> 00:32:39,209 Sara Vaughn: do anything. And it really all seemed downhill from there. 621 00:32:40,410 --> 00:32:46,080 Sara Vaughn: To say it was hard is an understatement, but we 622 00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:48,870 Sara Vaughn: had a lot of supportive friends and people who got 623 00:32:48,870 --> 00:32:49,380 Sara Vaughn: us through. 624 00:32:50,640 --> 00:32:53,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: I think it helps a lot when you are, especially 625 00:32:53,670 --> 00:32:57,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: taking on the marathon to have gone through hard things. 626 00:32:58,320 --> 00:32:58,590 Sara Vaughn: Absolutely. 627 00:32:59,340 --> 00:33:02,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: There's no question about it. It is such a hard 628 00:33:02,220 --> 00:33:06,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: thing to run a marathon period. To do it at 629 00:33:06,360 --> 00:33:09,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: the level you're doing it at is beyond. And so 630 00:33:09,900 --> 00:33:14,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: if there's one thing that's needed, it's resilience. You can 631 00:33:14,580 --> 00:33:17,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: draw on resilience from your running career, but in a 632 00:33:17,940 --> 00:33:21,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of ways it's even more impactful when you're drawing 633 00:33:21,600 --> 00:33:24,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: on it from other parts of your life that in 634 00:33:24,150 --> 00:33:27,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of ways are harder than running. We've talked 635 00:33:27,660 --> 00:33:32,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: to people who had illnesses, who lost loved ones, who 636 00:33:33,360 --> 00:33:37,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: dealt with all kinds of challenges and drew on overcoming 637 00:33:37,410 --> 00:33:39,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: those things to run a marathon. And then also turn 638 00:33:39,960 --> 00:33:43,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: around and draw on the resilience they learn in marathons 639 00:33:43,860 --> 00:33:47,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: to do other hard things. So it really does make 640 00:33:47,670 --> 00:33:51,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: you stronger and you can draw on it in your race. 641 00:33:51,750 --> 00:33:55,500 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, I agree. And for me, almost every time, no 642 00:33:55,500 --> 00:33:59,010 Sara Vaughn: matter how it goes, the marathon is a spiritual experience 643 00:33:59,010 --> 00:34:01,050 Sara Vaughn: at some point. You get to the edge of your 644 00:34:01,170 --> 00:34:04,500 Sara Vaughn: physical capacities and you have nothing else to lean on 645 00:34:04,500 --> 00:34:09,510 Sara Vaughn: but your spirit, and it takes you to the edge. 646 00:34:09,570 --> 00:34:10,650 Sara Vaughn: So I totally agree. 647 00:34:12,270 --> 00:34:15,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: So what do you think now happens next for you, Sara? 648 00:34:15,719 --> 00:34:20,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: You have had this great result, Olympics didn't happen for 649 00:34:20,760 --> 00:34:24,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: you in 2024, but this did. And now you're looking 650 00:34:24,989 --> 00:34:28,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: at a 2025. Are you a marathoner now, Sara? Can we 651 00:34:28,890 --> 00:34:31,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: say you are officially a marathoner full stop? 652 00:34:32,340 --> 00:34:36,270 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, I think I've put all my track dreams to 653 00:34:36,270 --> 00:34:38,489 Sara Vaughn: rest, and I think the only time I'll be on the 654 00:34:38,489 --> 00:34:42,120 Sara Vaughn: track is pacing my daughters at this point. So yeah, 655 00:34:42,120 --> 00:34:45,450 Sara Vaughn: I am going to do a spring marathon. I think the only 656 00:34:45,450 --> 00:34:47,100 Sara Vaughn: thing I know for sure right now is that I'll 657 00:34:47,100 --> 00:34:49,560 Sara Vaughn: be back in New York next fall. There's no way I'm 658 00:34:49,650 --> 00:34:50,489 Sara Vaughn: not coming back. 659 00:34:51,060 --> 00:34:53,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: Oh, we love that. We absolutely love to hear that. 660 00:34:55,890 --> 00:34:58,259 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sometimes in New York, it's interesting for us talking to 661 00:34:58,260 --> 00:35:01,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: pro athletes because the other two fall majors are very 662 00:35:01,620 --> 00:35:05,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: flat. You can have pacers and all those things. What 663 00:35:05,969 --> 00:35:08,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: is it about the experience you had in New York? 664 00:35:08,969 --> 00:35:13,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: Obviously you had a great result, but what is it about the experience otherwise that makes you want to come back? 665 00:35:15,390 --> 00:35:17,969 Sara Vaughn: I have experienced a few other, well, the two other 666 00:35:17,969 --> 00:35:21,150 Sara Vaughn: majors in the US, and New York is just special. 