August 28, 2025 • 52 mins
On this week’s show, Rob and Becs talk with Jordan Fisher—best known for his roles in Broadway’s Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Moulin Rouge!, as well as Dancing with the Stars —and his wife, Ellie Fisher, who graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in clinical dietetics. This fall, Jordan will line up for the inaugural Broadway Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile while Ellie is training for her first marathon at the TCS New York City Marathon. Both are running their races to raise money for Broadway Cares and the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative. They open up about how they are supporting one another through their training journeys as both parents and partners. And for this week’s Member Moment, Meb talks to Lizzy Blomgren, a golf professional who has spent years teaching and competing in the sport. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 10, she’s learned to balance her athletic career with the daily demands of managing her condition.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I felt like I just needed to get outside and
clear my air. Let's go for a 10 minute jog. Okay,
that felt good. Let's go for a 20 minute jog. Okay,
that felt good. Let's go for a four mile run
for the first time. That's where it started picking up
for me, where I was like, " I could be out
here all day. I love this." I felt peace for
the first time in a while, like the quiet that
(00:21):
happens when you're running.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Hey everybody, and welcome to Set the Pace, the official
podcast of New York Road Runners presented by Peloton. I'm your
host, Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New York Road Runners
and back with me this week, we missed her so
much for our live episode at the run center last
week, my co- host, Peloton instructor, Becs Gentry. Becs, hi,
(00:48):
how are you doing?
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Oh, she's on the mend. She is back up and
almost running.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Oh, that is a relief to hear. We were worried about
you last week basically couldn't leave your, I guess you
had your foot elevated. You were kind of waiting for it to get better.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
It was just sitting was weirdly very painful that I think
it was just like having a foot hanging down, after
a few minutes. I just had to have it up.
So if I was in environments where I could do
that, I would. You should have seen me at the hair salon with
my foot up literally on three people's... I just looked
like I was probably at the gynecologist office more than
(01:26):
the hair salon. But yeah, but now we're through it.
This is now two weeks since and I'm about to
head into my first walking and running class combined, so
I'm very positive that we're through the bad stage.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
All right, well listen, those rolled ankles can be rough.
They can take a while to heal. I've been through
a couple of those, so it's just time though. You
know they're going to get better, it's just you just need
time
Speaker 3 (01:56):
And as an impatient Aries female, not something I'm very
good at.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Yeah, I get it. I can relate. Well, we're glad
you're on your way back and I know your students will be
psyched to see you back on the tread at Peloton.
Becs, we had a packed weekend this past weekend. We're
into it now. We're getting into the real season here
at New York Road Runners, absolutely. And we started it
with a big day on Saturday, Member Week. We had 7,
(02:23):
890 New York Road Runners members and only members running
the 2025 Grete's Great Gallop 10K, on a beautiful Central
Park morning and it was a terrific day. Big, big
day. We had a few winners. Jaouad El jazouli was 30
was his time from the Garden State Track Club to
(02:44):
win it. The non- binary winner was Jacob Caswell 36:
14 from Front Runners New York and on the women's
side, Felicia Pasadyn 32:57 from 212 Athletic- Saucony and it was a
great day, Becs. I wasn't at the Grete's Great Gallop for
a change because I was at another event we had
(03:06):
going on simultaneously out in Brooklyn. We had our second
ever New York Road Runners start line series. And Becs, we
talked about this. This is a 5K that's using the closed
streets of the great Summer Streets initiative that the city and
the Department of Transportation have put on. This one was
out in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. I went out there, made
(03:28):
it kind of a speed workout for myself, got a
little speed work done on the streets out there in
Crown Heights and it was really cool to see. We
had over 500 folks out there, a totally free event
and it was so awesome. There were so many first
time runners there. I spoke to so many inspiring people.
There was a church group that I spoke to, Becs,
(03:50):
the pastor of this church in Brooklyn is a runner
and he got a number of his members to come
out and these were like 70 and 80- year- old women,
a lot of them. I met a woman named Fern
who ran her first ever 5K at like 70 years
old and I also met a woman named Rocio who
I watched cross the finish line and she just started
(04:13):
tearing up. She was crying, she was so emotional, Becs, and
she went over and gave her son this big hug
and it was such a beautiful moment and I spoke
to her afterwards and it was the first time she'd
ever run a 5K in her life. She was going through
a tough time in her life going through a divorce
and she said that she did this just to show
(04:35):
her son that you could do a hard thing at
a tough time. I have to say it was one
of the most inspiring days I've had at New York
Road Runners. And on my Instagram, actually if you follow
me on Instagram, I posted an interview, it was on my
story, so it's gone now with Rocio. I'll go back
and post it as a post because it was worth
keeping. It was just a great day, Becs, and it reminds
(04:58):
me so much of why we do what we do
at New York Road Runners is the impact that, yeah,
500 runners is not as big as the 8, 000
we had in Central Park, but the impact we had,
arguably just as big.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, absolutely. I love hearing those stories. It just does
remind us all that it doesn't matter how fast we
move, it's the movement that counts and it just warms
my heart to hear people like Rocio out there proving
it to herself to use that 5K as a way
(05:32):
to elevate her soul for her primarily and also her
son, of course, as a bit of a lesson for
him. It's beautiful. Oh my gosh, what a weekend. What
a weekend.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
It was great. It was really great, Becs, and then I turned around Sunday
and got in my long run by myself.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Give me the update.
MUSIC (05:50):
Run, run, run, run, run.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
You had your 18.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
I did 17 on Sunday. I saved one. I saved one for
you, but I'm going to go 19 this next one. So
I'm working my way up. Why did I stop after
(06:12):
17? Oh, you know why? I was exhausted. I was completely beat.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Coach will change it. I'll change it in the spreadsheet right now.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
There we go. It says 17 and next weekend-
Speaker 2 (06:21):
You got to take me down a mile for last weekend.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Is 19. Okay.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
First of all, I have to say, Becs, I feel it's going pretty
well. I really feel fantastic. Yes, I was tired at
the end of that long run, but the speed work
that you've been giving me and I kind of do
your workouts, I also look at the run a workout
sometimes and take a little from this, a little from
that, but I think the speed work has really helped
me. I feel good. The biggest change from what I
(06:47):
would have been doing on my own to training with
you, Becs, is the way I am pushing myself in these long
runs and I've done two weeks ago, a half marathon
all at my marathon pace and then the rest of
it a little bit slower. This week I didn't go
quite the whole 17 at marathon pace, but I picked up
a number of tempo efforts through throughout that and this
(07:09):
coming week when I do 19, I'm actually going to
work in another half marathon. So I signed up for
a half marathon in New Haven, Connecticut on Labor Day
and I'm going to go out and I'm going to run that half
that probably, I'm going to try to go marathon pace
or a little bit better, to really push myself to
get comfortable at that pace for a long time. And
(07:30):
I've run the pace before, Becs. You know I ran the time I'm
going for last year in Berlin, but the training at
this level of intensity, I don't know. I feel like
I'm going to hopefully be able to truly race this
marathon in Chicago and not just try to get to the finish line.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Oh, I love this. I love this. You're doing so well. I'm very, very proud of
you. I'm very proud to be along for the journey.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Well, you've been so helpful. What's your take for folks
listening out there, Becs, on racing during these blocks? I've
seen a lot of the pros they'll put in halves
and compete in those. How do you think I should
approach a half marathon? So I'm going to probably try
to run if I can, six before the half and
then run the final 13. What do you think a
(08:14):
good way to approach a race within your training block is?
Speaker 3 (08:17):
I think it's not going to be your all- out
race. It's not going to be your really, let's caveat
this with if you're training for longer distance than the
race you're running, it's probably not going to be the
PR of that race distance, but if you can get
a strong effort in there, great. I think there's two
things you have to be very aware of. One is
(08:39):
how much mileage you do before and after. So for
you, you're doing the six before and you'll take that
at a very steady, easy to marathon pace. Six miles,
you'll take it a gradual progression run up to marathon
pace perhaps. You don't even have to, because if you're
going to race the final 13, you are going to
be probably standing still for a little bit at the
start there, so you have to be very aware that
(09:01):
you don't get yourself too warm in that first six
before you try and push. So keeping as active as
you can. And then when you start that race, not
everyone else is on the same page as you, so
there's going to be people going out slow and the
worst thing you're going to do is trip, stumble, and
be around other people who are just coming out of
the gates for the first time that day. So bear
(09:23):
all of those things in mind. If you can get
yourself towards the front, fantastic. Some races are very big
and very strict on their corrals, rightly so, because people
are in corrals for a reason to get their PR
times in races. So do what you can to get to
the front of the corral you're supposed to be in
to alleviate the potential of other people holding you up
so you don't have to zigzag through crowds to get
(09:45):
there. Great, great thing to think about though is such
a fantastic opportunity to practice fueling and almost over fueling
because if you are going to want to run fast
on this half marathon, you're probably going to need a
bit more fuel than you would need at your marathon
pace by 19 miles. So getting that gut used to
(10:05):
the gastric distress that it goes through running, everyone goes
through it. Some of us handle it better than others, i.
e, some of us have to poop, others don't. Just
for run, for those people listening, that's just the long
and short of it. But the more you can put
your gut, your internal digestive system through gastric distress when
training, the more used to it gets. And then on
(10:26):
race day it's like, " Cool, let me just take from
this what I need to power you up." Instead of
take from it and go, " Ah, this is awful, let
me get it out." So great place to practice that
because it's a race scenario, there's going to be bathroom
stops, there's going to be extra fuel and hydration should
you need it. There's also going to be, worst case
scenario, medical professionals right there. So really, really great chance
(10:51):
to practice race day situation.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Yeah, I love it. It's really something I've been focusing
on and I'm running the six before because I want to
get that feeling of trying to run fast on tired
legs. That's a huge part of what you've got to
do and I have not done well with that in
my previous marathons. Running at that mile 22, 23, 24 recently has
been a struggle for me. So anyway, great advice from
(11:15):
you as always, Becs. And remember folks, I'm running to
support Team for Kids just kind of starting to focus
on my fundraising, so we'll put the link to my
page in the show notes and would love your support as I
take on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October
12th to support all of our amazing youth and community
programs, including by the way that great Summer Streets race,
(11:37):
I talked about earlier, a free race, so you can
donate to support that in the show notes. Find me
on Instagram, it's all in my bio as well. All
right, Becs, coming up on today's show, Broadway and Dancing with
the Stars, Jordan Fisher and his partner Ellie Fisher, will
talk about Broadway, parenting, and of course, running. They are
(11:59):
both running races this fall of slightly different distances. Jordan
taking on the Fifth Avenue Mile, Ellie taking on her first-
ever TCS New York City Marathon that's coming up in
just a moment. And for today's member moment, Meb Keflezighi
caught up with golf pro Lizzy Blomgren to talk about
how she balances endurance running and Type 1 diabetes and
(12:21):
then Meb will be back for today's Meb Minute to
talk about TCS New York City Marathon miles 10 through 12. This
episode of Set the Pace is brought to you by
Volvo Cars, including the fully electric Volvo EX90 SUV, the
official vehicle of the TCS New York City Marathon. The
Volvo EX90 SUV is designed to be the safest Volvo
(12:42):
ever made with safe space technology, cutting- edge radars and
cameras that help you detect potential risks inside and outside
the car, even in the dark, helping to protect you
and those around you, because sometimes the moments that never
happen matter the most. Visit volvocars.com/us To learn more about
(13:02):
the fully electric EX90 proudly assembled in South Carolina. We
are so thrilled to have a Broadway power couple that
is now becoming a running power couple this fall here
in New York. Jordan Fisher is a triple threat performer.
