May 15, 2025 • 31 mins
This special episode comes to you live from the RBC Brooklyn Half Pre-Party, Presented by New Balance. Hosts Rob Simmelkjaer and Becs Gentry go behind the scenes with the sub-elite field lining up for Saturday’s race. Dorian Kail, NYRR’s Director of Professional Athletes, breaks down the time standards and perks of becoming a “seeded” athlete. Alana Levy, the fastest New York City woman at last year’s TCS New York City Marathon, shares how she leveled up from casual runner to toeing the line with the pros..
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Alana Levy (00:00):
I love the Brooklyn Half course, and I'm obsessed with
this race. This will be my eighth time running it.
And what's cool about it is how many different ways
I have run this race. And I think at this point
I feel ready to talk about it and talk about
the best parts and the best strategies around it.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:22):
Thank you. Thank you very much and welcome everybody to
Set the Pace, the official podcast of New York Road
Runners, presented by Peloton. I'm Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of
New York Road Runners and co- host of Set the
Pace. And with me to my left, my amazing co-
host from Peloton, can we give it up for Becs Gentry.
Becs Gentry (00:43):
Hello.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:43):
Hello, Becs.
Becs Gentry (00:45):
Hi.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:48):
How are you?
Becs Gentry (00:48):
Good. Good to see you.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:49):
It's great to see you. It's been a while since
I've seen Becs because Becs husband, partner, Austin, went off and
ran the London Marathon-
Becs Gentry (00:58):
He did.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:58):
Not long ago and you all took a little European
vacation after that, which sounded lovely. How was it?
Becs Gentry (01:05):
It was amazing. And you're welcome, I brought the sun
back with me. It just took me to arrive at
a New York Road Runners event for it to come
out. But no, it was fantastic. It was so good to
see everybody crushing London. What a hot day, might be
a little bit like tomorrow. Wait, what day is it?
I have no idea what day it is. Whenever the race is.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:24):
Today is Thursday. The race is Saturday. Don't worry.
Becs Gentry (01:27):
The race is Saturday.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:27):
We'll figure it out.
Becs Gentry (01:28):
I've got this. I'm still on a beach. But no, it
was such a wonderful race. Congrats to anyone who ran
London Marathon out there as well. Great, great event.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:38):
Well, for those of you who are listening out there,
you might hear some crowd noise. That's because we are
live at the RBC Brooklyn Half pre- party presented by
New Balance. And it's a thrill to be here-
Becs Gentry (01:50):
Yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:50):
At Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier number two. And, yes, it's
Thursday. We're here-
Becs Gentry (01:55):
Thursday. There you go.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:56):
Speaking, recording this on Thursday. A much nicer day than we
had yesterday. The sun has come out, it's a beautiful
day all of a sudden as we watch runners streaming in
to pick up their race bibs for the RBC Brooklyn
Half coming up on Saturday. We could not be more
excited. Becs, the sun came out so suddenly-
Becs Gentry (02:16):
So suddenly. I'm sweating.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:17):
And we've got this spectacular view of New York Harbor,
Lower Manhattan. The Statue of Liberty is right in front
of us.
Becs Gentry (02:23):
Which you haven't been able to see all day because it's been foggy.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:25):
Not for the last two days.
Becs Gentry (02:27):
No.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:27):
But it all opened up. It's gorgeous. And so much
so that we needed some last- minute sunglasses.
Becs Gentry (02:32):
Yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:32):
So I want to thank our friends at Knockaround Sunglasses
for giving us some last- second shades. Anybody out there who-
Becs Gentry (02:39):
They're fabulous.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:39):
Suddenly finds themselves blinded by the sun, go get yourselves
some Knockaround shades. They are fantastic.
Becs Gentry (02:45):
They're so good. They're chic too. I think we all look pretty good.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:48):
All right.
Becs Gentry (02:48):
Yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:48):
Well, Becs, we're so excited. This by the way, this
party, this pre- party is just the first party of
the weekend.
Becs Gentry (02:55):
I know.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:55):
Because there'll be another party on Saturday, of course. That is
the RBC Brooklyn Half, 13. 1 miles to Coney Island.
And then after that we're going to have another party,
the epic RBC Brooklyn Half After- Party at Maimonides Ballpark.
There will be live music, entertainment, and another live recording
of Set the Pace. And Becs, I know you're not
(03:17):
going to be with me, so I'll be solo-
Becs Gentry (03:18):
I know.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:19):
For this one, which I'm sad about. But we're going to have
an amazing guest.