667 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:24,930 Sara Vaughn: I'm so excited it turned out the way it did. 668 00:35:25,469 --> 00:35:27,450 Sara Vaughn: Maybe that's how it was supposed to be all along, 669 00:35:27,450 --> 00:35:30,690 Sara Vaughn: because at the end of the day, I couldn't have 670 00:35:30,690 --> 00:35:34,109 Sara Vaughn: imagined a better experience, from the way New York Road 671 00:35:34,110 --> 00:35:37,110 Sara Vaughn: Runners takes care of us athletes to every single person 672 00:35:37,110 --> 00:35:39,540 Sara Vaughn: in the city being excited you're there. That's something I 673 00:35:39,540 --> 00:35:42,570 Sara Vaughn: hadn't experienced at other marathons. Everybody from my taxi cab 674 00:35:42,570 --> 00:35:45,030 Sara Vaughn: driver to the checkout person at Dwayne Reid was like, " 675 00:35:45,030 --> 00:35:47,339 Sara Vaughn: Are you here to run the marathon?" And then they say, " 676 00:35:47,460 --> 00:35:49,080 Sara Vaughn: I'll be cheering for you. I'll be looking for you." 677 00:35:49,200 --> 00:35:51,030 Sara Vaughn: They're so proud and happy to have you in their 678 00:35:51,030 --> 00:35:54,870 Sara Vaughn: city. I thought that was so, so special. And you 679 00:35:54,870 --> 00:35:57,029 Sara Vaughn: can feel it. You can feel it all the way, 680 00:35:57,090 --> 00:36:00,180 Sara Vaughn: all 26 miles, you can feel the excitement and support. 681 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:04,560 Sara Vaughn: And having a good result doesn't hurt, but that aside, 682 00:36:04,890 --> 00:36:06,779 Sara Vaughn: I just want to be on those streets again and 683 00:36:06,780 --> 00:36:09,870 Sara Vaughn: just experience and take that all in again. And yeah, 684 00:36:09,870 --> 00:36:10,441 Sara Vaughn: can't wait to be back. 685 00:36:10,440 --> 00:36:17,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love hearing you say all that. We appreciate it, and I couldn't agree more with everything you said. There's 686 00:36:17,730 --> 00:36:21,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: something about that day that just brings New Yorkers out. 687 00:36:21,630 --> 00:36:23,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: I always say it's the best day of the year 688 00:36:23,460 --> 00:36:26,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: in New York City, Sara. You live in Boulder, so 689 00:36:26,310 --> 00:36:28,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: you might not know, but it is. And I think 690 00:36:28,830 --> 00:36:35,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: the excitement that is created and the true desire that 691 00:36:35,070 --> 00:36:37,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: every single New Yorker has to root on every single 692 00:36:37,920 --> 00:36:41,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: runner in that race is incredible. And a lot of 693 00:36:41,250 --> 00:36:43,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: those taxi cab drivers and people at the Dwayne Reid 694 00:36:44,100 --> 00:36:45,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: probably didn't know they were talking to someone who was 695 00:36:45,480 --> 00:36:46,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to finish in the top 10, but you know 696 00:36:46,890 --> 00:36:49,049 Rob Simmelkjaer: what? They're rooting for you as much as they were 697 00:36:49,050 --> 00:36:51,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: rooting for the person who finished in four and a 698 00:36:51,540 --> 00:36:52,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: half hours. 699 00:36:52,530 --> 00:36:55,260 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, exactly. That's what I felt. They didn't even ask. 700 00:36:55,260 --> 00:36:58,859 Sara Vaughn: They didn't care. They didn't ask what my goals were. 701 00:36:58,860 --> 00:37:00,150 Sara Vaughn: They were just like, " I'm going to be cheering for 702 00:37:00,150 --> 00:37:02,400 Sara Vaughn: you." And I thought that was really special. 703 00:37:03,660 --> 00:37:05,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: So spring marathon, have you decided which one yet? 704 00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:08,759 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, I don't know if I'm allowed to say. You 705 00:37:08,760 --> 00:37:09,511 Sara Vaughn: know how these things go. 706 00:37:09,511 --> 00:37:11,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: We always like to break news here, but- 707 00:37:11,790 --> 00:37:16,319 Sara Vaughn: Yeah. I will be starting. So I'm on a little 708 00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:18,060 Sara Vaughn: bit of a break now. We are going to go 709 00:37:18,060 --> 00:37:20,040 Sara Vaughn: on a little vacation when Kiki gets home for her 710 00:37:20,040 --> 00:37:22,890 Sara Vaughn: Christmas break. And then it'll be the start of a 711 00:37:22,890 --> 00:37:24,810 Sara Vaughn: spring marathon block, which is right in the middle of 712 00:37:24,810 --> 00:37:27,090 Sara Vaughn: winter in Boulder, so that can always be dicey, but I 713 00:37:27,600 --> 00:37:28,770 Sara Vaughn: like a good challenge. 