1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,780 Christine Burke: The TCS New York City Marathon at mile 17 runs 2 00:00:03,780 --> 00:00:09,930 Christine Burke: past Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and the hospital actually brings 3 00:00:09,930 --> 00:00:13,800 Christine Burke: down patients and nurses and doctors to be right there 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,770 Christine Burke: on the sidelines on Marathon Sunday, cheering the runners along 5 00:00:16,770 --> 00:00:23,579 Christine Burke: and thanking the Fred's Team runners for the work they do. So it is really a powerful moment 6 00:00:23,700 --> 00:00:24,840 Christine Burke: on a racecourse. 7 00:00:28,980 --> 00:00:35,699 Speaker 1: Thank you, New York. Today, we're reminded of the power of community and the power of coming together. 8 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:39,269 Speaker 1: Athletes, on your mark. 9 00:00:40,950 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 2: The first woman to finish for the second straight year 10 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 2: here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, a smiling 11 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:52,001 Speaker 2: Miki Gorman and why not, 2: 29:30, the time for (inaudible) . 12 00:00:52,890 --> 00:00:55,530 Speaker 3: Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she comes 13 00:00:55,530 --> 00:00:58,860 Speaker 3: to the line. Pointing to his chest, pointing to the 14 00:00:58,860 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 3: USA he so proudly wears across his chest. A great day for Matt Kowalski. 15 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody, and welcome to Set the Pace, the official 16 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:16,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast of New York Road Runners, presented by Peloton. I'm 17 00:01:16,230 --> 00:01:19,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New York Road Runners, and 18 00:01:19,709 --> 00:01:23,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: I am flying without Becs today. She's off, but I'm 19 00:01:23,069 --> 00:01:28,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: recording this directly from my hotel in Kyoto, Japan where 20 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:32,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: I came down last night. It is Wednesday morning actually 21 00:01:32,910 --> 00:01:35,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: as I record this in Kyoto, Japan. We usually record 22 00:01:35,910 --> 00:01:38,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tuesdays. I'm a little mixed up between my Tuesdays and 23 00:01:38,430 --> 00:01:40,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wednesdays right now, but anyway, I'm still in Japan after 24 00:01:40,950 --> 00:01:47,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: running the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday. It was an incredible experience 25 00:01:47,790 --> 00:01:50,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: and we'll talk about that a little bit more later in 26 00:01:50,100 --> 00:01:53,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: the show. I just have to start by congratulating everybody 27 00:01:53,790 --> 00:01:57,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: who ran in Tokyo. I saw so many people from 28 00:01:57,900 --> 00:02:01,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York in Tokyo, New York Road Runners members, an 29 00:02:01,980 --> 00:02:04,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible team for kids group that we had over there, 30 00:02:05,580 --> 00:02:09,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: friends from New York, Road Runners staff, our board, and 31 00:02:09,300 --> 00:02:11,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: just all kinds of folks. It was really a special 32 00:02:11,460 --> 00:02:17,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: day in Tokyo this past Sunday. 37,000 finishers on a 33 00:02:17,310 --> 00:02:22,049 Rob Simmelkjaer: beautiful if maybe slightly warm day in Tokyo. The high 34 00:02:22,350 --> 00:02:25,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: was just under 70 degrees, so it was a sunny 35 00:02:25,980 --> 00:02:28,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: and beautiful day. Definitely, a little warm for some of 36 00:02:28,230 --> 00:02:32,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: the runners, myself included. But I had a great day. 37 00:02:32,580 --> 00:02:33,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: As many of you know if you listen to the 38 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:38,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast, I ran the race with our board chair, Nnenna 39 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:41,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: Lynch. The two of us ran together and we stayed 40 00:02:41,430 --> 00:02:44,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: together step- for- step the entire way through. It was 41 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great team effort. We had a really terrific time. 42 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:51,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: Ended up finishing at about 3: 37, which I'm pretty 43 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: happy with. I was not expecting any sort of PR 44 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: for this race. I was kind of joking around with 45 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: people I was going to be happy if it wasn't 46 00:02:59,010 --> 00:03:01,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: the personal worst, given the kind of training I had 47 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:04,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: had over the cold winter we've had in New York, 48 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:06,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: and I did accomplish that. So that was good. But 49 00:03:06,690 --> 00:03:10,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: more importantly, just had a great time experiencing the city 50 00:03:10,889 --> 00:03:15,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Tokyo, experiencing this great race. It's the first Abbott 51 00:03:15,389 --> 00:03:19,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: World Marathon Majors of the year and my favorite thing 52 00:03:19,290 --> 00:03:22,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: about it was getting to spend some time at the 53 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:26,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: end at the Abbott Six Star Finishers tent and just 54 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:29,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: being there for that moment for so many people. There 55 00:03:29,580 --> 00:03:33,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: are thousands of Six Star Finishers in Tokyo, which is 56 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: typically the case because it's such a hard race to 57 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:37,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: get into and so many people are showing up in 58 00:03:37,380 --> 00:03:40,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tokyo to get that Six Star. And it was so great 59 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:45,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: to see that moment for thousands of people, the emotions, 60 00:03:45,930 --> 00:03:51,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: the joy, the incredible pride that people had in getting 61 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:54,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: that Six Star medal. It's really a special thing. And 62 00:03:54,090 --> 00:03:58,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: so congratulations especially to everybody out there who got their 63 00:03:58,410 --> 00:04:03,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: Six Star this past weekend. It's just an amazing accomplishment 64 00:04:03,630 --> 00:04:07,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: and we are thrilled for all of you. So I'll talk 65 00:04:07,590 --> 00:04:11,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: a bit more about Tokyo in a little while, but today 66 00:04:11,970 --> 00:04:14,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: we've got a big, big day and it's a big 67 00:04:14,820 --> 00:04:16,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: week in New York Road Runners of course because this 68 00:04:16,830 --> 00:04:21,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: is the week of our non- guaranteed entry drawing. So 69 00:04:21,779 --> 00:04:24,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: by the time you all listen to this podcast, I 70 00:04:24,270 --> 00:04:27,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: believe it will be the 6th, and so that will have 71 00:04:27,660 --> 00:04:30,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: passed and you'll know if you got in or you didn't 72 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:33,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: get in. So if you got in, congratulations, can't wait 73 00:04:33,990 --> 00:04:35,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: to see you at the starting line in Staten Island. 74 00:04:36,300 --> 00:04:38,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: For more of you, however, it will mean that you 75 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:40,919 Rob Simmelkjaer: did not get in because the odds of getting in 76 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:44,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: through our non- guaranteed drawing are pretty steep. And so 77 00:04:44,220 --> 00:04:47,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: today we're going to talk about the incredible opportunity that 78 00:04:47,730 --> 00:04:50,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: all of you who did not get in have to 79 00:04:50,610 --> 00:04:54,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: run the TCS New York City Marathon for one of 80 00:04:54,300 --> 00:04:59,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: the many amazing causes that we have registered for our 81 00:04:59,850 --> 00:05:03,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: official charity program, which is just about to launch. If 82 00:05:03,870 --> 00:05:06,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're not familiar with it, New York Road Runners' official 83 00:05:06,180 --> 00:05:10,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: charity partner program gives organizations a chance to raise funds 84 00:05:10,680 --> 00:05:14,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: for their causes by offering guaranteed entry into the TCS 85 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:18,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City Marathon for athletes who fundraise on their 86 00:05:18,270 --> 00:05:21,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: behalf. I actually did that in Tokyo for New York 87 00:05:21,990 --> 00:05:25,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners Charity Program Team for Kids. And so we're 88 00:05:25,260 --> 00:05:28,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to talk about the amazing charity program that we have 89 00:05:28,110 --> 00:05:30,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: this year and joining me to talk about all of 90 00:05:30,420 --> 00:05:33,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: that is our very own New York Road Runners Chief 91 00:05:33,779 --> 00:05:38,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Commercial Officer, Christine Burke, who is backed by popular demand 92 00:05:38,490 --> 00:05:41,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: here on Set the Pase. I actually just asked her 93 00:05:41,850 --> 00:05:43,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: if she would come on, so I have someone to 94 00:05:43,500 --> 00:05:44,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: talk to today. 95 00:05:46,350 --> 00:05:46,351 Christine Burke: Thanks, Rob. 96 00:05:46,351 --> 00:05:48,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: Christine, thanks for coming back to Set the Pace. How are you? 97 00:05:49,290 --> 00:05:51,720 Christine Burke: I'm great. Happy to be here. And so nice to 98 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:55,650 Christine Burke: talk to you tomorrow morning over in Kyoto. 