1 00:00:00,510 --> 00:00:02,430 Nicholas Thompson: What I love about being deep in the pain cave is 2 00:00:02,430 --> 00:00:04,979 Nicholas Thompson: when your mind and your body blur into one, and 3 00:00:04,980 --> 00:00:08,430 Nicholas Thompson: where really, you're just focusing on your mantra or whatever 4 00:00:08,430 --> 00:00:10,920 Nicholas Thompson: it is that's pushing you forward. So, when I'm running the New 5 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:15,330 Nicholas Thompson: York Marathon in a week and a half, I'm going to be, when 6 00:00:15,330 --> 00:00:17,250 Nicholas Thompson: I'm suffering, as I surely will be based on how 7 00:00:17,250 --> 00:00:21,450 Nicholas Thompson: my training has gone, I'm going to be just focusing on right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. 8 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:27,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody and welcome to Set the Pace, the official 9 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast of New York Road Runners, presented by Peloton. I'm 10 00:00:31,050 --> 00:00:33,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: your host, Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New York Road 11 00:00:33,420 --> 00:00:37,409 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners, and with me, my lovely co- host, Peloton Instructor 12 00:00:37,409 --> 00:00:39,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs Gentry. Hey Becs, how are you? 13 00:00:39,990 --> 00:00:43,950 Becs Gentry: Hi. I'm good. I can't believe we're here. 14 00:00:43,950 --> 00:00:45,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: Happy race week. 15 00:00:45,540 --> 00:00:45,540 Becs Gentry: Yeah, the top of it. 16 00:00:45,541 --> 00:00:45,542 Rob Simmelkjaer: Happy race week. 17 00:00:45,542 --> 00:00:51,840 Becs Gentry: We're at the top of it as we record, and 18 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:58,620 Becs Gentry: I am starting the week with trepidation of, you can't 19 00:00:58,620 --> 00:01:00,240 Becs Gentry: say you're going to be tired because you're not running 20 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,900 Becs Gentry: it, but the amount of events that happen if you're 21 00:01:03,900 --> 00:01:06,630 Becs Gentry: in the running community and you're not running, I think 22 00:01:06,630 --> 00:01:09,869 Becs Gentry: it adds up energy wise in a weird way to 23 00:01:10,050 --> 00:01:10,560 Becs Gentry: running it. 24 00:01:10,649 --> 00:01:13,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: Oh, yeah. I completely agree. Neither of us is running 25 00:01:13,620 --> 00:01:16,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: it, but we both have lots of obligations and we're 26 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:18,958 Rob Simmelkjaer: just, first of all, I'll just say I'm so excited 27 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:21,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: for the runners. I want to start by saying that 28 00:01:21,690 --> 00:01:24,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: there's nothing better than race week in New York. There's 29 00:01:24,660 --> 00:01:28,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: nothing better than race day and I'm just seeing folks 30 00:01:28,110 --> 00:01:32,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: obviously everywhere I go now. Running into runners who are, 31 00:01:32,370 --> 00:01:35,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: who've been getting ready, spending months and months getting ready 32 00:01:35,100 --> 00:01:37,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: for this day, and my excitement level for them is 33 00:01:37,950 --> 00:01:41,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: so high because I've been there and I get most 34 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:44,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: excited for the ones running for the first time. I'll 35 00:01:44,850 --> 00:01:47,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: never forget that experience of running the New York City 36 00:01:47,940 --> 00:01:51,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon for the first time, last century it was, but 37 00:01:52,290 --> 00:01:55,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was such an amazing feeling and I'm just so 38 00:01:55,500 --> 00:01:57,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: excited for all of you out there, whether it's your first 39 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:00,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: time or your 31st, it is just a special time. 40 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:04,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: So, I hope everybody out there savors it. I hope 41 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:07,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: that they get the rest they need and all those 42 00:02:07,110 --> 00:02:12,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: things, but most importantly, just enjoy it. Enjoy this time and this 43 00:02:12,030 --> 00:02:15,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: moment and I hope they're celebrating it with their friends, their fellow 44 00:02:15,540 --> 00:02:18,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: runners, if they're in a run club, their club, whatever 45 00:02:18,180 --> 00:02:20,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: it is. Just enjoy every minute of it. It's so 46 00:02:20,460 --> 00:02:21,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: special. 47 00:02:21,540 --> 00:02:26,669 Becs Gentry: Exactly. And you can only control the controllables, which I think a lot of runners, including 48 00:02:26,669 --> 00:02:29,790 Becs Gentry: myself forget, the closer we get to race day, we 49 00:02:29,790 --> 00:02:34,980 Becs Gentry: think that we can solve things for our favor by 50 00:02:34,980 --> 00:02:44,490 Becs Gentry: stressing about them. And the cheesy over Instagram saying, " Worrying 51 00:02:44,550 --> 00:02:49,680 Becs Gentry: takes the joy out of everything." It's true. It's true. So, do 52 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:52,980 Becs Gentry: as Rob's end, just remember to enjoy. You're blessed that 53 00:02:52,980 --> 00:02:57,180 Becs Gentry: you get to experience this and go on this journey 54 00:02:57,660 --> 00:03:00,570 Becs Gentry: and you've been on a journey, so also remember that 55 00:03:00,570 --> 00:03:03,960 Becs Gentry: the journey you've been on through training is 10 zillion 56 00:03:03,990 --> 00:03:06,151 Becs Gentry: times larger than the actual race day. 57 00:03:06,151 --> 00:03:06,331 Rob Simmelkjaer: 100%. 58 00:03:06,900 --> 00:03:10,500 Becs Gentry: So, just keep that in mind. You're epic. You've done 59 00:03:10,500 --> 00:03:15,000 Becs Gentry: all this hard work, this discipline, this happiness to sadness 60 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,650 Becs Gentry: that I'm sure you've all gone on the rollercoaster that 61 00:03:16,650 --> 00:03:20,579 Becs Gentry: Rob and I both know well of running, training. So 62 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:23,100 Becs Gentry: gosh, go out there, revel in it and put your 63 00:03:23,100 --> 00:03:25,290 Becs Gentry: names on your shirts so we can all shout for 64 00:03:25,290 --> 00:03:25,530 Becs Gentry: you. 65 00:03:26,340 --> 00:03:30,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: 100%. And obviously, the biggest thing that's not in anyone's 66 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:34,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: control is the weather. And we are recording on Tuesday, 67 00:03:34,260 --> 00:03:37,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: I always like to remind people. But as of now, 68 00:03:37,380 --> 00:03:42,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: the forecast is looking like what for me, Becs, is the 69 00:03:42,210 --> 00:03:48,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: absolutely perfect day to run at distance. I mean, perfect. 70 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: We're looking right now at a low, in the low 71 00:03:51,900 --> 00:03:55,651 Rob Simmelkjaer: to mid- 40s. It'll be chilly on Staten Island- 72 00:03:55,651 --> 00:03:55,981 Becs Gentry: Cold stuff. 73 00:03:56,100 --> 00:04:01,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: For sure. So that means everybody needs to bring those 74 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: extra clothes, those clothes that they're ready to donate when 75 00:04:04,770 --> 00:04:09,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: the race gets going. So, start planning ahead already. Certainly, 76 00:04:09,510 --> 00:04:11,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: by the time you hear this podcast Thursday or Friday, 77 00:04:12,060 --> 00:04:14,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: have a plan for what you're going to bring out 78 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Staten Island that you're never going to see again. 79 00:04:16,770 --> 00:04:19,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: And remember, we do donate all the clothes that are 80 00:04:19,260 --> 00:04:23,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: thrown aside in the corrals. Good causes. Get those clothes 81 00:04:23,490 --> 00:04:26,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: so you're not throwing them into a landfill. They're going 82 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: somewhere good, but get stuff that's going to keep you 83 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: warm. Maybe you've got a heat sheet from a previous 84 00:04:31,290 --> 00:04:33,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: race that you've run. Maybe you've got some clothes. You 85 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:36,539 Rob Simmelkjaer: can always go out and go to a goodwill or 86 00:04:36,540 --> 00:04:39,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: something like that and find some things in the last 87 00:04:39,450 --> 00:04:41,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: couple of days before the race, but that's going to 88 00:04:41,550 --> 00:04:45,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: make your morning a lot more pleasant. And then it's 89 00:04:45,089 --> 00:04:47,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to be a high, it's showing right now of 54 90 00:04:47,940 --> 00:04:50,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: degrees, not maybe cloudy as well. 91 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:51,001 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh. 92 00:04:51,001 --> 00:04:51,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: It would still be too early to say, but that is just perfect. 93 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:59,220 Becs Gentry: It really is. I'm envious. Well, I mean, I can't say I 94 00:04:59,220 --> 00:05:00,931 Becs Gentry: run like this every day. 95 00:05:00,931 --> 00:05:00,931 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm envious. 96 00:05:00,931 --> 00:05:00,932 Becs Gentry: You're envious. 97 00:05:00,932 --> 00:05:03,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: You've had a few after melting in the sun in Chicago. I'm very envious. 98 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:11,370 Becs Gentry: But also, the other thing about packing for the star line, 99 00:05:11,790 --> 00:05:15,630 Becs Gentry: which is very imperative because of the incredible organization that 100 00:05:15,630 --> 00:05:19,710 Becs Gentry: New York Roadrunners has for this race, means that if 101 00:05:19,710 --> 00:05:23,610 Becs Gentry: you are using transport provided by New York Roadrunners and 102 00:05:23,610 --> 00:05:25,680 Becs Gentry: you can find out all of this information in previous podcast 103 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:30,300 Becs Gentry: episodes, you may be getting to the start line with 104 00:05:30,300 --> 00:05:34,080 Becs Gentry: a good buffer of time before your corral opens or 105 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:39,900 Becs Gentry: before you start your race, which is not a downside. 106 00:05:40,620 --> 00:05:43,710 Becs Gentry: You are going to get to be around thousands of 107 00:05:43,710 --> 00:05:45,839 Becs Gentry: other people just like you meet new friends. 108 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:49,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: Great advice. Another piece I heard yesterday was someone who 109 00:05:49,170 --> 00:05:51,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: brings out foot warmers and hand warmers. 110 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,220 Becs Gentry: Yeah, the little hot pocket things. 111 00:05:53,220 --> 00:05:56,039 Rob Simmelkjaer: The hot pockets, exactly. After the start, they tuck them 112 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:59,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: into their shoes so they don't get cold feet because 113 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: it can be hard to run on feet that are- 114 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:02,880 Becs Gentry: Bricks. 