1 00:00:00,180 --> 00:00:03,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners is a non- profit organization with 2 00:00:03,180 --> 00:00:06,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: a vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through 3 00:00:06,540 --> 00:00:10,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: the transformative power of running. The support of members and 4 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: donors like you helps us achieve our mission to transform 5 00:00:13,830 --> 00:00:17,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: the health and well- being of our communities through inclusive 6 00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:21,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: and accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. 7 00:00:21,810 --> 00:00:25,919 Rob Simmelkjaer: Learn more and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. 8 00:00:29,910 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 2: Thank you, New York. Today we're reminded of the power 9 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:39,180 Speaker 2: of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on 10 00:00:39,180 --> 00:00:39,779 Speaker 2: your mark. 11 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,450 Speaker 3: The first woman to finish for the second straight year 12 00:00:45,450 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 3: here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, a smiling 13 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:52,949 Speaker 3: Miki Gorman. And why not? 2: 29:30, the time for good advice. 14 00:00:53,850 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 4: Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she comes 15 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:59,790 Speaker 4: to the line. Pointing to his chest, pointing to the 16 00:00:59,790 --> 00:01:03,900 Speaker 4: USA, he so proudly wears across his chest. A great day 17 00:01:03,900 --> 00:01:05,010 Speaker 4: for Meb Keflezighi. 18 00:01:10,110 --> 00:01:13,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody, and welcome to Set the Pace, the official 19 00:01:13,020 --> 00:01:16,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast of New York Road Runners, presented by Peloton. I'm 20 00:01:16,620 --> 00:01:19,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: your host and the CEO of New York Road Runners, 21 00:01:19,350 --> 00:01:22,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: Rob Simmelkjaer. And if you're getting this episode on the 22 00:01:22,530 --> 00:01:24,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: day it drops, then the first thing I want to 23 00:01:24,630 --> 00:01:29,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: say is happy Thanksgiving. Hope everybody out there is having 24 00:01:29,130 --> 00:01:33,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great holiday with friends, with family. I think we 25 00:01:33,060 --> 00:01:36,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: all have a lot to be thankful for. Certainly those 26 00:01:36,090 --> 00:01:38,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: of us at New York Road Runners. So much to 27 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:42,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: be thankful for this season. Thankful for great running all 28 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:47,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: year long, great racing, a phenomenal TCS New York City 29 00:01:47,580 --> 00:01:50,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon. And most of all, I can just say as 30 00:01:50,670 --> 00:01:53,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: our CEO, we are thankful for all of you, the 31 00:01:53,970 --> 00:01:58,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: members of our running community, our members, our runners, everybody 32 00:01:58,170 --> 00:02:00,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there who's been a part of our community this 33 00:02:00,390 --> 00:02:03,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: year. We thank you. We're thankful for you, and we're 34 00:02:03,630 --> 00:02:07,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: thankful that you have been able to engage with us 35 00:02:07,140 --> 00:02:09,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: and get something out of what we do this year. 36 00:02:10,050 --> 00:02:12,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: The power of running, we always talk about it. Hopefully 37 00:02:12,930 --> 00:02:15,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: you have felt some of that power this year. And 38 00:02:15,570 --> 00:02:17,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: we're thankful to have been a part of that with 39 00:02:17,669 --> 00:02:21,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: you. Also, I'm thankful for my co- host, Becs Gentry. 40 00:02:22,380 --> 00:02:25,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: She's not with us today, as she is quite rightly 41 00:02:25,470 --> 00:02:29,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: on vacation. That's right. She is vacationing from completing her 42 00:02:29,460 --> 00:02:35,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible feat around the around the world marathon tour last Wednesday, seven 43 00:02:35,340 --> 00:02:39,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathons on seven continents in seven days. She just did 44 00:02:39,690 --> 00:02:43,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: a phenomenal job. It's incredible. I can only imagine the 45 00:02:43,740 --> 00:02:45,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: exhaustion she must have felt at the end of that, 46 00:02:45,900 --> 00:02:48,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: but also the elation. She'll be back with us next 47 00:02:48,930 --> 00:02:51,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: week and I can't wait to talk to Becs about 48 00:02:51,810 --> 00:02:55,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: this adventure, hear all about it. What an incredible accomplishment. 49 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: So congrats, Becs. We're thankful for you and we're thankful 50 00:02:58,380 --> 00:03:03,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: that you came through that amazing adventure safe and sound 51 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:04,919 Rob Simmelkjaer: and did such a great job. So I hope you're having 52 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:09,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: a restful Thanksgiving with your family and friends and all 53 00:03:09,630 --> 00:03:12,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: of that. Well, this coming weekend's a quiet weekend for 54 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:14,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: us at New York Road Runners. We're not in the 55 00:03:14,070 --> 00:03:16,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: turkey trot business here. I'm sure many of you are 56 00:03:16,889 --> 00:03:20,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there running turkey trots here on Thanksgiving Day or 57 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:23,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: maybe over the following weekend. So for those who are 58 00:03:23,430 --> 00:03:26,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: doing your turkey trots, good luck. Enjoy. It's such a 59 00:03:26,130 --> 00:03:30,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun thing to do to get some calories burned off 60 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:33,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: and get your metabolism up for that Thanksgiving feast. So 61 00:03:33,270 --> 00:03:35,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: hope everybody has a great turkey trot, whether it's a 62 00:03:35,490 --> 00:03:38,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: race or just to run with friends or family. But 63 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:40,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners is quiet this weekend, but we had a 64 00:03:40,770 --> 00:03:44,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: really busy and great weekend, the weekend before Thanksgiving, so 65 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:47,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: some early turkey trots we had going. And we had 66 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: a couple of them. First of all, I had a 67 00:03:49,410 --> 00:03:53,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: great time on Sunday, heading back to my old stomping 68 00:03:53,190 --> 00:03:56,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: grounds Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx for the New 69 00:03:56,220 --> 00:03:59,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners Cross Country, 5K this past Sunday. It 70 00:03:59,790 --> 00:04:03,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: was the first time I'd been to Van Cortlandt since 71 00:04:03,330 --> 00:04:06,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: I ran cross- country at Horace Mann School back in 72 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:09,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: the 1980s. Yes, that's right folks. It was the eighties. 73 00:04:09,780 --> 00:04:12,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: And man, it was incredible to go back there and 74 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:14,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was so much fun to go back there with 75 00:04:14,190 --> 00:04:17,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: my daughter, Julia. The two of us took on that 76 00:04:17,070 --> 00:04:24,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: 5K course and man, I think that I had somehow blocked out how 77 00:04:24,150 --> 00:04:27,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredibly difficult that cross- country course is. You know how they say 78 00:04:28,230 --> 00:04:31,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: that these really hard things that we go through, we 79 00:04:31,500 --> 00:04:34,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: somehow managed to either forget or think of them more 80 00:04:34,380 --> 00:04:36,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: fondly so that we'll be convinced to do them again? 81 00:04:37,260 --> 00:04:39,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, that's how I felt running that cross- country course 82 00:04:39,930 --> 00:04:44,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: on Sunday. The hills in those woods are so massive. 83 00:04:44,370 --> 00:04:48,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: Somehow I had blocked those out. And Julia was looking 84 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:50,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: at me halfway through this race like, " What are you 85 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:52,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: doing to me right now?" It was such a hard 86 00:04:52,770 --> 00:04:55,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: race. It was like three and a half minutes or 87 00:04:55,170 --> 00:04:57,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: more off of her 5K PR because it was so 88 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:00,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: challenging. But at the end we had such a great 89 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:05,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: time. And it was such a really old school race. 90 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:08,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: People just went out to the field, lined up a 91 00:05:08,430 --> 00:05:12,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: loose starting line. No timing at the start. You just 92 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:14,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: go and run. And the only timing was at the 93 00:05:14,070 --> 00:05:16,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: finish. It really brought me back to the early days 94 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:20,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: of running for me. Of course, the cross- country tradition. 