99 00:05:55,980 --> 00:06:00,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yes, my sleep is just a complete hot mess over 100 00:06:00,300 --> 00:06:02,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: here. I don't know what day it is most of 101 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:04,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: the time. I woke up at 4: 00 AM and 102 00:06:04,529 --> 00:06:08,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: so I'm feeling peppy here, it's 6: 00 AM Japan time, but 103 00:06:08,130 --> 00:06:13,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: thank you for that. So Christine, obviously as we drop 104 00:06:13,740 --> 00:06:16,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: this podcast, it'll be past the date of the non- 105 00:06:16,529 --> 00:06:22,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: guaranteed entry drawing and we had incredible registration, incredible number 106 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:24,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: of people applied for the drawing this year, over 2, 107 00:06:24,779 --> 00:06:31,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: 00,000 applications for the non- guaranteed drawing, up 22% just 108 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:35,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: from last year, which is incredible to see. It just 109 00:06:35,670 --> 00:06:38,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: goes along the lines of all the things we're seeing 110 00:06:38,370 --> 00:06:42,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: with the incredible popularity of running marathons, but it also 111 00:06:42,060 --> 00:06:45,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: means only about 2% to 3% of people who entered 112 00:06:45,630 --> 00:06:47,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: the drawing are going to get a bib. So it's 113 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:50,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: a very tall order to get in through that drawing. 114 00:06:50,310 --> 00:06:53,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: So now for those who didn't get in, they still have a chance to 115 00:06:53,490 --> 00:06:56,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: run through so many different entry methods, including of course 116 00:06:56,610 --> 00:06:58,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: the charity program. We're going to drop a link to 117 00:06:58,830 --> 00:07:02,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: that program in the show notes. But Christine, you're here 118 00:07:02,580 --> 00:07:05,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: to talk about the results of last year's charity program. 119 00:07:05,460 --> 00:07:07,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: We'll start with that, which was incredible in terms of 120 00:07:07,980 --> 00:07:08,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: the impact that we made. 121 00:07:09,420 --> 00:07:13,440 Christine Burke: Yeah, so Rob, we're so proud of our official charity program here at 122 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:17,370 Christine Burke: New York Road Runners. It's been around since 2006 and 123 00:07:17,850 --> 00:07:21,990 Christine Burke: every year it's increased its impact and raised more money 124 00:07:21,990 --> 00:07:27,450 Christine Burke: for really important causes. So last year, 2024, it was 125 00:07:27,450 --> 00:07:32,610 Christine Burke: another record- breaking year. We had just over 600 charities 126 00:07:32,610 --> 00:07:38,460 Christine Burke: raise a record- breaking $ 70 million for those important causes. 127 00:07:38,910 --> 00:07:43,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's amazing. You think about that number, that is a 128 00:07:43,350 --> 00:07:48,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: staggering amount of money for one event to raise. And 129 00:07:48,930 --> 00:07:54,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: my understanding since 2006, it's been over $ 600 million raised 130 00:07:54,510 --> 00:07:58,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: for our causes through this program, which is just incredible. 131 00:07:58,470 --> 00:08:01,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: So it's been special and we love to see it 132 00:08:01,710 --> 00:08:04,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: grow. So all right, with that in mind, what do 133 00:08:04,410 --> 00:08:07,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: runners now who just found out they didn't get in 134 00:08:07,530 --> 00:08:10,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: through the drawing, what do they need to know about 135 00:08:10,230 --> 00:08:12,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: the charity program this year and how to find a 136 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:14,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: charity to run for? 137 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:19,500 Christine Burke: Well, the great news is that the charity entries opened up 138 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:24,870 Christine Burke: yesterday, so that would be Wednesday, the 5th of March 139 00:08:24,930 --> 00:08:29,820 Christine Burke: and runners can research charities they may be interested in 140 00:08:29,820 --> 00:08:33,059 Christine Burke: running for. If there is a cause you care about, 141 00:08:33,059 --> 00:08:36,030 Christine Burke: there is likely a cause you can run for. And 142 00:08:36,030 --> 00:08:41,819 Christine Burke: so after the drawing, runners are really running out of 143 00:08:42,059 --> 00:08:45,120 Christine Burke: different ways to run this marathon. It's one of the 144 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,840 Christine Burke: few ways left to run the marathon in November. And 145 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:51,959 Christine Burke: so if you're interested in running and want to run 146 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,319 Christine Burke: for a cause, I would strongly recommend you jump on 147 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:58,500 Christine Burke: it quickly 'cause similar to the demand that we're seeing 148 00:08:58,500 --> 00:09:01,650 Christine Burke: for all of our races and for the drawing, Rob, 149 00:09:01,650 --> 00:09:05,880 Christine Burke: as you just mentioned, the demand for our charity entries 150 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:09,510 Christine Burke: has been unprecedented over the last few years as well. 151 00:09:09,510 --> 00:09:13,110 Christine Burke: And anecdotally, we hear from our charities that they're selling 152 00:09:13,110 --> 00:09:15,960 Christine Burke: out of their entries in just a few days after 153 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:20,730 Christine Burke: the drawing. So if you're interested, don't hesitate, do some 154 00:09:20,730 --> 00:09:24,390 Christine Burke: research, reach out to them, indicate your interests, get on 155 00:09:24,390 --> 00:09:27,630 Christine Burke: a wait list, but there are so many good causes 156 00:09:27,630 --> 00:09:28,559 Christine Burke: that you can run for. 157 00:09:29,670 --> 00:09:33,209 Rob Simmelkjaer: And how important is it for both the runner and 158 00:09:33,210 --> 00:09:37,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: the charity to have that connection to the actual cause? 159 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Of course, everybody wants to run the marathon and any 160 00:09:40,020 --> 00:09:42,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: way to get in, of course, is appreciated, but can 161 00:09:42,570 --> 00:09:46,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: you talk about why it's so much better for both 162 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:50,189 Rob Simmelkjaer: organizations, the charity that's doing the fundraising and of course 163 00:09:50,190 --> 00:09:52,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: the runner if it's not just a way to get 164 00:09:52,110 --> 00:09:55,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: in, but if there's really a connection the runner has 165 00:09:55,470 --> 00:09:56,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: with that cause? 166 00:09:56,760 --> 00:10:00,510 Christine Burke: It's so true. We talk about adding meaning to your miles. 167 00:10:00,510 --> 00:10:05,069 Christine Burke: And as you can relate, Rob, running the last five, 168 00:10:05,070 --> 00:10:08,340 Christine Burke: six miles of the Tokyo Marathon, probably more than very 169 00:10:08,340 --> 00:10:12,120 Christine Burke: easy, and so if you're running for a cause that's 170 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:16,290 Christine Burke: meaningful to you and you have the power of that 171 00:10:16,290 --> 00:10:20,099 Christine Burke: charity behind you and counting on you to finish, you're 172 00:10:20,100 --> 00:10:24,030 Christine Burke: going to finish. So adding meaning to the miles is 173 00:10:24,030 --> 00:10:27,780 Christine Burke: really important. I would also say that these charities, many 174 00:10:27,780 --> 00:10:30,780 Christine Burke: of them have been working with New York Road Runners 175 00:10:30,780 --> 00:10:34,890 Christine Burke: with our official charity partner program for many years, and 176 00:10:35,610 --> 00:10:39,990 Christine Burke: they have training programs, they have community that you can 177 00:10:39,990 --> 00:10:43,320 Christine Burke: be a part of and they support you every step 178 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:47,280 Christine Burke: of the way. And so I'll just mention a couple 179 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:52,260 Christine Burke: that are celebrating big anniversaries this year. We have the 180 00:10:52,830 --> 00:10:57,599 Christine Burke: Michael J. Fox Foundation. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary of 181 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:04,679 Christine Burke: working with our program in 2025, and they have incredible 182 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:09,960 Christine Burke: support from coaches to folks who are mentors for the 183 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:14,880 Christine Burke: runners who are first- timers. We also have Project Purple, 184 00:11:15,210 --> 00:11:20,190 Christine Burke: also celebrating 15 years of raising money for pancreatic cancer 185 00:11:20,190 --> 00:11:25,320 Christine Burke: research. So those are just 2 of 600, but they 186 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:31,260 Christine Burke: have between them 35 years of experience in supporting runners 187 00:11:31,260 --> 00:11:33,600 Christine Burke: to get to the starting line and get from the 188 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,660 Christine Burke: starting line to the finish line, and you'll feel so 189 00:11:36,660 --> 00:11:40,770 Christine Burke: connected to those charities and supported by them when you're 190 00:11:40,770 --> 00:11:43,290 Christine Burke: running to support something bigger than yourself. 191 00:11:44,130 --> 00:11:47,729 Rob Simmelkjaer: Christine, you mentioned the community aspect of it and I just want 192 00:11:47,730 --> 00:11:51,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: to echo that and how special it is to be 193 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:55,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: a part of a community or team when you run one 194 00:11:55,410 --> 00:11:57,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: of these races. It takes a lot to run a 195 00:11:57,809 --> 00:12:00,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon. You need a lot of support, you need a 196 00:12:00,390 --> 00:12:04,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of motivation, and it's just so much better, as 197 00:12:04,410 --> 00:12:08,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: an experience, when you have people around you to train 198 00:12:08,910 --> 00:12:11,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: with and go through the experience with. I can think 199 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:15,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: of two elements of it from my experience. First, you 200 00:12:15,030 --> 00:12:18,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: know this, when I ran my second New York City 201 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:22,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon back in 2013, I did that through Fred's Team, 202 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:27,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: which is really our top non roadrunner's charity, our gold- 203 00:12:27,179 --> 00:12:33,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: level partner that supports Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 204 00:12:33,030 --> 00:12:35,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York and they do an incredible job. I had 205 00:12:35,820 --> 00:12:40,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: such an amazing experience running the marathon with Fred's Team. 206 00:12:40,590 --> 00:12:43,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: I was running to raise money in memory of my 207 00:12:43,470 --> 00:12:46,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: aunt who had passed away from breast cancer within a 208 00:12:46,770 --> 00:12:51,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: couple of years of that and it was an incredible experience, 209 00:12:51,690 --> 00:12:57,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: the training, the coaching, the friends I met and many 210 00:12:57,120 --> 00:12:59,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: of whom, more than a decade later, I'm still in 211 00:12:59,190 --> 00:13:04,709 Rob Simmelkjaer: touch with from that team, the race day experience. It 212 00:13:04,710 --> 00:13:07,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: was a totally different experience than the first time I 213 00:13:07,260 --> 00:13:09,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: ran when I got in through the drawing and I 214 00:13:09,179 --> 00:13:11,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: was like all by myself out there in Staten Island- 215 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:11,761 Christine Burke: Absolutely. 