1 00:00:00,060 --> 00:00:03,210 Kenneth Rooks: The hardest part of the steeplechase is trying to finish 2 00:00:03,210 --> 00:00:06,900 Kenneth Rooks: as fast as you can, especially that last lap. Trying 3 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:10,320 Kenneth Rooks: to get over those barriers when your legs are heavy 4 00:00:10,710 --> 00:00:13,530 Kenneth Rooks: and you're really tired and you're hurting. The hardest part 5 00:00:13,530 --> 00:00:18,238 Kenneth Rooks: mentally, it's just like any other race. Being mentally prepared 6 00:00:18,420 --> 00:00:22,200 Kenneth Rooks: to make good decisions in the race, to respond well 7 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:25,950 Kenneth Rooks: to adversity if the race doesn't go as you expected 8 00:00:25,950 --> 00:00:30,240 Kenneth Rooks: it to go, or just responding to the different physical 9 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,100 Kenneth Rooks: responses that your body has. 10 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:39,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey, everybody, and welcome to Set the Pace, the official 11 00:00:39,060 --> 00:00:42,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast of New York Road Runners, presented by Peloton. I'm 12 00:00:42,659 --> 00:00:44,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: your host and the CEO of New York Road Runners, 13 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:48,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: Rob Simmelkjaer. And with me back from London here in 14 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:53,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: the United States of America, Peloton instructor, Becs Gentry. And 15 00:00:53,220 --> 00:00:55,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, nice to have you back in the States. 16 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:56,310 Becs Gentry: Hi. Yeah. 17 00:00:56,310 --> 00:00:58,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: It must have been so nice for you to get 18 00:00:58,380 --> 00:00:59,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: back and see- 19 00:00:59,460 --> 00:00:59,521 Becs Gentry: It was. 20 00:00:59,521 --> 00:01:03,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... Austin and Tallulah. What was the reunion like? 21 00:01:03,870 --> 00:01:06,270 Becs Gentry: Well, T was sound asleep because I got back late 22 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:10,500 Becs Gentry: on Sunday night but the Monday morning reunion was just 23 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:12,450 Becs Gentry: wonderful. I had to try my best not to cry 24 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:15,360 Becs Gentry: because you don't want to make them think that work 25 00:01:15,420 --> 00:01:19,289 Becs Gentry: is bad or makes mommy sad when she's away. So 26 00:01:19,290 --> 00:01:22,740 Becs Gentry: it was very much happiness and, " Here's all the bunnies 27 00:01:22,740 --> 00:01:26,100 Becs Gentry: that I got you," so it was great. And honestly, I 28 00:01:26,100 --> 00:01:27,420 Becs Gentry: think by the end of the day yesterday she was 29 00:01:27,420 --> 00:01:29,790 Becs Gentry: like, "Are you going back to London soon?" Because I was 30 00:01:29,790 --> 00:01:32,850 Becs Gentry: like her shadow, I just kept kissing her and hugging 31 00:01:32,850 --> 00:01:36,480 Becs Gentry: her all day yesterday. So I think now she's... She's 32 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:40,020 Becs Gentry: at the daycare school today and she was quite happy to go, 33 00:01:40,020 --> 00:01:40,081 Becs Gentry: so yes. 34 00:01:40,081 --> 00:01:42,541 Rob Simmelkjaer: Glad you're back, mom- 35 00:01:42,541 --> 00:01:42,542 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Glad you're back but- 36 00:01:42,541 --> 00:01:44,581 Rob Simmelkjaer: Let's move on now. Yeah. 37 00:01:44,581 --> 00:01:47,280 Becs Gentry: ... good stuff to do, friends to see. Bye. 38 00:01:49,290 --> 00:01:52,141 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, that's beautiful. I know you had a good time over there- 39 00:01:52,141 --> 00:01:52,142 Becs Gentry: Absolutely. 40 00:01:52,142 --> 00:01:55,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... being back in London but it's great to have 41 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:55,441 Rob Simmelkjaer: you back- 42 00:01:55,441 --> 00:01:55,442 Becs Gentry: Thank you. 43 00:01:55,442 --> 00:02:00,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... in New York. And Becs, we've got lots going 44 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: on, of course, as we always do here in New 45 00:02:02,460 --> 00:02:05,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: York. This weekend, one of our favorite races, at least 46 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: one of mine, on the annual calendar from New York 47 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:11,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners, it's Harlem Week in Harlem. We've got the 48 00:02:11,970 --> 00:02:17,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: Percy Sutton Harlem 5K coming up this weekend. A very 49 00:02:17,490 --> 00:02:20,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: hilly course. We'll talk about that in a second. It's 50 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great but a hard 5K. Have you run that 51 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:24,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: course, Becs? 52 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:26,459 Becs Gentry: I haven't. No. 53 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:29,881 Rob Simmelkjaer: The hill in that... I forget what mile it is- 54 00:02:29,881 --> 00:02:30,090 Becs Gentry: I can imagine. 55 00:02:30,090 --> 00:02:32,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: I think it's either Mile 1 or maybe early in 56 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:37,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mile 2 where you go up toward Convent Avenue and 57 00:02:37,350 --> 00:02:41,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: City College and that whole area. It's the steepest hill 58 00:02:41,340 --> 00:02:45,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: I've ever run in a race. It really is something else- 59 00:02:45,810 --> 00:02:45,811 Becs Gentry: Wow. Oh, boy. 60 00:02:45,811 --> 00:02:48,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... and I ran it kind of like at an easy 61 00:02:48,030 --> 00:02:51,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: pace last year, but it's just very, very challenging. You get 62 00:02:51,810 --> 00:02:54,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: to go downhill a lot from there. But man, that is a 63 00:02:54,180 --> 00:02:54,481 Rob Simmelkjaer: hill so- 64 00:02:54,481 --> 00:02:55,080 Becs Gentry: Okay. We've got to get up to go down. 65 00:02:55,950 --> 00:02:58,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's how it works. That's how it works. So hope 66 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:00,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: everybody who's running this weekend is ready. Hope you've been 67 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:02,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: doing some hill repeats because you're going to need that 68 00:03:02,940 --> 00:03:07,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: strength getting up that hill in Harlem this weekend. And 69 00:03:08,250 --> 00:03:10,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: of course, we had a great guest last week on 70 00:03:10,380 --> 00:03:13,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: the show, Patina Miller, Becs, talking about her role as 71 00:03:13,889 --> 00:03:17,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: a mentor for our Run for the Future program. And 72 00:03:18,330 --> 00:03:21,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: those young ladies will have their big finish at the 73 00:03:21,870 --> 00:03:25,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: Percy Sutton Harlem 5K so Patina will be out there 74 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: with that entire Run for the Future cohort and they'll 75 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:31,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: be joined by about 5, 000 other runners for that 76 00:03:31,590 --> 00:03:34,801 Rob Simmelkjaer: great race in Harlem. So we look forward to that. 77 00:03:34,801 --> 00:03:38,280 Becs Gentry: Yeah. That sounds like a wonderful weekend and big shout 78 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:46,740 Becs Gentry: out to Patina and her wonderful team running it. Talking 79 00:03:46,740 --> 00:03:49,740 Becs Gentry: of running and those who are training, how's your training going? 80 00:03:50,310 --> 00:03:53,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, yes, let's talk training. So this was really my 81 00:03:53,790 --> 00:03:56,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: first week on the full Becs Plan. I'm just kind of 82 00:03:56,670 --> 00:03:58,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: getting into it. We tape this podcast on Tuesdays as 83 00:03:58,920 --> 00:03:59,491 Rob Simmelkjaer: everybody knows. I'll- 84 00:03:59,491 --> 00:04:01,260 Becs Gentry: We have a spreadsheet. We have a spreadsheet, everyone. 85 00:04:01,260 --> 00:04:04,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yes, I've got a spreadsheet now week by week from Becs, 86 00:04:04,500 --> 00:04:07,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: exactly what she wants me to do. It's interesting. First, 87 00:04:07,470 --> 00:04:10,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'll start by saying that we... The weather is always such 88 00:04:10,350 --> 00:04:12,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: a factor and we had a lot of heat and 89 00:04:12,900 --> 00:04:15,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: then we had a really nice, cool weekend this past 90 00:04:15,870 --> 00:04:20,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: weekend around New York. Some beautiful, cool crisp mornings. It 91 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:24,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: felt like fall suddenly just came in around August 1st. 92 00:04:24,660 --> 00:04:27,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm sure everybody around here could relate to that from 93 00:04:27,029 --> 00:04:29,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: last weekend. It was beautiful and I was able to 94 00:04:29,700 --> 00:04:32,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: get some really nice runs. And part of what I find, 95 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:34,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, is that when it's time for me to do 96 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:38,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: either speed or especially a really good tempo workout, the 97 00:04:38,850 --> 00:04:41,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: best place for me to get a tempo workout in 98 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:43,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: is inside of a race. If I can find a 99 00:04:43,589 --> 00:04:47,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: race somewhere, where there's other people running and a race kind 100 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:51,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: of atmosphere, it's so much easier for me to keep 101 00:04:51,089 --> 00:04:54,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: up some speed in that kind of environment versus out 102 00:04:54,390 --> 00:04:56,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: there on a track by myself. So I did manage 103 00:04:56,700 --> 00:04:59,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: to find a local run, part of a running series 104 00:04:59,700 --> 00:05:02,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Connecticut that I ran on Saturday. It was great. 