1 00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:08,309 AUDIO: Thank you, New York. Today, we're reminded of the power 2 00:00:08,309 --> 00:00:13,139 AUDIO: of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on 3 00:00:13,139 --> 00:00:18,988 AUDIO: your mark. The first woman to finish for the second straight 4 00:00:18,989 --> 00:00:22,470 AUDIO: year here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, a 5 00:00:22,470 --> 00:00:26,489 AUDIO: smiling Miki Gorman. And why not? 2: 29:30, the time for Grete Waitz. 6 00:00:27,809 --> 00:00:30,449 AUDIO: Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she comes 7 00:00:30,450 --> 00:00:33,749 AUDIO: to the line. Pointing to his chest, pointing to the 8 00:00:33,749 --> 00:00:44,219 AUDIO: USA he so proudly wears across his chest. A great day for Meb Keflezighi. 9 00:00:44,220 --> 00:00:47,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey, everybody, and welcome to another episode of Set the 10 00:00:47,370 --> 00:00:50,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace presented by Peloton. I'm your host and New York 11 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:54,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners CEO, Rob Simmelkjaer, and with me, Peloton's Becs Gentry. 12 00:00:54,869 --> 00:00:56,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, great to see you this week. How are you doing? 13 00:00:57,210 --> 00:00:59,910 Becs Gentry: I'm feeling very good. How are you? How was your long weekend? 14 00:01:00,390 --> 00:01:03,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: It was lovely, thank you. Got a little running in, 15 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:07,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little fun in, trying to get myself focused on 16 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: this little half- marathon. I'm supposed to run this weekend. 17 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: All systems are go for that. Was able to do 18 00:01:12,690 --> 00:01:16,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little training run, 10K over the weekend, and everything 19 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:17,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: felt good enough. 20 00:01:17,790 --> 00:01:21,539 Becs Gentry: I cannot wait to see what you run. Yeah, I'm 21 00:01:21,539 --> 00:01:21,959 Becs Gentry: going to be there. 22 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:26,789 Rob Simmelkjaer: I don't know. You know what I'm noticing, Becs? The first mile 23 00:01:26,789 --> 00:01:30,899 Rob Simmelkjaer: for me has just gotten harder and harder and harder 24 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:34,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: as I have gotten, let's just say, a little bit 25 00:01:34,470 --> 00:01:37,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: older and older and older. I think by mile two 26 00:01:37,230 --> 00:01:41,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: or three, I'm generally feeling like myself, but these first 27 00:01:41,340 --> 00:01:44,909 Rob Simmelkjaer: miles are really tough for me right now. And I'm actually thinking 28 00:01:44,910 --> 00:01:47,699 Rob Simmelkjaer: about this, Becs. What is the best way to get 29 00:01:47,699 --> 00:01:50,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: myself to the starting line, ready to run? I'm starting 30 00:01:50,550 --> 00:01:53,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: to think I need to run a mile before I 31 00:01:53,070 --> 00:01:56,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: get to these races because it's just taking a while 32 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:57,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: to work out the stiffness. What do you do? 33 00:01:58,380 --> 00:02:02,280 Becs Gentry: I would absolutely say running a little bit before gets 34 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,379 Becs Gentry: you in your rhythm because that's all it is, and 35 00:02:04,379 --> 00:02:07,890 Becs Gentry: it is age. It's just physiology. It's age. Your body 36 00:02:07,890 --> 00:02:10,500 Becs Gentry: takes a little bit longer to start clicking. The synovial 37 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:13,200 Becs Gentry: fluid takes longer to get more viscous between your joints, 38 00:02:13,380 --> 00:02:16,380 Becs Gentry: so you feel it as you're older. So yeah, if 39 00:02:16,380 --> 00:02:17,820 Becs Gentry: that means you're going to run a mile, a mile 40 00:02:17,820 --> 00:02:19,679 Becs Gentry: and a half, just make sure you do it at 41 00:02:19,679 --> 00:02:22,379 Becs Gentry: a really steady pace because you don't want to burn 42 00:02:22,379 --> 00:02:26,250 Becs Gentry: out before you start your half- marathon this weekend. So 43 00:02:26,250 --> 00:02:29,040 Becs Gentry: do a few strides, get yourself feeling energetic, get the 44 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:33,989 Becs Gentry: blood pumping, put on your favorite music, and have a 45 00:02:33,990 --> 00:02:36,690 Becs Gentry: minute to yourself. You know dance like no one's watching, 46 00:02:36,690 --> 00:02:39,179 Becs Gentry: run like everyone's chasing you, that sort of saying. 47 00:02:39,869 --> 00:02:42,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. I'm taking that advice to the bank 48 00:02:42,630 --> 00:02:45,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: because I definitely need to get moving. I'm looking at 49 00:02:45,660 --> 00:02:48,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: my splits on Strava and it's like that first mile 50 00:02:48,210 --> 00:02:50,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: is like, " Can I just erase that thing and not 51 00:02:50,490 --> 00:02:53,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: have that count?" So that's excellent advice. Thank you. For 52 00:02:53,460 --> 00:02:57,629 Rob Simmelkjaer: those out there who are in similar, let's say, time 53 00:02:57,660 --> 00:03:00,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: brackets, age brackets to me, you can take that all to 54 00:03:00,329 --> 00:03:02,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: the bank. I'm sure a lot of people out there 55 00:03:02,550 --> 00:03:05,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: can relate. Becs, we got a lot of great racing 56 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:07,501 Rob Simmelkjaer: coming up here in New York. 57 00:03:07,501 --> 00:03:07,620 Becs Gentry: We do. 58 00:03:07,620 --> 00:03:10,769 Rob Simmelkjaer: The MasterCard New York Mini 10K just over a week 59 00:03:10,770 --> 00:03:14,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: away and we just announced our pro field. It's a 60 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: great, great pro field. We'll be talking about it during 61 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:21,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: this show and this is a special MasterCard Mini 10K 62 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:25,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: episode we're going to have today. So not only do 63 00:03:25,139 --> 00:03:28,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: we have someone who is going to be competing in 64 00:03:28,889 --> 00:03:30,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: the event, one of our members, that's our Member Moment 65 00:03:30,900 --> 00:03:33,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: coming up, but we also have the man who puts 66 00:03:33,780 --> 00:03:37,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: these pro fields together. Sam Grotewold, who works at New 67 00:03:37,350 --> 00:03:40,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners, he's our General Manager of Professional Athletes, will 68 00:03:40,470 --> 00:03:43,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: join us to talk about this amazing field he's put 69 00:03:43,110 --> 00:03:46,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: together for the Mini as well as his really cool 70 00:03:46,230 --> 00:03:49,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: job, Becs, getting pro athletes to come to our big 71 00:03:49,530 --> 00:03:51,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: events in New York, whether it's the Mini or the 72 00:03:51,929 --> 00:03:55,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: United Airlines NYC Half, or of course, the TCS New York 73 00:03:55,260 --> 00:03:58,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon. Sam has one of the most fun jobs 74 00:03:58,020 --> 00:03:59,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: in running and he's going to join us a little 75 00:03:59,280 --> 00:03:59,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: bit later on. 76 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:03,029 Becs Gentry: He really does. He and the whole team, I am 77 00:04:03,030 --> 00:04:06,389 Becs Gentry: always in awe of their knowledge, their expertise, but their 78 00:04:06,389 --> 00:04:10,619 Becs Gentry: passion too. They are such passionate run nerds and I 79 00:04:10,619 --> 00:04:14,700 Becs Gentry: feel like I see a lot of myself in Sam, 80 00:04:14,700 --> 00:04:17,310 Becs Gentry: and I want to learn from him and Dorian and 81 00:04:17,310 --> 00:04:19,500 Becs Gentry: Christine every single time I meet them. 82 00:04:19,770 --> 00:04:21,509 Rob Simmelkjaer: He is great. And so he'll be joining us to 83 00:04:21,510 --> 00:04:24,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: talk about his job and the Mini field coming up. 84 00:04:24,300 --> 00:04:26,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: And by the way, that MasterCard New York Mini field 85 00:04:26,580 --> 00:04:29,759 Rob Simmelkjaer: includes all three of the women who'll be representing the 86 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: United States at the Olympics in the marathon this year. 87 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:36,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: Dakota Lindwurm will be one of them. Dakota will be our 88 00:04:36,180 --> 00:04:38,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: guest on Set the Pace next week, so look forward 89 00:04:38,700 --> 00:04:40,979 Rob Simmelkjaer: to that. And by the way, speaking of the Olympics, 90 00:04:41,010 --> 00:04:44,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, they'll be someone who we know quite well on 91 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:47,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: Set the Pace there as well. You, Becs, will be at 92 00:04:47,969 --> 00:04:51,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Olympics with the NBC Olympics team covering the Games. 