You've seen him in Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Moulin
(13:22):
Rouge and he even won Dancing with the Stars. His
wife, Ellie Fisher, graduated from the University of Alabama with
a degree in clinical dietetics and has taken on the
challenge of training for her first marathon this fall. Jordan's
going to line up for the inaugural Broadway mile at
the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile. While Ellie is preparing for
(13:43):
the TCS New York City Marathon. They are both using
these races to raise money for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights
AIDS an organization they're deeply committed to and we are
so thrilled to have this incredible Broadway power couple and
the talent just doesn't stop with you guys now you're
turning it into running. Welcome to set the Pace.
Speaker 5 (14:05):
Oh man, we really feel like superheroes just as parents.
I think that that's the biggest thing for us. We're
just really thrilled that we get to live in a city
that lets us do all of the things that we
love to do, a city that allows us to all
(14:25):
really thrive and be the best versions of ourselves. So
I think it's really full circle for us to be
here, for Ellie to have made the decision, what seemed
like an overnight decision. And I think that there's a lot of stories
that runners have like this where it's just like, " You
know what? I just started running." And I'm like, " Okay."
(14:50):
It is just incredible to see. We were talking about
it the other day, it's just like it's a Mount
Everest, the idea of running the New York Marathon, it's
so many miles. I'm running a mile. A mile. I
can't wait. I'm going to be at the end...
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Yeah, he's also so competitive, so he's like, " I'm going
to be chill about it." I know the day that
we get there, he's going to be blinders on, " I'm
winning this thing."
Speaker 3 (15:21):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
Yeah. I don't know man. I don't know. I just,
I'm not (inaudible) marathon. I don't need the PR,
but I am excited to get these little legs moving
for a really good cause.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 5 (15:37):
That's really what it comes back to is Broadway Cares
for us for so many years, for so many different
reasons. We've seen Broadway Cares truly changed lives. They have
saved people in my life. They have helped navigate through
treacherous waters and overcome things that seem impossible to overcome.
(16:04):
Broadway Cares has stepped in and ensured a livelihood for
people that I love in my life. And I think that
truly was the first time for me personally that I
saw an organization, because we go to the benefits and the galas and
the dinners and the things that we get, " Raise your paddle if you
(16:25):
want a trip to Cancun and also blah, blah, blah."
And it's like we can do that and get the
write off and know that we're doing a thing that's
good and it's making a difference. Yes, when you see it and you experience
it firsthand. I think that for me personally, that shifted
so much and Broadway Cares ensures whatever it is that
(16:50):
they are getting goes directly to the people that need
it the most that hour. You know what I'm saying?
And it's that kind of expedience and that kind of
consistency that just means so much to us.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
Absolutely, absolutely. And I'm guessing not just because it hits
home so closely to you both, I'm guessing you've already
said, Ellie, that Jordan's competitive. What do you think that your Broadway colleagues
are thinking as you're all gearing up for this? Because
(17:29):
we've heard that there's going to be a pretty big lineup
of Kelli O'Hara, Patina Miller, who we've had on the show.
What is the feeling amongst you all?
Speaker 2 (17:39):
And this is just so everybody knows Jordan, for our
listeners who don't know, this is the first ever Broadway mile,
so this is something that our team at New York
Road Runners has together. We're really excited about it. It's
going to be a really fun part of the New
Balance Fifth Avenue Mile and we've got people, performers, and
producers, directors, executives, people from all over Broadway coming together
(18:04):
to participate in this, to raise money for great causes
and it's really going to be great to see all
these stars of Broadway uptown a little bit running down
Fifth Avenue. So yeah, what's the vibe like among the
Broadway scene when it comes to this mile?
Speaker 5 (18:19):
When was the last time you saw two really good friends
of yours run the fastest they can? High school?
Speaker 3 (18:26):
For me, it's very often.
Speaker 5 (18:27):
You know what I mean? More than anything, I love all of my colleagues so
much. I'm like, " I want to see what it looks
like when you run fast." I want to see-
Speaker 3 (18:39):
I want to see the pain.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
That's honestly, that's one of the things I'm most excited
about is just like I love Kelli O'Hara so much.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Yeah, when we talked to Patrick, who's on our team from
Moulin Rouge as well, he's super excited about it.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
So excited. He's been training.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Yeah, he runs a mile every day on the treadmill.
He is like, " We're going to show up for sure."
Speaker 5 (19:02):
That's right, that's right. It's going to be great.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Oh my gosh. On top of all of it.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
The vibe is (inaudible) -
Speaker 3 (19:07):
On top of all of your training and all of
the dancing that you do as your day job. I
mean, that is such cardio prowess just in itself. So
to be doing the training for the mile on top
of that, I mean, we might see some new pros
here, Rob, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (19:24):
I mean possibly. Hey, hey, hey, I'm not working right now.
I'm not in a show right now, so I'm not doing that eight-
show schedule-
Speaker 2 (19:33):
So Jordan-
Speaker 5 (19:33):
You know what I'm saying?
Speaker 2 (19:34):
There's going to be no excuses. We expect to see you blaze down Fifth Avenue.
Speaker 5 (19:41):
I'm looking at it next week and I'm like, "Yeah, I should probably hop
on that treadmill."
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Maybe just stretch a little.
Speaker 5 (19:47):
Do a couple of squats and see-
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Hurt ourselves on a mile.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Well, this is actually funny because I don't think, Becs,
we ever talked to a couple where you had one
person training for a mile and the other training for
a marathon. Those are extremely different regimes when it comes
to training.
Speaker 5 (20:05):
I mean-
Speaker 1 (20:06):
The support though is the same on both sides.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
That is sweet.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Whether a mile or a marathon, we are there for each other.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
We're going to be cheering each other on.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
Well, the marathoner needs a lot more support because the
marathoner, Ellie, you know is spending a lot more hours
out there pounding the pavement, whether it's on the treadmill
or out on the streets. You finished your first half
marathon in April and where did the idea come from
to run a marathon, the TCS New York City Marathon
(20:37):
to be exact?
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Yeah, so like Jordan said, it did feel probably to
most people, very out of the blue. I, myself, am
not an athlete, so I wouldn't consider myself in that
category of somebody that-
Speaker 5 (20:50):
You are now.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Just take this on.
Speaker 5 (20:52):
You are now.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
That's very sweet, honey. I feel it now, now that
I'm in the training, for sure. But when I started, I really was doing it mostly
for mental health purposes. This was April of last year,
2024 and we had just found out that we had
a miscarriage and so that event in our life was
(21:17):
very heavy, very all- consuming and I was having a
hard time getting, not past it in the sense of
forgetting or anything, but mourning and letting it be and
continuing on. And I found through actually a work trip
I was on with Jordan to Vancouver, which is beautiful.
(21:38):
If you've never been to Vancouver, it's a runner's paradise.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
The joy she would have on her face coming home
from a run in Vancouver was, I mean, it's hard
to quantify the nature and the familial aspect of it
is really sweet.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Just at that point I felt like I just needed to
get outside and clear my air. Let's go for a ten-
minute jog. Okay, that felt good. Let's go for a twenty-
minute jog. Okay, that felt good. Let's go for a four-
mile run for the first time. That's where it started
picking up for me where I was like, " I could
be out here all day. I love this." I felt
peace for the first time in a while. The quiet
(22:16):
that happens when you're running and just the sense of
you, whether it's working on yourself, mentally, physically, it's you
for however long you're out there. And so from that
point on, I was pretty hooked. I was like, " This
is mommy time. You guys go play, have fun. I'm
going to get some time to myself and work on
myself." And living in New York, being able to see
(22:38):
the marathon happen from that perspective is, I mean, I
don't know how anybody can watch the New York City
Marathon and not feel inspired to go and do something,
whether it's run a marathon or not. You have got
to feel that when you see those people, I mean,
all of the spectators, how long they worked for it.
And so I got to see that from somebody that
(23:01):
just lived here and a friend had invited me to
apply for the marathon with him. He ended up dropping
out, because he and his wife got pregnant.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Uh- oh.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
And so I was like, " You know what, Will? I'm going to do it and I'm going to do it
with a lot of joy and excitement and wishing you
were running along with me." But what a goal to
have and I'm not putting pressure on myself in a
lot of ways that I feel like I could be.
I'm just going to enjoy it and have fun and
try to soak up every moment and then who knows,
(23:34):
I might really be addicted and want to keep training
and doing more marathons and I'm hoping that's the case
at least. So that's where the love came from. Short
love affair so far, but not planning on quitting anytime soon.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
You never know. And I feel you on the pregnancy
loss. I also have gone through that in the past
and it's definitely so cathartic when you find something that
allows you to sit with your feelings, but by yourself,
but almost not by yourself because you know you're in
(24:10):
amongst this other community of runners who have the hands
on your back, wherever they are. Wherever they are, you
could go and talk to somebody about it. So I
really feel you on that and it's so wonderful that
you have continued it and your passion is flourishing and
your friend is going to miss out. Will, you're missing
(24:32):
out, buddy.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
Will who will-
Speaker 3 (24:35):
He's like, " Oh my gosh."
Speaker 1 (24:36):
He's been really supportive too though, so that's-
Speaker 3 (24:38):
I'm sure he's actually really envious as well.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Yeah, he is.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
But let's talk a bit, I mean, you're in the
public eye, you're both in the public eye and you're
doing these very public, very well- known races. Both of
them are huge. What's it like for you training whilst
you're kind of in the public eye? Has it increased
any anxiety or pressure?
Speaker 1 (24:59):
For sure. I think definitely. I have made the choice
to document a lot of my training as a way
to stay accountable, I think was what I intended it
to be, but then it turned into a community of
people that are like, " Well, when's your next run?" I
see them out and about and they're like, " We're keeping up with
you online. When's your next run?" And that's cool, because
I really didn't think anybody cared. I was really doing
(25:22):
it for myself. So to know that there are people
that are keeping up with it and supporting all over
the place is really incredible and definitely inspiring.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
Yeah. Yeah, it is. It's a beautiful community. It truly is.