216 00:13:11,761 --> 00:13:14,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: .... waiting for the race to start. It's just so 217 00:13:14,429 --> 00:13:18,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: much more fun. And then, the second example for me 218 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:21,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: was the Team for Kids group that I see at all 219 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:24,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: of our races and here in Tokyo, it was an 220 00:13:24,510 --> 00:13:27,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible group and for those who don't know, of course, 221 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:29,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: Team for Kids is New York Road Runner's own charity 222 00:13:29,550 --> 00:13:33,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: program that raises money for our youth and community programs. 223 00:13:33,450 --> 00:13:36,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: And we had a great breakfast the day before the 224 00:13:36,150 --> 00:13:41,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon and everybody knows each other and they're all donating 225 00:13:41,130 --> 00:13:45,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: to each other's fund to raise money for the race 226 00:13:45,090 --> 00:13:48,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: and a lot of them go back multiple marathons. It's 227 00:13:48,390 --> 00:13:51,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: like a family. So it was so much fun for me to be 228 00:13:51,929 --> 00:13:53,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: running as a part of that team as well. So 229 00:13:53,670 --> 00:13:55,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's just a really different experience. 230 00:13:55,470 --> 00:14:00,240 Christine Burke: Yeah, for sure. You speak about Fred's Team and Memorial 231 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:04,440 Christine Burke: Sloan Kettering, so the race, the TCS New York City Marathon 232 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:09,840 Christine Burke: at mile 17 runs past Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and 233 00:14:09,929 --> 00:14:15,300 Christine Burke: the hospital actually brings down patients and nurses and doctors 234 00:14:15,300 --> 00:14:17,700 Christine Burke: to be right there on the sidelines on Marathon Sunday 235 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:21,120 Christine Burke: cheering the runners along and thanking the Fred's Team runners 236 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:25,770 Christine Burke: for the work they do and the funds that they've raised to 237 00:14:25,770 --> 00:14:31,230 Christine Burke: support finding cures for their cancers. So it is really 238 00:14:31,590 --> 00:14:34,410 Christine Burke: a powerful moment on our racecourse. 239 00:14:35,910 --> 00:14:39,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: And we love to highlight so many of the stories 240 00:14:39,870 --> 00:14:42,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: that we will be talking about leading up to the 241 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:45,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon this year of people who are running for these causes 242 00:14:45,510 --> 00:14:48,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: and the inspiration that they had to do that. So 243 00:14:49,140 --> 00:14:52,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's great. So Christine, we talked about Team for Kids, 244 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:55,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: which is our longstanding charity program here at New York Road 245 00:14:55,500 --> 00:14:59,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners, but we have one that's still fairly new. Last 246 00:14:59,340 --> 00:15:04,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: year, we launched a very new initiative to grant entry 247 00:15:04,110 --> 00:15:07,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: into the New York City Marathon called Team for Climate 248 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:10,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: and this was a really exciting initiative last year. It's 249 00:15:10,290 --> 00:15:12,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: coming back again this year. Can you talk about that? 250 00:15:13,050 --> 00:15:16,350 Christine Burke: Yeah, so I'm really excited about this. It was, as 251 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:20,520 Christine Burke: you mentioned, the inaugural year in 2024. Our team for 252 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:27,150 Christine Burke: climate had 250 runners who participated and they helped to 253 00:15:27,150 --> 00:15:33,060 Christine Burke: raise and offset the carbon footprint of the race. And 254 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:37,859 Christine Burke: similar to our charity teams, they got to know each 255 00:15:37,860 --> 00:15:43,260 Christine Burke: other, they were supported by our sustainability team here at 256 00:15:43,260 --> 00:15:46,620 Christine Burke: New York Road Runners. So there was a great community 257 00:15:46,620 --> 00:15:51,750 Christine Burke: built within that small team, but those who are running 258 00:15:51,750 --> 00:15:55,200 Christine Burke: for this Team for Climate, they're there and running because 259 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,710 Christine Burke: they feel passionate about making sure that the TCS New 260 00:15:58,710 --> 00:16:03,900 Christine Burke: York City Marathon is a sustainable race and are putting 261 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:06,210 Christine Burke: their miles to a good purpose. 262 00:16:06,630 --> 00:16:09,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: So if you're interested in being a part of Team 263 00:16:09,030 --> 00:16:14,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: for Climate, definitely get on the ball. They sold out 264 00:16:14,010 --> 00:16:17,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: very quickly last year and applications for Team for Climate 265 00:16:17,850 --> 00:16:20,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: this year are going to open up in April. So 266 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:22,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: keep an eye on that because we want to make 267 00:16:22,710 --> 00:16:25,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: sure that we get a great group running again for us 268 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:28,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: this year, but they went very quickly. So make sure 269 00:16:28,590 --> 00:16:31,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're ready to go when the team for climate spots 270 00:16:31,590 --> 00:16:37,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: open up. All right, well Christine, it's a very big week 271 00:16:37,140 --> 00:16:40,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: for us when we open these charity applications. I guess 272 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:44,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: the other question I'll ask you is just what to 273 00:16:44,250 --> 00:16:46,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: say to all the folks out there who didn't get 274 00:16:46,860 --> 00:16:51,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: into the drawing. And this is a question, as you 275 00:16:51,180 --> 00:16:54,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: can imagine, I know you get on a very regular 276 00:16:54,390 --> 00:16:58,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: basis, it's really hard to get in. We're seeing these 277 00:16:58,350 --> 00:17:02,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: numbers of applications go up and up and up and 278 00:17:03,420 --> 00:17:05,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: yes, there's the nine plus one program for those in 279 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:08,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: the New York area, which is a terrific guaranteed entry 280 00:17:08,550 --> 00:17:11,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: program. There's the charity program we talked about, there are 281 00:17:11,580 --> 00:17:14,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: other ways to get in, but it's hard. It's really 282 00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:18,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: hard to get in. And so what I try to tell people is, " 283 00:17:18,990 --> 00:17:21,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey, there are ways to run this race. You have 284 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:24,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: to really be focused and organized. And if you are 285 00:17:24,570 --> 00:17:26,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the New York area, nine plus one is a 286 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:29,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: great option." So I want to keep giving people hope 287 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:31,919 Rob Simmelkjaer: they can get into the race because I know it's 288 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:35,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: frustrating when you don't get in that fourth, fifth, sixth 289 00:17:35,190 --> 00:17:36,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: year in a row through the drawing. 290 00:17:36,690 --> 00:17:39,869 Christine Burke: It's so frustrating. The acceptance rate of being less than 291 00:17:39,869 --> 00:17:43,320 Christine Burke: 3% yesterday is really hard. We broke a lot of 292 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:47,010 Christine Burke: hearts and at the same time, we made the day and 293 00:17:47,010 --> 00:17:50,669 Christine Burke: the year of a few thousand people. And so we're 294 00:17:50,670 --> 00:17:53,760 Christine Burke: really excited about that. But you're right, Rob, there are 295 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:56,550 Christine Burke: ways to run this race if you're not able to 296 00:17:56,550 --> 00:17:58,290 Christine Burke: be in New York and run our nine plus one 297 00:17:58,290 --> 00:18:04,290 Christine Burke: program, charity is a really good path to do that. And 298 00:18:04,290 --> 00:18:08,580 Christine Burke: so I'd strongly encourage anyone to explore that path if 299 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:11,369 Christine Burke: they've never done it, talk to some friends and family, 300 00:18:11,369 --> 00:18:13,470 Christine Burke: who maybe have in the past, to learn more about 301 00:18:13,470 --> 00:18:16,590 Christine Burke: it. But I think that is a great path forward 302 00:18:16,590 --> 00:18:20,430 Christine Burke: if you were one of the thousands of people who didn't receive 303 00:18:20,430 --> 00:18:21,840 Christine Burke: great news from us yesterday. 304 00:18:22,710 --> 00:18:25,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, and one other tip that I can give is 305 00:18:25,890 --> 00:18:30,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: that if you are a New York Road Runners' member, right 306 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: now, as of the date of the drawing, you would've 307 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: gotten a second chance as well because last year we 308 00:18:36,450 --> 00:18:40,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: instituted a New York Road Runners' member Second Chance drawing, 309 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:44,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: which significantly improved the odds of Road Runners' members to 310 00:18:44,970 --> 00:18:47,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: get in because you got a second bite at the 311 00:18:47,190 --> 00:18:51,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: apple. We put thousands of entries into that Second Chance 312 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:54,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: drawing. So I had so much fun last year calling 313 00:18:54,660 --> 00:18:57,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: people, telling them they got into the Second Chance drawing. 