115 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:05,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: Starting to turn into bricks. Yeah, I mean, it's funny actually, I 116 00:06:05,610 --> 00:06:08,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: ran a race like that once and I remember it 117 00:06:08,339 --> 00:06:10,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: took me a mile or two to start to feel 118 00:06:10,589 --> 00:06:14,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: them again and that's not ideal. I mean, worst things 119 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: could happen I suppose, because you will warm up into 120 00:06:16,740 --> 00:06:19,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: it, but you don't really want to not feel your 121 00:06:19,260 --> 00:06:21,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: feet the first mile or two. So, some foot warmers 122 00:06:21,660 --> 00:06:24,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: can definitely come in handy to keep that blood flowing 123 00:06:25,020 --> 00:06:26,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: if you're out there and it's in the low 40s. 124 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:30,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: So, some tips and tricks. And yes, as Becs mentioned, 125 00:06:30,990 --> 00:06:33,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: anybody looking for information about the best way to approach 126 00:06:33,779 --> 00:06:36,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: race week, you go back and listen to our episode 127 00:06:36,900 --> 00:06:40,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: with Ted Metellus that just dropped last week, I believe. 128 00:06:40,500 --> 00:06:42,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: And so, go back and listen to that. We have 129 00:06:42,660 --> 00:06:45,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: all the do's and the don'ts and the things you 130 00:06:45,750 --> 00:06:49,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: need to know, especially for all you first timers out 131 00:06:49,260 --> 00:06:53,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: there. So, it's race week, enjoy it. We're excited. Becs, 132 00:06:53,730 --> 00:06:56,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: your race day, let's talk about that. And mine, you 133 00:06:56,460 --> 00:06:59,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: know about mine, I'll be up at 4: 00 AM. 134 00:06:59,970 --> 00:07:03,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: I actually have a police vehicle that picks me up 135 00:07:03,660 --> 00:07:04,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Manhattan. 136 00:07:04,470 --> 00:07:05,001 Becs Gentry: Yeah. You (inaudible) . 137 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:08,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: Right around 4: 00, and we head out to Staten Island. We get there 138 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: very quickly at 4: 00 AM in a police vehicle. So, I'm 139 00:07:11,130 --> 00:07:14,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there by 4: 30, maybe 5: 00 at the latest. 140 00:07:14,910 --> 00:07:18,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: I start doing media interviews usually at about 5: 30. 141 00:07:18,870 --> 00:07:21,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: And then, from 6: 00 to 7:00 or so, it's a lot 142 00:07:21,300 --> 00:07:24,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: of media interviews with all the local TV, all of 143 00:07:24,660 --> 00:07:26,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: that. Then I usually tend to spend a little time 144 00:07:26,850 --> 00:07:30,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: walking around the village, visiting different tents, saying hello to 145 00:07:30,570 --> 00:07:33,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: people, wishing folks luck. And then, I'll head up to 146 00:07:33,420 --> 00:07:37,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: the start area by about 7: 45 and get ready 147 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:41,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: to start sending off athletes with the wheelchair division just 148 00:07:41,580 --> 00:07:44,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: after 8: 00. So, it's going to be an amazing 149 00:07:44,670 --> 00:07:45,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: morning. 150 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:48,630 Becs Gentry: Oh, it's so much fun. I'm not too sure what 151 00:07:48,630 --> 00:07:52,110 Becs Gentry: time I will be at the start, but it's going 152 00:07:52,110 --> 00:07:54,030 Becs Gentry: to be a little later. We're actually staying on Staten 153 00:07:54,030 --> 00:07:56,820 Becs Gentry: Island this year, the broadcast team who are needed to 154 00:07:56,820 --> 00:07:59,190 Becs Gentry: be at the start line. We don't have to do 155 00:07:59,190 --> 00:08:03,210 Becs Gentry: the commute from Manhattan, which is a saving grace because 156 00:08:03,210 --> 00:08:06,660 Becs Gentry: it is actually, even though we're in official vehicles, it 157 00:08:06,660 --> 00:08:09,690 Becs Gentry: is still very difficult to get close to the start 158 00:08:09,690 --> 00:08:12,000 Becs Gentry: line, and that is not something I'm going to complain 159 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:16,290 Becs Gentry: about because it is for the safety of everybody involved 160 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:21,720 Becs Gentry: in this race that the Verrazano Bridge is highly, highly 161 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:26,670 Becs Gentry: protected by the authorities. So, it just alleviates that stress 162 00:08:26,820 --> 00:08:32,070 Becs Gentry: for anybody who's on a clock like me. So, I'm 163 00:08:32,070 --> 00:08:33,750 Becs Gentry: not sure what time I'll be there, but I mean 164 00:08:33,750 --> 00:08:35,550 Becs Gentry: we ran into each other last year in the tent, 165 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,980 Becs Gentry: Rob, so I think probably we'll be milling around the 166 00:08:37,980 --> 00:08:40,949 Becs Gentry: start around the same time. And then, you can find 167 00:08:40,950 --> 00:08:45,059 Becs Gentry: me on the moto trailing the in front of actually 168 00:08:45,059 --> 00:08:49,439 Becs Gentry: not trailing in professional women's field this year. So as 169 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:51,690 Becs Gentry: I tell everyone, best seat in the house, it is 170 00:08:51,690 --> 00:08:53,910 Becs Gentry: a pinch me moment that I get to watch my 171 00:08:53,910 --> 00:08:59,010 Becs Gentry: idols up close covering their 26.2 miles of the best 172 00:08:59,010 --> 00:09:01,590 Becs Gentry: marathon in the world, and I just get to watch 173 00:09:01,590 --> 00:09:05,100 Becs Gentry: them step for step in awe of how fabulous they 174 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:10,740 Becs Gentry: are, and I get to talk to ABC7, ESPN+ viewers 175 00:09:10,740 --> 00:09:14,250 Becs Gentry: about what I'm seeing and how to interpret it to 176 00:09:14,250 --> 00:09:17,670 Becs Gentry: you all. So yeah, another pinch me moment for, what 177 00:09:17,670 --> 00:09:21,838 Becs Gentry: should we say, 2 hours and 20 something minutes? 178 00:09:21,839 --> 00:09:25,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, yeah, the women's race time. So yeah, for anybody out 179 00:09:25,410 --> 00:09:28,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: there who, if you're not running, if for some reason 180 00:09:28,230 --> 00:09:29,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're not going to be in New York, you can't 181 00:09:29,940 --> 00:09:33,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: make it to the racecourse yourself or even if you 182 00:09:33,210 --> 00:09:35,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: can and you want to listen in on a device, 183 00:09:35,730 --> 00:09:38,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: you can check out Becs and our entire broadcast team, 184 00:09:38,850 --> 00:09:42,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: they do an amazing job. That airs on Channel 7 185 00:09:42,179 --> 00:09:45,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: WABC locally here in New York City and nationally on 186 00:09:46,620 --> 00:09:48,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: ESPN too. So, you can check out Becs and the 187 00:09:48,809 --> 00:09:53,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: team anywhere and listen in on a great, great broadcast. 188 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:55,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: She does a great job. The whole team does a 189 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:58,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: great job telling the story of the TCS New York 190 00:09:58,260 --> 00:10:03,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon and we can't wait. Well, Becs, we kicked 191 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:07,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: off Marathon Week in style on Sunday this past week 192 00:10:07,860 --> 00:10:11,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: with the first ever TCS New York City Marathon Kids' 193 00:10:11,910 --> 00:10:16,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: kickoff. This was the mother of all kids races at 194 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:21,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Roadrunners. We had more than 2, 200 kids come 195 00:10:21,179 --> 00:10:25,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: out to Central Park. It was a beautiful day. We 196 00:10:25,020 --> 00:10:29,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: had kids ages two to 18. The older kids were 197 00:10:29,610 --> 00:10:33,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: running just under a mile and a half course that started 198 00:10:33,570 --> 00:10:36,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: at the finish line of the marathon and went around 199 00:10:36,900 --> 00:10:40,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: Central Park, finished just off the 72nd Street transverse, so 200 00:10:40,830 --> 00:10:42,689 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was a great, just under a mile and a 201 00:10:42,690 --> 00:10:48,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: half course. The little ones, and Becs, there is absolutely nothing 202 00:10:48,270 --> 00:10:51,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: cuter than our stage one races at New York Roadrunners 203 00:10:51,870 --> 00:10:55,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: kids' races. They were running a little sprint. The 2- year- 204 00:10:55,530 --> 00:10:58,979 Rob Simmelkjaer: olds are going about 50 feet. The older kids were 205 00:10:58,980 --> 00:11:02,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: going at about 500 feet, something like that. So, we 206 00:11:02,429 --> 00:11:05,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: kept making it a little longer. But it was just 207 00:11:05,250 --> 00:11:08,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: adorable to see those little kids go after it and 208 00:11:08,670 --> 00:11:10,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: it was just a great day, a really fulfilling day. 209 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:13,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: This is something, Becs, that's been a big priority of 210 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:17,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: mine as CEO of New York Roadrunners, is to build 211 00:11:17,670 --> 00:11:20,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: what I call the Super Bowl of our youth races. 212 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:22,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: We have youth races all year long at Roadrunners. As 213 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:27,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: you know, most of them live alongside adult races and 214 00:11:27,030 --> 00:11:29,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: they're spectacular. The Times Square Kids Race being a great 215 00:11:29,610 --> 00:11:33,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: example that lives right alongside the United Airlines NYC Half. 216 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:36,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: We love that. But I wanted a day that was 217 00:11:36,030 --> 00:11:38,729 Rob Simmelkjaer: all about the kids. And so, we really had that 218 00:11:38,730 --> 00:11:42,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: yesterday. It was really special. It's now officially a part 219 00:11:42,030 --> 00:11:45,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Marathon Week and thank you to all the parents, 220 00:11:45,690 --> 00:11:48,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: the teachers, the volunteers who came out to make this 221 00:11:48,809 --> 00:11:52,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: special day possible. Even Annika, my little one came out 222 00:11:52,500 --> 00:11:55,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: for the day. She's not so into running, but she 223 00:11:55,740 --> 00:11:59,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: came out, she ran stage one. It's funny, she is 224 00:11:59,190 --> 00:12:02,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: 11. She turned 12 this week. So, this was her 225 00:12:02,070 --> 00:12:05,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: last opportunity to run stage one because stage one goes 226 00:12:05,610 --> 00:12:09,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: through 11. So, she opted to run the sprint instead 227 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:11,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the mile and a half. I let her do 228 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:13,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: it. She had a great time, loved it along with 229 00:12:13,260 --> 00:12:16,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: all those great kids out there. And we had some 230 00:12:16,050 --> 00:12:16,501 Rob Simmelkjaer: fast times. 