95 00:05:20,490 --> 00:05:22,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: And the early days of New York Road Runners, which 96 00:05:22,589 --> 00:05:26,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: really started out in the Bronx as a much more low- 97 00:05:26,670 --> 00:05:29,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: key running operation than of course we are now. And 98 00:05:29,970 --> 00:05:32,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: so it was really fun to experience that and it 99 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:34,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: was great to see folks up there. We also had over 1, 100 00:05:34,470 --> 00:05:37,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: 000 kids running with Rising New York Road Runners. It's one 101 00:05:37,830 --> 00:05:40,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: of our biggest youth events of the year, and the 102 00:05:40,500 --> 00:05:43,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: buses were lined up and down Broadway. A great turnout 103 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:46,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: of kids from all five boroughs of New York. That 104 00:05:46,170 --> 00:05:48,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: was awesome to see as they all got in a 105 00:05:48,180 --> 00:05:51,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: run before their Thanksgiving holiday. So congrats to everybody, adults 106 00:05:51,660 --> 00:05:54,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: and kids, who ran in the Bronx on Sunday. It 107 00:05:54,450 --> 00:05:57,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: was really a great day. Then, back in Central Park, 108 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:01,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: we also had more than 6, 700 runners completing the annual 109 00:06:02,220 --> 00:06:05,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: Race to Deliver 4Miler to Benefit God's Love We Deliver. 110 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:10,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: And it was a great event. It raises money for 111 00:06:10,350 --> 00:06:13,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: God's Love We Deliver, a great organization that cooks and 112 00:06:13,950 --> 00:06:18,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: delivers medically tailored meals to New Yorkers affected by severe 113 00:06:18,510 --> 00:06:23,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: illness such as heart disease, HIV, cancer, and COPD. This 114 00:06:23,820 --> 00:06:27,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: year the organization will work with more than 24, 000 volunteers 115 00:06:27,930 --> 00:06:30,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: to deliver more than 5 million meals, all free of 116 00:06:30,870 --> 00:06:35,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: charge, to more than 17,000 New Yorkers. And so it's 117 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:38,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great race, a great event to benefit a phenomenal 118 00:06:38,580 --> 00:06:41,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: cause at the perfect time of year as we get 119 00:06:41,010 --> 00:06:43,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: into the holiday season. So thanks to all the runners 120 00:06:43,529 --> 00:06:45,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: who came out to support the run to our Rising 121 00:06:45,990 --> 00:06:48,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners participants and parents and all the 122 00:06:48,420 --> 00:06:51,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: volunteers who made a great morning. The winners, by the 123 00:06:51,210 --> 00:06:54,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: way in Central Park for the women, it was Lauren 124 00:06:54,210 --> 00:06:58,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sapone with a time of 24: 28. Non- binary winner was 125 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:03,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sean Rankin with a time of 25:44. Sean runs with 126 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:06,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: Dashing Whippets. And for the men it was Jeremy Arthur 127 00:07:06,930 --> 00:07:09,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: with a time of 20 minutes and 45 seconds. Jeremy 128 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:12,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: also runs with Dashing Whippets. So congrats to all the 129 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:16,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: finishers of both of our races this past Sunday. No 130 00:07:16,110 --> 00:07:19,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: matter what season of life you're in, Peloton has everything 131 00:07:19,230 --> 00:07:22,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: you need to keep your running on track. From challenging 132 00:07:22,290 --> 00:07:25,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: classes and training programs to outdoor runs and walks, we've 133 00:07:25,860 --> 00:07:28,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: got you covered whatever your level. Whether you're gearing up 134 00:07:28,830 --> 00:07:32,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: for a race or in- between events, unlock your personalized 135 00:07:32,340 --> 00:07:36,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: training plans, expert coaching, and a community that supports you 136 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: every step of the way. Find your push, find your 137 00:07:39,300 --> 00:07:46,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: power at onepeloton. com/ race- training. Every November two of 138 00:07:46,170 --> 00:07:48,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City's most iconic events take over the streets 139 00:07:48,930 --> 00:07:52,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: of New York City and captivate viewers worldwide. Of course, 140 00:07:52,290 --> 00:07:54,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: one of them is the TCS New York City Marathon 141 00:07:54,630 --> 00:07:57,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: that we all know about. Well, the other is happening 142 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:01,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: this week, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. On this special 143 00:08:01,290 --> 00:08:04,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thanksgiving episode of Set the Pace, you're used to hearing 144 00:08:04,020 --> 00:08:06,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: about the details behind producing the marathon. But today we're 145 00:08:06,900 --> 00:08:09,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to take you behind the scenes of the Macy's 146 00:08:09,810 --> 00:08:14,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thanksgiving Day Parade with Kathleen Wright. She is the powerhouse 147 00:08:14,070 --> 00:08:17,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: production director of that parade and she'll share everything it 148 00:08:17,970 --> 00:08:21,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: takes to bring this quintessential New York City tradition to 149 00:08:21,270 --> 00:08:24,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: life. And for today's member moment, Meb's going to be 150 00:08:24,180 --> 00:08:27,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: here to introduce us to the champion of the first 151 00:08:27,870 --> 00:08:32,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: Every Woman's Marathon, New York Road Runner's member, Khia Kurtenbach. Khia 152 00:08:32,850 --> 00:08:34,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: will tell us what it felt like to be the 153 00:08:34,590 --> 00:08:37,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: very first woman to cross the finish line where some 154 00:08:37,650 --> 00:08:41,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: of her personal heroes, including Kathrine Switzer and Des Linden 155 00:08:41,850 --> 00:08:45,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: were waiting to celebrate her. And then for today's Meb 156 00:08:45,059 --> 00:08:49,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: Minute, Meb will be here to talk about thankfulness, specifically 157 00:08:49,470 --> 00:08:52,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: how thankful we should all be for what running does 158 00:08:52,590 --> 00:08:53,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: for us. 159 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:56,850 Speaker 5: Growing a business means a lot of audience attracting, a 160 00:08:56,850 --> 00:08:59,550 Speaker 5: lot of lead scoring, and a lot of long days. 161 00:08:59,880 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 5: But with HubSpot, it's easier than ever for marketers to 162 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:06,569 Speaker 5: boost leads and score customers fast, which means pretty soon 163 00:09:06,690 --> 00:09:11,580 Speaker 5: your company will have a lot to celebrate. Visit hubspot. com/ 164 00:09:12,090 --> 00:09:13,620 Speaker 5: marketers to learn more. 165 00:09:14,099 --> 00:09:17,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, you know if you listen to this show that I always say the TCS New 166 00:09:17,550 --> 00:09:20,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: York City Marathon is the best day of the year in 167 00:09:20,370 --> 00:09:22,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City. My guest today may be one of 168 00:09:22,890 --> 00:09:25,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: the few people in the city who could maybe have 169 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,579 Rob Simmelkjaer: an argument against that, at least maybe a tie. Kathleen 170 00:09:29,580 --> 00:09:32,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wright is the director of production operations and the woman 171 00:09:32,940 --> 00:09:37,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: responsible for orchestrating the magic behind the Macy's Thanksgiving Day 172 00:09:37,080 --> 00:09:39,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: Parade. From the floats and the balloons to the clowns 173 00:09:39,929 --> 00:09:43,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: and the marching bands, Kathleen's team handles it all, making 174 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:47,309 Rob Simmelkjaer: sure every detail is perfect for millions of spectators, both 175 00:09:47,309 --> 00:09:50,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: in person and of course on national television. What began 176 00:09:50,460 --> 00:09:53,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: as a volunteer opportunity has turned into a dream job, 177 00:09:53,940 --> 00:09:56,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: leading one of the biggest holiday events in the world. 178 00:09:57,059 --> 00:10:00,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: And much like the marathon, the parade is complex. It's 179 00:10:00,660 --> 00:10:05,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: a logistical masterpiece that transforms the city streets. Kathleen's here 180 00:10:05,850 --> 00:10:07,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: to share with us how she and her team make 181 00:10:07,980 --> 00:10:12,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: it all happen year after year on Thanksgiving. Kathleen, it's 182 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:13,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: nice to meet you. How are you doing? 