93 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:55,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: What an awesome experience for you. I'm excited for you, 94 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:57,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs. I, by the way, have had a chance to 95 00:04:57,029 --> 00:05:00,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: do that myself three times so there is nothing more 96 00:05:00,660 --> 00:05:03,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun than covering the Olympics with NBC. I know you're 97 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:05,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to have a great time. How excited are you 98 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:06,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: for that? 99 00:05:06,629 --> 00:05:09,660 Becs Gentry: Beyond. It doesn't feel like it's really happening. I cannot 100 00:05:09,660 --> 00:05:13,650 Becs Gentry: believe that I am going to the Olympics. After having 101 00:05:13,650 --> 00:05:18,539 Becs Gentry: tried out for the Olympics for Team GB a few years 102 00:05:18,540 --> 00:05:22,680 Becs Gentry: ago for the marathon, I am pumped that I actually 103 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,979 Becs Gentry: get to go and experience it without the pressure. 104 00:05:28,019 --> 00:05:30,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: Not the running pressure, exactly. 105 00:05:30,390 --> 00:05:30,541 Becs Gentry: Not the running pressure. 106 00:05:30,541 --> 00:05:32,998 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's a different kind of pressure. Yeah, it's a different kind of pressure. When 107 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,998 Rob Simmelkjaer: that red light goes on, you'll feel it, but in a 108 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: totally different way and in a very fun way. It's 109 00:05:38,940 --> 00:05:41,519 Rob Simmelkjaer: such a great team over there at NBC. All my 110 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:45,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: friends over there, Becky Chapman and the whole team who 111 00:05:45,630 --> 00:05:47,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: does such a great job, Molly Solomon, of course, the 112 00:05:47,610 --> 00:05:50,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: executive producer. So you'll be well taken care of. I'm 113 00:05:50,970 --> 00:05:54,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: sure you'll have a great time in Paris and look 114 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: forward to watching you do your thing- 115 00:05:56,070 --> 00:05:56,071 Becs Gentry: Thank you. 116 00:05:56,071 --> 00:06:01,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... on the NBC coverage this summer. By the way, folks, we've 117 00:06:01,290 --> 00:06:04,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: got a great member moment coming up today. Our friend 118 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:09,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: Meb Keflezighi will be with the amazing Julianne Grace. Julianne is 119 00:06:09,510 --> 00:06:11,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: a New York Road Runner's member who is about to run her 120 00:06:11,820 --> 00:06:14,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: 48th, yes, 48th, Mini 10K. 121 00:06:14,428 --> 00:06:14,729 Becs Gentry: Wow. 122 00:06:16,379 --> 00:06:18,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: Which is amazing. The Mini 10K, for those who don't 123 00:06:18,510 --> 00:06:21,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: know, a women's- only road race that has been around 124 00:06:21,779 --> 00:06:24,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: for a very long time since the early '70s, the 125 00:06:24,510 --> 00:06:28,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: original women's road race in the United States, and Julianne 126 00:06:28,349 --> 00:06:30,299 Rob Simmelkjaer: has pretty much been there for just about all of them. 127 00:06:30,300 --> 00:06:33,539 Rob Simmelkjaer: So she'll join Meb in a little while, and in 128 00:06:33,540 --> 00:06:36,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: keeping with our two phenomenal guests, the Meb Minute will 129 00:06:36,630 --> 00:06:39,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: be all about the role that pro men can play 130 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: in elevating women in the sport. So stay tuned for that 131 00:06:42,660 --> 00:06:45,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well. Becs, before we get to our guest, it 132 00:06:45,570 --> 00:06:48,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: is so beautiful outside today and spring is my favorite 133 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:51,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: time of year to start a new workout routine. 134 00:06:51,750 --> 00:06:54,510 Becs Gentry: Totally agree, Rob. With the weather warming up, it just 135 00:06:54,510 --> 00:06:57,510 Becs Gentry: feels so much easier to get into the rhythm of things. 136 00:06:57,930 --> 00:07:00,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: One of the things that works so well for me, 137 00:07:00,570 --> 00:07:03,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, about Peloton is whether I've got 20 minutes to 138 00:07:03,270 --> 00:07:06,118 Rob Simmelkjaer: kill or a full hour for a Pilates class or 139 00:07:06,210 --> 00:07:10,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: maybe an outdoor guided walk, Peloton has everything I need 140 00:07:10,350 --> 00:07:11,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: to help get me going. 141 00:07:11,580 --> 00:07:14,310 Becs Gentry: It certainly does. It is such a great way to 142 00:07:14,310 --> 00:07:16,980 Becs Gentry: get a head start on summer with Peloton. You can 143 00:07:16,980 --> 00:07:19,110 Becs Gentry: find it at onepeloton. com. 144 00:07:19,710 --> 00:07:22,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, you may have seen the news that the MasterCard 145 00:07:22,380 --> 00:07:25,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Mini 10K coming up has an incredible pro 146 00:07:25,620 --> 00:07:28,199 Rob Simmelkjaer: field and the man who's in charge of putting that 147 00:07:28,199 --> 00:07:30,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: field together for New York Road Runners, as well as 148 00:07:31,050 --> 00:07:34,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: our pro fields for the TCS New York City Marathon 149 00:07:34,110 --> 00:07:38,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: and the United Airlines NYC Half, is Sam Grotewold. He 150 00:07:38,190 --> 00:07:41,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: joins us here today on Set the Pace to talk 151 00:07:41,250 --> 00:07:43,379 Rob Simmelkjaer: about what I think is one of the most interesting 152 00:07:43,380 --> 00:07:45,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: jobs in all of running. Sam, great to have you. 153 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:48,510 Sam Grotewold: Thank you, Rob. Thank you, Becs. It's great to be here. 154 00:07:48,510 --> 00:07:52,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: And I have to at least give you the credit 155 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:55,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: to say that Sam was a last- minute backup guest 156 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:58,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: today because Hellen Obiri was supposed to join us, but 157 00:07:58,230 --> 00:08:00,509 Rob Simmelkjaer: we had some connection problems. Helen will be back another 158 00:08:00,509 --> 00:08:03,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: day. So we threw Sam right into the mix here 159 00:08:03,270 --> 00:08:05,789 Rob Simmelkjaer: and no one is better prepared to talk about pro 160 00:08:05,789 --> 00:08:09,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: running than Sam. Sam, I am sure people out there 161 00:08:09,420 --> 00:08:12,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: who love running would love to have your job. Can 162 00:08:12,450 --> 00:08:15,599 Rob Simmelkjaer: you just talk about what it's like to do what 163 00:08:15,599 --> 00:08:18,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: you do, which is make sure that we've got incredible 164 00:08:18,690 --> 00:08:22,409 Rob Simmelkjaer: fields of pro athletes, both men and women, at so 165 00:08:22,410 --> 00:08:25,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: many of events, the events that include pro athletes, and 166 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:27,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: what it's like to actually do that job. 167 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:30,180 Sam Grotewold: Yeah, I get that a lot, " How do I do 168 00:08:30,870 --> 00:08:35,879 Sam Grotewold: what you do, Sam?" And I don't have a great 169 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:39,478 Sam Grotewold: answer for that. I, in some ways, lucked into this 170 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:44,309 Sam Grotewold: job 20- plus years ago and we've built this really 171 00:08:44,309 --> 00:08:47,848 Sam Grotewold: cool thing, but it wasn't a job that existed. It 172 00:08:47,850 --> 00:08:50,819 Sam Grotewold: wasn't something that I applied for when I started my 173 00:08:50,820 --> 00:08:54,210 Sam Grotewold: time at Road Runners, but it's also you have to 174 00:08:54,210 --> 00:08:56,909 Sam Grotewold: be a running fan. It's much, much more than that. 175 00:08:56,910 --> 00:09:01,169 Sam Grotewold: I'm not watching running YouTube videos all day and listening 176 00:09:01,170 --> 00:09:04,050 Sam Grotewold: to podcasts, although that's part of it. I say- 177 00:09:04,050 --> 00:09:06,449 Rob Simmelkjaer: You listen to this podcast every single week, of course. 