314 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:59,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: I can't do it because of the time difference this year, 315 00:18:59,670 --> 00:19:01,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: but if you didn't get in this year and you're 316 00:19:01,290 --> 00:19:04,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: not a member, I really encourage you to become a 317 00:19:04,500 --> 00:19:07,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: member. You have to be a member a bit in advance 318 00:19:07,650 --> 00:19:10,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the application for the marathon because it will give 319 00:19:10,050 --> 00:19:12,149 Rob Simmelkjaer: you a better chance to get in next year. So 320 00:19:12,150 --> 00:19:15,149 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's another little tip we can give. 321 00:19:15,180 --> 00:19:15,690 Christine Burke: Yes. 322 00:19:16,140 --> 00:19:18,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: Coming up in just a moment, Christine is going to turn 323 00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:21,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: the tables on me. She's going to interview me about 324 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:24,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: my Tokyo Marathon run. So stay tuned to find out 325 00:19:24,750 --> 00:19:28,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: what I learned about the distance, the course, and myself 326 00:19:28,410 --> 00:19:32,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: running this 26. 2- mile race this past Sunday in 327 00:19:32,550 --> 00:19:36,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: Japan. And our Med Minute this week is with Grace 328 00:19:36,090 --> 00:19:39,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: Bradley, a member of the Crown Heights Running Club, who 329 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: is training to run the United Airlines NYC Half and 330 00:19:42,810 --> 00:19:45,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: then later on in today's Med Minute, Nev is going 331 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:47,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: to give us his best advice for how to train 332 00:19:47,220 --> 00:19:50,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: for the United Airlines NYC Half, the one to run 333 00:19:51,300 --> 00:19:54,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: only two weeks until race day. Stay tuned for that. 334 00:19:54,990 --> 00:19:57,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: Ready to hit your stride. Whether you're training for your 335 00:19:57,660 --> 00:20:00,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: next race or just lacing up for a run, no 336 00:20:00,540 --> 00:20:03,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: matter your level, the Peloton app has everything you need 337 00:20:03,540 --> 00:20:06,869 Rob Simmelkjaer: to keep you moving. Track your progress with real- time 338 00:20:06,869 --> 00:20:10,709 Rob Simmelkjaer: metrics and celebrate those streaks and personal bests along the 339 00:20:10,710 --> 00:20:14,189 Rob Simmelkjaer: way. With thousands of classes to choose from or the 340 00:20:14,190 --> 00:20:18,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: option to just run or just walk, Peloton makes it 341 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:24,899 Rob Simmelkjaer: easy to fit fitness into your routine. Learn more at onepeloton. com/ race- 342 00:20:26,430 --> 00:20:30,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: trainingPeloton, the official digital fitness partner of New York Road Runners. 343 00:20:30,869 --> 00:20:34,020 Christine Burke: So Rob, before you headed to Tokyo, you got a 344 00:20:34,020 --> 00:20:38,550 Christine Burke: lot of great advice on Set the Pace from Becs who 345 00:20:38,550 --> 00:20:42,510 Christine Burke: earned her Six Star medal last year in Tokyo. So 346 00:20:42,510 --> 00:20:45,510 Christine Burke: I thought it would be fun to turn the tables 347 00:20:45,510 --> 00:20:49,470 Christine Burke: here and to run through some of Becs' advice and 348 00:20:49,470 --> 00:20:52,859 Christine Burke: have you share with us what now as the Tokyo 349 00:20:52,859 --> 00:20:56,369 Christine Burke: expert you found to be good advice, what you followed, 350 00:20:56,369 --> 00:20:59,910 Christine Burke: what you'd recommend, so that when folks listen to this, 351 00:20:59,970 --> 00:21:04,050 Christine Burke: if they're hoping to run Tokyo in 2026, they can 352 00:21:04,380 --> 00:21:07,439 Christine Burke: take your advice, take Becs' advice, and it's all fresh 353 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:10,050 Christine Burke: in your mind. So that sound good? 354 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:13,441 Rob Simmelkjaer: It sounds great. It is definitely still fresh. Let's do it. 355 00:21:13,441 --> 00:21:17,400 Christine Burke: All right. So as I recall, one of the first things 356 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:20,820 Christine Burke: that Becs recommended was doing a shakeout run at the 357 00:21:20,820 --> 00:21:23,369 Christine Burke: palace in Tokyo. Did you do that? 358 00:21:24,750 --> 00:21:28,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: So I got into Tokyo a little late the day 359 00:21:28,230 --> 00:21:30,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: of my arrival, and it was just too late to 360 00:21:30,030 --> 00:21:32,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: run and I really wanted to run. I had Becs in 361 00:21:32,430 --> 00:21:35,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: my mind to get that run in late. I was 362 00:21:35,670 --> 00:21:37,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: starving. We went out and got some food and then 363 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:40,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: I just passed out. The next day, I did get 364 00:21:40,830 --> 00:21:43,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: up and had a nice little three- or- so- mile 365 00:21:44,130 --> 00:21:48,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: shakeout run. We didn't get to the palace that day. 366 00:21:48,510 --> 00:21:50,909 Rob Simmelkjaer: I did end up getting to the palace later in 367 00:21:50,910 --> 00:21:54,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: my trip, but there was a park in the Shinjuku 368 00:21:54,810 --> 00:21:57,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: area of Tokyo, which is where we were staying very close 369 00:21:57,990 --> 00:22:02,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: to the starting line. And I got a nice run 370 00:22:02,010 --> 00:22:04,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: in that day. Actually, I ended up going, I should 371 00:22:04,770 --> 00:22:07,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: take that back, I ended up going about six miles that day, which is probably, 372 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:11,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: that was Friday, it was probably a little more than 373 00:22:11,550 --> 00:22:15,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: I was supposed to run, but it was so cool. 374 00:22:15,450 --> 00:22:18,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: The air felt great and I had those legs that 375 00:22:18,180 --> 00:22:22,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: were dying to move after the fourteen- hour flight, plus 376 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:25,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: the hours of driving to and from airports. My legs 377 00:22:25,230 --> 00:22:27,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: were just dying to move, so I couldn't quite stop 378 00:22:27,900 --> 00:22:32,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: myself from running, but it felt great. And then Saturday, 379 00:22:33,150 --> 00:22:36,629 Rob Simmelkjaer: they also had a 5K, like a Fun Run, the 380 00:22:36,630 --> 00:22:38,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tokyo arranged. It's kind of like their version- 381 00:22:38,460 --> 00:22:38,520 Christine Burke: They call it the Friendship Run, right? 382 00:22:39,900 --> 00:22:43,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's called the Friendship Run, exactly. And it's definitely like 383 00:22:43,230 --> 00:22:48,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: a casual event. It's not a timed race. You get a 384 00:22:48,210 --> 00:22:50,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: bib and everything, but people show up, there's a little 385 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:56,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: opening ceremony, and then you run a fun loop in 386 00:22:56,130 --> 00:22:59,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: a part of Tokyo where you see the really tall 387 00:22:59,940 --> 00:23:03,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: tower that's out there. It was fun to just go 388 00:23:03,450 --> 00:23:06,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: out and run. That one, Nnenna and I took that 389 00:23:06,750 --> 00:23:08,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: very easily. Nnenna and I, by the way, did everything 390 00:23:08,609 --> 00:23:11,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: together. We did our shakeout runs together, we did the 391 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:15,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: Friendship Run together. We actually did a great job sticking 392 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:18,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: together for everything. So yeah, I think I followed some 393 00:23:18,930 --> 00:23:21,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Becs' advice on that, but I did also do my 394 00:23:21,510 --> 00:23:24,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: own thing a little bit because I just was doing 395 00:23:24,180 --> 00:23:28,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: whatever I could to stay energized and awake given the 396 00:23:28,500 --> 00:23:29,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: time difference. 397 00:23:29,550 --> 00:23:33,540 Christine Burke: Right, yeah, that jet lag is a real thing. Did 398 00:23:33,540 --> 00:23:38,250 Christine Burke: you get to go to an onsen before the race? 399 00:23:38,250 --> 00:23:43,290 Christine Burke: So one of those typical Japanese hot springs and baths, 400 00:23:43,290 --> 00:23:47,250 Christine Burke: did you get the opportunity to experience that before the 401 00:23:47,250 --> 00:23:49,050 Christine Burke: race or I guess even after the race? 402 00:23:50,130 --> 00:23:52,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: I did not before the race, but I have done 403 00:23:52,410 --> 00:23:55,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: it since the race, and it's amazing. In fact, I 404 00:23:55,260 --> 00:23:59,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: took a train, so I stayed in Tokyo Monday and 405 00:23:59,190 --> 00:24:02,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tuesday and Monday, the weather, by the way, was crazy.iit was 406 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:06,629 Rob Simmelkjaer: 68 degrees on race day, beautiful day for spectators, a 407 00:24:06,630 --> 00:24:10,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: little warm for the runners. And Christine, the next day 408 00:24:10,140 --> 00:24:12,869 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Tokyo, when of course I'm trying to cover and 409 00:24:13,020 --> 00:24:15,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: maybe tour around a little bit, I think the high 410 00:24:15,390 --> 00:24:20,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: was like 35 degrees Fahrenheit and it snowed. It snowed 411 00:24:20,430 --> 00:24:24,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Tokyo. One of my cab drivers was using the 412 00:24:24,510 --> 00:24:29,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: Google Translate app to ask me, " This is crazy, it's 413 00:24:29,790 --> 00:24:32,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: snowing in Tokyo." He's like, " I've never seen snow before." 414 00:24:32,910 --> 00:24:34,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: I guess he'd seen it, but it was like really 415 00:24:34,770 --> 00:24:39,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: rare. So I ended up having an easy day Monday, 416 00:24:39,780 --> 00:24:41,879 Rob Simmelkjaer: toured around a bunch on Tuesday, saw a lot of 417 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:44,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tokyo Tuesday, and saw one of those public baths, but 418 00:24:44,790 --> 00:24:46,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: didn't have a chance to use one. And then I 419 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:50,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: came down to Kyoto on the evening of Tuesday, and 420 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:54,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: then that night I did have a chance. The hotel 421 00:24:54,119 --> 00:24:56,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm staying in here in Kyoto has their own, what 422 00:24:56,970 --> 00:24:59,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: they call, public bath. And I had never done something like 423 00:24:59,340 --> 00:25:05,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: this before. Kyoto is known for having these amazing waters, natural 424 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:08,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: waters underneath the city. And so I went to one 425 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:10,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: last night at 10:00 PM, just getting ready for bed 426 00:25:10,770 --> 00:25:13,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: and just checked it out and it was so relaxing. 