In this episode of the On the Runs podcast, Rob Simmelkjaer shares his journey from a sports broadcaster to the CEO of the New York Road Runners. He discusses his early experiences in running and announcing, the importance of community in the running world, and his innovative vision for the New York Road Runners. Rob emphasizes inclusivity in races, celebrating all finishers, and the emotional stories behind every runner's journey. His passion for running was reignited during the pandemic, leading to a deeper connection with the sport and the community. Eric, Erika and Rob engage in a lively discussion about the vibrant running community, the significance of storytelling in marathons, and the various programs that support runners, including the 9 Plus 1 program. They explore the challenges of race entry, the importance of volunteerism, and the unique experiences of race day. Rob shares insights into the marathon weekend atmosphere, the role of the expo, and the balance between running for time versus enjoyment. The conversation also touches on the launch of a podcast aimed at connecting with runners and the joy of being part of the running community.

Eric and Erika open the episode LIVE from the Newburyport Half Marathon by Millennium Running where you'll get a little preview of what this Thursdays episode will be like.

Chapters

00:00 Open from the Newburyport Half Marathon
03:16 Introduction to Rob Simmelkjaer
06:10 Rob's New Hampshire Experience
09:13 Broadcasting Beginnings at Dartmouth
12:14 Family Influence and Background
15:02 The Love-Hate Relationship with Running
20:54 Transition to Running Community and NYRR
23:51 Becoming CEO of New York Roadrunners
27:56 Innovations and Future Goals for NYRR
33:01 Unveiling the Stories of Marathon Runners
34:14 The 9 Plus 1 Program: A Gateway to the Marathon
38:32 Navigating Race Demand and Accessibility
39:16 Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a CEO
43:59 First-Time Marathon Experience: What to Expect
48:42 The Birth of a Podcast: Connecting Through Stories
54:22 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

My Race Tatts Affiliate Page - 15% of your purchase goes towards our TEAM FORCE Fundraising efforts for the NYC Marathon

Wrightsock Affiliate Page - 15% of your purchase goes towards our TEAM FORCE Fundraising efforts for the NYC Marathon

Eric's NYC Marathon Fundraiser - Team FORCE, a dynamic organization that supports the hereditary cancer community

Erika's Chicago Marathon Fundraiser - for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in memory of her brother, Nick

Strava Group
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Happy Friday!!! In this episode, Six Star Erika discuss her experiences during the Chicago Marathon weekend with Eric and Allie G. Including the excitement of the expo, the Peloton shakeout run, and the race day itself. Erika shares her journey, from arriving in Chicago to running the marathon and the challenges she faced along the way. The conversation also touches on the community aspect of running, the importance of support, and reflections on the race medal.

Chapters

02:49 Chicago Marathon Weekend Overview
05:41 Arrival and Expo Experience
08:45 Peloton Shakeout Run
11:46 Networking and Meeting Friends
14:46 Pre-Race Activities and Reflections
17:40 Race Day Preparations and Anticipations
23:11 The Build-Up to Race Day
29:22 Race Day Excitement and Preparation
32:17 The Marathon Experience
37:43 Post-Race Reflections and Medal Talk

Takeaways

Erika had a spontaneous trip to Chicago for the marathon.
The expo was overwhelming with many people and activities.
Peloton's shakeout run was a highlight of the weekend.
Erika ran a 5K as part of her pre-race activities.
The Chicago Marathon had fantastic crowd support.
Erika achieved a personal best marathon time of 3:56:54.
The fast pass for private toilets was worth the investment.
The medal for the Chicago Marathon was smaller than expected.
Community support during races is invaluable.
Erika logged a total of 62 miles over the weekend.

My Race Tatts Affiliate Page - 15% of your purchase goes towards our TEAM FORCE Fundraising efforts for the NYC Marathon

Wrightsock Affiliate Page - 15% of your purchase goes towards our TEAM FORCE Fundraising efforts for the NYC Marathon

Eric's NYC Marathon Fundraiser - Team FORCE, a dynamic organization that supports the hereditary cancer community

Erika's Chicago Marathon Fundraiser - for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in memory of her brother, Nick

Strava Group
Linktree - Find everything here
Instagram - Follow us on the gram
YouTube - Subscribe to our channel
Patreon - Support us
Threads
Email us at OnTheRunsPod@gmail.com

In this OTR Classic, Erin from the Will Run For Podcast shares her journey with breast cancer, discussing her diagnosis, treatment, and the importance of community support. She reflects on her running background, the challenges of living with metastatic cancer, and how the running community has played a vital role in her healing process. Erin emphasizes the need for self-advocacy in healthcare and the significance of maintaining an active lifestyle despite her diagnosis. The conversation highlights the power of connection and support in facing life's challenges. In this conversation, Erin shares her journey of living with stage four cancer while training for marathons. She discusses the differences between the cancer community and the running community, emphasizing the need for support and understanding from both sides. Erin highlights the importance of advocating for one's health and the challenges of training through adversity. She also shares her fundraising efforts for cancer research and the significance of community support in her journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Erin Pets and Breast Cancer Awareness
07:12 Erin's Running Journey and Community Connection
10:21 The Transition from Casual to Committed Runner
13:17 The Role of Community in Running
16:12 Experiences with Races and the DNF Philosophy
19:17 Facing Cancer: Erin's Diagnosis and Journey
22:09 Understanding Symptoms and Advocacy for Health
25:03 The Importance of Self-Advocacy in Health
29:57 Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
43:14 The Intersection of Cancer and Running Communities
51:17 Training Through Treatment: A Marathoner's Journey
01:00:46 The Marathon Duck and Race Day Plans
01:02:07 Facing Challenges: Erin's Journey to Dopey
01:04:13 Support Systems: The Role of Caregivers
01:05:41 Future Races and Aspirations
01:09:07 Community Connections and Podcasting
01:16:00 Advocacy and Health Awareness

My Race Tatts Affiliate Page - 15% of your purchase goes towards our TEAM FORCE Fundraising efforts for the NYC Marathon

Wrightsock Affiliate Page - 15% of your purchase goes towards our TEAM FORCE Fundraising efforts for the NYC Marathon

Eric's NYC Marathon Fundraiser - Team FORCE, a dynamic organization that supports the hereditary cancer community

Erika's Chicago Marathon Fundraiser - for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in memory of her brother, Nick

Strava Group
Linktree - Find everything here
Instagram - Follow us on the gram
YouTube - Subscribe to our channel
Patreon - Support us
Threads
Email us at OnTheRunsPod@gmail.com