231 00:12:16,501 --> 00:12:20,790 Becs Gentry: We had some fast times. Yeah, I'm just seeing these. I'm in awe of 232 00:12:20,790 --> 00:12:26,340 Becs Gentry: all of these kids. But the winners, I'm playing quite 233 00:12:26,340 --> 00:12:28,650 Becs Gentry: a lot of the adults I know can't get to that pace. 234 00:12:29,370 --> 00:12:32,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: On the girl's side, for stage three, which is the 235 00:12:32,100 --> 00:12:35,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: only stage that we officially time. The girl's winner was 236 00:12:35,820 --> 00:12:40,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Anaya Hernandez from North Plainfield, New Jersey. Her official 237 00:12:40,140 --> 00:12:43,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: time was 8 minutes 30 seconds. That's a 5: 59 238 00:12:43,020 --> 00:12:46,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: pace per mile. The boy's winner was 14- year- old, 239 00:12:46,290 --> 00:12:49,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: Liam Toomey from Brooklyn, New York. His time was 7: 240 00:12:49,710 --> 00:12:54,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: 57. That's 5: 36 per mile. He's 14 years old 241 00:12:54,059 --> 00:12:56,309 Rob Simmelkjaer: by the way. So really, really good times for that 242 00:12:56,550 --> 00:12:57,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: age. It was awesome. 243 00:12:57,300 --> 00:12:57,599 Becs Gentry: Wow. 244 00:12:58,620 --> 00:13:01,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: And remember, we do this all year long. So, if 245 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:03,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're listening and you have a kid, there's a child 246 00:13:03,900 --> 00:13:05,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: in your life who you'd like to get running and 247 00:13:06,420 --> 00:13:08,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: you want them to experience what it's all about to 248 00:13:08,130 --> 00:13:10,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: run, you can look at all of our year- round 249 00:13:10,530 --> 00:13:14,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: events, go to nyrr. org/ youth events to check out 250 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:16,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: the full schedule of races we have for the kids 251 00:13:16,860 --> 00:13:18,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: all year. It's a big part of what we do 252 00:13:19,230 --> 00:13:22,829 Rob Simmelkjaer: at New York Roadrunners. Becs, we also had something else 253 00:13:22,830 --> 00:13:26,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun at the beginning of race week Monday night this 254 00:13:26,130 --> 00:13:26,131 Rob Simmelkjaer: week. 255 00:13:26,131 --> 00:13:29,429 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh. Don't. I'm still mad at you for not wanting me 256 00:13:29,429 --> 00:13:32,880 Becs Gentry: to wear waterproof mascara last night. 257 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:33,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: Last night. 258 00:13:33,179 --> 00:13:35,730 Becs Gentry: Because what? Why would you not? 259 00:13:37,980 --> 00:13:40,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: It was Monday night and I had a chance to run 260 00:13:40,770 --> 00:13:44,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: into Becs and Austin at the premiere of an amazing 261 00:13:44,970 --> 00:13:49,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: short form documentary called 26. 2. This is a film 262 00:13:49,860 --> 00:13:54,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: directed by Nicholas Heller, also known as New York Nico, co- 263 00:13:54,510 --> 00:13:58,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: produced by Missing Pieces, and it's the second project from 264 00:13:58,770 --> 00:14:02,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: our newly launched East 89th Street production studio here at New 265 00:14:02,460 --> 00:14:06,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Roadrunners. And it's just beautifully done, Becs. It follows 266 00:14:06,929 --> 00:14:10,949 Rob Simmelkjaer: the story of four members of Team Inspire who ran 267 00:14:10,950 --> 00:14:14,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: the 2024 marathon. And yes, I should have warned you, 268 00:14:14,910 --> 00:14:15,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: I should have warned everyone- 269 00:14:15,540 --> 00:14:16,350 Becs Gentry: Everyone. 270 00:14:16,740 --> 00:14:18,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: That you need a box of tissues to get through 271 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:22,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: this. It is absolutely moving and incredibly inspiring film. 272 00:14:23,220 --> 00:14:28,620 Becs Gentry: I was sitting next to one of the cast members and didn't realize until 273 00:14:28,620 --> 00:14:32,730 Becs Gentry: the end and it was one of his actual particular 274 00:14:32,730 --> 00:14:35,250 Becs Gentry: scenes. I'm not going to give it away because I 275 00:14:35,250 --> 00:14:37,950 Becs Gentry: want everyone to go and watch it towards the end 276 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:42,960 Becs Gentry: that really, really got me choked up and- 277 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:42,961 Rob Simmelkjaer: Johnny, right? 278 00:14:42,961 --> 00:14:47,880 Becs Gentry: Johnny, yes it was, yes. But yeah, I don't want to say what 279 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:49,800 Becs Gentry: because I want people to actually go and see it, 280 00:14:50,820 --> 00:14:55,140 Becs Gentry: but it was just groundbreaking and obviously if you followed 281 00:14:55,140 --> 00:14:59,490 Becs Gentry: the podcast for a while, we've had Nico on the 282 00:14:59,490 --> 00:15:02,820 Becs Gentry: show last summer. Was it last summer. Was it last summer already? 283 00:15:02,940 --> 00:15:04,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yes, last summer when we were just starting to work on the project. That's right. 284 00:15:06,780 --> 00:15:14,370 Becs Gentry: Yeah. And he's an incredible talent and he self admittedly, 285 00:15:14,370 --> 00:15:18,240 Becs Gentry: is not a runner himself, but he can tell stories 286 00:15:18,330 --> 00:15:22,230 Becs Gentry: so, so wonderfully and he's been at the TCS New 287 00:15:22,230 --> 00:15:25,560 Becs Gentry: York City Marathon finish line multiple times now documenting the 288 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:30,570 Becs Gentry: runners, be it through a real way or a sneaky 289 00:15:30,570 --> 00:15:36,990 Becs Gentry: way, but his skill is unrivalled, really. So, I really 290 00:15:37,020 --> 00:15:42,270 Becs Gentry: encourage everybody to watch this, see the impact that Team 291 00:15:42,270 --> 00:15:47,940 Becs Gentry: Inspire has on runners and if you're ever compelled to 292 00:15:47,940 --> 00:15:52,020 Becs Gentry: join, this will be like the surefire of like, " Okay, 293 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:55,260 Becs Gentry: this is it." This is just how running, it isn't 294 00:15:55,260 --> 00:15:59,130 Becs Gentry: about the numbers. It is and it isn't. Obviously, there's 295 00:15:59,130 --> 00:16:00,480 Becs Gentry: people who want to know their pace, they want to know 296 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:03,600 Becs Gentry: their distance, but for most of the people on Team Inspire, 297 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:10,950 Becs Gentry: it is about surviving and thriving and offering time within 298 00:16:10,950 --> 00:16:14,970 Becs Gentry: their movement where they can feel and be the strongest 299 00:16:14,970 --> 00:16:19,020 Becs Gentry: version of themselves because of something that has maybe robbed 300 00:16:19,020 --> 00:16:21,540 Becs Gentry: them of that in the past or in the present. 301 00:16:22,110 --> 00:16:25,800 Becs Gentry: And it is just the most beautiful thing. It reinstated 302 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:30,660 Becs Gentry: to me the true value behind running. And I cannot 303 00:16:30,660 --> 00:16:33,870 Becs Gentry: wait to just see the world of the internet flooded 304 00:16:33,870 --> 00:16:35,280 Becs Gentry: with love for 26.2. 305 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:39,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. I have never seen anything that better encapsulates what we 306 00:16:39,330 --> 00:16:41,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: call the transformative power of running than this film. 307 00:16:41,820 --> 00:16:41,970 Becs Gentry: Yeah. 308 00:16:42,030 --> 00:16:44,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: It does a great job. And good news, if you're 309 00:16:44,310 --> 00:16:48,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: listening to this podcast, you can watch 26.2 right now. It is 310 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:52,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: out. It is available on YouTube. It actually released on 311 00:16:52,620 --> 00:16:56,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tuesday so you can see it now. A link to 312 00:16:56,130 --> 00:16:59,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: that film is in the show notes. So just scroll 313 00:16:59,130 --> 00:17:02,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: down and you can link to it. And I really, 314 00:17:02,100 --> 00:17:05,399 Rob Simmelkjaer: really recommend, especially if you're running on Sunday and you 315 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:09,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: need that little dose of inspiration that reminds you why 316 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:12,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're running, why you do this. And I think in a 317 00:17:12,990 --> 00:17:17,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathon of 26.2 miles, at some point, we all need 318 00:17:17,369 --> 00:17:20,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: that reminder as to why are we doing this? And 319 00:17:20,940 --> 00:17:22,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: I can tell you that that film is going to 320 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:25,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: help you remember why you're doing what you do. So, 321 00:17:25,530 --> 00:17:28,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: check it out. Hope you enjoy it. We're really proud 322 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: of it and it should be a lot, a lot of inspiration for 323 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:34,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of folks. And then Becs, we're already looking ahead 324 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:36,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: to next year, by the way, in New York Roadrunners. 325 00:17:36,330 --> 00:17:39,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: Lots of things happening already with the 2026 marathon. The 326 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: application for Team for Kids is already open. For folks 327 00:17:42,330 --> 00:17:44,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: who want to run for TFK next year, that's open. 328 00:17:44,970 --> 00:17:46,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: You can go to our website to apply for that. 329 00:17:47,190 --> 00:17:49,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: Also, we have a sweepstakes going on where you can 330 00:17:49,980 --> 00:17:54,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: actually win a free entry to the 2026 TCS New York 331 00:17:54,630 --> 00:17:58,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon for you and a friend. Not just that, 332 00:17:58,140 --> 00:18:01,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: but also a deluxe stay at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel 333 00:18:01,710 --> 00:18:05,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: in New York for a luxurious pre- and post- race 334 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:09,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: retreat, a two- night stay there, a $1, 000 MasterCard gift 335 00:18:09,810 --> 00:18:14,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: card to Gear Up and 2026 TCS New York City Marathon 336 00:18:14,820 --> 00:18:18,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: New Balance jackets to twin with your running partner as 337 00:18:18,270 --> 00:18:22,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: well. You get subscriptions to Runna, finish line grandstand tickets. 338 00:18:22,770 --> 00:18:24,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's an incredible package. 339 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:24,418 Becs Gentry: So cool. 340 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:28,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, I mean if you want the ultimate New York 341 00:18:28,020 --> 00:18:31,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon experience, including running it and running it complimentary, 342 00:18:31,740 --> 00:18:34,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: by the way, check out the sweepstakes. It is open 343 00:18:34,710 --> 00:18:39,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: now. All proceeds from the sweepstakes go to support New 344 00:18:39,750 --> 00:18:42,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Runners mission of transforming the health and well- being 345 00:18:42,930 --> 00:18:46,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: of our communities through running experiences. So, you can also 346 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,189 Rob Simmelkjaer: find a link to that in the show notes. So 347 00:18:50,190 --> 00:18:52,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: much going on Becs, but it is all about race week. 348 00:18:52,350 --> 00:18:52,619 Becs Gentry: So much. 349 00:18:53,010 --> 00:18:55,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right. Well, Becs, we've got a great episode coming 350 00:18:55,980 --> 00:18:59,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: up today. Today's guest ran the fastest 50- mile time 351 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:02,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the world this year for anyone over the age 352 00:19:02,010 --> 00:19:05,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: of 45. He's run the New York City Marathon 11 353 00:19:05,100 --> 00:19:08,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: times. He's the CEO of the Atlantic, and just this 354 00:19:08,130 --> 00:19:11,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: week, he's got a new autobiography out called The Running 355 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:14,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports. 