714 00:37:29,460 --> 00:37:33,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm curious, Sara, if you have any advice for people 715 00:37:33,360 --> 00:37:37,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there who are where you were back in 2020 716 00:37:37,440 --> 00:37:41,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: who are doing their thing at the mile distance and 717 00:37:41,700 --> 00:37:45,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: maybe starting to be curious about the idea of going 718 00:37:45,780 --> 00:37:48,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: longer, going to the half, going to the marathon? What 719 00:37:48,420 --> 00:37:51,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: would you tell someone in that position in terms of 720 00:37:51,239 --> 00:37:53,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: how to potentially explore that possibility? 721 00:37:54,270 --> 00:37:56,190 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, well, we've seen a lot of people trying it, 722 00:37:56,190 --> 00:37:59,190 Sara Vaughn: right? You mentioned Jenny. And on the men's side, now 723 00:37:59,190 --> 00:38:02,969 Sara Vaughn: we're seeing Matt Centrowitz finish his first marathon. I think 724 00:38:02,969 --> 00:38:05,790 Sara Vaughn: Robby Andrews is signing up for something next year, so 725 00:38:06,300 --> 00:38:09,390 Sara Vaughn: I'm excited to see how these people explore it. My 726 00:38:09,390 --> 00:38:12,900 Sara Vaughn: advice would be that they know what to do. I 727 00:38:12,900 --> 00:38:15,120 Sara Vaughn: mean, it's not a different sport. Even though sometimes it 728 00:38:15,120 --> 00:38:19,800 Sara Vaughn: feels like it, it's still all just running. The training 729 00:38:19,800 --> 00:38:24,030 Sara Vaughn: feels different. It's a little more dull all the time. 730 00:38:24,180 --> 00:38:27,840 Sara Vaughn: The pain is there, but it's not as intense as 731 00:38:27,840 --> 00:38:31,650 Sara Vaughn: the track, but it's a little more consistent. And the 732 00:38:31,650 --> 00:38:35,040 Sara Vaughn: fatigue too. Expect the fatigue. But I would say more 733 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:39,000 Sara Vaughn: than anything, have an open mind and really get excited 734 00:38:39,000 --> 00:38:41,880 Sara Vaughn: about embracing the community, because to me, that's what's different. 735 00:38:42,420 --> 00:38:44,100 Sara Vaughn: You step on the line and you're not by yourself. 736 00:38:44,910 --> 00:38:47,100 Sara Vaughn: In New York, you've got 50, 000 people who are there 737 00:38:47,100 --> 00:38:48,900 Sara Vaughn: with you, and that's just so special. 738 00:38:49,650 --> 00:38:52,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: I was talking to Jenny Simpson about this at the 739 00:38:52,560 --> 00:38:57,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: dinner after the marathon. This kind of, I don't know 740 00:38:57,120 --> 00:38:58,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: if I would call it pressure, but maybe you can 741 00:38:58,860 --> 00:39:01,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: tell me if you would call it this, for runners 742 00:39:01,290 --> 00:39:04,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: who are running these shorter distances to pursue the marathon. 743 00:39:04,710 --> 00:39:07,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: I mean, let's face it, the marathon, it gets a 744 00:39:07,440 --> 00:39:12,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of headlines. They're huge events where you've got tens 745 00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:15,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: of thousands of runners and you've got millions, in a 746 00:39:15,630 --> 00:39:19,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of cases, of spectators. And it is just kind of at 747 00:39:19,290 --> 00:39:22,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: a level now, in terms of the sport of running, 748 00:39:22,320 --> 00:39:24,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: where it just gets a lot of attention because of 749 00:39:24,360 --> 00:39:27,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: these big, big events. Yeah, we've got the New Balance 750 00:39:27,210 --> 00:39:29,968 Rob Simmelkjaer: Fifth Avenue Mile, and there are some miles that get 751 00:39:30,960 --> 00:39:34,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: exposure, but other than the Olympics, it's hard to get 752 00:39:34,410 --> 00:39:37,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: that kind of year- in, year- out exposure running the 753 00:39:37,860 --> 00:39:41,489 Rob Simmelkjaer: mile. Do you feel like there is pressure to go 754 00:39:41,489 --> 00:39:42,901 Rob Simmelkjaer: to the marathon, and do you think that's a good thing? 755 00:39:42,901 --> 00:39:48,660 Sara Vaughn: That's a really interesting question. I didn't feel any pressure, certainly. 756 00:39:48,660 --> 00:39:53,310 Sara Vaughn: I was just curious. But I will say, I think 757 00:39:53,310 --> 00:39:57,540 Sara Vaughn: every runner, every distance runner should maybe try it at 758 00:39:57,540 --> 00:40:00,270 Sara Vaughn: some point, even if it's just for fun or to 759 00:40:00,270 --> 00:40:03,000 Sara Vaughn: raise money for a foundation. You can do it for 760 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:07,200 Sara Vaughn: charity, you can do it for a team. The marathon 761 00:40:07,590 --> 00:40:11,279 Sara Vaughn: really switches it, for me anyway, and what I think 762 00:40:11,280 --> 00:40:14,250 Sara Vaughn: a lot of people experience, from running for yourself to 763 00:40:14,250 --> 00:40:17,040 Sara Vaughn: running for something bigger than yourself. And it's really easy 764 00:40:17,040 --> 00:40:21,810 Sara Vaughn: to lose that on the track when it's just hard 765 00:40:21,810 --> 