I'm very biased, but also I fully believe it with
my heart and I know Rob does too because he's
grinning like a cat with the cream over there.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Well, it's funny, Ellie, you'll see people love to follow other people's training. How's it going? I don't
know if you're on Strava, but people love to see
how other people are doing on Strava and relate to
the struggles and all of that, so it's really, yeah,
the community aspect of it is a huge part of it
(26:04):
and I'm so excited for you to experience what it's
going to be like on November 2nd. There is absolutely
nothing like it. It's going to be incredible. Jordan, I'm
just so curious for you, what has the journey been
like obviously, in your performing career to get to this
(26:25):
point? You've done some incredible things as a performer. Hamilton,
Dear Evan Hansen, Dancing with the Stars. We've had a
couple of Dancing with the Stars stars here on this
show. How does running kind of relate to that for
you? Has running become a big part of your life
or is this more kind of a, " Hey, I want to
have this experience on the Fifth Avenue Mile?" Do you
(26:46):
think maybe it's going to go somewhere from there?
Speaker 5 (26:48):
That, that, that. Yeah, no. A lover and a fan by
proxy, obviously when your partner decides to do something and
it's a new world for you, I just have done
everything I can to figure out how I can be
as supportive as I can. Obviously not, it's a very
(27:08):
solo thing and as a former gymnast I can very
much relate in that there's little that other people can
do to actually better you as an athlete. There's a
lot of coaching that can happen around it and support
and advice that you can get from other people that
are knowledgeable about it. I'm not knowledgeable for running, but
(27:30):
I do know about body therapy and physio and how
to kind of give her something that might be able
to help with a muscle group that she's dealing with,
a deep stretch or an exercise or something along those
lines. Those are ways that I can be helpful and
(27:51):
supportive. But in terms of all of the other stuff, just
making sure, " Hey, do you have your gels? Do you
have your-"
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Yeah, he's being really humble. He is currently, what he's
been calling it is producing the marathon day basically. He's like, "
I'm going to have everybody that's going to be there
placed all over the race route and we're going to
have them checked in at a certain spot. We're all
going to be on a group message." He's going to have
meetup spots. I'm like, " Great."
Speaker 5 (28:17):
It's like a full production day.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Because my brain wasn't even going to attempt to go
there. Yeah, you were-
Speaker 5 (28:26):
You've got 26. 2.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
You're a very big part of that for sure.
Speaker 5 (28:31):
I think that just like in, to answer your question, Rob, the way
that what I do relates to running is that the
only way to get there is to do it and
it is the quiet times outside of what you see
(28:54):
on stage or what you see on screen or what
you hear on the radio. It's the quiet times that
build that. It's the quiet times that make that successful
when no one else is around, when it's late at
night, when in it's the afternoon and I'm exhausted and
(29:16):
should take a nap, but I've got this thing to...
It's all of that. Running I think is very, very
synonymous in the determination that it takes, obviously, but it's
the execution aspect of putting that real grit and that
(29:36):
blood and sweat and tears when no one else is
watching you do it that makes all of it, not only
something for you to be able to hold that's tangible
at the end of it and you can be like,
yeah, whether it's a medal or a drink that's toasted
with friends at a wrap party for a project that
you just, no matter what, it's all, it's all the
(30:01):
same. It is that, but what you get on the other side of it is
the knowing that you has been so sexy to watch
and constantly inspiring, I think that what shouldn't be unsaid
(30:22):
is the training and all of the stuff that it takes,
the mental willpower, et cetera, et cetera on top of
being a mom of a three- year- old.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 5 (30:31):
That's the feat really.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Becs can relate.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
I can relate. My little girl is about to turn three in a
few weeks, so I feel you.
Speaker 1 (30:39):
Happy early birthday.
Speaker 5 (30:39):
Happy early.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Thank you. It is a absolutely gigantic task because you feel
exhausted from that role running around after them, especially if
you have any childcare during the week, but then the
weekend it's just you three and you're just like, " I've
got to go and run a 20 mile training run and
(31:02):
then I've got to be mum."
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Yeah. I have to pretend to be a mom for the rest of the day.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
Yeah, because they don't care. They have no care at
all. The minute you get in, you may be as
white as the wall and drenched with sweat, but they're
just like, " Mummy, mummy, mummy, come do this." You're like-
Speaker 1 (31:18):
Totally.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
But as you say, that is the unseen element to
it that other people don't see, but when you get
to that finish line, you have that inside going, " Oh
my gosh, I did that. I did that." But I also
want to know, Jordan, obviously you're the support crew here
for Ellie's long distance marathon, but Ellie, has your background
(31:44):
in nutrition and self- care on the food and diet
front, has that helped the both of you when it
comes to performance at work and now on this epic
new 26. 2 journey?
Speaker 1 (31:58):
Yeah, I definitely would say so. I am really grateful
that I chose to study dietetics and nutrition because it
is something that I'm going to take with me for
the rest of my life. I get to teach Riley
how to eat properly and healthfully and what makes him
feel good, and I get to cook good food here
at the house for the family. I think I took
(32:21):
really quickly to counting macros when I started doing the
training, because I understood very quickly how important the feeling
process for it is and getting used to gels and
electrolytes and all of the different aspects of prepping yourself
to be the strongest on that day. So I've definitely
been practicing with all of those things and he's been
(32:43):
forced to eat lots of carb, protein heavy meals, which
I haven't heard any complaints from or about yet. But
yeah, I love that running is a sport that you
have to eat for. There's no way around it. It's
going to make you stronger and better and, yeah, it
makes it enjoyable too. I get home from a long
run and I'm like, " I'm starving. What are we eating?"
Speaker 3 (33:06):
I love that. And yeah, as you say, knowing what to
grab instead of just reaching for, I don't know, a
pack of Goldfish or something to tide you over, before
you crawl upstairs to have a shower. You know what
nutrients you need to replace your body in order to
put your hat on to be mum, to be wife,
to be performer, or whatever it is. It's so lucky,
(33:29):
so, so lucky. And what a great skill set to
pass on to your family as well. So while we're
talking about family, I'm intrigued by this. My mum is
also one of my reasons why I run. I've never
run a race with her. I have had her into
a Peloton class though. But your mum and your brother
(33:50):
are running, is it The Hamptons half marathon coming up? Next month,
okay. How? How did you convince your mum to run
a half marathon with you?
Speaker 5 (33:59):
It was The Hamptons. It was so easy.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Yeah, it was so easy. I didn't lead with the half marathon part.
Speaker 5 (34:07):
No, no, no, no.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
I led with the-
Speaker 3 (34:09):
"Weekend in The Hamptons, mum."
Speaker 5 (34:10):
It was anything like that. You're like, " Hey, it's The Hamptons." "Oh, The Hamptons. I'll be there"
Speaker 1 (34:15):
She's also a BODYPUMP instructor and she teaches cycle at their local gym.
Speaker 3 (34:22):
Oh.
Speaker 5 (34:22):
She's a beast.
Speaker 1 (34:22):
So I was not really worried about her not being able to, her
age is not a factor whatsoever.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
No, God no.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
Her health is (inaudible) .
Speaker 3 (34:32):
Aging backwards, I'm sure.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Yeah. I think for her seeing me and my brother
sign up for it was almost like a challenge. Like, "
Oh, well-"
Speaker 5 (34:40):
" I can do it."
Speaker 1 (34:41):
Yeah, so she's been really training hard. She has been
having, she's had a couple of injuries here and there, so
we're really hoping that she can stick it out and
make it through. I know she's going to feel so
proud of herself when she does, but if not, the
5K, she was like, " I'm for sure going to do
the 5K." So she's running with us that day.
Speaker 3 (35:03):
Oh my goodness. That is so much fun. And I'm
guessing they'll be there to cheer you on on November
2nd as well?
Speaker 5 (35:10):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:10):
Yes, they will. And my brother is going to be
running the Charlotte Marathon a week after the New York
City Marathon. I wish I could get down there to
support him, but I will be cheering him on over
the phone and hopefully getting some good videos from the
race. It's his first marathon ever too. So we really-
Speaker 5 (35:29):
So excited.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
We both got bit by the bug very quickly and
decided to take on some fun challenges.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
You did, you did. I'm very proud of you already.
I'm in awe. Okay, so we've touched on it lightly
earlier on, but obviously it's something that you both are
very, very passionate and very, very caring about, and that
is the why behind these races and your running. And Jordan,
you said it saved people around you. It's really shone
(35:57):
a light onto the struggles and the sadness that happens
on Broadway and to people very close to you. So
what have you been doing individually to rally awareness and
get donations and to promote this incredible cause?
Speaker 5 (36:14):
Well, I'll just say the scope of Broadway Cares goes
so, so far beyond Broadway and the Broadway community. Broadway Cares
is a resource for all artists everywhere. Broadway Cares has
a center in all 50 states-
Speaker 1 (36:35):
Including Puerto Rico and D.C.
Speaker 5 (36:36):
Including Puerto Rico and D.C.m that's correct. Broadway Cares works with the Phyllis Newman
Women's Health Initiative as well to provide financial aid and
support to women all over the country of all ages,
shape sizes, genders, creeds, orientations, no matter what to provide
(36:58):
support for a myriad of health issues.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
Mostly it's medical research for the Phyllis Newman Women's Initiative,
which is huge.
Speaker 3 (37:06):
Okay. Oh, yes.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
So this is, they're helping ensure that women can get whatever
medication that they can get. I mean, this is also
The Actors Fund. This helps actors stay in their homes,
they keep homes from foreclosure, they make sure that people
have food in their refrigerators. This is everywhere, all over
(37:29):
the US, and that's just something that I'm so proud
to emphasize when talking about Broadway Cares, because this is
something that I think we can put Broadway in New
York so quickly and so easily, but I think that
it really is just about the greater artists community and
LGBTQ+ community as well, ensuring visibility and support. Yeah, I
(37:54):
mean, in terms of rallying, golly, we do collections on
Broadway after shows twice a year and we do a
lot of fun stuff around that and different events and
stuff as well. There's the Broadway Flea Market that's going
to be happening here pretty soon, and we have a
burlesque variety show that we do every year. We've got
(38:19):
almost like it's like a concert with all different Broadway
stars that sing songs from shows that they would otherwise
never be in or roles that they would never play.
It's called Broadway Backwards. I mean, in all of these
events, we have been fortunate to rally and raise incredible
money, but we know that where we are now today
(38:42):
in 2025, especially in the United States of America, things
are just volatile and shaky and constantly vibrating and fluid
and there's a lot of unknown right now. And one
thing that can be known, one thing that is consistent
is that regardless of the storm, Broadway cares is there.
(39:07):
They are the shelter in the storm and a beacon
and that will be timeless and priceless to us as
a family, as a unit, and I just couldn't be
more proud of Ellie, not only for running the New
(39:29):
York City Marathon, but specifically and intentionally making it about
Broadway Cares, specifically women's health. And to watch that has just been...