183 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:16,468 Kathleen Wright: So nice to meet you as well. I'm so excited 184 00:10:16,469 --> 00:10:18,870 Kathleen Wright: to talk about this with you. Big fan of the Road Runners and the 185 00:10:18,870 --> 00:10:20,910 Kathleen Wright: New York City Marathon. So excited to dive in. 186 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:25,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you. And you have a good perspective on these two big New York City 187 00:10:25,500 --> 00:10:28,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: events. You've run the marathon a few times, now you are " 188 00:10:29,340 --> 00:10:33,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: running," in charge of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. So 189 00:10:34,140 --> 00:10:38,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's definitely a fun argument, which is a better day, 190 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:41,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: but there's certainly both big days for New York City. 191 00:10:42,390 --> 00:10:44,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tell me a little bit to start about just the 192 00:10:44,580 --> 00:10:47,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: history of this event. It's been going on ever since 193 00:10:47,100 --> 00:10:50,458 Rob Simmelkjaer: I can remember and I imagine well, well before. 194 00:10:51,599 --> 00:10:55,590 Kathleen Wright: Yeah, so the first parade was in 1924. So we 195 00:10:55,590 --> 00:10:58,199 Kathleen Wright: are right at that 100- year mark. The parade was 196 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:01,380 Kathleen Wright: canceled for three years during World War Two, so we're 197 00:11:01,770 --> 00:11:05,220 Kathleen Wright: celebrating our 100th parade in a couple of years. But every 198 00:11:05,220 --> 00:11:10,320 Kathleen Wright: single year has been just a new, fun experiment of 199 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:15,600 Kathleen Wright: how we can honor the tradition of those 97 parades 200 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:17,730 Kathleen Wright: that have already gone by, how we can make the 201 00:11:17,730 --> 00:11:21,870 Kathleen Wright: 98th just as fun, just as exciting, just as inspiring 202 00:11:21,870 --> 00:11:23,670 Kathleen Wright: of all of the parades that have come before it. 203 00:11:24,630 --> 00:11:27,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: And Kathleen, I imagine a lot of people, and I 204 00:11:27,059 --> 00:11:30,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: thought this for a long time, would just think Macy's 205 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:33,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: is the sponsor of the parade, kind of like TCS is 206 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: the sponsor of the New York City Marathon, but not 207 00:11:36,300 --> 00:11:40,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: necessarily realize that you're a Macy's employee. Your team works 208 00:11:40,140 --> 00:11:44,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: for Macy's. You guys stage the event. Macy's is putting 209 00:11:44,010 --> 00:11:45,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: this thing on, not just sponsoring it. 210 00:11:46,830 --> 00:11:49,830 Kathleen Wright: That's right. I work for Macy's. I am on the 211 00:11:49,830 --> 00:11:54,360 Kathleen Wright: Macy's Studios team and there are 50 of us that 212 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:58,140 Kathleen Wright: work year- round on Macy's events. So that includes not 213 00:11:58,140 --> 00:12:01,290 Kathleen Wright: only the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but also the Macy's 214 00:12:01,290 --> 00:12:03,720 Kathleen Wright: 4th of July Fireworks and a few other iconic events 215 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:06,270 Kathleen Wright: like the Flower Show here in New York City. And we are 216 00:12:06,540 --> 00:12:09,449 Kathleen Wright: so proud that we are able to continue this tradition 217 00:12:09,450 --> 00:12:12,570 Kathleen Wright: and continue working on this iconic event that is so 218 00:12:12,570 --> 00:12:16,140 Kathleen Wright: beloved by New Yorkers and Americans across the country. 219 00:12:16,770 --> 00:12:20,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: It really is just a staple of New York and just as Macy's 220 00:12:20,429 --> 00:12:24,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: is, so the two really do go together. People ask 221 00:12:24,179 --> 00:12:26,099 Rob Simmelkjaer: me this all the time about the Marathon, so I'll 222 00:12:26,100 --> 00:12:29,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: ask you regarding the parade. When do you start planning 223 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: each year for the Thanksgiving Day Parade? 224 00:12:33,030 --> 00:12:36,720 Kathleen Wright: Our team typically starts planning about 18 months in advance. 225 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:40,350 Kathleen Wright: So that's everything from my role of thinking about the 226 00:12:40,350 --> 00:12:44,010 Kathleen Wright: logistics of what worked the last parade, what do we 227 00:12:44,010 --> 00:12:46,800 Kathleen Wright: update, what do we improve? Who are the new partners 228 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,020 Kathleen Wright: that we can bring in? How are we designing the 229 00:12:49,020 --> 00:12:54,030 Kathleen Wright: next cool, new float, the next incredible, giant character balloon? 230 00:12:54,030 --> 00:12:57,030 Kathleen Wright: So all of that work starts about 18 months in advance. 231 00:12:57,390 --> 00:12:59,850 Kathleen Wright: We're always thinking about the parade in the back of 232 00:12:59,850 --> 00:13:00,390 Kathleen Wright: our minds. 233 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:05,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, that's very similar to Marathon. We are currently thinking 234 00:13:05,730 --> 00:13:10,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: about the 2026 Marathon on our end. So obviously '25's coming 235 00:13:10,770 --> 00:13:13,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: right up, but we've got conversations about '26, so that's 236 00:13:13,860 --> 00:13:17,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: about two years in advance for us. '26 is a big 237 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:19,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: one for us. It's a big anniversary. You guys have 238 00:13:19,170 --> 00:13:21,959 Rob Simmelkjaer: a big anniversary as well coming up, so I'm sure 239 00:13:22,470 --> 00:13:25,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: the work goes even further out when you've got a 240 00:13:25,230 --> 00:13:28,078 Rob Simmelkjaer: big thing to celebrate, like the 100th Thanksgiving Day Parade. 241 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:33,420 Kathleen Wright: Yeah. So the 100th is coming up in 2026. We already have our 242 00:13:33,420 --> 00:13:36,809 Kathleen Wright: eyes on that. So we are right now simultaneously thinking 243 00:13:36,809 --> 00:13:40,380 Kathleen Wright: about the parade that's coming up just next week; the 244 00:13:40,380 --> 00:13:44,970 Kathleen Wright: 2025 parade, which will be our 99th; and then the 2026, when we'll celebrate 245 00:13:45,270 --> 00:13:47,730 Kathleen Wright: 100 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades. 246 00:13:47,910 --> 00:13:50,819 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow, that's amazing. Another big thing in 2026 because it's 247 00:13:50,820 --> 00:13:54,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to be the 50th anniversary of the Five- Borough 248 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:57,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City Marathon in '26, and then just a 249 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:02,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: few weeks later the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. So that's going 250 00:14:02,429 --> 00:14:04,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: to be a great month of November in New York in a couple 251 00:14:04,740 --> 00:14:05,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: of years. That's pretty exciting. 252 00:14:06,780 --> 00:14:10,110 Kathleen Wright: I completely agree. I have always said that November is 253 00:14:10,110 --> 00:14:12,330 Kathleen Wright: my favorite month in New York City for that exact 254 00:14:12,330 --> 00:14:15,270 Kathleen Wright: reason. So that'll be a really fun one in 2026. 255 00:14:15,990 --> 00:14:19,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: So I think another similarity between the Marathon and the 256 00:14:19,590 --> 00:14:23,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thanksgiving Day Parade is how many volunteers it takes to 257 00:14:23,700 --> 00:14:28,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: put the event on. We rely on about 10, 000 volunteers 258 00:14:28,500 --> 00:14:31,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: to support the runners going from Staten Island to Central 259 00:14:31,530 --> 00:14:33,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: Park. And I know, I've been to this parade a 260 00:14:33,450 --> 00:14:36,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: few times, I know how many people volunteer. I also 261 00:14:36,390 --> 00:14:40,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: know, similar to Marathon, how sought- after some of these 262 00:14:40,380 --> 00:14:44,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: volunteer positions are. Being a clown or holding a float, 263 00:14:46,020 --> 00:14:48,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: those are prime assignments for volunteers. 264 00:14:49,230 --> 00:14:53,640 Kathleen Wright: Yes, we have about five volunteers that volunteer with us 265 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:56,880 Kathleen Wright: on Thanksgiving morning. And I think that so much of 266 00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:00,239 Kathleen Wright: that tradition of the original Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade back 267 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:03,420 Kathleen Wright: in 1924 carries on with us today in that so 268 00:15:03,420 --> 00:15:07,890 Kathleen Wright: many of those volunteers are Macy's colleagues, and their friends, 269 00:15:07,890 --> 00:15:10,920 Kathleen Wright: and family. So we've really kind kept that rooted in 270 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:14,970 Kathleen Wright: the tradition of the Macy's family really continuing on, volunteering 271 00:15:14,970 --> 00:15:18,150 Kathleen Wright: their time on a holiday to come together and celebrate 272 00:15:18,150 --> 00:15:21,150 Kathleen Wright: Thanksgiving together. And I think that's in part why it 273 00:15:21,150 --> 00:15:24,630 Kathleen Wright: is such a coveted spot to be a part of 274 00:15:24,630 --> 00:15:27,600 Kathleen Wright: the parade and join and celebrate with us. It really 275 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:33,420 Kathleen Wright: is a wonderful family entertainment event on Thanksgiving morning. 276 00:15:34,050 --> 00:15:36,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right. So let's talk about the balloons. And the 277 00:15:36,990 --> 00:15:40,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: first thing I want to ask is the process for 278 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:44,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: getting to be a balloon. You've got cultural trends that 279 00:15:45,090 --> 00:15:48,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: come and go. Maybe one year the Transformers are really 280 00:15:48,930 --> 00:15:53,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: popular and then it's some anime character, but then you've 281 00:15:53,130 --> 00:15:57,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: got the standbys, like the ones who seem to always 282 00:15:57,060 --> 00:15:59,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: be there. I think Snoopy, right? Is Snoopy kind of 283 00:16:00,210 --> 00:16:03,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: an evergreen balloon? I feel like Snoopy is never going 284 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: to really go away. I hope not. What is that 285 00:16:06,060 --> 00:16:09,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: process of deciding what balloons are going to make the 286 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:09,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: cut every year? 287 00:16:11,100 --> 00:16:14,310 Kathleen Wright: So every year we are always looking at for what 288 00:16:14,310 --> 00:16:18,420 Kathleen Wright: is the best in entertainment, what is the most iconic, 289 00:16:18,420 --> 00:16:21,630 Kathleen Wright: fun, what's new and fresh, but what is also traditional? 