427 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: And I have to say my legs feel so much better 428 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:20,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: from having had that experience. It really is such a Japanese 429 00:25:20,130 --> 00:25:23,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: thing and it's a tradition. I'd never done anything like 430 00:25:23,310 --> 00:25:26,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: that before. There's a men's bath and a women's bath 431 00:25:26,580 --> 00:25:30,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: and you just have this incredibly calming experience. So I 432 00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:33,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: really recommend anybody who comes over, if you can't get 433 00:25:33,210 --> 00:25:36,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: it in before, I think it's a great recovery tool after 434 00:25:36,300 --> 00:25:36,391 Rob Simmelkjaer: the race as well. 435 00:25:36,391 --> 00:25:39,150 Christine Burke: Yeah, do it both before and after. 436 00:25:39,810 --> 00:25:40,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. 437 00:25:42,119 --> 00:25:46,530 Christine Burke: So the last recommendation or the comment that Becs made was 438 00:25:46,740 --> 00:25:50,550 Christine Burke: she described that the last six miles of the Tokyo 439 00:25:50,609 --> 00:25:55,230 Christine Burke: course with the undulating hills will feel like Mount Kilimanjaro. 440 00:25:55,950 --> 00:25:56,730 Christine Burke: How did they feel? 441 00:25:58,500 --> 00:26:04,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs was 100% right. It was really a difficult last six miles. 442 00:26:04,619 --> 00:26:08,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: Now, I felt good and I think Nnenna and I, 443 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:10,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm very proud of the race that we ran. We 444 00:26:10,770 --> 00:26:15,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: went out very conservatively and we actually managed a negative 445 00:26:15,930 --> 00:26:19,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: split in this race by about three minutes. And I 446 00:26:19,859 --> 00:26:22,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: think that was in large part because of how conservatively 447 00:26:22,260 --> 00:26:27,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: we went out. It's very easy to fly and die 448 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:29,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: as they say in this race because it starts kind 449 00:26:29,790 --> 00:26:32,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: of downhill and a lot of people went out very 450 00:26:32,190 --> 00:26:34,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: fast. A lot of our friends that you and I 451 00:26:34,050 --> 00:26:37,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: know in common, board members and other runners went out super- 452 00:26:37,500 --> 00:26:41,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: fast, and then it does get harder. It's not super- 453 00:26:41,940 --> 00:26:46,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: hilly, but the out and backs definitely start to wear 454 00:26:46,140 --> 00:26:48,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: on you. I'd say the first one or two are 455 00:26:48,180 --> 00:26:52,409 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun, Christine, because we saw the leaders. The first time 456 00:26:52,410 --> 00:26:56,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: they came back, we got to see the elites go by. 457 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:56,550 Christine Burke: That's so fun. 458 00:26:56,550 --> 00:26:59,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: And that was really cool. Yeah, it was so fun 459 00:26:59,070 --> 00:27:01,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: to see them. And then we also saw friends and 460 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:04,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: friends saw us and there's so many shout- outs of like, " 461 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:08,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey, go Rob, go Team for Kids." So that part 462 00:27:08,190 --> 00:27:11,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the out and backs was awesome. But by the 463 00:27:11,010 --> 00:27:16,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: time you get to 20, 21, 22, now you're seeing the 42- 464 00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:21,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: kilometer mark go by on the other side and you 465 00:27:21,840 --> 00:27:25,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: can't even see where you have to turn around to 466 00:27:25,290 --> 00:27:27,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: get back to that thing. And so it starts to 467 00:27:27,810 --> 00:27:31,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: play with your mind a little bit and really does 468 00:27:31,320 --> 00:27:34,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: get to you. And I have to say, those last, those last four 469 00:27:34,950 --> 00:27:39,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: miles, it felt like another marathon. It really felt like 470 00:27:39,060 --> 00:27:42,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: we were never going to see the end of it. 471 00:27:42,450 --> 00:27:47,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: So it was definitely a mental challenge and Christine, my 472 00:27:47,580 --> 00:27:50,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: one piece of advice for people coming from New York 473 00:27:50,310 --> 00:27:52,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: to go get a star, whether it's their third, fourth, 474 00:27:52,590 --> 00:27:54,869 Rob Simmelkjaer: fifth or sixth star, if that's what they're going to 475 00:27:54,869 --> 00:27:58,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: do, just go with the mindset of having fun in 476 00:27:58,740 --> 00:28:01,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: this race. Do not go over there with the mindset 477 00:28:01,320 --> 00:28:03,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: of setting a PR. Even though it's a fairly flat 478 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:07,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: course between the jet lag, the travel time, the out 479 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:11,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: and back course, the unfamiliar everything that you're surrounded by, 480 00:28:11,520 --> 00:28:14,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's just, I don't think it's the race to go try to 481 00:28:14,100 --> 00:28:17,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: do that in. So I took the mentality of having 482 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:20,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun and I'm really glad I did because Nnenna and 483 00:28:20,010 --> 00:28:22,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: I did have a great time and I think it 484 00:28:22,050 --> 00:28:24,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: made it a much better experience. 485 00:28:24,180 --> 00:28:31,679 Christine Burke: Good. So you ran the Berlin Marathon six months ago. 486 00:28:32,790 --> 00:28:35,939 Christine Burke: Do you think that having run that just six months 487 00:28:35,940 --> 00:28:41,370 Christine Burke: ago helped you or was it harder because your legs 488 00:28:41,370 --> 00:28:44,250 Christine Burke: were tired, you weren't fully recovered, you weren't ready for 489 00:28:44,250 --> 00:28:45,360 Christine Burke: another marathon? 490 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:50,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: I was thinking about that a fair amount actually before, 491 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:54,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: during and after the race. And this is the first 492 00:28:54,870 --> 00:28:57,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: time I was joking with people that I've ever run 493 00:28:57,240 --> 00:29:01,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: two marathons separated by less than a decade. I am 494 00:29:01,470 --> 00:29:04,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: not someone who goes and runs lots of marathons back- to- 495 00:29:04,830 --> 00:29:09,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: back. I think generally it helped me because I couldn't 496 00:29:09,930 --> 00:29:13,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: have run a marathon even in the time I did 497 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: with the training block that I had 'cause I did 498 00:29:16,950 --> 00:29:21,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: not have a particularly strong training block leading into Tokyo. 499 00:29:21,060 --> 00:29:23,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: I ran three days a week, like five miles on 500 00:29:23,910 --> 00:29:26,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tuesday, five miles on Thursday, and then a long run 501 00:29:26,820 --> 00:29:32,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: Saturday and just between the holidays, work, the weather, the 502 00:29:32,610 --> 00:29:36,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: lack of light, the lack of daylight around New York 503 00:29:36,840 --> 00:29:37,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: and Connecticut- 504 00:29:37,230 --> 00:29:38,970 Christine Burke: The hard time to train for a marathon in New York. 505 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:42,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: And my, I'm not going to use too strong a 506 00:29:42,450 --> 00:29:45,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: word, but let's just say my evolving relationship with treadmills, 507 00:29:46,050 --> 00:29:48,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was just not easy for me to get in 508 00:29:48,930 --> 00:29:51,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of running. So I think that the fitness 509 00:29:51,810 --> 00:29:54,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: level that I had still left over from Berlin did 510 00:29:55,230 --> 00:29:59,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: allow me to get through a marathon in pretty decent 511 00:29:59,670 --> 00:30:01,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: form. I think the thing I did that was the 512 00:30:01,260 --> 00:30:04,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: biggest difference for me this time, Christine, was my long 513 00:30:04,140 --> 00:30:08,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: runs. I ran 22 as my longest run before Tokyo. 514 00:30:08,580 --> 00:30:10,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: I had never run that long as a long run 515 00:30:10,740 --> 00:30:13,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: before. I'd always done like 19 or maybe 20, and 516 00:30:13,650 --> 00:30:16,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: I did feel much better with my legs the last 517 00:30:16,890 --> 00:30:19,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: couple of miles in Tokyo than I did in Berlin 518 00:30:19,590 --> 00:30:21,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: where I had to stop a couple times and stretch 519 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:25,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: my hamstrings. I had no stoppages, no major issues on 520 00:30:25,500 --> 00:30:27,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: the course. It was a pretty clean race for me. 521 00:30:28,260 --> 00:30:31,229 Christine Burke: Yeah, it was fun to watch you and Nnenna. I 522 00:30:31,230 --> 00:30:34,170 Christine Burke: was tracking you on the app and your splits were 523 00:30:34,170 --> 00:30:38,580 Christine Burke: really good, they were really solid. And so there was 524 00:30:38,580 --> 00:30:41,220 Christine Burke: some smart running happening in Tokyo, you could tell. 525 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:44,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: I appreciate that, and I did it without Roberto, by 526 00:30:44,790 --> 00:30:49,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: the way. Roberto, of course, was my pacer and my 527 00:30:49,500 --> 00:30:52,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: metronome in Berlin, but Nnenna and I did it on our own 528 00:30:52,800 --> 00:30:54,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: and yeah, we felt really good about it. Thank you. 529 00:30:55,350 --> 00:31:00,780 Christine Burke: Let's not understate Nnenna's professional running experience. You were running 530 00:31:00,780 --> 00:31:03,210 Christine Burke: with a professional runner, former professional. 