356 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: Nicholas Thompson. A great guy, a great runner, and a 357 00:19:17,220 --> 00:19:19,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: great writer will join us in just a minute. Then 358 00:19:19,950 --> 00:19:22,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: with just three days to go until the marathon, our 359 00:19:22,980 --> 00:19:26,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: man, Meb Keflezighi will be here for the final MED 360 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:28,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: Minutes installment for this year's marathon. He's going to tell 361 00:19:28,890 --> 00:19:32,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: you all about how to handle that last mile of the TCS 362 00:19:32,460 --> 00:19:33,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City Marathon. 363 00:19:34,859 --> 00:19:37,919 Becs Gentry: As you head into peak training, don't let nutrition slow 364 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:41,640 Becs Gentry: you down. Let Cook Unity's Award- winning chefs fuel your 365 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:45,810 Becs Gentry: run with endurance boosting dishes handpicked by a sports dietician. 366 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:49,290 Becs Gentry: Every meal is delivered to your door and ready to 367 00:19:49,290 --> 00:19:53,550 Becs Gentry: eat in two minutes or less. Head to cookunity. com/ 368 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:59,010 Becs Gentry: nyrr and use the code marathon meals to get 50% 369 00:19:59,010 --> 00:20:00,419 Becs Gentry: off your first week. 370 00:20:02,220 --> 00:20:05,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of the Atlantic where the 371 00:20:05,940 --> 00:20:10,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: magazine has won general excellence at the National Magazine Awards 372 00:20:10,170 --> 00:20:13,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: three years in a row. Before that, he was editor 373 00:20:13,050 --> 00:20:15,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: in chief of Wired and an editor at the New 374 00:20:15,810 --> 00:20:19,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yorker. He's also a record setting distance runner who at 375 00:20:19,230 --> 00:20:24,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: age 44 ran a 2: 29 marathon and later set the 376 00:20:24,750 --> 00:20:28,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: American Age Group record in the 50K. His new book, 377 00:20:28,530 --> 00:20:31,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest 378 00:20:31,890 --> 00:20:35,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Sports explores how running became the threat, connecting him 379 00:20:35,460 --> 00:20:38,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: to his late father, his three sons, and his own 380 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:42,869 Rob Simmelkjaer: reckoning with ambition, aging, and the fear of falling apart. 381 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:45,449 Rob Simmelkjaer: Nick Thompson, it is great to have you here. 382 00:20:45,659 --> 00:20:46,619 Nicholas Thompson: Well, Rob, thank you. 383 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:48,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey, we all have a fear of falling apart. I 384 00:20:48,810 --> 00:20:51,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: can relate to that, for sure. Welcome to Set the 385 00:20:51,300 --> 00:20:52,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace. It's great to see you. 386 00:20:52,950 --> 00:20:54,359 Nicholas Thompson: Oh, it's great to see you too. Thanks for having 387 00:20:54,359 --> 00:20:55,230 Nicholas Thompson: me on. It's awesome. 388 00:20:55,410 --> 00:20:59,399 Becs Gentry: Nick, this is really fun to have you here. I 389 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:02,730 Becs Gentry: think most people, I hate the word should, but I'm 390 00:21:02,730 --> 00:21:05,190 Becs Gentry: going to use it, should know the Atlantic. If they 391 00:21:05,190 --> 00:21:13,619 Becs Gentry: don't, catch up and go ahead, get reading. Your running 392 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:17,820 Becs Gentry: history is, it's long. I mean, Rob's put it out 393 00:21:17,820 --> 00:21:21,300 Becs Gentry: there in the brief intro, but it goes so much, 394 00:21:21,300 --> 00:21:26,340 Becs Gentry: so much deeper. And from what I understand, you started 395 00:21:26,340 --> 00:21:28,500 Becs Gentry: running at age five, is that correct? 396 00:21:29,190 --> 00:21:32,040 Nicholas Thompson: Yes. I mean, it's not like I ran the New York Marathon at age five. 397 00:21:33,090 --> 00:21:33,419 Becs Gentry: Illegal. 398 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:36,720 Nicholas Thompson: At age five, my father was training for the New 399 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:39,780 Nicholas Thompson: York Marathon and I would go and run a mile or 400 00:21:39,780 --> 00:21:43,109 Nicholas Thompson: two with him. Now, I have a memory of running 401 00:21:43,109 --> 00:21:45,899 Nicholas Thompson: from my house around Pine Manor College, which is a three- 402 00:21:45,900 --> 00:21:48,419 Nicholas Thompson: mile loop. And so, my whole life I believed I 403 00:21:48,420 --> 00:21:50,010 Nicholas Thompson: ran a three- mile loop when I was five, but 404 00:21:50,010 --> 00:21:52,080 Nicholas Thompson: when I had a five- year- old, I decided that 405 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:54,629 Nicholas Thompson: was impossible. And maybe we drove to Pine Manor and 406 00:21:54,630 --> 00:21:57,600 Nicholas Thompson: rode around. I don't know, but I certainly remember running at least 407 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:58,560 Nicholas Thompson: a mile with him then. 408 00:21:59,130 --> 00:22:03,060 Becs Gentry: Amazing. And it was your connection. It has to do 409 00:22:03,060 --> 00:22:06,990 Becs Gentry: with the connection that you've written in your book about 410 00:22:07,050 --> 00:22:12,419 Becs Gentry: your family falling apart at the time. And what do you 411 00:22:12,420 --> 00:22:17,550 Becs Gentry: think that those memories and your father taught you about 412 00:22:17,550 --> 00:22:19,230 Becs Gentry: running for the rest of your life going forward? 413 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:23,580 Nicholas Thompson: Well, they taught me how powerful and emotional force running 414 00:22:23,580 --> 00:22:25,560 Nicholas Thompson: can be. It was something that helped my dad hold 415 00:22:25,560 --> 00:22:28,350 Nicholas Thompson: his life together. Again, he was a hyper ambitious man 416 00:22:28,350 --> 00:22:31,230 Nicholas Thompson: who had not realized his career ambitions. He was struggling 417 00:22:31,230 --> 00:22:34,109 Nicholas Thompson: with alcoholism, and at that time, he was dealing with 418 00:22:34,109 --> 00:22:37,140 Nicholas Thompson: the realization that he was gay, which was a hard 419 00:22:37,140 --> 00:22:40,470 Nicholas Thompson: thing to do. It was 1982 and he was a 420 00:22:40,470 --> 00:22:43,830 Nicholas Thompson: Republican. He's a Republican arms controller and he's trying to 421 00:22:43,830 --> 00:22:45,899 Nicholas Thompson: figure out what it means for his life and what 422 00:22:45,900 --> 00:22:49,770 Nicholas Thompson: it means for his future career. And he's a chaotic 423 00:22:49,770 --> 00:22:52,230 Nicholas Thompson: person anyway. And so, as he's going through that, he's 424 00:22:52,230 --> 00:22:55,859 Nicholas Thompson: running and running is helping him hold things together during 425 00:22:55,859 --> 00:22:57,540 Nicholas Thompson: that moment. 426 00:22:58,950 --> 00:22:59,430 Becs Gentry: Wow. 427 00:22:59,850 --> 00:23:03,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, there's a lot in your story, Nick. I think 428 00:23:03,090 --> 00:23:08,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: so many people can relate to having sports be a 429 00:23:08,100 --> 00:23:13,379 Rob Simmelkjaer: link between themselves and a parent. For me growing up, 430 00:23:13,380 --> 00:23:16,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: my dad and I always connected over baseball. We played 431 00:23:16,590 --> 00:23:22,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot of tennis together. Sometimes there are conversations that 432 00:23:22,170 --> 00:23:26,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: you can't have with a parent, but somehow sports can 433 00:23:26,369 --> 00:23:29,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: create a level of understanding and that connection between a 434 00:23:30,090 --> 00:23:32,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: common activity. Is that really what it did for you 435 00:23:32,850 --> 00:23:34,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: when it came to your relationship with your father? 436 00:23:35,580 --> 00:23:37,680 Nicholas Thompson: I mean, the funny thing about my dad, I mean 437 00:23:37,980 --> 00:23:39,990 Nicholas Thompson: I entirely agree with the premise. I think it's totally 438 00:23:39,990 --> 00:23:42,720 Nicholas Thompson: true of America. I think sports are one of the 439 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:46,409 Nicholas Thompson: best links we have for getting people to talk to 440 00:23:46,410 --> 00:23:48,780 Nicholas Thompson: each other, understand each other. My dad and I could 441 00:23:48,780 --> 00:23:51,959 Nicholas Thompson: talk about anything always. We talked about all kinds of 442 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:57,419 Nicholas Thompson: stuff constantly. He couldn't stop talking, so I never needed 443 00:23:57,420 --> 00:24:02,340 Nicholas Thompson: sports. We'd come into my office. He'd start talking about 444 00:24:02,340 --> 00:24:04,320 Nicholas Thompson: every single thing he saw. He'd talk about everything I 445 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:07,080 Nicholas Thompson: ever wrote, everything I ever did. So, it was a 446 00:24:07,080 --> 00:24:09,960 Nicholas Thompson: very useful connection and it was a very important memory from 447 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:12,179 Nicholas Thompson: my childhood to hold onto him and to have an 448 00:24:12,180 --> 00:24:14,340 Nicholas Thompson: image of him as a strong man before he fell 449 00:24:14,340 --> 00:24:17,550 Nicholas Thompson: apart. But it wasn't the only thing that brought us together. 450 00:24:18,570 --> 00:24:23,340 Becs Gentry: That's amazing that he continued to be such a fantastic 451 00:24:23,340 --> 00:24:26,550 Becs Gentry: force in your life all the way through it. I 452 00:24:26,550 --> 00:24:29,310 Becs Gentry: really, I love that connection. Okay, let's talk about your 453 00:24:29,310 --> 00:24:34,679 Becs Gentry: running though. You as a runner, you have such a fantastic 454 00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:38,280 Becs Gentry: resume as a runner. It's varied, it's hardcore. Let's be 455 00:24:38,280 --> 00:24:43,109 Becs Gentry: honest. 2: 29 is no easy feat, people. And when 456 00:24:43,109 --> 00:24:46,380 Becs Gentry: it comes to running and your dad and you saying anything 457 00:24:46,619 --> 00:24:49,440 Becs Gentry: that father figure, when you are deep in the pain 458 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:51,510 Becs Gentry: cave of running that I know a lot of our 459 00:24:51,510 --> 00:24:54,959 Becs Gentry: listeners are either very well versed in or about to 460 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:59,730 Becs Gentry: be, is that to you when your father feels close 461 00:24:59,730 --> 00:25:01,410 Becs Gentry: to you or far away? 462 00:25:01,890 --> 00:25:06,990 Nicholas Thompson: That's a good question. I think that he feels closer 463 00:25:06,990 --> 00:25:10,080 Nicholas Thompson: when I'm in an intense training mode. And I think 464 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:15,449 Nicholas Thompson: that he always wanted me to set the highest goals 465 00:25:15,450 --> 00:25:18,869 Nicholas Thompson: you possibly can and try and accomplish them. And he 466 00:25:18,869 --> 00:25:22,710 Nicholas Thompson: had endless faith in me. And if he'd been alive 467 00:25:22,710 --> 00:25:24,419 Nicholas Thompson: when I ran 2: 29, he would've said, go run 2: 468 00:25:24,450 --> 00:25:25,260 Nicholas Thompson: 20. Right? 469 00:25:26,310 --> 00:25:27,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: Typical dad. 470 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:28,950 Becs Gentry: Right. 