178 00:09:06,510 --> 00:09:13,619 Sam Grotewold: 100%, sir. Most of my day is spent in Excel 179 00:09:13,620 --> 00:09:17,579 Sam Grotewold: spreadsheets, tracking things and little details and things like that. 180 00:09:17,580 --> 00:09:19,588 Sam Grotewold: So you have to be a running fan and you 181 00:09:19,590 --> 00:09:22,050 Sam Grotewold: have to stay very much in tune with what's happening 182 00:09:22,380 --> 00:09:24,030 Sam Grotewold: in the sport. And we just are coming out of 183 00:09:24,030 --> 00:09:27,988 Sam Grotewold: a big, big weekend with things going around all over 184 00:09:27,990 --> 00:09:32,309 Sam Grotewold: the world. But also it's a million details. It's a 185 00:09:32,309 --> 00:09:36,359 Sam Grotewold: lot of risk management, a lot of budgeting and reporting 186 00:09:36,359 --> 00:09:39,478 Sam Grotewold: and those kinds of things that aren't super sexy, aren't 187 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,838 Sam Grotewold: super cool, but are a vital part of this job. 188 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:46,559 Becs Gentry: It is unreal. Sam, one of the first times we 189 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:48,450 Becs Gentry: met was when I first joined the New York Road 190 00:09:48,450 --> 00:09:53,670 Becs Gentry: Runners broadcast team and I was blown away by your 191 00:09:53,699 --> 00:10:00,929 Becs Gentry: knowledge, your passion for the running world. And your knowledge, 192 00:10:00,929 --> 00:10:03,269 Becs Gentry: you've already said, 20 years you've been with New York 193 00:10:03,270 --> 00:10:06,360 Becs Gentry: Roadrunner, so I can't imagine the change, but how do 194 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:09,090 Becs Gentry: you stay up to date with everything? 195 00:10:10,110 --> 00:10:14,309 Sam Grotewold: I think like any fan, over the course of that 20 years, 196 00:10:14,309 --> 00:10:17,820 Sam Grotewold: Becs, things have evolved. I mean, Twitter wasn't a thing. 197 00:10:17,820 --> 00:10:20,098 Sam Grotewold: Instagram wasn't a thing. Podcasts weren't a thing when I 198 00:10:20,099 --> 00:10:24,809 Sam Grotewold: started. And those are all tools now that help fans 199 00:10:24,809 --> 00:10:26,610 Sam Grotewold: of the sport and people who work in the sport 200 00:10:28,199 --> 00:10:30,660 Sam Grotewold: stay in touch with what's going on. And in fact, 201 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:34,650 Sam Grotewold: it's helped me get to know athletes better, see them 202 00:10:34,710 --> 00:10:40,950 Sam Grotewold: outside of just results on a page. So as things 203 00:10:40,950 --> 00:10:42,929 Sam Grotewold: have evolved, it has helped me do my job better. 204 00:10:42,929 --> 00:10:45,719 Sam Grotewold: It has also created more work. We have a podcast 205 00:10:45,719 --> 00:10:47,580 Sam Grotewold: now that we need to line up athletes for and 206 00:10:47,850 --> 00:10:50,640 Sam Grotewold: we have social media initiatives that we need to get 207 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:54,090 Sam Grotewold: athletes involved in. So it's changed things I think for 208 00:10:54,090 --> 00:10:58,050 Sam Grotewold: the better for everybody. But yeah, like any fan of 209 00:10:58,050 --> 00:11:02,009 Sam Grotewold: the sport, I'm watching the broadcasts and I'm looking at 210 00:11:02,009 --> 00:11:07,560 Sam Grotewold: results every day and every weekend. And I happened to 211 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:09,900 Sam Grotewold: be lucky enough to have that be part of my 212 00:11:09,900 --> 00:11:15,958 Sam Grotewold: job. But like anybody else who's really into it, I 213 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:16,410 Sam Grotewold: have to be. 214 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,759 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sam, I have to congratulate you on an incredible field 215 00:11:20,759 --> 00:11:23,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: that we've got coming up at the MasterCard New York 216 00:11:23,340 --> 00:11:27,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mini 10K. It's featuring four past champions of the event, 217 00:11:27,570 --> 00:11:32,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: five Paris 2024 Olympians, and seven of the top 10 218 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:37,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: finishers from the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials. It's incredible. 219 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:40,708 Rob Simmelkjaer: Some of the headline names, Sam, of course, Senbere Teferi, who 220 00:11:40,708 --> 00:11:43,559 Rob Simmelkjaer: is a two- time champion of this event and the 221 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:48,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: event record- holder; Sara Hall as well, the two- time 222 00:11:48,090 --> 00:11:52,738 Rob Simmelkjaer: race champion; as well as the 2022 TCS New York City 223 00:11:52,740 --> 00:11:57,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon Champion, Sharon Lokedi; and then incredibly, all three Americans 224 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:00,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: who make up the three women who will be representing the United 225 00:12:00,780 --> 00:12:05,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: States in Paris, Fiona O'Keeffe, Emily Sisson, Dakota Lindwurm will 226 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:09,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: all be at the starting line in Central Park next 227 00:12:09,450 --> 00:12:12,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: weekend. It's incredible. Sam, how does a field like that 228 00:12:13,259 --> 00:12:16,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: come together? When did you first start talking to all 229 00:12:16,529 --> 00:12:19,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: these athletes and their representatives and how long does it take 230 00:12:19,980 --> 00:12:22,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: to get something like that to happen? 231 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:27,389 Sam Grotewold: Yeah, thanks for saying that, Rob. The many of all 232 00:12:27,389 --> 00:12:30,990 Sam Grotewold: the cool things that I get to do through my 233 00:12:30,990 --> 00:12:34,049 Sam Grotewold: role with New York Road Runners, the Mini is probably 234 00:12:34,049 --> 00:12:37,559 Sam Grotewold: my favorite. I love the history of the race. It's 235 00:12:37,559 --> 00:12:41,370 Sam Grotewold: really truly a great, great celebration of running and of 236 00:12:41,370 --> 00:12:47,610 Sam Grotewold: women as the women's original women- only road race. So 237 00:12:47,610 --> 00:12:51,150 Sam Grotewold: this really all started the weekend of the US Olympic 238 00:12:51,150 --> 00:12:55,170 Sam Grotewold: Trials this year in Orlando. And before the race, I 239 00:12:55,170 --> 00:12:59,100 Sam Grotewold: talked to all the top contenders, all the agents and 240 00:12:59,100 --> 00:13:01,080 Sam Grotewold: coaches of the top contenders, and said, " Look, if your 241 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:03,598 Sam Grotewold: athlete makes the team, we would really like to have 242 00:13:03,599 --> 00:13:06,540 Sam Grotewold: all three we at the Mini this year." And so it 243 00:13:06,540 --> 00:13:10,770 Sam Grotewold: all started there, and immediately after the race, I approached 244 00:13:11,219 --> 00:13:13,830 Sam Grotewold: each of the top three women and said, " We'd really 245 00:13:13,830 --> 00:13:16,590 Sam Grotewold: like you to come in June and work this all out." 246 00:13:16,590 --> 00:13:20,520 Sam Grotewold: And we were very fortunate that everybody's schedules aligned and 247 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,410 Sam Grotewold: that they're all going to be on the starting line 248 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:24,870 Sam Grotewold: on June 8th. So it all started in Orlando, and 249 00:13:24,870 --> 00:13:28,650 Sam Grotewold: once we had those three, everything else fell into place. 250 00:13:28,650 --> 00:13:31,290 Sam Grotewold: And you mentioned Senbere Teferi, our two- time defending champion. 