290 00:16:21,630 --> 00:16:24,420 Kathleen Wright: Like that's Snoopy character balloon. And we work very closely 291 00:16:24,420 --> 00:16:27,840 Kathleen Wright: with our partners to incorporate those characters and then make 292 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:30,720 Kathleen Wright: sure that we are really matching the essence of those 293 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:35,100 Kathleen Wright: characters to ensure that we are representing that character to 294 00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:37,979 Kathleen Wright: exactly what they were designed to look like in their 295 00:16:38,250 --> 00:16:41,100 Kathleen Wright: original state. So I think some of the really fun, 296 00:16:41,100 --> 00:16:44,580 Kathleen Wright: new balloons this year, there's six new giant balloons in 297 00:16:44,580 --> 00:16:47,220 Kathleen Wright: the parade. We have Minnie Mouse for the first time 298 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,610 Kathleen Wright: ever, which is so exciting. We've had a few different 299 00:16:50,610 --> 00:16:53,100 Kathleen Wright: iterations of Mickey. So Minnie is now in the parade 300 00:16:53,100 --> 00:16:54,180 Kathleen Wright: for the very first time. 301 00:16:54,180 --> 00:16:57,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm amazed that it is Minnie's first appearance. That's amazing that it's 302 00:16:57,990 --> 00:17:02,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: her first appearance in the parade. So good for Minnie. Congratulations. 303 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:02,761 Kathleen Wright: Got it. 304 00:17:02,761 --> 00:17:03,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: Girl power. 305 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:03,750 Kathleen Wright: Exactly. 306 00:17:03,750 --> 00:17:03,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: Love it. 307 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:07,859 Kathleen Wright: Exactly. Girl power. We're very excited about that one. And 308 00:17:09,330 --> 00:17:12,090 Kathleen Wright: when we started that process, it was so important that 309 00:17:12,090 --> 00:17:14,639 Kathleen Wright: we were making sure that Minnie really looked like Minnie. 310 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:17,730 Kathleen Wright: And I think that that's really part of where the 311 00:17:17,790 --> 00:17:21,690 Kathleen Wright: art and science of our balloon team design really comes 312 00:17:21,690 --> 00:17:25,200 Kathleen Wright: together because it is a science to design these balloons 313 00:17:25,230 --> 00:17:27,780 Kathleen Wright: and to make sure that they are aerodynamic and have 314 00:17:27,780 --> 00:17:30,659 Kathleen Wright: enough lift to fly down the parade route. But it 315 00:17:30,660 --> 00:17:33,359 Kathleen Wright: also has to look like Minnie. And our designers and 316 00:17:33,359 --> 00:17:36,659 Kathleen Wright: our creative teams are so talented and making sure that 317 00:17:36,660 --> 00:17:40,080 Kathleen Wright: we are representing Minnie exactly as she should be represented. 318 00:17:40,350 --> 00:17:44,250 Kathleen Wright: So it's a really, really interesting process to see that 319 00:17:45,030 --> 00:17:48,359 Kathleen Wright: art and science come together to really develop and design 320 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:49,020 Kathleen Wright: those balloons. 321 00:17:49,380 --> 00:17:51,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: What else is new this year? I'm curious. 322 00:17:52,260 --> 00:17:55,080 Kathleen Wright: We also have a new Spider- Man balloon this year. Spider- 323 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:56,820 Kathleen Wright: Man has been in the parade before, but we have 324 00:17:56,820 --> 00:17:59,430 Kathleen Wright: a brand new balloon this year in Spider- Man. We 325 00:17:59,430 --> 00:18:02,070 Kathleen Wright: have a character Noorah from The Elf on the Shelf 326 00:18:02,070 --> 00:18:06,480 Kathleen Wright: series. She's a wintery fox and she's really fun, really 327 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,209 Kathleen Wright: pretty. Her tail is painted like the Northern Lights. I 328 00:18:09,210 --> 00:18:11,010 Kathleen Wright: think she's going to be a real fan favorite on 329 00:18:11,010 --> 00:18:15,270 Kathleen Wright: the parade route. We have Gabby from Gabby's Dollhouse. Another, 330 00:18:15,270 --> 00:18:18,629 Kathleen Wright: I think a really fun character. I think a lot of the 331 00:18:18,630 --> 00:18:20,700 Kathleen Wright: kids are going to be so excited about her being 332 00:18:20,700 --> 00:18:23,940 Kathleen Wright: in the parade. We have a new Goku balloon this year. Goku 333 00:18:24,390 --> 00:18:26,639 Kathleen Wright: has been in the parade for the last few years, 334 00:18:26,820 --> 00:18:30,480 Kathleen Wright: so another superhero character that's going to be on the 335 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:33,960 Kathleen Wright: parade route. Really so many fans of Goku that we're so 336 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:38,280 Kathleen Wright: excited to see. And then we also have a new PAW Patrol character. 337 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:41,400 Kathleen Wright: So Chase has been on the case, on the parade 338 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,190 Kathleen Wright: route for several years and now we have Marshall who 339 00:18:44,190 --> 00:18:45,149 Kathleen Wright: will be joining us, and- 340 00:18:45,300 --> 00:18:47,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marshall's the Dalmatian if I'm not mistaken, right? 341 00:18:47,460 --> 00:18:51,359 Kathleen Wright: Got it. Yes. So a really fun character. We're really 342 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:53,040 Kathleen Wright: excited to see fly On Thanksgiving. 343 00:18:53,369 --> 00:18:56,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: I still know my PAW Patrol characters five or six 344 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:59,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: years after the last of my children was watching that 345 00:18:59,010 --> 00:19:00,869 Rob Simmelkjaer: show, so I'm proud of myself on that. But I always liked 346 00:19:00,869 --> 00:19:03,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marshall so I was partial to Marshall. 347 00:19:06,060 --> 00:19:06,149 Kathleen Wright: Yes, very good 348 00:19:06,150 --> 00:19:09,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: And so, a night that a lot of New Yorkers 349 00:19:09,630 --> 00:19:14,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: know about, and people who are every year attendees to 350 00:19:14,010 --> 00:19:16,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, know 351 00:19:16,980 --> 00:19:20,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: about, but some non- New Yorkers may not know is 352 00:19:20,190 --> 00:19:23,699 Rob Simmelkjaer: the night before, which is really in a lot of 353 00:19:23,700 --> 00:19:26,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: ways kind of the ticket that so many people want. 354 00:19:26,609 --> 00:19:30,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: Where you get to go and watch the balloons get 355 00:19:30,270 --> 00:19:33,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: to be inflated. There's streets I think that are closed 356 00:19:33,990 --> 00:19:36,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: on the Upper West Side, near Central Park West, and 357 00:19:36,869 --> 00:19:40,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: the inflating of the balloons is a big, big tradition. 358 00:19:40,859 --> 00:19:43,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: Can you talk about that night and how long it 359 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:46,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: takes? How many people are involved in that? And how 360 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: can someone, if they want to check that out, get 361 00:19:48,780 --> 00:19:50,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: a chance to see the balloons get blown up? 362 00:19:51,090 --> 00:19:53,939 Kathleen Wright: Yeah. So the balloon inflation event I think is something 363 00:19:53,940 --> 00:19:57,210 Kathleen Wright: that makes the Thanksgiving Day parade so special because it 364 00:19:57,210 --> 00:20:00,390 Kathleen Wright: is that sneak peek. It's that look behind the curtain. 365 00:20:00,390 --> 00:20:02,700 Kathleen Wright: How does this all come together? How do these balloons 366 00:20:02,910 --> 00:20:04,859 Kathleen Wright: all get inflated and then make their way down the 367 00:20:04,859 --> 00:20:07,830 Kathleen Wright: parade route on Thanksgiving morning. So on the Upper West 368 00:20:07,830 --> 00:20:11,010 Kathleen Wright: Side, we inflate all of the balloons in the lineup. 369 00:20:11,010 --> 00:20:15,359 Kathleen Wright: Starting on Wednesday morning. It takes us about eight hours 370 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:18,480 Kathleen Wright: to inflate the entire lineup of balloons. And we have 371 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:22,680 Kathleen Wright: a team of about 150 balloon technicians and inflation team 372 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:27,240 Kathleen Wright: members that are inflating the balloons throughout the day. And 373 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:31,169 Kathleen Wright: that event is open to the public from 1:00 to 6: 00 374 00:20:31,170 --> 00:20:35,639 Kathleen Wright: PM on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. You can join 375 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:38,730 Kathleen Wright: the line on 72nd Street, starting at noon to get 376 00:20:38,730 --> 00:20:41,939 Kathleen Wright: in line, get your spot. 72nd Street in Columbus is 377 00:20:41,940 --> 00:20:43,770 Kathleen Wright: where you'll enter. And then we'll take you around the 378 00:20:43,770 --> 00:20:46,080 Kathleen Wright: queue line. You'll see all of the balloons as they're 379 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:49,109 Kathleen Wright: inflated. And then there's also the added bonus of seeing 380 00:20:49,109 --> 00:20:51,330 Kathleen Wright: some of our floats in the parade get assembled on 381 00:20:51,330 --> 00:20:54,959 Kathleen Wright: Central Park West. So it truly is that behind- the- 382 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:59,490 Kathleen Wright: scenes look at how the parade is made and built 383 00:20:59,970 --> 00:21:00,869 Kathleen Wright: that day before. 384 00:21:01,619 --> 00:21:04,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. I've actually never had a chance to 385 00:21:04,260 --> 00:21:07,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: go see that. I've been to the the parade, I've been 386 00:21:07,859 --> 00:21:09,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: on the streets. I've had a chance to be in 387 00:21:09,180 --> 00:21:11,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: the bleachers with my kids a couple of times as 388 00:21:11,369 --> 00:21:13,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: well, but I got to make a plan to get 389 00:21:13,740 --> 00:21:16,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: down there and watch that inflation event. That sounds like 390 00:21:16,500 --> 00:21:20,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of fun. Kathleen, there's something called a balloonical 391 00:21:20,850 --> 00:21:23,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: that I've been hearing about and I'm trying to understand 392 00:21:23,220 --> 00:21:26,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: what this is. I know self- driving cars are a 393 00:21:26,310 --> 00:21:30,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: thing in the world now, but balloonicals these things, they 394 00:21:30,060 --> 00:21:32,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: basically don't need holders. Is that right? What is a balloonical? 