00:40:25,350 Sara Vaughn: and it's individual and you're pursuing this thing for a 766 00:40:25,350 --> 00:40:28,170 Sara Vaughn: really short time and a short window of your life. 767 00:40:28,170 --> 00:40:31,529 Sara Vaughn: But the marathon is very accessible and it connects you 768 00:40:31,530 --> 00:40:34,290 Sara Vaughn: in so many ways. You can run it a lot 769 00:40:34,290 --> 00:40:36,330 Sara Vaughn: of different ways. You don't have to try to be 770 00:40:37,410 --> 00:40:41,940 Sara Vaughn: winning majors, but I think just experiencing the marathon at any level, 771 00:40:43,230 --> 00:40:45,540 Sara Vaughn: take the pressure out of it and just try it. 772 00:40:46,320 --> 00:40:50,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. Well, you tried it. It went extremely well. It continues 773 00:40:50,940 --> 00:40:54,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: to go extremely well for you, Sara Vaughn. And we 774 00:40:54,270 --> 00:40:58,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: are thrilled to have you as our 2024 TCS New York 775 00:40:58,230 --> 00:41:03,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon finisher, top six finisher, top American finisher. And 776 00:41:03,840 --> 00:41:07,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: thrilled to have you back next year, so congrats on 777 00:41:07,230 --> 00:41:10,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: everything. Thanks for coming on and talking to us, and I 778 00:41:10,469 --> 00:41:12,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: wish you a great Thanksgiving and a great holiday. Great 779 00:41:12,960 --> 00:41:14,341 Rob Simmelkjaer: vacation as well, because earned it. 780 00:41:14,341 --> 00:41:14,520 Sara Vaughn: Yes, thank you. 781 00:41:15,060 --> 00:41:17,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: You definitely have earned a nice trip, hopefully on a 782 00:41:17,219 --> 00:41:19,049 Rob Simmelkjaer: beach or somewhere where you're doing great little. 783 00:41:19,500 --> 00:41:19,710 Sara Vaughn: Yes. That's the plan. 784 00:41:20,760 --> 00:41:23,549 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's a good plan and we'll definitely see you next year. 785 00:41:23,910 --> 00:41:24,870 Sara Vaughn: Yeah, see you next year. 786 00:41:37,830 --> 00:41:41,399 Rob Simmelkjaer: Our featured member for today's member moment is Maryann Gong, 787 00:41:41,400 --> 00:41:44,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: who was the top female finisher from the Central Park 788 00:41:44,160 --> 00:41:46,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: Track Club in the marathon this year. That was the 789 00:41:46,860 --> 00:41:50,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: top local club in this year's TCS New York City Marathon. 790 00:41:50,430 --> 00:41:55,049 Rob Simmelkjaer: Maryann graduated from MIT in 2017 with a perfect 4. 791 00:41:55,620 --> 00:42:00,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: 0 grade point average in electrical engineering and computer science, 792 00:42:00,480 --> 00:42:05,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: and she's a 15 time NCAA Division III All- American. 793 00:42:05,280 --> 00:42:09,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. After dominating on the indoor track in college, Maryann 794 00:42:09,330 --> 00:42:12,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: transitioned to the roads, debuting in the half marathon in 795 00:42:12,180 --> 00:42:17,819 Rob Simmelkjaer: 2021 and then setting a marathon PR of 2:44: 06 at 796 00:42:17,820 --> 00:42:21,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: this year's TCS New York City Marathon. Maryann is here 797 00:42:21,060 --> 00:42:23,489 Rob Simmelkjaer: to chat with us about her leap from the track 798 00:42:23,489 --> 00:42:26,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: to the roads, the role of Central Park Track Club 799 00:42:26,250 --> 00:42:29,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: and her training, and how she's balancing elite level running 800 00:42:29,850 --> 00:42:31,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: with a demanding career. 801 00:42:32,010 --> 00:42:34,920 Meb Keflezighi: Thanks, Rob. Maryann, welcome to the podcast. How are you doing today? 802 00:42:35,370 --> 00:42:36,270 Maryann Gong: I'm doing well. Thanks, Meb. 803 00:42:37,080 --> 00:42:39,600 Meb Keflezighi: That's quite a resume you have. You have a remarkable 804 00:42:39,600 --> 00:42:43,590 Meb Keflezighi: track record for being 15 time All- American at MIT, 805 00:42:43,590 --> 00:42:49,050 Meb Keflezighi: winning the 215 NCAA Division III Indoor 3, 000 meter championships. 806 00:42:49,350 --> 00:42:52,200 Meb Keflezighi: How did your college experience shape your approach to the 807 00:42:52,200 --> 00:42:53,700 Meb Keflezighi: marathon training and racing? 808 00:42:54,210 --> 00:42:58,140 Maryann Gong: Oh yeah. In so many ways, I feel like my 809 00:42:58,140 --> 00:43:02,010 Maryann Gong: college experience, it was definitely all track thing, so very 810 00:43:02,010 --> 00:43:05,130 Maryann Gong: much shorter. But I feel like the mental part was very much 811 00:43:05,130 --> 00:43:07,320 Maryann Gong: a grind, which is I think similar to the marathon. 