105 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:04,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: Had a really good six mile run, another six miles 106 00:05:04,860 --> 00:05:09,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: on Sunday. But I started, did my first Becs- generated 107 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:14,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: speed workout today on the track. And whew, that was 108 00:05:14,730 --> 00:05:19,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: tough. Becs had me doing six- mile repeats and she 109 00:05:19,589 --> 00:05:21,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: wanted me to run at about a 6: 40 pace 110 00:05:22,529 --> 00:05:25,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: and I got through about four, Becs. And then, I think I 111 00:05:25,500 --> 00:05:29,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: slowed down a little bit after that. I'm working towards 112 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:31,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: it. I still got some work to do, I think, to be able 113 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:36,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: to manage that speed that many times. The air quality 114 00:05:36,330 --> 00:05:39,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: wasn't great either. Today, we got an air quality alert- 115 00:05:39,060 --> 00:05:39,630 Becs Gentry: I was going to say, the air quality has been pretty bad- 116 00:05:39,630 --> 00:05:39,721 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... going on. 117 00:05:39,721 --> 00:05:43,260 Becs Gentry: ... but that's why I'm such a big advocate of 118 00:05:43,260 --> 00:05:46,529 Becs Gentry: the tread because you get on and you set it 119 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:51,539 Becs Gentry: and that's the speed you're at. It takes a lot 120 00:05:51,540 --> 00:05:55,200 Becs Gentry: of energy to keep checking that watch and it's somehow 121 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:59,100 Becs Gentry: disheartening sometimes when you are in an area where perhaps the signal isn't 122 00:05:59,100 --> 00:06:01,140 Becs Gentry: as strong as it could be. And it's not quite 123 00:06:01,140 --> 00:06:03,690 Becs Gentry: registering, it's taking a second, and then you might overcook 124 00:06:03,690 --> 00:06:08,549 Becs Gentry: yourself trying to hit that pace when, actually, you are 125 00:06:08,610 --> 00:06:11,339 Becs Gentry: physically running that pace. It's just the technology hasn't caught 126 00:06:11,339 --> 00:06:14,820 Becs Gentry: up to you. And so, that's why I do love 127 00:06:14,940 --> 00:06:17,400 Becs Gentry: hitting these workouts on the tread when you can. 128 00:06:18,479 --> 00:06:22,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: I think I'm going to do that starting next week. I agree. It's easier. 129 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:26,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's more exact. You can dial in exactly the speed 130 00:06:26,610 --> 00:06:29,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: you need and then you just got to keep up with 131 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:32,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: the darn belt, right? So you just do it that way- 132 00:06:32,011 --> 00:06:32,012 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Exactly. 133 00:06:32,012 --> 00:06:32,013 Rob Simmelkjaer: So I think I'll do that- 134 00:06:32,013 --> 00:06:32,282 Becs Gentry: Your lower back would tell you if you're not. 135 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:38,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. I mean, the good news is I feel great so- 136 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:38,041 Becs Gentry: Good. 137 00:06:38,041 --> 00:06:41,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... I think I'm going to... The other thing that's big about 138 00:06:41,130 --> 00:06:45,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: my new plan with Becs is that Becs has me running, at least 139 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:47,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: if I follow the plan exactly, six days a week. 140 00:06:47,850 --> 00:06:52,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: I've never really run six days a week. I've ran 141 00:06:52,589 --> 00:06:54,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: four days a week when I was training for Berlin. 142 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, what's your thinking around the number of days of 143 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:01,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: running versus rest for folks out there? And what do 144 00:07:01,170 --> 00:07:03,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: you think is optimal for most people, especially if they're 145 00:07:03,540 --> 00:07:04,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: trying to achieve a PR? 146 00:07:05,130 --> 00:07:07,799 Becs Gentry: Yeah. The thing is, and I said this to you 147 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,190 Becs Gentry: Rob, I will over- prescribe rather than under- prescribe somebody 148 00:07:11,190 --> 00:07:14,550 Becs Gentry: to run because there's always going to be variables in 149 00:07:14,550 --> 00:07:17,250 Becs Gentry: our weeks when life gets in the way. And so, 150 00:07:17,250 --> 00:07:23,400 Becs Gentry: I'd rather have you look at your personal, your professional, 151 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:27,540 Becs Gentry: and your running schedule and just see how cohesive they can 152 00:07:27,540 --> 00:07:31,380 Becs Gentry: all be. Rather than worrying that you've only got four 153 00:07:31,380 --> 00:07:33,660 Becs Gentry: or five days of running and trying to squish everything 154 00:07:33,660 --> 00:07:36,060 Becs Gentry: in and over- stressing yourselves. If you see six days, 155 00:07:36,180 --> 00:07:38,970 Becs Gentry: you get six done, fantastic. But I will say that on the 156 00:07:38,970 --> 00:07:42,480 Becs Gentry: flip side of that is, yes, there's six days of 157 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:47,340 Becs Gentry: running in there. Three of them are... Well, one is 158 00:07:47,340 --> 00:07:49,170 Becs Gentry: your long run, which is the most important and that's 159 00:07:49,170 --> 00:07:51,450 Becs Gentry: the last one you ever drop of your whole week. 160 00:07:52,350 --> 00:07:56,910 Becs Gentry: Then, you have Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, three other days 161 00:07:56,940 --> 00:08:01,650 Becs Gentry: of easy miles. And this is so important for runners 162 00:08:01,650 --> 00:08:06,119 Becs Gentry: to understand easy miles. Your easy pace is a whole lot 163 00:08:06,270 --> 00:08:10,200 Becs Gentry: different to your marathon pace, your goal marathon pace. And 164 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:12,720 Becs Gentry: so, that is just supposed to be a really pleasurable 165 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:14,970 Becs Gentry: run that you can pop out with friends. You can 166 00:08:14,970 --> 00:08:17,370 Becs Gentry: run to the bakery. You can do... Run to get 167 00:08:17,370 --> 00:08:19,530 Becs Gentry: some chores done. I'm not hoping that you're going to 168 00:08:19,530 --> 00:08:21,690 Becs Gentry: be drenched in sweat and couldn't walk into your local 169 00:08:21,690 --> 00:08:24,270 Becs Gentry: grocery store if that's where you needed to end your 40- 170 00:08:24,330 --> 00:08:28,320 Becs Gentry: minute run. It's just something to think about, to add 171 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:30,780 Becs Gentry: into your day to just get some steady pace in. They are 172 00:08:31,350 --> 00:08:33,780 Becs Gentry: the ones that you drop if you need to because 173 00:08:33,780 --> 00:08:36,059 Becs Gentry: you can walk. Say, you're going to have a day 174 00:08:36,059 --> 00:08:40,200 Becs Gentry: with family walking around a theme park or you're going to 175 00:08:40,380 --> 00:08:44,400 Becs Gentry: a city and... They are the ones that you can reduce, drop 176 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:46,530 Becs Gentry: if you need. If you're going for a PR, you 177 00:08:46,530 --> 00:08:48,179 Becs Gentry: want to keep the speed work in and you want 178 00:08:48,179 --> 00:08:50,220 Becs Gentry: to keep the long runs in. If you're not going 179 00:08:50,220 --> 00:08:52,530 Becs Gentry: for a PR, drop the speed work, keep the easy 180 00:08:52,530 --> 00:08:54,630 Becs Gentry: runs. So this is when you got to talk to 181 00:08:54,630 --> 00:08:55,620 Becs Gentry: your, coach. But every- 182 00:08:55,620 --> 00:08:56,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: That makes so much sense. 183 00:08:56,790 --> 00:08:59,579 Becs Gentry: Yeah. It's really going to be... Four days is the bare 184 00:08:59,580 --> 00:09:01,860 Becs Gentry: minimum of what I would expect people to be running 185 00:09:01,860 --> 00:09:04,260 Becs Gentry: if they're taking it seriously because that's what you really 186 00:09:04,260 --> 00:09:08,010 Becs Gentry: want your body to adapt to. Because this is stress 187 00:09:08,010 --> 00:09:10,230 Becs Gentry: on your body and you don't want to jump into 188 00:09:10,230 --> 00:09:14,010 Becs Gentry: a long distance race and surprise your poor body and 189 00:09:14,010 --> 00:09:16,650 Becs Gentry: expect it to function well the next day. Because trust 190 00:09:16,650 --> 00:09:18,809 Becs Gentry: me, it won't function well the next day. You may 191 00:09:18,809 --> 00:09:21,059 Becs Gentry: complete the race and you may do it in a good 192 00:09:21,059 --> 00:09:23,940 Becs Gentry: time for you. But the week or two after that, 193 00:09:24,150 --> 00:09:26,040 Becs Gentry: your body's not going to be happy with you. And 194 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:29,190 Becs Gentry: that's not cool because you probably have 101 other things that 195 00:09:29,190 --> 00:09:33,780 Becs Gentry: you have to do in that week after. So yeah, we've 196 00:09:33,780 --> 00:09:37,949 Becs Gentry: got those six days, Rob, as a safety net. I feel like I 197 00:09:37,950 --> 00:09:41,100 Becs Gentry: know you well enough that you're a pretty driven human. 198 00:09:41,490 --> 00:09:44,670 Becs Gentry: Then, I think you're going to be doing everything you 199 00:09:44,670 --> 00:09:46,920 Becs Gentry: can to get them in. There's going to probably be 200 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,440 Becs Gentry: one or two little texts that I get of like, " 201 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:51,000 Becs Gentry: I just am slammed." 202 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:53,131 Rob Simmelkjaer: There's a couple of days that are hard for me, yeah. 203 00:09:53,131 --> 00:09:53,371 Becs Gentry: Yeah. 204 00:09:53,760 --> 00:10:00,751 Rob Simmelkjaer: Especially when I'm traveling from this Connecticut to the city and there's commute time and all that involved- 205 00:10:00,751 --> 00:10:02,340 Becs Gentry: Exactly. And we will work them... That's why you have a coach to work it out. I'm the one who sits in front 206 00:10:02,340 --> 00:10:06,360 Becs Gentry: of that spreadsheet. It's one of the thousands of spreadsheets 207 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:08,040 Becs Gentry: you have in your life that you don't have to 208 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:10,709 Becs Gentry: be in control of and will adapt on the fly 209 00:10:10,710 --> 00:10:11,251 Becs Gentry: as and where we need. 210 00:10:11,251 --> 00:10:15,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. I love it. Well, that's great advice. So yeah, 211 00:10:15,030 --> 00:10:17,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: she's got me out there working the track this morning. 212 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:19,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm going to get on that treadmill next week or 213 00:10:19,980 --> 00:10:21,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: maybe even this week to try to get another speed 214 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:25,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: run in. So we'll keep you posted and we hope 215 00:10:25,350 --> 00:10:27,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: all this is good advice for you too, as you 216 00:10:27,809 --> 00:10:31,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: all are out there training for New York, many of 217 00:10:31,290 --> 00:10:35,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: you. Maybe Chicago, maybe Berlin, but we are into it 218 00:10:35,340 --> 00:10:38,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: now. Most people are into their marathon training plans if 219 00:10:38,340 --> 00:10:39,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: they're running New York as we sit here in the 220 00:10:39,900 --> 00:10:44,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: first week of August. So it's coming. We're excited for 221 00:10:44,730 --> 00:10:47,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: you. Well, Becs, we've got a great, great guest coming 222 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:51,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: up today. We've been so lucky to have all of 223 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: the kind of incredible running talent that's out there in 224 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:58,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: Provo, Utah. We've spoken to most of them. Of course, 225 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:02,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: we've spoken to Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, the incredible 226 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:06,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: American Marathon duo. They train out in Provo, Utah under 227 00:11:06,750 --> 00:11:11,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: the coaching of Ed Eyestone, the great BYU coach. We've had Coach Eyestone 228 00:11:11,100 --> 00:11:13,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: on the show as well, talked to him. And so, 229 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:18,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: today, we've got another member of that superstar crowd out 230 00:11:18,179 --> 00:11:21,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: there in Utah. This one though is not a marathoner. 