471 00:25:29,250 --> 00:25:32,550 Nicholas Thompson: And then, even worse, he would've believed that I could 472 00:25:32,550 --> 00:25:35,220 Nicholas Thompson: run 2: 20, which is quite hard at 44 and it's 473 00:25:35,220 --> 00:25:38,939 Nicholas Thompson: quite hard at any age. When I'm deep in the 474 00:25:38,940 --> 00:25:45,720 Nicholas Thompson: pain cave, I'm trying to actually shut off that part 475 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:49,920 Nicholas Thompson: of my brain. And what I love about being deep 476 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:52,230 Nicholas Thompson: in the pain cave is when your mind and your 477 00:25:52,230 --> 00:25:55,560 Nicholas Thompson: body blur into one and where you're really, you're just 478 00:25:55,560 --> 00:25:57,840 Nicholas Thompson: focusing on your mantra or whatever it is pushing you 479 00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:01,109 Nicholas Thompson: forward. So, when I'm running a New York Marathon in a week and a half, 480 00:26:01,619 --> 00:26:05,129 Nicholas Thompson: I'm going to be, when I'm suffering as I surely 481 00:26:05,130 --> 00:26:07,530 Nicholas Thompson: will be based on how my training has gone, I'm going to be 482 00:26:07,950 --> 00:26:12,000 Nicholas Thompson: just focusing on right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, and 483 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:16,740 Nicholas Thompson: I'm going to be, I'll probably have shut down all 484 00:26:16,740 --> 00:26:18,119 Nicholas Thompson: of that. 485 00:26:19,890 --> 00:26:23,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's interesting listening to you talk about that, and I'm 486 00:26:23,070 --> 00:26:28,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: curious what you find in common between the process of 487 00:26:28,770 --> 00:26:32,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: training for and running a marathon and the process of 488 00:26:32,070 --> 00:26:37,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: writing, in writing a book, because those are both very 489 00:26:37,109 --> 00:26:41,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: difficult things to do. They both require a lot of 490 00:26:41,460 --> 00:26:46,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: discipline, I imagine. And I think what strikes me as 491 00:26:46,050 --> 00:26:49,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: similar about the two things is that you can also 492 00:26:49,350 --> 00:26:53,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: just stop either one of them. You can step off 493 00:26:53,310 --> 00:26:57,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: a marathon course, you can put the pen down. Getting 494 00:26:57,510 --> 00:27:02,399 Rob Simmelkjaer: to that finish line requires a lot of stamina, focus 495 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:06,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: and determination. When it comes to both those things, what 496 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: do you find as someone who makes your living as 497 00:27:08,460 --> 00:27:11,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: an incredibly accomplished writer is in common for you with 498 00:27:11,970 --> 00:27:14,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: running and how do the two things help you feed 499 00:27:14,220 --> 00:27:14,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: one another? 500 00:27:15,210 --> 00:27:17,970 Nicholas Thompson: Yeah, it's a great question and there's a lot of similarities. 501 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:21,840 Nicholas Thompson: So, one of them is that I believe there's a 502 00:27:21,900 --> 00:27:26,730 Nicholas Thompson: stoic, you just have to do it right. Today, you're 503 00:27:26,730 --> 00:27:29,640 Nicholas Thompson: going to run and today you're going to write. And 504 00:27:29,640 --> 00:27:32,669 Nicholas Thompson: so, I had a rule that I would work on 505 00:27:32,670 --> 00:27:35,609 Nicholas Thompson: this book for at least 30 minutes every day. And 506 00:27:35,609 --> 00:27:39,090 Nicholas Thompson: that doesn't sound like a lot, but that's the rule. 507 00:27:39,090 --> 00:27:41,340 Nicholas Thompson: That's the minimum. You're not going to do 29, you're 508 00:27:41,340 --> 00:27:42,990 Nicholas Thompson: not going to do 24, you're certainly not going to 509 00:27:42,990 --> 00:27:46,320 Nicholas Thompson: do zero. It's 30 minutes every single day. And if 510 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:47,520 Nicholas Thompson: it's going to be a hard day to do it, 511 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:49,920 Nicholas Thompson: I'm actually going to set a timer and force myself 512 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:52,350 Nicholas Thompson: to do it. And often, it would be very early 513 00:27:52,350 --> 00:27:54,450 Nicholas Thompson: in the morning before the kids get up. I made 514 00:27:54,450 --> 00:27:56,190 Nicholas Thompson: a rule to never work on the book while I 515 00:27:56,190 --> 00:27:57,690 Nicholas Thompson: was at the office. I'm at the office all the 516 00:27:57,690 --> 00:28:02,010 Nicholas Thompson: time. And so, it was a very consistent practice and it's 517 00:28:02,010 --> 00:28:04,350 Nicholas Thompson: much like the practice of running. When you want to 518 00:28:04,350 --> 00:28:07,590 Nicholas Thompson: get ready for a marathon, you just have to go 519 00:28:07,590 --> 00:28:10,320 Nicholas Thompson: run even if it's hot, even if it's cold, even 520 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:13,650 Nicholas Thompson: if you feel like garbage. The other day, I woke 521 00:28:13,650 --> 00:28:15,690 Nicholas Thompson: up, I just felt the worst. I had a Whoop 522 00:28:15,690 --> 00:28:18,660 Nicholas Thompson: recovery score of one out of 100. I was basically 523 00:28:18,660 --> 00:28:23,250 Nicholas Thompson: dead. I was like, "You know what? I'm going to go running because I got to go 524 00:28:23,250 --> 00:28:26,070 Nicholas Thompson: running." You have to do it. 525 00:28:26,940 --> 00:28:32,550 Becs Gentry: Wow. That's some discipline though. I mean, it's not common 526 00:28:32,550 --> 00:28:35,850 Becs Gentry: practice to be able to do that. A lot of 527 00:28:35,850 --> 00:28:38,820 Becs Gentry: people want to be able to have that discipline to 528 00:28:38,820 --> 00:28:41,790 Becs Gentry: say," I'm going to do it." When your Whoop says 529 00:28:41,790 --> 00:28:44,220 Becs Gentry: one out of 100, oh my goodness, I want to 530 00:28:44,220 --> 00:28:47,490 Becs Gentry: know what was going on, but we won't divulge here. 531 00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:52,440 Becs Gentry: But that's impressive. But it also says a lot about 532 00:28:52,500 --> 00:28:56,850 Becs Gentry: who you are as a person, and that's a fantastic 533 00:28:56,850 --> 00:29:01,440 Becs Gentry: trait to have. And I guess that brings us quite 534 00:29:01,530 --> 00:29:06,420 Becs Gentry: nicely to running as a practice and how you got 535 00:29:06,420 --> 00:29:08,820 Becs Gentry: your, I mean, let's talk about the book. Let's talk 536 00:29:08,820 --> 00:29:13,800 Becs Gentry: about how you became who you are in both the 537 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:19,380 Becs Gentry: literary world and the sports world because they're so different. 538 00:29:19,380 --> 00:29:21,660 Becs Gentry: But you've already said they're so similar in many, many 539 00:29:21,660 --> 00:29:25,230 Becs Gentry: ways. So, let's go back. One of my favorite quotes, 540 00:29:25,230 --> 00:29:26,640 Becs Gentry: and I'm sure a lot of people's favorite quotes in 541 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:33,060 Becs Gentry: the book is from the GOAT Eliud Kipchoge, and I'm not in the 542 00:29:33,060 --> 00:29:36,180 Becs Gentry: minority here, people who love him and hang off every 543 00:29:36,180 --> 00:29:39,540 Becs Gentry: word, but " Only the disciplined ones in life are free." 544 00:29:40,650 --> 00:29:44,220 Becs Gentry: And you've just shown us how disciplined you are. Have 545 00:29:44,220 --> 00:29:47,820 Becs Gentry: you ever felt trapped by that level of discipline? 546 00:29:50,910 --> 00:29:54,060 Nicholas Thompson: I think the discipline comes and ties back to my 547 00:29:54,060 --> 00:29:56,370 Nicholas Thompson: father in an interesting way. So, my father was this wonderful 548 00:29:56,370 --> 00:29:59,729 Nicholas Thompson: force. He's extremely interesting guy. I love him dearly. He 549 00:29:59,730 --> 00:30:03,840 Nicholas Thompson: loves me dearly, but he ended his life as a 550 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:07,170 Nicholas Thompson: bankrupt tax fugitive, running a brothel in Southeast Asia. It's 551 00:30:07,170 --> 00:30:10,140 Nicholas Thompson: not how I aspire to end my life or be 552 00:30:10,140 --> 00:30:13,080 Nicholas Thompson: where I am at the end of the road. And so, 553 00:30:13,440 --> 00:30:15,390 Nicholas Thompson: I know that I'm quite similar to him in so 554 00:30:15,390 --> 00:30:17,640 Nicholas Thompson: many ways, and I know that I look like him 555 00:30:17,640 --> 00:30:19,380 Nicholas Thompson: and I know that I talk like him and act 556 00:30:19,380 --> 00:30:20,790 Nicholas Thompson: like him and think like him. And I went to 557 00:30:20,790 --> 00:30:23,610 Nicholas Thompson: the same schools as him, and a lot of the 558 00:30:23,610 --> 00:30:27,630 Nicholas Thompson: ambition I have was driven by him. But his fundamental 559 00:30:27,630 --> 00:30:30,510 Nicholas Thompson: problem was a lack of discipline. He couldn't get stuff 560 00:30:30,510 --> 00:30:36,870 Nicholas Thompson: done. He just got distracted too much. And we would 561 00:30:36,900 --> 00:30:39,360 Nicholas Thompson: often joke, we had a reverse father- son relationship. I'd 562 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:41,790 Nicholas Thompson: be like, " Dad, it's time to work and stop looking 563 00:30:41,790 --> 00:30:47,910 Nicholas Thompson: at porn, please." And so, part of the discipline is 564 00:30:47,910 --> 00:30:50,940 Nicholas Thompson: this intense desire to not become my father. So, I have 565 00:30:50,940 --> 00:30:55,950 Nicholas Thompson: this nice external pressure. But the other thing is I 566 00:30:55,950 --> 00:30:59,850 Nicholas Thompson: actually, and I believe this deeply, I think that if 567 00:30:59,850 --> 00:31:02,040 Nicholas Thompson: you cultivate discipline in one thing, it goes to the 568 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:02,581 Nicholas Thompson: other things, right? 569 00:31:02,581 --> 00:31:02,761 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yes. 570 00:31:03,060 --> 00:31:05,190 Nicholas Thompson: I mean, this is what Admiral McRaven says, " You get 571 00:31:05,190 --> 00:31:07,470 Nicholas Thompson: up and you make your bed and by the fact 572 00:31:07,470 --> 00:31:09,630 Nicholas Thompson: of having made your bed, it then makes it easier 573 00:31:09,930 --> 00:31:12,060 Nicholas Thompson: to do things in disciplined way the rest of the 574 00:31:12,060 --> 00:31:14,220 Nicholas Thompson: day." And then, even if everything goes wrong, you go 575 00:31:14,220 --> 00:31:15,510 Nicholas Thompson: home, you go to bed and you're in a bed 576 00:31:15,510 --> 00:31:18,450 Nicholas Thompson: that you made. And you go and you run and 577 00:31:18,450 --> 00:31:19,680 Nicholas Thompson: you run when it's hot and you run when it's 578 00:31:19,680 --> 00:31:22,770 Nicholas Thompson: cold, you then have more discipline to work on your 579 00:31:22,770 --> 00:31:24,990 Nicholas Thompson: book 30 minutes a day or do the things that 580 00:31:24,990 --> 00:31:28,650 Nicholas Thompson: your job you don't want to do or whatever the 581 00:31:28,800 --> 00:31:31,470 Nicholas Thompson: complicated thing you have to do in life is. So, 582 00:31:31,470 --> 00:31:33,840 Nicholas Thompson: I feel like discipline feeds on itself. Back to your 583 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:37,350 Nicholas Thompson: question, have I ever felt trapped by it? I certainly 584 00:31:37,350 --> 00:31:40,320 Nicholas Thompson: think that there are probably times where my wife thinks like " 585 00:31:40,650 --> 00:31:45,810 Nicholas Thompson: Nick, just relax a little, right?" There are lots of 586 00:31:45,810 --> 00:31:47,459 Nicholas Thompson: people who love me and spend time with me who 587 00:31:48,150 --> 00:31:50,430 Nicholas Thompson: I think my sister, my elder sister, if she was 588 00:31:50,430 --> 00:31:53,340 Nicholas Thompson: on this podcast, would have a very interesting answer to 589 00:31:53,340 --> 00:31:57,210 Nicholas Thompson: that question, but I still just try to stick really 590 00:31:57,210 --> 00:31:59,670 Nicholas Thompson: hard to what I'm trying to do. 591 00:32:01,230 --> 00:32:06,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: I can very much see where the motivation to maintain 592 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:10,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: discipline comes from when you have such a visceral example 593 00:32:10,530 --> 00:32:13,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: in your life of what the alternative might look like. 594 00:32:13,590 --> 00:32:15,091 Nicholas Thompson: Yeah, right there. 595 00:32:15,091 --> 00:32:18,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: If you're not able to maintain it, where that could lead you. So, 596 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:21,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: it makes sense. And a lot of the things you're saying, 597 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:25,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: I've talked about the making of the bed, the going 598 00:32:25,260 --> 00:32:27,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: for a short run and the kind of momentum that 599 00:32:27,630 --> 00:32:32,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: builds in your day and what that can then take 600 00:32:32,100 --> 00:32:35,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: you to day after day after day, like a snowball 601 00:32:35,940 --> 00:32:40,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: rolling downhill with the positive effect of picking up momentum 602 00:32:40,410 --> 00:32:42,781 Rob Simmelkjaer: and belief in yourself as you continue to do that. 603 00:32:42,781 --> 00:32:42,931 Nicholas Thompson: Totally. 