1 00:00:00,210 --> 00:00:03,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners is a non- profit organization with 2 00:00:03,210 --> 00:00:06,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: a vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through 3 00:00:06,570 --> 00:00:10,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: the transformative power of running. The support of members and 4 00:00:10,230 --> 00:00:13,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: donors like you helps us achieve our mission to transform 5 00:00:13,890 --> 00:00:17,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: the health and well- being of our communities through inclusive 6 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:21,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: and accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. 7 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:25,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: Learn more and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. 8 00:00:29,940 --> 00:00:34,379 Intro: Thank you, New York. Today, we're reminded of the power 9 00:00:34,380 --> 00:00:39,210 Intro: of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on 10 00:00:39,210 --> 00:00:44,700 Intro: your mark. The first woman to finish for the second 11 00:00:44,700 --> 00:00:48,450 Intro: straight year here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, 12 00:00:48,450 --> 00:00:51,960 Intro: a smiling Miki Gorman. And why not? 2: 29:30, the 13 00:00:52,290 --> 00:00:56,160 Intro: time for Grete Waitz. Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she 14 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:59,610 Intro: comes to the line. Pointing to his chest, pointing to 15 00:00:59,610 --> 00:01:09,360 Intro: the USA he so proudly wears across his chest. A great day for Meb 16 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:10,110 Intro: Keflezighi. 17 00:01:10,170 --> 00:01:13,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hello everybody, and welcome to another episode of Set the 18 00:01:13,740 --> 00:01:17,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace presented by Peloton, the official podcast of New York 19 00:01:17,490 --> 00:01:20,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners. I'm your host, New York Road Runners CEO, 20 00:01:20,010 --> 00:01:23,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: Rob Simmelkjaer, and with me my amazing co- host, Becs 21 00:01:24,030 --> 00:01:28,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: Gentry. On today's show, we have an Olympic proposal, an 22 00:01:28,290 --> 00:01:31,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: amazing profile for this year's TCS New York City Marathon and an 23 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:35,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: NYRR member for over 20 years will join us to 24 00:01:35,580 --> 00:01:40,261 Rob Simmelkjaer: talk about her running journey. Becs, great to see you. How are you doing? 25 00:01:40,261 --> 00:01:43,560 Becs Gentry: You too. Very good. Thank you. Racking up the miles while 26 00:01:44,010 --> 00:01:48,660 Becs Gentry: still on that inspirational high after the Olympics and just 27 00:01:48,660 --> 00:01:50,730 Becs Gentry: loving the fact that it is cooler here in New 28 00:01:50,730 --> 00:01:52,290 Becs Gentry: York. Love it. 29 00:01:53,190 --> 00:01:57,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: I can't wait to get to your conversation with Dakotah Lindwurm, 30 00:01:57,420 --> 00:02:00,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: of course, one of the Americans running the marathon in 31 00:02:00,990 --> 00:02:04,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: Paris and she had a great, great day in the 32 00:02:04,140 --> 00:02:08,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: race, finishing in the top 12 and then an even better day after 33 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,579 Rob Simmelkjaer: the race, you'll be with her and her brand- new 34 00:02:11,580 --> 00:02:16,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: fiancé Montana Popehn. Can't wait to hear that story. But 35 00:02:16,290 --> 00:02:19,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, I have a little bit of news to share 36 00:02:19,230 --> 00:02:21,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: today on the podcast. 37 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,210 Becs Gentry: I am so excited that we can now talk about this, 38 00:02:24,210 --> 00:02:29,190 Becs Gentry: Rob, in public and the inspiration that you're going to 39 00:02:29,190 --> 00:02:33,359 Becs Gentry: give people is phenomenal. So spill the beans. 40 00:02:33,870 --> 00:02:36,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, Becs, those who've listened to the show for a 41 00:02:36,510 --> 00:02:40,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: while know that last summer, I made an attempt at 42 00:02:40,050 --> 00:02:45,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: running a marathon. I was registered for Chicago and started 43 00:02:45,060 --> 00:02:49,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: training and the body just wasn't feeling it, had some 44 00:02:49,230 --> 00:02:52,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: injuries, had to shut it down. But since then I've 45 00:02:52,020 --> 00:02:55,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: been able to run without any problems. A couple of half- 46 00:02:55,380 --> 00:03:01,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: marathons, one in June. Started thinking it again and decided, " 47 00:03:01,710 --> 00:03:04,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: You know what? Let's get ourselves a bib for something." 48 00:03:04,110 --> 00:03:07,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: And so I was so fortunate to get myself an 49 00:03:07,500 --> 00:03:14,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: entry into the 2024 BMW Berlin Marathon and I will 50 00:03:14,460 --> 00:03:18,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: be toeing the starting line, Becs, on September 29th for 51 00:03:18,450 --> 00:03:23,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: my first marathon in over 10 years. The last time 52 00:03:23,130 --> 00:03:26,519 Rob Simmelkjaer: I ran a marathon was in 2013 here in New York, 53 00:03:26,910 --> 00:03:29,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: only my third marathon ever, by the way, I am 54 00:03:29,610 --> 00:03:33,209 Rob Simmelkjaer: not a marathoner. I am a 10 K kind of guy, 55 00:03:33,810 --> 00:03:36,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: but I am going for it, Becs, and I'm so 56 00:03:36,930 --> 00:03:38,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: thrilled to announce I'm not just running it, but I'm 57 00:03:38,970 --> 00:03:43,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: running it on behalf of our incredible charity program Team 58 00:03:43,860 --> 00:03:46,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: for Kids at New York Road Runners. Team for Kids, 59 00:03:46,890 --> 00:03:50,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: if you don't know, raises funds for all of our 60 00:03:50,010 --> 00:03:53,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible youth and community programs at New York Road Runners 61 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Run for the Future Program, our Open Run free 62 00:03:57,150 --> 00:04:00,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: running program in New York City, our Striders walking program 63 00:04:00,780 --> 00:04:04,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: for older adults. All the amazing things we do here 64 00:04:04,170 --> 00:04:07,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: in New York and beyond for kids and adults to 65 00:04:07,020 --> 00:04:09,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: get them active and moving as part of our mission 66 00:04:09,210 --> 00:04:12,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: as a nonprofit. So I'll be running to raise money 67 00:04:12,030 --> 00:04:15,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: for TFK as we call it. You can support me 68 00:04:15,210 --> 00:04:18,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: folks, and I need the support because I need every 69 00:04:18,330 --> 00:04:22,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: single bit of inspiration I can get to get to 70 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:25,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: that starting line and then get across the 26.2 miles 71 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Berlin to the finish line. You can go to 72 00:04:28,230 --> 00:04:32,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: my social, my page will be linked everywhere on Instagram. 73 00:04:33,029 --> 00:04:36,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's Rob Simmelkjaer TFK's page, but we'll get it out there 74 00:04:36,330 --> 00:04:38,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: everywhere. We'll put it in the show notes as well. 75 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:42,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: And Becs, I'm so excited to go out and... It's my 76 00:04:42,300 --> 00:04:44,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: first time ever going to Berlin. 77 00:04:44,190 --> 00:04:44,431 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh. 78 00:04:44,431 --> 00:04:47,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: And it's also the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Marathon. 79 00:04:47,940 --> 00:04:50,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: So it's a special year in Berlin and I'm so excited to 80 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:50,971 Rob Simmelkjaer: run this race. 81 00:04:50,971 --> 00:04:55,710 Becs Gentry: It is going to be beautiful. I'm so excited for 82 00:04:55,710 --> 00:04:58,800 Becs Gentry: you. I'm so proud of you for doing this because 83 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:03,570 Becs Gentry: I know it's a huge commitment, especially with a job 84 00:05:03,660 --> 00:05:07,980 Becs Gentry: and life that goes around everything. So the training sounds 85 00:05:07,980 --> 00:05:10,770 Becs Gentry: like it's been going really well. You're very, very dedicated 86 00:05:10,770 --> 00:05:14,160 Becs Gentry: to it, so you're doing all the right things. 87 00:05:14,850 --> 00:05:17,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's been going well, Becs. I want to give a shout- 88 00:05:17,310 --> 00:05:20,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: out to our friends at Runna, by the way, Runna is 89 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:23,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: a fantastic virtual training app. Many of you know we've 90 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:27,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: got the NYRR x Runna program for folks training for this 91 00:05:27,779 --> 00:05:30,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: year's TCS New York City Marathon. I got it and 92 00:05:30,750 --> 00:05:34,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: signed up for the Berlin program. I've been doing about a 13- 93 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:36,839 Rob Simmelkjaer: week program, and it's just given me a great structure 94 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:40,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: of runs. I set it up to run four days 95 00:05:40,260 --> 00:05:43,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: a week and it's been great. A long run on 96 00:05:43,170 --> 00:05:47,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: Saturdays, a tempo day, a speed day, an easy run 97 00:05:47,339 --> 00:05:50,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: day. I've been feeling really good. I've been running some 98 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:53,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: of our training runs in New York. I ran Grete's 99 00:05:53,550 --> 00:05:58,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: this past weekend as the middle six, Becs, of a 16- mile- long 100 00:05:58,770 --> 00:05:59,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: run. I ran six before Grete's, then I ran Grete's, then four after Grete's. 101 00:05:59,339 --> 00:06:04,500 Becs Gentry: Who are you? Look at this. 102 00:06:04,799 --> 00:06:09,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: When that was over, Becs, I said, " Okay, it's time to make this official and tell 103 00:06:09,900 --> 00:06:12,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: all of my friends and colleagues and all of our 104 00:06:12,089 --> 00:06:15,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: listeners that I'm running." So I'm excited. And, Becs, you've run Berlin, 105 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:15,481 Rob Simmelkjaer: right? 