Becs Gentry (03:23):
I have to do my real job.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:24):
Yes, you got to go teach people at Peloton.
Becs Gentry (03:27):
I do. I do.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:28):
That is what you get paid to do. We understand. But we're going
to have an amazing guest at the after party on
Saturday. Dancing with the Stars, Alan Bersten-
Becs Gentry (03:37):
Wow.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:38):
Will be our guest. Don't miss that. And I can tell
you one thing that won't happen... I'm sad you won't
be there because I was hoping Alan would have someone
to dance with at that show. And I can tell
you one thing, it will not be me. I will
not be dancing.
Becs Gentry (03:51):
I'm a runner. We move in one plane of motion.
I do not dance well. Austin is embarrassed when I start to dance.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:57):
I think Alan Bersten could teach you a couple of moves.
Becs Gentry (04:00):
I'd take it.
Rob Simmelkjaer (04:01):
And there's no way he could teach me anything. So
anyway, you can look forward to that. That'll be another
special episode of Set the Pace, and we can't wait.
Try the Peloton app for free and access classes for
every type of runner, whether you're training for your first
race or you're a seasoned pro. From outdoor runs and
intervals to strength, yoga, and stretching, you'll find a perfect
(04:22):
fit for every part of your routine. Whether it's long
run day or you just need a quick five- minute
reset, the Peloton app meets you where you are and
helps you become a stronger, faster runner because it's designed
for someone like you. Try the app for free for
30 days and download it now from the App Store
or Google Play. Terms apply. Peloton, the official digital fitness
(04:44):
partner of New York Road Runners. Our event schedule at
the RBC Brooklyn Half pre- party presented by New Balance
is packed. So to keep things moving, we're going to
have a super speedy show today, a quick show that
celebrates the stars of the RBC Brooklyn Half, our local
elite runners. This is a race, Becs, that does not
have a professional field. Instead, we pay tribute and highlight
(05:08):
some of the fastest runners here in our New York
City club scene.
Becs Gentry (05:12):
Yep.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:12):
And we've got one of those runners here with us today.
Becs Gentry (05:15):
Yeah, we do.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:15):
As well as the woman who makes it all happen,
booking those guests. First I want to introduce New York
Road Runners own Dorian Kail, our Director of Professional Athletes.
Becs Gentry (05:27):
Yeah, Dorian.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:28):
She's got one of the coolest jobs in running. She
recruits pro athletes to our big races like the Marathon,
the United Airlines NYC Half. And for the RBC Brooklyn
Half, she recruits our incredible local field of elite runners.
And one of those runners with us today is we
(05:49):
call them sub- elite athletes. We're going to talk about
that because I feel it's kind of like-
Becs Gentry (05:53):
Yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:53):
A little insulting. Sub- elite.
Becs Gentry (05:55):
Sub-elite. So elite.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:57):
These runners are pretty elite. But Alana Levy is here
and she's one of the fastest amateur women in New
York City.
Becs Gentry (06:04):
Oh, yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (06:05):
Alana ran at Cornell where she received All East Honors
at the ECACs. She has personal bests of, get this, 4:
42 in the mile, 16:29 in the 5K, and 2:40. 33 in
the marathon. All those records were set within the last
18 months. And she was the first woman, New York
(06:26):
City resident, to finish the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon
with a time of 2
a true Brooklyn runner because she's been running with the
Brooklyn Track Club since 2018. Outside of running, by the
way, Alana, your resume is ridiculous. She has an MBA
(06:46):
from NYU Stern School of Business, an MPH from the
University of Edinburgh, and she's the director of product management
at Pearl Health, which is a healthcare technology startup. Hello, Dorian
and Alana, welcome to the show.
Becs Gentry (06:57):
Hi.
Alana Levy (06:58):
Wow.
Becs Gentry (06:59):
Wow.
Alana Levy (06:59):
Hello.
Becs Gentry (07:00):
I did not know you went to Edinburgh.
Alana Levy (07:02):
I did.
Becs Gentry (07:02):
As in Scotland.
Alana Levy (07:02):
I love it there.
Becs Gentry (07:04):
Yes.
Alana Levy (07:04):
It was the most beautiful city, beautiful place.
Becs Gentry (07:06):
Isn't it stunning?