395 00:21:34,830 --> 00:21:38,490 Kathleen Wright: So a balloonical is part of the magic of Macy's Studios. When 396 00:21:38,490 --> 00:21:41,159 Kathleen Wright: we were tasked with trying to find another fun and 397 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:43,590 Kathleen Wright: new creative element that could be a part of our 398 00:21:43,590 --> 00:21:48,659 Kathleen Wright: parade, we created balloonicals. And they are self- driving inflatables 399 00:21:48,660 --> 00:21:51,420 Kathleen Wright: that make their way down the parade route. So this 400 00:21:51,420 --> 00:21:55,470 Kathleen Wright: year you will see a few baby Dino Balloonicals that 401 00:21:55,470 --> 00:22:00,359 Kathleen Wright: accompany the Dino and baby Dino Sinclair balloon. So they 402 00:22:00,359 --> 00:22:03,090 Kathleen Wright: will be traveling down the parade route in front of 403 00:22:03,090 --> 00:22:07,109 Kathleen Wright: that giant balloon. And then we also have a... If 404 00:22:07,109 --> 00:22:09,720 Kathleen Wright: you're familiar with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, 405 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:14,070 Kathleen Wright: there is the Stinky Cheese. So the Stinky Cheese is 406 00:22:14,070 --> 00:22:18,119 Kathleen Wright: a balloonical that goes in front of the Diary of a 407 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:20,880 Kathleen Wright: Wimpy Kid balloon. So they're really fun and just cool 408 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:22,560 Kathleen Wright: new elements that you'll see on the parade route. 409 00:22:22,890 --> 00:22:25,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: Are they like drones out there, doing their own thing? 410 00:22:25,380 --> 00:22:26,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: Are they tethered? 411 00:22:27,270 --> 00:22:30,510 Kathleen Wright: They're not tethered. So there is actually a person inside 412 00:22:30,510 --> 00:22:32,730 Kathleen Wright: of it that kind of controls it with almost like 413 00:22:33,630 --> 00:22:38,879 Kathleen Wright: a stick shift that drives almost like a remote control. 414 00:22:39,150 --> 00:22:40,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: Like a little blimp kind of a thing? Wow. 415 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:44,130 Kathleen Wright: Kind of. But they're on the ground, so they just drive 416 00:22:44,130 --> 00:22:45,840 Kathleen Wright: on the ground in front of the balloons. 417 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:49,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: Fun, fun, fun. I love it. There's so many similarities, 418 00:22:49,260 --> 00:22:53,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: Kathleen, really between the Marathon and the Thanksgiving Day Parade. 419 00:22:53,910 --> 00:22:56,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: Another of course, is the fact that you're both a 420 00:22:56,340 --> 00:22:59,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: live event for people who are there watching in person, 421 00:22:59,790 --> 00:23:02,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well as a made- for- television event with millions 422 00:23:02,310 --> 00:23:06,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: of people around the country watching it live. My daughter 423 00:23:06,390 --> 00:23:09,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: is obsessed with getting up to watch it. In fact, 424 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:12,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'll tell you a funny story, Kathleen. And some listeners 425 00:23:12,300 --> 00:23:16,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: can probably relate to this. We have an annual kind 426 00:23:16,350 --> 00:23:19,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: of a battle in our household about Thanksgiving morning and 427 00:23:19,890 --> 00:23:23,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: what to do because I... Of course, this won't surprise 428 00:23:23,220 --> 00:23:25,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: you given what I do for a living love a 429 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:26,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: good turkey trot. 430 00:23:26,100 --> 00:23:26,160 Kathleen Wright: Of course. 431 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:30,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: And so there's a great five- mile turkey trot not 432 00:23:30,060 --> 00:23:32,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: far from my house. And so I'm up and out 433 00:23:32,430 --> 00:23:35,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: the door and I'm running on Thanksgiving morning, burning some 434 00:23:35,130 --> 00:23:39,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: calories, getting ready for that turkey. But my daughters are like, " 435 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:42,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: No, thanks." They want to lie in bed and watch 436 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:44,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. So I know this argument 437 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:50,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: probably plays out across households all around America, especially running 438 00:23:50,190 --> 00:23:52,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: households. But I just want you to know that that's what 439 00:23:52,740 --> 00:23:53,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: happens in my house. 440 00:23:53,820 --> 00:23:57,240 Kathleen Wright: Yeah, that makes perfect sense. I'm certainly not going up 441 00:23:57,240 --> 00:23:59,250 Kathleen Wright: for a jog on Thanksgiving morning, but I feel like 442 00:23:59,250 --> 00:24:02,250 Kathleen Wright: I'm running around all morning, making sure that everything... Checking 443 00:24:02,250 --> 00:24:05,340 Kathleen Wright: off all of my boxes and making sure that everything 444 00:24:05,340 --> 00:24:08,369 Kathleen Wright: is up and running. And I think that you said it, 445 00:24:08,369 --> 00:24:12,720 Kathleen Wright: there's so many similarities between these two events. As someone 446 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:15,840 Kathleen Wright: who's ran the marathon before, I'm always looking at all 447 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:18,540 Kathleen Wright: of those logistics, and all of those things that happen 448 00:24:18,810 --> 00:24:23,220 Kathleen Wright: in the lead up. The busing operation alone of getting 449 00:24:23,220 --> 00:24:27,419 Kathleen Wright: so many people from point A to point B. Getting 450 00:24:27,420 --> 00:24:31,169 Kathleen Wright: all of our participants from costuming up to the starting line 451 00:24:31,500 --> 00:24:33,690 Kathleen Wright: feels to me very similar to when I get off 452 00:24:33,690 --> 00:24:35,430 Kathleen Wright: the ferry in Staten Island and get on a bus 453 00:24:35,430 --> 00:24:37,619 Kathleen Wright: and get over to the starting line. So there's so 454 00:24:37,619 --> 00:24:43,619 Kathleen Wright: many logistical similarities that are so fun for someone who's 455 00:24:43,619 --> 00:24:47,940 Kathleen Wright: in operations and logistics. And I think it's just so 456 00:24:47,940 --> 00:24:52,409 Kathleen Wright: great to see that two iconic, amazing events in New 457 00:24:52,410 --> 00:24:55,470 Kathleen Wright: York City that are so alike and so special. 458 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:58,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: How do you balance that in- person experience for the 459 00:24:58,859 --> 00:25:02,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: live spectators and the television experience? I know there's that 460 00:25:03,300 --> 00:25:06,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: stage right in front of Macy's, which is the main 461 00:25:06,570 --> 00:25:09,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: stage, where a lot of the acts will stop and 462 00:25:09,390 --> 00:25:12,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: perform. And there's bleachers there. So that seems to be 463 00:25:12,540 --> 00:25:14,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: where a lot of the made- for- TV stuff happens. 464 00:25:14,609 --> 00:25:17,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: And then obviously you've got cameras all along the route 465 00:25:17,130 --> 00:25:18,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: showing their balloons. 466 00:25:19,230 --> 00:25:23,220 Kathleen Wright: Yeah, so I think that one of the great things about the Macy's 467 00:25:23,220 --> 00:25:26,340 Kathleen Wright: Thanksgiving Day Parade is that you can experience it in 468 00:25:26,340 --> 00:25:29,490 Kathleen Wright: so many different ways. Whether you're standing on the side 469 00:25:29,490 --> 00:25:32,100 Kathleen Wright: of Central Park West, or on 6th Avenue, or you're 470 00:25:32,100 --> 00:25:35,280 Kathleen Wright: tuning in from home, you're still going to see and 471 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:39,869 Kathleen Wright: feel that excitement of parade morning. You're still going to 472 00:25:39,869 --> 00:25:42,720 Kathleen Wright: see those giant balloons, you're still going to hear those 473 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:46,199 Kathleen Wright: bands playing. There's so many different special effects on our 474 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:48,600 Kathleen Wright: floats this year that I think will really translate, whether 475 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:50,820 Kathleen Wright: you see them live and in person on the streets 476 00:25:50,820 --> 00:25:53,850 Kathleen Wright: of New York or if you're tuning in and watching 477 00:25:53,850 --> 00:25:57,060 Kathleen Wright: from home. And I think that that is what makes 478 00:25:57,060 --> 00:25:59,130 Kathleen Wright: the parade so special is that no matter how you're 479 00:25:59,130 --> 00:26:03,030 Kathleen Wright: watching it, you're going to feel it. You're going to 480 00:26:03,090 --> 00:26:06,600 Kathleen Wright: feel like the holiday season is really starting and you're 481 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:07,080 Kathleen Wright: going to love it. 482 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:09,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: I will give you this, you guys get a lot 483 00:26:09,840 --> 00:26:12,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: of spectators, three million spectators and just two and a 484 00:26:12,390 --> 00:26:15,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: half miles of New York City Street. That's pretty good. 485 00:26:16,020 --> 00:26:19,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: And I'm not surprised. It's obviously such a sought- after 486 00:26:19,170 --> 00:26:21,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: thing. And then of course, a huge television audience as 487 00:26:21,810 --> 00:26:25,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: well. So a lot of fun for everybody involved. There's 488 00:26:25,830 --> 00:26:28,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: also of course, what you, I'm sure have to do, 489 00:26:28,260 --> 00:26:30,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well as we do, which is the partnerships that 490 00:26:30,420 --> 00:26:32,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: you must have to have with the city of New 491 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:37,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: York, the NYPD, and Department of Transportation, and all those 492 00:26:37,230 --> 00:26:40,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: things as well. We couldn't possibly come close to putting 493 00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:42,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: the marathon on without the incredible partnership we have with 494 00:26:42,810 --> 00:26:45,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: the city. For you guys, I know it's the same way. 495 00:26:46,109 --> 00:26:49,320 Kathleen Wright: Yes, completely agree. It's such a great partnership working with 496 00:26:49,320 --> 00:26:54,390 Kathleen Wright: all of those city agencies, whether it's NYPD, DOT, the Mayor's 497 00:26:54,390 --> 00:26:56,970 Kathleen Wright: office. All of them are so involved in helping us 498 00:26:56,970 --> 00:27:00,270 Kathleen Wright: coordinate this event and making sure that it's not only 499 00:27:00,270 --> 00:27:04,410 Kathleen Wright: safe, but also special and wonderful for everyone watching. And 500 00:27:04,410 --> 00:27:06,300 Kathleen Wright: I think that there's so many different elements of our 501 00:27:06,300 --> 00:27:11,130 Kathleen Wright: parade that couldn't