106 00:06:15,481 --> 00:06:21,450 Becs Gentry: I have, I have. Berlin was one very, very magical race for me. I 107 00:06:21,450 --> 00:06:24,210 Becs Gentry: think that was my first sub- three hours if I 108 00:06:24,210 --> 00:06:29,760 Becs Gentry: remember correctly. And it was my first marathon that I followed 109 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:33,060 Becs Gentry: the blue line all the way and I was running 110 00:06:33,060 --> 00:06:36,690 Becs Gentry: with some incredible friends of mine from the Berlin run 111 00:06:36,690 --> 00:06:41,370 Becs Gentry: crew, the KRAFT Runners. And they helped pace me all 112 00:06:41,370 --> 00:06:45,029 Becs Gentry: the way until about the 37th kilometer when the boys got 113 00:06:45,029 --> 00:06:48,779 Becs Gentry: down, started doing pushups. I think they had some beer, 114 00:06:49,290 --> 00:06:54,540 Becs Gentry: and I did not. I said, " Thank you for the 115 00:06:54,540 --> 00:06:57,480 Becs Gentry: journey so far. If I stop now, I'm not getting 116 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:00,779 Becs Gentry: back up." And so I had the final 5K or so by 117 00:07:00,779 --> 00:07:04,589 Becs Gentry: myself, which was actually thrilling to do, knowing I was 118 00:07:04,589 --> 00:07:08,070 Becs Gentry: going to come in under three hours, which was a beautiful 119 00:07:08,070 --> 00:07:10,950 Becs Gentry: race. It's an incredible finish. It's a city that's steeped 120 00:07:10,950 --> 00:07:15,480 Becs Gentry: in a lot of culture and the German people certainly 121 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:18,240 Becs Gentry: know how to party. So you're going in for a 122 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:18,870 Becs Gentry: good time. 123 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: This I know. And by the way, as we get 124 00:07:22,290 --> 00:07:24,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: ready for that, as I get ready for that, we 125 00:07:24,510 --> 00:07:28,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: are excited to have Mark Milde, the race director of the 126 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:32,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: BMW Berlin Marathon. He'll be joining us next week on 127 00:07:32,220 --> 00:07:36,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: Set the Pace to look ahead to this year's BMW 128 00:07:36,330 --> 00:07:40,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: Berlin Marathon, all the festivities around the 50th anniversary. And 129 00:07:40,950 --> 00:07:43,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mark will tell us some of the origin story of 130 00:07:43,110 --> 00:07:46,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: this very fast, very flat marathon, one of the favorites 131 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,365 Rob Simmelkjaer: for a lot of runners. You're not alone in having 132 00:07:49,365 --> 00:07:52,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: a PR on that course, and I'm just hoping to 133 00:07:52,890 --> 00:07:55,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: have a good day. So we'll see. But very excited 134 00:07:55,230 --> 00:07:58,739 Rob Simmelkjaer: and thanks to everyone in advance for your support of 135 00:07:58,740 --> 00:08:01,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: my run for Team for Kids. Again, we'll have a 136 00:08:01,470 --> 00:08:03,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: link in the show notes to support me as I 137 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: raise money for our incredible youth and community programs. Okay, 138 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:10,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: well, as we train, as I train for Berlin, we 139 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:12,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: know a lot of you are in the middle of 140 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:16,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: your training for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, and 141 00:08:16,980 --> 00:08:19,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: along with 50,000 runners just like you we're so excited 142 00:08:19,980 --> 00:08:23,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: this week to announce our professional runners for this year's 143 00:08:23,700 --> 00:08:29,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: race. And, Becs, it is an awesome lineup. Includes 14 past 144 00:08:29,610 --> 00:08:34,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: champions, 31 athletes from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic 145 00:08:34,620 --> 00:08:39,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: Games. And we're so excited, Becs, that our defending champions 146 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:43,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: are coming back. We've got Tamirat Tola, the gold medalist 147 00:08:43,260 --> 00:08:46,469 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Paris of Ethiopia will be back to defend his 148 00:08:46,470 --> 00:08:50,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: title in New York. Hellen Obiri, of course, won bronze 149 00:08:50,070 --> 00:08:53,339 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Paris will be here as well. Marcel Hug of 150 00:08:53,340 --> 00:08:57,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: Switzerland will also be defending his title. What a Treat, 151 00:08:57,929 --> 00:09:01,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: Becs, to have Tamirat Tola, the Olympic Gold medalist toeing the 152 00:09:01,890 --> 00:09:04,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: line he pulled away from the field in the final 153 00:09:04,860 --> 00:09:09,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: six miles to finish in 2:04: 58 last year, broke 154 00:09:09,570 --> 00:09:12,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: a 12- year- old course record. And I don't think 155 00:09:12,210 --> 00:09:15,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: it's a coincidence that he went on to win gold 156 00:09:15,179 --> 00:09:16,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Paris on a very hilly course. 157 00:09:17,100 --> 00:09:21,510 Becs Gentry: Absolutely not, Rob. He trained hard for those hills last 158 00:09:21,510 --> 00:09:26,250 Becs Gentry: year. He showed, he demonstrated his strength in a very 159 00:09:26,250 --> 00:09:32,190 Becs Gentry: challenging marathon major in New York, and he did it 160 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:37,890 Becs Gentry: with what seemed like calm confidence. As he pulled away 161 00:09:37,890 --> 00:09:41,160 Becs Gentry: for those last six miles, I seem to remember there 162 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:45,570 Becs Gentry: was an exchange, a glancing exchange, between the leads there 163 00:09:45,570 --> 00:09:49,170 Becs Gentry: at the start and a moment of, " All right, I've 164 00:09:49,170 --> 00:09:52,830 Becs Gentry: got this. I'm going to go and do it." And then in 165 00:09:52,830 --> 00:10:00,660 Becs Gentry: Paris to watch that man's skill over the hardest Olympic 166 00:10:00,660 --> 00:10:03,809 Becs Gentry: marathon course, probably in history. I mean it's not confirmed, 167 00:10:03,809 --> 00:10:07,650 Becs Gentry: but most people are saying yes. And the way he 168 00:10:08,190 --> 00:10:12,690 Becs Gentry: flew up that 14, again, people are saying it's somewhere 169 00:10:12,690 --> 00:10:15,809 Becs Gentry: between 10. 5 and 14% gradient depending on how you're feeling. 170 00:10:17,100 --> 00:10:19,320 Becs Gentry: But he flew up there and I'm never going to 171 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:23,670 Becs Gentry: forget. I was watching it on a huge screen at 172 00:10:23,670 --> 00:10:26,790 Becs Gentry: the time, and they had this camera shot of Tamirat 173 00:10:26,790 --> 00:10:30,179 Becs Gentry: Tola at the top of the hill more or less. And 174 00:10:30,270 --> 00:10:34,770 Becs Gentry: in most TV shots of hills on races, it doesn't 175 00:10:34,770 --> 00:10:36,720 Becs Gentry: look that bad. You're like, " What is everyone talking about? 176 00:10:37,290 --> 00:10:41,580 Becs Gentry: It's fine." This shot was... The screen was so huge 177 00:10:41,580 --> 00:10:44,220 Becs Gentry: where we was, it was a projector screen, and I was almost trying to peer 178 00:10:44,309 --> 00:10:46,920 Becs Gentry: into the screen to see down the hill. I was like, " 179 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:52,290 Becs Gentry: Oh, is that a ski slope? What's going on here? 180 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:56,370 Becs Gentry: Where are we?" But he didn't break pace, or it seemed like 181 00:10:56,370 --> 00:10:58,410 Becs Gentry: he didn't break pace. I'm sure he did slightly, but 182 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:04,260 Becs Gentry: he is a magical hill runner and a magical speed 183 00:11:04,290 --> 00:11:07,590 Becs Gentry: runner. And to put those things together, I'm so excited 184 00:11:07,590 --> 00:11:09,390 Becs Gentry: to see whether he's going to be going after his 185 00:11:09,390 --> 00:11:11,880 Becs Gentry: own record in this race. And the same with Hellen 186 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:17,880 Becs Gentry: Obiri. I mean, she has the most unusual form to 187 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,520 Becs Gentry: me when she's running up hills, but she gets up 188 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,760 Becs Gentry: them as she gets up them fast and well, so who 189 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:23,880 Becs Gentry: cares? 190 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:25,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: It works. It works for her. 191 00:11:25,710 --> 00:11:26,070 Becs Gentry: It works. 192 00:11:26,700 --> 00:11:28,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: The first time I saw her run, I was like, " 193 00:11:28,530 --> 00:11:30,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: That doesn't look right." It's true. The arms are just 194 00:11:30,990 --> 00:11:34,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: flying all over the place. But she just shows that 195 00:11:35,309 --> 00:11:38,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: different kinds of forms can work to be among the 196 00:11:38,429 --> 00:11:40,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: best. And she's among the best. We're so excited to 197 00:11:40,890 --> 00:11:43,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: have both of them. And they will be joined, of course, by 198 00:11:43,500 --> 00:11:46,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marcel Hug, a 6- time Paralympic champion, 12- time world 199 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:48,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: champion. And all of them are going to be joined 200 00:11:48,990 --> 00:11:54,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: by an unbelievable field. So Bashir Abdi, Evans Chebett, Albert 201 00:11:54,090 --> 00:11:56,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: Korir will be here. The two American men who finished 202 00:11:56,940 --> 00:12:00,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the top 10 in Paris, Conner Mantz and Clayton 203 00:12:00,450 --> 00:12:02,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: Young, they've been on the podcast, they'll be here as 204 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:06,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: well. Sharon Lodecky, Lokedi, I'm sorry, will be here. Edna 205 00:12:06,150 --> 00:12:09,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: Kiplagat, Senbere Teferi. It's an incredible field. And then on 206 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: the American women's side, Des Linden's coming back to New 207 00:12:13,350 --> 00:12:17,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: York. Dakotah will be here. She'll be here later on 208 00:12:17,370 --> 00:12:19,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: the show and be back in New York running as 209 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:24,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: well. Jess McClain, an incredible story, who was the alternate 210 00:12:24,750 --> 00:12:27,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: for the Olympic team, someone who really has inspired a 211 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:29,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of people. She'll be toeing the starting line in 212 00:12:29,820 --> 00:12:30,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York as well. 213 00:12:31,530 --> 00:12:34,350 Becs Gentry: She will, and she's just come off the back of an incredible performance 214 00:12:35,309 --> 00:12:40,199 Becs Gentry: at the track of 10, 000 meters. So she's looking incredibly strong, just 215 00:12:40,710 --> 00:12:41,640 Becs Gentry: can't wait to see her. 216 00:12:41,850 --> 00:12:44,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: Some of our other favorites, Jenny Simpson, who continues her 217 00:12:44,940 --> 00:12:48,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: journey as a newly minted marathoner, she'll be here. Daniel 218 00:12:48,929 --> 00:12:53,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: Romanchuk, an incredible wheelchair athlete along with Geert Schipper, Tatyanna 219 00:12:53,850 --> 00:12:58,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: McFadden, and Susannah Scaroni an incredible wheelchair field as well. 220 00:12:58,170 --> 00:13:01,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: So we can't wait to welcome these incredible athletes to 221 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:05,579 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. If 222 00:13:05,580 --> 00:13:09,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: you need any more inspiration for your training this year, 223 00:13:09,540 --> 00:13:11,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: you've got it now because you're going to be running behind 224 00:13:11,850 --> 00:13:16,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: some truly amazing elite athletes. All right, this past week, 225 00:13:16,740 --> 00:13:18,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: we had a great day in the park. As I 226 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:21,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: mentioned, it was Grete's Great Gallop. It was for the 227 00:13:21,900 --> 00:13:25,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: first time a members- only event, kind of like those 228 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:27,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: old jackets we used to wear in the '80s, Becs, members 229 00:13:27,690 --> 00:13:31,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: only, the race was. And it was a great day. Our 230 00:13:31,590 --> 00:13:34,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: members had a terrific day. Over 7, 000 members came out 231 00:13:35,250 --> 00:13:38,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: to run the same course where Grete Waitz won five 232 00:13:38,670 --> 00:13:41,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York mini 10 K titles back in the day. 233 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:44,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: That was the course before it moved outside the park. 234 00:13:44,130 --> 00:13:47,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: And so it was a great day, a celebration of Grete Waitz, 235 00:13:48,450 --> 00:13:51,689 Rob Simmelkjaer: a celebration of our members. We had a great festival 236 00:13:51,690 --> 00:13:55,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: afterward and I just had such a great time interacting 237 00:13:55,590 --> 00:13:57,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: with so many of our members. There were giveaways at 238 00:13:57,990 --> 00:14:01,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: the end, so much festive atmosphere on what turned out 239 00:14:01,980 --> 00:14:04,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: to be a really great day. So thanks to everybody 240 00:14:04,860 --> 00:14:07,395 Rob Simmelkjaer: who ran. Hope you all enjoyed it. I enjoyed it 241 00:14:07,395 --> 00:14:09,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great deal, even though I had to keep running 242 00:14:09,030 --> 00:14:11,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: after the finish, four more miles to get in my 243 00:14:11,460 --> 00:14:11,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: long run. 244 00:14:11,791 --> 00:14:11,792 Becs Gentry: But you did. 245 00:14:11,792 --> 00:14:11,793 Rob Simmelkjaer: But I did it. I did it. 246 00:14:11,793 --> 00:14:17,490 Becs Gentry: You did it. I'm so proud of you. And as you said, when you have a run like that 247 00:14:19,740 --> 00:14:23,070 Becs Gentry: you know in your heart that you're going to get 248 00:14:23,070 --> 00:14:26,609 Becs Gentry: this done. And I'm so happy that that was this weekend 249 00:14:26,730 --> 00:14:30,330 Becs Gentry: after a lot of travel for you, that now you're 250 00:14:30,330 --> 00:14:34,080 Becs Gentry: cemented and even more confident in your training. 251 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:38,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: And I will be there this Saturday with everybody in the training 252 00:14:38,490 --> 00:14:42,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: run that's coming up. We've got the 12- mile training run 253 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:45,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: coming up in Central Park this weekend. I will be 254 00:14:45,300 --> 00:14:48,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: there getting in those miles as I get ready for 255 00:14:48,150 --> 00:14:48,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: Berlin. 256 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:52,470 Becs Gentry: No matter your summer plans, Peloton is your partner in 257 00:14:52,470 --> 00:14:55,590 Becs Gentry: reaching your running goals. With a variety of running and 258 00:14:55,590 --> 00:14:59,100 Becs Gentry: walking content and features you can do everything from tracking 259 00:14:59,100 --> 00:15:02,160 Becs Gentry: your walks outdoors with the Peloton App to hitting your 260 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:05,100 Becs Gentry: pace target during the interval and progression runs on the 261 00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:08,340 Becs Gentry: Peloton Tread. Whether you are running a favorite racecourse from 262 00:15:08,340 --> 00:15:12,690 Becs Gentry: home or exploring new routes outside this summer, Peloton supports 263 00:15:12,690 --> 00:15:16,290 Becs Gentry: your running journey every step of the way. All- access 264 00:15:16,290 --> 00:15:21,630 Becs Gentry: memberships separate. Learn more about Peloton Tread at onepeloton.com/ running. 265 00:15:22,140 --> 00:15:25,110 Becs Gentry: Find the Peloton App in the Apple, Android, and Google 266 00:15:25,110 --> 00:15:29,970 Becs Gentry: app stores today. Well, it has been a week, and 267 00:15:29,970 --> 00:15:33,900 Becs Gentry: I think we are all still on an Olympic high. One 268 00:15:33,900 --> 00:15:37,530 Becs Gentry: of the things that was especially thrilling to see was 269 00:15:37,530 --> 00:15:40,410 Becs Gentry: so many Set the Pace guests compete against the best 270 00:15:40,410 --> 00:15:43,560 Becs Gentry: in the world as official Olympians. One of those former 271 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:47,460 Becs Gentry: Set the Pace guests was US Olympic marathoner, Dakotah Lindwurm, who 272 00:15:47,460 --> 00:15:51,660 Becs Gentry: placed 12th in the Women's Olympic Marathon. Dakotah will be 273 00:15:51,660 --> 00:15:55,140 Becs Gentry: joining us on the show today and will be with 274 00:15:55,170 --> 00:16:00,150 Becs Gentry: her brand- new fiancé, Montana Popehn. After Dakotah ran an 275 00:16:00,150 --> 00:16:04,050 Becs Gentry: amazing 26.2 miles on the hardest marathon course in Olympic 276 00:16:04,050 --> 00:16:07,470 Becs Gentry: history, Montana surprised her by turning the finish line into 277 00:16:07,470 --> 00:16:10,350 Becs Gentry: the starting point of the rest of their lives together, 278 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:15,270 Becs Gentry: so romantic. We'll dive into how they balance love, life, 279 00:16:15,300 --> 00:16:18,180 Becs Gentry: and elite- level racing. So make sure you stay tuned 280 00:16:18,180 --> 00:16:21,450 Becs Gentry: for that. And this week for our Member Moment, we 281 00:16:21,450 --> 00:16:25,920 Becs Gentry: are so happy to have Dana Coleman with us. Dana 282 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:30,660 Becs Gentry: has run 173 races with New York Road Runners, including 283 00:16:30,900 --> 00:16:35,340 Becs Gentry: 11 marathons, and has found her love of running that 284 00:16:35,340 --> 00:16:38,070 Becs Gentry: has given her a very unique way to bond with 285 00:16:38,070 --> 00:16:44,640 Becs Gentry: her teenagers. And we are now 11 weeks away from the 2024 TCS New 286 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:48,270 Becs Gentry: York City Marathon. So of course, Meb will be here 287 00:16:48,300 --> 00:16:50,820 Becs Gentry: later in the show with training tips for your sixth 288 00:16:50,850 --> 00:16:54,540 Becs Gentry: week of training on today's Meb Minute. All right, team. 289 00:16:54,630 --> 00:17:00,030 Becs Gentry: Well, it has been an absolute week. We are so, 290 00:17:00,030 --> 00:17:04,800 Becs Gentry: so excited for today's guests. Now, I'm sure you watched 291 00:17:04,830 --> 00:17:09,270 Becs Gentry: the Women's Olympic Marathon, and you would've seen today's guest 292 00:17:09,390 --> 00:17:12,150 Becs Gentry: leading the pack as she turned the corner in front 293 00:17:12,150 --> 00:17:14,670 Becs Gentry: of Versailles to head back to Paris. And there she 294 00:17:14,670 --> 00:17:19,050 Becs Gentry: was, Dakotah Lindwurm, her trademark shades and her huge smile with 295 00:17:19,050 --> 00:17:21,960 Becs Gentry: Versailles rising up behind her as she led the best 296 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:26,250 Becs Gentry: marathoners in the world in the hardest marathon in Olympic 297 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:31,320 Becs Gentry: history. Now Dakotah has her sights set on the 2024 TCS 298 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:35,550 Becs Gentry: New York City Marathon, and by her side as always 299 00:17:35,580 --> 00:17:42,359 Becs Gentry: will be her brand- new fiancé, Montana Popehn. Both Dakotah and 300 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:44,730 Becs Gentry: Montana are here with us today to talk about how 301 00:17:44,730 --> 00:17:48,690 Becs Gentry: they manage the demands of professional sports, their relationship, and 302 00:17:48,900 --> 00:17:53,700 Becs Gentry: all their incredible plans for a huge future ahead. Welcome 303 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:55,260 Becs Gentry: Dakotah and Montana. 304 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:58,200 Dakotah Lindwurm: Thanks for having us. We're excited to be here. 305 00:17:58,380 --> 00:18:01,260 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh, I am so grateful that you put 306 00:18:01,260 --> 00:18:04,410 Becs Gentry: time in for us here at Set the Pace today 307 00:18:04,410 --> 00:18:08,159 Becs Gentry: so we can catch up with you on what has 308 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:14,369 Becs Gentry: been, I would think, a whirlwind of a summer and 309 00:18:14,790 --> 00:18:19,919 Becs Gentry: an incredible trip to Paris. I mean, you have a 310 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:21,119 Becs Gentry: new rock on your finger, my girl. 311 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:26,220 Dakotah Lindwurm: I do, I do. Yeah. I mean, talk about a 312 00:18:26,220 --> 00:18:29,399 Dakotah Lindwurm: day that will never be replicated as far as how 313 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:32,010 Dakotah Lindwurm: magical it was. I got to become an Olympian, and I 314 00:18:32,100 --> 00:18:34,408 Dakotah Lindwurm: got to become a fiancé all in one. I mean, 315 00:18:36,180 --> 00:18:38,040 Dakotah Lindwurm: I don't know if it gets any better than that. 316 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:42,780 Becs Gentry: Right? Montana, I think you picked it right, for sure. 317 00:18:43,530 --> 00:18:47,040 Becs Gentry: Obviously you know Dakotah very, very well. And as you 318 00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:50,820 Becs Gentry: say, becoming an Olympian and a fiancé on the same day and 319 00:18:50,820 --> 00:18:54,629 Becs Gentry: just enjoying all of the joy that comes with that 320 00:18:54,630 --> 00:19:00,570 Becs Gentry: is magnificent. So let's talk about Olympics. Let's get that 321 00:19:01,109 --> 00:19:04,410 Becs Gentry: one done and dusted. What was it like for you 322 00:19:04,410 --> 00:19:07,350 Becs Gentry: to be there at the opening ceremony in Paris? 323 00:19:07,830 --> 00:19:12,090 Dakotah Lindwurm: It was so, so magical. It was everything I wanted 324 00:19:12,090 --> 00:19:15,780 Dakotah Lindwurm: it to be and more. It was so amazing to 325 00:19:15,780 --> 00:19:19,170 Dakotah Lindwurm: be on the boat with all of my teammates and 326 00:19:19,410 --> 00:19:23,250 Dakotah Lindwurm: chanting USA all together. It just gives me chills to 327 00:19:23,250 --> 00:19:27,840 Dakotah Lindwurm: even think about. Just made me so proud to represent 328 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:31,980 Dakotah Lindwurm: the United States, the hardest team to make. And I 329 00:19:31,980 --> 00:19:33,899 Dakotah Lindwurm: mean, I've been dreaming of this since I was in 330 00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:39,060 Dakotah Lindwurm: middle school. And so for it to really become a 331 00:19:39,060 --> 00:19:40,980 Dakotah Lindwurm: reality just felt so amazing. 332 00:19:41,310 --> 00:19:45,629 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh. Well, it looked, albeit wet, very, very 333 00:19:45,630 --> 00:19:48,720 Becs Gentry: fun. I mean, I didn't see one frown. 334 00:19:49,230 --> 00:19:52,380 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yeah, we were all soaked, but everybody's spirits were so 335 00:19:52,380 --> 00:19:55,170 Dakotah Lindwurm: high that it was like you couldn't rain on our 336 00:19:55,170 --> 00:19:56,129 Dakotah Lindwurm: parade, for sure. 337 00:19:56,820 --> 00:19:59,609 Becs Gentry: Oh, my goodness. And rightly so. So proud to be 338 00:19:59,609 --> 00:20:04,890 Becs Gentry: there. Okay, so let's talk racing because everybody, I'm sure, 339 00:20:04,890 --> 00:20:08,100 Becs Gentry: wants to hear your opinion of the race. So you got 340 00:20:08,100 --> 00:20:11,190 Becs Gentry: to see the men's race, for everyone who doesn't know, 341 00:20:11,190 --> 00:20:15,270 Becs Gentry: the men raced the morning before the women's race, and 342 00:20:15,270 --> 00:20:18,810 Becs Gentry: so you've got to see them out there doing their 343 00:20:18,810 --> 00:20:23,670 Becs Gentry: stuff and you got some sneak peeks of the course. 344 00:20:23,670 --> 00:20:25,109 Becs Gentry: I don't know if you went out and saw some 345 00:20:25,109 --> 00:20:27,510 Becs Gentry: of the course by yourself in your own time. But 346 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:31,980 Becs Gentry: having seen the men execute their race, did it change 347 00:20:31,980 --> 00:20:34,350 Becs Gentry: anything about your planned race strategy? 