231 00:11:22,230 --> 00:11:26,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: He specializes in the steeplechase. That's right and he's on 232 00:11:26,010 --> 00:11:29,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: his way to the world championships in Tokyo. Kenneth Rooks 233 00:11:30,090 --> 00:11:31,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: is going to be on the show today. And you 234 00:11:31,980 --> 00:11:35,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: know, Becs, I can't wait to just find out more about 235 00:11:35,670 --> 00:11:40,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: the steeplechase and what it is and why they're jumping over 236 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:43,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: this barrier into a pool of water and- 237 00:11:43,170 --> 00:11:43,501 Becs Gentry: Yeah. He's going to explain- 238 00:11:43,501 --> 00:11:44,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... how they run with the left feet- 239 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:50,640 Becs Gentry: Oh my gosh. I mean, it's just mind- boggling to 240 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:53,970 Becs Gentry: me. I'm from the countryside and you'll hear our conversation 241 00:11:54,390 --> 00:11:58,260 Becs Gentry: divert a little bit. Man, I'm not going to give 242 00:11:58,260 --> 00:11:59,880 Becs Gentry: it away because I think it was pretty funny. There 243 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:04,620 Becs Gentry: was a real professional runner versus countryside girl here having 244 00:12:04,620 --> 00:12:05,370 Becs Gentry: a conversation. 245 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:05,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. Oh, yeah. It was great. 246 00:12:05,700 --> 00:12:08,340 Becs Gentry: And it worked well, but he is an absolute legend. 247 00:12:08,340 --> 00:12:12,240 Becs Gentry: And yes, I was in awe. That was a really great 248 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:14,429 Becs Gentry: conversation so I'm very excited for everyone to hear it. 249 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:18,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. So I can't wait to hear from our steeplechase champion, 250 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:20,579 Rob Simmelkjaer: Kenneth Rooks. And then, for today's member moment, a little 251 00:12:20,580 --> 00:12:24,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: bit later on, Meb interviewed Ottilia Demeter who PR- ed 252 00:12:24,750 --> 00:12:28,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon while wearing a 253 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: shirt that said, " I am running with a brain tumor. 254 00:12:32,100 --> 00:12:36,449 Rob Simmelkjaer: What is your superpower?" Her incredible story and her superpower, 255 00:12:36,660 --> 00:12:38,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: and that is a superpower if there ever was one, 256 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:41,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: is coming up a little bit later. And then, Meb 257 00:12:41,490 --> 00:12:44,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: will return with his mile- by- mile countdown to the 2025 258 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:48,479 Rob Simmelkjaer: TCS New York City Marathon. Today, it's all about his 259 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:52,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: best advice for taking on Brooklyn's big five- mile stretch 260 00:12:53,070 --> 00:12:58,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: down 4th Avenue, Miles 3 through 7, long, flat, and 261 00:12:58,320 --> 00:12:59,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: full of energy. That's coming up as well. 262 00:13:00,390 --> 00:13:03,240 Becs Gentry: Try the Peloton app for free and access classes for 263 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:05,970 Becs Gentry: every type of runner, whether you're training for your first 264 00:13:05,970 --> 00:13:09,420 Becs Gentry: race or you're a seasoned pro. From outdoor runs and 265 00:13:09,420 --> 00:13:13,079 Becs Gentry: intervals to strength, yoga, and stretching, you will find the 266 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:16,920 Becs Gentry: perfect fit for every part of your routine. Whether it's 267 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,740 Becs Gentry: a long run day or you just need a quick five- 268 00:13:19,740 --> 00:13:23,459 Becs Gentry: minute reset, the Peloton app meets you where you are and 269 00:13:23,460 --> 00:13:27,809 Becs Gentry: helps you become a stronger, faster runner because it's designed 270 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:31,110 Becs Gentry: for someone like you. Try the app free for 30 271 00:13:31,110 --> 00:13:33,840 Becs Gentry: days and download it now from the App Store or 272 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:39,120 Becs Gentry: Google Play. Terms apply. Peloton, the official digital fitness partner 273 00:13:39,270 --> 00:13:40,319 Becs Gentry: for New York Road Runners. 274 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:43,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: We are based in New York City, of course. But 275 00:13:43,110 --> 00:13:47,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: somehow, Provo, Utah keeps making its way onto the show. 276 00:13:47,460 --> 00:13:51,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's where today's guest, Kenneth Rooks, trains alongside past Set 277 00:13:51,929 --> 00:13:55,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Pace guests and Olympic marathoners, Conner Mantz and Clayton 278 00:13:55,230 --> 00:13:58,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: Young. All under the guidance of the legendary coach, Ed 279 00:13:58,470 --> 00:14:02,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: Eyestone, who's also been on the show. Kenneth is a 25- year- 280 00:14:02,700 --> 00:14:06,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: old steeplechase runner who shot to international prominence with a 281 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:11,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: surprise silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. A native 282 00:14:11,490 --> 00:14:15,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: of small town, Washington, and a BYU alum. He's built an 283 00:14:15,450 --> 00:14:19,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: astonishing resume over the last couple of years, NCAA champion, 284 00:14:19,650 --> 00:14:23,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: Olympic medalist, and now a three- time US champion. He 285 00:14:23,610 --> 00:14:26,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: is getting ready to represent Team USA at the World 286 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:29,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: Championships in Tokyo and he joins us just days after 287 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:33,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: winning his third straight steeplechase title at the USA Track 288 00:14:33,900 --> 00:14:36,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: and Field Championships. Kenneth, it's great to have you on 289 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:37,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: the show. Welcome. 290 00:14:38,970 --> 00:14:41,640 Kenneth Rooks: Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Honored to be here and talk about 291 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:42,030 Kenneth Rooks: it with you. 292 00:14:42,660 --> 00:14:46,830 Becs Gentry: What a resume. I mean, I feel like it's kind 293 00:14:46,830 --> 00:14:49,350 Becs Gentry: of come about and gone off the charts in the 294 00:14:49,350 --> 00:14:52,950 Becs Gentry: past year. But before we dive in to how you've 295 00:14:52,950 --> 00:14:55,890 Becs Gentry: gotten to where you are, Kenneth, please, can you explain 296 00:14:56,010 --> 00:15:00,090 Becs Gentry: to our listeners what is the steeplechase? 297 00:15:00,510 --> 00:15:05,940 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. So the steeplechase, it's not very well known in 298 00:15:05,940 --> 00:15:09,210 Kenneth Rooks: part because it's not really run in high school very 299 00:15:09,210 --> 00:15:13,440 Kenneth Rooks: often. It's mainly run collegiately and professionally and in the 300 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:17,280 Kenneth Rooks: Olympics. But it's 3, 000 meters or seven and a 301 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:22,380 Kenneth Rooks: half laps around a 400- meter track and seven of 302 00:15:22,380 --> 00:15:27,420 Kenneth Rooks: those laps have five barriers that you have to hurdle 303 00:15:27,420 --> 00:15:32,130 Kenneth Rooks: or jump over. And one of those barriers, each lap 304 00:15:32,580 --> 00:15:37,860 Kenneth Rooks: has this water pit after it, which... All the barriers 305 00:15:37,860 --> 00:15:40,590 Kenneth Rooks: in the water pit makes it fun and also interesting 306 00:15:40,590 --> 00:15:43,950 Kenneth Rooks: to watch. But yeah, so we get our feet wet 307 00:15:44,190 --> 00:15:46,320 Kenneth Rooks: once a lap as we're going over the water jump 308 00:15:46,710 --> 00:15:48,479 Kenneth Rooks: but that's the steeplechase. 309 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:52,860 Becs Gentry: It's super cool to watch. I actually did watch it 310 00:15:52,860 --> 00:15:53,520 Becs Gentry: in Paris- 311 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:53,521 Rob Simmelkjaer: So did I. Yeah. 312 00:15:53,521 --> 00:15:59,070 Becs Gentry: ... last year and it was really... I mean, I love it. I've always 313 00:15:59,070 --> 00:16:02,460 Becs Gentry: thought it's the most intriguing thing. I'm obviously from England 314 00:16:02,730 --> 00:16:07,020 Becs Gentry: and I always think of it as something that may 315 00:16:07,020 --> 00:16:11,430 Becs Gentry: have come from the farmlands or people jumping over fences 316 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:16,470 Becs Gentry: and... Just something in that elk and I, shamefully, don't know the 317 00:16:16,470 --> 00:16:20,580 Becs Gentry: history and how steeplechase was born. But in my mind, 318 00:16:20,610 --> 00:16:22,080 Becs Gentry: it was from farmland. I don't know. 319 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:26,790 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. Well, I think you're right. Well, the steeplechase name 320 00:16:26,790 --> 00:16:30,480 Kenneth Rooks: comes from running from a steeple to a steeple or 321 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:33,840 Kenneth Rooks: from a church to a church across the country, hopping 322 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:36,780 Kenneth Rooks: over things and running through whatever. They also have a 323 00:16:36,780 --> 00:16:38,730 Kenneth Rooks: steeplechase for horses- 324 00:16:39,390 --> 00:16:39,691 Becs Gentry: That would get- 325 00:16:39,691 --> 00:16:43,170 Kenneth Rooks: ... and that one's more like cross country. So steeplechase 326 00:16:43,170 --> 00:16:43,411 Kenneth Rooks: on the track is- 327 00:16:43,411 --> 00:16:47,250 Becs Gentry: That was it. That's more my upbringing, was definitely countryside and horses. 328 00:16:47,250 --> 00:16:49,410 Becs Gentry: So yeah, that makes sense. That makes sense. 329 00:16:49,410 --> 00:16:52,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: Kenneth, I watched it in Paris too and I really 330 00:16:52,230 --> 00:16:56,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: have to ask about the feet being wet, right? I 331 00:16:56,250 --> 00:17:00,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: mean, you jump over this barrier, you're running through a 332 00:17:00,150 --> 00:17:03,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: small pond, and then you got to come out and run 333 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:06,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: the rest of the lap. What is that like? I 334 00:17:06,780 --> 00:17:10,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: mean, how do you react? You get used to it obviously. But is 335 00:17:10,710 --> 00:17:13,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: there a technique? Is there a strategy or a way you just learned 336 00:17:13,470 --> 00:17:16,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: to deal with running with wet shoes? 