812 00:43:07,860 --> 00:43:10,560 Maryann Gong: Yeah, I feel like it's a lot of time management, 813 00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:16,710 Maryann Gong: dedication, and just really gritting through things. Those definitely have 814 00:43:16,710 --> 00:43:20,820 Maryann Gong: translated to running for the roads now and balancing that 815 00:43:20,820 --> 00:43:21,719 Maryann Gong: with work. 816 00:43:23,160 --> 00:43:27,840 Meb Keflezighi: Maryann has similar experience. When I was at UCLA, also won the 5, 000 817 00:43:27,900 --> 00:43:31,469 Meb Keflezighi: indoor meets, and you kind of get lost how many laps there are. 818 00:43:31,469 --> 00:43:34,830 Meb Keflezighi: But it's a great disciplinary to be able to flourish 819 00:43:34,830 --> 00:43:36,570 Meb Keflezighi: when you're thinking for the road. So if you can 820 00:43:36,570 --> 00:43:39,570 Meb Keflezighi: manage that, you can manage really well in terms of 821 00:43:39,570 --> 00:43:43,050 Meb Keflezighi: going to the roads. Even training now, sometimes training in a 822 00:43:43,050 --> 00:43:46,710 Meb Keflezighi: little part that is half mile circle, and then do 823 00:43:46,710 --> 00:43:49,020 Meb Keflezighi: that a thousand times, and then be able to go on the 824 00:43:49,050 --> 00:43:52,560 Meb Keflezighi: road, it's pretty a good experience. But after your marathon 825 00:43:52,560 --> 00:43:55,980 Meb Keflezighi: debut in Paris running 2: 48:00 finish, how did you 826 00:43:55,980 --> 00:43:59,730 Meb Keflezighi: adjust your training and strategy leading up to the TCS New 827 00:43:59,730 --> 00:44:00,570 Meb Keflezighi: York City Marathon? 828 00:44:03,750 --> 00:44:06,959 Maryann Gong: Yeah, actually quite a lot. In Paris, Paris 2022 was my first marathon, and 829 00:44:06,959 --> 00:44:10,410 Maryann Gong: it went really great. I loved it, but I definitely, I felt 830 00:44:10,500 --> 00:44:12,150 Maryann Gong: like there was so much on the table because in my 831 00:44:12,150 --> 00:44:16,830 Maryann Gong: build to Paris, I was still struggling with this... I 832 00:44:16,830 --> 00:44:21,029 Maryann Gong: used to have a Haglund's deformity injury on my left Achilles, left 833 00:44:21,030 --> 00:44:25,260 Maryann Gong: heel and Achilles, and that actually started in college and 834 00:44:25,320 --> 00:44:27,900 Maryann Gong: was just getting worse. And so in my build to Paris, 835 00:44:27,900 --> 00:44:31,650 Maryann Gong: I wasn't actually running that much. I think my mileage 836 00:44:32,160 --> 00:44:37,050 Maryann Gong: for a marathon I feel like was pretty low. Maybe I think I peaked at mid- 837 00:44:37,050 --> 00:44:40,890 Maryann Gong: fifties miles per week and didn't run. I took a 838 00:44:40,890 --> 00:44:48,210 Maryann Gong: day off fully from running every week. I knew I 839 00:44:48,210 --> 00:44:50,609 Maryann Gong: could do so much more if I could do more 840 00:44:50,610 --> 00:44:55,860 Maryann Gong: workouts and actually run more, but my heel is still 841 00:44:55,860 --> 00:44:59,280 Maryann Gong: really bothering me. So actually after 2022, I decided in 842 00:44:59,610 --> 00:45:04,350 Maryann Gong: January 2023 to get surgery to actually shave down the 843 00:45:04,350 --> 00:45:09,180 Maryann Gong: bone on my left heel. Yeah, that's I think the 844 00:45:09,180 --> 00:45:13,290 Maryann Gong: biggest change between Paris in 2022 and now New York 845 00:45:13,290 --> 00:45:17,310 Maryann Gong: is that I got surgery. I spent 2023 mostly rehabbing 846 00:45:17,310 --> 00:45:21,870 Maryann Gong: from that. And then this year in 2024 finally felt that 847 00:45:21,870 --> 00:45:24,960 Maryann Gong: I was able to run without it holding me back. 848 00:45:24,960 --> 00:45:26,880 Maryann Gong: And I feel like that was probably one of the biggest 849 00:45:26,880 --> 00:45:30,570 Maryann Gong: things of helping me to build for New York this year. 850 00:45:31,680 --> 00:45:34,890 Meb Keflezighi: How was it for you after the surgery, the first 851 00:45:34,890 --> 00:45:37,830 Meb Keflezighi: couple of weeks or the month? So can I run again 852 00:45:37,830 --> 00:45:40,230 Meb Keflezighi: or what was the mental process? Now you're running a PR 853 00:45:40,230 --> 00:45:44,130 Meb Keflezighi: coming back stronger. Sometimes we always have setbacks, but what 854 00:45:44,130 --> 00:45:47,160 Meb Keflezighi: is that? There's no guarantee, but how does that feel now? 855 00:45:49,170 --> 00:45:51,900 Maryann Gong: It feels great now. Definitely in 2023, I was very 856 00:45:51,900 --> 00:45:55,290 Maryann Gong: much a little bit worried because I think going into 857 00:45:55,290 --> 00:45:58,469 Maryann Gong: it, it was a pretty lightweight surgery. It was arthroscopic, 858 00:45:58,469 --> 00:46:02,160 Maryann Gong: and so it was a lot less invasive than it 859 00:46:02,160 --> 00:46:03,840 Maryann Gong: had to be. And so when I talked to my 860 00:46:03,840 --> 00:46:06,270 Maryann Gong: surgeon, she said that the recovery would be pretty fast and 861 00:46:06,270 --> 00:46:09,270 Maryann Gong: I would be back to running with no issues after 862 00:46:09,360 --> 00:46:14,460 Maryann Gong: four months post- surgery. After four months, I was definitely 863 00:46:14,460 --> 00:46:17,549 Maryann Gong: able to run a little bit, but I definitely had 864 00:46:17,550 --> 00:46:20,250 Maryann Gong: a lot of pain and it actually really took probably 865 00:46:20,250 --> 00:46:23,250 Maryann Gong: eight to ten months for me to feel fully normal. 