348 00:20:35,550 --> 00:20:39,720 Dakotah Lindwurm: Slightly, yeah. I mean as soon as they finished, I 349 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:42,359 Dakotah Lindwurm: texted my coach and I was like, " We've got to connect because 350 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:45,990 Dakotah Lindwurm: I don't think it played out the way that I 351 00:20:45,990 --> 00:20:49,830 Dakotah Lindwurm: expected it to." I think we all expected it to be a very 352 00:20:49,950 --> 00:20:56,250 Dakotah Lindwurm: slow race that held together from, who knows, 22, 24 miles 353 00:20:56,790 --> 00:21:00,150 Dakotah Lindwurm: and then instead we saw an Olympic record fall and 354 00:21:00,660 --> 00:21:03,720 Dakotah Lindwurm: on one of the hardest courses, probably the hardest Olympic 355 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:09,390 Dakotah Lindwurm: course ever. So we definitely reconnected and decided that we 356 00:21:09,390 --> 00:21:12,000 Dakotah Lindwurm: can't let it go out slow to start because I 357 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,460 Dakotah Lindwurm: don't have the leg speed that a lot of those 358 00:21:14,460 --> 00:21:16,950 Dakotah Lindwurm: women have. So when they started to do far legs, 359 00:21:16,950 --> 00:21:20,580 Dakotah Lindwurm: I knew that I needed to just kind of maintain, 360 00:21:20,580 --> 00:21:22,080 Dakotah Lindwurm: and that's why you saw me lead. I was just 361 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:24,510 Dakotah Lindwurm: maintaining pace and they were doing kind of a yo- 362 00:21:24,510 --> 00:21:28,500 Dakotah Lindwurm: yo back- and- forth type of race. And we also 363 00:21:28,500 --> 00:21:31,320 Dakotah Lindwurm: noticed from the men that once they got to about 364 00:21:31,350 --> 00:21:35,669 Dakotah Lindwurm: 30 K, wherever they were at about 30 K seemed 365 00:21:35,670 --> 00:21:38,220 Dakotah Lindwurm: to be where they finished. So there was not nearly 366 00:21:38,220 --> 00:21:40,470 Dakotah Lindwurm: as much carnage as we thought there would be on 367 00:21:40,470 --> 00:21:45,480 Dakotah Lindwurm: the back half. So just trying to get to 20, 25 368 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:48,450 Dakotah Lindwurm: K, being in a position where I wanted to be, 369 00:21:48,450 --> 00:21:51,000 Dakotah Lindwurm: knowing that it probably wasn't going to mix up nearly 370 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:52,320 Dakotah Lindwurm: as much as we thought it would. 371 00:21:52,859 --> 00:21:55,919 Becs Gentry: Wow, that is... So as a marathoner, I find it 372 00:21:56,400 --> 00:22:01,020 Becs Gentry: so interesting to hear everyone's takes on strategy playouts. And 373 00:22:01,619 --> 00:22:06,359 Becs Gentry: for me personally, I'm a huge Dakotah fan. Definitely bought 374 00:22:06,390 --> 00:22:08,550 Becs Gentry: your sunglasses as soon as you had them at the 375 00:22:08,550 --> 00:22:09,570 Becs Gentry: trials and still love them. 376 00:22:09,570 --> 00:22:09,721 Dakotah Lindwurm: Thank you. 377 00:22:09,721 --> 00:22:16,650 Becs Gentry: But just seeing you lead the pack brought... I was 378 00:22:16,650 --> 00:22:19,649 Becs Gentry: in tears. I was just screaming for you so loudly. 379 00:22:20,220 --> 00:22:23,580 Becs Gentry: And can you just tell us what was going through 380 00:22:23,580 --> 00:22:25,170 Becs Gentry: your mind at that point? 381 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:29,399 Dakotah Lindwurm: I literally laughed and looked at God and thought, " This is 382 00:22:30,180 --> 00:22:33,119 Dakotah Lindwurm: crazy. This is happening right now that I'm leading the 383 00:22:33,119 --> 00:22:38,010 Dakotah Lindwurm: Olympic marathon." And I could swear I heard the entire 384 00:22:38,010 --> 00:22:40,530 Dakotah Lindwurm: State of Minnesota cheer. I had a couple of watch 385 00:22:40,530 --> 00:22:43,320 Dakotah Lindwurm: parties back here, and I thought to myself, it's so 386 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,320 Dakotah Lindwurm: special that they get to see me at this moment. 387 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:50,639 Dakotah Lindwurm: I'm sure it's getting everybody so excited. And I truly 388 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:53,219 Dakotah Lindwurm: didn't do it for that reason. It's just how the 389 00:22:53,220 --> 00:22:57,600 Dakotah Lindwurm: race played out. But it felt good to have my 390 00:22:58,020 --> 00:22:59,940 Dakotah Lindwurm: little moment to shine there, I guess. 391 00:23:00,180 --> 00:23:04,710 Becs Gentry: Absolutely. And you shone. You absolutely shone, it was beautiful 392 00:23:04,710 --> 00:23:09,600 Becs Gentry: to see. And then so once you'd had the lead, I mean, 393 00:23:11,130 --> 00:23:14,190 Becs Gentry: I saw you, it seemed like you were having fun 394 00:23:14,220 --> 00:23:16,500 Becs Gentry: when threw your hat off to the crowd, was that the 395 00:23:16,500 --> 00:23:19,440 Becs Gentry: one that that little boy caught, your hat, or somebody 396 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:20,699 Becs Gentry: caught your hat and just like - 397 00:23:20,700 --> 00:23:23,670 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yes. Actually, I can't remember where they're from. It was 398 00:23:23,670 --> 00:23:26,820 Dakotah Lindwurm: an American. I purposely threw my hat at somebody who 399 00:23:26,820 --> 00:23:27,930 Dakotah Lindwurm: had an American flag. 400 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:28,441 Becs Gentry: Great. 401 00:23:28,441 --> 00:23:29,161 Dakotah Lindwurm: So they're going to enjoy that more. 402 00:23:29,161 --> 00:23:29,162 Becs Gentry: Yes. 403 00:23:29,162 --> 00:23:34,320 Dakotah Lindwurm: And it was a funny coincidence. They've run the Grandma's 404 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:37,020 Dakotah Lindwurm: Marathon that I've won a couple of times. They ran 405 00:23:37,020 --> 00:23:39,060 Dakotah Lindwurm: it one of the years I won it. So it was a 406 00:23:39,060 --> 00:23:40,470 Dakotah Lindwurm: little cool connection there. 407 00:23:40,950 --> 00:23:44,790 Becs Gentry: Meant to be. That's amazing. Okay, so you ran, you 408 00:23:44,790 --> 00:23:48,480 Becs Gentry: were having fun. You were hearing your Minnesotan family cheering 409 00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:53,010 Becs Gentry: you from afar, and then as the distance between you 410 00:23:53,010 --> 00:23:58,260 Becs Gentry: and the pack became smaller, the hill, the hill. And I 411 00:23:58,260 --> 00:24:00,359 Becs Gentry: will caveat this with saying I ran the Marathon part 412 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:04,800 Becs Gentry: too, so I experienced the hill not at your pace, 413 00:24:05,190 --> 00:24:07,830 Becs Gentry: but I ran all the way. I didn't stop once 414 00:24:07,950 --> 00:24:12,119 Becs Gentry: in the marathon, the Olympic Trials UK team, so I'm okay at 415 00:24:12,119 --> 00:24:17,550 Becs Gentry: running, but it was tough. So with that ahead of 416 00:24:17,550 --> 00:24:21,869 Becs Gentry: you, did the hill, once you got into the pack, 417 00:24:21,869 --> 00:24:24,540 Becs Gentry: was it a real push moment for you mentally or 418 00:24:24,540 --> 00:24:25,889 Becs Gentry: did you feel kind of cruisy? 419 00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:30,180 Dakotah Lindwurm: I felt like I was cruising, and I don't think 420 00:24:30,330 --> 00:24:33,090 Dakotah Lindwurm: you can really, I am so appreciative that you've run 421 00:24:33,090 --> 00:24:35,879 Dakotah Lindwurm: it because there's no way to describe those hills. The 422 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:38,850 Dakotah Lindwurm: first one is so long and grindy and then the second one 423 00:24:38,850 --> 00:24:41,369 Dakotah Lindwurm: is so steep and scary. 424 00:24:43,590 --> 00:24:44,490 Becs Gentry: It was scary. 425 00:24:44,490 --> 00:24:47,280 Dakotah Lindwurm: It was, yeah. So that first hill, I was just 426 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:51,960 Dakotah Lindwurm: feeling really strong. Up at the second hill, you can 427 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:54,419 Dakotah Lindwurm: only feel as strong as you can going up a 428 00:24:54,420 --> 00:24:55,650 Dakotah Lindwurm: 14% grade hill. 429 00:24:56,220 --> 00:25:02,429 Becs Gentry: Yeah, absolutely. And you've said you've done a lot of 430 00:25:02,430 --> 00:25:05,820 Becs Gentry: hill training work, and you feel good, you're very strong. 431 00:25:05,820 --> 00:25:08,910 Becs Gentry: You've shown that before in hills and heat. So did 432 00:25:08,910 --> 00:25:12,300 Becs Gentry: you think to yourself in the moment, " Okay, my training 433 00:25:12,300 --> 00:25:14,910 Becs Gentry: is paying off." As you looked around and saw other 434 00:25:14,910 --> 00:25:18,149 Becs Gentry: athletes dropping back or their form going or whatever it 435 00:25:18,150 --> 00:25:19,200 Becs Gentry: was that you noticed? 436 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:22,919 Dakotah Lindwurm: Totally. We added a ton of strength work in going 437 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:28,889 Dakotah Lindwurm: into Paris specifically sled pushes and pulls. And when I 438 00:25:28,890 --> 00:25:31,800 Dakotah Lindwurm: was doing them, especially early, I was like, " I don't know 439 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:34,170 Dakotah Lindwurm: about this. I don't think this is for me, this 440 00:25:34,170 --> 00:25:37,140 Dakotah Lindwurm: feels like a football player type of thing." But I 441 00:25:37,140 --> 00:25:40,530 Dakotah Lindwurm: got to enjoy them more and more as I went. 442 00:25:40,530 --> 00:25:42,660 Dakotah Lindwurm: And then when I was running, I was like, " This 443 00:25:42,660 --> 00:25:45,540 Dakotah Lindwurm: is clicking for me." I can feel the muscles that 444 00:25:45,540 --> 00:25:48,390 Dakotah Lindwurm: I was using then firing now and they're not getting 445 00:25:48,390 --> 00:25:53,100 Dakotah Lindwurm: exhausted. So I felt like adding the strength work was 446 00:25:53,100 --> 00:25:55,350 Dakotah Lindwurm: huge on that course. 447 00:25:55,619 --> 00:25:58,170 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh, there you go everyone. There is a 448 00:25:58,170 --> 00:26:01,770 Becs Gentry: Olympian telling us, reminding us to get in the gym 449 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:04,830 Becs Gentry: and not be afraid of doing those sled pushes and 450 00:26:04,830 --> 00:26:08,520 Becs Gentry: lower body work because they pay off dividends for sure. 451 00:26:09,660 --> 00:26:14,640 Becs Gentry: Well, I can attest that going up that hill, to 452 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,900 Becs Gentry: me, it felt like a full stop in many ways. 453 00:26:18,900 --> 00:26:20,669 Becs Gentry: And I'm with you, I do a lot of strength 454 00:26:20,670 --> 00:26:24,629 Becs Gentry: training, and I have an almost two- year- old daughter 455 00:26:24,660 --> 00:26:27,240 Becs Gentry: who I carry up and down stairs a lot. So 456 00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:30,540 Becs Gentry: I feel like that really does help my strength training. 457 00:26:31,050 --> 00:26:34,889 Becs Gentry: But really the gradient of that hill was just if 458 00:26:34,890 --> 00:26:39,990 Becs Gentry: you let it, could be like, Oh, my gosh, everything 459 00:26:39,990 --> 00:26:40,350 Becs Gentry: just went... 460 00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:41,521 Dakotah Lindwurm: Right. 461 00:26:41,521 --> 00:26:47,100 Becs Gentry: And I think it was Connor Mantz or Clayton Young who had said that he 462 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:51,119 Becs Gentry: ran it a week or so before and his pace 463 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:54,419 Becs Gentry: dropped about 90 seconds per minute the first time he 464 00:26:54,420 --> 00:26:57,210 Becs Gentry: ran up that hill. And I wasn't even racing it. 465 00:26:57,210 --> 00:26:57,330 Becs Gentry: That was like... 466 00:26:57,331 --> 00:27:03,060 Dakotah Lindwurm: Right. I've not looked back yet to see how slow I 467 00:27:03,060 --> 00:27:05,580 Dakotah Lindwurm: was going at my slowest moment, but I'm sure it's 468 00:27:05,580 --> 00:27:06,210 Dakotah Lindwurm: comical. 469 00:27:07,530 --> 00:27:10,890 Becs Gentry: Well, you still absolutely crushed it. And then that leads 470 00:27:10,890 --> 00:27:14,430 Becs Gentry: me to combine the two things that I think are 471 00:27:14,430 --> 00:27:19,170 Becs Gentry: becoming something people relate to you and that is your 472 00:27:19,170 --> 00:27:23,490 Becs Gentry: smile when you run, you always look like you are having 473 00:27:23,670 --> 00:27:27,359 Becs Gentry: a really good time. Whether it's a face that you 474 00:27:27,359 --> 00:27:30,420 Becs Gentry: can put on or whether you genuinely are. And your 475 00:27:30,420 --> 00:27:32,520 Becs Gentry: interaction with the crowd, I know it's sort of become 476 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:36,689 Becs Gentry: a viral thing, that little boy who kind of spurred 477 00:27:36,690 --> 00:27:41,430 Becs Gentry: you on in the moment. Combining that though with your 478 00:27:41,430 --> 00:27:44,640 Becs Gentry: finishing position when you came over the line, it was 479 00:27:44,640 --> 00:27:47,520 Becs Gentry: just like, " Oh, my God, look at her. She's beaming." 