604 00:32:43,050 --> 00:32:44,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: And it's one of the reasons I really do believe 605 00:32:44,940 --> 00:32:49,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: that people with a running discipline over index for success 606 00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:53,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: in different areas of life, and you are a great 607 00:32:53,070 --> 00:32:55,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: example of that as the CEO of the Atlantic. 608 00:32:57,210 --> 00:33:00,090 Nicholas Thompson: I do think that runners over index for success in 609 00:33:00,090 --> 00:33:02,850 Nicholas Thompson: life for that. I mean, running's not an unambiguous good. It 610 00:33:02,850 --> 00:33:04,800 Nicholas Thompson: can make you selfish. It can make you self- absorbed. 611 00:33:04,800 --> 00:33:07,920 Nicholas Thompson: It can make really boring to talk to. You go to a 612 00:33:07,920 --> 00:33:10,020 Nicholas Thompson: cocktail party and you start talking about your resting heart rate, right? 613 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:12,570 Nicholas Thompson: I don't know. I mentioned my Whoop recovery score. That's 614 00:33:12,570 --> 00:33:15,660 Nicholas Thompson: pretty lame. I can mention it to you guys, but 615 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:17,730 Nicholas Thompson: if I were to mention that in a public setting, 616 00:33:17,970 --> 00:33:20,190 Nicholas Thompson: I should be excommunicated from wherever I am. 617 00:33:20,910 --> 00:33:23,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's why I only invite runners to my cocktail parties 618 00:33:23,580 --> 00:33:25,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: because no one else can stand that. 619 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:25,530 Becs Gentry: Your social circle gets smaller and smaller. 620 00:33:28,440 --> 00:33:30,870 Nicholas Thompson: In general, I think running is a great thing for 621 00:33:30,870 --> 00:33:32,910 Nicholas Thompson: life, but yes, there are some negative things. 622 00:33:34,620 --> 00:33:38,700 Becs Gentry: Absolutely. Yeah, I would agree with that, for sure. I love this 623 00:33:38,700 --> 00:33:42,660 Becs Gentry: part of you because I agree with you. When you 624 00:33:42,660 --> 00:33:46,650 Becs Gentry: run, you're adamant you will not listen to music, right? 625 00:33:46,650 --> 00:33:47,011 Nicholas Thompson: Yeah, that's true. 626 00:33:47,011 --> 00:33:50,250 Becs Gentry: Okay, I love it. And nothing, you have nothing in 627 00:33:50,250 --> 00:33:51,810 Becs Gentry: your head. It's not a book or podcast. 628 00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:55,680 Nicholas Thompson: Well, so I have different modes for running. If I'm run commuting and I'm 629 00:33:55,680 --> 00:33:57,690 Nicholas Thompson: running like a nine- minute mile on Canal Street, who 630 00:33:57,690 --> 00:33:59,940 Nicholas Thompson: cares, right? I'm listening to a podcast. I'm trying to 631 00:33:59,940 --> 00:34:02,880 Nicholas Thompson: absorb information. I've got a list of podcasts on AI 632 00:34:02,880 --> 00:34:06,540 Nicholas Thompson: and technology things that are useful for my job. I've 633 00:34:06,540 --> 00:34:10,800 Nicholas Thompson: done Zoom calls while running home from work. I'm not 634 00:34:10,800 --> 00:34:14,700 Nicholas Thompson: above that. But three times a week it actually matters, 635 00:34:14,700 --> 00:34:16,890 Nicholas Thompson: right? When I'm out there and I'm doing a tempo session, 636 00:34:16,890 --> 00:34:18,540 Nicholas Thompson: I'm doing a speed session, I'm doing a long run, 637 00:34:18,690 --> 00:34:21,149 Nicholas Thompson: maybe it's four times a week. And if I'm doing 638 00:34:21,150 --> 00:34:23,279 Nicholas Thompson: something that matters where I'm actually trying to train my 639 00:34:23,280 --> 00:34:27,239 Nicholas Thompson: body, you listen to music, you confuse the body, right? 640 00:34:27,239 --> 00:34:31,410 Nicholas Thompson: Because running fast is not just how many times did 641 00:34:31,410 --> 00:34:32,700 Nicholas Thompson: you put your feet in the ground and how much 642 00:34:32,700 --> 00:34:34,469 Nicholas Thompson: force did you put and did you propel yourself forward? 643 00:34:34,469 --> 00:34:36,330 Nicholas Thompson: And what form did you have, right? That is part 644 00:34:36,330 --> 00:34:39,630 Nicholas Thompson: of it, but it's like did you neurologically learn to 645 00:34:39,630 --> 00:34:41,610 Nicholas Thompson: understand what it means to run at that pace, at 646 00:34:41,610 --> 00:34:43,620 Nicholas Thompson: that heart rate in that particular weather? And if you're 647 00:34:43,620 --> 00:34:46,530 Nicholas Thompson: listening to music, you're confusing yourself, you're adding an extra 648 00:34:46,530 --> 00:34:49,259 Nicholas Thompson: input that you don't need. The whole point of a 649 00:34:49,260 --> 00:34:54,900 Nicholas Thompson: workout is to understand your body better, right? And there's 650 00:34:54,900 --> 00:34:59,250 Nicholas Thompson: this very complex brain- body relationship that is at the 651 00:34:59,250 --> 00:35:02,790 Nicholas Thompson: core of fatigue and pain. And if you're listening to 652 00:35:02,790 --> 00:35:06,645 Nicholas Thompson: music, you're dulling it, so you just shouldn't do it. 653 00:35:06,645 --> 00:35:10,920 Nicholas Thompson: I mean, it can help you. I don't know. If 654 00:35:10,920 --> 00:35:12,780 Nicholas Thompson: you're in the beginning of a training cycle and you 655 00:35:12,780 --> 00:35:14,940 Nicholas Thompson: need a little extra motivation, so you do some sprints 656 00:35:14,940 --> 00:35:17,549 Nicholas Thompson: up the hill, okay, maybe that's fine. But if you're 657 00:35:17,550 --> 00:35:20,580 Nicholas Thompson: really trying for performance and you're trying to understand yourself, 658 00:35:20,580 --> 00:35:22,260 Nicholas Thompson: don't do it. That's my view. 659 00:35:23,640 --> 00:35:25,920 Becs Gentry: I am with you every word you said, and I 660 00:35:25,920 --> 00:35:29,310 Becs Gentry: like that you break it down to different runs in 661 00:35:29,310 --> 00:35:33,480 Becs Gentry: the week. That is a very fair transition for a 662 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:35,400 Becs Gentry: lot of people too, if they're thinking of doing this 663 00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:37,830 Becs Gentry: is pick your runs. Pick your runs where you're going 664 00:35:37,830 --> 00:35:40,590 Becs Gentry: to have a distraction if you will, and then be 665 00:35:40,590 --> 00:35:41,580 Becs Gentry: focused, very- 666 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:44,370 Nicholas Thompson: I mean, because when you run and you run race for 667 00:35:44,370 --> 00:35:48,029 Nicholas Thompson: people running the New York Marathon, there are times where you 668 00:35:48,030 --> 00:35:51,239 Nicholas Thompson: want to dissociate, and there are times where you want to be very present. 669 00:35:51,360 --> 00:35:53,009 Nicholas Thompson: There are times where you're in so much pain, you 670 00:35:53,010 --> 00:35:56,130 Nicholas Thompson: have to release yourself. And there are times where actually 671 00:35:56,130 --> 00:35:58,440 Nicholas Thompson: you have to lock in and understand everything that is 672 00:35:58,440 --> 00:36:00,675 Nicholas Thompson: going on, and you want to focus on your breath 673 00:36:00,675 --> 00:36:02,850 Nicholas Thompson: and focus on how everything feels, and you want to 674 00:36:03,900 --> 00:36:06,690 Nicholas Thompson: really focus on what is happening in your quadricep because 675 00:36:06,690 --> 00:36:10,200 Nicholas Thompson: your brain is sending a signal that your quadricep hurts, and 676 00:36:10,380 --> 00:36:12,509 Nicholas Thompson: maybe it's doing that because you're injured. Maybe it's doing 677 00:36:12,510 --> 00:36:14,130 Nicholas Thompson: that because you're fatigued, and maybe it's doing that because 678 00:36:14,130 --> 00:36:18,120 Nicholas Thompson: your brain just screws with you during a marathon. You 679 00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:21,360 Nicholas Thompson: have to really focus and understand that sometimes. 680 00:36:22,530 --> 00:36:22,770 Becs Gentry: Yeah. 681 00:36:22,950 --> 00:36:25,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: Nick, a lot of folks will be showing up to 682 00:36:25,830 --> 00:36:28,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: the starting line of the TCS New York City Marathon 683 00:36:28,530 --> 00:36:31,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: next week, and it'll be their first marathon. 684 00:36:31,350 --> 00:36:32,280 Nicholas Thompson: Love those people. 685 00:36:32,430 --> 00:36:33,001 Rob Simmelkjaer: Right. We love the first timers. 686 00:36:33,001 --> 00:36:36,569 Nicholas Thompson: Can we just talk about how awesome it is? And everyday people are like, " 687 00:36:36,870 --> 00:36:38,310 Nicholas Thompson: Nick, what do you think about a world where everybody's 688 00:36:38,310 --> 00:36:40,290 Nicholas Thompson: distracted? They can't concentrate on anything." And I'm like, " They can't concentrate on anything? 689 00:36:41,010 --> 00:36:42,390 Nicholas Thompson: Do you know how many people entered the damn New 690 00:36:42,390 --> 00:36:43,830 Nicholas Thompson: York City Marathon?" Right? 691 00:36:44,489 --> 00:36:45,029 Becs Gentry: Yes. 692 00:36:45,090 --> 00:36:48,030 Nicholas Thompson: Yeah. TikTok distracts us. We spend five seconds doing this 693 00:36:48,030 --> 00:36:49,230 Nicholas Thompson: or that. We look at our phones and then we 694 00:36:49,230 --> 00:36:51,510 Nicholas Thompson: go and we run 26 miles. 695 00:36:52,320 --> 00:36:55,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's awesome. It's an incredible antidote. I want to talk about 696 00:36:55,860 --> 00:37:00,509 Rob Simmelkjaer: your first marathon because it was not, yeah, we're going 697 00:37:00,509 --> 00:37:02,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: to do that, Nick. It was not. 698 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:02,002 Nicholas Thompson: (inaudible) . 699 00:37:04,350 --> 00:37:06,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: It wasn't what you planned. Can you talk a little 700 00:37:06,719 --> 00:37:10,259 Rob Simmelkjaer: bit about that marathon? But more importantly, not just what 701 00:37:10,260 --> 00:37:13,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: went wrong, but what you learned because it clearly was 702 00:37:13,500 --> 00:37:14,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: a big learning experience for you. 703 00:37:15,360 --> 00:37:18,600 Nicholas Thompson: Yeah. My first marathon was when I was 22 and 704 00:37:18,600 --> 00:37:21,390 Nicholas Thompson: I was adrift. I'd finished college. I wasn't sure what 705 00:37:21,390 --> 00:37:23,700 Nicholas Thompson: I was doing, and I didn't really know how to 706 00:37:23,700 --> 00:37:27,180 Nicholas Thompson: train. I had read one of those books that was like, " 707 00:37:27,180 --> 00:37:29,640 Nicholas Thompson: You can run a marathon. You just go for a long walk 708 00:37:29,640 --> 00:37:32,760 Nicholas Thompson: every now and then." And I don't think I'd run 709 00:37:32,760 --> 00:37:37,469 Nicholas Thompson: more than 13 miles. I just thought, I mean, I had been 710 00:37:37,469 --> 00:37:39,810 Nicholas Thompson: a high school cross- country star, right? I had run 711 00:37:40,350 --> 00:37:43,590 Nicholas Thompson: at Stanford University for a year, not for four years, 712 00:37:44,640 --> 00:37:47,640 Nicholas Thompson: and I was a good runner. I was like, " Yeah, I'll 713 00:37:47,640 --> 00:37:51,330 Nicholas Thompson: be fine. 26 miles." So, I show up. I registered 714 00:37:51,330 --> 00:37:54,120 Nicholas Thompson: for this race in Providence, Ocean City Marathon, drive down. 715 00:37:54,150 --> 00:37:56,489 Nicholas Thompson: It's rainy and cold. So, I sit in the car. 716 00:37:57,510 --> 00:38:02,040 Nicholas Thompson: Well, they started the race. I'm like, " Oh, whoops. It 717 00:38:02,040 --> 00:38:06,210 Nicholas Thompson: started." And so, what should you do when that happens? 718 00:38:06,540 --> 00:38:09,030 Nicholas Thompson: You should jog to the starting line and think, okay, 719 00:38:09,030 --> 00:38:12,360 Nicholas Thompson: now the race is 26.3 or whatever it is, and 720 00:38:12,360 --> 00:38:15,719 Nicholas Thompson: just run it as though it's 26.3. No. What Nick 721 00:38:15,719 --> 00:38:24,540 Nicholas Thompson: does is he sprints to the start and then starts to jog. So, I do that and I actually hold a good pace. 722 00:38:24,540 --> 00:38:26,759 Nicholas Thompson: I'm on sub- 3- hour pace for 20 miles. And 723 00:38:26,760 --> 00:38:31,380 Nicholas Thompson: then, oh my God, just agony completely blew up. I 724 00:38:31,380 --> 00:38:35,279 Nicholas Thompson: end up sick in the woods. It's a really unfortunate, 725 00:38:35,520 --> 00:38:42,930 Nicholas Thompson: horrible, maybe last hour or so. I did finish, but 726 00:38:42,930 --> 00:38:46,680 Nicholas Thompson: I did not finish with dignity. What did I learn? 727 00:38:48,150 --> 00:38:51,000 Nicholas Thompson: I didn't learn how to train for a marathon for 728 00:38:51,270 --> 00:38:53,910 Nicholas Thompson: 10 years. I actually didn't learn until I was about 729 00:38:54,090 --> 00:38:58,680 Nicholas Thompson: 30, but that was at the beginning of the learning process, 730 00:38:58,680 --> 00:39:02,009 Nicholas Thompson: which is a marathon is actually quite hard even if 731 00:39:02,010 --> 00:39:04,020 Nicholas Thompson: you're quite strong and fit and you've run a really 732 00:39:04,020 --> 00:39:07,800 Nicholas Thompson: good two- mile time in high school. And you have 733 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:10,530 Nicholas Thompson: to go out and you have to run. I feel like 734 00:39:10,530 --> 00:39:12,900 Nicholas Thompson: you have to run 24 miles. People are like, " You 735 00:39:12,900 --> 00:39:14,879 Nicholas Thompson: have to run 20." Nah, you have to run more than 20." And you 736 00:39:15,239 --> 00:39:18,210 Nicholas Thompson: have to run 20 miles when you're dehydrated and you 737 00:39:18,210 --> 00:39:21,810 Nicholas Thompson: have to run 20 miles when it's sleeting and freezing 738 00:39:21,810 --> 00:39:25,380 Nicholas Thompson: rain. And you have to have trained your body to 739 00:39:25,469 --> 00:39:27,060 Nicholas Thompson: take in the nutrition you're going to take. 740 00:39:27,390 --> 00:39:29,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: To run at the level you run at. I think 741 00:39:29,850 --> 00:39:32,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's got to be true, right? Because when you're trying 742 00:39:32,340 --> 00:39:36,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: to run these sub- 3 marathons, your body has to 743 00:39:36,239 --> 00:39:38,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: be really ready for anything. 