Set the Pace

New York Road Runners
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NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton is the official podcast of New York Road Runners. Join hosts Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, and Becs Gentry, Peloton Instuctor, every Thursday in conversation with inspiring athletes, from everyday enthusiasts to elite marathoners, to hear stories of perseverance, drive, and dedication. Each episode also includes an NYRR Member Moment spotlight and pro tip from 2009 New York City Marathon champ and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi.

  1. 13 hr ago

    Mary Cain’s Atalanta NYC Empowers Young Runners to Thrive

    Building on last week’s conversation with Mary Cain, Set the Pace explores how she transformed her experiences into a movement to create a healthier future for girls and women in sport by founding Atalanta NYC, a nonprofit that employs professional runners to achieve their goals while mentoring the next generation. Becs sits down with Atalanta NYC professional athletes Emily Richards, Susan Aneno, and Leah Anderson, along with Executive Director Devon Martin, to discuss creating a team culture rooted in community, education, and movement. Together, they share personal stories of overcoming isolation, cultural expectations, body image pressures, and setbacks. The conversation also highlights Atalanta's work mentoring high school runners in underserved New York City communities, fostering environments where young athletes are empowered to thrive on and off the track. Listen to episode 1 - The Fastest Girl in America: Inside Mary Cain’s “This Is Not About Running”  Content note: This episode references the death of an athlete's father. Broader themes covered in the previous episode (Ep 171) include self-harm and suicidal ideation Learn more about Atalanta and donate at https://www.atalantanyc.org/donate   FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mary Cain’s Atalanta NYC Empowers Young Runners to Thrive

  2. 23 Jul

    The Fastest Girl in America: Inside Mary Cain’s “This Is Not About Running” (Part 1)

    When The New York Times featured Mary Cain’s Opinion piece, "I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike," in 2019, the running world, including elite athletes, was shocked. Behind her record-breaking success was a story of pressure, abuse, and survival. In Part 1 of this special two-part series for Set the Pace, Rob sits down with Mary to discuss her powerful memoir, “This Is Not About Running,” and her experiences as a young professional athlete with the Nike Oregon Project and Coach Alberto Salazar. Mary shares how harmful coaching practices, body shaming, and a culture that prioritized performance over well-being affected her physical and mental health, ultimately leading her to speak out and advocate for change. The conversation explores the lasting impact of those experiences, the importance of recognizing RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), and why creating healthier environments for athletes matters most. Content note: This episode includes discussions of eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts that some listeners may find difficult. You can find Episode 1 of HSS's 4 part series on RED-S HERE  And hear our interview with Josh Kerr HERE!    Tickets are now on sale  for the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships!  NYRR members Get a 10% off discount code. Find your discount code on your Haku dashboard.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Fastest Girl in America: Inside Mary Cain’s “This Is Not About Running” (Part 1)

  3. 16 Jul

    How to Make Summer a Runner's Secret Weapon

    This week, Rob and Becs lead a roundtable discussion on how heat and humidity can become a runner’s secret weapon. Whether you're training for a fall marathon or just trying to stay fit in the summer, running in the heat can help make you a stronger and faster in the fall. Joining the conversation is Dr. Eamon Duffy, a sports cardiologist at Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian and a new member of the New York Road Runners Medical Advisory Council. They’re also joined by Dr. Eric Roy, a water scientist who founded the water-filtration company Hydroviv out of his Washington, D.C. apartment in response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Hydroviv was later acquired by Culligan®, the official water partner of NYRR. Rounding out the discussion is Coach Ben, NYRR’s Head of Training Programs, who shares practical tips for training in the heat, including why runners should focus on effort over pace.    Tickets are now on sale  for the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships!  NYRR members Get a 10% off discount code. Find your discount code on your Haku dashboard.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How to Make Summer a Runner's Secret Weapon