251 00:13:31,290 --> 00:13:34,230 Sam Grotewold: She broke the event record at the Mini last year. 252 00:13:35,460 --> 00:13:38,010 Sam Grotewold: We always want our defending champions to come back, so 253 00:13:38,190 --> 00:13:41,400 Sam Grotewold: she was a huge priority. We love Sharon Lokedi, and 254 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:44,610 Sam Grotewold: after her amazing runner- up finish to Hellen Obiri in 255 00:13:44,610 --> 00:13:50,730 Sam Grotewold: Boston, we reached out to Sharon and solidified her participation, 256 00:13:51,059 --> 00:13:54,270 Sam Grotewold: and just went down the list of athletes that we 257 00:13:54,270 --> 00:13:57,750 Sam Grotewold: value and athletes that we prioritize. And then along the 258 00:13:57,750 --> 00:14:01,620 Sam Grotewold: way, there's these new ideas that come up and maybe 259 00:14:01,620 --> 00:14:03,990 Sam Grotewold: they weren't somebody that you were thinking of. So Eva 260 00:14:03,990 --> 00:14:10,200 Sam Grotewold: Kemboi, who was the NCAA 10, 000- meter Champion last year, I 261 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,360 Sam Grotewold: didn't have any way of reaching her, but somebody contacted 262 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:14,430 Sam Grotewold: me and said she was really interested in running and 263 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,719 Sam Grotewold: she's got a really sparkling personality and so that was 264 00:14:18,719 --> 00:14:20,669 Sam Grotewold: an opportunity that we jumped at, but not one that 265 00:14:20,670 --> 00:14:24,510 Sam Grotewold: I had been thinking about initially. So there's these athletes 266 00:14:24,510 --> 00:14:27,120 Sam Grotewold: that we prioritize and value and try to lock in 267 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:29,640 Sam Grotewold: quickly, and then there's these new ideas that come up 268 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:32,790 Sam Grotewold: along the way and maybe they're a compelling addition to 269 00:14:32,790 --> 00:14:35,940 Sam Grotewold: these stories we're trying to tell, so it's a little 270 00:14:35,940 --> 00:14:36,360 Sam Grotewold: bit of both. 271 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:40,859 Becs Gentry: Yeah. I mean, it is such an impressive field. I'm wowed. 272 00:14:40,859 --> 00:14:45,330 Becs Gentry: I'm upset I'm not going to be able to be there to run or to 273 00:14:45,330 --> 00:14:46,260 Becs Gentry: cheer this year. 274 00:14:46,260 --> 00:14:47,040 Sam Grotewold: That's disappointing, Becs. 275 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:51,599 Becs Gentry: I know, I know. Next year, I promise. But from 276 00:14:51,599 --> 00:14:55,530 Becs Gentry: the runner's perspective for the runners out there who are looking 277 00:14:55,530 --> 00:15:01,440 Becs Gentry: at especially our top three US Olympian marathon runners, what are 278 00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:04,980 Becs Gentry: we thinking that they are going to be performing over 279 00:15:04,980 --> 00:15:07,590 Becs Gentry: a 10K distance when they are a matter of weeks 280 00:15:07,590 --> 00:15:09,990 Becs Gentry: away from the biggest day of their life over the 281 00:15:09,990 --> 00:15:11,400 Becs Gentry: marathon distance? 282 00:15:12,270 --> 00:15:15,060 Sam Grotewold: Yeah. Well, I think the fact that they're all here 283 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:18,420 Sam Grotewold: and we've got a lot of cool stuff lined up 284 00:15:18,450 --> 00:15:22,500 Sam Grotewold: for them that weekend, some promotional things, but also, I 285 00:15:22,500 --> 00:15:24,900 Sam Grotewold: have to acknowledge, we all have to acknowledge that they 286 00:15:24,900 --> 00:15:28,080 Sam Grotewold: are training for a much more important competition over a 287 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:34,680 Sam Grotewold: much different distance a few weeks down the chain. Then 288 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:39,420 Sam Grotewold: again, Emily Sisson is a competitor and she has finished 289 00:15:39,420 --> 00:15:42,990 Sam Grotewold: top five in the Mini twice, and I know that 290 00:15:42,990 --> 00:15:45,150 Sam Grotewold: she's going to do her best to bring it. And 291 00:15:45,150 --> 00:15:47,759 Sam Grotewold: Fiona O'Keeffe just ran really, really well at the Night 292 00:15:47,759 --> 00:15:50,219 Sam Grotewold: of 10,000s in the UK, so we know that she's 293 00:15:50,219 --> 00:15:55,260 Sam Grotewold: in great shape. So I have to acknowledge that they'll 294 00:15:55,260 --> 00:15:57,690 Sam Grotewold: have marathon training in their legs and that this isn't 295 00:15:57,690 --> 00:16:01,140 Sam Grotewold: their goal race for the summer, certainly, but I know 296 00:16:01,140 --> 00:16:03,630 Sam Grotewold: they're all competitors and I know they're going to give 297 00:16:03,630 --> 00:16:09,240 Sam Grotewold: us and give fans and spectators and the ESPN+ broadcast 298 00:16:09,570 --> 00:16:13,200 Sam Grotewold: their best effort on that day. So that's all we 299 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,410 Sam Grotewold: can ask of any athlete, but especially these three women 300 00:16:16,410 --> 00:16:19,800 Sam Grotewold: who have this very, very big opportunity looming on the horizon. 301 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. Sam, your job's interesting, I think, any year, but 302 00:16:23,670 --> 00:16:26,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: an Olympic year, it is even more interesting and very 303 00:16:26,820 --> 00:16:29,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: much a different job, I'm sure. And so if we 304 00:16:30,750 --> 00:16:35,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: flash ahead to Paris in August, and I think you'll 305 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:39,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: be there watching how these races play out, not just 306 00:16:39,150 --> 00:16:42,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Olympics, but the other distances as well, how will 307 00:16:42,570 --> 00:16:47,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: you then start talking to athletes and their representatives about the 308 00:16:47,369 --> 00:16:50,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: TCS New York City Marathon in November? Because now, all 309 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:54,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: right, they've had their Olympics, some will have a good 310 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:57,479 Rob Simmelkjaer: Olympics, some will have disappointment of course, and many of 311 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: them will, I'm sure, be looking for what's next, especially 312 00:17:00,929 --> 00:17:04,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: the ones who didn't maybe have the performance that they 313 00:17:04,020 --> 00:17:07,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: were hoping for in Paris. So when do those conversations 314 00:17:07,290 --> 00:17:08,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: start and how does that work? 315 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:13,619 Sam Grotewold: We're about two months into those right now, Rob. The 316 00:17:13,619 --> 00:17:16,320 Sam Grotewold: impact of the Olympic Games, particularly on the TCS New 317 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:19,559 Sam Grotewold: York City Marathon, it exists not just in that Olympic 318 00:17:19,559 --> 00:17:24,750 Sam Grotewold: year. We've been very pleased with the US athletes that 319 00:17:24,750 --> 00:17:26,730 Sam Grotewold: we've gotten in the TCS New York City Marathon the 320 00:17:26,730 --> 00:17:30,388 Sam Grotewold: last couple of years, but also, a lot of US 321 00:17:30,390 --> 00:17:34,679 Sam Grotewold: athletes have gone to other races with faster courses, let's 322 00:17:34,679 --> 00:17:37,619 Sam Grotewold: say Chicago or Cal International or things like that, trying 323 00:17:37,619 --> 00:17:40,020 Sam Grotewold: to get the Olympic standard, trying to get the Olympic 324 00:17:40,020 --> 00:17:43,529 Sam Grotewold: trials qualifying time. And now, I think a lot of 325 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:48,270 Sam Grotewold: those athletes want to run New York this year, so 326 00:17:48,780 --> 00:17:51,478 Sam Grotewold: I think we're going to be blessed. I'm optimistic that 327 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:54,719 Sam Grotewold: we'll be blessed with more top Americans maybe than we've 328 00:17:54,719 --> 00:17:56,279 Sam Grotewold: been able to have the last couple of years, although 329 00:17:56,280 --> 00:17:58,680 Sam Grotewold: we've been very pleased with the US athletes that have 330 00:17:59,039 --> 00:18:01,710 Sam Grotewold: come and run in New York. A. Nd then for 331 00:18:01,710 --> 00:18:04,950 Sam Grotewold: those athletes who compete in the Games, and we know 332 00:18:04,950 --> 00:18:08,668 Sam Grotewold: who that list is going to be now, really the 333 00:18:08,670 --> 00:18:11,580 Sam Grotewold: only option for them in the fall is New York. 334 00:18:11,609 --> 00:18:14,908 Sam Grotewold: Berlin's too close, Chicago's too close. Valencia in December also 335 00:18:14,910 --> 00:18:18,958 Sam Grotewold: works for some athletes. So any athlete that's competing in 336 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:23,190 Sam Grotewold: the Games, if they want to run a marathon later 337 00:18:23,190 --> 00:18:27,329 Sam Grotewold: in 2024, New York is probably best positioned to do 338 00:18:27,330 --> 00:18:30,719 Sam Grotewold: that. So then it's a matter of just managing everything 339 00:18:30,719 --> 00:18:33,900 Sam Grotewold: and accommodating as many people as we can. We can't 340 00:18:33,900 --> 00:18:36,600 Sam Grotewold: take everybody, but accommodating as many people as we can 341 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:40,050 Sam Grotewold: and still trying to fit into these narratives that are 342 00:18:40,050 --> 00:18:44,938 Sam Grotewold: important to New York Road Runners. We like saying that 343 00:18:44,940 --> 00:18:48,029 Sam Grotewold: we have the most diverse marathon in the world outside 344 00:18:48,030 --> 00:18:51,990 Sam Grotewold: of the Olympic Games. It's typically between 25 and 30 countries represented 345 00:18:52,170 --> 00:18:54,389 Sam Grotewold: in the professional athlete field. That's something that's really, really 346 00:18:54,420 --> 00:18:57,898 Sam Grotewold: important to us. In 2021 in Tokyo, we were lucky 347 00:18:57,900 --> 00:19:01,379 Sam Grotewold: enough to get three of the six medalists in the 348 00:19:01,380 --> 00:19:03,840 Sam Grotewold: marathon, in the TCS New York City Marathon that fall. 349 00:19:04,619 --> 00:19:07,138 Sam Grotewold: They had all been secured for New York well before 350 00:19:07,710 --> 00:19:09,958 Sam Grotewold: the marathon in Tokyo, so we didn't know we were 351 00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:12,180 Sam Grotewold: going to get three of the six medalists. And that's 352 00:19:12,180 --> 00:19:15,090 Sam Grotewold: something that maybe could have only happened in the weird 353 00:19:15,090 --> 00:19:18,540 Sam Grotewold: year that was 2021 and may never happen again. But 354 00:19:18,540 --> 00:19:21,419 Sam Grotewold: people who run well in the Olympic Games, it's always 355 00:19:21,420 --> 00:19:24,629 Sam Grotewold: great to have them do a victory lap in New 356 00:19:24,630 --> 00:19:28,500 Sam Grotewold: York in November. And also, there are people, to your 357 00:19:28,500 --> 00:19:31,410 Sam Grotewold: point, who don't have the race that they want and 358 00:19:31,410 --> 00:19:34,470 Sam Grotewold: want to redeem themselves in New York is often well- 359 00:19:34,470 --> 00:19:39,719 Sam Grotewold: suited to do that. Paula Radcliffe, in 2004, rather famously 360 00:19:39,719 --> 00:19:43,859 Sam Grotewold: dropped out of the Olympic Games Marathon in Athens, and 361 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:45,660 Sam Grotewold: New York snatched her up and she won the race 362 00:19:45,660 --> 00:19:47,910 Sam Grotewold: that year, her first of three victories. So it works 363 00:19:47,910 --> 00:19:50,609 Sam Grotewold: that way too, where somebody doesn't have the race that 364 00:19:50,609 --> 00:19:56,339 Sam Grotewold: they want in the Games and we can potentially be there to provide a 365 00:19:56,340 --> 00:19:57,180 Sam Grotewold: little bit of redemption. 366 00:19:57,750 --> 00:20:00,809 Becs Gentry: Well, the courses are somewhat similar as well I've heard. 367 00:20:00,809 --> 00:20:04,980 Becs Gentry: The marathon course in Paris versus three months later, giving 368 00:20:04,980 --> 00:20:09,148 Becs Gentry: it a go on a similar elevation and topography. Have 369 00:20:09,148 --> 00:20:10,080 Becs Gentry: you heard the same thing? 370 00:20:10,710 --> 00:20:13,530 Sam Grotewold: Yeah, everybody that I've spoken to who has seen the 371 00:20:13,530 --> 00:20:17,280 Sam Grotewold: marathon course in Paris is freaked out because it's really 372 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:19,168 Sam Grotewold: hard. I would say, I haven't seen it, but I 373 00:20:19,170 --> 00:20:22,319 Sam Grotewold: would say from what I've heard, it's even harder than 374 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:26,580 Sam Grotewold: New York. So we'll see what happens. I think somebody 375 00:20:26,580 --> 00:20:30,660 Sam Grotewold: who runs well in Paris probably has the capability of 376 00:20:30,660 --> 00:20:33,329 Sam Grotewold: running well in New York, right? I'm not saying that 377 00:20:33,330 --> 00:20:36,208 Sam Grotewold: they will given the tight turnaround and it's likely to 378 00:20:36,210 --> 00:20:39,120 Sam Grotewold: be warm and humid in Paris, and it sounds like 379 00:20:39,210 --> 00:20:41,129 Sam Grotewold: that course is really going to beat people up, but 380 00:20:41,129 --> 00:20:45,630 Sam Grotewold: yeah. And that's something we look at too. I often 381 00:20:45,630 --> 00:20:48,930 Sam Grotewold: say that people who are good athletes who are good cross- 382 00:20:48,930 --> 00:20:51,388 Sam Grotewold: country runners tend to do well in New York, not 383 00:20:51,388 --> 00:20:53,398 Sam Grotewold: just because of the ups and downs, but because of 384 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:55,440 Sam Grotewold: some of the uneven footing on the roadways and things 385 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:59,760 Sam Grotewold: like that. So it sort of seems like Paris would 386 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:03,180 Sam Grotewold: be a course that's suited to good cross- country runners 387 00:21:03,180 --> 00:21:05,190 Sam Grotewold: too, multiple loops, and the big hill in the middle. 388 00:21:05,700 --> 00:21:08,340 Sam Grotewold: And so I think athletes who succeed in Paris have 389 00:21:08,340 --> 00:21:10,830 Sam Grotewold: the potential to do really well in New York too. 390 00:21:12,030 --> 00:21:14,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sam, one of the cool things about your job, not 391 00:21:14,340 --> 00:21:17,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: only do you recruit these athletes to our races, but 392 00:21:17,459 --> 00:21:20,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: you get to know them, you have relationships with them. 393 00:21:20,670 --> 00:21:24,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: I've seen you at events and they all know you 394 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:27,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: by name and you're chatting with them in the hotel lobbies 395 00:21:27,359 --> 00:21:30,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: and at the start and finish lines. Who are some 396 00:21:30,570 --> 00:21:33,718 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the athletes you have really gotten to know who have been 397 00:21:33,719 --> 00:21:36,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: some of your favorites over the years, just in terms 398 00:21:36,570 --> 00:21:40,438 Rob Simmelkjaer: of people and your enjoyment of just knowing them as 399 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:42,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: individuals in addition to being athletes? 400 00:21:42,900 --> 00:21:47,400 Sam Grotewold: Oh my goodness. I would say that Meb Keflezighi has 401 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:51,718 Sam Grotewold: become, over the course of the 20- plus years that 402 00:21:51,719 --> 00:21:54,449 Sam Grotewold: I've known him, has become a very close friend. Jenny 403 00:21:54,449 --> 00:21:56,580 Sam Grotewold: Simpson, who I know you've had here on Set the 404 00:21:56,580 --> 00:22:03,898 Sam Grotewold: Pace, Jenny and I are very close. Abdi Abdirahman, I 405 00:22:03,900 --> 00:22:07,379 Sam Grotewold: think he's finally decided to end his career, but Abdi 406 00:22:07,380 --> 00:22:10,109 Sam Grotewold: and I basically came up together and we competed against 407 00:22:10,109 --> 00:22:14,340 Sam Grotewold: each other in college and both entered the sport, him 408 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:18,780 Sam Grotewold: as an Olympian and me as somebody just working in 409 00:22:18,780 --> 00:22:21,359 Sam Grotewold: the sport, working for New York Road Runners, became very 410 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:24,869 Sam Grotewold: close. So Abdi is somebody that I remain very close 411 00:22:24,869 --> 00:22:28,438 Sam Grotewold: with. The thing is, as I get older, Rob, the 412 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:31,800 Sam Grotewold: athletes coming up are much, much younger than me now, 413 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:35,490 Sam Grotewold: so my relationship with them is different. I used to 414 00:22:35,490 --> 00:22:37,620 Sam Grotewold: be the guy that would go out and take them 415 00:22:37,740 --> 00:22:41,158 Sam Grotewold: shopping or take them out for a beer after the 416 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:42,840 Sam Grotewold: race or go out on a training run with them. 417 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:44,908 Sam Grotewold: Now I'm the guy that looks at my watch and 418 00:22:44,910 --> 00:22:47,580 Sam Grotewold: tells them to get on the bus. So my relationship 419 00:22:47,580 --> 00:22:52,109 Sam Grotewold: with them is very different now. But yeah, no, we 420 00:22:52,109 --> 00:22:53,850 Sam Grotewold: work in a sport and we exist in a sport 421 00:22:53,850 --> 00:22:59,398 Sam Grotewold: that is largely diva- free and that's really cool that 422 00:22:59,910 --> 00:23:01,918 Sam Grotewold: I get to work with so many cool people and so 423 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:05,428 Sam Grotewold: many cool personalities and people who are so appreciative of 424 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:10,379 Sam Grotewold: the opportunities that they've been given to compete in this 425 00:23:10,380 --> 00:23:13,138 Sam Grotewold: sport and to potentially make a living in this sport. 426 00:23:13,500 --> 00:23:17,490 Becs Gentry: It's super, super interesting. And I love the bond, I do, 427 00:23:17,490 --> 00:23:19,259 Becs Gentry: as Rob said, the bond that you have with the 428 00:23:19,259 --> 00:23:23,009 Becs Gentry: athletes and the way that you can guide them. A 429 00:23:23,010 --> 00:23:25,470 Becs Gentry: lot of the athletes, I think, who come to New York, 430 00:23:25,859 --> 00:23:29,700 Becs Gentry: especially for the first time, must be massively overwhelmed. And 431 00:23:29,700 --> 00:23:33,148 Becs Gentry: then they have this angel in the form of Sam 432 00:23:33,150 --> 00:23:36,419 Becs Gentry: who comes and just puts them on the bus or 433 00:23:36,540 --> 00:23:39,029 Becs Gentry: tells them where to go and have a good run, 434 00:23:39,030 --> 00:23:41,670 Becs Gentry: whether you run with them or not. Have you had 435 00:23:41,730 --> 00:23:46,560 Becs Gentry: any very, I don't know, interesting conversations or have you ever... 436 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:48,600 Becs Gentry: Anyone who's stuck in your mind as coming to New 437 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:52,109 Becs Gentry: York and being really struck by the city? 438 00:23:52,888 --> 00:23:55,438 Sam Grotewold: Yeah. Well, first of all, it's not just me, Becs, right? 