744 00:39:39,030 --> 00:39:41,969 Nicholas Thompson: So, for the first time, marathoners, you don't need that. 745 00:39:42,570 --> 00:39:43,950 Nicholas Thompson: What you need is you need to be able to 746 00:39:43,950 --> 00:39:47,670 Nicholas Thompson: keep going. If you're trying your first marathon and you're 747 00:39:47,670 --> 00:39:49,469 Nicholas Thompson: trying to run it in five and a half hours, 748 00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:53,190 Nicholas Thompson: you need to have some discipline at the start because 749 00:39:53,190 --> 00:39:55,410 Nicholas Thompson: you're going to feel much better the first 10 miles 750 00:39:55,410 --> 00:39:56,580 Nicholas Thompson: of the run than you think you're going to feel. 751 00:39:56,670 --> 00:39:59,100 Nicholas Thompson: And they're going to feel better the first 10 mile of your run than you've 752 00:39:59,100 --> 00:40:02,040 Nicholas Thompson: ever felt in a 10- mile run before. It just happens. 753 00:40:02,040 --> 00:40:04,020 Nicholas Thompson: There's magic on the course. You're so excited. There are 754 00:40:04,020 --> 00:40:06,690 Nicholas Thompson: other people around you. The New York City Marathon is 755 00:40:06,690 --> 00:40:09,060 Nicholas Thompson: a miracle. People are cheering for you everywhere. You will 756 00:40:09,060 --> 00:40:13,110 Nicholas Thompson: feel amazing. You'll probably feel amazing up until about mile 757 00:40:13,110 --> 00:40:17,820 Nicholas Thompson: 16, and then you probably won't feel amazing. And when you 758 00:40:17,820 --> 00:40:20,100 Nicholas Thompson: get to mile 21 and you're going across that bridge, 759 00:40:20,670 --> 00:40:22,950 Nicholas Thompson: it's actually a very narrow incline, but it will feel 760 00:40:22,950 --> 00:40:25,710 Nicholas Thompson: like you're on Mount Everest. And so, what you need 761 00:40:25,710 --> 00:40:28,170 Nicholas Thompson: is you need the Willis Avenue Bridge. I feel like 762 00:40:28,170 --> 00:40:32,730 Nicholas Thompson: that's just, whoa. You just need to be able to keep going, right? 763 00:40:32,730 --> 00:40:35,310 Nicholas Thompson: I am going to finish this race. I have a 764 00:40:35,310 --> 00:40:39,000 Nicholas Thompson: mantra. And so, I basically do 1, 2, 3, 1, 765 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:41,549 Nicholas Thompson: 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. And I'm 766 00:40:41,820 --> 00:40:43,710 Nicholas Thompson: landing. I'm thinking about my left foot landing. I'm thinking 767 00:40:43,710 --> 00:40:45,390 Nicholas Thompson: about my right foot landing, then my left foot and 768 00:40:45,390 --> 00:40:50,370 Nicholas Thompson: then my right foot on every third beat. And you 769 00:40:50,370 --> 00:40:52,170 Nicholas Thompson: should have whatever mantra you have, but you should train 770 00:40:52,170 --> 00:40:54,270 Nicholas Thompson: it before. What are you going to think about when you are 771 00:40:54,450 --> 00:40:56,460 Nicholas Thompson: in complete agony and you want to stop? 772 00:40:56,760 --> 00:40:57,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: Right. 773 00:40:57,870 --> 00:41:00,420 Nicholas Thompson: And maybe it's a saying, you say it's like a 774 00:41:00,420 --> 00:41:03,330 Nicholas Thompson: form of meditation, but that is a very helpful way 775 00:41:03,660 --> 00:41:06,450 Nicholas Thompson: to help push through. And your body is going to 776 00:41:06,450 --> 00:41:08,610 Nicholas Thompson: be telling you to stop, telling you to stop. And 777 00:41:08,610 --> 00:41:10,290 Nicholas Thompson: then the other amazing thing that will happen, this is 778 00:41:10,290 --> 00:41:11,400 Nicholas Thompson: cool for first time marathoners. 779 00:41:11,610 --> 00:41:11,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: Right. 780 00:41:11,790 --> 00:41:14,130 Nicholas Thompson: So, while you run, you're going to have all this 781 00:41:14,130 --> 00:41:17,370 Nicholas Thompson: pain in your shoulder and your nose is going to 782 00:41:17,370 --> 00:41:21,000 Nicholas Thompson: hurt, stuff that's totally irrelevant to the race. And then 783 00:41:21,000 --> 00:41:22,860 Nicholas Thompson: you'll have some stuff that seems real, like your calf 784 00:41:22,860 --> 00:41:25,170 Nicholas Thompson: will hurt, your foot will hurt, your blisters will hurt, 785 00:41:25,290 --> 00:41:28,560 Nicholas Thompson: cramps. And then you're going to get to Central Park 786 00:41:28,560 --> 00:41:31,650 Nicholas Thompson: South and you're going around the corner and all of that will completely go 787 00:41:31,650 --> 00:41:34,739 Nicholas Thompson: away because most of it is phantom. It's not real. 788 00:41:34,920 --> 00:41:38,310 Nicholas Thompson: Nothing physiologically has happened. It's just your brain trying to 789 00:41:38,310 --> 00:41:40,920 Nicholas Thompson: get you to slow down because your brain is scared. 790 00:41:41,160 --> 00:41:43,230 Nicholas Thompson: Then when your brain sees the finish line and here's 791 00:41:43,230 --> 00:41:45,570 Nicholas Thompson: the finish line, it's like all that goes away. And 792 00:41:45,570 --> 00:41:49,020 Nicholas Thompson: then you feel great, you finish and then you have your recovery 793 00:41:49,020 --> 00:41:49,739 Nicholas Thompson: shake and you're good. 794 00:41:51,330 --> 00:41:54,750 Becs Gentry: That is probably one of the best breakdowns I've ever 795 00:41:54,750 --> 00:41:54,751 Becs Gentry: heard. 796 00:41:54,751 --> 00:41:58,561 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's so true. It's all so true. 797 00:41:58,560 --> 00:42:03,030 Becs Gentry: Yeah, it's all so true and it's a fantastic mentality for 798 00:42:03,630 --> 00:42:08,760 Becs Gentry: beginner runners and I think experienced runners to foster into 799 00:42:08,760 --> 00:42:11,850 Becs Gentry: their next race. So, thank you. Thank you very much. 800 00:42:12,180 --> 00:42:15,239 Nicholas Thompson: Well, I am happy to provide some service. I love all 801 00:42:15,239 --> 00:42:17,310 Nicholas Thompson: the people out there running their first marathons. It's amazing. 802 00:42:17,759 --> 00:42:18,090 Becs Gentry: Yeah. 803 00:42:18,330 --> 00:42:21,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: And it's the best marathon course in the world and the best day and it's 804 00:42:21,540 --> 00:42:21,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible. 805 00:42:22,560 --> 00:42:26,310 Becs Gentry: Certainly is. It certainly is, Rob. We've got that. Okay, 806 00:42:26,310 --> 00:42:32,370 Becs Gentry: let's just quickly talk a little bit about your life 807 00:42:32,370 --> 00:42:36,840 Becs Gentry: now, moving forward. As you're running, you've hit the 2: 29s 808 00:42:36,870 --> 00:42:41,969 Becs Gentry: You've had American age group records. You've pushed yourself in 809 00:42:41,969 --> 00:42:45,420 Becs Gentry: many different ways when it comes to running in this 810 00:42:45,420 --> 00:42:53,820 Becs Gentry: beautiful sport. And do you ever think about the goals 811 00:42:54,000 --> 00:42:59,580 Becs Gentry: dissipating and going away and you just popping out for 812 00:42:59,790 --> 00:43:03,750 Becs Gentry: a run or popping to the gym or how does 813 00:43:03,750 --> 00:43:07,140 Becs Gentry: that feel for you? How does that look? No, shaking 814 00:43:07,140 --> 00:43:07,350 Becs Gentry: his head. 815 00:43:07,350 --> 00:43:07,589 Nicholas Thompson: Sorry. 816 00:43:09,719 --> 00:43:10,440 Becs Gentry: We love that. 817 00:43:10,799 --> 00:43:15,390 Nicholas Thompson: Sorry. Nope. At some point, I'll have to stop. I won't be 818 00:43:15,390 --> 00:43:19,080 Nicholas Thompson: able to do it, but I don't know. I mean, 819 00:43:19,140 --> 00:43:22,050 Nicholas Thompson: I tried really hard the last three years to set 820 00:43:22,050 --> 00:43:25,680 Nicholas Thompson: the age group record in the 50 mile and almost 821 00:43:25,680 --> 00:43:29,460 Nicholas Thompson: got it in April. In fact, I had it if 822 00:43:29,460 --> 00:43:31,290 Nicholas Thompson: I had been able to run perfect tangents on this 823 00:43:31,290 --> 00:43:33,239 Nicholas Thompson: course, but it was a loop course and there were cars 824 00:43:33,239 --> 00:43:35,250 Nicholas Thompson: and I couldn't run perfect tangents. When I crossed 50. 825 00:43:35,250 --> 00:43:37,380 Nicholas Thompson: 0, I was under the American record time, but it 826 00:43:37,380 --> 00:43:42,989 Nicholas Thompson: took me 50.5 to finish. It's an amazing record. Ted Corbett 827 00:43:43,020 --> 00:43:46,440 Nicholas Thompson: set the record. That record has stood for 55 years 828 00:43:46,440 --> 00:43:48,480 Nicholas Thompson: and Ted Corbett's like the greatest runner of all time, 829 00:43:48,600 --> 00:43:52,320 Nicholas Thompson: right? Legend, man. There should be statues all over America 830 00:43:52,320 --> 00:43:57,360 Nicholas Thompson: to that man. I would love to keep trying to 831 00:43:57,540 --> 00:44:02,310 Nicholas Thompson: go to push my limits and test how far I 832 00:44:02,310 --> 00:44:05,489 Nicholas Thompson: can go and what I can do, whether it's going faster. I'm 833 00:44:05,489 --> 00:44:08,190 Nicholas Thompson: certainly not going to run 2: 29 again, God help 834 00:44:08,190 --> 00:44:12,029 Nicholas Thompson: me where, but I try to run. I may try 835 00:44:12,030 --> 00:44:13,590 Nicholas Thompson: to set more age group records. I may try to 836 00:44:13,590 --> 00:44:15,239 Nicholas Thompson: just win races. I may try to win age groups 837 00:44:15,239 --> 00:44:17,580 Nicholas Thompson: in races. I just ran a 100K in the mountains, 838 00:44:17,580 --> 00:44:19,440 Nicholas Thompson: which was amazing. I just ran the Grand Canyon, which 839 00:44:19,440 --> 00:44:21,870 Nicholas Thompson: was amazing. I got to go run the Pemi loop 840 00:44:21,870 --> 00:44:23,069 Nicholas Thompson: up in New Hampshire. I don't know. I'm going to go 841 00:44:23,070 --> 00:44:25,290 Nicholas Thompson: cool places and push myself in cool ways. 842 00:44:26,370 --> 00:44:26,790 Becs Gentry: Love that. 843 00:44:26,880 --> 00:44:29,910 Nicholas Thompson: Yeah. But I'm not going to be only on the exercise bike. 844 00:44:29,910 --> 00:44:31,501 Rob Simmelkjaer: I don't see you on the elective bike. 845 00:44:31,500 --> 00:44:33,511 Nicholas Thompson: Until I have to be. Until I have to be. 846 00:44:33,511 --> 00:44:33,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. 847 00:44:33,750 --> 00:44:34,469 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Good. 848 00:44:34,469 --> 00:44:35,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. I get it. And you're right. 849 00:44:35,550 --> 00:44:40,980 Nicholas Thompson: And at some point, and this is important, my kids, my two younger kids run a lot 850 00:44:40,980 --> 00:44:43,560 Nicholas Thompson: and are exceptionally good at it. And the middle one 851 00:44:43,680 --> 00:44:45,330 Nicholas Thompson: now 15, has told me he's going to run the 852 00:44:45,330 --> 00:44:47,340 Nicholas Thompson: New York City Marathon when he's 18 with me. And 853 00:44:49,200 --> 00:44:51,810 Nicholas Thompson: he can beat me in a half mile. He can 854 00:44:51,810 --> 00:44:54,480 Nicholas Thompson: almost beat me in a mile. He's sub- 5. I'm a little 855 00:44:54,480 --> 00:44:58,320 Nicholas Thompson: below him and I think he might be able to 856 00:44:58,320 --> 00:45:01,710 Nicholas Thompson: beat me in the 2028 New York City Marathon, but 857 00:45:01,710 --> 00:45:03,210 Nicholas Thompson: I'm going to try to beat him. We'll see. 858 00:45:03,750 --> 00:45:07,110 Becs Gentry: Wow. There we go. Challenge initiated. 859 00:45:07,170 --> 00:45:11,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: And Nick, I feel like that brings your story full 860 00:45:11,460 --> 00:45:15,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: circle with your book. I mean, you started out with 861 00:45:15,900 --> 00:45:19,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: this relationship with running through your father and now you 862 00:45:19,620 --> 00:45:23,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: have passed that on to your kids. Does it feel 863 00:45:23,610 --> 00:45:26,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: that way? And what's different about the way that you're 864 00:45:26,670 --> 00:45:30,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: relating to your kids through running than the way you 865 00:45:30,060 --> 00:45:31,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: related to your dad? 866 00:45:32,100 --> 00:45:34,080 Nicholas Thompson: I think there's a lot of similarities in that. It's 867 00:45:35,310 --> 00:45:37,109 Nicholas Thompson: just a fun thing to do together, right? It's very 868 00:45:37,110 --> 00:45:40,170 Nicholas Thompson: nice when your kids get older, when they're little, you're like, " 869 00:45:40,170 --> 00:45:42,569 Nicholas Thompson: Hey, do you want to play blocks. I'm here for 870 00:45:42,570 --> 00:45:44,940 Nicholas Thompson: you." And then when they get to be and they 871 00:45:44,940 --> 00:45:47,070 Nicholas Thompson: have their own interests, how do you connect with them? 872 00:45:47,250 --> 00:45:50,820 Nicholas Thompson: What is the thing you guys do together? And the 873 00:45:50,820 --> 00:45:54,150 Nicholas Thompson: two younger guys, they play very intense soccer teams. They 874 00:45:54,150 --> 00:45:56,759 Nicholas Thompson: play it off in Queens. It's wonderful. And they have 875 00:45:56,760 --> 00:45:59,520 Nicholas Thompson: to be fast for it. And so, they run and they 876 00:45:59,520 --> 00:46:01,620 Nicholas Thompson: train. And then I go out on Monday. So, I 877 00:46:01,620 --> 00:46:04,440 Nicholas Thompson: was out there last night, out in Middle Village Queens 878 00:46:04,440 --> 00:46:08,040 Nicholas Thompson: like training the eleven- year- olds out training them in 879 00:46:08,040 --> 00:46:10,560 Nicholas Thompson: a mile and then we're doing four by four relays 880 00:46:10,560 --> 00:46:13,950 Nicholas Thompson: handing off soccer cones to each other. And I'm teaching 881 00:46:13,950 --> 00:46:15,569 Nicholas Thompson: them how to run. And it's wonderful to be able 882 00:46:15,570 --> 00:46:18,750 Nicholas Thompson: to do that with my kids. And then the 15- year- 883 00:46:18,750 --> 00:46:22,230 Nicholas Thompson: old, he's, I don't know if the 11- year- old, who 884 00:46:22,230 --> 00:46:23,820 Nicholas Thompson: knows, he's too young. Who knows whether he's going to 885 00:46:23,820 --> 00:46:25,020 Nicholas Thompson: end up wanting to be a runner or just a 886 00:46:25,020 --> 00:46:27,330 Nicholas Thompson: soccer player. Maybe he'll be a baseball player. Who knows? 