480 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:49,440 Becs Gentry: And this is fantastic. How do you deal with that 481 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:51,389 Becs Gentry: mentally as you're going through the race? 482 00:27:51,930 --> 00:27:57,150 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yeah, I mean I genuinely love what I do. The worst day 483 00:27:57,150 --> 00:27:59,910 Dakotah Lindwurm: of running is better than the best day of any 484 00:27:59,910 --> 00:28:03,750 Dakotah Lindwurm: other type of work, and I feel so lucky that 485 00:28:03,780 --> 00:28:07,260 Dakotah Lindwurm: people want to stand out for two, three hours and 486 00:28:07,260 --> 00:28:09,690 Dakotah Lindwurm: cheer us on as runners. And I just want to 487 00:28:09,780 --> 00:28:12,810 Dakotah Lindwurm: show them that I appreciate that so much and their 488 00:28:12,810 --> 00:28:16,680 Dakotah Lindwurm: cheers matter. And if we had to run 26.2 miles 489 00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:20,100 Dakotah Lindwurm: through Paris without a single person cheering for us, it 490 00:28:20,100 --> 00:28:22,619 Dakotah Lindwurm: would be pretty horrible. But they made it tolerable, and 491 00:28:22,619 --> 00:28:25,740 Dakotah Lindwurm: they made it fun. And I also like to think 492 00:28:25,740 --> 00:28:28,710 Dakotah Lindwurm: that maybe one person, in every race will look at 493 00:28:28,710 --> 00:28:31,619 Dakotah Lindwurm: me when I'm smiling and think, " If she can have 494 00:28:31,619 --> 00:28:34,619 Dakotah Lindwurm: fun doing it, maybe I can have fun and run 495 00:28:34,619 --> 00:28:37,859 Dakotah Lindwurm: a marathon too." And hopefully, it gets somebody to sign 496 00:28:37,859 --> 00:28:41,370 Dakotah Lindwurm: up for a marathon who otherwise wouldn't have. So I guess 497 00:28:41,370 --> 00:28:44,190 Dakotah Lindwurm: that's my mindset going into it. And then there are 498 00:28:44,190 --> 00:28:48,900 Dakotah Lindwurm: moments when I am not feeling like smiling, just to 499 00:28:48,900 --> 00:28:52,290 Dakotah Lindwurm: be completely honest. Sometimes it's hard. You get into a 500 00:28:52,290 --> 00:28:55,050 Dakotah Lindwurm: pain cave for sure. And that's when I try to 501 00:28:55,050 --> 00:28:57,990 Dakotah Lindwurm: put on my biggest smile so that it's tricking my 502 00:28:57,990 --> 00:29:01,410 Dakotah Lindwurm: brain into thinking, " We enjoy this pain, we love it 503 00:29:01,410 --> 00:29:04,350 Dakotah Lindwurm: because it hurts." So it's also just kind of a 504 00:29:04,350 --> 00:29:05,460 Dakotah Lindwurm: mind game I use. 505 00:29:06,300 --> 00:29:08,670 Becs Gentry: That makes sense. And I know a lot of people 506 00:29:08,670 --> 00:29:11,790 Becs Gentry: may not, but I definitely agree with you and can 507 00:29:12,300 --> 00:29:16,740 Becs Gentry: very much familiarize my brain with that from my training 508 00:29:16,740 --> 00:29:21,660 Becs Gentry: as well. So coming out of the Olympics, and you've 509 00:29:21,660 --> 00:29:24,180 Becs Gentry: announced that you're going to be running the 2024 TCS New York 510 00:29:24,180 --> 00:29:26,400 Becs Gentry: City Marathon, which is phenomenal. I can't wait to cheer 511 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:30,030 Becs Gentry: you on there. Is there anything that you are specifically 512 00:29:30,030 --> 00:29:34,350 Becs Gentry: going to be taking from Paris into your next training 513 00:29:34,350 --> 00:29:35,340 Becs Gentry: and your next race? 514 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:40,110 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yeah, I kind of think in two- year cycles for 515 00:29:40,110 --> 00:29:44,880 Dakotah Lindwurm: myself Marathon- wise. I've really got my next season, 2025 516 00:29:44,880 --> 00:29:47,430 Dakotah Lindwurm: planned out. So as soon as I made the team, 517 00:29:47,910 --> 00:29:50,550 Dakotah Lindwurm: I was like, " Paris is hilly. It'll be a great 518 00:29:50,610 --> 00:29:54,030 Dakotah Lindwurm: precursor for New York." All the hill training that I've 519 00:29:54,030 --> 00:29:56,850 Dakotah Lindwurm: been doing is going to make New York seem like 520 00:29:56,850 --> 00:29:59,790 Dakotah Lindwurm: Chicago, it's going to be flat. I'm going to have 521 00:29:59,790 --> 00:30:03,690 Dakotah Lindwurm: an easy time running New York. And I really think 522 00:30:03,690 --> 00:30:07,380 Dakotah Lindwurm: that all that strength work I have done, I'll continue 523 00:30:07,380 --> 00:30:10,380 Dakotah Lindwurm: to do so that I can feel just as strong 524 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:16,470 Dakotah Lindwurm: going up the bridges and over the hills. Yeah. So 525 00:30:16,470 --> 00:30:18,720 Dakotah Lindwurm: I am really excited to come back to New York, 526 00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:21,959 Dakotah Lindwurm: and it just seems like there was no downside to 527 00:30:21,990 --> 00:30:26,610 Dakotah Lindwurm: coming back because I've had a great year already. Hopefully, 528 00:30:26,670 --> 00:30:29,610 Dakotah Lindwurm: New York is a cherry on top or maybe I'm 529 00:30:29,610 --> 00:30:32,340 Dakotah Lindwurm: there and just trying to have the best day possible. 530 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:35,220 Dakotah Lindwurm: There's no way to know. You can't ask your body 531 00:30:35,220 --> 00:30:38,010 Dakotah Lindwurm: to do too much in a year, but New York 532 00:30:38,010 --> 00:30:40,080 Dakotah Lindwurm: is amazing and I'm excited to come back. 533 00:30:40,410 --> 00:30:44,400 Becs Gentry: That's wonderful. That's great learning as well of just taking 534 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:48,150 Becs Gentry: advantage of the training that you've done and putting it 535 00:30:48,150 --> 00:30:51,300 Becs Gentry: to good use. And obviously, you go into it with 536 00:30:51,750 --> 00:30:56,070 Becs Gentry: a certain pressure on your shoulders, however heavy you make 537 00:30:56,070 --> 00:30:59,400 Becs Gentry: that feel is down to you, but your positive mental 538 00:30:59,400 --> 00:31:03,450 Becs Gentry: outlook on things is really admirable. So thank you for 539 00:31:03,450 --> 00:31:06,000 Becs Gentry: sharing that with all the other runners who aspire to 540 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:09,390 Becs Gentry: be like you. It's really something very precious, so don't 541 00:31:09,390 --> 00:31:09,990 Becs Gentry: lose it, please. 542 00:31:09,990 --> 00:31:14,970 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yeah, I feel like that's one of my superpowers is I don't let a lot of 543 00:31:14,970 --> 00:31:18,720 Dakotah Lindwurm: pressure get to me. And, yeah, I am really grateful I 544 00:31:18,720 --> 00:31:19,620 Dakotah Lindwurm: have that superpower. 545 00:31:20,460 --> 00:31:23,490 Becs Gentry: Yes. And as a mom, I love seeing that in 546 00:31:23,490 --> 00:31:25,410 Becs Gentry: female athletes and I love being able to show my 547 00:31:25,410 --> 00:31:29,640 Becs Gentry: daughter that as well. But I'm sure all of that 548 00:31:30,210 --> 00:31:33,300 Becs Gentry: comes from the fact that you have what appears to 549 00:31:33,300 --> 00:31:40,110 Becs Gentry: be a very, very strong and solid support team behind 550 00:31:40,110 --> 00:31:44,430 Becs Gentry: you and literally by your side right now in your brand- 551 00:31:44,430 --> 00:31:51,480 Becs Gentry: new fiancé, Montana. So, Montana, I am always so interested 552 00:31:51,510 --> 00:31:57,930 Becs Gentry: to talk to partners of fierce females, that's for sure. 553 00:31:58,410 --> 00:32:03,840 Becs Gentry: And you have described yourself as Dakotah's emotional support in 554 00:32:03,840 --> 00:32:12,210 Becs Gentry: the past, and how do you find the balance of 555 00:32:12,210 --> 00:32:17,790 Becs Gentry: giving her that emotional support but also giving her space? 556 00:32:20,040 --> 00:32:23,520 Montana Popehn: I think the biggest thing that I can do for her, 557 00:32:24,150 --> 00:32:27,390 Montana Popehn: especially on nights before big races and whatnot, is being 558 00:32:27,390 --> 00:32:31,739 Montana Popehn: that calming presence. When she's in her training blocks, we 559 00:32:31,740 --> 00:32:34,950 Montana Popehn: like to be extremely competitive, whether it's us getting on 560 00:32:34,950 --> 00:32:39,810 Montana Popehn: the track and running a 400 or even playing pickle ball 561 00:32:39,810 --> 00:32:45,270 Montana Popehn: or golf. So being that presence for her before races, 562 00:32:45,270 --> 00:32:48,900 Montana Popehn: calming her down, letting her get off her feet, and 563 00:32:48,900 --> 00:32:50,880 Montana Popehn: do whatever I can to make sure that she's well 564 00:32:50,880 --> 00:32:56,340 Montana Popehn: rested. But really just knowing her more and more because 565 00:32:56,820 --> 00:32:59,790 Montana Popehn: I've been to probably six or seven marathons now and 566 00:33:00,270 --> 00:33:03,330 Montana Popehn: coming back to New York. The first marathon I saw 567 00:33:03,330 --> 00:33:06,060 Montana Popehn: her run was in New York, so it'll be fun 568 00:33:06,060 --> 00:33:10,260 Montana Popehn: to have a full circle moment, and go back out 569 00:33:10,260 --> 00:33:13,020 Montana Popehn: to New York with her and have a different outcome 570 00:33:13,020 --> 00:33:15,450 Montana Popehn: hopefully this time because. That first time out in New 571 00:33:15,450 --> 00:33:17,160 Montana Popehn: York, I had no idea what was going on. I 572 00:33:17,160 --> 00:33:21,240 Montana Popehn: don't have any running background, so I was just happy to be in New York, not really... 573 00:33:22,050 --> 00:33:23,700 Montana Popehn: Be in that calming presence. So it'll be fun. 574 00:33:23,700 --> 00:33:23,761 Becs Gentry: You were the tourist. 575 00:33:23,761 --> 00:33:23,762 Montana Popehn: Yeah, exactly. 576 00:33:23,762 --> 00:33:31,830 Becs Gentry: So you've learned over those six or seven marathons now 577 00:33:31,830 --> 00:33:35,580 Becs Gentry: that you've been by her side, including the Olympics and 578 00:33:35,580 --> 00:33:39,420 Becs Gentry: the trials, I'm sure were a tough day. I mean, 579 00:33:39,420 --> 00:33:47,160 Becs Gentry: it was so hot in Orlando, and you can censor 580 00:33:47,160 --> 00:33:52,170 Becs Gentry: it, but is there anything that you can hold your 581 00:33:52,170 --> 00:33:55,230 Becs Gentry: hands up and be like, " This is one of my 582 00:33:55,260 --> 00:33:59,010 Becs Gentry: secret weapons to help Dakotah chill." Whether it's cooking a 583 00:33:59,010 --> 00:34:01,920 Becs Gentry: meal or booking her for a massage or whatever it 584 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:01,980 Becs Gentry: is. 585 00:34:02,910 --> 00:34:07,410 Montana Popehn: Yeah, I mean it's as little as a morning of 586 00:34:08,310 --> 00:34:11,040 Montana Popehn: making the coffee for her, making her bread for her, running 587 00:34:11,040 --> 00:34:15,600 Montana Popehn: down to this suite to get a snack for her, 588 00:34:17,070 --> 00:34:20,400 Montana Popehn: but really more of a reassurance thing. We know what 589 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:26,430 Montana Popehn: we've done for the past three months. Everything that needs 590 00:34:26,430 --> 00:34:28,140 Montana Popehn: to be done has been done. So just kind of 591 00:34:28,140 --> 00:34:31,290 Montana Popehn: reassuring her that, " Tomorrow just go out there, have fun, 592 00:34:32,550 --> 00:34:36,060 Montana Popehn: enjoy yourself. You've already put in the hard work. Don't 593 00:34:36,060 --> 00:34:38,160 Montana Popehn: take it too seriously. We know you like to smile 594 00:34:38,160 --> 00:34:38,730 Montana Popehn: and have fun. Just continue to do that." 595 00:34:40,560 --> 00:34:44,640 Becs Gentry: That's amazing. That's wonderful. And I think really admirable that 596 00:34:44,640 --> 00:34:48,719 Becs Gentry: you have a really clear balance between the two of you of 597 00:34:48,780 --> 00:34:52,230 Becs Gentry: how to serve each other in that way. So Dakotah, 598 00:34:52,230 --> 00:34:57,210 Becs Gentry: for you, obviously it's hugely important to have your fiancé, 599 00:34:57,210 --> 00:35:01,500 Becs Gentry: your life partner, by your side. But when it comes 600 00:35:01,560 --> 00:35:06,120 Becs Gentry: to a specific race, is there any specific time that 601 00:35:06,510 --> 00:35:09,779 Becs Gentry: stands out to you where you really leaned on Montana? 602 00:35:11,160 --> 00:35:14,670 Dakotah Lindwurm: Oh, I mean every marathon I've done, I've leaned on him in 603 00:35:14,670 --> 00:35:18,839 Dakotah Lindwurm: some way. The thing that definitely stands out to me 604 00:35:18,840 --> 00:35:21,600 Dakotah Lindwurm: is before the trials because it was a slightly later 605 00:35:21,600 --> 00:35:24,450 Dakotah Lindwurm: start, I had so much time in the morning, and 606 00:35:25,200 --> 00:35:27,570 Dakotah Lindwurm: we were leaving the next day for the Dominican for 607 00:35:27,570 --> 00:35:30,540 Dakotah Lindwurm: a vacation. So I was up, and I had all that 608 00:35:30,540 --> 00:35:34,500 Dakotah Lindwurm: nervous energy, so I was packing and just doing super 609 00:35:34,500 --> 00:35:37,860 Dakotah Lindwurm: unnecessary things, and he grabbed me, and he was like, 610 00:35:38,010 --> 00:35:40,560 Dakotah Lindwurm: put me in a chair. He's like, " I'm going to get 611 00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:43,080 Dakotah Lindwurm: you your bagel. I'm going to get you coffee. You don't leave this chair unless you go to 612 00:35:43,080 --> 00:35:48,690 Dakotah Lindwurm: the bathroom." And that's that calming presence that he talks 613 00:35:48,690 --> 00:35:52,110 Dakotah Lindwurm: about is I think when I get nervous, I get 614 00:35:52,170 --> 00:35:54,989 Dakotah Lindwurm: antsy, and I want to do all these things and 615 00:35:54,989 --> 00:35:59,880 Dakotah Lindwurm: just put those nerves out into the world. And I 616 00:35:59,880 --> 00:36:01,500 Dakotah Lindwurm: feel like he does a good job of being like, " 617 00:36:01,500 --> 00:36:04,050 Dakotah Lindwurm: No, I can sense that and I'm going to make 618 00:36:04,050 --> 00:36:04,381 Dakotah Lindwurm: you sit down." 619 00:36:04,381 --> 00:36:04,770 Becs Gentry: Sorry. 