866 00:46:23,250 --> 00:46:26,790 Maryann Gong: So definitely during that four to eight months post- surgery 867 00:46:26,790 --> 00:46:29,160 Maryann Gong: was very hard because I was a little bit worried 868 00:46:29,160 --> 00:46:31,860 Maryann Gong: that maybe I made it worse, but after 10 months 869 00:46:32,160 --> 00:46:34,170 Maryann Gong: it really turned a corner. And then after that I 870 00:46:34,170 --> 00:46:37,049 Maryann Gong: was just really excited because I could actually... I knew 871 00:46:37,050 --> 00:46:39,420 Maryann Gong: I'd made the right choice to get the surgery. And 872 00:46:39,420 --> 00:46:43,469 Maryann Gong: then also I just felt great to not actually have 873 00:46:43,469 --> 00:46:46,020 Maryann Gong: pain when running in my heel anymore. So then I 874 00:46:46,020 --> 00:46:49,800 Maryann Gong: just felt really excited that I could do anything that I 875 00:46:49,800 --> 00:46:51,030 Maryann Gong: set my mind to after that. 876 00:46:52,020 --> 00:46:54,419 Meb Keflezighi: Pretty awesome feeling. So can you now take us through 877 00:46:54,420 --> 00:46:57,360 Meb Keflezighi: your run at TCS New York City Marathon? What were the 878 00:46:57,360 --> 00:47:01,080 Meb Keflezighi: high points and were there places where you were particularly challenged? 879 00:47:02,520 --> 00:47:05,370 Maryann Gong: Yeah, I feel like the high points were really all 880 00:47:05,370 --> 00:47:09,629 Maryann Gong: the first 23 miles I think was so much fun. All the different 881 00:47:09,630 --> 00:47:11,460 Maryann Gong: neighborhoods, it was so much fun to run through them. 882 00:47:11,460 --> 00:47:14,100 Maryann Gong: The bridges were also so beautiful. And yes, they were 883 00:47:14,100 --> 00:47:17,310 Maryann Gong: uphill, but I think people told me to watch out 884 00:47:17,310 --> 00:47:19,469 Maryann Gong: for Queensboro Bridge and all those things, so I feel like I 885 00:47:19,530 --> 00:47:23,520 Maryann Gong: was mentally prepared for that. And I think just seeing 886 00:47:23,520 --> 00:47:26,820 Maryann Gong: all of my friends and teammates all around the course, 887 00:47:27,360 --> 00:47:30,810 Maryann Gong: those were all just really, really highlight moments. And then 888 00:47:30,810 --> 00:47:33,540 Maryann Gong: it definitely got hard, I think at 23 and a half, 889 00:47:33,540 --> 00:47:36,300 Maryann Gong: right after you go up that little hill up Fifth 890 00:47:36,300 --> 00:47:39,300 Maryann Gong: Avenue getting into the park. I think it got really 891 00:47:39,300 --> 00:47:41,040 Maryann Gong: hard after that. Before that I was like, " Wow, I'm 892 00:47:41,040 --> 00:47:43,080 Maryann Gong: feeling great. Maybe I won't hit the wall." And I definitely hit 893 00:47:43,080 --> 00:47:46,739 Maryann Gong: the wall there. And I think some of my teammates were 894 00:47:46,739 --> 00:47:49,350 Maryann Gong: cheering for me at mile 24, but I did not 895 00:47:49,350 --> 00:47:51,900 Maryann Gong: see them at all because I was mentally not there anymore. 896 00:47:52,320 --> 00:47:55,140 Meb Keflezighi: I understand. But how has that been in Central Park Track 897 00:47:55,140 --> 00:47:58,109 Meb Keflezighi: Club? I know you have run that Fifth Avenue many, many 898 00:47:58,110 --> 00:48:01,140 Meb Keflezighi: times. Tell us the feeling when you run on recreation 899 00:48:01,140 --> 00:48:03,150 Meb Keflezighi: run or on a workout versus on race day. 900 00:48:04,500 --> 00:48:07,500 Maryann Gong: Yeah, it's definitely I feel like so different. I feel 901 00:48:07,500 --> 00:48:11,340 Maryann Gong: like when you're doing it on a workout and practice, 902 00:48:13,140 --> 00:48:17,130 Maryann Gong: I feel like you're trying to be in the race mindset, but I 903 00:48:17,130 --> 00:48:18,630 Maryann Gong: feel like I'm less focused than I am in a 904 00:48:18,630 --> 00:48:23,069 Maryann Gong: race. But it definitely is, when you get on race 905 00:48:23,070 --> 00:48:25,469 Maryann Gong: day, I feel like everything looks different because also there's 906 00:48:25,469 --> 00:48:27,719 Maryann Gong: tons of people, which usually they're not a bunch of people on Fifth 907 00:48:27,719 --> 00:48:33,060 Maryann Gong: Avenue. But it's also comforting because even though you're in 908 00:48:33,060 --> 00:48:35,550 Maryann Gong: the race zone, everything feels different on race day in 909 00:48:35,550 --> 00:48:37,830 Maryann Gong: some ways. But then it also feels very familiar because 910 00:48:37,830 --> 00:48:39,330 Maryann Gong: you're like, " Oh, I have run this all so many 911 00:48:39,330 --> 00:48:42,420 Maryann Gong: times. I know I can do this." And so that 912 00:48:42,420 --> 00:48:43,080 Maryann Gong: is helpful. 913 00:48:44,160 --> 00:48:48,330 Meb Keflezighi: Well, graduate from MIT, balancing a demanding career with elite 914 00:48:49,230 --> 00:48:52,170 Meb Keflezighi: level training is no small feat. How do you manage 915 00:48:52,170 --> 00:48:55,230 Meb Keflezighi: your time and maintain peak performance in both areas? 916 00:48:57,480 --> 00:49:00,239 Maryann Gong: I feel like sometimes I don't manage my time the best, 917 00:49:00,239 --> 00:49:02,460 Maryann Gong: but really what I try to do is I feel 918 00:49:02,460 --> 00:49:07,830 Maryann Gong: like running is also a great way to take your 919 00:49:07,830 --> 00:49:11,190 Maryann Gong: mind off of the work and then vice versa. So I feel like having 920 00:49:11,190 --> 00:49:16,469 Maryann Gong: both of those things, which are demanding and intense but very different 921 00:49:16,469 --> 00:49:20,190 Maryann Gong: is really helpful. And I feel like what I find 922 00:49:20,190 --> 00:49:25,500 Maryann Gong: helps me for time management is, one, just signing up. 923 00:49:25,890 --> 00:49:29,640 Maryann Gong: Having the club be there and have team practices is 924 00:49:29,640 --> 00:49:32,219 Maryann Gong: really helpful because I they have a set time, they 925 00:49:32,219 --> 00:49:34,440 Maryann Gong: have a