337 00:17:16,410 --> 00:17:19,950 Kenneth Rooks: Well, part of... I mean, just running with wet shoes 338 00:17:20,790 --> 00:17:23,730 Kenneth Rooks: is trying to make sure you have good shoes that 339 00:17:23,730 --> 00:17:29,040 Kenneth Rooks: shed water well. And the shoes that they make these 340 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:31,800 Kenneth Rooks: days do a really good job at shedding water. So 341 00:17:32,220 --> 00:17:35,730 Kenneth Rooks: you're not holding extra water in your shoes, it doesn't 342 00:17:35,730 --> 00:17:40,859 Kenneth Rooks: feel like your feet are sloshing around. I actually don't 343 00:17:40,859 --> 00:17:42,990 Kenneth Rooks: really feel that much of a difference. I run without 344 00:17:42,990 --> 00:17:49,500 Kenneth Rooks: socks but my shoes are really good. My feet don't 345 00:17:49,500 --> 00:17:52,800 Kenneth Rooks: slide around. It doesn't feel that much different running with a 346 00:17:53,310 --> 00:17:55,619 Kenneth Rooks: wet foot or a dry foot actually. 347 00:17:56,340 --> 00:17:56,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. 348 00:17:57,148 --> 00:17:57,239 Becs Gentry: Wow. 349 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:57,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's fascinating. 350 00:17:57,840 --> 00:17:57,840 Becs Gentry: Okay. 351 00:17:57,841 --> 00:17:58,231 Rob Simmelkjaer: You know I- 352 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:03,359 Becs Gentry: So you have essentially deleted what most runners would... Like, 353 00:18:03,630 --> 00:18:06,600 Becs Gentry: most street runners, I would say, would think is the 354 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:10,020 Becs Gentry: hardest part of the steeplechase AKA the wet feet. So what 355 00:18:10,020 --> 00:18:12,570 Becs Gentry: is the hardest part of the steeplechase for you both 356 00:18:12,570 --> 00:18:13,680 Becs Gentry: mentally and physically? 357 00:18:14,010 --> 00:18:17,100 Kenneth Rooks: Well, I mean, physically, I mean, the hardest part of 358 00:18:17,100 --> 00:18:20,460 Kenneth Rooks: the steeplechase is trying to finish as fast as you 359 00:18:20,460 --> 00:18:24,600 Kenneth Rooks: can, especially that last lap. Trying to get over those 360 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:28,530 Kenneth Rooks: barriers when your legs are heavy and you're really tired 361 00:18:28,650 --> 00:18:33,600 Kenneth Rooks: and you're hurting. That's probably the hardest thing is just, 362 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:38,070 Kenneth Rooks: like, staying relaxed and focused on the technique, so that 363 00:18:38,070 --> 00:18:42,540 Kenneth Rooks: you can get over as cleanly and smoothly. Like, you 364 00:18:42,540 --> 00:18:46,410 Kenneth Rooks: know that you're not through until you get over that 365 00:18:46,410 --> 00:18:50,100 Kenneth Rooks: last barrier so that's probably the hardest part physically. I 366 00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:53,550 Kenneth Rooks: mean, the hardest part mentally, it's just like any other 367 00:18:53,550 --> 00:19:00,210 Kenneth Rooks: race. Getting ready for it. Being mentally prepared to make 368 00:19:00,210 --> 00:19:04,260 Kenneth Rooks: good decisions in the race, to respond well to adversity 369 00:19:04,410 --> 00:19:07,320 Kenneth Rooks: if the race doesn't go as you expected it to 370 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:14,730 Kenneth Rooks: go, or just responding to the different physical responses that 371 00:19:14,730 --> 00:19:18,750 Kenneth Rooks: your body has during the race. Yeah. It's the hardest 372 00:19:18,750 --> 00:19:21,930 Kenneth Rooks: thing mentally. Yeah. Getting over those barriers, you just got 373 00:19:21,930 --> 00:19:25,080 Kenneth Rooks: to have confidence and just go for it. I've done 374 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:30,630 Kenneth Rooks: enough practice that it feels like running. It's become more 375 00:19:30,630 --> 00:19:35,670 Kenneth Rooks: natural to me just hurdling and jumping over those barriers. 376 00:19:35,670 --> 00:19:38,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: Those barriers, Kenneth. And the other thing about them is 377 00:19:38,010 --> 00:19:42,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: they're not like hurdles where if you hit one, they 378 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:44,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: fall over and you can just kind of keep going 379 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,399 Rob Simmelkjaer: or run through them. Those are solid barriers. They are 380 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: not moving for anybody, right? So if you hit one 381 00:19:49,890 --> 00:19:52,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: of those things, you're going down, it would seem to me. 382 00:19:53,490 --> 00:19:57,359 Kenneth Rooks: Yes. Yeah. Absolutely and I have gone down before. And 383 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:02,910 Kenneth Rooks: yeah, I've also had some bruises from hitting those barriers. 384 00:20:03,300 --> 00:20:06,150 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. When we practice, most of the time actually we'll 385 00:20:06,150 --> 00:20:11,460 Kenneth Rooks: use hurdles just to reduce the amount of possible injury 386 00:20:11,460 --> 00:20:15,690 Kenneth Rooks: if we mess up in practice. But yeah, those barriers, 387 00:20:15,690 --> 00:20:17,430 Kenneth Rooks: they... I mean, it allows you to step on them 388 00:20:17,430 --> 00:20:19,560 Kenneth Rooks: which is good for the water jump because I step 389 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:21,720 Kenneth Rooks: on the barrier and push off on the water jump 390 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:23,820 Kenneth Rooks: so I can get a little further out. That way, 391 00:20:23,820 --> 00:20:26,520 Kenneth Rooks: I can just keep one foot wet, one foot dry 392 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:30,869 Kenneth Rooks: going over the water jump. But yeah, it's nerve wracking 393 00:20:30,869 --> 00:20:31,560 Kenneth Rooks: if you hit one. 394 00:20:32,070 --> 00:20:34,169 Becs Gentry: Yeah. How high are they? 395 00:20:35,070 --> 00:20:37,350 Kenneth Rooks: They're three feet for the men and they're 30 inches 396 00:20:37,350 --> 00:20:37,889 Kenneth Rooks: for the women. 397 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,730 Becs Gentry: Oh, wow. Wow. I always wondered that because I've seen 398 00:20:41,730 --> 00:20:44,070 Becs Gentry: a lot of you guys push off the back one 399 00:20:44,070 --> 00:20:46,650 Becs Gentry: and then as you say, it gives you much more 400 00:20:46,650 --> 00:20:50,640 Becs Gentry: of a projection past the deeper water to hop on 401 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:53,730 Becs Gentry: out on the other side and keep your stride, I suppose. 402 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:54,060 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. 403 00:20:54,090 --> 00:20:59,070 Becs Gentry: But that... Wow. Okay. Three feet, that's a lot higher 404 00:20:59,070 --> 00:20:59,760 Becs Gentry: than a hurdle, right? 405 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:03,180 Kenneth Rooks: Well, it's the same height as the 400 hurdles for 406 00:21:03,180 --> 00:21:04,530 Kenneth Rooks: both men and women. 407 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:07,500 Becs Gentry: Okay. Wow. It seems higher. I don't know why. Maybe because they're wider- 408 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:10,711 Rob Simmelkjaer: I think it's the way it looks. It's so broad. It's so wide- 409 00:21:10,711 --> 00:21:10,712 Becs Gentry: It's so broad. Yeah. 410 00:21:10,712 --> 00:21:10,713 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. 411 00:21:10,713 --> 00:21:14,340 Becs Gentry: Yeah. My goodness. 412 00:21:14,340 --> 00:21:15,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: This is really interesting. 413 00:21:16,710 --> 00:21:16,770 Becs Gentry: Wow. 414 00:21:16,770 --> 00:21:16,771 Rob Simmelkjaer: I- 415 00:21:16,771 --> 00:21:16,772 Becs Gentry: Yeah. I know- 416 00:21:16,772 --> 00:21:19,201 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... I was fascinated by it in Paris. I really was. 417 00:21:19,201 --> 00:21:19,501 Becs Gentry: Same. 418 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:23,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. It's fascinating to watch. And Kenneth, I know that 419 00:21:23,070 --> 00:21:26,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: you started running in middle school as so many elite 420 00:21:26,580 --> 00:21:29,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: runners do. But I got to figure you weren't there in 421 00:21:29,700 --> 00:21:32,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: 6th grade, 7th grade thinking, " I'm going to be in 422 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:35,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: the steeplechase someday. That's the event I really want to 423 00:21:35,550 --> 00:21:38,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: run in." How did you come to the steeplechase? What 424 00:21:38,940 --> 00:21:42,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: was the progression of events and distances for you? 425 00:21:42,690 --> 00:21:45,300 Kenneth Rooks: Definitely in middle school I didn't think I was going 426 00:21:45,300 --> 00:21:48,330 Kenneth Rooks: to be running the steeplechase, let alone being in the 427 00:21:48,330 --> 00:21:53,190 Kenneth Rooks: Olympics for sure. I actually started the steeplechase in college. 428 00:21:53,490 --> 00:21:56,520 Kenneth Rooks: I didn't do anything with it in high school. But 429 00:21:56,520 --> 00:22:00,720 Kenneth Rooks: when I was getting recruited to run at BYU, Ed Eyestone, my coach, 430 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:03,929 Kenneth Rooks: and he is still my coach now, he thought that 431 00:22:03,930 --> 00:22:06,750 Kenneth Rooks: I'd be good at it. And that was partially because I'd 432 00:22:06,750 --> 00:22:09,960 Kenneth Rooks: played some other sports. I played basketball in high school 433 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:13,500 Kenneth Rooks: and I grew up playing baseball and soccer. And so, 434 00:22:13,500 --> 00:22:18,000 Kenneth Rooks: because of the nature of playing multiple sports, he's noticed 435 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:20,250 Kenneth Rooks: that usually those kind of athletes are a little bit 436 00:22:20,250 --> 00:22:23,130 Kenneth Rooks: more athletic. They take to the hurdling better. And I 437 00:22:23,130 --> 00:22:26,490 Kenneth Rooks: had learned a little bit of the hurdle technique in high 438 00:22:26,490 --> 00:22:29,820 Kenneth Rooks: school, just because I worked out with the hurdle group a 439 00:22:29,820 --> 00:22:33,030 Kenneth Rooks: little bit my freshman year in high school. But yeah, 440 00:22:33,030 --> 00:22:36,630 Kenneth Rooks: getting into college, I took to the technique and the hurdling 441 00:22:36,630 --> 00:22:40,320 Kenneth Rooks: really quickly. It was new to me. My favorite event 442 00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:42,930 Kenneth Rooks: in high school was The Mile and I did not like 443 00:22:42,930 --> 00:22:46,470 Kenneth Rooks: the two mile and the steeplechase is a little bit 444 00:22:46,470 --> 00:22:49,859 Kenneth Rooks: shorter than two miles. So I was unsure about how 445 00:22:49,859 --> 00:22:52,199 Kenneth Rooks: that would play out but I was curious. I wanted 446 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:56,159 Kenneth Rooks: to try it out and Coach Eyestone had faith that I 447 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:58,740 Kenneth Rooks: could be good at it. And I tried it out 448 00:22:58,740 --> 00:23:02,910 Kenneth Rooks: my freshman year in college and I had a good 449 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:06,840 Kenneth Rooks: first steeplechase and I kept getting better and better. And 450 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:08,250 Kenneth Rooks: at the end of the year, I actually ended up 451 00:23:08,250 --> 00:23:13,379 Kenneth Rooks: qualifying for nationals collegially in the steeplechase. So it was a cool 452 00:23:13,500 --> 00:23:17,280 Kenneth Rooks: progression and had a lot of success as a freshman 453 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,609 Kenneth Rooks: just out of high school. And then... I mean, I've 454 00:23:20,609 --> 00:23:21,929 Kenneth Rooks: continued to get better from there. 455 00:23:22,619 --> 00:23:27,450 Becs Gentry: Wow. It's been a journey for you and I think 456 00:23:27,450 --> 00:23:30,960 Becs Gentry: it's not totally unusual in the US. I have been here 457 00:23:31,050 --> 00:23:33,090 Becs Gentry: eight years and I still get my head around this 458 00:23:33,090 --> 00:23:37,950 Becs Gentry: longevity that people have, especially for your age. You've just 459 00:23:37,950 --> 00:23:40,470 Becs Gentry: been going since middle school all the way through to where 460 00:23:40,590 --> 00:23:44,250 Becs Gentry: you're at now. Aside from, you did take a couple 461 00:23:44,250 --> 00:23:48,180 Becs Gentry: of years off, right? Partway through your college time at BYU, 462 00:23:48,690 --> 00:23:51,540 Becs Gentry: you decided to take a break from competition and serve 463 00:23:51,540 --> 00:23:54,690 Becs Gentry: a mission in Uganda for your church which is just... I 464 00:23:55,290 --> 00:23:58,500 Becs Gentry: have so much admiration for that. And talk about what 465 00:23:58,530 --> 00:24:03,990 Becs Gentry: that did for you, focusing your life on service and 466 00:24:03,990 --> 00:24:07,619 Becs Gentry: your faith instead of competitive sports. 