531 00:31:04,020 --> 00:31:06,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: This is true. This is 100% true. Absolutely. 532 00:31:08,130 --> 00:31:13,200 Christine Burke: So one of our occupational hazards is anytime we go 533 00:31:13,200 --> 00:31:16,980 Christine Burke: to another race, we see things that we like or 534 00:31:16,980 --> 00:31:19,740 Christine Burke: we don't like or we want to bring back to 535 00:31:19,740 --> 00:31:24,750 Christine Burke: our races. Was there anything that you saw in Tokyo 536 00:31:24,810 --> 00:31:27,870 Christine Burke: that you thought, " Yes, I want to do that in 537 00:31:27,870 --> 00:31:28,530 Christine Burke: New York?" 538 00:31:29,910 --> 00:31:37,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, that's a really good question. I think that what 539 00:31:37,020 --> 00:31:43,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: makes Tokyo special, what makes this marathon special is Tokyo. 540 00:31:43,530 --> 00:31:47,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: I just think it's the culture of Japan and the culture 541 00:31:47,280 --> 00:31:50,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Tokyo that makes it so unique. And I think 542 00:31:50,880 --> 00:31:54,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's what I really, we can't do that in New 543 00:31:54,930 --> 00:31:58,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: York. I think that we can only be New York 544 00:31:58,260 --> 00:32:00,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: in New York, and so I think they're just so 545 00:32:01,260 --> 00:32:04,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: different. I think the one thing that I saw was 546 00:32:04,950 --> 00:32:08,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: they had some little unique delicacies out there on the 547 00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:12,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: course, things that people could stop and nibble on that 548 00:32:12,330 --> 00:32:13,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: I will admit I did not partake in- 549 00:32:13,980 --> 00:32:14,002 Christine Burke: Race (inaudible) . 550 00:32:14,340 --> 00:32:18,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: I stuck to the water. Yeah, the whole nothing new 551 00:32:18,030 --> 00:32:21,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: on race day thing, but I know there were baked 552 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:26,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: goods and there were little different things you could eat 553 00:32:26,460 --> 00:32:29,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: along the way. And I think for people who are out there 554 00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:32,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: for longer times, more back- of- the- pack runners who 555 00:32:32,850 --> 00:32:36,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: were out there for five, six, seven hours, having some 556 00:32:37,500 --> 00:32:39,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: sustenance out there that's not just gel- 557 00:32:39,450 --> 00:32:39,451 Christine Burke: Absolutely. 558 00:32:39,451 --> 00:32:44,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... it's actually a really good thing. And I like 559 00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:47,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: that there were some local things that you could get 560 00:32:47,760 --> 00:32:51,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: and eat along the way. So we in New York, 561 00:32:51,270 --> 00:32:54,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: Christine, obviously we have the fluids and all that, we also 562 00:32:54,990 --> 00:32:57,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: have bananas and things. Maybe we could have a little 563 00:32:57,060 --> 00:33:01,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun with some cut- up bagels, like quarter bagels maybe 564 00:33:01,290 --> 00:33:02,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: along the route- 565 00:33:02,460 --> 00:33:02,521 Christine Burke: Yeah, absolutely. 566 00:33:02,521 --> 00:33:03,241 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... or some very New Yorky- 567 00:33:03,241 --> 00:33:03,242 Christine Burke: New York City delicacy. 568 00:33:03,242 --> 00:33:03,243 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... kind of things. 569 00:33:03,243 --> 00:33:03,423 Christine Burke: Right. 570 00:33:05,640 --> 00:33:11,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: We talked about like apple cider donut holes. Listen, those 571 00:33:11,280 --> 00:33:14,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: things can get a little bit dodgy and they're sitting 572 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:16,771 Rob Simmelkjaer: past, and thousands of runners are passing them- 573 00:33:16,771 --> 00:33:17,731 Christine Burke: Right, but carbs are carbs. 574 00:33:17,731 --> 00:33:20,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: But carbs are carbs, so I think that's something that we could have 575 00:33:20,130 --> 00:33:22,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun with. I think Japan, the food is such a 576 00:33:22,890 --> 00:33:25,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: big part of the experience there and I would like to 577 00:33:25,590 --> 00:33:29,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: make food, we've talked about this, more a part of 578 00:33:29,760 --> 00:33:32,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: the experience of running the TCS New York City Marathon 579 00:33:32,880 --> 00:33:36,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: because New York is obviously a food capital. And I'd 580 00:33:36,510 --> 00:33:41,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: love to see us integrate food into more ways in 581 00:33:41,580 --> 00:33:41,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: our event. 582 00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:46,740 Christine Burke: Yeah, you haven't lived and run a marathon until you've 583 00:33:46,740 --> 00:33:51,361 Christine Burke: eaten a Haribo gummy bear at 20 miles. They taste pretty amazing. 584 00:33:51,361 --> 00:33:51,601 Rob Simmelkjaer: Exactly. Yeah, yeah. I didn't do that. 585 00:33:56,940 --> 00:34:01,950 Christine Burke: All right, so now you have completed New York, Berlin, 586 00:34:02,160 --> 00:34:06,720 Christine Burke: Tokyo. You are three away from your Six Star medal 587 00:34:06,720 --> 00:34:11,010 Christine Burke: and four away from completing all Abbott World Marathon Majors 588 00:34:11,070 --> 00:34:13,350 Christine Burke: races. Which is next? 589 00:34:14,100 --> 00:34:17,671 Rob Simmelkjaer: Who told you to ask me that question? It's too soon. 590 00:34:17,671 --> 00:34:17,672 Christine Burke: It's the obvious next question. 591 00:34:17,672 --> 00:34:23,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... Just too soon. It's too soon for me to 592 00:34:23,610 --> 00:34:30,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: say about that. We all go through this cycle. If 593 00:34:30,690 --> 00:34:35,968 Rob Simmelkjaer: you'd asked me that day after the race, I would've said, " 594 00:34:35,969 --> 00:34:39,361 Rob Simmelkjaer: I just don't need to run a marathon again anytime soon." 595 00:34:39,361 --> 00:34:39,362 Christine Burke: Stopping at three. 596 00:34:39,361 --> 00:34:45,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: They're just really, really long. It's just such a long, 597 00:34:45,690 --> 00:34:48,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: everybody out there who runs marathons, obviously this is our 598 00:34:48,600 --> 00:34:53,009 Rob Simmelkjaer: world, let's never discount what an accomplishment it is to 599 00:34:53,010 --> 00:34:56,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: ever run a marathon. It is a really hard thing 600 00:34:56,040 --> 00:35:02,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: to do and I just can't really say, I tried 601 00:35:02,610 --> 00:35:05,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: to run Chicago, as you know, a couple of years ago 602 00:35:05,280 --> 00:35:09,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: and got hurt. I don't know how my body is 603 00:35:09,660 --> 00:35:12,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: kind of hanging together the way it has hung together 604 00:35:12,930 --> 00:35:16,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: for these last couple of marathons. It seems like my 605 00:35:16,080 --> 00:35:19,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: knee is strangely getting better over time, even though that's 606 00:35:19,530 --> 00:35:21,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: not supposed to be happening, like what's wrong with my 607 00:35:21,420 --> 00:35:24,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: knee should not be getting better, but it seems like 608 00:35:24,060 --> 00:35:25,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's hanging in there. I didn't have any knee pain 609 00:35:25,770 --> 00:35:28,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: at all during this race. I haven't had pain since 610 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:30,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: the race. It's crazy. It must be the baths, must 611 00:35:30,870 --> 00:35:33,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: be the onsens that are helping. I don't know what's 612 00:35:33,330 --> 00:35:36,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: going on. So Chicago is the one I was thinking 613 00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:41,759 Rob Simmelkjaer: about a couple years ago. It's there, it's doable for 614 00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:45,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: me potentially. I will go to the Chicago Marathon for 615 00:35:45,090 --> 00:35:48,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: sure this year. So check in with me this summer, 616 00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:50,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: Christine. We'll see how it feels. I'm going to take 617 00:35:50,100 --> 00:35:52,379 Rob Simmelkjaer: a break from running now. I saw a sign. 618 00:35:52,380 --> 00:35:52,620 Christine Burke: Smart. 619 00:35:53,489 --> 00:35:55,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, I saw a sign in Tokyo as I was 620 00:35:55,680 --> 00:35:59,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: touring one of the shrines, one of the Shinto shrines 621 00:35:59,969 --> 00:36:03,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: yesterday that said, " No running." They didn't want people running around, 622 00:36:03,090 --> 00:36:05,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: kids or whatever. And I saw the sign and I took 623 00:36:05,100 --> 00:36:07,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: a picture of it and I was like, " Yeah, that works for me, 624 00:36:07,680 --> 00:36:09,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: no running." If I could not run for a while 625 00:36:09,989 --> 00:36:12,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: and I'll be fine. So I'm going to play some tennis and 626 00:36:12,690 --> 00:36:14,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: kind of catch up with some of other things and then 627 00:36:14,310 --> 00:36:15,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: this summer I'll see how I'm feeling. 628 00:36:16,050 --> 00:36:19,200 Christine Burke: Well, as you know, we have all kinds of distances at 629 00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:19,651 Christine Burke: New York Road Runners. 630 00:36:19,651 --> 00:36:20,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: And I love them. 631 00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:22,980 Christine Burke: So you can drop way down to the New Balance 632 00:36:22,980 --> 00:36:27,180 Christine Burke: Fifth Avenue Mile the first weekend of September and be 633 00:36:27,180 --> 00:36:29,759 Christine Burke: done in just a few minutes. 634 00:36:31,650 --> 00:36:34,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: Do you know... My favorite distance of the one, and we have 635 00:36:34,530 --> 00:36:37,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of distances, the four- mile distance is not 636 00:36:37,469 --> 00:36:39,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: a distance you see a lot and we have a 637 00:36:39,660 --> 00:36:41,819 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of four- mile races because of the way the 638 00:36:41,820 --> 00:36:45,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: Central Park is laid out. And I love four miles. 