Speaker 1 (39:42):
Yeah, I've known for a while that I wanted to
have my hands in this community somehow, I just didn't
know what that was going to look like. So when
it unfolded to being a part of the marathon team-
Speaker 5 (39:56):
Very organically just kind of happened.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Yeah. I took to the fundraising part of it quickly
just knowing how much Broadway Cares does for people across
our country, other organizations across our country, they support so
many other nonprofits providing food, providing medical care, and so
(40:18):
what we do on a day- to- day basis as
far as rallying and raising money is we just speak
to people that may or may not know about Broadway
Cares and remind them all of the good they do and
how just $ 10 can get somebody an HIV test, $ 25
can provide I think a week of food. What they
(40:41):
do is so it's clear that it's important to our
society right now to do what we can and be a
part of these kinds of organizations to help other people
that really don't know what's next. We all say that
we don't know what's next in this country, but there
are people that are really frightened and I can only
(41:04):
do what I can and that's help and be a
voice and try to run 26.2 miles for a good
cause and bring some awareness.
Speaker 3 (41:13):
Yeah, that's beautiful. So beautiful.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
Well, Ellie and Jordan, you guys are training for very
different distances, but you are doing it as a clear
team. It is really fun to see. It's fun to
listen and watch the two of you. You're adorable by
the way. You guys are an absolutely adorable couple and
we're just so excited for both of you. Ellie, do
you have a goal? Do you have any sort of
(41:36):
time goal for the marathon or is your goal just
to finish?
Speaker 1 (41:40):
My goal is to finish. My goal is to be out
there and be one of those women that can say
that they completed the New York City Marathon and feel
that and not let anybody else try to change the
way I feel about it. I don't care what time
it is, as long as I pass that finish line.
Speaker 5 (41:58):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
I love it and-
Speaker 3 (42:00):
The way do it.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
I love the fact that Jordan is producing the day
for you and it's going to... A pretty good guy to produce
your day, by the way. I would take a day
produced by Jordan anytime.
Speaker 5 (42:11):
We've got it down, it's going to be a beautiful day for sure.
Speaker 2 (42:15):
I can't wait. Can't wait to see you, Ellie, at
the finish line because that's where I will see you.
Speaker 1 (42:20):
Yay.
Speaker 2 (42:20):
And I wish you luck and Jordan, I can't wait
to see you on Fifth Avenue in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 5 (42:25):
Yeah, man. We'll see you soon.
Speaker 2 (42:25):
All right.
Speaker 3 (42:25):
We'll see you both there.
Speaker 2 (42:25):
Amazing time. Ellie and Jordan Fisher. Peloton is the race
training partner you've been missing. From beginner- friendly walks to
advanced interval runs, Peloton's classes are designed to meet you
where you are and help you get where you want
(42:46):
to go. Whether you're preparing for a marathon or just
trying to improve your pace, you'll train smarter, build strength,
and stay motivated, all with expert- led instructor guidance. Ready
to level up your race training? Head to onepeloton/ race-
training to learn more. Peloton, an official partner of the 2025
TCS New York City Marathon. Lizzy Blomgren is a professional
(43:11):
golfer who has spent years teaching and competing in the
sport she loves. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age
10, she's long balanced her athletic career with the daily
demands of managing that condition. Endurance running was never part
of her plan until diabetes training camp shifted her mindset,
showing her that she could adapt, push harder, and that
(43:32):
she'd found a community that understood every challenge she faced.
Emboldened, Lizzy joined a local run club and soon she
found herself taken on the United Airlines NYC half marathon
this past March. And then on race day, a pivotal
moment at mile six would test everything she learned about perseverance.
Speaker 6 (43:51):
Lizzy, welcome to Set the Pace podcast. How's it going today?
Speaker 7 (43:54):
Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here
with you guys. It's going great.
Speaker 6 (43:58):
We are delighted you are here. You are a PGA golf professional and
you competed in college and when did the idea of
running a half marathon first click for you and why
was that so meaningful?
Speaker 7 (44:10):
Yeah, so I've always kind of had this idea, " I
want to run a half marathon. I want to run a
half marathon." But with Type 1 diabetes, any endurance activities
can be extremely challenging because there's a lot of factors
that I'm dealing with that maybe a typical runner is
not. So it kind of would come and go from
my mind. I would tell people this in college and
(44:33):
then finally I went to an awesome program and I
was like, " You know what? I can do this." And
I signed up to run with a charity called Breakthrough,
which does a lot for the Type 1 diabetes community
and that's how I kind of got started.
Speaker 6 (44:51):
Awesome. Well, can you take us, when you're running back
to the mile six of your NYC half when your
sensor failed and you experienced a severe glucose drop, how did
you stay calm and keep running?
Speaker 7 (45:06):
Yeah, so as a Type 1 diabetic, I wear an
insulin pump and I also wear something that reads my
blood sugar monitor. So in the middle of the race
I had my Dexcom on, which reads my monitor and that's how
my insulin pump, they all connect together. And it stopped
reading my glucose levels and I was actually getting false
(45:28):
readings before that so I wasn't fueling properly for where
my blood sugar actually was. And then it fails and then
I'm in a medical tent and my blood sugar is
40, which is very, very low. It's a very severe
low for a Type 1 diabetic, so kind of being
able to wait, allow my blood sugar to raise and
then keep going is incredibly difficult because all the glycogen
(45:53):
from your muscles is just gone. It's funny, because that
was the reason that I had never wanted to pursue
long distance running in the first place. And I went
to this incredible program last summer called Diabetes Training Camp
where I worked with a lot of individuals with Type
1 and trainers who had had a lot of experience
(46:13):
with the disease and they helped me kind of start
learning how to fuel and prevent this and then it
happens in the middle of the race despite everything I
had learned, my biggest fear happened. And I realized, " You
know what? I'm going to trust my feeling. I just
ate something. I know I'll be okay know I'll get
(46:35):
through the finish line. Maybe it's not the time I
wanted, but it's okay, it's my first half marathon." So
I was able to kind talk myself through it and
be like, " I got this." And now I know I
can kind of do anything because again, I accomplished my
biggest fear happening during the race.
Speaker 6 (46:54):
It's big, 13.1 miles. And that's a personal best for
you, so even though you had some struggle, you did
a great job.
Speaker 7 (47:02):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (47:02):
How's running with a local club differ from solo training?
What does that-
Speaker 7 (47:07):
Oh gosh.
Speaker 6 (47:09):
What does that community offer you now?
Speaker 7 (47:12):
It's the best truly. I run with Dubset Running Collective, which
is in White Plains, New York, so it's a New
York Road Runner running group and it's incredible, the community
I've experienced. I've met so many friends. I've actually met
a couple other type through the group, but just a
great group of people who are so encouraging and so
(47:35):
many different speeds and I've gained so much knowledge from
these group of people because again, they're always willing to
help me kind of learn how to train because I
am a new runner still and they've provided me a
lot of support and running with a community versus running alone,
it just makes all the difference.
Speaker 6 (47:57):
We are delighted to have you. How does one sport
like golf teach you about running or vice versa?
Speaker 7 (48:04):
Yeah, I mean, golf and running, any sport you're doing
is just a lot of perseverance and training to improve.
It's very similar, the mindset. Anytime you're doing a high
level sport, there's ups and downs, you have good runs,
you have bad runs. I have great days on the
(48:25):
golf course, I certainly have bad days on the golf
course. But remembering to trust your training and that it
eventually will pay off.
Speaker 6 (48:33):
How does that sometimes missing the golf ball into the
hole and versus the last mile was, " That's not what I
want to hit." How do you compare those or how
are they similar or how are they different?
Speaker 7 (48:45):
Yeah, I think it's all similar. Obviously two very different
sports, but it's the idea of learning how to stay
cool even when things aren't going your way. And golf
has taught me so well to do that because again,
you're not moving quickly necessarily in golf, but it's such
(49:05):
a mental challenge between a bad shot and going up
and hitting your next one. And the same thing with
running, when you're in those last few miles, it's like, "
Okay, trust the training. This hurts, but I'm going to
get through this. I worked for this. I'm ready."
Speaker 6 (49:20):
Pretty awesome. What's one thing you would tell another athlete
with Type 1 diabetes who thinks endurance races are off
limits to them?
Speaker 7 (49:30):
They're not off limits, you just have to prepare differently.
Again, it's the same thing. It's all about learning how
to prepare and how to be ready and understanding what
could happen with your blood sugar and being ready for
different outcomes.
Speaker 6 (49:46):
Yeah, (inaudible) preparation and hope for the best and
do the right thing on race day.
Speaker 7 (49:51):
Definitely.
Speaker 6 (49:52):
Since the race, what new goal you set for yourself
and how does your mindset around diabetes shape it?
Speaker 7 (50:00):
Yeah, so I'm actually running the New York City Marathon
in November.
Speaker 6 (50:04):
Yay.
Speaker 7 (50:05):
I know. I ran another half marathon after the New
York City half just to see if I could get
my blood sugar perfect and I did. So that was
such a big accomplishment for me, and I was like, "
You know what? I'm not done yet." So I'm fundraising again for
Breakthrough, and I'm running in November. I'm so excited. I'm
(50:26):
on week seven of my training.
Speaker 6 (50:28):
That's awesome. The TCS New York City Marathon is one
of my favorites, so you're going to be in great
hand, get ready for 50,000 people supporting you and cheering
you on, and the great crowd that comes to support, so
it's special. I wish you all the best.
Speaker 7 (50:42):
Thank you so much. I can't wait. New York City
is my favorite city in the world, and what a
place to be able to do my first marathon.
Speaker 6 (50:49):
Pretty awesome, man. I'm so glad you got the bug.
Speaker 7 (50:52):
I do. I know it's hard not to, especially when
you start running with friends in a community. It's such
a beautiful group of people. It's like that second half
marathon I did, I had someone pull a rock out
of my shoe for me. Like, stopped his race to
help me, and I'm like, that's just the entire running
community that I've been a part of. It's pretty special.
Speaker 6 (51:13):
The camaraderie is pretty incredible.
Speaker 7 (51:14):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 6 (51:15):
So glad you had a great experience and look forward to seeing you in November.
Speaker 2 (51:19):
Thank you, Lizzy, so much for joining us and for
being a member of New York Road Runners. Now it's
time for today's Meb Minute.
Speaker 6 (51:29):
Thanks, Rob. Welcome back to my mile by mile countdown
to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. This week we are
counting down mile 10 to 12, Williamsburg. Mile 10 to 12. Now going to the
double digits. This is energy stretched through the Bedford Avenue.
Tight course, vibrant people. (inaudible) into the course, you
(51:49):
might be able to move in front. For me personally,
where I can engage if the person runs in front
of me or behind me. I know if I'm in
the lead that if there's a person crossing right behind
me, I don't have enough space away from my competitors. This
is a time where you absorb the community. Also, this
is Sunday. Some people do go to church, so you
might see people coming in from church or going to
(52:10):
church. This is a time to know the community a
little bit. Williamsburg and Greenpoint cheer zone. Stay in control,
fuel right, and consistently, you'll be fine.
Speaker 2 (52:23):
That does it for another episode of Set The Pace.