467 00:24:08,820 --> 00:24:14,700 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. Well, my faith is very important to me, especially my 468 00:24:14,700 --> 00:24:17,940 Kenneth Rooks: faith in Jesus Christ. It's more important to me than 469 00:24:17,940 --> 00:24:22,380 Kenneth Rooks: anything else in my life. And so, I was more 470 00:24:22,380 --> 00:24:26,820 Kenneth Rooks: than willing to take a two- year hiatus, two- year 471 00:24:26,850 --> 00:24:31,560 Kenneth Rooks: break from competitive running and from school to focus on 472 00:24:32,820 --> 00:24:36,840 Kenneth Rooks: serving others and serving God. As a missionary, my main 473 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:39,720 Kenneth Rooks: purpose was to invite others to come into Christ. It 474 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:43,379 Kenneth Rooks: was really cool to be a missionary and see how 475 00:24:43,380 --> 00:24:47,219 Kenneth Rooks: that helped lift others and bring them hope. And it 476 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:49,919 Kenneth Rooks: brought me hope as well. It changed me as it 477 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:53,280 Kenneth Rooks: was really cool to serve others regardless of whether they 478 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:59,040 Kenneth Rooks: accepted our message or not. Yeah. I mean, I just... 479 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:02,790 Kenneth Rooks: I also just trusted that during that time, I... There 480 00:25:02,790 --> 00:25:04,830 Kenneth Rooks: was a lot of other teammates that I had had 481 00:25:04,830 --> 00:25:09,750 Kenneth Rooks: when I was at BYU that had been missionaries and 482 00:25:09,810 --> 00:25:12,210 Kenneth Rooks: they had gotten out of shape. I got out of shape too. 483 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:15,180 Kenneth Rooks: But they were able to get back into shape after 484 00:25:15,869 --> 00:25:18,570 Kenneth Rooks: coming back from the mission. I mean, I got out of 485 00:25:18,570 --> 00:25:21,030 Kenneth Rooks: shape. I gained 25 pounds in the first nine months 486 00:25:21,030 --> 00:25:25,290 Kenneth Rooks: of being a missionary. And then, I mean, I... That was 487 00:25:25,290 --> 00:25:29,130 Kenneth Rooks: the most... I hit 170. Right now, I'm like 142- 488 00:25:29,340 --> 00:25:30,240 Kenneth Rooks: ish right now. 489 00:25:30,300 --> 00:25:33,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: What was the biggest challenge of staying in shape while 490 00:25:33,030 --> 00:25:33,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: you were on that mission? 491 00:25:34,590 --> 00:25:38,820 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. Well, it's a lot of unfamiliar food. A lot of oily, starchy, 492 00:25:39,180 --> 00:25:43,290 Kenneth Rooks: high calorie foods, and it was great. And it's also 493 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:47,430 Kenneth Rooks: stressful too and I wasn't necessarily taking as much time 494 00:25:47,430 --> 00:25:50,400 Kenneth Rooks: to exercise. I was trying to exercise for about 30 495 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:52,560 Kenneth Rooks: minutes a day because that's kind of what the routine 496 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:56,220 Kenneth Rooks: was for us. So it was a lot less exercise than 497 00:25:56,220 --> 00:25:58,260 Kenneth Rooks: I was used to, even though we didn't have a 498 00:25:58,260 --> 00:26:01,170 Kenneth Rooks: car. We were walking everywhere. Although there was at one 499 00:26:01,170 --> 00:26:03,420 Kenneth Rooks: point later on our mission, we ended up getting a 500 00:26:03,420 --> 00:26:05,399 Kenneth Rooks: car but I knew I was going to get out 501 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:07,920 Kenneth Rooks: of shape. I tried to run when I could. If 502 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:12,090 Kenneth Rooks: there was other missionaries I was with and they wanted 503 00:26:12,090 --> 00:26:15,179 Kenneth Rooks: to go run, we'd go run for the 25 to 504 00:26:15,180 --> 00:26:18,750 Kenneth Rooks: 30 minutes. But I did hurt myself twice when I 505 00:26:18,750 --> 00:26:19,470 Kenneth Rooks: was out there. 506 00:26:19,470 --> 00:26:19,590 Becs Gentry: Oh, no. 507 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:23,760 Kenneth Rooks: I tried to race somebody a few months before getting 508 00:26:23,760 --> 00:26:26,640 Kenneth Rooks: back from being a missionary or someone challenged me to 509 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:27,840 Kenneth Rooks: race just like a little sprint- 510 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:31,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: Race another missionary or a local person- 511 00:26:32,460 --> 00:26:32,791 Kenneth Rooks: Another missionary. 512 00:26:32,791 --> 00:26:32,792 Rob Simmelkjaer: Okay. 513 00:26:32,792 --> 00:26:36,419 Kenneth Rooks: Another missionary. Yeah. And it was just Monday on one of 514 00:26:36,420 --> 00:26:39,629 Kenneth Rooks: our days off and we'd been playing some soccer or 515 00:26:39,630 --> 00:26:44,310 Kenneth Rooks: whatever. And afterward, they wanted to race me so I 516 00:26:44,310 --> 00:26:46,320 Kenneth Rooks: raced and I tried a little too hard to win 517 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:49,830 Kenneth Rooks: and pulled my hamstring. So then, I couldn't run for 518 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:51,840 Kenneth Rooks: the last two months of my mission at all because 519 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:53,550 Kenneth Rooks: I pulled it pretty bad and I had to heal up 520 00:26:53,550 --> 00:26:59,280 Kenneth Rooks: from that. I also... About six months out, I tripped 521 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:02,850 Kenneth Rooks: and fell and landed on a rock, burst my knee, 522 00:27:03,359 --> 00:27:07,200 Kenneth Rooks: and then I had to hobble around for a few 523 00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:13,500 Kenneth Rooks: weeks while that was healing and stuff. Yeah. It was fun. 524 00:27:14,010 --> 00:27:17,159 Kenneth Rooks: But ultimately, I didn't answer part of your question. You 525 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:20,580 Kenneth Rooks: said, how did my mission help me? Being a missionary 526 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:24,570 Kenneth Rooks: is wonderful. There's a lot of positive things but there's 527 00:27:24,570 --> 00:27:27,300 Kenneth Rooks: a lot of adversity that you face as well. And 528 00:27:27,300 --> 00:27:30,780 Kenneth Rooks: so, I think my mission has also helped teach me 529 00:27:31,050 --> 00:27:34,379 Kenneth Rooks: how to respond to adversity. And especially being a missionary, 530 00:27:34,410 --> 00:27:39,179 Kenneth Rooks: how I respond with my faith to overcome some of 531 00:27:39,180 --> 00:27:42,210 Kenneth Rooks: the adversity I face and that... That taught me with the 532 00:27:42,210 --> 00:27:44,669 Kenneth Rooks: adversity I faced in my life, but also just the 533 00:27:44,670 --> 00:27:47,340 Kenneth Rooks: adversity I faced with running as well. 534 00:27:47,340 --> 00:27:49,350 Becs Gentry: Mm- hmm. Wow. 535 00:27:49,350 --> 00:27:50,399 Rob Simmelkjaer: It makes a lot of sense. Yeah. 536 00:27:50,399 --> 00:27:50,730 Becs Gentry: It does. It really does. 537 00:27:52,710 --> 00:27:55,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: So what was the process like, Kenneth, of getting back 538 00:27:55,859 --> 00:27:57,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: into the swing of things when you came back from 539 00:27:57,690 --> 00:28:00,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: that mission? How hard was that? How hard did you 540 00:28:00,750 --> 00:28:04,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: have to work? And also, I'm curious when you first 541 00:28:04,050 --> 00:28:07,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: kind of ended up in Ed Eyestone's program. You went 542 00:28:07,050 --> 00:28:09,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: to BYU so did you go right to Provo from that mission? 543 00:28:10,890 --> 00:28:14,369 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. So I went to BYU for one year before 544 00:28:14,369 --> 00:28:18,180 Kenneth Rooks: I was a missionary and then I was a missionary. Then, 545 00:28:18,180 --> 00:28:22,409 Kenneth Rooks: I came back. And because of the success that I 546 00:28:22,410 --> 00:28:25,169 Kenneth Rooks: had before, everyone was like, " All right. Kenneth's going to 547 00:28:25,170 --> 00:28:27,900 Kenneth Rooks: be great. He's going to get back in shape quickly," 548 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:29,940 Kenneth Rooks: or was hopeful that I could get back in shape 549 00:28:30,270 --> 00:28:34,230 Kenneth Rooks: quickly and... I did. There were some other missionaries that 550 00:28:34,230 --> 00:28:37,380 Kenneth Rooks: got back a little bit quicker than me. I got 551 00:28:37,380 --> 00:28:43,050 Kenneth Rooks: back in July and I was... I got back into 552 00:28:43,050 --> 00:28:48,600 Kenneth Rooks: shape probably around January. January, February is when I was 553 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:52,350 Kenneth Rooks: back to like, " Okay. I'm fit again. I'm traveling and 554 00:28:52,350 --> 00:28:56,700 Kenneth Rooks: competing for the team." And so, it was hard, especially 555 00:28:56,700 --> 00:29:00,000 Kenneth Rooks: that first six months, especially getting back with my hurt 556 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,850 Kenneth Rooks: hamstring. And I had... Because my hamstring was hurt, I 557 00:29:02,850 --> 00:29:05,670 Kenneth Rooks: had a max speed. I could only go 7: 30 558 00:29:05,670 --> 00:29:08,610 Kenneth Rooks: pace the first week. That was as fast as my 559 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:12,030 Kenneth Rooks: legs allowed me to go. I couldn't run any faster speed- 560 00:29:12,030 --> 00:29:15,060 Kenneth Rooks: wise. And so, I had to let my hamstring heal 561 00:29:15,060 --> 00:29:17,760 Kenneth Rooks: and I also had to get back into shape. I 562 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:21,510 Kenneth Rooks: remember the first workout that I did in the fall just 563 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:24,810 Kenneth Rooks: at the end of August with the team. The coach told me, " 564 00:29:24,810 --> 00:29:27,270 Kenneth Rooks: All right. Let's see if you can go hang with 565 00:29:27,270 --> 00:29:29,580 Kenneth Rooks: these guys for four miles at 5: 20 pace." They 566 00:29:29,580 --> 00:29:32,130 Kenneth Rooks: were doing an eight miles at 5: 20 pace. I 567 00:29:32,130 --> 00:29:35,070 Kenneth Rooks: went the first mile with them at 5: 20. And 568 00:29:35,070 --> 00:29:41,880 Kenneth Rooks: then second mile, I lost contact, went like 5: 35, 5:40, 569 00:29:42,060 --> 00:29:44,190 Kenneth Rooks: and then I went like 6: 00 flat and then 570 00:29:44,190 --> 00:29:47,430 Kenneth Rooks: I ran 6: 20. So I couldn't even hang more 571 00:29:47,430 --> 00:29:50,430 Kenneth Rooks: than a mile and a half with them at 5: 20 pace. And 572 00:29:50,430 --> 00:29:58,170 Kenneth Rooks: then, I kept getting back into shape just slowly and 573 00:29:58,530 --> 00:30:02,820 Kenneth Rooks: I just... Your body remembers eventually because you've been there 574 00:30:02,820 --> 00:30:08,010 Kenneth Rooks: before. And 11 months after my mission actually, I was 575 00:30:08,010 --> 00:30:09,570 Kenneth Rooks: able to be in good enough shape that I ran 576 00:30:09,570 --> 00:30:12,330 Kenneth Rooks: faster than I did before. I was a missionary in 577 00:30:12,330 --> 00:30:16,110 Kenneth Rooks: the steeplechase and I got 6: 00 at the NCAA championships as well. 578 00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:21,180 Kenneth Rooks: So I got back into shape relatively quickly but it 579 00:30:21,180 --> 00:30:25,861 Kenneth Rooks: was a struggle. But that's just how it is- 580 00:30:25,861 --> 00:30:29,340 Becs Gentry: It takes time. It definitely takes time. But I mean, it sounds like 581 00:30:29,340 --> 00:30:34,860 Becs Gentry: you had so much goodness in your mission that kind 582 00:30:34,860 --> 00:30:39,450 Becs Gentry: of carried through to giving you extra strength to keep 583 00:30:39,450 --> 00:30:43,230 Becs Gentry: going. And I'm sure there were days where there was 584 00:30:43,230 --> 00:30:46,260 Becs Gentry: sort of the competitor in you was like, " No, I 585 00:30:46,260 --> 00:30:47,940 Becs Gentry: just want to hang with them for more than a 586 00:30:47,940 --> 00:30:50,610 Becs Gentry: mile and I want to be there now," and a 587 00:30:50,610 --> 00:30:54,750 Becs Gentry: little bit of impatience. But as you said, your faith 588 00:30:54,870 --> 00:30:58,830 Becs Gentry: gives you that strength to believe it will come with 589 00:30:58,830 --> 00:31:04,110 Becs Gentry: time, with work, with patience. And talking of