639 00:36:45,600 --> 00:36:50,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's such a great distance. My best pace in my 640 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:54,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners' account every year is a four- mile race. 641 00:36:54,390 --> 00:36:57,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: The Runners won actually two years in a row that 642 00:36:57,210 --> 00:37:00,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: event, it has been my best pace. There's something about 643 00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:02,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: that distance that just works for me. So I'm going 644 00:37:02,520 --> 00:37:04,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: to go out and enjoy some four- mile runs. 645 00:37:04,590 --> 00:37:06,989 Christine Burke: Very smart. And the last mile of that course is 646 00:37:06,989 --> 00:37:09,840 Christine Burke: a nice downhill, so that doesn't hurt either. 647 00:37:10,830 --> 00:37:12,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's so good. It feels good to be running so fast. 648 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:15,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: You can feel the air kind of going through your 649 00:37:16,050 --> 00:37:17,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: hair. I don't have that much hair to go through, 650 00:37:17,550 --> 00:37:19,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: but you know what I mean. It just feels good to run 651 00:37:19,710 --> 00:37:21,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: fast. So I think I'll go out and run fast a little bit. 652 00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:24,420 Christine Burke: Well, Rob, it's been so fun turning the tables on 653 00:37:24,420 --> 00:37:27,779 Christine Burke: you, the professional interviewer being interviewed by somebody who is 654 00:37:27,780 --> 00:37:30,810 Christine Burke: not a professional interviewer. But thank you for giving us 655 00:37:30,810 --> 00:37:33,960 Christine Burke: a recap, while it's fresh in your mind, of your 656 00:37:33,960 --> 00:37:37,500 Christine Burke: experience in Tokyo. And I think you've provided some great 657 00:37:37,500 --> 00:37:41,339 Christine Burke: tips to anyone who's thinking about running that race in 2026. 658 00:37:41,520 --> 00:37:45,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right. Thank you, Christine. Thanks for filling in, you did a great job. 659 00:37:45,360 --> 00:37:45,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: Appreciate it. 660 00:37:46,140 --> 00:37:46,560 Christine Burke: Happy to. 661 00:38:00,630 --> 00:38:03,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a 662 00:38:03,690 --> 00:38:07,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the 663 00:38:07,080 --> 00:38:11,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: transformative power of running. The support of members and donors 664 00:38:11,160 --> 00:38:14,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the 665 00:38:14,370 --> 00:38:18,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: health and wellbeing of our communities through inclusive and accessible 666 00:38:18,239 --> 00:38:22,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn more 667 00:38:22,860 --> 00:38:28,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. One of the thousands 668 00:38:28,170 --> 00:38:31,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: of runners currently prepping for the United Airlines NYC Half is 669 00:38:31,500 --> 00:38:35,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners' member Grace Bradley. Grace has three 670 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:38,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: main passions, her job as associate director of admissions at 671 00:38:38,610 --> 00:38:43,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: Barnard College, dishing up sharp, insightful takes on food culture 672 00:38:43,050 --> 00:38:47,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: in her Substack, Dining Dates, and of course, running. Grace 673 00:38:47,460 --> 00:38:50,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: found running during the pandemic trading in her background as 674 00:38:50,130 --> 00:38:54,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: a dancer for a more forgiving community- driven relationship with 675 00:38:54,180 --> 00:38:58,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: movement. She ran her first half- marathon in 2023, expecting 676 00:38:58,680 --> 00:39:01,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: a chill race and instead finding herself swept up in 677 00:39:01,950 --> 00:39:04,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: the magic of New York City's running scene. Now, a 678 00:39:04,860 --> 00:39:08,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: proud member of Crown Heights Running Club, she runs not 679 00:39:08,969 --> 00:39:12,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: for pace, but for people. Welcome, Grace. 680 00:39:12,660 --> 00:39:15,420 Nev: Thanks, Rob. Grace, how are you doing today? 681 00:39:15,870 --> 00:39:17,220 Grace Bradley: I'm doing well, Nev. Thank you so much for having me. 682 00:39:17,219 --> 00:39:21,840 Nev: Glad to have you. Let's go back. When you were young, 683 00:39:21,840 --> 00:39:25,500 Nev: you were a dancer and as a result developed a complicated 684 00:39:25,500 --> 00:39:29,100 Nev: relationship with your body. How has running helped you to 685 00:39:29,100 --> 00:39:30,509 Nev: change that for you? 686 00:39:31,530 --> 00:39:34,589 Grace Bradley: Yeah, so growing up as a dancer, I was very 687 00:39:34,590 --> 00:39:38,009 Grace Bradley: much ingrained in that culture of your performance was very 688 00:39:38,010 --> 00:39:41,940 Grace Bradley: much dictated by how you looked and that sort of 689 00:39:41,940 --> 00:39:45,840 Grace Bradley: gave you that reward of being featured more in dance. 690 00:39:45,870 --> 00:39:49,469 Grace Bradley: And so that was very quickly ingrained in me. And 691 00:39:49,469 --> 00:39:52,080 Grace Bradley: so I grew up dancing professionally. I went to college 692 00:39:52,080 --> 00:39:56,820 Grace Bradley: for dance, but when I graduated I was just looking 693 00:39:56,820 --> 00:40:00,210 Grace Bradley: to continue to move, but in a much more forgiving 694 00:40:00,210 --> 00:40:03,600 Grace Bradley: way, but also still maintain that community. I did love 695 00:40:03,600 --> 00:40:06,779 Grace Bradley: the community of dance. I loved growing up with the same 696 00:40:06,780 --> 00:40:09,270 Grace Bradley: people in my dance classes and really getting to know 697 00:40:09,270 --> 00:40:13,230 Grace Bradley: my teachers. And when I moved to New York City 698 00:40:13,380 --> 00:40:16,500 Grace Bradley: and I was really looking for that community and I 699 00:40:16,500 --> 00:40:20,549 Grace Bradley: eventually found Crown Heights Running Club, I was blown away 700 00:40:20,550 --> 00:40:23,520 Grace Bradley: by how different it was. There were people, and still 701 00:40:23,520 --> 00:40:26,790 Grace Bradley: are people in the club, who are going on to 702 00:40:26,790 --> 00:40:30,150 Grace Bradley: get their Six Star this year in Tokyo or in 703 00:40:30,150 --> 00:40:33,719 Grace Bradley: Boston. There are people who have never run a marathon, 704 00:40:33,719 --> 00:40:37,500 Grace Bradley: will never ever run a marathon if they can avoid it. 705 00:40:38,280 --> 00:40:40,739 Grace Bradley: There are people who have lived in the area for 706 00:40:40,739 --> 00:40:43,230 Grace Bradley: decades. There are people who just moved here straight out 707 00:40:43,230 --> 00:40:47,609 Grace Bradley: of college and I was just amazed by how kind 708 00:40:47,610 --> 00:40:50,460 Grace Bradley: everyone was, not just to each other but to their 709 00:40:50,460 --> 00:40:55,109 Grace Bradley: bodies and that was huge. Being a part of this 710 00:40:55,110 --> 00:40:58,950 Grace Bradley: running culture that Crown Heights Run Club in particular has 711 00:40:58,950 --> 00:41:02,969 Grace Bradley: set is one that is really about longevity and about 712 00:41:03,060 --> 00:41:07,170 Grace Bradley: really appreciating your body and the people around you and 713 00:41:07,260 --> 00:41:09,450 Grace Bradley: really taking care of yourself so that you can take care 714 00:41:09,450 --> 00:41:12,600 Grace Bradley: of those around you as well. And that seamlessly really 715 00:41:12,600 --> 00:41:16,110 Grace Bradley: translates to the running culture that the Club in particular 716 00:41:16,110 --> 00:41:19,350 Grace Bradley: has provided me. I love that I'm now a leader 717 00:41:19,350 --> 00:41:22,080 Grace Bradley: in the club and I can really sort of embrace 718 00:41:22,080 --> 00:41:25,590 Grace Bradley: that and share that with others, but I really stuck 719 00:41:25,590 --> 00:41:28,860 Grace Bradley: to their idea of nourishing yourself and taking care of 720 00:41:28,860 --> 00:41:32,040 Grace Bradley: yourself for longevity. That is something that... I'm only 29, 721 00:41:32,040 --> 00:41:35,219 Grace Bradley: so I'm not the oldest member of the club, but 722 00:41:35,219 --> 00:41:38,160 Grace Bradley: I'm also not a spring chicken either, and that's something 723 00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:41,760 Grace Bradley: that I really hadn't thought about. And I think back 724 00:41:41,760 --> 00:41:43,739 Grace Bradley: to my younger self and wish I could tell her 725 00:41:43,739 --> 00:41:45,870 Grace Bradley: the things that I've learned in the past couple years 726 00:41:45,870 --> 00:41:47,520 Grace Bradley: of being in this run club and being a part 727 00:41:47,520 --> 00:41:50,100 Grace Bradley: of the running community here in New York. And just would 728 00:41:50,160 --> 00:41:52,590 Grace Bradley: tell her, take care of yourself and take care of 729 00:41:52,590 --> 00:41:56,790 Grace Bradley: your body because it can do so much that you 730 00:41:56,790 --> 00:41:59,129 Grace Bradley: just didn't even know it was capable of. And I really 731 00:41:59,130 --> 00:42:01,830 Grace Bradley: have my people at Crown Heights Running Club to thank 732 00:42:01,830 --> 00:42:02,250 Grace Bradley: for that. 733 00:42:02,489 --> 00:42:05,310 Nev: Well, running is keeping you young for sure, but tell 734 00:42:05,310 --> 00:42:08,069 Nev: us about a little bit, I want to go back. 735 00:42:08,070 --> 00:42:11,130 Nev: The first time you ran with them, but you also, 736 00:42:11,130 --> 00:42:12,810 Nev: you never thought you would run a marathon. Did you know 737 00:42:12,810 --> 00:42:15,089 Nev: how far a marathon was and what was your mind 738 00:42:15,090 --> 00:42:18,900 Nev: of frame and when you ran the United Airline NYC 739 00:42:18,900 --> 00:42:22,170 Nev: Half and you had a change of heart, tell us 740 00:42:22,170 --> 00:42:22,770 Nev: what happened. 741 00:42:23,700 --> 00:42:26,969 Grace Bradley: Yeah, I was saying to a friend the other day... So 742 00:42:26,969 --> 00:42:29,550 Grace Bradley: I grew up in New Jersey. I grew up right outside 743 00:42:29,550 --> 00:42:31,500 Grace Bradley: New York City and then I moved to New York 744 00:42:31,500 --> 00:42:35,790 Grace Bradley: City at the end of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. And 745 00:42:36,150 --> 00:42:40,080 Grace Bradley: I didn't watch the New York Marathon for the first 746 00:42:40,080 --> 00:42:43,500 Grace Bradley: time until 2022 when I moved here to Prospect Heights. 747 00:42:43,980 --> 00:42:47,070 Grace Bradley: And I remember going with a friend, we were on 748 00:42:47,070 --> 00:42:50,640 Grace Bradley: Fourth Ave and watching all the runners. I remember seeing 749 00:42:50,910 --> 00:42:53,880 Grace Bradley: someone, a woman who was very, very pregnant and I 750 00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:56,279 Grace Bradley: remember it was so hot that day and I was just like, " 751 00:42:56,340 --> 00:42:59,940 Grace Bradley: How are people doing this? This is insane. This is 752 00:42:59,940 --> 00:43:03,420 Grace Bradley: so crazy." But then I just heard people screaming people's 753 00:43:03,420 --> 00:43:05,640 Grace Bradley: names. I was turning to people and be like, " Do you know 754 00:43:05,640 --> 00:43:08,160 Grace Bradley: that person who you just screamed for?" They were like, " No, 755 00:43:08,160 --> 00:43:11,730 Grace Bradley: I'm just guessing that their name is John or whatever." 756 00:43:11,730 --> 00:43:13,950 Grace Bradley: And people were just so kind and I was like 757 00:43:13,950 --> 00:43:19,140 Grace Bradley: this is insane. And so I went home and immediately 758 00:43:19,350 --> 00:43:22,200 Grace Bradley: started searching. I had never run with other people before 759 00:43:22,200 --> 00:43:23,700 Grace Bradley: in my life and I was like let me just 760 00:43:23,700 --> 00:43:26,370 Grace Bradley: see what a run club looks like. I went to the New York 761 00:43:26,370 --> 00:43:30,299 Grace Bradley: Road Runners website, found Crown Heights, and I was like okay, 762 00:43:30,540 --> 00:43:32,969 Grace Bradley: they're free to join and they meet right outside my 763 00:43:32,969 --> 00:43:36,000 Grace Bradley: apartment. So if I don't like it, no harm, no 764 00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:41,790 Grace Bradley: foul. And so when I joined, I had only ever 765 00:43:41,790 --> 00:43:45,450 Grace Bradley: done two races in my life. I had done a 766 00:43:46,770 --> 00:43:50,520 Grace Bradley: 5K in my hometown of Harrington Park, and then I 767 00:43:50,520 --> 00:43:56,160 Grace Bradley: had done a 3K Santa Run in Stockholm, Sweden where 768 00:43:56,160 --> 00:43:58,170 Grace Bradley: everyone was dressed up as Santa Clauses. 