happen without their partnership and coordination. And 502 00:27:11,130 --> 00:27:12,720 Kathleen Wright: one of the stories that I love to tell about 503 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:16,020 Kathleen Wright: the parade that I think is the thing that you 504 00:27:16,020 --> 00:27:18,450 Kathleen Wright: don't realize has to happen in order for the parade 505 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:21,780 Kathleen Wright: to happen. We work so closely with the Department of 506 00:27:21,780 --> 00:27:27,540 Kathleen Wright: Transportation on our route preparation for the parade route because 507 00:27:27,540 --> 00:27:30,659 Kathleen Wright: in order to fly our balloons down Central Park West 508 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:34,350 Kathleen Wright: across Central Park South, down 6th Avenue, we have to 509 00:27:34,350 --> 00:27:38,129 Kathleen Wright: turn every single traffic light out of the street so 510 00:27:38,130 --> 00:27:41,609 Kathleen Wright: that our balloons can fly. And so we work really closely with them. We 511 00:27:41,609 --> 00:27:44,490 Kathleen Wright: do several walk- throughs throughout the fall to look and 512 00:27:44,490 --> 00:27:47,850 Kathleen Wright: identify all of those different traffic poles. Which way do 513 00:27:47,850 --> 00:27:50,250 Kathleen Wright: they have to swing? How much time is it going 514 00:27:50,250 --> 00:27:52,680 Kathleen Wright: to take us on that Wednesday night before the parade 515 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:57,750 Kathleen Wright: morning to do this in the dark of the night? And it's one of those things that I don't think people 516 00:27:57,750 --> 00:28:00,990 Kathleen Wright: necessarily realize has to happen. Of course, a balloon can't 517 00:28:00,990 --> 00:28:03,899 Kathleen Wright: fly down the street with anything in its way, but 518 00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:06,929 Kathleen Wright: that I think is one of my favorite parts of 519 00:28:06,930 --> 00:28:08,189 Kathleen Wright: our coordination with the city. 520 00:28:08,820 --> 00:28:11,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: I noticed that the first time I went to see 521 00:28:11,160 --> 00:28:14,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: the parade, standing on 6th Avenue. And I was just looking 522 00:28:14,670 --> 00:28:17,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: up 6th Avenue and I was like, " Something looks different." And 523 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:20,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: I realized, " Wait, there are no traffic lights on this 524 00:28:20,730 --> 00:28:24,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: entire avenue," and for obvious reasons. It's actually amazing that 525 00:28:24,750 --> 00:28:26,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: you can even do that. Who knew that they even 526 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:29,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: swung that way? But that's something that had to happen 527 00:28:29,310 --> 00:28:31,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: just to make this parade possible. What time did the 528 00:28:31,859 --> 00:28:34,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: streets close? What time did all the streets close, but 529 00:28:34,710 --> 00:28:37,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: the night before the marathon? Sorry, a marathon. See, I 530 00:28:37,050 --> 00:28:39,209 Rob Simmelkjaer: can't get out of my head? Before the parade. 531 00:28:40,320 --> 00:28:43,020 Kathleen Wright: So it's a rolling closure based on how quickly we're 532 00:28:43,020 --> 00:28:49,020 Kathleen Wright: doing those route preparations. So we start uptown at around 533 00:28:49,020 --> 00:28:54,300 Kathleen Wright: midnight on the Wednesday before, so 12: 00 AM Wednesday, we 534 00:28:54,300 --> 00:28:57,210 Kathleen Wright: start our route preparation for uptown, so that we can 535 00:28:57,210 --> 00:28:59,250 Kathleen Wright: ensure our floats are positioned and our balloons are in 536 00:28:59,250 --> 00:29:03,480 Kathleen Wright: position. And then on that overnight of Wednesday evening into 537 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:07,740 Kathleen Wright: parade morning, we roll that street closure down to 34th 538 00:29:07,740 --> 00:29:10,770 Kathleen Wright: Street as we go. So it's a very coordinated effort 539 00:29:11,070 --> 00:29:13,470 Kathleen Wright: of making sure that streets are closed so route prep 540 00:29:13,470 --> 00:29:17,400 Kathleen Wright: can happen. All to get us ready before our 8: 541 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:19,680 Kathleen Wright: 30 AM step off on Thanksgiving morning. 542 00:29:20,550 --> 00:29:23,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. What is your day like on Thanksgiving 543 00:29:23,550 --> 00:29:25,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: Day? What time do you have to get on site? 544 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:28,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's funny, I love asking you these questions because these 545 00:29:28,380 --> 00:29:30,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: are all the questions that people ask me about the 546 00:29:30,870 --> 00:29:35,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon. Are you there overnight? Do you get to get 547 00:29:35,190 --> 00:29:37,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: a few hours sleep before you show up for the parade? 548 00:29:37,080 --> 00:29:41,550 Kathleen Wright: I get a few hours of sleep and everyone always 549 00:29:41,550 --> 00:29:44,790 Kathleen Wright: asks like, " Oh, you must be so tired," but you're 550 00:29:44,790 --> 00:29:47,760 Kathleen Wright: working off of adrenaline. It's one of my favorite days 551 00:29:47,760 --> 00:29:52,260 Kathleen Wright: of the year, of course. And it's just exciting. You 552 00:29:52,260 --> 00:29:54,690 Kathleen Wright: can't sleep when you're this excited. So my day typically 553 00:29:54,690 --> 00:29:58,800 Kathleen Wright: starts at around 3: 00 AM. I'll start downtown near 554 00:29:58,800 --> 00:30:03,180 Kathleen Wright: 34th Street, making sure that our grandstands down near 34th 555 00:30:03,180 --> 00:30:06,690 Kathleen Wright: Street are all installed. We have some marching band rehearsals 556 00:30:06,690 --> 00:30:09,330 Kathleen Wright: that take place that early in the morning. I eventually 557 00:30:09,330 --> 00:30:12,630 Kathleen Wright: will make my way uptown to the starting line, start 558 00:30:12,630 --> 00:30:15,810 Kathleen Wright: seeing our participants start to arrive, maybe rehearse the opening 559 00:30:15,810 --> 00:30:19,440 Kathleen Wright: number a few times. And then once the parade begins, 560 00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:22,770 Kathleen Wright: I am everywhere. I'm on a golf cart, I'm kind 561 00:30:22,770 --> 00:30:24,810 Kathleen Wright: of up and down the parade route, just making sure 562 00:30:25,290 --> 00:30:28,560 Kathleen Wright: that everything is running smoothly, checking in on our volunteers 563 00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:33,090 Kathleen Wright: and our operations teams. And when you get home, there's 564 00:30:33,090 --> 00:30:35,850 Kathleen Wright: a nice turkey dinner waiting for you, and it's a 565 00:30:35,850 --> 00:30:36,390 Kathleen Wright: great day. 566 00:30:37,140 --> 00:30:39,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, the timing of it is great because you're wrapped 567 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:41,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: up and ready to get home to have dinner, so 568 00:30:41,790 --> 00:30:44,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's a beautiful thing. Okay. What about the celebrities this 569 00:30:44,280 --> 00:30:46,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: year? I've got to ask this for my daughters. Who 570 00:30:46,260 --> 00:30:48,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: are the big stars that we can all look forward 571 00:30:48,780 --> 00:30:50,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: to seeing perform in the parade this year? 572 00:30:52,140 --> 00:30:55,020 Kathleen Wright: Yeah, we've got a great list of stars. I think 573 00:30:55,410 --> 00:30:58,110 Kathleen Wright: some of my favorites. We have Idina Menzel, who's going 574 00:30:58,110 --> 00:31:01,620 Kathleen Wright: to be performing on our new Wondrous World of Wildlife 575 00:31:01,620 --> 00:31:05,070 Kathleen Wright: float. That's a float by the Bronx Zoo that is 576 00:31:05,070 --> 00:31:08,940 Kathleen Wright: new to this year's parade, and just so stunning. We 577 00:31:08,940 --> 00:31:11,580 Kathleen Wright: also have Rachel Platten who will be performing on a 578 00:31:11,580 --> 00:31:15,750 Kathleen Wright: new float. She will be on the Rao's Pasta Night float, 579 00:31:15,750 --> 00:31:18,660 Kathleen Wright: which I think is a great one. Of course, for 580 00:31:18,660 --> 00:31:21,030 Kathleen Wright: runners too. A little pasta dinner the night before a 581 00:31:21,030 --> 00:31:24,420 Kathleen Wright: long run. We love it. We also have Bishop Briggs, 582 00:31:24,420 --> 00:31:27,360 Kathleen Wright: who's going to be on Wednesday. Wednesday's Feast, that's another 583 00:31:27,360 --> 00:31:32,280 Kathleen Wright: one that is in partnership with Netflix. And who can 584 00:31:32,490 --> 00:31:35,370 Kathleen Wright: forget Santa Claus, of course, the biggest celebrity of the 585 00:31:35,370 --> 00:31:38,250 Kathleen Wright: day. Kind of closing things out for us at the end of the parade. 586 00:31:38,940 --> 00:31:41,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: Oh, I'm already excited about this. Okay, this sounds great. 587 00:31:41,130 --> 00:31:43,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm going to definitely have to watch the replay after 588 00:31:43,680 --> 00:31:46,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: I get back from my turkey trot, so I can 589 00:31:46,140 --> 00:31:49,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: catch all of that. Because that sounds amazing. All right, 590 00:31:49,020 --> 00:31:51,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: so you've run the marathon and you've put on the 591 00:31:51,870 --> 00:31:56,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. So what is the biggest similarity, 592 00:31:56,760 --> 00:31:59,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: Kathleen, do you think, between these two events? What do 593 00:31:59,730 --> 00:32:01,321 Rob Simmelkjaer: you think they have most in common? 594 00:32:01,321 --> 00:32:09,720 Kathleen Wright: I think that one of the biggest things they have in common is the fandom. You said it at the 595 00:32:09,720 --> 00:32:12,000 Kathleen Wright: beginning of this, the New York City Marathon is one 596 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:14,310 Kathleen Wright: of the best days to be a New Yorker, to 597 00:32:14,310 --> 00:32:18,209 Kathleen Wright: be outside, to be in New York with millions of 598 00:32:18,210 --> 00:32:20,670 Kathleen Wright: other New Yorkers. And I think that that is the 599 00:32:20,670 --> 00:32:23,850 Kathleen Wright: same feeling that you see on Thanksgiving morning. People are 600 00:32:23,850 --> 00:32:28,560 Kathleen Wright: just excited to be there. They're excited to be cheering 601 00:32:28,650 --> 00:32:31,440 Kathleen Wright: on the people who are in the parade or in 602 00:32:31,440 --> 00:32:34,410 Kathleen Wright: the marathon. And there's a sense of community on those 603 00:32:34,410 --> 00:32:39,330 Kathleen Wright: days that is truly unmatched, I think anywhere. Not only 604 00:32:39,330 --> 00:32:41,250 Kathleen Wright: in New York, I think anywhere. And I think that 605 00:32:41,250 --> 00:32:43,140 Kathleen Wright: the fact that both of these events are in New 606 00:32:43,140 --> 00:32:46,860 Kathleen Wright: York, as a New Yorker, maybe I'm biased, but I 607 00:32:46,860 --> 00:32:49,050 Kathleen Wright: do think that that is what makes these events so 608 00:32:49,050 --> 00:32:53,070 Kathleen Wright: special is that sense of community when you're out on the 609 00:32:53,070 --> 00:32:57,270 Kathleen Wright: street just with your friends and family and even strangers, 610 00:32:57,270 --> 00:32:58,890 Kathleen Wright: and just being in it together. 