We want to thank our guests, Jordan and Ellie Fisher
and Lizzy Blomgren. If you liked the episode, please make
sure you subscribe. Please leave us a rating, leave us
a comment. We love to hear from you. That helps
other people find this show as well. Good luck for
everybody running this weekend, Labor Day weekend. Enjoy the long
(52:44):
weekend. Hopefully you've got some time off. Enjoy those miles.
We'll see you next week.
I felt like I just needed to get outside and
clear my air. Let's go for a 10 minute jog. Okay,
that felt good. Let's go for a 20 minute jog. Okay,
that felt good. Let's go for a four mile run
for the first time. That's where it started picking up
for me, where I was like, " I could be out
here all day. I love this." I felt peace for
the first time in a while, like the quiet that
(00:21):
happens when you're running.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Hey everybody, and welcome to Set the Pace, the official
podcast of New York Road Runners presented by Peloton. I'm your
host, Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New York Road Runners
and back with me this week, we missed her so
much for our live episode at the run center last
week, my co- host, Peloton instructor, Becs Gentry. Becs, hi,
(00:48):
how are you doing?
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Oh, she's on the mend. She is back up and
almost running.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Oh, that is a relief to hear. We were worried about
you last week basically couldn't leave your, I guess you
had your foot elevated. You were kind of waiting for it to get better.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
It was just sitting was weirdly very painful that I think
it was just like having a foot hanging down, after
a few minutes. I just had to have it up.
So if I was in environments where I could do
that, I would. You should have seen me at the hair salon with
my foot up literally on three people's... I just looked
like I was probably at the gynecologist office more than
(01:26):
the hair salon. But yeah, but now we're through it.
This is now two weeks since and I'm about to
head into my first walking and running class combined, so
I'm very positive that we're through the bad stage.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
All right, well listen, those rolled ankles can be rough.
They can take a while to heal. I've been through
a couple of those, so it's just time though. You
know they're going to get better, it's just you just need
time
Speaker 3 (01:56):
And as an impatient Aries female, not something I'm very
good at.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Yeah, I get it. I can relate. Well, we're glad
you're on your way back and I know your students will be
psyched to see you back on the tread at Peloton.
Becs, we had a packed weekend this past weekend. We're
into it now. We're getting into the real season here
at New York Road Runners, absolutely. And we started it
with a big day on Saturday, Member Week. We had 7,
(02:23):
890 New York Road Runners members and only members running
the 2025 Grete's Great Gallop 10K, on a beautiful Central
Park morning and it was a terrific day. Big, big
day. We had a few winners. Jaouad El jazouli was 30
was his time from the Garden State Track Club to
(02:44):
win it. The non- binary winner was Jacob Caswell 36:
14 from Front Runners New York and on the women's
side, Felicia Pasadyn 32:57 from 212 Athletic- Saucony and it was a
great day, Becs. I wasn't at the Grete's Great Gallop for
a change because I was at another event we had
(03:06):
going on simultaneously out in Brooklyn. We had our second
ever New York Road Runners start line series. And Becs, we
talked about this. This is a 5K that's using the closed
streets of the great Summer Streets initiative that the city and
the Department of Transportation have put on. This one was
out in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. I went out there, made
(03:28):
it kind of a speed workout for myself, got a
little speed work done on the streets out there in
Crown Heights and it was really cool to see. We
had over 500 folks out there, a totally free event
and it was so awesome. There were so many first
time runners there. I spoke to so many inspiring people.
There was a church group that I spoke to, Becs,
(03:50):
the pastor of this church in Brooklyn is a runner
and he got a number of his members to come
out and these were like 70 and 80- year- old women,
a lot of them. I met a woman named Fern
who ran her first ever 5K at like 70 years
old and I also met a woman named Rocio who
I watched cross the finish line and she just started
(04:13):
tearing up. She was crying, she was so emotional, Becs, and
she went over and gave her son this big hug
and it was such a beautiful moment and I spoke
to her afterwards and it was the first time she'd
ever run a 5K in her life. She was going through
a tough time in her life going through a divorce
and she said that she did this just to show
(04:35):
her son that you could do a hard thing at
a tough time. I have to say it was one
of the most inspiring days I've had at New York
Road Runners. And on my Instagram, actually if you follow
me on Instagram, I posted an interview, it was on my
story, so it's gone now with Rocio. I'll go back
and post it as a post because it was worth
keeping. It was just a great day, Becs, and it reminds
(04:58):
me so much of why we do what we do
at New York Road Runners is the impact that, yeah,
500 runners is not as big as the 8, 000
we had in Central Park, but the impact we had,
arguably just as big.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, absolutely. I love hearing those stories. It just does
remind us all that it doesn't matter how fast we
move, it's the movement that counts and it just warms
my heart to hear people like Rocio out there proving
it to herself to use that 5K as a way
(05:32):
to elevate her soul for her primarily and also her
son, of course, as a bit of a lesson for
him. It's beautiful. Oh my gosh, what a weekend. What
a weekend.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
It was great. It was really great, Becs, and then I turned around Sunday
and got in my long run by myself.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Give me the update.
MUSIC (05:50):
Run, run, run, run, run.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
You had your 18.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
I did 17 on Sunday. I saved one. I saved one for
you, but I'm going to go 19 this next one. So
I'm working my way up. Why did I stop after
(06:12):
17? Oh, you know why? I was exhausted. I was completely beat.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Coach will change it. I'll change it in the spreadsheet right now.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
There we go. It says 17 and next weekend-
Speaker 2 (06:21):
You got to take me down a mile for last weekend.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Is 19. Okay.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
First of all, I have to say, Becs, I feel it's going pretty
well. I really feel fantastic. Yes, I was tired at
the end of that long run, but the speed work
that you've been giving me and I kind of do
your workouts, I also look at the run a workout
sometimes and take a little from this, a little from
that, but I think the speed work has really helped
me. I feel good. The biggest change from what I
(06:47):
would have been doing on my own to training with
you, Becs, is the way I am pushing myself in these long
runs and I've done two weeks ago, a half marathon
all at my marathon pace and then the rest of
it a little bit slower. This week I didn't go
quite the whole 17 at marathon pace, but I picked up
a number of tempo efforts through throughout that and this
(07:09):
coming week when I do 19, I'm actually going to
work in another half marathon. So I signed up for
a half marathon in New Haven, Connecticut on Labor Day
and I'm going to go out and I'm going to run that half
that probably, I'm going to try to go marathon pace
or a little bit better, to really push myself to
get comfortable at that pace for a long time. And
(07:30):
I've run the pace before, Becs. You know I ran the time I'm
going for last year in Berlin, but the training at
this level of intensity, I don't know. I feel like
I'm going to hopefully be able to truly race this
marathon in Chicago and not just try to get to the finish line.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Oh, I love this. I love this. You're doing so well. I'm very, very proud of
you. I'm very proud to be along for the journey.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Well, you've been so helpful. What's your take for folks
listening out there, Becs, on racing during these blocks? I've
seen a lot of the pros they'll put in halves
and compete in those. How do you think I should
approach a half marathon? So I'm going to probably try
to run if I can, six before the half and
then run the final 13. What do you think a
(08:14):
good way to approach a race within your training block is?
Speaker 3 (08:17):
I think it's not going to be your all- out
race. It's not going to be your really, let's caveat
this with if you're training for longer distance than the
race you're running, it's probably not going to be the
PR of that race distance, but if you can get
a strong effort in there, great. I think there's two
things you have to be very aware of. One is
(08:39):
how much mileage you do before and after. So for
you, you're doing the six before and you'll take that
at a very steady, easy to marathon pace. Six miles,
you'll take it a gradual progression run up to marathon
pace perhaps. You don't even have to, because if you're
going to race the final 13, you are going to
be probably standing still for a little bit at the
start there, so you have to be very aware that
(09:01):
you don't get yourself too warm in that first six
before you try and push. So keeping as active as
you can. And then when you start that race, not
everyone else is on the same page as you, so
there's going to be people going out slow and the
worst thing you're going to do is trip, stumble, and
be around other people who are just coming out of
the gates for the first time that day. So bear
(09:23):
all of those things in mind. If you can get
yourself towards the front, fantastic. Some races are very big
and very strict on their corrals, rightly so, because people
are in corrals for a reason to get their PR
times in races. So do what you can to get to
the front of the corral you're supposed to be in
to alleviate the potential of other people holding you up
so you don't have to zigzag through crowds to get
(09:45):
there. Great, great thing to think about though is such
a fantastic opportunity to practice fueling and almost over fueling
because if you are going to want to run fast
on this half marathon, you're probably going to need a
bit more fuel than you would need at your marathon
pace by 19 miles. So getting that gut used to
(10:05):
the gastric distress that it goes through running, everyone goes
through it. Some of us handle it better than others, i.
e, some of us have to poop, others don't. Just
for run, for those people listening, that's just the long
and short of it. But the more you can put
your gut, your internal digestive system through gastric distress when
training, the more used to it gets. And then on
(10:26):
race day it's like, " Cool, let me just take from
this what I need to power you up." Instead of
take from it and go, " Ah, this is awful, let
me get it out." So great place to practice that
because it's a race scenario, there's going to be bathroom
stops, there's going to be extra fuel and hydration should
you need it. There's also going to be, worst case
scenario, medical professionals right there. So really, really great chance
(10:51):
to practice race day situation.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Yeah, I love it. It's really something I've been focusing
on and I'm running the six before because I want to
get that feeling of trying to run fast on tired
legs. That's a huge part of what you've got to
do and I have not done well with that in
my previous marathons. Running at that mile 22, 23, 24 recently has
been a struggle for me. So anyway, great advice from
(11:15):
you as always, Becs. And remember folks, I'm running to
support Team for Kids just kind of starting to focus
on my fundraising, so we'll put the link to my
page in the show notes and would love your support as I
take on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October
12th to support all of our amazing youth and community
programs, including by the way that great Summer Streets race,
(11:37):
I talked about earlier, a free race, so you can
donate to support that in the show notes. Find me
on Instagram, it's all in my bio as well. All
right, Becs, coming up on today's show, Broadway and Dancing with
the Stars, Jordan Fisher and his partner Ellie Fisher, will
talk about Broadway, parenting, and of course, running. They are
(11:59):
both running races this fall of slightly different distances. Jordan
taking on the Fifth Avenue Mile, Ellie taking on her first-
ever TCS New York City Marathon that's coming up in
just a moment. And for today's member moment, Meb Keflezighi
caught up with golf pro Lizzy Blomgren to talk about
how she balances endurance running and Type 1 diabetes and
(12:21):
then Meb will be back for today's Meb Minute to
talk about TCS New York City Marathon miles 10 through 12. This
episode of Set the Pace is brought to you by
Volvo Cars, including the fully electric Volvo EX90 SUV, the
official vehicle of the TCS New York City Marathon. The
Volvo EX90 SUV is designed to be the safest Volvo
(12:42):
ever made with safe space technology, cutting- edge radars and
cameras that help you detect potential risks inside and outside
the car, even in the dark, helping to protect you
and those around you, because sometimes the moments that never
happen matter the most. Visit volvocars.com/us To learn more about
(13:02):
the fully electric EX90 proudly assembled in South Carolina. We
are so thrilled to have a Broadway power couple that
is now becoming a running power couple this fall here
in New York. Jordan Fisher is a triple threat performer.