Alana Levy (07:07):
Yes.
Becs Gentry (07:07):
Oh my gosh. Can you do a Scottish accent?
Alana Levy (07:11):
Not on this podcast. Not right now.
Becs Gentry (07:12):
Oh, no.
Dorian Kail (07:12):
That was great.
Becs Gentry (07:12):
There we go.
Dorian Kail (07:16):
Wait, wait, wait. It's Alana's birthday.
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:18):
Yes.
Becs Gentry (07:19):
Everyone, it's Alana's singing.
Dorian Kail (07:20):
So wait, can we sing happy birthday?
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:20):
We will be getting to a little happy birthday singing.
Becs Gentry (07:23):
Yeah, we will.
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:24):
We're going to finish with that. We're definitely going to wish her-
Alana Levy (07:25):
All right. Okay.
Becs Gentry (07:26):
We have to make sure she's out of here-
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:27):
A happy birthday.
Becs Gentry (07:27):
For her dinner reservation.
Alana Levy (07:27):
I'll have to dread it the entire time.
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:30):
That's right. We want to hold that over your head
for the entire podcast. All right, Dorian, I want to
start with you and your incredibly fun job of recruiting
these amazing athletes to our races. But let's talk about
the field for the RBC Brooklyn Half for a second.
How does one get to be a, what we call
seeded runner, one of the folks who get to start
(07:51):
right in front at the RBC Brooklyn Half running with the
very best runners we have in New York City?
Dorian Kail (07:56):
So Alana is part of our Seeded Athlete Program, and
this is an elevated experience for the fastest athletes in
the area. It's pretty cool because they get to start,
they kind of have a VIP start at the Brooklyn
Botanical Gardens. They get indoor bathrooms by the way, indoor
bathrooms. That's key for your VIP start, right?
Rob Simmelkjaer (08:18):
Fancy, fancy.
Dorian Kail (08:19):
They get bananas, they get a little breakfast, they get
to warm up, and then we put them right on
the start line. When they are on the start line,
we, our team, our great team takes their bags right
to the finish line. So literally they cross the finish
line and they get their bags right away. It's truly
a VIP experience for these amazing athletes. And what's really
(08:43):
cool about all of these athletes is that many of
them are the fastest in the area. And this year's
group represents 13 local running clubs and we're really proud
of that. And Alana is part of the Brooklyn Track
Club, so give it up for the Brooklyn Track Club.
Becs Gentry (09:00):
Amazing.
Dorian Kail (09:00):
Yeah. And this year we had the defending champion in
the men's division, Ryan Cutter from the Brooklyn Track Club,
and he happens to be running for the first time
with our New York Road Runners Team for Climate, which
is really cool. And we're very, very proud of that.
Becs Gentry (09:15):
Yay.
Rob Simmelkjaer (09:16):
We love that.
Becs Gentry (09:16):
Absolutely.
Rob Simmelkjaer (09:16):
So for those who don't know, Team for Climate is a
new thing at Road Runners that helps raise funds to
help us offset or actually inset, which is prevent the
carbon emissions from all the things we do and all
the runners flying to the marathon and other races. So
thank you to him and everybody else who's running for
Team for Climate.
Becs Gentry (09:36):
Absolutely.
Dorian Kail (09:37):
And what I love is that last year Ryan ran
a 1:04. 08, that is a 4. 54 pace. So
these people are fast, they're really fast.
Becs Gentry (09:46):
That's moving.
Dorian Kail (09:46):
I know.
Becs Gentry (09:46):
And it's not, I mean, we've got this on another podcast episode. The course
is not easy. Okay.
Dorian Kail (09:51):
Yeah.
Becs Gentry (09:51):
Alana, you have run this race before. It's not a
new one for you. And so what do you love?
What is your favorite part? Because I feel like this
race has got chapters to it. It could be three
races. What's your favorite part?
Alana Levy (10:09):
I love the Brooklyn Half course, and I'm obsessed with
this race. This will be my eighth time running it.
And what's cool about it is how many different ways
I have run this race. And I think at this point
I feel ready to talk about it and talk about
the best parts and the best strategies around it. But
I think my favorite part is leaving Prospect Park, you
(10:33):
hit the downhill, you've done all of the hills, the majority
of the work, and then you just hit cruise control
and you go through all of these crowds and you
lock in.
Becs Gentry (10:43):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (10:43):
And that's probably like a moment when you flip the
switch and it's like, now is my time.