887 00:46:27,330 --> 00:46:31,140 Nicholas Thompson: The 15- year- old really seems to have a love. 888 00:46:31,770 --> 00:46:36,210 Nicholas Thompson: He's come to, I don't know, he ran the 10- 889 00:46:36,210 --> 00:46:39,239 Nicholas Thompson: mile. I think it started, it was two years ago. 890 00:46:39,450 --> 00:46:42,330 Nicholas Thompson: So, when he was, I think he was 13 at that time, and I was 891 00:46:42,330 --> 00:46:45,630 Nicholas Thompson: running the Cherry Tree 10 miler in Prospect Park, and 892 00:46:46,020 --> 00:46:48,810 Nicholas Thompson: that's in February. It's cold. It's not an easy thing. 893 00:46:48,870 --> 00:46:50,940 Nicholas Thompson: And I was like, " Hey Zachary, I'm going to go 894 00:46:50,940 --> 00:46:52,950 Nicholas Thompson: run this 10- mile race, but they have a 3. 3- 895 00:46:52,950 --> 00:46:55,080 Nicholas Thompson: mile option. You want to do that?" And he's like, " Okay." And 896 00:46:55,650 --> 00:46:56,759 Nicholas Thompson: he's like, " You know what? I'll just run the whole 897 00:46:56,760 --> 00:46:59,400 Nicholas Thompson: thing." I was like, " You'll do what?" And then, he 898 00:46:59,400 --> 00:47:01,350 Nicholas Thompson: ran the whole thing and had a great time. And the 899 00:47:01,350 --> 00:47:03,480 Nicholas Thompson: next year, he came back. It was a hailstorm and 900 00:47:03,480 --> 00:47:06,060 Nicholas Thompson: ran the whole thing and he wasn't that far behind me. 901 00:47:07,230 --> 00:47:11,130 Nicholas Thompson: So, he's really gotten a love for not just running 902 00:47:11,130 --> 00:47:15,810 Nicholas Thompson: a mile fast and winning a sprint, but going out 903 00:47:15,810 --> 00:47:19,110 Nicholas Thompson: there and the core of the sport where you're pushing 904 00:47:19,110 --> 00:47:22,020 Nicholas Thompson: yourself in a really hard way over a period of 905 00:47:22,020 --> 00:47:25,320 Nicholas Thompson: time in a weird situation when it's like your hair 906 00:47:25,320 --> 00:47:25,770 Nicholas Thompson: is frozen. 907 00:47:27,300 --> 00:47:31,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, we've all had those if we've been running long 908 00:47:31,020 --> 00:47:33,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: enough. And those are the days that make you a 909 00:47:33,660 --> 00:47:34,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: runner, I think. 910 00:47:34,530 --> 00:47:34,710 Nicholas Thompson: Yup. 911 00:47:34,710 --> 00:47:38,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: And that's really what it's all about. That's a large 912 00:47:38,280 --> 00:47:40,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: part of what your book is all about. It's called 913 00:47:40,170 --> 00:47:43,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest 914 00:47:43,500 --> 00:47:46,739 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Sports. And Nick, if I can just sing your 915 00:47:46,739 --> 00:47:48,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: praises a little bit. Listen, there's a lot of books 916 00:47:48,660 --> 00:47:51,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there about running, a lot of runners, a lot 917 00:47:51,420 --> 00:47:54,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: of marathon champions have written books and they're all great. 918 00:47:55,140 --> 00:47:58,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: This is a book about running by a great writer, 919 00:47:58,140 --> 00:48:01,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: Nick Thompson. And so, this is not just about running. This 920 00:48:01,050 --> 00:48:04,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: is about some really amazing writing and something that I 921 00:48:04,770 --> 00:48:08,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: think everybody out there who likes to read, really likes 922 00:48:08,190 --> 00:48:11,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: to read good books and also likes to run will 923 00:48:11,130 --> 00:48:14,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: love this book. So, Nick, you'll be at the Expo, 924 00:48:14,580 --> 00:48:17,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: the week of the marathon, I know, signing some copies and 925 00:48:17,850 --> 00:48:21,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: you'll be on stage as well one day. So, thank 926 00:48:21,030 --> 00:48:23,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: you for joining me and Becs, it's great to have you 927 00:48:23,670 --> 00:48:25,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: on. Good luck with the book and good luck with 928 00:48:25,890 --> 00:48:26,819 Rob Simmelkjaer: the marathon as well. 929 00:48:26,820 --> 00:48:27,120 Becs Gentry: Yeah. It was fun. 930 00:48:27,330 --> 00:48:30,270 Nicholas Thompson: Thank you. I'm so happy to do this. I'm excited to be at the 931 00:48:30,270 --> 00:48:32,430 Nicholas Thompson: Expo and I'm excited for the race. 932 00:48:33,000 --> 00:48:37,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, Nick Thompson. Peloton is levelling up. With the 933 00:48:37,380 --> 00:48:41,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: launch of their Peloton cross- training series, they are redefining 934 00:48:41,040 --> 00:48:45,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: what race training can look like, personalized cardio and strength. 935 00:48:45,090 --> 00:48:48,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: It makes it easier than ever to achieve real results. 936 00:48:48,540 --> 00:48:51,239 Rob Simmelkjaer: Whether runners are building a base or pushing for a 937 00:48:51,239 --> 00:48:54,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: PR, Peloton meets them where they are, then helps them 938 00:48:54,719 --> 00:48:59,489 Rob Simmelkjaer: go further smarter, training, stronger outcomes, all backed by expert 939 00:48:59,489 --> 00:49:04,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: instruction and performance insights. Ready to elevate your race game 940 00:49:04,050 --> 00:49:08,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: with Peloton? Head to onepeloton. com to learn more. Peloton, 941 00:49:09,090 --> 00:49:13,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: an official partner of the 2025 TCS New York City 942 00:49:13,200 --> 00:49:17,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon. And now for the final mile- by- mile countdown 943 00:49:17,370 --> 00:49:20,879 Rob Simmelkjaer: to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Here is the great Meb Keflezighi 944 00:49:22,080 --> 00:49:24,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: with his best advice for the mile that all your 945 00:49:24,600 --> 00:49:27,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: work has led up to mile 26. 2. 946 00:49:29,190 --> 00:49:32,880 Meb Keflezighi: Thanks, Rob. Welcome back to my mile- by- mile countdown 947 00:49:32,880 --> 00:49:36,780 Meb Keflezighi: to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. This week, we 948 00:49:36,780 --> 00:49:42,690 Meb Keflezighi: are counting down mile 26 to the finish line. This is where the 949 00:49:42,810 --> 00:49:45,810 Meb Keflezighi: dreams become a reality. You've been visualizing, you've gotten through 950 00:49:45,810 --> 00:49:50,219 Meb Keflezighi: a lottery, you did the 9+ for New Yorker runners to 951 00:49:50,219 --> 00:49:53,489 Meb Keflezighi: get to this line, or you got a VIP entry 952 00:49:53,489 --> 00:49:56,280 Meb Keflezighi: to this. This is where you run for charity like Team 953 00:49:56,280 --> 00:49:59,940 Meb Keflezighi: for Kids. This is where their dreams become a reality. 954 00:50:00,090 --> 00:50:02,250 Meb Keflezighi: We all have a vision to get to that finish 955 00:50:02,250 --> 00:50:04,860 Meb Keflezighi: line. Some of us have dreamed of winning the New 956 00:50:04,860 --> 00:50:07,440 Meb Keflezighi: York City Marathon. Some of us just want to be 957 00:50:07,440 --> 00:50:10,259 Meb Keflezighi: in New York to visit and tour. And now, we 958 00:50:10,260 --> 00:50:16,001 Meb Keflezighi: have accomplished the of 26. 2 miles through the five (inaudible) 959 00:50:16,001 --> 00:50:20,580 Meb Keflezighi: to the finish line. This is the home stretch. Soak 960 00:50:20,580 --> 00:50:25,380 Meb Keflezighi: it all in. And for me, every time I run the 961 00:50:25,560 --> 00:50:30,570 Meb Keflezighi: TCM City Marathon, it gives me goosebumps because I want 962 00:50:30,570 --> 00:50:34,290 Meb Keflezighi: to see Central Park feeling good and strong just like 963 00:50:34,290 --> 00:50:37,710 Meb Keflezighi: all of you do. Because 26. 2 miles, there are only 964 00:50:37,710 --> 00:50:40,710 Meb Keflezighi: 1% of the population that do this. And you are 965 00:50:40,710 --> 00:50:43,710 Meb Keflezighi: running the TCS New York City Marathon where the miracle 966 00:50:43,710 --> 00:50:46,500 Meb Keflezighi: happens and soak it all in. And as you come 967 00:50:46,500 --> 00:50:49,830 Meb Keflezighi: into Central Park, yes, it's not the easiest finish, but 968 00:50:49,830 --> 00:50:53,910 Meb Keflezighi: it's the most meaningful finish there is because everybody dreamed 969 00:50:53,910 --> 00:50:56,820 Meb Keflezighi: to be in New York and you got on your 970 00:50:56,820 --> 00:51:00,495 Meb Keflezighi: own two feet with the help of many people getting you, cheering 971 00:51:00,495 --> 00:51:04,680 Meb Keflezighi: you on, getting you to the starting line. Now, you celebrate all 972 00:51:04,680 --> 00:51:08,250 Meb Keflezighi: the hard work, all the mileage, all the sacrifice that 973 00:51:08,250 --> 00:51:11,219 Meb Keflezighi: you have done to say, " You know what? I am 974 00:51:11,219 --> 00:51:16,710 Meb Keflezighi: a marathoner. I am winning, finishing the TCS New York City Marathon." 975 00:51:17,010 --> 00:51:19,529 Meb Keflezighi: And for me, if you can make it in New York, you 976 00:51:19,530 --> 00:51:23,040 Meb Keflezighi: can make it anywhere. So, congratulations, job well done. I'm 977 00:51:23,040 --> 00:51:23,640 Meb Keflezighi: so proud of you. 978 00:51:24,210 --> 00:51:27,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, that does it for this episode of Set the Pace. We 979 00:51:27,180 --> 00:51:30,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: want to thank our guest, Nicholas Thompson. By the way, 980 00:51:30,090 --> 00:51:32,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: we've got a couple of more episodes of Set the 981 00:51:32,610 --> 00:51:35,489 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace coming up before Sunday. We've got a special episode 982 00:51:35,489 --> 00:51:38,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: that will be taped live from the Citizens Stage at 983 00:51:39,210 --> 00:51:43,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Marathon Expo. That's going to be featuring Oliver Phelps. 984 00:51:43,650 --> 00:51:45,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: You might know Oliver, he was one of the Weasley 985 00:51:45,870 --> 00:51:49,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: Twins in Harry Potter. So, that's coming up before the 986 00:51:49,710 --> 00:51:51,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: race. That'll drop on Friday. Then we've got a special 987 00:51:51,780 --> 00:51:55,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: episode Saturday with the winners of the Abbott Dash to 988 00:51:55,110 --> 00:51:58,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: the finish 5K. Lots of Set the pace to get 989 00:51:58,170 --> 00:52:02,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: you psyched and ready for Sunday. Becs, any last words 990 00:52:02,340 --> 00:52:05,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: of advice or wisdom before the big race Sunday? 991 00:52:06,120 --> 00:52:09,030 Becs Gentry: Goodness me, I could stay here for hours just chatting 992 00:52:09,030 --> 00:52:13,620 Becs Gentry: people through. But I will go ahead and say, let 993 00:52:13,620 --> 00:52:20,040 Becs Gentry: it be all about you. It is deservedly so all 994 00:52:20,040 --> 00:52:24,600 Becs Gentry: about you. So, take it in, feel the emotions. You're 995 00:52:24,600 --> 00:52:26,940 Becs Gentry: going to go through a lot of them. As long 996 00:52:26,940 --> 00:52:31,500 Becs Gentry: as you acknowledge them, you're going to experience it. And 997 00:52:31,560 --> 00:52:33,270 Becs Gentry: when you get to that finish line, when you have 998 00:52:33,270 --> 00:52:39,510 Becs Gentry: that beautiful medal around your neck, hug the volunteers, high 999 00:52:39,510 --> 00:52:44,219 Becs Gentry: five them, whatever is your vibe, and just revel in 1000 00:52:44,280 --> 00:52:45,480 Becs Gentry: your magnificence. 1001 00:52:46,440 --> 00:52:49,739 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, everybody, have a great, great race. If we don't hear 1002 00:52:49,739 --> 00:52:54,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: it from you before then enjoy those 26.2 miles through 1003 00:52:54,270 --> 00:52:57,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: the greatest city in the world. I hope to see 1004 00:52:57,000 --> 00:52:59,968 Rob Simmelkjaer: you at the finish line. Thank you for listening and 1005 00:52:59,969 --> 00:53:00,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: good luck.