439 00:23:55,888 --> 00:23:56,099 Becs Gentry: True. 440 00:23:56,700 --> 00:23:59,398 Sam Grotewold: My partner in crime is Dorian Kail, New York Road 441 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:02,340 Sam Grotewold: Runner's Director of Professional Athletes. And she does a lot 442 00:24:02,340 --> 00:24:04,411 Sam Grotewold: of the blocking and tackling behind the scenes that- 443 00:24:04,411 --> 00:24:04,412 Becs Gentry: She does. 444 00:24:04,412 --> 00:24:08,160 Sam Grotewold: ... maybe sometimes I get credit for, but she absolutely 445 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:12,148 Sam Grotewold: deserves that credit. And we report to Christine Burke who 446 00:24:13,109 --> 00:24:16,648 Sam Grotewold: is really, really good about helping me see things in 447 00:24:17,160 --> 00:24:21,420 Sam Grotewold: other ways. So I really value Christine's support and all 448 00:24:21,420 --> 00:24:26,280 Sam Grotewold: that she's done for me and Dorian. I think the 449 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:29,158 Sam Grotewold: two most interesting races in terms of what you're talking 450 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:31,259 Sam Grotewold: about, Becs, are the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile in 451 00:24:31,259 --> 00:24:34,289 Sam Grotewold: September, and the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K 452 00:24:34,289 --> 00:24:40,110 Sam Grotewold: in November, which also has served as the USATF 5K Championships 453 00:24:40,410 --> 00:24:44,250 Sam Grotewold: historically. And I call those out because those tend to 454 00:24:44,250 --> 00:24:49,019 Sam Grotewold: be the athletes where we get the youngest athletes coming. 455 00:24:49,259 --> 00:24:52,289 Sam Grotewold: First experience at New York Road Runner events often, first 456 00:24:52,289 --> 00:24:55,888 Sam Grotewold: experience in New York City often. So it's those races 457 00:24:55,890 --> 00:24:59,790 Sam Grotewold: where they're, I think, the wettest behind the ears, the 458 00:24:59,790 --> 00:25:05,638 Sam Grotewold: greenest, and maybe can be the most overwhelming. I think 459 00:25:05,638 --> 00:25:08,490 Sam Grotewold: about the Dash and the 5K Championships. Lots of times, 460 00:25:08,759 --> 00:25:11,609 Sam Grotewold: that's an athlete's first- ever pro race. They're just coming 461 00:25:11,609 --> 00:25:16,109 Sam Grotewold: out of college and they've never seen an event of 462 00:25:16,109 --> 00:25:18,478 Sam Grotewold: that size, a road race with 12, 000 people lining up 463 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:21,150 Sam Grotewold: behind them. And we're really proud of how we take 464 00:25:21,150 --> 00:25:24,060 Sam Grotewold: care of athletes and our whole hospitality operation. Again, that's 465 00:25:24,300 --> 00:25:28,438 Sam Grotewold: all Dorian. So they've never... That's something that most athletes 466 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:32,369 Sam Grotewold: haven't experienced ever in college or where they were coming 467 00:25:32,369 --> 00:25:35,220 Sam Grotewold: from before they got invited to that race. So those 468 00:25:35,220 --> 00:25:37,740 Sam Grotewold: are the two where really I think you get to 469 00:25:37,740 --> 00:25:45,539 Sam Grotewold: see these wide- eyed kids show up, and it can 470 00:25:45,540 --> 00:25:52,380 Sam Grotewold: be overwhelming, but we try to keep everybody calm and 471 00:25:52,380 --> 00:25:54,540 Sam Grotewold: we try to... I say this to the team all 472 00:25:54,540 --> 00:25:58,349 Sam Grotewold: the time. If we act like we know what we're 473 00:25:58,349 --> 00:26:01,198 Sam Grotewold: doing, if we stay calm, then the athletes will be calm. 474 00:26:01,410 --> 00:26:02,879 Sam Grotewold: If we act like we don't know what we're doing, 475 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:05,849 Sam Grotewold: if we act stressed and anxious, then the athletes are 476 00:26:05,850 --> 00:26:09,090 Sam Grotewold: going to pick up on that. So my job and 477 00:26:09,420 --> 00:26:12,390 Sam Grotewold: Dorian's job and our team's job is to just stay calm 478 00:26:12,390 --> 00:26:14,309 Sam Grotewold: and at least pretend like we know what we're doing, 479 00:26:14,309 --> 00:26:17,579 Sam Grotewold: even if we don't always know what we're doing. But 480 00:26:17,580 --> 00:26:20,339 Sam Grotewold: that's our job, to keep people calm, because when they're 481 00:26:20,340 --> 00:26:23,398 Sam Grotewold: calm and when they feel confident, then they're going to 482 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:24,060 Sam Grotewold: run their best. 483 00:26:24,869 --> 00:26:27,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, well, we're going to have a very accomplished, 484 00:26:27,510 --> 00:26:31,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: and I'm sure also very calm field coming together at 485 00:26:31,410 --> 00:26:34,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: the MasterCard New York Mini 10K. It should be a 486 00:26:34,530 --> 00:26:37,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of fun. Sam Grotewold, who put it together for 487 00:26:37,469 --> 00:26:40,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: us, Sam, thank you for joining us in a pinch. 488 00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:43,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: We appreciate you and we will see you down the 489 00:26:43,050 --> 00:26:43,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: road. Thank you. 490 00:26:44,460 --> 00:26:45,330 Sam Grotewold: Thank you very much both. 491 00:26:58,770 --> 00:27:01,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: We're just a few days away from the iconic MasterCard 492 00:27:01,740 --> 00:27:05,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Mini 10K Women's Race, which this year, is 493 00:27:05,010 --> 00:27:10,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: Saturday, June 8th. Founded in 1972 and celebrating women's liberation, 494 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:13,559 Rob Simmelkjaer: the race empowers women of all ages and fitness levels 495 00:27:13,559 --> 00:27:17,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: to come together. It was initially called the Crazy Legs 496 00:27:17,100 --> 00:27:21,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mini 10K, now the Crazy Legs moniker is saved specifically 497 00:27:21,330 --> 00:27:24,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: for women who have run the race at least 15 498 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:28,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: times. Today's member and Crazy Legs runner has 47 finishes, 499 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:32,099 Rob Simmelkjaer: and now it's a family affair as well. Her daughter, 500 00:27:32,099 --> 00:27:36,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: Dede, has 43 straight finishes, and her three granddaughters have 501 00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:39,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: run the race as well. Meb, take it away with 502 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:41,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: Crazy Legs runner, Julianne Grace. 503 00:27:42,450 --> 00:27:45,960 Meb Keflezighi: I am so excited to be introducing and be able 504 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:50,609 Meb Keflezighi: to chat with Julianne Grace on Set the Pace. Julianne, 505 00:27:50,638 --> 00:27:53,938 Meb Keflezighi: can you tell us about your first race? How well 506 00:27:53,940 --> 00:27:54,720 Meb Keflezighi: were you trained? 507 00:27:55,950 --> 00:28:00,750 Julianne Grace: Oh, that is a funny story actually. My husband got 508 00:28:00,750 --> 00:28:06,660 Julianne Grace: me started running in 1971. He took me out one 509 00:28:06,660 --> 00:28:10,020 Julianne Grace: evening because he had gotten hooked on running in the 510 00:28:10,020 --> 00:28:15,960 Julianne Grace: 1960s, and we did a mile. I hated it. I 511 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:19,020 Julianne Grace: huffed and I puffed, and we came home and I 512 00:28:19,080 --> 00:28:22,948 Julianne Grace: basically said, " Never again." So we waited a couple of 513 00:28:22,950 --> 00:28:26,490 Julianne Grace: days and then he dragged me out again. And so 514 00:28:26,670 --> 00:28:29,729 Julianne Grace: that's how it started. And I went from one mile to 515 00:28:29,910 --> 00:28:33,119 Julianne Grace: two to three huffing and puffing, but I got to 516 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:38,610 Julianne Grace: like it better. I ran my first race in 1972. 517 00:28:40,020 --> 00:28:43,920 Julianne Grace: It was on Mother's Day. It was all women in 518 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:50,400 Julianne Grace: Fairfield, Connecticut. And I won. Now, I was coming toward 519 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:53,340 Julianne Grace: the finish line and I saw this tape. They had 520 00:28:53,340 --> 00:28:59,070 Julianne Grace: it stretched across waist- high on the street. I went 521 00:28:59,070 --> 00:29:02,009 Julianne Grace: under it. I didn't know you were supposed to run 522 00:29:02,009 --> 00:29:04,859 Julianne Grace: through it. And of course, everybody cracked up with laughter. 523 00:29:05,670 --> 00:29:09,570 Julianne Grace: So that's how ignorant I was about athletics. But my 524 00:29:09,570 --> 00:29:15,359 Julianne Grace: first mini was the first certified 10- kilometer mini in 525 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:21,420 Julianne Grace: 1975. Now, the Mini started in 1972, and for three years, 526 00:29:21,420 --> 00:29:25,350 Julianne Grace: they had it as a six- miler. But 1975 was a 527 00:29:25,350 --> 00:29:30,120 Julianne Grace: big deal. It was going to be a 10K, and it was my first 10K. 528 00:29:31,290 --> 00:29:34,620 Julianne Grace: Now, to put things in perspective, there weren't so many 529 00:29:34,620 --> 00:29:42,779 Julianne Grace: women running in those days. We had 276 finishers in 530 00:29:42,779 --> 00:29:48,780 Julianne Grace: that mini. I was not dead last. I finished 175th. 531 00:29:49,470 --> 00:29:54,240 Julianne Grace: I've kept my records all these years. So I loved 532 00:29:54,240 --> 00:29:57,479 Julianne Grace: it, the feeling of solidarity, of being in a race 533 00:29:57,570 --> 00:30:01,530 Julianne Grace: with women of all ages. There weren't too many of 534 00:30:01,530 --> 00:30:04,830 Julianne Grace: us, but over the years, that mini has grown and 535 00:30:04,830 --> 00:30:07,920 Julianne Grace: grown. And last year, I think we had about 8, 536 00:30:07,950 --> 00:30:08,970 Julianne Grace: 000 runners. 