611 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:03,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, I'll tell you, and that sounds right to me. I completely agree. We 612 00:33:03,150 --> 00:33:05,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: both like to have good weather. That makes a big 613 00:33:05,610 --> 00:33:08,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: difference. Weather makes a huge difference. I know for you 614 00:33:08,550 --> 00:33:11,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: guys especially, the key is not to have a lot 615 00:33:11,670 --> 00:33:14,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: of wind. I know that's always a big factor. People 616 00:33:14,580 --> 00:33:17,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: are looking a day or two in advance to see 617 00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:19,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: if the balloons are going to be able to fly 618 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:21,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: at their maximum height or whether you're going to have 619 00:33:21,300 --> 00:33:23,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: to bring them down when the wind is high. So 620 00:33:23,850 --> 00:33:26,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: I wish you guys low winds this year, a sunny 621 00:33:26,010 --> 00:33:28,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: day. I know that makes a big difference. 622 00:33:28,800 --> 00:33:31,200 Kathleen Wright: Yes, we are keeping our eyes on the weather. I 623 00:33:31,200 --> 00:33:34,200 Kathleen Wright: try not to look too far in advance. And we've 624 00:33:34,200 --> 00:33:38,490 Kathleen Wright: got all the teams in place to ensure that rain 625 00:33:38,490 --> 00:33:40,830 Kathleen Wright: or shine the parade will march on. 626 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:45,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, I always say that the TCS New York City Marathon 627 00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:47,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: is the best day of the year in New York. 628 00:33:47,940 --> 00:33:51,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: And the only time anyone ever says, " Ah, but what 629 00:33:51,630 --> 00:33:55,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: about?" Is always the Thanksgiving Day parade. The Macy's Thanksgiving 630 00:33:55,680 --> 00:33:58,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: Day Parade. So maybe we can call it a draw. 631 00:33:58,860 --> 00:34:00,361 Rob Simmelkjaer: How's that? Do you want to settle for that? 632 00:34:00,361 --> 00:34:02,191 Kathleen Wright: I like that. I'll settle for that. 633 00:34:02,191 --> 00:34:05,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: The two best days of the year in New York 634 00:34:05,130 --> 00:34:07,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: City, the TCS New York City Marathon and the Macy's 635 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:11,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kathleen, so much fun talking to you 636 00:34:11,640 --> 00:34:13,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: about this. I wish you luck with the parade this 637 00:34:13,890 --> 00:34:17,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: year. We'll all be watching it live or on television. 638 00:34:17,910 --> 00:34:21,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: And thanks for keeping up an amazing tradition. It's not 639 00:34:21,719 --> 00:34:26,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: always easy to keep up these traditions. There's sometimes expense 640 00:34:26,969 --> 00:34:30,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: involved and it can be hard, but Macy's has kept 641 00:34:30,239 --> 00:34:33,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: going. It's up there with Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and 642 00:34:34,140 --> 00:34:37,649 Rob Simmelkjaer: all the special things that make New York over the holidays 643 00:34:37,650 --> 00:34:40,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: magical. So thank you so much for what you do 644 00:34:40,110 --> 00:34:42,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: and what Macy's does, and we can't wait. 645 00:34:42,870 --> 00:34:44,610 Kathleen Wright: I can't wait either. Thanks so much. It's been so 646 00:34:44,610 --> 00:34:45,509 Kathleen Wright: great talking to you. 647 00:34:59,160 --> 00:35:01,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, thank you so much Kathleen for joining us 648 00:35:01,230 --> 00:35:04,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: on today's episode, and we hope you have a great 649 00:35:04,380 --> 00:35:08,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thanksgiving Day Parade. For today's member moment, we're excited to 650 00:35:08,100 --> 00:35:12,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: chat with Khia Kurtenbach, who recently made history by winning the 651 00:35:12,390 --> 00:35:16,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: inaugural every Woman's Marathon in Savannah, Georgia this past November. 652 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:21,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: Since 2019, Khia has been a familiar face in the New 653 00:35:21,030 --> 00:35:25,649 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners' community completing an impressive 31 races. Khia 654 00:35:25,650 --> 00:35:29,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: works in finance by day, but nights and weekends, it 655 00:35:29,070 --> 00:35:31,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: is all about running. From her early days as a 656 00:35:31,590 --> 00:35:35,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: swimmer to becoming an NCAA Division III cross- country champion. 657 00:35:35,640 --> 00:35:38,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: Very impressive. Khia, here with us today to talk about 658 00:35:38,430 --> 00:35:41,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: how running has become such a big part of her life. 659 00:35:41,850 --> 00:35:44,910 Meb: Thanks, Rob. Welcome to the (inaudible) , Khia. How are you? 660 00:35:45,750 --> 00:35:47,640 Khia Kurtenbach: I'm good. It's great to be here and it's great 661 00:35:47,640 --> 00:35:48,299 Khia Kurtenbach: to meet you. 662 00:35:48,930 --> 00:35:52,170 Meb: It's pleasure to meet you. Well, congratulations. You have come 663 00:35:52,170 --> 00:35:54,960 Meb: from a running family. Your mother has been running the 664 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:58,500 Meb: Grandma's Marathon since 1980s. Tell us about what it's like 665 00:35:58,500 --> 00:36:00,629 Meb: growing up with your mother as a marathoner. 666 00:36:02,190 --> 00:36:06,540 Khia Kurtenbach: Yeah, my mom has been running marathons for decades. I 667 00:36:06,540 --> 00:36:09,060 Khia Kurtenbach: think she started running marathons, like you said, in the 668 00:36:09,060 --> 00:36:13,140 Khia Kurtenbach: eighties. And when I was growing up, it was a 669 00:36:13,140 --> 00:36:16,200 Khia Kurtenbach: family event. Every fall she would run a marathon and 670 00:36:16,200 --> 00:36:19,200 Khia Kurtenbach: my dad would load my sister and I in the car and we 671 00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:21,690 Khia Kurtenbach: would drive from spot to spot along the course of 672 00:36:21,690 --> 00:36:25,530 Khia Kurtenbach: whatever marathon she was running to cheer for her. And 673 00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:27,779 Khia Kurtenbach: I remember always just being so proud of my mom. 674 00:36:27,780 --> 00:36:29,969 Khia Kurtenbach: And also how much fun it was to cheer her 675 00:36:29,969 --> 00:36:33,840 Khia Kurtenbach: on as she was running marathons. And I was not 676 00:36:33,840 --> 00:36:37,860 Khia Kurtenbach: a runner growing up, but her approach to sport, and 677 00:36:37,860 --> 00:36:41,219 Khia Kurtenbach: wanting to be competitive, and just be an athlete I 678 00:36:41,219 --> 00:36:44,460 Khia Kurtenbach: think really inspired me to do the same. And then 679 00:36:44,550 --> 00:36:46,650 Khia Kurtenbach: when I got into running in college and then after 680 00:36:46,650 --> 00:36:50,730 Khia Kurtenbach: college, it was just supernatural to want to do marathons 681 00:36:50,730 --> 00:36:52,620 Khia Kurtenbach: after seeing how much fun she had doing it over 682 00:36:52,620 --> 00:36:53,190 Khia Kurtenbach: the years. 683 00:36:53,940 --> 00:36:56,430 Meb: So much fun she had. But you were also by accident, 684 00:36:56,430 --> 00:37:00,540 Meb: you were training as a runner. But you transitioned from 685 00:37:00,660 --> 00:37:03,510 Meb: swimming to running late in your high school career and 686 00:37:03,510 --> 00:37:07,080 Meb: quickly found success. How did your experience as a swimmer 687 00:37:07,080 --> 00:37:10,290 Meb: influenced your approach to distance running and what challenge did 688 00:37:10,290 --> 00:37:13,440 Meb: you face in adapting to the new sport so rapidly? 689 00:37:14,610 --> 00:37:18,000 Khia Kurtenbach: So when I first started running, it was really difficult 690 00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:21,359 Khia Kurtenbach: because when you're a swimmer you don't hear yourself breathing. 691 00:37:21,989 --> 00:37:25,260 Khia Kurtenbach: And even though I was very cardiovascularly fit, because swimming 692 00:37:25,260 --> 00:37:29,250 Khia Kurtenbach: is also somewhat an endurance sport, it was kind of 693 00:37:29,250 --> 00:37:31,500 Khia Kurtenbach: scary to me when I first started running. I would hear 694 00:37:31,500 --> 00:37:34,739 Khia Kurtenbach: myself breathing hard and that really freaked me out. So 695 00:37:34,739 --> 00:37:37,320 Khia Kurtenbach: at first I actually didn't like running at all. And 696 00:37:38,370 --> 00:37:40,200 Khia Kurtenbach: I think that's true for a lot of swimmers. Swimmers 697 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:43,140 Khia Kurtenbach: when they first try running really don't like it because 698 00:37:43,140 --> 00:37:47,609 Khia Kurtenbach: it's kind of a mental adjustment, both hearing yourself breathe 699 00:37:47,610 --> 00:37:50,190 Khia Kurtenbach: and feeling the pounding. But when I was a senior 700 00:37:50,190 --> 00:37:52,080 Khia Kurtenbach: in high school, one of my best friends was on 701 00:37:52,080 --> 00:37:55,230 Khia Kurtenbach: the track team and she was like, " Come do track 702 00:37:55,230 --> 00:37:57,960 Khia Kurtenbach: with me. It will be so fun." And I gave 703 00:37:57,960 --> 00:37:59,700 Khia Kurtenbach: it a shot and went out for the track team. 704 00:37:59,700 --> 00:38:02,070 Khia Kurtenbach: And after a couple of weeks I was like, " Wow, 705 00:38:02,100 --> 00:38:03,810 Khia Kurtenbach: this sport is so much fun. Where has it been 706 00:38:03,810 --> 00:38:06,029 Khia Kurtenbach: my whole life?" And totally just fell in love with 707 00:38:06,030 --> 00:38:09,120 Khia Kurtenbach: running that first season of track in high school. 708 00:38:10,080 --> 00:38:12,660 Meb: Can you give a little perspective of how similar or 709 00:38:12,660 --> 00:38:14,850 Meb: how different they are? Because people see me as a 710 00:38:14,850 --> 00:38:17,520 Meb: marathon runner, " You're going to be a great swimmer," and 711 00:38:17,520 --> 00:38:19,920 Meb: I can't swim save my life. So how has that 712 00:38:19,920 --> 00:38:20,670 Meb: has been for you? 713 00:38:21,300 --> 00:38:25,350 Khia Kurtenbach: I think they're actually pretty different. The training is totally 714 00:38:25,350 --> 00:38:28,739 Khia Kurtenbach: different. In swimming, you can swim for hours and hours 715 00:38:28,739 --> 00:38:30,900 Khia Kurtenbach: and hours and not really get hurt. And in running 716 00:38:30,900 --> 00:38:33,960 Khia Kurtenbach: it's so much more important to manage your mileage and 717 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:37,799 Khia Kurtenbach: ramp up slowly. And the pounding is just a lot 718 00:38:37,800 --> 00:38:40,140 Khia Kurtenbach: harder on your body, so you have to think totally 719 00:38:40,140 --> 00:38:43,890 Khia Kurtenbach: differently about how much you can train, and how to 720 00:38:43,890 --> 00:38:46,260 Khia Kurtenbach: build up to that. I do think the thing that's 721 00:38:46,260 --> 00:38:50,609 Khia Kurtenbach: similar is the mindset. Both swimmers and runners, you have 722 00:38:50,610 --> 00:38:53,609 Khia Kurtenbach: to have a long- term perspective on your goals. It's 723 00:38:53,610 --> 00:38:56,580 Khia Kurtenbach: not about even necessarily what am I going to accomplish 724 00:38:56,580 --> 00:38:59,880 Khia Kurtenbach: this season or this month, but more you think in 725 00:39:00,300 --> 00:39:04,320 Khia Kurtenbach: months or even years timeframe about your goals and how 726 00:39:04,320 --> 00:39:06,660 Khia Kurtenbach: you'll step towards them. So I think that's very similar, 727 00:39:06,660 --> 00:39:09,660 Khia Kurtenbach: the mindset and how you think about goal setting, and long- 728 00:39:09,660 --> 00:39:12,090 Khia Kurtenbach: term goals. But the training is actually super different. 