  4. 26 Jun

    NYC Running Legend Gordon Bakoulis on a Lifetime in Women's Running

    New York Road Runners’ Gordon Bakoulis joins Set the Pace this week to talk with Rob about her legendary career as both an elite athlete and NYRR’s editorial director. Gordon qualified for the Olympic marathon trials in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 and was a finalist in the 1992 U.S. Olympic 10,000m trials. As she looks ahead to retirement after nearly 24 years at New York Road Runners, she reflects on the organization’s continued commitment to innovation and inclusion and why she believes those values will continue to shape its future. Gordon also shares her remarkable running journey—from discovering the sport as a teenager during the running boom of the late 1970s to joining the Atalanta NYC run club and competing at the highest level. She discusses her experience as a running coach and explains how helping others pursue their goals continues to inspire her.  Tickets are now on sale  for the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships!  NYRR members Get a 10% off discount code. Find your discount code on your Haku dashboard.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    NYC Running Legend Gordon Bakoulis on a Lifetime in Women's Running

  5. 6 Jun

    Rerun the Mastercard New York Mini 10k

    Join Ali Feller from Ali on the Run and Aisha Praught Leer from Citius Mag as Set the Pace, Presented by Peloton Reruns the MastercardNew York  Mini 10k. Whether you ran the race or have FOMO for not being there, this episode is for you! Tune in for post-race interviews with the Mastercard New York City Mini 10K champions, to hear what it took to break the tape at this iconic race. Following in their footsteps, thousands of runners also crossed the finish line with goals of their own. Three of those runners share their stories of strength, grit, and resilience.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Rerun the Mastercard New York Mini 10k

  6. 28 May

    Peloton’s Selena Samuela on Motherhood, Mental Health, and Finding Her Way Back to Running

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and throughout the month we’ve been sharing stories about running and mental well-being. We also celebrated Mother’s Day, and for many members of our community, running, mental health, and motherhood are deeply intertwined. In this week’s episode, Rob and Becs speak with Peloton instructor Selena Samuela, who opens up about raising identical twin girls, Stella and Frankie, and the mental and physical challenges of returning to movement postpartum. Selena reflects on body image, motherhood, rebuilding fitness slowly, and her powerful mantra: acceptance is not the same as complacency. Now, 24 weeks after giving birth, she’s back teaching live at Peloton and rebuilding her running day by day.  NOTE: This episode explores one runner’s journey with fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth   WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE   FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Peloton’s Selena Samuela on Motherhood, Mental Health, and Finding Her Way Back to Running

  7. 21 May

    How Becs Gentry Walked Away from Road Racing - and Fell Back in Love with Running

    This week, Rob turns the mic on Becs to talk about her next adventure. Becs opens up about the highs and lows she’s experienced with running since completing the Great World Race over a year ago. She shares how she stepped away from road racing, rediscovered her love of the sport through trail and ultra running, and embraced a less pressure-filled approach to training and competition. After years away from the trails, Becs returned to the sport by taking on the Napa Valley Trail Marathon in March, followed by the Canyons 50K in April. Check out this episode to hear about her journey into the ultrarunning world, how she’s adapting her Peloton classes to reflect the challenging elevation of trail racing, and her next challenge. WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How Becs Gentry Walked Away from Road Racing - and Fell Back in Love with Running

  8. 16 May

    Relive the RBC Brooklyn Half Race-Day Vibes

    Joining Rob live from the RBC Brooklyn Half After-Party at Maimonides Park is special guest Camila Ramón, a Peloton instructor and recording artist who was one of the thousands of runners crossing the finish line on Coney Island. Born in Buenos Aires, Camila moved to Miami when she was seven. She teaches cycling, treadmill, and strength training in English and Spanish as Peloton's first bilingual instructor. Also joining the show is HSS physical therapist Carrie Whitelam, an orthopedic clinical specialist and certified athletic trainer who works closely with runners on the importance of recovering after races. Plus, hear from other runners as they share their race-day stories of grit and heart. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMER See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Relive the RBC Brooklyn Half Race-Day Vibes
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About

NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton is the official podcast of New York Road Runners. Join hosts Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, and Becs Gentry, Peloton Instuctor, every Thursday in conversation with inspiring athletes, from everyday enthusiasts to elite marathoners, to hear stories of perseverance, drive, and dedication. Each episode also includes an NYRR Member Moment spotlight and pro tip from 2009 New York City Marathon champ and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi.

Information

  • Creator
    New York Road Runners
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 New York Road Runners
  • Show Website
    Set the Pace
  • Provider