537 00:30:09,599 --> 00:30:12,780 Meb Keflezighi: That's amazing, Julianne. Thanks for that perspective and depicting the 538 00:30:12,780 --> 00:30:16,529 Meb Keflezighi: picture, how it was. But now, I know you've done the 539 00:30:16,529 --> 00:30:21,240 Meb Keflezighi: Mini many times, and how has women's sports changed, or 540 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:23,940 Meb Keflezighi: running, since you first began running? I mean, I think 541 00:30:23,940 --> 00:30:27,300 Meb Keflezighi: mainly now is women dominance in the racing, but how 542 00:30:27,300 --> 00:30:29,220 Meb Keflezighi: has that experience been for you to see that? 543 00:30:30,450 --> 00:30:34,889 Julianne Grace: Well, it's been quite amazing and I've done it, think 544 00:30:34,889 --> 00:30:38,850 Julianne Grace: about it, through the '70s, the '80s, the '90s, and into 545 00:30:38,850 --> 00:30:45,149 Julianne Grace: the 2000s. At the beginning, it was definitely improved by 546 00:30:45,690 --> 00:30:50,190 Julianne Grace: Title IX coming along. All of a sudden, it was more 547 00:30:50,190 --> 00:30:54,449 Julianne Grace: respectable for women to be in athletics. In the early 548 00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:57,450 Julianne Grace: days, it was weird being a woman runner out on 549 00:30:57,450 --> 00:31:00,238 Julianne Grace: the roads. I had beer cans thrown at me out 550 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:05,910 Julianne Grace: of cars. I had curse words, usually guys coming by 551 00:31:05,910 --> 00:31:10,139 Julianne Grace: in cars when I'd be out training. And then it 552 00:31:10,139 --> 00:31:15,330 Julianne Grace: changed. I'd say, by the late 1970s, there were many 553 00:31:15,330 --> 00:31:22,079 Julianne Grace: more women running, and certainly in 1984 when women were 554 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:25,230 Julianne Grace: going to be in the Olympic Marathon, it was such 555 00:31:25,230 --> 00:31:30,150 Julianne Grace: a big deal. So the '80s, running exploded. It definitely 556 00:31:30,300 --> 00:31:34,410 Julianne Grace: did. Now, all through those years, think about it, the 557 00:31:34,410 --> 00:31:40,200 Julianne Grace: New York Road Runners sponsored this woman's race every spring. 558 00:31:41,130 --> 00:31:43,469 Julianne Grace: I have to give a shout- out to the New 559 00:31:43,469 --> 00:31:48,090 Julianne Grace: York Road Runners because we've had terrific sponsors over the 560 00:31:48,090 --> 00:31:52,950 Julianne Grace: years, MasterCard more recently, but we had Advil, had L'eggs, 561 00:31:53,670 --> 00:31:56,970 Julianne Grace: and Circle of Friends, and early on, Bonnie Bell. But 562 00:31:56,970 --> 00:32:00,690 Julianne Grace: there were years when there were no sponsors and the New York 563 00:32:00,690 --> 00:32:04,499 Julianne Grace: Road Runners kept that women's race going through thick and 564 00:32:04,500 --> 00:32:10,350 Julianne Grace: thin. So kudos to the New York Road Runners. And 565 00:32:10,350 --> 00:32:16,830 Julianne Grace: women's running now is just accepted. Last year when I 566 00:32:16,830 --> 00:32:20,129 Julianne Grace: was out there, and very much at the back of the 567 00:32:20,219 --> 00:32:23,609 Julianne Grace: pack because I'm much slower now, just to look around 568 00:32:23,609 --> 00:32:28,410 Julianne Grace: and see girls and women, each with an individual goal, 569 00:32:28,500 --> 00:32:32,190 Julianne Grace: each standing there ready to put her feet on the 570 00:32:32,190 --> 00:32:35,429 Julianne Grace: ground, one foot in front of the other, what a 571 00:32:35,429 --> 00:32:39,059 Julianne Grace: pure and wonderful sport running is. Don't you feel that way? 572 00:32:39,989 --> 00:32:43,920 Meb Keflezighi: Absolutely. Running unites us all to the best we can. But 573 00:32:43,920 --> 00:32:47,670 Meb Keflezighi: I wanted to ask you, who were the role models 574 00:32:48,300 --> 00:32:50,910 Meb Keflezighi: that helped you trail blaze or that kind of says, " 575 00:32:50,910 --> 00:32:52,830 Meb Keflezighi: You know what? I can do this" in that era? 576 00:32:53,219 --> 00:32:55,409 Meb Keflezighi: What women were you inspired by? 577 00:32:56,309 --> 00:33:00,509 Julianne Grace: Oh, I would say in the early days, Nina Kuscsik was a 578 00:33:00,510 --> 00:33:04,170 Julianne Grace: standout. I mean, she was so brave and such a 579 00:33:04,170 --> 00:33:08,700 Julianne Grace: terrific runner and humble about it. I really looked up 580 00:33:08,700 --> 00:33:11,580 Julianne Grace: to her so much. And then of course, Joan Benoit 581 00:33:11,730 --> 00:33:17,399 Julianne Grace: Samuelson. I mean, Joanie was, again, everybody's idea of a 582 00:33:17,430 --> 00:33:22,890 Julianne Grace: fabulous runner. So much grit, so much determination. And I 583 00:33:22,890 --> 00:33:26,639 Julianne Grace: must say, in recent times, my daughter has been my 584 00:33:26,639 --> 00:33:31,559 Julianne Grace: inspiration because I got her into running and she has 585 00:33:31,620 --> 00:33:35,879 Julianne Grace: far surpassed me as a runner. But for the last 586 00:33:35,879 --> 00:33:40,200 Julianne Grace: few years, she has done the Mini on crutches because 587 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:45,239 Julianne Grace: she has dystonia, focal dystonia in her right leg and 588 00:33:45,240 --> 00:33:48,929 Julianne Grace: she can't run anymore and she can't even walk unaided. 589 00:33:49,500 --> 00:33:55,320 Julianne Grace: And just to see her resilience and digging deep and 590 00:33:55,860 --> 00:34:00,000 Julianne Grace: getting it done, I mean, to think about doing 10 591 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:05,190 Julianne Grace: kilometers with hills on crutches, it's pretty amazing. So yes, 592 00:34:05,190 --> 00:34:08,880 Julianne Grace: I've been inspired by many women over the years. And 593 00:34:09,690 --> 00:34:14,009 Julianne Grace: speaking personally, I think every woman that runs gets a 594 00:34:14,010 --> 00:34:19,260 Julianne Grace: sense of self- confidence and achievement from it. It's just 595 00:34:19,260 --> 00:34:21,540 Julianne Grace: to go out in a race or even on a 596 00:34:21,540 --> 00:34:27,029 Julianne Grace: training run and to finish that distance, what an accomplishment, really. 597 00:34:28,469 --> 00:34:31,170 Meb Keflezighi: Well, Julianne, you have been a trailblazer into that arena 598 00:34:31,170 --> 00:34:34,979 Meb Keflezighi: of the Mini 10K. And to have your daughter, Dede, 599 00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:39,270 Meb Keflezighi: finish 42 straight and having your three granddaughters run the 600 00:34:39,270 --> 00:34:41,489 Meb Keflezighi: race, what does that mean for you to be along 601 00:34:41,489 --> 00:34:42,330 Meb Keflezighi: the course with them? 602 00:34:43,410 --> 00:34:47,459 Julianne Grace: Oh, it's just love. The three girls do it for 603 00:34:47,459 --> 00:34:51,510 Julianne Grace: their mother and their grandmother. Every year, they turn out. 604 00:34:52,830 --> 00:34:58,410 Julianne Grace: The oldest one, my namesake, Julianne, it'll be her Crazy 605 00:34:58,410 --> 00:35:04,259 Julianne Grace: Legs, 15 Minis. And think about it, she will be 606 00:35:04,260 --> 00:35:08,520 Julianne Grace: 30 in July and she's run the Mini 15 of 607 00:35:08,520 --> 00:35:14,099 Julianne Grace: those years, shown up regardless of what else is going 608 00:35:14,099 --> 00:35:16,830 Julianne Grace: on. I mean, she has her doctorate, she's at school, 609 00:35:16,830 --> 00:35:21,870 Julianne Grace: she has work, and so do her sisters. But we 610 00:35:21,870 --> 00:35:25,290 Julianne Grace: don't run together as a pack, if you will. We 611 00:35:25,290 --> 00:35:28,890 Julianne Grace: all come in together, but we each run and with 612 00:35:28,890 --> 00:35:33,330 Julianne Grace: my daughter on crutches, her youngest does it with her, 613 00:35:34,170 --> 00:35:36,120 Julianne Grace: and I've done it with her a couple of times. 614 00:35:36,120 --> 00:35:38,909 Julianne Grace: But we run separately and then we convene at the 615 00:35:38,910 --> 00:35:42,150 Julianne Grace: end. We always have a picture taken of the five 616 00:35:42,150 --> 00:35:46,081 Julianne Grace: of us, and we celebrate every spring. It's our thing in the spring. 617 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:51,629 Meb Keflezighi: It's just a wonderful story to have those family ties. But what 618 00:35:51,630 --> 00:35:54,390 Meb Keflezighi: makes you come back to the Mini year after year 619 00:35:54,570 --> 00:35:57,629 Meb Keflezighi: to have that spring of family reunion, but what makes 620 00:35:57,630 --> 00:35:58,558 Meb Keflezighi: it so special? 