that, you 590 00:31:04,380 --> 00:31:09,420 Becs Gentry: kept your coaching faith, let's say, in Ed, which is 591 00:31:09,420 --> 00:31:11,550 Becs Gentry: super cool. I think it's a really lovely part of 592 00:31:11,550 --> 00:31:14,160 Becs Gentry: your story that even after you turned pro, you chose 593 00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:17,040 Becs Gentry: to continue living and training in Provo and alongside your 594 00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:20,370 Becs Gentry: BYU teammates as part of the Run Elite. And you've 595 00:31:20,430 --> 00:31:24,960 Becs Gentry: got some epic, epic pals in your group. I mean, 596 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:27,600 Becs Gentry: you're a legend, then you've got Clayton, you've got Conner, 597 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:30,300 Becs Gentry: you've got one of my really good friends, Keira D'Amato 598 00:31:30,300 --> 00:31:35,280 Becs Gentry: with you. So how has Ed's coaching shaped you as 599 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:40,290 Becs Gentry: an athlete and as a person with these awesome people too? 600 00:31:41,100 --> 00:31:45,390 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. I love training here in Provo and it's been 601 00:31:45,390 --> 00:31:48,780 Kenneth Rooks: cool to see how our group has grown, especially over 602 00:31:48,810 --> 00:31:53,220 Kenneth Rooks: this last year. Well, some of the guys like Conner 603 00:31:53,220 --> 00:31:57,060 Kenneth Rooks: and Clayton, I was actually teammates with them in college 604 00:31:57,060 --> 00:32:02,340 Kenneth Rooks: before they ran professionally. Clayton in 2019, my freshman year, 605 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:05,910 Kenneth Rooks: he was his senior year. And then, I was teammates 606 00:32:05,910 --> 00:32:10,020 Kenneth Rooks: with Conner before and after I got back from my mission at BYU. 607 00:32:10,020 --> 00:32:14,160 Kenneth Rooks: And it's an honor to train with them. Honestly, they 608 00:32:14,160 --> 00:32:18,570 Kenneth Rooks: inspire me and it's been cool to have people like 609 00:32:18,630 --> 00:32:23,910 Kenneth Rooks: Keira or Courtney Frerichs or just whoever it is coming 610 00:32:23,910 --> 00:32:27,540 Kenneth Rooks: out recently. Dan Michalski, he got second in the steeplechase, 611 00:32:27,540 --> 00:32:31,380 Kenneth Rooks: he came out here in May. But it's been cool 612 00:32:31,380 --> 00:32:35,310 Kenneth Rooks: to see that group grow and all of the athletes that 613 00:32:35,310 --> 00:32:39,000 Kenneth Rooks: I train with inspire me and we're all a little 614 00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:41,940 Kenneth Rooks: different in the way our strengths are. And it's awesome 615 00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:45,420 Kenneth Rooks: we can train together and push each other. But Ed 616 00:32:45,630 --> 00:32:51,930 Kenneth Rooks: Eyestone has really lifted my vision, helped me have a 617 00:32:51,930 --> 00:32:55,980 Kenneth Rooks: lot of confidence as a runner and as an athlete. 618 00:32:56,340 --> 00:32:57,870 Kenneth Rooks: I look up to him a lot. He is a 619 00:32:57,870 --> 00:33:03,150 Kenneth Rooks: very good example of balancing the things in his life 620 00:33:03,540 --> 00:33:09,240 Kenneth Rooks: with also running and I think that's really valuable. And he is 621 00:33:09,510 --> 00:33:15,150 Kenneth Rooks: also aware of all of our strengths and weaknesses. And 622 00:33:15,210 --> 00:33:19,590 Kenneth Rooks: that's one thing that I appreciate about Coach Eyestone is 623 00:33:19,590 --> 00:33:24,390 Kenneth Rooks: he helps us train to our strengths and helps us 624 00:33:24,630 --> 00:33:27,750 Kenneth Rooks: race plan and race to our strengths. I feel his 625 00:33:27,750 --> 00:33:29,940 Kenneth Rooks: love for us. We also call him Easy E. He's 626 00:33:29,940 --> 00:33:35,070 Kenneth Rooks: a little bit more relaxed of a coach. But also, 627 00:33:36,750 --> 00:33:39,780 Kenneth Rooks: he's also focused on putting the work in, keeping us 628 00:33:39,780 --> 00:33:44,400 Kenneth Rooks: accountable too. Yeah. We love Coach Eyestone and he's also 629 00:33:44,400 --> 00:33:47,880 Kenneth Rooks: just been there before with his success. He's a two- 630 00:33:47,880 --> 00:33:54,330 Kenneth Rooks: time Olympian. And so, especially not something that has always 631 00:33:55,080 --> 00:33:57,240 Kenneth Rooks: given me strength. I mean, now that I have been 632 00:33:57,240 --> 00:34:02,820 Kenneth Rooks: an Olympian as well and a medalist, but just trusting 633 00:34:03,420 --> 00:34:08,430 Kenneth Rooks: in his experience as well has been helpful. If my 634 00:34:08,460 --> 00:34:11,550 Kenneth Rooks: mindset's going a little bit astray, he does a good 635 00:34:11,550 --> 00:34:14,070 Kenneth Rooks: job at bringing me back to like, " Okay. Let's focus 636 00:34:14,070 --> 00:34:16,860 Kenneth Rooks: on the process. Let's focus on what we can control. 637 00:34:17,070 --> 00:34:19,770 Kenneth Rooks: Let's go out and just take advantage of the wonderful 638 00:34:19,770 --> 00:34:23,100 Kenneth Rooks: opportunity we have in front of us." So yeah, I 639 00:34:23,100 --> 00:34:24,090 Kenneth Rooks: love Coach Eyestone. 640 00:34:24,390 --> 00:34:27,900 Becs Gentry: That's so funny. That's so funny. Sorry, Rob. But to 641 00:34:27,989 --> 00:34:31,410 Becs Gentry: hear someone like Ed Eyestone be called Easy E with 642 00:34:31,410 --> 00:34:37,290 Becs Gentry: the repertoire of athletes he has, has had, and as 643 00:34:37,290 --> 00:34:42,570 Becs Gentry: you say, his personal career is like, I don't feel 644 00:34:42,570 --> 00:34:45,060 Becs Gentry: like... Not knowing him, I don't feel like there'll be 645 00:34:45,060 --> 00:34:48,480 Becs Gentry: anything easy about what he prescribes and maybe that is 646 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:53,340 Becs Gentry: his USP, his shining light, is that he's human. He 647 00:34:53,340 --> 00:34:58,080 Becs Gentry: gets it. And he isn't this insane level of push 648 00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:02,070 Becs Gentry: to you and your teammates. He's like, " You know what? 649 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:04,620 Becs Gentry: If I'm going to be nice about it and let 650 00:35:04,620 --> 00:35:06,900 Becs Gentry: them live and let them roll with it, it's going 651 00:35:06,900 --> 00:35:09,840 Becs Gentry: to have the best outcome." And clearly, he knows what 652 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:09,961 Becs Gentry: he's doing. 653 00:35:09,960 --> 00:35:17,219 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah, yeah. He does. He also gives us space to 654 00:35:17,219 --> 00:35:21,090 Kenneth Rooks: kind of... When we go race or when we work 655 00:35:21,090 --> 00:35:26,070 Kenneth Rooks: out, he leaves some room for us to make it 656 00:35:26,070 --> 00:35:28,890 Kenneth Rooks: into a masterpiece, I guess. That's not necessarily the best 657 00:35:28,890 --> 00:35:31,620 Kenneth Rooks: way I... I've explained it before a little differently having 658 00:35:31,620 --> 00:35:33,751 Kenneth Rooks: a conversation with someone. But he helps empower us, I guess, is a simple way of- 659 00:35:33,751 --> 00:35:33,752 Becs Gentry: Yeah. He makes it your own and- 660 00:35:33,752 --> 00:35:33,753 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. 661 00:35:33,753 --> 00:35:34,023 Becs Gentry: Yeah. I love that. Love that- 662 00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:43,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: I wonder with this group, Kenneth, you've got these incredible 663 00:35:43,380 --> 00:35:47,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathoners training with you, you've got people at your distance. 664 00:35:47,610 --> 00:35:50,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: How does that work? How are you all training together? 665 00:35:50,489 --> 00:35:53,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: Are you still going out and, like you described before, 666 00:35:53,580 --> 00:35:57,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: trying to stay with Conner Mantz or Clayton Young for 667 00:35:57,540 --> 00:35:59,549 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little stretch of time? Because You don't need to 668 00:35:59,910 --> 00:36:02,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: run the distances they're running. But is it good for you 669 00:36:02,310 --> 00:36:03,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: to go try to hang with them for a few 670 00:36:03,780 --> 00:36:05,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: miles for the 3K that you're running? 671 00:36:06,840 --> 00:36:09,960 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. It is good for me. I mean, it depends 672 00:36:09,960 --> 00:36:13,890 Kenneth Rooks: on what the focus of the workout is. It depends 673 00:36:13,890 --> 00:36:17,430 Kenneth Rooks: on where we're at in the season. But sometimes our 674 00:36:17,430 --> 00:36:22,770 Kenneth Rooks: workouts overlap and sometimes with the marathoners, they do more volume 675 00:36:22,770 --> 00:36:26,310 Kenneth Rooks: than we do. So sometimes we'll go out and we'll 676 00:36:26,310 --> 00:36:29,640 Kenneth Rooks: do part of the workout with them if we're doing something 677 00:36:29,640 --> 00:36:33,420 Kenneth Rooks: on the road. So like, for example, if we're doing 678 00:36:33,870 --> 00:36:39,030 Kenneth Rooks: maybe... They're doing three by three mile, maybe we'll do 679 00:36:39,030 --> 00:36:42,840 Kenneth Rooks: two by three mile with them and try and stay closer to 680 00:36:43,230 --> 00:36:47,850 Kenneth Rooks: where they're at or... Although it's really hard to stay 681 00:36:47,850 --> 00:36:52,140 Kenneth Rooks: close to Conner. Conner does his thing. He's always out 682 00:36:52,140 --> 00:36:54,239 Kenneth Rooks: there doing his thing when we get into the tempo 683 00:36:54,540 --> 00:36:59,879 Kenneth Rooks: stuff and the longer stuff. Yeah. Sometimes, especially when we 684 00:37:00,210 --> 00:37:01,950 Kenneth Rooks: do that, it's kind of nerve wracking to be like... 685 00:37:01,950 --> 00:37:05,609 Kenneth Rooks: Coach is like, " All right. Go with them. Go with 686 00:37:05,969 --> 00:37:12,930 Kenneth Rooks: Clayton or Casey Clinger or Conner for this period of 687 00:37:12,930 --> 00:37:19,350 Kenneth Rooks: time at the start," and... Anyways, it... But to answer 688 00:37:19,350 --> 00:37:22,890 Kenneth Rooks: your question a little bit better, we also sometimes will... 689 00:37:22,920 --> 00:37:27,090 Kenneth Rooks: Sometimes what they do, we'll come over to the track. 690 00:37:27,660 --> 00:37:33,090 Kenneth Rooks: So if we do 400s on the track, sometimes occasionally, 691 00:37:34,170 --> 00:37:36,600 Kenneth Rooks: Conner and Clayton will do something like, " We'll need to 692 00:37:36,600 --> 00:37:38,460 Kenneth Rooks: do 400s on the track, we'll do it with them," 693 00:37:39,060 --> 00:37:42,870 Kenneth Rooks: or we do 10 by 400 and then maybe like 8 694 00:37:42,870 --> 00:37:43,770 Kenneth Rooks: by 200- 695 00:37:43,770 --> 00:37:44,101 Rob Simmelkjaer: Get him into your- 696 00:37:44,101 --> 00:37:44,191 Kenneth Rooks: ... we're all just like in line- 697 00:37:44,190 --> 00:37:47,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... get him into your domain a little bit, right? 698 00:37:47,130 --> 00:37:49,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: Get them off the road onto the track where you 699 00:37:49,230 --> 00:37:50,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: can hang with them a little bit more. I'm sure 700 00:37:50,550 --> 00:37:51,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: that feels good. 701 00:37:51,690 --> 00:37:54,600 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. It does. It does feel good. Or even if 702 00:37:55,290 --> 00:38:00,420 Kenneth Rooks: we do a 10 by K, that's one we'll typically do together. 703 00:38:00,989 --> 00:38:01,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's awesome. 704 00:38:01,590 --> 00:38:03,989 Kenneth Rooks: When we get into steeple stuff, we're doing our thing. 