620 00:36:06,300 --> 00:36:07,890 Dakotah Lindwurm: Sorry, we've got a dog barking. 621 00:36:07,890 --> 00:36:09,689 Becs Gentry: Is it your dog? I was like, " Is it my 622 00:36:09,690 --> 00:36:13,230 Becs Gentry: dog?" I think my dog is also barking as well. 623 00:36:13,230 --> 00:36:15,029 Becs Gentry: That's hilarious. All our dogs are like, " Can we be 624 00:36:15,030 --> 00:36:16,080 Becs Gentry: involved in this conversation?" 625 00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:16,980 Montana Popehn: Yes. 626 00:36:17,790 --> 00:36:19,230 Becs Gentry: We're also emotional support. 627 00:36:19,230 --> 00:36:19,291 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yeah, true. 628 00:36:19,291 --> 00:36:27,750 Becs Gentry: I love that you made her sit down though. Montana, my partner 629 00:36:27,750 --> 00:36:32,700 Becs Gentry: is very similar in that respect where he'll watch me 630 00:36:32,790 --> 00:36:35,340 Becs Gentry: just in the background for a little bit of just like, " 631 00:36:35,580 --> 00:36:37,200 Becs Gentry: Okay, how much is she going to do?" And I 632 00:36:37,200 --> 00:36:40,560 Becs Gentry: mean, I'm not Olympic, I'm not an Olympian, but when 633 00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:45,390 Becs Gentry: I'm training for big races, he just watches, he's like, " 634 00:36:45,420 --> 00:36:47,940 Becs Gentry: Okay, can you stop doing the laundry? Can you stop 635 00:36:47,940 --> 00:36:50,700 Becs Gentry: going and tidying Tallulah's room? The dogs don't need another 636 00:36:50,700 --> 00:36:56,160 Becs Gentry: walk, sit down." Or he'll lay the recovery boots out 637 00:36:56,160 --> 00:36:58,200 Becs Gentry: on the couch, and I won't even see them. I'll 638 00:36:58,200 --> 00:37:00,060 Becs Gentry: just be doing stuff around the house, and he'll be like, " 639 00:37:00,180 --> 00:37:02,100 Becs Gentry: Okay, you've been home for two hours. You haven't even 640 00:37:02,100 --> 00:37:05,219 Becs Gentry: noticed that they're set up and ready for you." But it 641 00:37:05,219 --> 00:37:07,890 Becs Gentry: is those small things of sitting you down with your 642 00:37:07,890 --> 00:37:10,110 Becs Gentry: bagel and like, " Nope, you're not leaving this chair unless you 643 00:37:10,110 --> 00:37:14,190 Becs Gentry: have to pee." Those nods too, I get you, I 644 00:37:14,190 --> 00:37:17,430 Becs Gentry: understand you, but I'm going to be your extra level 645 00:37:17,969 --> 00:37:19,980 Becs Gentry: of support right here, right now. 646 00:37:20,340 --> 00:37:24,300 Montana Popehn: And for me, I'm also extremely nervous before these races. 647 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:28,860 Montana Popehn: I'm sure he can attest that as well, but kind 648 00:37:28,860 --> 00:37:33,000 Montana Popehn: of just pushing that aside and really being like, " Okay, 649 00:37:33,000 --> 00:37:35,819 Montana Popehn: you're the one who actually has to be nervous. I'm 650 00:37:35,819 --> 00:37:38,790 Montana Popehn: just here spectating. I'm not going to do anything that's 651 00:37:38,790 --> 00:37:41,160 Montana Popehn: going to change the outcome." So kind of putting that 652 00:37:41,160 --> 00:37:43,650 Montana Popehn: aside and figuring out where I can help. 653 00:37:44,070 --> 00:37:48,330 Becs Gentry: How was your heart rate, Montana, during the Olympics while 654 00:37:48,330 --> 00:37:50,009 Becs Gentry: you were cheering, whilst you were tracking? 655 00:37:50,730 --> 00:37:53,040 Montana Popehn: When I was at the finish line, I remember looking at it, it was at 656 00:37:53,430 --> 00:37:57,600 Montana Popehn: 180 (inaudible) . When she turned onto the final stretch 657 00:37:57,600 --> 00:38:00,300 Montana Popehn: into the... I didn't look at it during the marathon, 658 00:38:00,300 --> 00:38:03,000 Montana Popehn: but during the trials, I remember she took that final 659 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:07,290 Montana Popehn: right down the last 400 meters, I believe it is. 660 00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:08,700 Montana Popehn: And I remember just looking at my heart rate, it was at 180, it was just crazy. 661 00:38:12,480 --> 00:38:18,300 Becs Gentry: Okay. So as your relationship has progressed throughout the years 662 00:38:18,300 --> 00:38:21,779 Becs Gentry: you've been together and all of the different incredible accomplishments 663 00:38:21,780 --> 00:38:28,290 Becs Gentry: that you've had, Dakotah, in your running world and think, 664 00:38:28,830 --> 00:38:31,290 Becs Gentry: did you have any idea that he was going to 665 00:38:31,290 --> 00:38:33,060 Becs Gentry: propose to you after the race? 666 00:38:33,660 --> 00:38:38,489 Dakotah Lindwurm: So going into it, I definitely dropped a few hints, 667 00:38:40,080 --> 00:38:45,239 Dakotah Lindwurm: some subtle, some less subtle, and I really wanted him 668 00:38:45,239 --> 00:38:49,890 Dakotah Lindwurm: to, that would be my dream way to be proposed 669 00:38:49,890 --> 00:38:54,150 Dakotah Lindwurm: to, at a finish line for sure. But no, I 670 00:38:54,150 --> 00:38:58,170 Dakotah Lindwurm: really, sincerely didn't think he was going to. I got 671 00:38:58,170 --> 00:39:00,360 Dakotah Lindwurm: my nails done a couple of days before and I got 672 00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:04,950 Dakotah Lindwurm: them done gold, which is cute for sure, but it's 673 00:39:04,950 --> 00:39:07,049 Dakotah Lindwurm: not the color I would have done if I thought 674 00:39:07,050 --> 00:39:08,609 Dakotah Lindwurm: I was going to be taking pictures of my hands, 675 00:39:08,609 --> 00:39:13,710 Dakotah Lindwurm: with a wedding going on. So I was definitely taken 676 00:39:13,710 --> 00:39:15,180 Dakotah Lindwurm: by surprise and - 677 00:39:15,180 --> 00:39:15,240 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh. 678 00:39:15,239 --> 00:39:19,650 Dakotah Lindwurm: I couldn't have asked for it, for me, I think it 679 00:39:19,650 --> 00:39:21,030 Dakotah Lindwurm: just made the day more special. 680 00:39:21,239 --> 00:39:25,049 Becs Gentry: Absolutely. And Montana for you, did that make you even 681 00:39:25,050 --> 00:39:27,180 Becs Gentry: more nervous than normal? 682 00:39:28,110 --> 00:39:30,239 Montana Popehn: Yeah, she kept asking me, she's like, " Are you nervous 683 00:39:30,239 --> 00:39:32,370 Montana Popehn: for this?" I was like, " Yes, for more reasons than 684 00:39:32,370 --> 00:39:38,130 Montana Popehn: you know." Because it was tough because I had probably a plan 685 00:39:38,130 --> 00:39:40,650 Montana Popehn: A, plan B, a plan C, and a plan D 686 00:39:40,650 --> 00:39:44,130 Montana Popehn: to do it because if she had a bad race 687 00:39:44,130 --> 00:39:45,690 Montana Popehn: and she dropped out of it, I'm not going to 688 00:39:45,690 --> 00:39:49,410 Montana Popehn: go up to her and propose to her. Just trying to 689 00:39:49,410 --> 00:39:51,780 Montana Popehn: plan all these different scenarios because it kind of revolved 690 00:39:51,780 --> 00:39:54,270 Montana Popehn: around where the race went. So not having a set 691 00:39:54,300 --> 00:39:57,510 Montana Popehn: plan for it made it all the more nerve- wracking so it was 692 00:39:57,930 --> 00:40:01,620 Montana Popehn: very interesting, but it ended up working very perfectly. I 693 00:40:01,620 --> 00:40:04,080 Montana Popehn: was going to, sorry to jump right into it, but 694 00:40:04,080 --> 00:40:06,180 Montana Popehn: I was going to do it at the Eiffel Tower 695 00:40:06,180 --> 00:40:09,810 Montana Popehn: where her family was cheering at. But then I saw 696 00:40:09,810 --> 00:40:11,549 Montana Popehn: her walking over to me and I was like, " This is 697 00:40:11,550 --> 00:40:17,190 Montana Popehn: the moment. It's the perfect moment. She's happy, she's smiling." My mom 698 00:40:17,190 --> 00:40:19,739 Montana Popehn: and my brother were there and a lot of other 699 00:40:19,739 --> 00:40:25,350 Montana Popehn: people like Dorian were there. And I was like, "This is incredible." It just kind of clicked and I was like, " This 700 00:40:25,350 --> 00:40:28,560 Montana Popehn: is the moment." And that's where you see that video. I 701 00:40:28,560 --> 00:40:31,050 Montana Popehn: don't know if you've seen it, but it's pretty cool. 702 00:40:31,500 --> 00:40:33,780 Becs Gentry: Oh, my goodness. What a way to top it off. 703 00:40:33,780 --> 00:40:33,840 Montana Popehn: Yeah. 704 00:40:35,969 --> 00:40:40,080 Becs Gentry: You just mentioned you had many, many planned options for 705 00:40:40,170 --> 00:40:44,730 Becs Gentry: the proposal, depending on Dakotah's race and how that went. 706 00:40:45,570 --> 00:40:51,300 Becs Gentry: So Montana, when Dakotah heads into... Let's reel it back 707 00:40:51,630 --> 00:40:55,590 Becs Gentry: to training and the trials for the Olympics, how do 708 00:40:55,590 --> 00:41:00,600 Becs Gentry: you personally cope with the potential and the possible, this 709 00:41:00,600 --> 00:41:02,520 Becs Gentry: is up to you guys, whether you talk about if 710 00:41:02,520 --> 00:41:05,580 Becs Gentry: they actually happen, but the highs and the lows of 711 00:41:05,760 --> 00:41:11,910 Becs Gentry: Dakotah's career because it can be a lot to deal with, navigate on 712 00:41:11,910 --> 00:41:13,020 Becs Gentry: a mental health front. 713 00:41:13,590 --> 00:41:18,180 Montana Popehn: Yeah. Going back to that reassurance thing, regardless of the 714 00:41:18,180 --> 00:41:20,760 Montana Popehn: outcome of this race, that's not why I love you. 715 00:41:20,760 --> 00:41:22,259 Montana Popehn: That's not why I want to be with you for 716 00:41:22,260 --> 00:41:26,250 Montana Popehn: the rest of my life. But also on the other 717 00:41:26,250 --> 00:41:29,879 Montana Popehn: end, just that competitive aspect between us. You can be 718 00:41:29,880 --> 00:41:32,820 Montana Popehn: the best of the best, but at the end of the day, if 719 00:41:32,820 --> 00:41:34,770 Montana Popehn: you don't have a good day, that's not why I 720 00:41:34,770 --> 00:41:38,460 Montana Popehn: love you. That's not why your family loves you. Just 721 00:41:38,460 --> 00:41:42,630 Montana Popehn: being that reassurance. Lately, it just seems like there's been 722 00:41:42,630 --> 00:41:45,960 Montana Popehn: a lot of highs, so I can't remember what the 723 00:41:45,960 --> 00:41:46,320 Montana Popehn: lows were. 724 00:41:46,320 --> 00:41:52,020 Becs Gentry: Well, that's really nice to hear. But I think that's a really... I love what 725 00:41:52,020 --> 00:41:56,070 Becs Gentry: you said because for our listeners, not everybody, I mean, I would 726 00:41:56,070 --> 00:42:00,270 Becs Gentry: say less than 1% of our listeners probably are anywhere 727 00:42:00,270 --> 00:42:05,790 Becs Gentry: near Dakotah's level of performance athlete and the stress that 728 00:42:05,820 --> 00:42:11,310 Becs Gentry: we bring on to ourselves to perform, for us mere 729 00:42:11,310 --> 00:42:14,460 Becs Gentry: mortals is it's a hobby. It's not our career as 730 00:42:14,460 --> 00:42:19,080 Becs Gentry: it is yours. So having you say those words, Montana, 731 00:42:19,080 --> 00:42:21,989 Becs Gentry: is really, I think pertinent for people to understand. At 732 00:42:21,989 --> 00:42:25,500 Becs Gentry: the end of the day, it's not what defines you. 733 00:42:25,560 --> 00:42:28,440 Becs Gentry: We love you, the people around you love you because 734 00:42:28,440 --> 00:42:32,160 Becs Gentry: of who you are, not your mile splits or your 735 00:42:32,160 --> 00:42:33,390 Becs Gentry: distance or whatever it is. 736 00:42:33,390 --> 00:42:38,790 Montana Popehn: Yeah, it'd be interesting now because like I said, the first race 737 00:42:38,790 --> 00:42:41,250 Montana Popehn: that I saw her at was in New York and 738 00:42:41,250 --> 00:42:44,250 Montana Popehn: we had probably been dating for a month, a couple 739 00:42:44,250 --> 00:42:46,469 Montana Popehn: of months, and she ended up dropping out of that 740 00:42:46,469 --> 00:42:49,320 Montana Popehn: one. So I was like, " Okay, good job. You'll get the next 741 00:42:49,320 --> 00:42:52,500 Montana Popehn: one." Just having no idea what a three- month build 742 00:42:52,500 --> 00:42:57,060 Montana Popehn: of training goes into it. So just being clueless in 743 00:42:57,060 --> 00:42:59,850 Montana Popehn: that scenario maybe even helped me in the long term, 744 00:43:00,780 --> 00:43:03,390 Montana Popehn: just being able to realize that you're going to have 745 00:43:03,390 --> 00:43:06,239 Montana Popehn: those bad days and you're going to bounce back. 746 00:43:06,300 --> 00:43:12,630 Becs Gentry: Yeah, that's definitely true. And so, Dakotah, 2024 TCS New York 747 00:43:12,630 --> 00:43:18,150 Becs Gentry: City Marathon, it's out there, it's going to happen. How are you 748 00:43:18,150 --> 00:43:21,930 Becs Gentry: feeling aside from the fact that the hill training, it's 749 00:43:21,930 --> 00:43:26,580 Becs Gentry: retribution, it's time to get back. How are you feeling about 750 00:43:26,760 --> 00:43:29,969 Becs Gentry: getting into the nitty- gritty of training for New York? 751 00:43:30,870 --> 00:43:34,380 Dakotah Lindwurm: I am excited. I did go for my second run today 752 00:43:34,380 --> 00:43:37,950 Dakotah Lindwurm: since the marathon. I will say my legs are still 753 00:43:38,010 --> 00:43:42,930 Dakotah Lindwurm: not feeling super great. The downhills really did a number 754 00:43:42,930 --> 00:43:43,770 Dakotah Lindwurm: on my quads. 