You've seen him in Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Moulin
(13:22):
Rouge and he even won Dancing with the Stars. His
wife, Ellie Fisher, graduated from the University of Alabama with
a degree in clinical dietetics and has taken on the
challenge of training for her first marathon this fall. Jordan's
going to line up for the inaugural Broadway mile at
the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile. While Ellie is preparing for
(13:43):
the TCS New York City Marathon. They are both using
these races to raise money for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights
AIDS an organization they're deeply committed to and we are
so thrilled to have this incredible Broadway power couple and
the talent just doesn't stop with you guys now you're
turning it into running. Welcome to set the Pace.
Speaker 5 (14:05):
Oh man, we really feel like superheroes just as parents.
I think that that's the biggest thing for us. We're
just really thrilled that we get to live in a city
that lets us do all of the things that we
love to do, a city that allows us to all
(14:25):
really thrive and be the best versions of ourselves. So
I think it's really full circle for us to be
here, for Ellie to have made the decision, what seemed
like an overnight decision. And I think that there's a lot of stories
that runners have like this where it's just like, " You
know what? I just started running." And I'm like, " Okay."
(14:50):
It is just incredible to see. We were talking about
it the other day, it's just like it's a Mount
Everest, the idea of running the New York Marathon, it's
so many miles. I'm running a mile. A mile. I
can't wait. I'm going to be at the end...
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Yeah, he's also so competitive, so he's like, " I'm going
to be chill about it." I know the day that
we get there, he's going to be blinders on, " I'm
winning this thing."
Speaker 3 (15:21):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
Yeah. I don't know man. I don't know. I just,
I'm not (inaudible) marathon. I don't need the PR,
but I am excited to get these little legs moving
for a really good cause.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 5 (15:37):
That's really what it comes back to is Broadway Cares
for us for so many years, for so many different
reasons. We've seen Broadway Cares truly changed lives. They have
saved people in my life. They have helped navigate through
treacherous waters and overcome things that seem impossible to overcome.
(16:04):
Broadway Cares has stepped in and ensured a livelihood for
people that I love in my life. And I think that
truly was the first time for me personally that I
saw an organization, because we go to the benefits and the galas and
the dinners and the things that we get, " Raise your paddle if you
(16:25):
want a trip to Cancun and also blah, blah, blah."
And it's like we can do that and get the
write off and know that we're doing a thing that's
good and it's making a difference. Yes, when you see it and you experience
it firsthand. I think that for me personally, that shifted
so much and Broadway Cares ensures whatever it is that
(16:50):
they are getting goes directly to the people that need
it the most that hour. You know what I'm saying?
And it's that kind of expedience and that kind of
consistency that just means so much to us.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
Absolutely, absolutely. And I'm guessing not just because it hits
home so closely to you both, I'm guessing you've already
said, Ellie, that Jordan's competitive. What do you think that your Broadway colleagues
are thinking as you're all gearing up for this? Because
(17:29):
we've heard that there's going to be a pretty big lineup
of Kelli O'Hara, Patina Miller, who we've had on the show.
What is the feeling amongst you all?
Speaker 2 (17:39):
And this is just so everybody knows Jordan, for our
listeners who don't know, this is the first ever Broadway mile,
so this is something that our team at New York
Road Runners has together. We're really excited about it. It's
going to be a really fun part of the New
Balance Fifth Avenue Mile and we've got people, performers, and
producers, directors, executives, people from all over Broadway coming together
(18:04):
to participate in this, to raise money for great causes
and it's really going to be great to see all
these stars of Broadway uptown a little bit running down
Fifth Avenue. So yeah, what's the vibe like among the
Broadway scene when it comes to this mile?
Speaker 5 (18:19):
When was the last time you saw two really good friends
of yours run the fastest they can? High school?
Speaker 3 (18:26):
For me, it's very often.
Speaker 5 (18:27):
You know what I mean? More than anything, I love all of my colleagues so
much. I'm like, " I want to see what it looks
like when you run fast." I want to see-
Speaker 3 (18:39):
I want to see the pain.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
That's honestly, that's one of the things I'm most excited
about is just like I love Kelli O'Hara so much.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Yeah, when we talked to Patrick, who's on our team from
Moulin Rouge as well, he's super excited about it.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
So excited. He's been training.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Yeah, he runs a mile every day on the treadmill.
He is like, " We're going to show up for sure."
Speaker 5 (19:02):
That's right, that's right. It's going to be great.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Oh my gosh. On top of all of it.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
The vibe is (inaudible) -
Speaker 3 (19:07):
On top of all of your training and all of
the dancing that you do as your day job. I
mean, that is such cardio prowess just in itself. So
to be doing the training for the mile on top
of that, I mean, we might see some new pros
here, Rob, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (19:24):
I mean possibly. Hey, hey, hey, I'm not working right now.
I'm not in a show right now, so I'm not doing that eight-
show schedule-
Speaker 2 (19:33):
So Jordan-
Speaker 5 (19:33):
You know what I'm saying?
Speaker 2 (19:34):
There's going to be no excuses. We expect to see you blaze down Fifth Avenue.
Speaker 5 (19:41):
I'm looking at it next week and I'm like, "Yeah, I should probably hop
on that treadmill."
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Maybe just stretch a little.
Speaker 5 (19:47):
Do a couple of squats and see-
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Hurt ourselves on a mile.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Well, this is actually funny because I don't think, Becs,
we ever talked to a couple where you had one
person training for a mile and the other training for
a marathon. Those are extremely different regimes when it comes
to training.
Speaker 5 (20:05):
I mean-
Speaker 1 (20:06):
The support though is the same on both sides.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
That is sweet.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Whether a mile or a marathon, we are there for each other.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
We're going to be cheering each other on.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
Well, the marathoner needs a lot more support because the
marathoner, Ellie, you know is spending a lot more hours
out there pounding the pavement, whether it's on the treadmill
or out on the streets. You finished your first half
marathon in April and where did the idea come from
to run a marathon, the TCS New York City Marathon
(20:37):
to be exact?
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Yeah, so like Jordan said, it did feel probably to
most people, very out of the blue. I, myself, am
not an athlete, so I wouldn't consider myself in that
category of somebody that-
Speaker 5 (20:50):
You are now.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Just take this on.
Speaker 5 (20:52):
You are now.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
That's very sweet, honey. I feel it now, now that
I'm in the training, for sure. But when I started, I really was doing it mostly
for mental health purposes. This was April of last year,
2024 and we had just found out that we had
a miscarriage and so that event in our life was
(21:17):
very heavy, very all- consuming and I was having a
hard time getting, not past it in the sense of
forgetting or anything, but mourning and letting it be and
continuing on. And I found through actually a work trip
I was on with Jordan to Vancouver, which is beautiful.
(21:38):
If you've never been to Vancouver, it's a runner's paradise.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
The joy she would have on her face coming home
from a run in Vancouver was, I mean, it's hard
to quantify the nature and the familial aspect of it
is really sweet.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Just at that point I felt like I just needed to
get outside and clear my air. Let's go for a ten-
minute jog. Okay, that felt good. Let's go for a twenty-
minute jog. Okay, that felt good. Let's go for a four-
mile run for the first time. That's where it started
picking up for me where I was like, " I could
be out here all day. I love this." I felt
peace for the first time in a while. The quiet
(22:16):
that happens when you're running and just the sense of
you, whether it's working on yourself, mentally, physically, it's you
for however long you're out there. And so from that
point on, I was pretty hooked. I was like, " This
is mommy time. You guys go play, have fun. I'm
going to get some time to myself and work on
myself." And living in New York, being able to see
(22:38):
the marathon happen from that perspective is, I mean, I
don't know how anybody can watch the New York City
Marathon and not feel inspired to go and do something,
whether it's run a marathon or not. You have got
to feel that when you see those people, I mean,
all of the spectators, how long they worked for it.
And so I got to see that from somebody that
(23:01):
just lived here and a friend had invited me to
apply for the marathon with him. He ended up dropping
out, because he and his wife got pregnant.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Uh- oh.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
And so I was like, " You know what, Will? I'm going to do it and I'm going to do it
with a lot of joy and excitement and wishing you
were running along with me." But what a goal to
have and I'm not putting pressure on myself in a
lot of ways that I feel like I could be.
I'm just going to enjoy it and have fun and
try to soak up every moment and then who knows,
(23:34):
I might really be addicted and want to keep training
and doing more marathons and I'm hoping that's the case
at least. So that's where the love came from. Short
love affair so far, but not planning on quitting anytime soon.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
You never know. And I feel you on the pregnancy
loss. I also have gone through that in the past
and it's definitely so cathartic when you find something that
allows you to sit with your feelings, but by yourself,
but almost not by yourself because you know you're in
(24:10):
amongst this other community of runners who have the hands
on your back, wherever they are. Wherever they are, you
could go and talk to somebody about it. So I
really feel you on that and it's so wonderful that
you have continued it and your passion is flourishing and
your friend is going to miss out. Will, you're missing
(24:32):
out, buddy.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
Will who will-
Speaker 3 (24:35):
He's like, " Oh my gosh."
Speaker 1 (24:36):
He's been really supportive too though, so that's-
Speaker 3 (24:38):
I'm sure he's actually really envious as well.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Yeah, he is.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
But let's talk a bit, I mean, you're in the
public eye, you're both in the public eye and you're
doing these very public, very well- known races. Both of
them are huge. What's it like for you training whilst
you're kind of in the public eye? Has it increased
any anxiety or pressure?
Speaker 1 (24:59):
For sure. I think definitely. I have made the choice
to document a lot of my training as a way
to stay accountable, I think was what I intended it
to be, but then it turned into a community of
people that are like, " Well, when's your next run?" I
see them out and about and they're like, " We're keeping up with
you online. When's your next run?" And that's cool, because
I really didn't think anybody cared. I was really doing
(25:22):
it for myself. So to know that there are people
that are keeping up with it and supporting all over
the place is really incredible and definitely inspiring.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
Yeah. Yeah, it is. It's a beautiful community. It truly is.
I'm very biased, but also I fully believe it with
my heart and I know Rob does too because he's
grinning like a cat with the cream over there.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Well, it's funny, Ellie, you'll see people love to follow other people's training. How's it going? I don't
know if you're on Strava, but people love to see
how other people are doing on Strava and relate to
the struggles and all of that, so it's really, yeah,
the community aspect of it is a huge part of it
(26:04):
and I'm so excited for you to experience what it's
going to be like on November 2nd. There is absolutely
nothing like it. It's going to be incredible. Jordan, I'm
just so curious for you, what has the journey been
like obviously, in your performing career to get to this
(26:25):
point? You've done some incredible things as a performer. Hamilton,
Dear Evan Hansen, Dancing with the Stars. We've had a
couple of Dancing with the Stars stars here on this
show. How does running kind of relate to that for
you? Has running become a big part of your life
or is this more kind of a, " Hey, I want to
have this experience on the Fifth Avenue Mile?" Do you
(26:46):
think maybe it's going to go somewhere from there?