729 00:39:13,260 --> 00:39:16,830 Meb: That's great to hear. Your journey from a novice runner 730 00:39:16,830 --> 00:39:20,910 Meb: to NCAA Division III cross- country champion and now successful 731 00:39:20,910 --> 00:39:25,650 Meb: marathoner is remarkable. How was your perspective on running evolve 732 00:39:25,650 --> 00:39:29,160 Meb: on early days at the University of Chicago to running 733 00:39:29,160 --> 00:39:30,870 Meb: five TCS New York City marathons? 734 00:39:32,489 --> 00:39:34,469 Khia Kurtenbach: Well, when I first started running in college, I was 735 00:39:34,469 --> 00:39:38,610 Khia Kurtenbach: really lucky because I basically knew almost nothing when I 736 00:39:38,610 --> 00:39:40,890 Khia Kurtenbach: first started running in college. And I had a really 737 00:39:40,890 --> 00:39:44,489 Khia Kurtenbach: great coach and teammates who taught me lots of things, 738 00:39:44,489 --> 00:39:48,690 Khia Kurtenbach: and helped take a long- term approach to my starting 739 00:39:48,690 --> 00:39:52,140 Khia Kurtenbach: to run, and think about building up. So I'm really grateful to 740 00:39:52,140 --> 00:39:56,549 Khia Kurtenbach: them that they really developed my running career in college 741 00:39:56,580 --> 00:39:59,820 Khia Kurtenbach: over a couple of years. And really brought a lot 742 00:39:59,820 --> 00:40:04,110 Khia Kurtenbach: of joy to the sport for me. I had so much 743 00:40:04,110 --> 00:40:07,290 Khia Kurtenbach: fun with college running, it was honestly some of the 744 00:40:07,290 --> 00:40:09,719 Khia Kurtenbach: best highs of my life. But college running also comes 745 00:40:09,719 --> 00:40:13,110 Khia Kurtenbach: with a lot of pressure and intensity. And after college 746 00:40:13,110 --> 00:40:15,000 Khia Kurtenbach: I was almost a little bit ready to be done 747 00:40:15,000 --> 00:40:17,790 Khia Kurtenbach: with running, but then I moved to New York and 748 00:40:17,790 --> 00:40:21,239 Khia Kurtenbach: I just found such an amazing community here, that the 749 00:40:21,239 --> 00:40:23,969 Khia Kurtenbach: club scene in New York is so much fun. And 750 00:40:23,969 --> 00:40:26,009 Khia Kurtenbach: I met so many great people and they just kind 751 00:40:26,010 --> 00:40:29,009 Khia Kurtenbach: of pulled me into marathon running. So I can really 752 00:40:29,010 --> 00:40:31,170 Khia Kurtenbach: thank the Dashing Whippets, which is the team that I 753 00:40:31,200 --> 00:40:33,390 Khia Kurtenbach: run on in New York, for keeping me in the 754 00:40:33,390 --> 00:40:36,300 Khia Kurtenbach: sport and for really helping me build a lot of 755 00:40:36,300 --> 00:40:37,950 Khia Kurtenbach: excitement towards marathon running. 756 00:40:38,730 --> 00:40:41,520 Meb: Well, we are so grateful you didn't give up running. You 757 00:40:41,520 --> 00:40:44,640 Meb: just won the Every Woman's Marathon with a time of 758 00:40:44,640 --> 00:40:48,210 Meb: blazing, 2 hours and 26 minutes. What did it feel 759 00:40:48,210 --> 00:40:50,969 Meb: like to win this race at the inaugural of Every 760 00:40:50,969 --> 00:40:51,780 Meb: Woman's Marathon? 761 00:40:52,530 --> 00:40:55,739 Khia Kurtenbach: It was so much fun. It was really, really cool. 762 00:40:56,040 --> 00:40:58,860 Khia Kurtenbach: There was a lot of my personal running heroes at 763 00:40:58,860 --> 00:41:02,489 Khia Kurtenbach: the finish line. Des Linden and Kathrine Switzer in particular. 764 00:41:02,760 --> 00:41:05,009 Khia Kurtenbach: I remember when I was a kid, my mom talked 765 00:41:05,010 --> 00:41:08,279 Khia Kurtenbach: about Kathrine Switzer being someone who inspired her in marathon running. 766 00:41:08,280 --> 00:41:09,840 Khia Kurtenbach: And so it was really cool to meet her at 767 00:41:09,840 --> 00:41:11,910 Khia Kurtenbach: the finish line. And my mom got to meet her 768 00:41:11,910 --> 00:41:13,890 Khia Kurtenbach: at the finish line too, and she cried when she 769 00:41:13,890 --> 00:41:16,319 Khia Kurtenbach: got to meet her. So that was really, really cool. 770 00:41:17,190 --> 00:41:19,920 Khia Kurtenbach: But honestly, it was just so much fun. I think 771 00:41:19,920 --> 00:41:25,590 Khia Kurtenbach: that Marathon brought a really good vibes. It was very 772 00:41:25,590 --> 00:41:30,420 Khia Kurtenbach: inclusive and it was really oriented around any woman should 773 00:41:30,420 --> 00:41:32,460 Khia Kurtenbach: come and run this marathon and we're here for you 774 00:41:32,460 --> 00:41:35,130 Khia Kurtenbach: to help you finish it. And so, I just loved the environment 775 00:41:35,130 --> 00:41:39,239 Khia Kurtenbach: of the day and it was so much fun to go out there and run hard and be with a 776 00:41:39,239 --> 00:41:40,680 Khia Kurtenbach: bunch of women accomplishing their goals. 777 00:41:41,279 --> 00:41:46,259 Meb: So being student of the sport, seeing your mom run, and meet Kathrine Switzer and to see Des 778 00:41:46,320 --> 00:41:49,920 Meb: Linden, your hero or your role model, how was that 779 00:41:49,920 --> 00:41:52,410 Meb: interaction meeting everyone all at once? 780 00:41:53,310 --> 00:41:57,180 Khia Kurtenbach: It was pretty overwhelming actually, but also really fun. I 781 00:41:57,180 --> 00:42:00,210 Khia Kurtenbach: remember I was in college when Des won the Boston 782 00:42:00,210 --> 00:42:03,239 Khia Kurtenbach: Marathon. And I remember sitting in my chemistry class watching 783 00:42:03,239 --> 00:42:06,330 Khia Kurtenbach: on my phone the marathon while she was winning. So 784 00:42:06,330 --> 00:42:09,420 Khia Kurtenbach: she's someone who's really inspired me over the years and 785 00:42:09,420 --> 00:42:10,830 Khia Kurtenbach: I looked up to her. So it was great to 786 00:42:10,830 --> 00:42:13,739 Khia Kurtenbach: meet her. And it was really cool to meet everyone 787 00:42:13,739 --> 00:42:17,370 Khia Kurtenbach: at the finish and also just overwhelming and inspired me 788 00:42:17,370 --> 00:42:19,560 Khia Kurtenbach: to want to go run more races. 789 00:42:20,280 --> 00:42:24,299 Meb: Well, that chemistry class and inspiration by Des Linden. So 790 00:42:24,300 --> 00:42:26,610 Meb: now, like a lot of runners, you work on a 791 00:42:26,610 --> 00:42:30,239 Meb: finance. Do you think there's a connection between the mindset 792 00:42:30,239 --> 00:42:33,600 Meb: of someone who works in the finance and a long- distance runner? 793 00:42:33,600 --> 00:42:40,200 Khia Kurtenbach: Well, I think that anyone can bring the lessons that 794 00:42:40,200 --> 00:42:44,100 Khia Kurtenbach: they learn from sport or from running to their careers 795 00:42:44,100 --> 00:42:48,149 Khia Kurtenbach: and their jobs. Things like, I talked before about not 796 00:42:48,150 --> 00:42:50,219 Khia Kurtenbach: just thinking in the short- term, but thinking about your long- 797 00:42:50,219 --> 00:42:52,859 Khia Kurtenbach: term goals, and planning step- by- step, how you're going 798 00:42:52,860 --> 00:42:54,840 Khia Kurtenbach: to achieve and get there to those goals. I think 799 00:42:54,870 --> 00:42:57,509 Khia Kurtenbach: that's definitely something that I've learned from sport and then 800 00:42:57,510 --> 00:43:00,810 Khia Kurtenbach: been able to apply to my career. I think there's 801 00:43:01,380 --> 00:43:04,980 Khia Kurtenbach: other things that I've learned from athletics like teamwork and 802 00:43:04,980 --> 00:43:07,260 Khia Kurtenbach: how much having a good team around you that supports 803 00:43:07,260 --> 00:43:09,870 Khia Kurtenbach: you and believes in you is also something that you 804 00:43:09,870 --> 00:43:12,810 Khia Kurtenbach: can cultivate in your career and your job that makes 805 00:43:12,810 --> 00:43:13,590 Khia Kurtenbach: everyone better. 806 00:43:14,880 --> 00:43:17,460 Meb: Excellent. And sometimes when I was at UCLA, I remember 807 00:43:17,460 --> 00:43:20,460 Meb: to just learn formulas when I go for distance run. 808 00:43:20,460 --> 00:43:22,800 Meb: So while you exercise and you studying for something, do 809 00:43:22,800 --> 00:43:24,839 Meb: you do that occasionally for your business? 810 00:43:27,180 --> 00:43:33,780 Khia Kurtenbach: I actually think it's nice to be able to have a separation between your career and 811 00:43:33,780 --> 00:43:37,469 Khia Kurtenbach: then your hobbies. I always like to think that you 812 00:43:37,469 --> 00:43:40,230 Khia Kurtenbach: can't always be crushing it in every aspect of your 813 00:43:40,230 --> 00:43:42,930 Khia Kurtenbach: life. Sometimes things are going to go badly for you. 814 00:43:43,500 --> 00:43:45,180 Khia Kurtenbach: It's not always going to be your day. And it's 815 00:43:45,180 --> 00:43:47,850 Khia Kurtenbach: nice to be able to have multiple things. So if 816 00:43:48,210 --> 00:43:50,010 Khia Kurtenbach: one thing is not going so great for you, then 817 00:43:50,550 --> 00:43:53,160 Khia Kurtenbach: you can have a great day with running or vice versas. 818 00:43:54,090 --> 00:43:55,890 Meb: Well, you've been a winner on both sides, on your 819 00:43:56,850 --> 00:44:00,960 Meb: workforce and then also at Every Woman's Marathon. So congratulations and thank you for 820 00:44:00,960 --> 00:44:01,500 Meb: being with us. 821 00:44:01,920 --> 00:44:03,420 Khia Kurtenbach: Thank you. It was great to meet you. 822 00:44:03,989 --> 00:44:06,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you so much, Khia, for joining us and for 823 00:44:06,060 --> 00:44:09,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: being a member of New York Road Runners. Congratulations on 824 00:44:09,000 --> 00:44:11,759 Rob Simmelkjaer: the win. We will see you down the road. All 825 00:44:11,760 --> 00:44:13,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: right, now it's time for the final part of our 826 00:44:13,500 --> 00:44:15,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: show, today's Meb Minutes. 827 00:44:15,690 --> 00:44:18,270 Meb: Thanks, Rob. As we spend time to reflect on what 828 00:44:18,270 --> 00:44:21,180 Meb: we are thankful for, remember to be thankful for running 829 00:44:21,270 --> 00:44:24,480 Meb: and all it can bring you. Running is a gift and it is 830 00:44:24,960 --> 00:44:28,110 Meb: important to be thankful for every step you take. Whether 831 00:44:28,110 --> 00:44:31,590 Meb: it is a tough training day or a race, remember 832 00:44:31,590 --> 00:44:35,549 Meb: that each run is an opportunity to challenge yourself, grow 833 00:44:35,550 --> 00:44:40,710 Meb: stronger, and appreciate your body's ability. Gratitude helps you stay 834 00:44:40,710 --> 00:44:45,030 Meb: motivated and reminds you why you love the sport, especially 835 00:44:45,030 --> 00:44:48,000 Meb: when you have come back from injuries. Like for example, 836 00:44:48,000 --> 00:44:50,520 Meb: I used to say, " I can't believe I'm running without 837 00:44:50,520 --> 00:44:54,989 Meb: pain," because now you don't take the running ability for granted. 838 00:44:54,989 --> 00:44:59,190 Meb: Because you are running smoothly and without pain. Whereas before, 839 00:44:59,219 --> 00:45:02,790 Meb: if you've been injured, it's a dark place to be. 840 00:45:02,790 --> 00:45:05,820 Meb: So when you running freely without injury, you got to 841 00:45:05,820 --> 00:45:06,239 Meb: be thankful. 842 00:45:06,840 --> 00:45:08,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: And that does it for another episode of Set The 843 00:45:08,730 --> 00:45:11,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace. I want to thank our guests today, Kathleen Wright, 844 00:45:11,460 --> 00:45:16,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: the director of production operations at Macy's, and Khia Kurtenbach, winner 845 00:45:16,290 --> 00:45:19,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the inaugural Every Woman's Marathon. If you liked this 846 00:45:19,350 --> 00:45:22,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: episode, please make sure you go ahead and subscribe, rate, 847 00:45:22,440 --> 00:45:25,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: leave a comment for the show wherever you listen so 848 00:45:25,110 --> 00:45:28,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: others can find us as well. Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Enjoy 849 00:45:28,530 --> 00:45:31,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: those turkey trots. Enjoy the miles. We'll see you next week.