705 00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:06,719 Kenneth Rooks: When they get into marathon specific stuff, they do their 706 00:38:07,020 --> 00:38:10,739 Kenneth Rooks: thing. But even if we aren't necessarily doing the exact 707 00:38:10,739 --> 00:38:13,890 Kenneth Rooks: thing together, we usually meet around the same time. 708 00:38:14,430 --> 00:38:18,390 Becs Gentry: Yeah. I love that. Okay. It will be remiss of us... Before 709 00:38:18,390 --> 00:38:21,570 Becs Gentry: we part ways today, we'd be remiss to not talk 710 00:38:21,570 --> 00:38:26,610 Becs Gentry: about the upcoming world championships in Tokyo. It's a mere 711 00:38:26,910 --> 00:38:29,760 Becs Gentry: few weeks away really in reality. You've probably got it 712 00:38:29,760 --> 00:38:33,450 Becs Gentry: down to the day. But you are known for having 713 00:38:33,450 --> 00:38:37,560 Becs Gentry: this incredible patient racing style. You have a really strong 714 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:43,380 Becs Gentry: and confident finishing kick. Have you got a strategy for 715 00:38:43,380 --> 00:38:46,350 Becs Gentry: your racing going into the world? Talk us through what's going through 716 00:38:46,350 --> 00:38:47,100 Becs Gentry: your mind. 717 00:38:47,730 --> 00:38:51,120 Kenneth Rooks: Well, I had a strategy going into the Olympics last year. 718 00:38:51,120 --> 00:38:56,489 Kenneth Rooks: But that strategy of how we'd run that race, we kind 719 00:38:56,489 --> 00:39:00,239 Kenneth Rooks: of formulated a little closer to the games. Right now, 720 00:39:00,570 --> 00:39:04,830 Kenneth Rooks: getting ready for Tokyo, we haven't formulated that strategy yet 721 00:39:04,890 --> 00:39:08,430 Kenneth Rooks: but I know that I can trust my kick. Ultimately, 722 00:39:08,850 --> 00:39:14,160 Kenneth Rooks: I feel confident in a slow or a fast race. 723 00:39:14,219 --> 00:39:17,820 Kenneth Rooks: And so, that's... One thing we'll do with our training 724 00:39:17,820 --> 00:39:24,029 Kenneth Rooks: is to make sure that we're ready for those fast 725 00:39:24,030 --> 00:39:28,830 Kenneth Rooks: paces that we know we're going to experience at the 726 00:39:28,830 --> 00:39:34,260 Kenneth Rooks: World Championships this year. And our training in the steeplechase 727 00:39:34,260 --> 00:39:37,110 Kenneth Rooks: specific stuff that we'll do will be to get ready 728 00:39:37,110 --> 00:39:41,760 Kenneth Rooks: for that and the paces we'll be running will be... When 729 00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:44,010 Kenneth Rooks: we hop into the race, it's not something that we 730 00:39:44,190 --> 00:39:49,110 Kenneth Rooks: haven't experienced before, that we're familiar with. I mean, strategy- 731 00:39:49,110 --> 00:39:52,620 Kenneth Rooks: wise, I know my kick is going to be there. 732 00:39:52,980 --> 00:39:57,390 Kenneth Rooks: If it goes out slow, it's... I got to make 733 00:39:57,390 --> 00:40:01,290 Kenneth Rooks: sure that I'm up towards the front before a move 734 00:40:01,290 --> 00:40:04,770 Kenneth Rooks: is made. Because when it's slow and it's a wind- 735 00:40:04,770 --> 00:40:09,030 Kenneth Rooks: up, it's better to be towards the front of the 736 00:40:09,030 --> 00:40:13,230 Kenneth Rooks: move than toward the back. Because if you're toward the 737 00:40:13,260 --> 00:40:17,430 Kenneth Rooks: back when it's slow and then it's a fast finish, it's just a 738 00:40:17,430 --> 00:40:22,170 Kenneth Rooks: lot harder to respond as quickly to the move. And 739 00:40:22,260 --> 00:40:25,469 Kenneth Rooks: I mean, the same could be said whenever a move 740 00:40:25,469 --> 00:40:29,640 Kenneth Rooks: is made. But yeah, I mean, going out fast, we'll see. 741 00:40:29,640 --> 00:40:31,770 Kenneth Rooks: I mean, last year at the Olympics, I was in 742 00:40:31,770 --> 00:40:35,070 Kenneth Rooks: last place almost for the first half of the race 743 00:40:35,100 --> 00:40:37,860 Kenneth Rooks: because it was going out fast. And it slowed down 744 00:40:37,860 --> 00:40:40,710 Kenneth Rooks: and I was able to move myself up into position 745 00:40:40,710 --> 00:40:46,140 Kenneth Rooks: for that finishing kick. And ultimately when it's fast, you 746 00:40:46,140 --> 00:40:48,660 Kenneth Rooks: just have to go. Whether you're in the back or 747 00:40:48,660 --> 00:40:51,570 Kenneth Rooks: in the middle or the front, just staying as relaxed 748 00:40:51,570 --> 00:40:54,960 Kenneth Rooks: as possible. And so, those will be some of the 749 00:40:54,960 --> 00:40:57,629 Kenneth Rooks: things that I'll think about getting ready for the World 750 00:40:57,630 --> 00:41:03,060 Kenneth Rooks: Championships. But it'll be based a lot off of experience 751 00:41:03,060 --> 00:41:06,180 Kenneth Rooks: I've had in the past and I honestly think that 752 00:41:06,300 --> 00:41:09,630 Kenneth Rooks: the... Like, for example, last year, all my races getting 753 00:41:09,630 --> 00:41:13,890 Kenneth Rooks: ready for the Olympics helped me have the experience I 754 00:41:13,890 --> 00:41:15,930 Kenneth Rooks: needed to be ready to make the move that I 755 00:41:15,930 --> 00:41:20,370 Kenneth Rooks: made at the Olympics just because I had... In all 756 00:41:20,370 --> 00:41:22,379 Kenneth Rooks: of my races leading up to that, I had been 757 00:41:22,380 --> 00:41:25,980 Kenneth Rooks: ready to make a really hard move with 800 to 758 00:41:25,980 --> 00:41:29,580 Kenneth Rooks: go. And I didn't necessarily make that hard move at 759 00:41:29,580 --> 00:41:32,130 Kenneth Rooks: the Olympics with 800 to go. I made it a little bit later. 760 00:41:32,610 --> 00:41:36,870 Kenneth Rooks: Yeah. Just relying on the experience. And Coach Eyestone and I, we'll 761 00:41:36,870 --> 00:41:39,960 Kenneth Rooks: talk about it and figure out a good race plan. 762 00:41:40,020 --> 00:41:44,219 Kenneth Rooks: But definitely want to be in position to be kicking 763 00:41:44,219 --> 00:41:45,690 Kenneth Rooks: for a medal again this year. 764 00:41:45,719 --> 00:41:46,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. 765 00:41:46,680 --> 00:41:46,799 Becs Gentry: Great. 766 00:41:46,800 --> 00:41:50,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. Well, you've got the best coach out there. You've 767 00:41:50,040 --> 00:41:53,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: got, really, a tremendous resume. Congrats. So we didn't even 768 00:41:53,850 --> 00:41:57,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: talk about your US championship, you just got out in 769 00:41:57,120 --> 00:41:59,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: Eugene. So congrats on that and you're- 770 00:41:59,610 --> 00:41:59,820 Kenneth Rooks: Thank you. 771 00:41:59,880 --> 00:42:04,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: You seem to be really in peak, peak condition for 772 00:42:04,260 --> 00:42:07,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: this run in Tokyo. So wish you all the best 773 00:42:07,650 --> 00:42:11,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: of luck at the World Championships. Bring back some hardware 774 00:42:11,280 --> 00:42:11,879 Rob Simmelkjaer: to Provo- 775 00:42:11,940 --> 00:42:12,360 Becs Gentry: Yeah. And enjoy it- 776 00:42:12,360 --> 00:42:14,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: They got quite a collection out there, so I know 777 00:42:14,460 --> 00:42:17,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: they are expecting big things. Wish you luck and enjoy 778 00:42:17,130 --> 00:42:17,879 Rob Simmelkjaer: yourself over there. 779 00:42:17,879 --> 00:42:17,880 Becs Gentry: Yeah. 780 00:42:17,880 --> 00:42:21,509 Kenneth Rooks: Thank you. Yeah. I'll enjoy myself. 781 00:42:26,370 --> 00:42:26,549 Becs Gentry: Good. 782 00:42:26,550 --> 00:42:26,731 Kenneth Rooks: That's why we do it, right? 783 00:42:26,730 --> 00:42:26,732 Becs Gentry: Exactly. 784 00:42:26,731 --> 00:42:26,732 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's the idea. 785 00:42:26,732 --> 00:42:26,733 Becs Gentry: Exactly. 786 00:42:26,733 --> 00:42:26,734 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. All right. Great to have you and- 787 00:42:26,734 --> 00:42:26,735 Becs Gentry: Thank you, Kenneth. 788 00:42:26,735 --> 00:42:26,795 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... yet another- 789 00:42:29,160 --> 00:42:29,431 Kenneth Rooks: Thank you, guys- 790 00:42:29,431 --> 00:42:33,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... elite athlete on Set the Pace, Kenneth Rooks. New 791 00:42:33,180 --> 00:42:36,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a vision 792 00:42:36,540 --> 00:42:40,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative 793 00:42:40,350 --> 00:42:43,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: power of running. The support of members and donors like 794 00:42:43,830 --> 00:42:47,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: you helps us achieve our mission to transform the health 795 00:42:47,130 --> 00:42:50,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: and wellbeing of our communities through inclusive and accessible running 796 00:42:50,969 --> 00:42:55,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn more and 797 00:42:55,380 --> 00:43:02,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. After surviving cancer, Ottilia Demeter 798 00:43:02,430 --> 00:43:04,739 Rob Simmelkjaer: took up running. And her first race ever, the New 799 00:43:04,739 --> 00:43:07,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Road Runner's Mini 10 K, was an experience that 800 00:43:07,950 --> 00:43:11,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: left her eager to continue. She was later diagnosed with 801 00:43:11,310 --> 00:43:14,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: a type of brain tumor which slowed her down physically 802 00:43:14,370 --> 00:43:18,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: but didn't stop her from running. In 2021, Ottilia ran the 803 00:43:18,660 --> 00:43:21,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City Marathon wearing a shirt that read, " I 804 00:43:21,719 --> 00:43:24,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: am running with a brain tumor. What is your superpower?" 805 00:43:24,870 --> 00:43:27,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: And along the course, she met another runner with the 806 00:43:27,210 --> 00:43:30,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: same condition. Even on that hot day, she ran her 807 00:43:30,870 --> 00:43:34,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: fastest marathon time. And now, she works as a certified 808 00:43:34,530 --> 00:43:38,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: running coach and injury prevention specialist, leading training for the 809 00:43:38,700 --> 00:43:42,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: Forest Park Runners Club and Team QCP. 810 00:43:42,719 --> 00:43:47,670 Meb: Thanks, Rob. Ottilia, welcome to Set the Pace podcast. How 811 00:43:47,670 --> 00:43:48,450 Meb: are you doing today? 812 00:43:49,110 --> 00:43:53,189 Ottilia Demeter: I am doing okay. And first of all, I'd like 813 00:43:53,190 --> 00:43:56,580 Ottilia Demeter: to thank you for the opportunity to be here today. 814 00:43:57,630 --> 00:44:01,500 Ottilia Demeter: Honestly, I was terrified when I got the request and for a moment I 815 00:44:01,500 --> 00:44:06,600 Ottilia Demeter: was... Thought about saying no. But then, I overcame the 816 00:44:06,600 --> 00:44:10,590 Ottilia Demeter: initial shock and I thought someone maybe needs to hear 817 00:44:10,590 --> 00:44:12,480 Ottilia Demeter: what I'm going to say. 818 00:44:13,350 --> 00:44:17,610 Meb: We are all excited to hear your story and congratulations 819 00:44:17,610 --> 00:44:22,260 Meb: being a survivor. After surviving cancer, you made the decision 820 00:44:22,260 --> 00:44:25,140 Meb: to start running. Can you take us back to that 821 00:44:25,140 --> 00:44:29,670 Meb: moment and share what running represented to you at that time? 822 00:44:29,910 --> 00:44:35,250 Ottilia Demeter: Okay. Let's go back to 2009. We often like to 823 00:44:35,250 --> 00:44:39,450 Ottilia Demeter: think we are invincible until something happens that shakes us 824 00:44:39,450 --> 00:44:42,840 Ottilia Demeter: through the core. That's when you realize that you are 825 00:44:42,900 --> 00:44:47,219 Ottilia Demeter: just as fragile as anyone else. When I received the 826 00:44:47,219 --> 00:44:51,750 Ottilia Demeter: news that I had cancer, I was in complete shock. 827 00:44:52,290 --> 00:44:56,460 Ottilia Demeter: I felt sorry for myself. But deep down, I knew 828 00:44:56,880 --> 00:45:01,200 Ottilia Demeter: I wouldn't let this define me. Long story short, running 829 00:45:01,200 --> 00:45:04,410 Ottilia Demeter: didn't play a big part in my life at that 830 00:45:04,590 --> 00:45:10,530 Ottilia Demeter: moment. A year later, after I was cancer- free, I 831 00:45:10,530 --> 00:45:14,580 Ottilia Demeter: knew I needed a fresh start. I wanted to escape 832 00:45:14,580 --> 00:45:19,230 Ottilia Demeter: my old life. So I packed my stuff, I packed 833 00:45:19,230 --> 00:45:21,840 Ottilia Demeter: my bag, and then I ended up in New York 834 00:45:22,380 --> 00:45:28,320 Ottilia Demeter: just four months after my last surgery. And all alone 835 00:45:28,320 --> 00:45:33,540 Ottilia Demeter: in this massive city, running was the only thing that 836 00:45:33,780 --> 00:45:37,590 Ottilia Demeter: brought me relief. And slowly, I fell in love with it. 837 00:45:38,640 --> 00:45:40,290 Meb: Amazing. Just incredible. 838 00:45:40,380 --> 00:45:40,771 Ottilia Demeter: Yeah. It is. 839 00:45:40,770 --> 00:45:47,460 Meb: And how was your first race with the NYRR Mini 10 840 00:45:47,460 --> 00:45:50,580 Meb: K? What was that experience like for you and being 841 00:45:50,580 --> 00:45:51,630 Meb: new into the city? 842 00:45:52,140 --> 00:45:56,130 Ottilia Demeter: Yeah. So yes, the Mini 10 K, I remember that 843 00:45:56,130 --> 00:46:01,319 Ottilia Demeter: race very well. I was both excited and nervous. I 844 00:46:01,320 --> 00:46:04,739 Ottilia Demeter: had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know 845 00:46:04,890 --> 00:46:09,540 Ottilia Demeter: a lot about running. But I had connected with some 846 00:46:09,750 --> 00:46:13,980 Ottilia Demeter: runners on Facebook and the Mini was the first time 847 00:46:14,070 --> 00:46:19,589 Ottilia Demeter: we met in person. I was so happy. I believe 848 00:46:19,739 --> 00:46:24,510 Ottilia Demeter: it was my happiest race ever. I ran it for 849 00:46:24,719 --> 00:46:28,320 Ottilia Demeter: a while, every year for a while. But then, life 850 00:46:28,320 --> 00:46:34,530 Ottilia Demeter: got busier. But still, the Mini will always have a 851 00:46:34,530 --> 00:46:36,239 Ottilia Demeter: special place in my heart. 