Speaker 5 (26:48):
That, that, that. Yeah, no. A lover and a fan by
proxy, obviously when your partner decides to do something and
it's a new world for you, I just have done
everything I can to figure out how I can be
as supportive as I can. Obviously not, it's a very
(27:08):
solo thing and as a former gymnast I can very
much relate in that there's little that other people can
do to actually better you as an athlete. There's a
lot of coaching that can happen around it and support
and advice that you can get from other people that
are knowledgeable about it. I'm not knowledgeable for running, but
(27:30):
I do know about body therapy and physio and how
to kind of give her something that might be able
to help with a muscle group that she's dealing with,
a deep stretch or an exercise or something along those
lines. Those are ways that I can be helpful and
(27:51):
supportive. But in terms of all of the other stuff, just
making sure, " Hey, do you have your gels? Do you
have your-"
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Yeah, he's being really humble. He is currently, what he's
been calling it is producing the marathon day basically. He's like, "
I'm going to have everybody that's going to be there
placed all over the race route and we're going to
have them checked in at a certain spot. We're all
going to be on a group message." He's going to have
meetup spots. I'm like, " Great."
Speaker 5 (28:17):
It's like a full production day.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Because my brain wasn't even going to attempt to go
there. Yeah, you were-
Speaker 5 (28:26):
You've got 26. 2.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
You're a very big part of that for sure.
Speaker 5 (28:31):
I think that just like in, to answer your question, Rob, the way
that what I do relates to running is that the
only way to get there is to do it and
it is the quiet times outside of what you see
(28:54):
on stage or what you see on screen or what
you hear on the radio. It's the quiet times that
build that. It's the quiet times that make that successful
when no one else is around, when it's late at
night, when in it's the afternoon and I'm exhausted and
(29:16):
should take a nap, but I've got this thing to...
It's all of that. Running I think is very, very
synonymous in the determination that it takes, obviously, but it's
the execution aspect of putting that real grit and that
(29:36):
blood and sweat and tears when no one else is
watching you do it that makes all of it, not only
something for you to be able to hold that's tangible
at the end of it and you can be like,
yeah, whether it's a medal or a drink that's toasted
with friends at a wrap party for a project that
you just, no matter what, it's all, it's all the
(30:01):
same. It is that, but what you get on the other side of it is
the knowing that you has been so sexy to watch
and constantly inspiring, I think that what shouldn't be unsaid
(30:22):
is the training and all of the stuff that it takes,
the mental willpower, et cetera, et cetera on top of
being a mom of a three- year- old.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 5 (30:31):
That's the feat really.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Becs can relate.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
I can relate. My little girl is about to turn three in a
few weeks, so I feel you.
Speaker 1 (30:39):
Happy early birthday.
Speaker 5 (30:39):
Happy early.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Thank you. It is a absolutely gigantic task because you feel
exhausted from that role running around after them, especially if
you have any childcare during the week, but then the
weekend it's just you three and you're just like, " I've
got to go and run a 20 mile training run and
(31:02):
then I've got to be mum."
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Yeah. I have to pretend to be a mom for the rest of the day.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
Yeah, because they don't care. They have no care at
all. The minute you get in, you may be as
white as the wall and drenched with sweat, but they're
just like, " Mummy, mummy, mummy, come do this." You're like-
Speaker 1 (31:18):
Totally.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
But as you say, that is the unseen element to
it that other people don't see, but when you get
to that finish line, you have that inside going, " Oh
my gosh, I did that. I did that." But I also
want to know, Jordan, obviously you're the support crew here
for Ellie's long distance marathon, but Ellie, has your background
(31:44):
in nutrition and self- care on the food and diet
front, has that helped the both of you when it
comes to performance at work and now on this epic
new 26. 2 journey?
Speaker 1 (31:58):
Yeah, I definitely would say so. I am really grateful
that I chose to study dietetics and nutrition because it
is something that I'm going to take with me for
the rest of my life. I get to teach Riley
how to eat properly and healthfully and what makes him
feel good, and I get to cook good food here
at the house for the family. I think I took
(32:21):
really quickly to counting macros when I started doing the
training, because I understood very quickly how important the feeling
process for it is and getting used to gels and
electrolytes and all of the different aspects of prepping yourself
to be the strongest on that day. So I've definitely
been practicing with all of those things and he's been
(32:43):
forced to eat lots of carb, protein heavy meals, which
I haven't heard any complaints from or about yet. But
yeah, I love that running is a sport that you
have to eat for. There's no way around it. It's
going to make you stronger and better and, yeah, it
makes it enjoyable too. I get home from a long
run and I'm like, " I'm starving. What are we eating?"
Speaker 3 (33:06):
I love that. And yeah, as you say, knowing what to
grab instead of just reaching for, I don't know, a
pack of Goldfish or something to tide you over, before
you crawl upstairs to have a shower. You know what
nutrients you need to replace your body in order to
put your hat on to be mum, to be wife,
to be performer, or whatever it is. It's so lucky,
(33:29):
so, so lucky. And what a great skill set to
pass on to your family as well. So while we're
talking about family, I'm intrigued by this. My mum is
also one of my reasons why I run. I've never
run a race with her. I have had her into
a Peloton class though. But your mum and your brother
(33:50):
are running, is it The Hamptons half marathon coming up? Next month,
okay. How? How did you convince your mum to run
a half marathon with you?
Speaker 5 (33:59):
It was The Hamptons. It was so easy.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Yeah, it was so easy. I didn't lead with the half marathon part.
Speaker 5 (34:07):
No, no, no, no.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
I led with the-
Speaker 3 (34:09):
"Weekend in The Hamptons, mum."
Speaker 5 (34:10):
It was anything like that. You're like, " Hey, it's The Hamptons." "Oh, The Hamptons. I'll be there"
Speaker 1 (34:15):
She's also a BODYPUMP instructor and she teaches cycle at their local gym.
Speaker 3 (34:22):
Oh.
Speaker 5 (34:22):
She's a beast.
Speaker 1 (34:22):
So I was not really worried about her not being able to, her
age is not a factor whatsoever.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
No, God no.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
Her health is (inaudible) .
Speaker 3 (34:32):
Aging backwards, I'm sure.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Yeah. I think for her seeing me and my brother
sign up for it was almost like a challenge. Like, "
Oh, well-"
Speaker 5 (34:40):
" I can do it."
Speaker 1 (34:41):
Yeah, so she's been really training hard. She has been
having, she's had a couple of injuries here and there, so
we're really hoping that she can stick it out and
make it through. I know she's going to feel so
proud of herself when she does, but if not, the
5K, she was like, " I'm for sure going to do
the 5K." So she's running with us that day.
Speaker 3 (35:03):
Oh my goodness. That is so much fun. And I'm
guessing they'll be there to cheer you on on November
2nd as well?
Speaker 5 (35:10):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:10):
Yes, they will. And my brother is going to be
running the Charlotte Marathon a week after the New York
City Marathon. I wish I could get down there to
support him, but I will be cheering him on over
the phone and hopefully getting some good videos from the
race. It's his first marathon ever too. So we really-
Speaker 5 (35:29):
So excited.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
We both got bit by the bug very quickly and
decided to take on some fun challenges.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
You did, you did. I'm very proud of you already.
I'm in awe. Okay, so we've touched on it lightly
earlier on, but obviously it's something that you both are
very, very passionate and very, very caring about, and that
is the why behind these races and your running. And Jordan,
you said it saved people around you. It's really shone
(35:57):
a light onto the struggles and the sadness that happens
on Broadway and to people very close to you. So
what have you been doing individually to rally awareness and
get donations and to promote this incredible cause?
Speaker 5 (36:14):
Well, I'll just say the scope of Broadway Cares goes
so, so far beyond Broadway and the Broadway community. Broadway Cares
is a resource for all artists everywhere. Broadway Cares has
a center in all 50 states-
Speaker 1 (36:35):
Including Puerto Rico and D.C.
Speaker 5 (36:36):
Including Puerto Rico and D.C.m that's correct. Broadway Cares works with the Phyllis Newman
Women's Health Initiative as well to provide financial aid and
support to women all over the country of all ages,
shape sizes, genders, creeds, orientations, no matter what to provide
(36:58):
support for a myriad of health issues.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
Mostly it's medical research for the Phyllis Newman Women's Initiative,
which is huge.
Speaker 3 (37:06):
Okay. Oh, yes.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
So this is, they're helping ensure that women can get whatever
medication that they can get. I mean, this is also
The Actors Fund. This helps actors stay in their homes,
they keep homes from foreclosure, they make sure that people
have food in their refrigerators. This is everywhere, all over
(37:29):
the US, and that's just something that I'm so proud
to emphasize when talking about Broadway Cares, because this is
something that I think we can put Broadway in New
York so quickly and so easily, but I think that
it really is just about the greater artists community and
LGBTQ+ community as well, ensuring visibility and support. Yeah, I
(37:54):
mean, in terms of rallying, golly, we do collections on
Broadway after shows twice a year and we do a
lot of fun stuff around that and different events and
stuff as well. There's the Broadway Flea Market that's going
to be happening here pretty soon, and we have a
burlesque variety show that we do every year. We've got
(38:19):
almost like it's like a concert with all different Broadway
stars that sing songs from shows that they would otherwise
never be in or roles that they would never play.
It's called Broadway Backwards. I mean, in all of these
events, we have been fortunate to rally and raise incredible
money, but we know that where we are now today
(38:42):
in 2025, especially in the United States of America, things
are just volatile and shaky and constantly vibrating and fluid
and there's a lot of unknown right now. And one
thing that can be known, one thing that is consistent
is that regardless of the storm, Broadway cares is there.
(39:07):
They are the shelter in the storm and a beacon
and that will be timeless and priceless to us as
a family, as a unit, and I just couldn't be
more proud of Ellie, not only for running the New
(39:29):
York City Marathon, but specifically and intentionally making it about
Broadway Cares, specifically women's health. And to watch that has just been...
Speaker 1 (39:42):
Yeah, I've known for a while that I wanted to
have my hands in this community somehow, I just didn't
know what that was going to look like. So when
it unfolded to being a part of the marathon team-
Speaker 5 (39:56):
Very organically just kind of happened.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Yeah. I took to the fundraising part of it quickly
just knowing how much Broadway Cares does for people across
our country, other organizations across our country, they support so
many other nonprofits providing food, providing medical care, and so
(40:18):
what we do on a day- to- day basis as
far as rallying and raising money is we just speak
to people that may or may not know about Broadway
Cares and remind them all of the good they do and
how just $ 10 can get somebody an HIV test, $ 25
can provide I think a week of food. What they
(40:41):
do is so it's clear that it's important to our
society right now to do what we can and be a
part of these kinds of organizations to help other people
that really don't know what's next. We all say that
we don't know what's next in this country, but there
are people that are really frightened and I can only
(41:04):
do what I can and that's help and be a
voice and try to run 26.2 miles for a good
cause and bring some awareness.
