Set the Pace

For this week’s Set the Pace, NYRR’s Gordon Bakoulis—Coach Gordon to many–steps in to host the show while Rob and Becs are away. Gordon sits down with Heidi Skolnik, a sports nutritionist and exercise physiologist who is also a member of the NYRR Medical Advisory Council, to discuss her newest book, “Your GLP-1 Game Plan: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About How to Eat, Move, and Thrive on Weight Loss Medication,” out September 22. Heidi has worked with the New York Giants, Mets, and Knicks, and spent 30 years at the Women's Sports Medicine Center at Hospital for Special Surgery. She explains how these medications can affect appetite, hydration, and fueling—and why runners need to be especially intentional about meeting their nutritional needs. She also addresses common misconceptions and stigma surrounding obesity, body size, and weight-loss medications, emphasizing that health and movement are about much more than weight. Heidi and Gordon discuss how coaches can support runners during workouts, whether the goal is training for a marathon or simply wanting to move more.
You can find Your GLP-1 Game Plan: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About How to Eat, Move, and Thrive on Weight Loss Medication, on Amazon


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In this episode, Rob sits down with NYRR’s Director of Professional Athletes Dorian Kail to preview the pros taking on the TCS New York City Marathon on November 1 and explore what it takes to assemble the field. One of those athletes is Viola Cheptoo, who is gearing up for her return to New York. Cheptoo grew up in one of Kenya's great running families as the younger sister of five-time Olympian Bernard Lagat and has made a name of her own. She finished second in her marathon debut at the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon and ran a personal best of 2:19:05 at the Tokyo Marathon this past March. But Cheptoo’s story reaches far beyond the finish line. In 2021, her close friend and training partner, Agnes Tirop, a two-time world medalist who had just broken a world record, was killed by her husband. Cheptoo turned her grief into a movement by founding Tirop's Angels, an organization fighting gender-based violence by creating resources, including a safe house in Kenya for survivors.

Tirop's Angels Back to School 5K https://app.movezengo.com/register?event=tirops-angels-virtual-race
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On this special live show from the Apollo Stages at the Victoria, Rob is joined by co-host Keisha Sutton-James, Percy Sutton's granddaughter and former deputy Manhattan borough president. Together, they sit down with MS NOW political analyst Dr. Basil Smikle Jr., multi-platinum Harlem recording artist FERG; Billy “Mr. Apollo” Mitchell, Harlem Run member and NYRR marketing lead Kristina Lopez, and Run for the Future alumna Katherine Yerolemou to unearth the little-known story of the powerhouse Percy Sutton built in Harlem and beyond.

Percy Sutton believed in New York when almost no one else did. A Tuskegee Airman and the attorney who represented Malcolm X, he went on to build a pioneering Black-owned media empire, help create the 5-boro marathon, save the historic Apollo Theater, and claim his seat at the legendary Regency "Power Breakfast."


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For this week’s episode of Set the Pace, Rob is joined by NYRR VP of Strategy, Planning & Analytics Matthew Forys to answer members’ questions LIVE about the updates to the 9+1 program and membership. For decades, New York Road Runners has connected its members to races, community, and unforgettable experiences, including the opportunity to earn guaranteed entry to the TCS New York City Marathon through the 9+1 program. As demand for NYRR races has continued to grow, it has become increasingly difficult for members to register for races and volunteer opportunities, limiting access for both those pursuing 9+1 and those simply looking to race throughout the year. In response to member feedback and pilot programs over the past 24 months, NYRR is introducing several changes designed to improve year-round race access while creating a clearer path to completing the 9+1 program.

For More information visit: https://www.nyrr.org/run/guaranteed-entry/tcs-new-york-city-marathon-9plus1-program

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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

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SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.