755 00:43:43,770 --> 00:43:47,550 Becs Gentry: Same. Six days, six days of soreness. And as I 756 00:43:47,550 --> 00:43:49,350 Becs Gentry: said earlier, I was nowhere near your speed, so I 757 00:43:49,350 --> 00:43:51,121 Becs Gentry: can't even imagine how sore it must be. 758 00:43:51,120 --> 00:43:55,770 Dakotah Lindwurm: But I don't know that it matters how fast or slow it is at that 759 00:43:55,770 --> 00:44:00,360 Dakotah Lindwurm: point in a marathon. And the just shock of every 760 00:44:00,360 --> 00:44:03,930 Dakotah Lindwurm: step being so aggressively downhill just did a number on 761 00:44:03,930 --> 00:44:04,739 Dakotah Lindwurm: my quads for sure. 762 00:44:04,739 --> 00:44:07,320 Becs Gentry: It felt like a trail race to me, that downhill. 763 00:44:07,590 --> 00:44:10,830 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yes. Yeah. So I'm excited mostly right now just to 764 00:44:10,830 --> 00:44:13,650 Dakotah Lindwurm: feel not like Bambi when I go up for a run, 765 00:44:15,900 --> 00:44:18,360 Dakotah Lindwurm: but I'm really excited to get back to New York. 766 00:44:18,480 --> 00:44:22,529 Dakotah Lindwurm: Of course, they put together an amazing field again. The 767 00:44:22,530 --> 00:44:26,250 Dakotah Lindwurm: American side is awesome. I'm excited to race Des and 768 00:44:26,250 --> 00:44:30,870 Dakotah Lindwurm: Jess. But yeah, I think it's time for some revenge 769 00:44:30,870 --> 00:44:34,319 Dakotah Lindwurm: in New York. I've had really great races there in the 770 00:44:34,770 --> 00:44:38,879 Dakotah Lindwurm: women's 10 K and the half- marathon, so I need 771 00:44:38,880 --> 00:44:40,440 Dakotah Lindwurm: to show up for the marathon. 772 00:44:41,100 --> 00:44:44,219 Becs Gentry: Oh, my gosh, it's going to be amazing. And we'll have 773 00:44:44,280 --> 00:44:46,680 Becs Gentry: Tamirat Tola as well on the men's side coming back 774 00:44:46,680 --> 00:44:50,610 Becs Gentry: for some more. Haven't spoken to him, but it felt 775 00:44:50,610 --> 00:44:53,640 Becs Gentry: like his training was similar to yours of he did 776 00:44:53,640 --> 00:44:57,090 Becs Gentry: the New York City Marathon last year, trained the hills 777 00:44:57,330 --> 00:45:00,180 Becs Gentry: and sort of went into the Olympics. I've got these 778 00:45:00,210 --> 00:45:03,239 Becs Gentry: hills, and he clearly did, and is going to come 779 00:45:03,239 --> 00:45:06,030 Becs Gentry: off the back like you, so maybe that's a sign, 780 00:45:06,780 --> 00:45:10,468 Becs Gentry: just going to put that out to the universe. Okay. 781 00:45:10,469 --> 00:45:18,090 Becs Gentry: So let's talk about your post- Olympics, post- engagement trip 782 00:45:18,180 --> 00:45:20,400 Becs Gentry: that you guys took. You went to Nice, right? In 783 00:45:20,400 --> 00:45:24,450 Becs Gentry: the south of France. Did you fully relax and put 784 00:45:24,450 --> 00:45:24,960 Becs Gentry: your feet up? 785 00:45:26,010 --> 00:45:30,480 Dakotah Lindwurm: Absolutely. Like, I would say, most runners, I'd say I'm 786 00:45:30,480 --> 00:45:34,380 Dakotah Lindwurm: pretty type A. I like a schedule. I like to 787 00:45:34,680 --> 00:45:37,680 Dakotah Lindwurm: pack my day tight and get everything done and use 788 00:45:37,680 --> 00:45:41,700 Dakotah Lindwurm: every minute. So it's pretty rare that I have even 789 00:45:41,700 --> 00:45:46,469 Dakotah Lindwurm: just an hour of unscheduled time. And we went there, 790 00:45:46,530 --> 00:45:52,950 Dakotah Lindwurm: and we decided no excursions, no day trips. Our only 791 00:45:52,950 --> 00:45:55,080 Dakotah Lindwurm: plan is we have to get to the beach clubs 792 00:45:55,080 --> 00:45:56,790 Dakotah Lindwurm: by nine so we can rent a chair. 793 00:45:57,360 --> 00:45:57,629 Becs Gentry: Oh, wow. 794 00:45:57,630 --> 00:46:00,480 Dakotah Lindwurm: And that is all that we were going to plan 795 00:46:00,480 --> 00:46:03,210 Dakotah Lindwurm: to do. So I felt like it was just so 796 00:46:03,210 --> 00:46:06,330 Dakotah Lindwurm: nice to just know that I don't have to do 797 00:46:06,330 --> 00:46:09,090 Dakotah Lindwurm: anything today. If we decide to go walk through some 798 00:46:09,090 --> 00:46:11,730 Dakotah Lindwurm: of the pretty parts of the city we can, or 799 00:46:11,730 --> 00:46:12,930 Dakotah Lindwurm: if we just want to sit on the beach all 800 00:46:12,930 --> 00:46:15,989 Dakotah Lindwurm: day, that's also fine. So I feel like I really 801 00:46:15,989 --> 00:46:19,560 Dakotah Lindwurm: got to unplug and relax. After the trials, we went 802 00:46:19,560 --> 00:46:22,110 Dakotah Lindwurm: on a vacation, and I spent one whole day doing 803 00:46:22,500 --> 00:46:26,700 Dakotah Lindwurm: media and podcasts and just trying to keep the ball 804 00:46:26,700 --> 00:46:30,000 Dakotah Lindwurm: rolling. And I very quickly learned I'm like, " No, I 805 00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:33,930 Dakotah Lindwurm: can separate all of that stuff and my normal life." 806 00:46:34,050 --> 00:46:35,820 Dakotah Lindwurm: And I felt like it was really good to just 807 00:46:35,820 --> 00:46:37,590 Dakotah Lindwurm: go there and just have a vacation. 808 00:46:37,920 --> 00:46:42,600 Becs Gentry: Oh, my goodness. So, so a well- deserved vacation for sure, 809 00:46:43,560 --> 00:46:47,100 Becs Gentry: and Nice is a stunning place. Did you get the 810 00:46:47,100 --> 00:46:53,700 Becs Gentry: chance to think about how you're going to reset goals 811 00:46:53,730 --> 00:46:59,100 Becs Gentry: and coming off such a huge career high, how you 812 00:46:59,610 --> 00:47:03,810 Becs Gentry: would continue to push your limits going forward? 813 00:47:04,950 --> 00:47:09,480 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yeah, I think having that break helps so much. If 814 00:47:09,480 --> 00:47:13,230 Dakotah Lindwurm: you're just constantly striving for more and more and more 815 00:47:13,230 --> 00:47:15,930 Dakotah Lindwurm: and not allowing yourself any sort of reset, that's where you 816 00:47:15,930 --> 00:47:19,980 Dakotah Lindwurm: start to see that burnout, or I think that's when 817 00:47:19,980 --> 00:47:23,160 Dakotah Lindwurm: you just really start to struggle. And I just feel 818 00:47:23,160 --> 00:47:26,820 Dakotah Lindwurm: so grateful that I just love this so much that 819 00:47:27,600 --> 00:47:31,469 Dakotah Lindwurm: I don't know, I don't need months of reset. I 820 00:47:31,860 --> 00:47:33,840 Dakotah Lindwurm: get my week off and I start to crave it 821 00:47:33,840 --> 00:47:37,500 Dakotah Lindwurm: again. And I know that a lot of people suffer 822 00:47:37,500 --> 00:47:40,739 Dakotah Lindwurm: from the post- Olympic letdown or depression, and I can 823 00:47:40,739 --> 00:47:44,190 Dakotah Lindwurm: totally see where that comes from. I've had moments when 824 00:47:44,190 --> 00:47:45,780 Dakotah Lindwurm: I'm like, " Oh, I've got to wait four more years 825 00:47:45,780 --> 00:47:48,540 Dakotah Lindwurm: until I can try to do that again." But there's 826 00:47:48,540 --> 00:47:51,330 Dakotah Lindwurm: so many special things that I can do between now 827 00:47:51,330 --> 00:47:54,390 Dakotah Lindwurm: and then. I can maybe podium in New York, who 828 00:47:54,390 --> 00:47:57,750 Dakotah Lindwurm: knows what I'll do in Boston or Chicago, maybe go 829 00:47:57,750 --> 00:48:01,049 Dakotah Lindwurm: for an American record. I feel like you just have 830 00:48:01,050 --> 00:48:03,750 Dakotah Lindwurm: to find ways to still just be really excited about 831 00:48:03,750 --> 00:48:06,600 Dakotah Lindwurm: your training. And I've got, I feel like, so many 832 00:48:06,600 --> 00:48:09,900 Dakotah Lindwurm: goals to chase still outside of the Olympic years. 833 00:48:10,860 --> 00:48:16,050 Becs Gentry: I love that. Okay. Well, last question. Do you have a 834 00:48:16,380 --> 00:48:20,969 Becs Gentry: specific goal that you would like to share for the TCS 835 00:48:20,969 --> 00:48:21,810 Becs Gentry: New York City Marathon? 836 00:48:23,340 --> 00:48:26,100 Dakotah Lindwurm: I always go into marathons with A, B, and C 837 00:48:26,100 --> 00:48:29,819 Dakotah Lindwurm: goals because a marathon can throw so much at you. 838 00:48:29,940 --> 00:48:30,300 Becs Gentry: Oh, yeah. 839 00:48:31,080 --> 00:48:33,570 Dakotah Lindwurm: My C goal is always to finish a marathon because 840 00:48:33,570 --> 00:48:37,830 Dakotah Lindwurm: that's always a win. It's 26 miles, it's hard. Finishing 841 00:48:37,860 --> 00:48:39,180 Dakotah Lindwurm: is always impressive. 842 00:48:39,210 --> 00:48:41,160 Becs Gentry: Phenomenal. Yep. I'll take that one. 843 00:48:42,210 --> 00:48:45,000 Dakotah Lindwurm: My B goal is to be in the top 10. 844 00:48:45,480 --> 00:48:47,940 Dakotah Lindwurm: I was 12th at the Olympics, and I'd like to 845 00:48:47,940 --> 00:48:49,320 Dakotah Lindwurm: crack the top 10 somewhere. 846 00:48:50,550 --> 00:48:51,360 Becs Gentry: Understandable. 847 00:48:51,840 --> 00:48:54,510 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yeah. And A goal is to be on the podium 848 00:48:54,510 --> 00:48:57,450 Dakotah Lindwurm: there. I think it's been a few years since we've 849 00:48:57,450 --> 00:48:59,820 Dakotah Lindwurm: had an American on the podium, and I want to 850 00:48:59,850 --> 00:49:02,100 Dakotah Lindwurm: be one of the first in a while, maybe since 851 00:49:02,100 --> 00:49:04,530 Dakotah Lindwurm: Shalane won, I think. 852 00:49:05,070 --> 00:49:09,780 Becs Gentry: Probably. Oh, my Gosh. Okay. Well, we stand by and support 853 00:49:09,780 --> 00:49:13,770 Becs Gentry: you for all of those goals. Montana, we know that 854 00:49:13,770 --> 00:49:17,040 Becs Gentry: you're going to be right by her side and cheering 855 00:49:17,100 --> 00:49:21,360 Becs Gentry: along the way. And as you say, stepping back, thinking 856 00:49:21,360 --> 00:49:24,120 Becs Gentry: of all the incredible things that you have between now 857 00:49:24,120 --> 00:49:28,890 Becs Gentry: and potentially the next Olympics, including a wedding, is really 858 00:49:28,890 --> 00:49:31,770 Becs Gentry: refreshing to hear. So thank you both so much for 859 00:49:31,770 --> 00:49:35,670 Becs Gentry: joining us today to talk through the whirlwind of a 860 00:49:35,670 --> 00:49:38,250 Becs Gentry: summer and a little bit of a deep dive into 861 00:49:38,250 --> 00:49:41,879 Becs Gentry: your beautiful relationship. So thank you both and congratulations again, Dakotah. 862 00:49:42,870 --> 00:49:43,860 Dakotah Lindwurm: Yes, thanks so much. 863 00:49:43,860 --> 00:49:44,100 Montana Popehn: Thanks for having us. Appreciate it. 864 00:49:59,640 --> 00:50:03,510 Becs Gentry: Joining us for today's Member Moment is Dana Coleman. Dana 865 00:50:03,510 --> 00:50:06,390 Becs Gentry: laced up her first pair of running shoes at 27, 866 00:50:06,810 --> 00:50:08,760 Becs Gentry: and by the time she was able to run her 867 00:50:08,760 --> 00:50:13,080 Becs Gentry: first mile, she was hooked. Now a seasoned runner and 868 00:50:13,080 --> 00:50:16,020 Becs Gentry: proud member of the New York Road Runners for over 20 869 00:50:16,020 --> 00:50:20,730 Becs Gentry: years, Dana has completed 173 New York Road Runners races, 870 00:50:20,790 --> 00:50:25,049 Becs Gentry: including 11 New York City Marathons. Her connection to running 871 00:50:25,050 --> 00:50:28,080 Becs Gentry: extends to her family, including her husband who ran her 872 00:50:28,080 --> 00:50:32,489 Becs Gentry: first marathon with her and her son, Gao. With whom she runs 873 00:50:32,760 --> 00:50:36,060 Becs Gentry: Race to Deliver 4M. Even though she now lives in 874 00:50:36,060 --> 00:50:38,819 Becs Gentry: the Berkshires, Dana continues to stay involved in the New 875 00:50:38,820 --> 00:50:41,460 Becs Gentry: York Road Runners community and is prepping to welcome a 876 00:50:41,460 --> 00:50:43,170 Becs Gentry: new runner into her family. 877 00:50:43,799 --> 00:50:47,250 Meb: Dana, welcome to the podcast. You have a great story 878 00:50:47,250 --> 00:50:50,880 Meb: about your first run where you struggled to complete a 879 00:50:50,880 --> 00:50:55,379 Meb: mile, but that run developed into a lifelong passion. Will 880 00:50:55,380 --> 00:50:59,069 Meb: you tell our audience about your first time running that 881 00:50:59,070 --> 00:50:59,370 Meb: journey? 882 00:50:59,910 --> 00:51:04,739 Dana Coleman: Sure. So I was a schoolteacher in the Bronx, and I had 883 00:51:04,739 --> 00:51:07,170 Dana Coleman: it in my head that I wanted to run a 884 00:51:07,170 --> 00:51:11,160 Dana Coleman: New York City Marathon when I was 30. So on 885 00:51:11,160 --> 00:51:14,850 Dana Coleman: my 27th birthday, I decided I would run my first 886 00:51:14,850 --> 00:51:19,980 Dana Coleman: mile. And beforehand I went out and bought myself a 887 00:51:20,460 --> 00:51:24,960 Dana Coleman: pair of shoes and I had mapped out a mile 888 00:51:24,960 --> 00:51:29,520 Dana Coleman: around my Bronx apartment and I set out that morning 889 00:51:29,520 --> 00:51:32,339 Dana Coleman: to run and I realized I couldn't even go an 890 00:51:32,340 --> 00:51:35,640 Dana Coleman: eighth of a mile before I was doubled over with 891 00:51:35,640 --> 00:51:42,210 Dana Coleman: shoulder pain and feeling horrible and somewhat humiliated and demoralized. 892 00:51:42,300 --> 00:51:47,759 Dana Coleman: But I kept walking around the mile loop I had 893 00:51:47,760 --> 00:51:50,910 Dana Coleman: done, and I made a promise to myself that I 894 00:51:50,910 --> 00:51:53,580 Dana Coleman: would do it every day until I could do a 895 00:51:53,580 --> 00:51:57,870 Dana Coleman: mile. So that's what I did. Every morning I woke 896 00:51:57,870 --> 00:52:02,279 Dana Coleman: up before I went into school and I laced up 897 00:52:02,280 --> 00:52:06,870 Dana Coleman: my running shoes and went around, and I remember very 898 00:52:06,870 --> 00:52:11,759 Dana Coleman: vividly, it was November 5th, my birthday's on September 26th, 899 00:52:11,760 --> 00:52:13,650 Dana Coleman: so that gives you an idea of how long it 900 00:52:13,650 --> 00:52:17,910 Dana Coleman: took me. But on November 5th, it was election day, and 901 00:52:17,910 --> 00:52:22,620 Dana Coleman: it was pouring rain, and I made my first mile 902 00:52:22,620 --> 00:52:26,670 Dana Coleman: without walking. So I was so excited. 