852 00:46:37,590 --> 00:46:41,310 Meb: Amazing. So 2009, you moved to New York and you had 853 00:46:41,310 --> 00:46:44,820 Meb: diagnosed. And in 2021, you ran the New York City 854 00:46:44,820 --> 00:46:49,140 Meb: Marathon while living with that brain tumor and wore the 855 00:46:49,140 --> 00:46:52,620 Meb: shirt that said, " I am running with a brain tumor. What 856 00:46:52,620 --> 00:46:56,550 Meb: is your superpower?" What were the feeling as you step 857 00:46:56,550 --> 00:46:59,910 Meb: into the starting line knowing that people would see it? 858 00:47:00,600 --> 00:47:03,000 Ottilia Demeter: We were in the middle of marathon training when I 859 00:47:03,000 --> 00:47:07,350 Ottilia Demeter: found out that I had brain tumor. And I am 860 00:47:07,350 --> 00:47:10,620 Ottilia Demeter: a very strong woman, but I needed time to process 861 00:47:10,620 --> 00:47:14,370 Ottilia Demeter: that news. For a while, I thought I wouldn't be able to 862 00:47:14,370 --> 00:47:17,940 Ottilia Demeter: run the marathon because I wasn't sure that I could 863 00:47:17,940 --> 00:47:21,960 Ottilia Demeter: recover mentally. I mean, how do you deal with something 864 00:47:21,960 --> 00:47:27,420 Ottilia Demeter: like that? But as usual, I came to terms with it 865 00:47:28,710 --> 00:47:33,060 Ottilia Demeter: and deciding to wear that shirt that I did was 866 00:47:33,239 --> 00:47:38,520 Ottilia Demeter: extremely difficult. I wasn't sure I should let people know 867 00:47:38,520 --> 00:47:44,520 Ottilia Demeter: about my condition. It felt so vulnerable. But I also 868 00:47:44,520 --> 00:47:48,090 Ottilia Demeter: realized that I couldn't keep it inside, it was too 869 00:47:48,090 --> 00:47:53,549 Ottilia Demeter: heavy a burden to carry alone. Plus, I wanted to 870 00:47:53,700 --> 00:47:57,570 Ottilia Demeter: others see that we can be strong enough to face 871 00:47:57,570 --> 00:48:02,430 Ottilia Demeter: difficult challenges. So I put on the shirt, I walked 872 00:48:02,430 --> 00:48:06,780 Ottilia Demeter: out the door. And yes, I was nervous. But I 873 00:48:06,780 --> 00:48:10,770 Ottilia Demeter: knew there was no turning back and it was one 874 00:48:10,770 --> 00:48:15,840 Ottilia Demeter: of the best decisions I ever made. The support and 875 00:48:16,770 --> 00:48:22,919 Ottilia Demeter: the love from the running community were incredible. I met 876 00:48:22,920 --> 00:48:26,850 Ottilia Demeter: people with similar conditions. They walk up to me. They 877 00:48:27,060 --> 00:48:30,570 Ottilia Demeter: share their stories with me. And it made me realize 878 00:48:30,570 --> 00:48:33,780 Ottilia Demeter: that I wasn't alone in this and it was a 879 00:48:33,840 --> 00:48:39,360 Ottilia Demeter: huge boost. With every mile, I felt like the weight 880 00:48:39,360 --> 00:48:46,739 Ottilia Demeter: is getting lighter. And the 2021 marathon was one of 881 00:48:46,739 --> 00:48:53,640 Ottilia Demeter: the hottest ones. People were really struggling. Some dropped out, others 882 00:48:53,640 --> 00:48:57,000 Ottilia Demeter: cramped up. I ended up cutting off more than an 883 00:48:57,090 --> 00:49:01,320 Ottilia Demeter: hour of my previous time. And when I crossed the 884 00:49:03,630 --> 00:49:10,680 Ottilia Demeter: finish line... Sorry. I knew I was going to be 885 00:49:10,710 --> 00:49:14,730 Ottilia Demeter: okay. Whatever comes in my way, I will take it 886 00:49:14,730 --> 00:49:16,890 Ottilia Demeter: on and come out stronger. 887 00:49:17,969 --> 00:49:20,790 Meb: You are definitely stronger. And people say, " Do the hard 888 00:49:20,790 --> 00:49:24,840 Meb: thing," and you ran the marathon. You inspire people en 889 00:49:24,840 --> 00:49:27,450 Meb: route. And to come across the finish line, you know can 890 00:49:27,450 --> 00:49:30,810 Meb: do anything and be the powerful woman that you are 891 00:49:30,870 --> 00:49:33,750 Meb: and we are so delighted that you shared that. You had the courage 892 00:49:33,750 --> 00:49:36,090 Meb: to wear that shirt and people come up to you looking 893 00:49:36,989 --> 00:49:40,680 Meb: as a role model to a trailblazer. But now, you 894 00:49:40,680 --> 00:49:44,549 Meb: are currently training runners for the Forest Park Runners, for 895 00:49:44,550 --> 00:49:48,660 Meb: the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. What is the most 896 00:49:48,660 --> 00:49:51,270 Meb: important advice you give your marathon runners? 897 00:49:52,020 --> 00:49:57,030 Ottilia Demeter: It's hard because I think we should talk about many 898 00:49:57,030 --> 00:49:59,910 Ottilia Demeter: things. But I think the most important thing is to 899 00:50:00,270 --> 00:50:05,280 Ottilia Demeter: respect your training plan and that says everything. There are 900 00:50:05,280 --> 00:50:10,469 Ottilia Demeter: so many social runs, invites from other clubs. And those 901 00:50:10,469 --> 00:50:14,850 Ottilia Demeter: are fun, I know. But those are all additional miles 902 00:50:14,850 --> 00:50:19,110 Ottilia Demeter: that are not included in your training plans and could 903 00:50:19,110 --> 00:50:22,890 Ottilia Demeter: hold a lot of potential dangers like running more than 904 00:50:22,890 --> 00:50:27,810 Ottilia Demeter: you should, running at someone else's pace. Those are little 905 00:50:27,810 --> 00:50:33,570 Ottilia Demeter: things that add up and it could lead fatigue or 906 00:50:34,560 --> 00:50:41,460 Ottilia Demeter: injury eventually. As my mentor, Coach Faith, told me one day, " 907 00:50:41,880 --> 00:50:45,989 Ottilia Demeter: The earth wouldn't stop spinning if you don't show up 908 00:50:45,989 --> 00:50:48,330 Ottilia Demeter: your face at every corner in New York City," and 909 00:50:48,330 --> 00:50:49,350 Ottilia Demeter: that is very true. 910 00:50:51,660 --> 00:50:58,590 Meb: Just great. You inspire not just runners, but non- runners 911 00:50:58,590 --> 00:51:00,719 Meb: as well. I'm pretty sure. I know sometimes we get 912 00:51:00,719 --> 00:51:03,750 Meb: discouraged but to put in perspective to what you have 913 00:51:03,750 --> 00:51:09,450 Meb: gone through or what you're going through is amazing. So your advice is 914 00:51:09,450 --> 00:51:11,640 Meb: not only to the runners, but to the everyday human 915 00:51:11,640 --> 00:51:16,530 Meb: being. You have taken on ultra running which asks a 916 00:51:16,530 --> 00:51:19,799 Meb: lot of both body and mind, a lot of demand. 917 00:51:20,160 --> 00:51:23,070 Meb: What drives you to those long distances and what do 918 00:51:23,070 --> 00:51:27,330 Meb: you find yourself learning either about running or about yourself 919 00:51:27,360 --> 00:51:28,680 Meb: during those long runs? 920 00:51:29,910 --> 00:51:35,759 Ottilia Demeter: Ultra running is a whole different mindset. If one thing 921 00:51:35,760 --> 00:51:40,650 Ottilia Demeter: I'm strong in, it's my mental toughness. Life made me 922 00:51:40,739 --> 00:51:45,330 Ottilia Demeter: strong. Ultra running is a mental game and I absolutely 923 00:51:45,330 --> 00:51:50,370 Ottilia Demeter: love the challenge it presents. It shows me how amazing 924 00:51:50,460 --> 00:51:56,610 Ottilia Demeter: the human spirit is, how much we are capable of, 925 00:51:57,060 --> 00:52:03,239 Ottilia Demeter: and it makes me feel incredibly strong. I believe I 926 00:52:03,300 --> 00:52:09,330 Ottilia Demeter: can overcome my brain tumor more or anything as life 927 00:52:09,420 --> 00:52:16,920 Ottilia Demeter: throws at me. Running is like a magical thing that 928 00:52:16,920 --> 00:52:21,090 Ottilia Demeter: could save lives and I truly believe it has already 929 00:52:21,090 --> 00:52:21,660 Ottilia Demeter: saved mine. 930 00:52:22,140 --> 00:52:25,620 Meb: Wow. Just incredible. You're a true champion, true hero of 931 00:52:25,620 --> 00:52:28,770 Meb: life, and we are so grateful to have you here. 932 00:52:28,770 --> 00:52:31,799 Meb: But running is therapy and for you to come to 933 00:52:31,800 --> 00:52:34,860 Meb: a strange big city like New York where the running 934 00:52:34,860 --> 00:52:37,800 Meb: community embraced you and to be able to help a little bit. But 935 00:52:38,310 --> 00:52:41,219 Meb: for you to wear that, " I'm running with brain tumor. 936 00:52:41,219 --> 00:52:44,069 Meb: What's your superpower?", you're a super human being and keep 937 00:52:44,070 --> 00:52:46,080 Meb: doing what you're doing . and we're so delighted you are 938 00:52:46,080 --> 00:52:47,641 Meb: with us as a member moment- 939 00:52:47,641 --> 00:52:47,642 Ottilia Demeter: Thank you. 940 00:52:47,642 --> 00:52:50,250 Meb: ... and best wishes as you continue with life. 941 00:52:50,610 --> 00:52:51,031 Ottilia Demeter: Thank you. Pleasure was mine. 942 00:52:51,031 --> 00:52:55,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: Now, it's time for today's Meb Minute. 943 00:52:56,880 --> 00:53:00,330 Meb: Thanks, Rob. Welcome back to my mile by mile countdown 944 00:53:00,330 --> 00:53:04,350 Meb: to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. This week, we are 945 00:53:04,350 --> 00:53:09,450 Meb: counting down two Mile 3 to 7 in Brooklyn. Mile 946 00:53:09,450 --> 00:53:14,820 Meb: 3, long, flat down 4th Avenue begins. Overall, Brooklyn segment 947 00:53:14,820 --> 00:53:19,200 Meb: remains steady and runnable and a few minor undulations. This 948 00:53:19,200 --> 00:53:22,320 Meb: is where you need to take that all in and time 949 00:53:22,320 --> 00:53:26,219 Meb: to pay attention for pacing. I tell most people that 950 00:53:26,219 --> 00:53:29,370 Meb: I meet that New York City Marathon is more like 23- 951 00:53:29,370 --> 00:53:31,920 Meb: mile run because the first going up the hill and 952 00:53:31,920 --> 00:53:33,719 Meb: down the hill, you don't worry about the pace. But 953 00:53:33,719 --> 00:53:36,330 Meb: now Mile 3 to 7, you need to get to that 954 00:53:36,540 --> 00:53:39,750 Meb: pace of rhythm to be able to get into a 955 00:53:39,750 --> 00:53:42,360 Meb: good cadence and be able to just be yourself. Hey, 956 00:53:42,570 --> 00:53:45,330 Meb: coach have got you ready to this point? Now, it's 957 00:53:45,330 --> 00:53:47,520 Meb: time to get that rhythm. You haven't built up lactic 958 00:53:47,520 --> 00:53:50,460 Meb: acid going up the hill or the downhill, now the 959 00:53:50,460 --> 00:53:52,800 Meb: time to analyze and say, " Hey, what's my goal? I 960 00:53:52,800 --> 00:53:56,520 Meb: want to hit those goals and paces." Mile 3 to 961 00:53:56,520 --> 00:54:00,569 Meb: 4, I remember sometimes you forget things. You are so in a rush 962 00:54:00,570 --> 00:54:02,400 Meb: to get to the starting line of the TCS New 963 00:54:02,400 --> 00:54:07,110 Meb: York City Marathon. In 2011, I remember I'm supposed to 964 00:54:07,110 --> 00:54:10,800 Meb: have my Breathe Right on my nose. But unfortunately, I 965 00:54:10,800 --> 00:54:14,279 Meb: realized it toward the end of Mile 2 that I 966 00:54:14,279 --> 00:54:17,160 Meb: am going to Mile 3, my Breathe Right was in 967 00:54:17,160 --> 00:54:20,610 Meb: my shoes. But you can't stop and untie your shoes, you 968 00:54:20,730 --> 00:54:23,489 Meb: just got to deal with the circumstance and keep running, 969 00:54:23,489 --> 00:54:26,489 Meb: getting through your rhythm, and I did that. And regardless 970 00:54:26,550 --> 00:54:28,799 Meb: if the Breathe Right is on your nose, on your 971 00:54:28,800 --> 00:54:31,500 Meb: feet, you can still a PR because you've been trained for 972 00:54:31,500 --> 00:54:37,290 Meb: this. And my 47, 4th Avenue corridor, it is packed, crowd 973 00:54:37,290 --> 00:54:42,150 Meb: tunnel, especially near the park slope. And Mile 7, viewing 974 00:54:42,150 --> 00:54:46,469 Meb: favorite spots like 4th Avenue on Garfield Place. It's all 975 00:54:46,469 --> 00:54:48,839 Meb: about soaking it all in. Just be in the moment, be 976 00:54:48,840 --> 00:54:51,509 Meb: present. You still got a long way to go, but 977 00:54:51,630 --> 00:54:53,010 Meb: it's time to evaluate your rhythm. 978 00:54:54,390 --> 00:54:56,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right, everybody, that does it for another episode of 979 00:54:56,340 --> 00:54:58,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: Set the Pace. We want to thank our amazing guest 980 00:54:58,830 --> 00:55:03,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: today, the steeplechaser, Kenneth Rooks and Ottilia Demeter, New York 981 00:55:03,060 --> 00:55:05,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners member. If you like the episode, make sure 982 00:55:05,730 --> 00:55:09,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: you subscribe. Give us a thumbs up on YouTube. Share 983 00:55:09,210 --> 00:55:11,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: it. Tell your friends. We'd love to have more folks 984 00:55:11,280 --> 00:55:13,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: join us here week in and week out as well. 985 00:55:14,219 --> 00:55:17,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: Good luck to everybody out there. Marathon training season, it's 986 00:55:17,370 --> 00:55:19,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: in full effect. Enjoy the miles. We'll see you next week.