workout. And I feel like having the commitment 926 00:49:34,440 --> 00:49:36,270 Maryann Gong: of like, oh, I need to show up to be 927 00:49:36,270 --> 00:49:38,850 Maryann Gong: there with my teammates really helps to hold myself accountable 928 00:49:38,850 --> 00:49:41,910 Maryann Gong: to not accidentally stay at the office for way too 929 00:49:41,910 --> 00:49:43,800 Maryann Gong: long because I'm like, " Okay, I have to leave now 930 00:49:43,800 --> 00:49:46,350 Maryann Gong: to get to my 7 PM workout. So I feel 931 00:49:46,350 --> 00:49:50,340 Maryann Gong: like having those things are helpful. Also, I think having 932 00:49:50,340 --> 00:49:53,219 Maryann Gong: a running backpack that you really like is helpful too 933 00:49:53,219 --> 00:49:56,910 Maryann Gong: because a lot of times I'll just run commute to and from 934 00:49:56,910 --> 00:50:00,060 Maryann Gong: the office to get some extra time. Because I'm going 935 00:50:00,060 --> 00:50:01,859 Maryann Gong: to commute anyways, I might as well do my run 936 00:50:01,860 --> 00:50:02,610 Maryann Gong: at the same time. 937 00:50:03,450 --> 00:50:07,860 Meb Keflezighi: That's awesome. (inaudible) on motion. As you were saying 938 00:50:07,860 --> 00:50:11,880 Meb Keflezighi: earlier, balancing is very important I think for the student 939 00:50:11,880 --> 00:50:14,969 Meb Keflezighi: of the sport. Roger Bannister was the first guy to 940 00:50:14,969 --> 00:50:17,340 Meb Keflezighi: break four minute in the mile, and he was a 941 00:50:17,340 --> 00:50:20,700 Meb Keflezighi: medical student while doing that. So balancing is actually really 942 00:50:20,700 --> 00:50:23,610 Meb Keflezighi: good. But tell us more about the Central Park Track 943 00:50:23,610 --> 00:50:26,100 Meb Keflezighi: Clubs, how storied history it is in New York running 944 00:50:26,100 --> 00:50:30,510 Meb Keflezighi: community. How has part of this club influenced your development 945 00:50:30,510 --> 00:50:33,090 Meb Keflezighi: as a runner and contribute to their recent success? 946 00:50:34,620 --> 00:50:36,810 Maryann Gong: Oh, yes. Central Park Track Club I feel like is 947 00:50:36,810 --> 00:50:41,070 Maryann Gong: really everything. I feel like I definitely owe everything, that I am able 948 00:50:41,070 --> 00:50:45,810 Maryann Gong: to even run and compete competitively, to the club. I 949 00:50:45,810 --> 00:50:50,160 Maryann Gong: feel like they do such a great job. From when 950 00:50:50,160 --> 00:50:52,259 Maryann Gong: I first joined the club in 2018, I actually was 951 00:50:52,260 --> 00:50:56,160 Maryann Gong: more on the track side. And Devin Martin, who is, 952 00:50:56,640 --> 00:50:59,130 Maryann Gong: she's a wonderful coach and does a lot of track 953 00:50:59,130 --> 00:51:02,610 Maryann Gong: things. She did a great job, and still does, of 954 00:51:02,610 --> 00:51:07,620 Maryann Gong: creating kind of an environment which has a lot of support 955 00:51:07,680 --> 00:51:12,630 Maryann Gong: and is a good transition from the NCAA system to running 956 00:51:12,690 --> 00:51:15,029 Maryann Gong: as an adult on your own. I feel like this 957 00:51:15,030 --> 00:51:17,340 Maryann Gong: running totally on your own, that you don't have as 958 00:51:17,340 --> 00:51:21,480 Maryann Gong: much coaching support or PT things, all that stuff that 959 00:51:21,480 --> 00:51:23,819 Maryann Gong: you would have in college, and you're kind of on 960 00:51:23,820 --> 00:51:25,620 Maryann Gong: your own. And I feel like with the club, they 961 00:51:25,620 --> 00:51:30,450 Maryann Gong: really help to provide that support that makes you feel 962 00:51:30,660 --> 00:51:32,940 Maryann Gong: not alone and also having those things that you do 963 00:51:32,940 --> 00:51:39,390 Maryann Gong: need, and learning how to run at post collegiately with 964 00:51:39,510 --> 00:51:42,840 Maryann Gong: a full- time job. So that's been really critical there. 965 00:51:42,870 --> 00:51:45,300 Maryann Gong: And then also, of course, the whole training aspect too. 966 00:51:45,330 --> 00:51:48,270 Maryann Gong: I feel like the coaches are wonderful, like Devin, and then 967 00:51:48,270 --> 00:51:51,180 Maryann Gong: also Roberta, who helps coach me on the marathon side 968 00:51:51,180 --> 00:51:54,629 Maryann Gong: now. Yeah, I feel like the club is just really 969 00:51:54,630 --> 00:51:58,049 Maryann Gong: amazing and I think also, it's great that it caters 970 00:51:58,050 --> 00:52:01,620 Maryann Gong: to really all levels. You have people who are elite 971 00:52:01,620 --> 00:52:03,480 Maryann Gong: on the track, people who are elite on the roads. And then you 972 00:52:03,480 --> 00:52:07,770 Maryann Gong: also have people who, their goals are not necessarily time, but 973 00:52:07,770 --> 00:52:10,830 Maryann Gong: to get the best out of themselves. And I think 974 00:52:10,830 --> 00:52:12,750 Maryann Gong: it's just a really wonderful environment. 975 00:52:13,830 --> 00:52:16,260 Meb Keflezighi: Well, there was a big success at MIT, looks, sounds 976 00:52:16,260 --> 00:52:18,150 Meb Keflezighi: like a big success in New York, including with the 977 00:52:18,150 --> 00:52:20,790 Meb Keflezighi: Central Park Track Club. So thanks for being on the 978 00:52:21,210 --> 00:52:22,920 Meb Keflezighi: guest here and wish you all the best. 979 00:52:23,370 --> 00:52:24,180 Maryann Gong: Thank you so much. 980 00:52:24,540 --> 00:52:27,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thanks for joining us, Maryanne. You are incredible, by the 981 00:52:27,600 --> 00:52:30,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: way. Congratulations on an incredible finish in New York. And 982 00:52:30,450 --> 00:52:32,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: of course, thank you for being a member of New 983 00:52:32,880 --> 00:52:35,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners. Yet another one of our in Incredible 984 00:52:35,940 --> 00:52:37,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: members. Now it's on to the final part of our 985 00:52:37,920 --> 00:52:39,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: show, Today's Meb Minutes. 