621 00:35:59,729 --> 00:36:03,930 Julianne Grace: Well, some people have said, I'm inspiring. Other people have 622 00:36:03,930 --> 00:36:07,170 Julianne Grace: said I'm insane. I think insane is probably a little 623 00:36:07,170 --> 00:36:12,000 Julianne Grace: more like it. It gives me a goal. I see 624 00:36:12,000 --> 00:36:16,980 Julianne Grace: family members obviously different times during the year, but somehow 625 00:36:17,010 --> 00:36:22,020 Julianne Grace: that Mini shines there like something at the end of a 626 00:36:22,170 --> 00:36:24,390 Julianne Grace: street where you see it and you want to get 627 00:36:24,390 --> 00:36:28,500 Julianne Grace: to it. It keeps me going. I've been very lucky 628 00:36:28,770 --> 00:36:33,389 Julianne Grace: and I'm very grateful. I still have my original knees 629 00:36:33,389 --> 00:36:37,440 Julianne Grace: and hips, and at age 86, that's saying a lot. 630 00:36:38,160 --> 00:36:41,370 Julianne Grace: But I get out and I run four to seven 631 00:36:41,370 --> 00:36:45,570 Julianne Grace: miles typically, five days a week. And it's pretty flat 632 00:36:45,570 --> 00:36:49,829 Julianne Grace: here in Florida. And of course the Mini has hills, 633 00:36:50,070 --> 00:36:52,830 Julianne Grace: but it's a goal. And I think each of us 634 00:36:52,830 --> 00:36:56,550 Julianne Grace: needs goals and each of us needs to move. My 635 00:36:56,550 --> 00:37:03,450 Julianne Grace: message to people in the octogenarian period is move, just 636 00:37:03,450 --> 00:37:07,139 Julianne Grace: move. If you can walk or run or bicycle ride 637 00:37:07,139 --> 00:37:11,369 Julianne Grace: or do yoga, move. So to me, it's movement and 638 00:37:11,369 --> 00:37:15,060 Julianne Grace: keeping at it, keeping a goal. I'm trying to build 639 00:37:15,060 --> 00:37:19,770 Julianne Grace: up my distance. So I've been doing more 10- kilometer 640 00:37:19,770 --> 00:37:24,299 Julianne Grace: and seven- mile runs. I try to do intervals during 641 00:37:24,300 --> 00:37:27,659 Julianne Grace: my runs, a speed- up and then a slow- down 642 00:37:27,660 --> 00:37:30,989 Julianne Grace: to a very slow jog. But I have to admit, 643 00:37:30,989 --> 00:37:33,960 Julianne Grace: I've gotten much slower over the years. I mean, last year, 644 00:37:33,960 --> 00:37:37,259 Julianne Grace: I finished the Mini in 14- minute miles, and I 645 00:37:37,260 --> 00:37:39,630 Julianne Grace: know a number of people in my age group are 646 00:37:39,630 --> 00:37:43,169 Julianne Grace: running much better than that, but I keep on slogging 647 00:37:43,170 --> 00:37:47,219 Julianne Grace: along and I figure I'm an example of just an 648 00:37:47,219 --> 00:37:52,500 Julianne Grace: ordinary person running. You do what you can. I got 649 00:37:52,500 --> 00:37:55,680 Julianne Grace: new running shoes and I said to them, " You're going 650 00:37:55,680 --> 00:37:59,429 Julianne Grace: to be my fast running shoes." So I took them 651 00:37:59,429 --> 00:38:02,549 Julianne Grace: out to break them in for the race. Well, I 652 00:38:02,549 --> 00:38:04,829 Julianne Grace: came back and I had to say to them, " You 653 00:38:04,830 --> 00:38:08,460 Julianne Grace: did not do a good job." To be a fast 654 00:38:08,460 --> 00:38:12,629 Julianne Grace: running shoe, you need fast running legs, and my legs are just not 655 00:38:12,630 --> 00:38:13,650 Julianne Grace: fast anymore. 656 00:38:14,219 --> 00:38:16,889 Meb Keflezighi: Well, you said it well. Just a step- up movement from Point 657 00:38:16,889 --> 00:38:19,110 Meb Keflezighi: A to Point B. It doesn't matter how fast or how 658 00:38:19,110 --> 00:38:22,049 Meb Keflezighi: slow, but getting it done, and you've done that for 659 00:38:22,049 --> 00:38:25,440 Meb Keflezighi: many decades. So thank you for joining us today and 660 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:29,339 Meb Keflezighi: thank you for being a New York Road Runners member. Appreciate 661 00:38:29,340 --> 00:38:30,960 Meb Keflezighi: you guys and good luck this weekend. 662 00:38:31,830 --> 00:38:35,160 Julianne Grace: Thank you very much, Meb. Actually, it'll be my 48th 663 00:38:35,430 --> 00:38:39,899 Julianne Grace: Mini and my daughter's 44th, and I'm hoping to make 664 00:38:39,900 --> 00:38:43,080 Julianne Grace: it to 50 in two years. Then I might retire 665 00:38:43,109 --> 00:38:46,920 Julianne Grace: or I might keep going. Who knows? So I appreciate 666 00:38:47,520 --> 00:38:50,730 Julianne Grace: being with you, Meb. You've been one of my heroes over 667 00:38:50,730 --> 00:38:54,389 Julianne Grace: the years and I hope you're still running and enjoying it. 668 00:38:54,869 --> 00:38:59,250 Meb Keflezighi: Julianne, we all inspire each other, we encourage each other. 669 00:38:59,250 --> 00:39:01,620 Meb Keflezighi: I still love to run, even though I'm retired from 670 00:39:01,620 --> 00:39:04,259 Meb Keflezighi: competitive, just like you, from Point A to Point B, 671 00:39:04,260 --> 00:39:06,540 Meb Keflezighi: to be the best that we can. Yes, the pace is 672 00:39:06,540 --> 00:39:08,789 Meb Keflezighi: slowed down, but it doesn't mean you cannot have fun. 673 00:39:08,790 --> 00:39:12,870 Meb Keflezighi: And especially when you have inclusiveness of family and generations 674 00:39:12,870 --> 00:39:15,239 Meb Keflezighi: like you have done, you've been a trailblazer in this to 675 00:39:15,239 --> 00:39:18,900 Meb Keflezighi: help women's running, and I just appreciate you and great 676 00:39:18,900 --> 00:39:20,549 Meb Keflezighi: to be with you. Thank you for the kind words. 677 00:39:21,330 --> 00:39:22,109 Julianne Grace: Thank you. 678 00:39:22,680 --> 00:39:25,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you so much for joining us, Julianne, and for 679 00:39:25,050 --> 00:39:28,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: being such a long and dedicated member of New York Road 680 00:39:28,500 --> 00:39:31,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners. We wish you luck in the Mini 10K coming 681 00:39:31,290 --> 00:39:33,899 Rob Simmelkjaer: up. Now it's time for today's Meb Minute. 682 00:39:34,590 --> 00:39:37,860 Meb Keflezighi: Today's Meb Minute, I want to talk about the role 683 00:39:37,860 --> 00:39:41,790 Meb Keflezighi: of professional men have elevated professional women in the sport. 684 00:39:42,300 --> 00:39:46,620 Meb Keflezighi: Listen, sports is beautiful. Sports unites us and the role 685 00:39:46,620 --> 00:39:50,429 Meb Keflezighi: of professional men, how it has helped professional women goes way 686 00:39:50,429 --> 00:39:55,110 Meb Keflezighi: back with Bobbi Gibbs, Kathrine Switzer, Joan Benoit, Dina Casser, 687 00:39:55,110 --> 00:39:58,560 Meb Keflezighi: Shalane Flanagan, Desi Des Linden, and many others. But what is 688 00:39:58,560 --> 00:40:02,429 Meb Keflezighi: the motivation? The motivation is to cover this same distance, 689 00:40:02,429 --> 00:40:06,450 Meb Keflezighi: be invited to practices, to shake our runs, to races 690 00:40:07,020 --> 00:40:11,039 Meb Keflezighi: leading by example. Self- confidence is such an important thing saying, " 691 00:40:11,039 --> 00:40:14,010 Meb Keflezighi: Hey, you got this." For example, for me, when I 692 00:40:14,010 --> 00:40:16,950 Meb Keflezighi: was training in Mammoth Lakes or San Diego with the 693 00:40:16,950 --> 00:40:20,040 Meb Keflezighi: great Dina Casser, we used to play a role. She 694 00:40:20,040 --> 00:40:22,349 Meb Keflezighi: might get a little bit of head start to try and see 695 00:40:22,349 --> 00:40:24,090 Meb Keflezighi: if she can get there before me in the eight- 696 00:40:24,090 --> 00:40:26,969 Meb Keflezighi: mile so we can finish the same time and also do cool- 697 00:40:26,969 --> 00:40:29,520 Meb Keflezighi: down together and things like that. So she used to 698 00:40:29,520 --> 00:40:31,469 Meb Keflezighi: play around with me, say, " Catch me if you can." 699 00:40:31,469 --> 00:40:33,930 Meb Keflezighi: And she would get about three- minute head start on 700 00:40:33,930 --> 00:40:36,210 Meb Keflezighi: an eight- mile run and I would work my butt 701 00:40:36,210 --> 00:40:38,160 Meb Keflezighi: off, as she is, to be able to get to 702 00:40:38,160 --> 00:40:41,429 Meb Keflezighi: that finish line almost about the same time. But that's 703 00:40:41,429 --> 00:40:46,019 Meb Keflezighi: the fun to have as a professional athlete, an interaction 704 00:40:46,020 --> 00:40:49,589 Meb Keflezighi: with others. There've been others. I'm pretty sure women can 705 00:40:49,590 --> 00:40:53,700 Meb Keflezighi: testify to the great of MB, Barefoot, Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, 706 00:40:54,270 --> 00:40:57,870 Meb Keflezighi: or Ryan Hall in the United States. And 707 00:40:57,870 --> 00:41:03,000 Meb Keflezighi: every nation, like overseas in Europe or in Africa, they 708 00:41:03,000 --> 00:41:06,780 Meb Keflezighi: have the interaction with other women to make them best 709 00:41:06,780 --> 00:41:10,468 Meb Keflezighi: version of themselves, make them great because whether it's giving 710 00:41:10,469 --> 00:41:12,840 Meb Keflezighi: them shoes, giving them product, or allow them to meet 711 00:41:12,840 --> 00:41:15,870 Meb Keflezighi: an agent or businesses, helps them be the best version 712 00:41:15,870 --> 00:41:21,359 Meb Keflezighi: of the sport. And I remember personally and the New Yorker 713 00:41:21,360 --> 00:41:24,389 Meb Keflezighi: Road Runners, when Mary Wittenberg was the CEO, she said, " 714 00:41:24,389 --> 00:41:26,279 Meb Keflezighi: Hey, in one of the years, the woman's going to 715 00:41:26,280 --> 00:41:29,850 Meb Keflezighi: get more prize money." And I said, "You know what? That's great because every runner 716 00:41:29,850 --> 00:41:32,730 Meb Keflezighi: that works the miles that works hard deserves to be 717 00:41:32,730 --> 00:41:35,429 Meb Keflezighi: treated like king and queen." And those queens are pretty 718 00:41:35,429 --> 00:41:38,520 Meb Keflezighi: amazing, so I wish the next future will hopefully be 719 00:41:38,520 --> 00:41:39,480 Meb Keflezighi: the same or better. 720 00:41:40,109 --> 00:41:42,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: And that does it for another episode of Set the 721 00:41:42,180 --> 00:41:45,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace. We want to thank our colleague, Sam Grotewold, as 722 00:41:45,480 --> 00:41:49,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: well as New York Road Runners member Julianne Grace. Becs, thanks to 723 00:41:49,350 --> 00:41:52,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: you as always. And remember, if you liked this episode, 724 00:41:52,349 --> 00:41:55,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: please go ahead, subscribe, rate, leave a comment. It really 725 00:41:55,770 --> 00:41:58,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: helps people find the show, helps us hear from you 726 00:41:58,859 --> 00:42:01,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well. So please, go ahead, take a minute and 727 00:42:01,200 --> 00:42:04,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: leave us a review. Thanks so much for joining us. 728 00:42:04,110 --> 00:42:06,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: We'll see you next week ahead of the MasterCard New 729 00:42:06,180 --> 00:42:08,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Mini 10K. Enjoy the miles.