769 00:43:58,650 --> 00:43:58,770 Nev: That's awesome. 770 00:43:58,770 --> 00:44:01,560 Grace Bradley: So those were the only experiences I ever had with 771 00:44:01,560 --> 00:44:06,540 Grace Bradley: races. And so I joined Crown Heights Running Club and 772 00:44:06,600 --> 00:44:09,540 Grace Bradley: was hearing from people who had run the New York 773 00:44:09,540 --> 00:44:13,080 Grace Bradley: City Marathon every single year, people who had done the 774 00:44:13,080 --> 00:44:17,070 Grace Bradley: United Half, everything in between. And I figured okay, let 775 00:44:17,070 --> 00:44:20,460 Grace Bradley: me just start small. And for some reason, my starting 776 00:44:20,460 --> 00:44:25,200 Grace Bradley: small was the half- marathon, the United Half in 2023. 777 00:44:25,200 --> 00:44:28,109 Grace Bradley: And I was like sure, we'll start with this. And 778 00:44:28,110 --> 00:44:34,530 Grace Bradley: it was just so much fun. I love that my 779 00:44:34,530 --> 00:44:38,520 Grace Bradley: entire family and my friends treated it like a marathon. 780 00:44:39,450 --> 00:44:43,620 Grace Bradley: People were planning to come in. I remember telling my family, " 781 00:44:43,890 --> 00:44:47,010 Grace Bradley: Oh, I think I'll be done in four hours." I 782 00:44:47,010 --> 00:44:49,260 Grace Bradley: had no idea how long a half- marathon would take. 783 00:44:49,530 --> 00:44:52,980 Grace Bradley: I was done long before four hours and my parents 784 00:44:52,980 --> 00:44:55,710 Grace Bradley: were still driving over the GW Bridge to get here. 785 00:44:56,640 --> 00:45:00,210 Grace Bradley: But it was just such a fun day. And I have a 786 00:45:00,210 --> 00:45:04,710 Grace Bradley: friend who she lives right off the FDR. I saw 787 00:45:04,710 --> 00:45:08,250 Grace Bradley: her coming off the highway and it was just incredible. 788 00:45:08,250 --> 00:45:11,700 Grace Bradley: And I was like okay, I guess if we could do this, 789 00:45:11,820 --> 00:45:15,360 Grace Bradley: maybe we'll amp it up a little bit. And I 790 00:45:15,360 --> 00:45:20,130 Grace Bradley: think being someone who grew up dancing and was always 791 00:45:20,130 --> 00:45:24,089 Grace Bradley: sort of in that mindset of I'm rehearsing for something 792 00:45:24,600 --> 00:45:27,030 Grace Bradley: and then I'm going to perform, I kind of found 793 00:45:27,030 --> 00:45:30,810 Grace Bradley: that parallel to running where I would run every couple 794 00:45:30,810 --> 00:45:33,660 Grace Bradley: of days with the club and I was like okay, 795 00:45:33,660 --> 00:45:37,410 Grace Bradley: these are my rehearsals, but then the next half- marathon 796 00:45:37,410 --> 00:45:40,110 Grace Bradley: will be my performance or the next 10K will be 797 00:45:40,110 --> 00:45:42,930 Grace Bradley: my performance and then eventually, the marathon will be my 798 00:45:42,930 --> 00:45:46,650 Grace Bradley: performance. And I just love having that routine and the 799 00:45:46,650 --> 00:45:51,180 Grace Bradley: people to do it with. And also just getting to 800 00:45:51,180 --> 00:45:54,060 Grace Bradley: meet so many people that I otherwise would never meet 801 00:45:54,060 --> 00:45:57,239 Grace Bradley: and seeing so many parts of the city was absolutely 802 00:45:57,239 --> 00:46:00,000 Grace Bradley: crazy to me and just such a privilege to get 803 00:46:00,000 --> 00:46:00,480 Grace Bradley: to do it. 804 00:46:00,840 --> 00:46:03,930 Nev: That's wonderful. You went big, go big or go home, 805 00:46:03,930 --> 00:46:06,989 Nev: but you run the half- marathon, you learn a lot. That's awesome. 806 00:46:06,989 --> 00:46:10,230 Nev: And then also I know you are a former dancer, you probably 807 00:46:10,230 --> 00:46:11,279 Nev: love music. 808 00:46:11,609 --> 00:46:11,790 Grace Bradley: Yes. 809 00:46:12,629 --> 00:46:16,710 Nev: How was that, to have the Crown Height Running Club 810 00:46:16,860 --> 00:46:22,350 Nev: energy and music energy. Tell us about your run playlist. 811 00:46:22,890 --> 00:46:27,870 Grace Bradley: Yeah, absolutely. So I love making my little playlist for 812 00:46:27,870 --> 00:46:30,299 Grace Bradley: each race. I kind of see them as different little 813 00:46:30,300 --> 00:46:34,620 Grace Bradley: time capsules. My Spotify Wrapped every year has been super- 814 00:46:34,620 --> 00:46:38,939 Grace Bradley: warped because of all the songs that I play just 815 00:46:38,940 --> 00:46:43,080 Grace Bradley: for running and races. I think my top 10 songs 816 00:46:43,080 --> 00:46:47,790 Grace Bradley: last year on Spotify Wrapped were either Chappell Roan or 817 00:46:48,330 --> 00:46:54,600 Grace Bradley: Skrillex, really intense running music. But no, I love that 818 00:46:54,600 --> 00:46:58,830 Grace Bradley: they sort of serve as time capsules. And there have 819 00:46:58,830 --> 00:47:02,160 Grace Bradley: been two really distinct moments I can think of where 820 00:47:02,160 --> 00:47:05,070 Grace Bradley: a song has come on at a really pivotal part and 821 00:47:05,070 --> 00:47:06,870 Grace Bradley: I just sort of put it on shuffle, like whatever 822 00:47:06,870 --> 00:47:12,660 Grace Bradley: happens, happens. And I remember for my first ever half- 823 00:47:12,660 --> 00:47:16,920 Grace Bradley: marathon for United, Don't Take The Money By The Bleachers 824 00:47:16,920 --> 00:47:19,980 Grace Bradley: came on at the very end and that's a song 825 00:47:19,980 --> 00:47:22,230 Grace Bradley: that one of my best friends from college and I share 826 00:47:22,290 --> 00:47:26,160 Grace Bradley: as our favorite song. We love that band. And she 827 00:47:26,160 --> 00:47:28,770 Grace Bradley: had just moved away. And so I came on at the 828 00:47:28,770 --> 00:47:31,530 Grace Bradley: end, I immediately texted her after I crossed the finish 829 00:47:31,530 --> 00:47:33,540 Grace Bradley: line and I was like, " This came on." She was like, " 830 00:47:33,570 --> 00:47:36,779 Grace Bradley: That's a sign." She was like, " You absolutely killed it. 831 00:47:36,989 --> 00:47:40,650 Grace Bradley: The universe knew you needed that at the end." And 832 00:47:40,650 --> 00:47:44,010 Grace Bradley: then during the New York City Marathon this year, my 833 00:47:44,010 --> 00:47:47,340 Grace Bradley: family was waiting for me right inside Central Park when 834 00:47:47,340 --> 00:47:49,560 Grace Bradley: you first come in. And I had just done the 835 00:47:49,560 --> 00:47:54,570 Grace Bradley: Fifth Ave hill, which was not my favorite part, but I had 836 00:47:54,840 --> 00:47:57,750 Grace Bradley: just come off the Fifth Ave hill and into the 837 00:47:57,750 --> 00:48:02,100 Grace Bradley: park and my dad's mom, who I was very close 838 00:48:02,100 --> 00:48:05,250 Grace Bradley: with growing up, she loved ABBA, my whole family is 839 00:48:05,250 --> 00:48:09,360 Grace Bradley: a huge ABBA fan and Dancing Queen came on just 840 00:48:09,360 --> 00:48:12,060 Grace Bradley: as I was seeing my parents coming into the park 841 00:48:12,120 --> 00:48:15,210 Grace Bradley: and I started sobbing. I was so happy to see 842 00:48:15,210 --> 00:48:18,239 Grace Bradley: them. It just felt like a sign that Dancing Queen 843 00:48:18,239 --> 00:48:21,030 Grace Bradley: came on and it was just so much fun up 844 00:48:21,030 --> 00:48:22,830 Grace Bradley: until the very end. I kind of wanted to quit 845 00:48:22,830 --> 00:48:25,169 Grace Bradley: right then, but then that song came on and I was like, " All right. 846 00:48:25,170 --> 00:48:27,870 Grace Bradley: This is the moment that I needed it, getting to 847 00:48:27,870 --> 00:48:32,400 Grace Bradley: see my family." So yeah, they're just nice little relics 848 00:48:32,400 --> 00:48:35,010 Grace Bradley: and I still have my playlist from the New York 849 00:48:35,010 --> 00:48:37,170 Grace Bradley: City Marathon that now I can listen to it and 850 00:48:37,170 --> 00:48:42,509 Grace Bradley: say, "Okay, now I remember crossing the Verrazano Bridge for the 851 00:48:42,509 --> 00:48:47,670 Grace Bradley: first time. I can remember when this song came on and I was climbing up the Queensboro Bridge 852 00:48:47,670 --> 00:48:49,320 Grace Bradley: for the first time," and all that sort of stuff. 853 00:48:49,320 --> 00:48:51,509 Grace Bradley: So I love that they're like these little time capsules 854 00:48:51,509 --> 00:48:52,709 Grace Bradley: that I get to keep for myself. 855 00:48:53,640 --> 00:48:56,160 Nev: Running music and time is everything seems like. 856 00:48:56,160 --> 00:48:56,250 Grace Bradley: Yes. 857 00:48:56,640 --> 00:49:02,009 Nev: So have you finished your playlist for the 2025 United Airlines 858 00:49:02,489 --> 00:49:03,270 Nev: NYC Half yet? 859 00:49:03,989 --> 00:49:13,229 Grace Bradley: I haven't even started, to be honest. I feel like I need to give it a week and then I always, actually, 860 00:49:13,229 --> 00:49:16,800 Grace Bradley: I feel like I need to do it maybe the three days leading 861 00:49:16,800 --> 00:49:20,550 Grace Bradley: up when things are really bubbling up and I'm like, "All right, what am 862 00:49:20,550 --> 00:49:23,370 Grace Bradley: I going to need in a couple of days?" I think 863 00:49:23,370 --> 00:49:26,760 Grace Bradley: that will be sort of my primetime to make the playlist. 864 00:49:27,450 --> 00:49:32,100 Nev: Well, sounds great. And we are so grateful that you are here and sharing your story 865 00:49:32,100 --> 00:49:35,219 Nev: and be able to just change from a dancer to running 866 00:49:35,700 --> 00:49:37,620 Nev: a marathon, which is a big, big difference. 867 00:49:38,100 --> 00:49:40,469 Grace Bradley: Thank you so much for having me, Nev. I appreciate it. 868 00:49:40,770 --> 00:49:42,570 Nev: No problem. Good luck at the NYC Half. 869 00:49:42,900 --> 00:49:43,439 Grace Bradley: Thank you. 870 00:49:43,980 --> 00:49:45,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right. Thanks for joining us, grace and for being 871 00:49:45,840 --> 00:49:48,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: a member of New York Road Runners. Now, it's time 872 00:49:48,180 --> 00:49:49,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: for today's Med Minutes. 873 00:49:50,489 --> 00:49:52,530 Nev: You are just about two weeks out from the United 874 00:49:52,530 --> 00:49:56,880 Nev: Airlines NYC Half. Your training should be winding down. This is the 875 00:49:57,060 --> 00:50:00,810 Nev: time to sharpen your fitness, not to add any more 876 00:50:00,810 --> 00:50:05,460 Nev: workouts. Focus on shorter, faster intervals at race pace and 877 00:50:05,460 --> 00:50:09,120 Nev: keep your legs quick and responsive. The key now is 878 00:50:09,120 --> 00:50:12,750 Nev: to stay fresh, both physically and mentally, as I like 879 00:50:12,750 --> 00:50:15,029 Nev: to say, the hay is in the barn. Make sure 880 00:50:15,030 --> 00:50:19,920 Nev: you are prioritizing rest, sleep, and nutrition. Avoid any long 881 00:50:19,920 --> 00:50:24,120 Nev: runs or hard workout at this point as you want 882 00:50:24,120 --> 00:50:27,330 Nev: your legs to be fully recovered and ready to perform 883 00:50:27,330 --> 00:50:30,690 Nev: on race day. If you're feeling any aches and pains, take 884 00:50:30,690 --> 00:50:33,690 Nev: the time to address them and give your body the 885 00:50:33,690 --> 00:50:37,950 Nev: recovery it needs. Even sometimes for me, within a week 886 00:50:37,950 --> 00:50:40,020 Nev: or two weeks, taking a day off is going to 887 00:50:40,020 --> 00:50:42,660 Nev: serve you a better than try to, " Hey, I was 888 00:50:42,660 --> 00:50:44,400 Nev: going to get better when it warms up." Don't do 889 00:50:44,400 --> 00:50:47,130 Nev: that mentality, just stick to the plan. If you have 890 00:50:47,130 --> 00:50:49,650 Nev: to take a day off, it's going to serve you better on race day. 891 00:50:49,650 --> 00:50:53,879 Nev: So be mentally prepared to be able to just be 892 00:50:53,880 --> 00:50:55,110 Nev: ready on race day. 893 00:50:55,739 --> 00:50:58,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right. That does it for another episode of Set 894 00:50:58,170 --> 00:51:01,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Pace. If I've sounded a little unusual in this 895 00:51:01,200 --> 00:51:03,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: episode, it's 'cause I'm sitting in a hotel room in 896 00:51:03,540 --> 00:51:06,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: Kyoto, Japan, not with my usual microphone set up, but 897 00:51:06,420 --> 00:51:09,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: hopefully it all sounded okay. I want to thank our 898 00:51:09,810 --> 00:51:13,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: guest today, our Chief Commercial Officer at New York Road 899 00:51:13,410 --> 00:51:17,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners, Christine Burke and New York Road Runners' member, Grace 900 00:51:17,070 --> 00:51:20,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: Bradley. If you liked the episode, please make sure you 901 00:51:20,130 --> 00:51:23,549 Rob Simmelkjaer: leave a five- star rating. Subscribe, so you don't miss 902 00:51:23,550 --> 00:51:27,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: an episode, and tell all your friends as well. I'll 903 00:51:27,270 --> 00:51:30,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: be back stateside for next week's episode. Can't wait to 904 00:51:30,540 --> 00:51:32,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: see everybody next week and to see you at the 905 00:51:32,610 --> 00:51:36,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: starting line of the United Airlines NYC Half. Until then, 906 00:51:36,600 --> 00:51:38,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: from Japan, enjoy the miles.