903 00:52:27,450 --> 00:52:31,530 Meb: Dana, running starts with the first step and the first mile. You're 904 00:52:31,530 --> 00:52:35,190 Meb: a true ambassador for the sport because running is hard, 905 00:52:35,280 --> 00:52:38,430 Meb: even if it was only a mile. But now you 906 00:52:38,700 --> 00:52:42,210 Meb: did your marathon, your first marathon, close to September 11th. 907 00:52:43,680 --> 00:52:46,800 Meb: Tell me about that experience, what it was like, what 908 00:52:46,800 --> 00:52:49,620 Meb: did it teach you? Anything about the running community and 909 00:52:49,620 --> 00:52:50,640 Meb: the healing process? 910 00:52:51,180 --> 00:52:59,670 Dana Coleman: Sure. That was a really powerful year. I'm sure many 911 00:52:59,670 --> 00:53:04,200 Dana Coleman: of the listeners remember what September was like in the 912 00:53:04,200 --> 00:53:11,609 Dana Coleman: city and October and November following September 11th. It was 913 00:53:11,610 --> 00:53:16,319 Dana Coleman: questionable whether the marathon was going to happen. There were 914 00:53:17,010 --> 00:53:22,620 Dana Coleman: a lot of runners who didn't run, and my husband 915 00:53:22,620 --> 00:53:31,259 Dana Coleman: and I worked, we just kept training. And we decided 916 00:53:31,260 --> 00:53:34,380 Dana Coleman: to collect money for a local firehouse, for the families, 917 00:53:35,969 --> 00:53:41,879 Dana Coleman: the firehouse in our neighborhood lost nine firefighters and we 918 00:53:41,910 --> 00:53:46,830 Dana Coleman: raised money through running for their families. And then showing 919 00:53:46,830 --> 00:53:53,730 Dana Coleman: up and running on November 5th was a really powerful thing. 920 00:53:53,730 --> 00:53:57,060 Dana Coleman: There were a lot of people running with pictures and 921 00:53:57,060 --> 00:54:03,210 Dana Coleman: photos of people who were missing or gone, and there 922 00:54:03,210 --> 00:54:07,739 Dana Coleman: were fire trucks on almost every block during the race 923 00:54:08,910 --> 00:54:11,910 Dana Coleman: with firefighters cheering us on. And it was just a 924 00:54:11,910 --> 00:54:20,310 Dana Coleman: really emotional experience, having run several marathons since then, there's 925 00:54:20,310 --> 00:54:24,930 Dana Coleman: nothing like it. It was beautiful and powerful and hard. 926 00:54:24,930 --> 00:54:31,170 Meb: Absolutely hard. But there was a purpose of unification to 927 00:54:31,170 --> 00:54:34,500 Meb: put the city together. Even though I was in California, 928 00:54:34,500 --> 00:54:37,260 Meb: I was thinking about it. I didn't end up running 929 00:54:37,320 --> 00:54:41,310 Meb: it because it was the US Championship. Deena Kastor, a great US 930 00:54:41,310 --> 00:54:44,130 Meb: distance runner was able to win the US Championships. But 931 00:54:44,460 --> 00:54:47,580 Meb: it was something that everybody just came together to show 932 00:54:47,580 --> 00:54:50,009 Meb: resilience. What America is all made of, what New York 933 00:54:50,010 --> 00:54:53,820 Meb: stands for. So you have been part of the New York 934 00:54:53,820 --> 00:54:58,080 Meb: Road Runners community for over 20 years, participating in 173 935 00:54:58,080 --> 00:55:03,450 Meb: races. What has NYRR meant to you on a personal level and how 936 00:55:03,450 --> 00:55:06,450 Meb: has it helped shape your running experience over the years? 937 00:55:07,920 --> 00:55:12,510 Dana Coleman: New York Road Runners is amazing. They're always there and there have 938 00:55:12,989 --> 00:55:16,200 Dana Coleman: been periods in my life when I haven't been able 939 00:55:16,200 --> 00:55:23,520 Dana Coleman: to run as regularly when I've had children after childbirth or 940 00:55:25,739 --> 00:55:29,009 Dana Coleman: different family things that have taken me away or personal 941 00:55:29,130 --> 00:55:35,760 Dana Coleman: traumas. But anytime I've been ready to come back, New 942 00:55:35,760 --> 00:55:40,620 Dana Coleman: York Road Runners has been the vehicle that's helped me 943 00:55:40,620 --> 00:55:45,510 Dana Coleman: get back to running. And I never pause for long. 944 00:55:46,290 --> 00:55:52,799 Dana Coleman: I know through Covid, through just all kinds of things. 945 00:55:53,010 --> 00:55:57,210 Dana Coleman: It's always there and it's always something to work towards. 946 00:55:57,210 --> 00:56:01,110 Dana Coleman: And whenever I show up for a race, there's always 947 00:56:01,110 --> 00:56:05,520 Dana Coleman: other runners with me, I'm never alone. I showed up 948 00:56:05,520 --> 00:56:09,120 Dana Coleman: to volunteer last month for the New York Retro in 949 00:56:09,120 --> 00:56:12,930 Dana Coleman: the pouring rain. It was so rainy, it was such 950 00:56:12,930 --> 00:56:17,279 Dana Coleman: a heavy downpour, and there were just so many enthusiastic 951 00:56:17,280 --> 00:56:21,419 Dana Coleman: runners that I was able to cheer on, and it's 952 00:56:21,420 --> 00:56:25,169 Dana Coleman: just so inspiring. They're lovely. I love it and I 953 00:56:25,169 --> 00:56:28,200 Dana Coleman: love that I can consider myself a part of that. 954 00:56:29,460 --> 00:56:32,790 Meb: And it is great to hear from the middle- of- the- 955 00:56:32,790 --> 00:56:36,630 Meb: pack runners because as an elite athlete myself, the New 956 00:56:36,630 --> 00:56:39,540 Meb: York Road Runners have been there for me through the 957 00:56:39,540 --> 00:56:42,630 Meb: good and the bad, through the thin and thick because when I had 958 00:56:42,630 --> 00:56:45,719 Meb: my pelvic stress fracture, they were one of the organizations 959 00:56:45,750 --> 00:56:48,299 Meb: who stood beside me to say, " Hey, we got your 960 00:56:48,300 --> 00:56:50,430 Meb: back." And it took me a year and a half of therapy 961 00:56:51,180 --> 00:56:53,339 Meb: to be able to welcome you back with open arms, 962 00:56:53,460 --> 00:56:55,890 Meb: it is amazing to know that they're there for all 963 00:56:55,890 --> 00:56:58,200 Meb: of us. Whether you're in the front, the middle, or the 964 00:56:58,200 --> 00:57:00,330 Meb: back of the pack to help you support. And you feel 965 00:57:00,570 --> 00:57:03,239 Meb: like a family it's a family within a family, and 966 00:57:03,239 --> 00:57:05,430 Meb: I know you have run your first marathon with your 967 00:57:05,430 --> 00:57:08,370 Meb: husband and now you run with your son. How is 968 00:57:08,370 --> 00:57:11,610 Meb: that feeling togetherness, strengthening your family when the bond with 969 00:57:11,610 --> 00:57:11,940 Meb: running? 970 00:57:12,450 --> 00:57:18,810 Dana Coleman: Well, it's great. Gao is my youngest son. We adopted 971 00:57:18,810 --> 00:57:24,030 Dana Coleman: him when he was 10 and soon learned that he's a 972 00:57:24,030 --> 00:57:24,840 Dana Coleman: pretty good runner. 973 00:57:25,680 --> 00:57:26,250 Meb: Nice. 974 00:57:28,110 --> 00:57:30,750 Dana Coleman: So I invite him to run with me in the 975 00:57:30,750 --> 00:57:34,740 Dana Coleman: city when we're able to get down there together, which 976 00:57:34,740 --> 00:57:37,080 Dana Coleman: is not often, but we make a point to do 977 00:57:37,080 --> 00:57:40,950 Dana Coleman: the God's Love We Deliver race every year. It's such 978 00:57:40,950 --> 00:57:46,290 Dana Coleman: a great organization and there's such enthusiasm and goodwill. I 979 00:57:46,290 --> 00:57:50,520 Dana Coleman: especially love that race because it's four miles and my 980 00:57:50,520 --> 00:57:52,980 Dana Coleman: kids can do it with me. All of them have. 981 00:57:53,010 --> 00:57:59,100 Dana Coleman: But Gao is the one stuck. And yeah, we're planning 982 00:57:59,100 --> 00:58:04,020 Dana Coleman: to do it again this year, and yeah, and it's 983 00:58:04,410 --> 00:58:07,320 Dana Coleman: wonderful. I hope that Gao and I can run a 984 00:58:07,320 --> 00:58:12,600 Dana Coleman: marathon someday together. The New York Marathon, of course. And I 985 00:58:12,630 --> 00:58:15,600 Dana Coleman: hope they'll slow down enough for me to run along 986 00:58:15,600 --> 00:58:16,950 Dana Coleman: with him when he's older. 987 00:58:18,750 --> 00:58:21,660 Meb: Time will tell, and Gao will be able to run 988 00:58:21,660 --> 00:58:23,850 Meb: with you. We just got to make him have fun, enjoy 989 00:58:23,850 --> 00:58:26,160 Meb: the experience. And I feel the same way with my 990 00:58:26,160 --> 00:58:29,580 Meb: daughter Fiyori, who is 16 now but one day, hopefully, I'll do 991 00:58:29,580 --> 00:58:31,410 Meb: a marathon with her. But as you said, they have 992 00:58:31,410 --> 00:58:33,540 Meb: to slow down for us at the time when they 993 00:58:33,540 --> 00:58:34,680 Meb: catch up to being aged. 994 00:58:39,090 --> 00:58:39,091 Dana Coleman: I don't know if she would have to slow down for you. 995 00:58:39,091 --> 00:58:41,550 Meb: We all get slower, but hopefully, she wants to do it. 996 00:58:41,550 --> 00:58:43,230 Meb: But I'd love to do that. I get envious of 997 00:58:43,230 --> 00:58:44,790 Meb: people that I did it with my son or with 998 00:58:44,790 --> 00:58:47,250 Meb: my daughter or my family. It's just always a great 999 00:58:47,250 --> 00:58:50,850 Meb: bonding time. So you're doing another great thing, Dana. You are 1000 00:58:50,850 --> 00:58:53,790 Meb: about to host a Ukrainian teenager who is also a 1001 00:58:53,790 --> 00:58:57,270 Meb: runner. What do you hope to share with him through 1002 00:58:57,270 --> 00:58:57,630 Meb: running? 1003 00:58:58,710 --> 00:59:03,420 Dana Coleman: Yeah. Well, yeah. We have a 16- year- old coming 1004 00:59:03,420 --> 00:59:08,310 Dana Coleman: from Ukraine whose name is Artem, and he has been 1005 00:59:08,310 --> 00:59:12,030 Dana Coleman: working really hard to get here. And one of the 1006 00:59:12,030 --> 00:59:15,750 Dana Coleman: things that he shared with us during our Zoom meetings 1007 00:59:16,140 --> 00:59:19,500 Dana Coleman: is that he runs every morning. He drinks a cup 1008 00:59:19,500 --> 00:59:24,150 Dana Coleman: of coffee, and he runs every morning. So I'm really 1009 00:59:24,240 --> 00:59:27,660 Dana Coleman: excited to show him the local places to run. And 1010 00:59:27,690 --> 00:59:30,240 Dana Coleman: I'm also really excited to bring him down to the 1011 00:59:30,240 --> 00:59:32,700 Dana Coleman: city and have him join us for some of the 1012 00:59:32,700 --> 00:59:37,350 Dana Coleman: New York Road Runners runs. Maybe he'll be running a marathon with 1013 00:59:37,350 --> 00:59:40,980 Dana Coleman: me one day or with Gao or with anybody. But 1014 00:59:41,820 --> 00:59:44,760 Dana Coleman: I think he sounds like a great kid with a 1015 00:59:44,760 --> 00:59:47,760 Dana Coleman: lot of enthusiasm for running also. 1016 00:59:48,120 --> 00:59:52,500 Meb: Well, Dana, you are a true blessing. God's Love We 1017 00:59:52,500 --> 00:59:55,110 Meb: Deliver, you're doing that on the course and off the course, I know you have done 1018 00:59:56,250 --> 00:59:58,860 Meb: 11 marathons also the TCS New York City Marathon, just 1019 00:59:58,860 --> 01:00:01,890 Meb: like I have. But just the incredible story that you told 1020 01:00:01,890 --> 01:00:05,700 Meb: us. And thank you for being at Member Moment. You are achieving 1021 01:00:05,700 --> 01:00:07,950 Meb: great things, not only on the course but off the 1022 01:00:07,950 --> 01:00:08,880 Meb: course. Keep up the great work. 1023 01:00:09,480 --> 01:00:11,820 Dana Coleman: Oh, thank you, Meb. It's so nice to meet you. 1024 01:00:12,090 --> 01:00:15,780 Dana Coleman: And I'm just so grateful for New York Road Runners, 1025 01:00:15,780 --> 01:00:18,030 Dana Coleman: so thanks for including me. 1026 01:00:18,240 --> 01:00:19,110 Meb: They're amazing. They're truly amazing. 1027 01:00:19,380 --> 01:00:19,650 Dana Coleman: They are. 1028 01:00:21,420 --> 01:00:24,000 Meb: Changing people's lives through running, so just delighted to be 1029 01:00:24,000 --> 01:00:24,660 Meb: part of their team. 1030 01:00:25,230 --> 01:00:26,190 Dana Coleman: Absolutely. 1031 01:00:26,580 --> 01:00:29,100 Becs Gentry: Thank you, Dana, for joining us and being a member of 1032 01:00:29,100 --> 01:00:31,800 Becs Gentry: New York Road Runners now to the final part of our show, our 1033 01:00:31,800 --> 01:00:33,570 Becs Gentry: Meb Minute. 1034 01:00:33,990 --> 01:00:38,880 Meb: Week 6: speed work is essential. Speed workouts were a 1035 01:00:38,880 --> 01:00:42,660 Meb: key part of my training. Interval Sessions, tempo runs, pushing 1036 01:00:42,660 --> 01:00:46,740 Meb: my limits, and improving my race pace. Incorporating speed work 1037 01:00:46,800 --> 01:00:50,790 Meb: into your routine to enhance your overall speed and endurance. 1038 01:00:51,720 --> 01:00:55,950 Meb: We might be running a marathon, but that speed sessions 1039 01:00:55,950 --> 01:00:59,730 Meb: and tempos are crucial. It helps you run faster than 1040 01:00:59,730 --> 01:01:02,370 Meb: your planned goal but at the end of the day with 1041 01:01:02,370 --> 01:01:05,580 Meb: your long run it comes all together to be the 1042 01:01:05,580 --> 01:01:08,820 Meb: best version of yourself as you go, the 26. 2 1043 01:01:09,120 --> 01:01:14,070 Meb: journey. But intervals and tempos are an important ingredient to 1044 01:01:14,070 --> 01:01:14,850 Meb: the marathon train. 1045 01:01:15,360 --> 01:01:18,060 Becs Gentry: That does it for another episode of Set the Pace. 1046 01:01:18,210 --> 01:01:22,620 Becs Gentry: Thank you to today's guests, Dakotah Lindwurm and Montana Popehn, and 1047 01:01:22,680 --> 01:01:25,770 Becs Gentry: Dana Coleman. If you like this episode, please do go 1048 01:01:25,770 --> 01:01:28,410 Becs Gentry: ahead, and subscribe, rate, or leave a comment for the 1049 01:01:28,410 --> 01:01:31,680 Becs Gentry: show on whatever platform you are listening to. Don't forget 1050 01:01:31,740 --> 01:01:34,440 Becs Gentry: this not only helps us, but it helps others find 1051 01:01:34,590 --> 01:01:35,190 Becs Gentry: the show too.