986 00:52:40,170 --> 00:52:43,230 Meb Keflezighi: Thanks, Rob. Many runners will be hitting the roads next 987 00:52:43,230 --> 00:52:46,980 Meb Keflezighi: week for their first ever road race as the turkey trot 988 00:52:47,460 --> 00:52:51,870 Meb Keflezighi: continues to become a tradition for many new or seasoned 989 00:52:51,870 --> 00:52:55,860 Meb Keflezighi: runners. For your first race, remember to have fun. These 990 00:52:55,860 --> 00:52:58,710 Meb Keflezighi: races are a great way to enjoy the holidays with 991 00:52:58,710 --> 00:53:03,330 Meb Keflezighi: family or fellow runners. Here are a few quick tips. 992 00:53:04,140 --> 00:53:08,370 Meb Keflezighi: Pace yourself. Start slow and find a comfortable rhythm. You 993 00:53:08,370 --> 00:53:11,910 Meb Keflezighi: can always pick up later. Running is something that you 994 00:53:11,910 --> 00:53:15,239 Meb Keflezighi: can go as you proceed the races. You don't want 995 00:53:15,239 --> 00:53:17,010 Meb Keflezighi: to go too fast and hit the wall. You'd just 996 00:53:17,010 --> 00:53:19,590 Meb Keflezighi: rather pick it up and slow down a little bit, even if 997 00:53:19,590 --> 00:53:24,000 Meb Keflezighi: you have to walk. That's okay. Hydrate and fuel. Drink 998 00:53:24,000 --> 00:53:27,270 Meb Keflezighi: water before a race and consider a light snack if 999 00:53:27,270 --> 00:53:30,810 Meb Keflezighi: needed. A banana or something quick. A gel is good 1000 00:53:30,810 --> 00:53:34,830 Meb Keflezighi: to have handy just in case. And this one, dress 1001 00:53:34,830 --> 00:53:38,100 Meb Keflezighi: for the weather. The United States has 50 states. There's 1002 00:53:38,100 --> 00:53:40,410 Meb Keflezighi: different kind of climates going on, so layer up in 1003 00:53:40,410 --> 00:53:43,589 Meb Keflezighi: case it's chilly. You can always shed a layer if 1004 00:53:43,590 --> 00:53:46,710 Meb Keflezighi: needed. So be smart and don't be too cold on 1005 00:53:46,710 --> 00:53:51,480 Meb Keflezighi: the starting line. Most importantly, celebrate the experience. Just showing 1006 00:53:51,510 --> 00:53:55,560 Meb Keflezighi: up and running is a huge achievement. Let me tell you, 1007 00:53:55,560 --> 00:53:58,739 Meb Keflezighi: my first turkey trot experience, it was in 2002. My daughter 1008 00:53:58,739 --> 00:54:01,380 Meb Keflezighi: was running cross- country Fury, and she says, " Hey, do 1009 00:54:01,380 --> 00:54:03,450 Meb Keflezighi: you want to go to the turkey trot?" And I'm like, " 1010 00:54:03,960 --> 00:54:06,299 Meb Keflezighi: Well, do you want me to help you break 20 minutes?" And 1011 00:54:06,300 --> 00:54:07,799 Meb Keflezighi: she's like, " No, I want you to race you. I think 1012 00:54:07,800 --> 00:54:09,810 Meb Keflezighi: I could beat you." I'm like, " Well, I don't know 1013 00:54:09,810 --> 00:54:11,670 Meb Keflezighi: about that, but do you want me to help you?" She's like, " 1014 00:54:11,670 --> 00:54:13,410 Meb Keflezighi: No, just run as hard as you can." And I 1015 00:54:13,410 --> 00:54:15,780 Meb Keflezighi: did. And everybody was surprised to see me at the 1016 00:54:15,900 --> 00:54:18,300 Meb Keflezighi: turkey trot here in Tampa, Florida. It's like, " What are you 1017 00:54:18,300 --> 00:54:22,440 Meb Keflezighi: doing here?" I'm like, "Well, I'm pacing my daughter." The competitive 1018 00:54:22,440 --> 00:54:24,450 Meb Keflezighi: of me kind of went on and I didn't win 1019 00:54:24,450 --> 00:54:26,790 Meb Keflezighi: the race, but got second place. So you never know 1020 00:54:26,790 --> 00:54:29,310 Meb Keflezighi: who you're going to see at your local 5K, but be smart, 1021 00:54:29,430 --> 00:54:30,180 Meb Keflezighi: run your own race. 1022 00:54:30,420 --> 00:54:32,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, that does it for another episode of Set 1023 00:54:32,520 --> 00:54:35,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Pace. Thank you to our two incredible guests today, 1024 00:54:36,239 --> 00:54:39,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sara Vaughn and Maryann Gong. If you liked the episode, 1025 00:54:39,989 --> 00:54:43,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: please go ahead, subscribe, rate, leave a comment for the 1026 00:54:43,080 --> 00:54:46,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: show on whatever platform you're listening on. This not only helps 1027 00:54:46,350 --> 00:54:49,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: us, but it helps others find the show as well. 1028 00:54:49,710 --> 00:54:52,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: For everybody out there, enjoy your holiday weekend. We've got 1029 00:54:52,590 --> 00:54:54,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: an episode coming up on Thanksgiving, so we will not 1030 00:54:54,750 --> 00:54:56,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: leave you for that. But if you don't catch that, 1031 00:54:56,760 --> 00:54:59,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the miles. We'll see you next week.