Speaker 3 (41:13):
Yeah, that's beautiful. So beautiful.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
Well, Ellie and Jordan, you guys are training for very
different distances, but you are doing it as a clear
team. It is really fun to see. It's fun to
listen and watch the two of you. You're adorable by
the way. You guys are an absolutely adorable couple and
we're just so excited for both of you. Ellie, do
you have a goal? Do you have any sort of
(41:36):
time goal for the marathon or is your goal just
to finish?
Speaker 1 (41:40):
My goal is to finish. My goal is to be out
there and be one of those women that can say
that they completed the New York City Marathon and feel
that and not let anybody else try to change the
way I feel about it. I don't care what time
it is, as long as I pass that finish line.
Speaker 5 (41:58):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
I love it and-
Speaker 3 (42:00):
The way do it.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
I love the fact that Jordan is producing the day
for you and it's going to... A pretty good guy to produce
your day, by the way. I would take a day
produced by Jordan anytime.
Speaker 5 (42:11):
We've got it down, it's going to be a beautiful day for sure.
Speaker 2 (42:15):
I can't wait. Can't wait to see you, Ellie, at
the finish line because that's where I will see you.
Speaker 1 (42:20):
Yay.
Speaker 2 (42:20):
And I wish you luck and Jordan, I can't wait
to see you on Fifth Avenue in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 5 (42:25):
Yeah, man. We'll see you soon.
Speaker 2 (42:25):
All right.
Speaker 3 (42:25):
We'll see you both there.
Speaker 2 (42:25):
Amazing time. Ellie and Jordan Fisher. Peloton is the race
training partner you've been missing. From beginner- friendly walks to
advanced interval runs, Peloton's classes are designed to meet you
where you are and help you get where you want
(42:46):
to go. Whether you're preparing for a marathon or just
trying to improve your pace, you'll train smarter, build strength,
and stay motivated, all with expert- led instructor guidance. Ready
to level up your race training? Head to onepeloton/ race-
training to learn more. Peloton, an official partner of the 2025
TCS New York City Marathon. Lizzy Blomgren is a professional
(43:11):
golfer who has spent years teaching and competing in the
sport she loves. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age
10, she's long balanced her athletic career with the daily
demands of managing that condition. Endurance running was never part
of her plan until diabetes training camp shifted her mindset,
showing her that she could adapt, push harder, and that
(43:32):
she'd found a community that understood every challenge she faced.
Emboldened, Lizzy joined a local run club and soon she
found herself taken on the United Airlines NYC half marathon
this past March. And then on race day, a pivotal
moment at mile six would test everything she learned about perseverance.
Speaker 6 (43:51):
Lizzy, welcome to Set the Pace podcast. How's it going today?
Speaker 7 (43:54):
Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here
with you guys. It's going great.
Speaker 6 (43:58):
We are delighted you are here. You are a PGA golf professional and
you competed in college and when did the idea of
running a half marathon first click for you and why
was that so meaningful?
Speaker 7 (44:10):
Yeah, so I've always kind of had this idea, " I
want to run a half marathon. I want to run a
half marathon." But with Type 1 diabetes, any endurance activities
can be extremely challenging because there's a lot of factors
that I'm dealing with that maybe a typical runner is
not. So it kind of would come and go from
my mind. I would tell people this in college and
(44:33):
then finally I went to an awesome program and I
was like, " You know what? I can do this." And
I signed up to run with a charity called Breakthrough,
which does a lot for the Type 1 diabetes community
and that's how I kind of got started.
Speaker 6 (44:51):
Awesome. Well, can you take us, when you're running back
to the mile six of your NYC half when your
sensor failed and you experienced a severe glucose drop, how did
you stay calm and keep running?
Speaker 7 (45:06):
Yeah, so as a Type 1 diabetic, I wear an
insulin pump and I also wear something that reads my
blood sugar monitor. So in the middle of the race
I had my Dexcom on, which reads my monitor and that's how
my insulin pump, they all connect together. And it stopped
reading my glucose levels and I was actually getting false
(45:28):
readings before that so I wasn't fueling properly for where
my blood sugar actually was. And then it fails and then
I'm in a medical tent and my blood sugar is
40, which is very, very low. It's a very severe
low for a Type 1 diabetic, so kind of being
able to wait, allow my blood sugar to raise and
then keep going is incredibly difficult because all the glycogen
(45:53):
from your muscles is just gone. It's funny, because that
was the reason that I had never wanted to pursue
long distance running in the first place. And I went
to this incredible program last summer called Diabetes Training Camp
where I worked with a lot of individuals with Type
1 and trainers who had had a lot of experience
(46:13):
with the disease and they helped me kind of start
learning how to fuel and prevent this and then it
happens in the middle of the race despite everything I
had learned, my biggest fear happened. And I realized, " You
know what? I'm going to trust my feeling. I just
ate something. I know I'll be okay know I'll get
(46:35):
through the finish line. Maybe it's not the time I
wanted, but it's okay, it's my first half marathon." So
I was able to kind talk myself through it and
be like, " I got this." And now I know I
can kind of do anything because again, I accomplished my
biggest fear happening during the race.
Speaker 6 (46:54):
It's big, 13.1 miles. And that's a personal best for
you, so even though you had some struggle, you did
a great job.
Speaker 7 (47:02):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (47:02):
How's running with a local club differ from solo training?
What does that-
Speaker 7 (47:07):
Oh gosh.
Speaker 6 (47:09):
What does that community offer you now?
Speaker 7 (47:12):
It's the best truly. I run with Dubset Running Collective, which
is in White Plains, New York, so it's a New
York Road Runner running group and it's incredible, the community
I've experienced. I've met so many friends. I've actually met
a couple other type through the group, but just a
great group of people who are so encouraging and so
(47:35):
many different speeds and I've gained so much knowledge from
these group of people because again, they're always willing to
help me kind of learn how to train because I
am a new runner still and they've provided me a
lot of support and running with a community versus running alone,
it just makes all the difference.
Speaker 6 (47:57):
We are delighted to have you. How does one sport
like golf teach you about running or vice versa?
Speaker 7 (48:04):
Yeah, I mean, golf and running, any sport you're doing
is just a lot of perseverance and training to improve.
It's very similar, the mindset. Anytime you're doing a high
level sport, there's ups and downs, you have good runs,
you have bad runs. I have great days on the
(48:25):
golf course, I certainly have bad days on the golf
course. But remembering to trust your training and that it
eventually will pay off.
Speaker 6 (48:33):
How does that sometimes missing the golf ball into the
hole and versus the last mile was, " That's not what I
want to hit." How do you compare those or how
are they similar or how are they different?
Speaker 7 (48:45):
Yeah, I think it's all similar. Obviously two very different
sports, but it's the idea of learning how to stay
cool even when things aren't going your way. And golf
has taught me so well to do that because again,
you're not moving quickly necessarily in golf, but it's such
(49:05):
a mental challenge between a bad shot and going up
and hitting your next one. And the same thing with
running, when you're in those last few miles, it's like, "
Okay, trust the training. This hurts, but I'm going to
get through this. I worked for this. I'm ready."
Speaker 6 (49:20):
Pretty awesome. What's one thing you would tell another athlete
with Type 1 diabetes who thinks endurance races are off
limits to them?
Speaker 7 (49:30):
They're not off limits, you just have to prepare differently.
Again, it's the same thing. It's all about learning how
to prepare and how to be ready and understanding what
could happen with your blood sugar and being ready for
different outcomes.
Speaker 6 (49:46):
Yeah, (inaudible) preparation and hope for the best and
do the right thing on race day.
Speaker 7 (49:51):
Definitely.
Speaker 6 (49:52):
Since the race, what new goal you set for yourself
and how does your mindset around diabetes shape it?
Speaker 7 (50:00):
Yeah, so I'm actually running the New York City Marathon
in November.
Speaker 6 (50:04):
Yay.
Speaker 7 (50:05):
I know. I ran another half marathon after the New
York City half just to see if I could get
my blood sugar perfect and I did. So that was
such a big accomplishment for me, and I was like, "
You know what? I'm not done yet." So I'm fundraising again for
Breakthrough, and I'm running in November. I'm so excited. I'm
(50:26):
on week seven of my training.
Speaker 6 (50:28):
That's awesome. The TCS New York City Marathon is one
of my favorites, so you're going to be in great
hand, get ready for 50,000 people supporting you and cheering
you on, and the great crowd that comes to support, so
it's special. I wish you all the best.
Speaker 7 (50:42):
Thank you so much. I can't wait. New York City
is my favorite city in the world, and what a
place to be able to do my first marathon.
Speaker 6 (50:49):
Pretty awesome, man. I'm so glad you got the bug.
Speaker 7 (50:52):
I do. I know it's hard not to, especially when
you start running with friends in a community. It's such
a beautiful group of people. It's like that second half
marathon I did, I had someone pull a rock out
of my shoe for me. Like, stopped his race to
help me, and I'm like, that's just the entire running
community that I've been a part of. It's pretty special.
Speaker 6 (51:13):
The camaraderie is pretty incredible.
Speaker 7 (51:14):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 6 (51:15):
So glad you had a great experience and look forward to seeing you in November.
Speaker 2 (51:19):
Thank you, Lizzy, so much for joining us and for
being a member of New York Road Runners. Now it's
time for today's Meb Minute.
Speaker 6 (51:29):
Thanks, Rob. Welcome back to my mile by mile countdown
to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. This week we are
counting down mile 10 to 12, Williamsburg. Mile 10 to 12. Now going to the
double digits. This is energy stretched through the Bedford Avenue.
Tight course, vibrant people. (inaudible) into the course, you
(51:49):
might be able to move in front. For me personally,
where I can engage if the person runs in front
of me or behind me. I know if I'm in
the lead that if there's a person crossing right behind
me, I don't have enough space away from my competitors. This
is a time where you absorb the community. Also, this
is Sunday. Some people do go to church, so you
might see people coming in from church or going to
(52:10):
church. This is a time to know the community a
little bit. Williamsburg and Greenpoint cheer zone. Stay in control,
fuel right, and consistently, you'll be fine.
Speaker 2 (52:23):
That does it for another episode of Set The Pace.
We want to thank our guests, Jordan and Ellie Fisher
and Lizzy Blomgren. If you liked the episode, please make
sure you subscribe. Please leave us a rating, leave us
a comment. We love to hear from you. That helps
other people find this show as well. Good luck for
everybody running this weekend, Labor Day weekend. Enjoy the long
(52:44):
weekend. Hopefully you've got some time off. Enjoy those miles.
We'll see you next week.
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