Becs Gentry (10:49):
I would agree and I feel like it's the coolest
thing as a human to be running on a on-
ramp or an off- ramp onto a, as you call
them, highways, freeways, whatever. I don't know what this one
is, a motorway to us Brits, but it's cool because
you're like, I didn't do this in the car, but
today I get to do it as a human machine.
It's pretty funky.
Alana Levy (11:06):
No, it's so special because I think all of the biggest
New York Road Runner races have this where you're on
these massive roads and these on- ramps that you're never
on before. So you have it on the FDR. In
the NYC Half, you're running over the bridges, in the
New York City Marathon, of course you're all over the
place and whenever you're running on these empty streets, it is
a really surreal experience.
Becs Gentry (11:26):
It is.
Rob Simmelkjaer (11:27):
Dorian, how does someone get to be Alana Levy and
get this experience of running in this competitive elite field?
Dorian Kail (11:36):
Well, Alana's nice, but she's also really fast. Alana I
think last year came in fourth and ran a 115.
So women have to run at least a 118, non-
binary athletes have to run 118 and men have to
run a 108 to qualify for this group. So they're fast.
Becs Gentry (11:57):
That is so speedy. Alana, what did it feel like the
first time you qualified for it?
Alana Levy (12:02):
It felt amazing. Again, what's cool about this is that
I didn't just kind of start running and then here
I was. I very much worked my way into this.
So the first time I ran this in 2012, I
ran a 132 and then each year I kind of
set these new goals for myself and kept chopping off
time and getting faster and faster. So then it was,
what's the goal? Let's get to corral A, let's get
(12:23):
to corral double A, and then finally we got to
this and you have your own private little start and
it's really fun and you get to know all of the people around with
all of the local clubs. So you get to run together
and it really feels like a community out there, which
is amazing.
Rob Simmelkjaer (12:38):
That's pretty incredible, the journey that you took, Alana, from
132, a great time down to where you are now
in this group. You also, by the way, were in
the pro field at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon
lining up with the Helen Obiris and the Sharon Lokedis
of the world as well. So I mean, how do
(13:00):
you reflect on where you are now as a runner? We
read your resume at the start of the show and
it's a great running resume in college and you've obviously
got talent, but what has it taken to go from
a talented college runner to someone who really is now
showing up at some big time starting lines?
Alana Levy (13:18):
Yeah, it's amazing to be on the start line with
some of those women. It's really, really special to be
at least just part of that group, knowing that they're
obviously so incredible and very inspiring for everyone. After college,
I kind of took a break from running, not fully,
just competitively, and I kind of was just running on
(13:39):
my own a little bit. I was running in these
races, but I didn't have as high expectations for myself.
But then when I joined Brooklyn Track Club, I started
racing a lot more and then I ended up getting
a private coach during the pandemic and just kept running
more and more. So now I've been seeing all of
that effort kind of turn into much better race results,
(14:01):
which has been really, really cool to see how when
you put in that time and when you put in that
effort every day, it really ends up turning into these
better performances. So running 70, 80 miles a week, just every
single week, just staying really, really consistent is what's been
doing it for me. And I don't think this is what
I ever saw for myself. I don't know if 10
(14:24):
years ago I would've said I would be here, but
I'm so excited that I am here. It's really amazing.
Becs Gentry (14:29):
Wow. And that's it. Persistence pays off. It really does.
Dorian Kail (14:32):
It's almost more impressive with this group because they all
have full- time jobs.
Becs Gentry (14:36):
Yeah.
Dorian Kail (14:37):
Right. They're working really hard. They have to train. I
mean, what's your schedule like?
Alana Levy (14:42):
Wow. It's busy. No, I typically run in the mornings
and then I work all day and I often double.
So I usually double two or three times a week
either with a run or some sort of a swim
and I'll do a little bit of a lift or
some core exercises and then yeah, cook dinner and go
(15:04):
to bed.
Becs Gentry (15:05):
And do it again. Rinse and repeat. That's it. Well, talking
of rinse and repeat and doing it with full- time
jobs and getting it done, that is for the local, the
everyday runner as well. Dorian, let's talk about that field
this year. How big is the local competitive field each year?
Dorian Kail (15:23):
So this year it always hovers around 40. We're at 36.
Becs Gentry (15:26):
Okay.
Dorian Kail (15:26):
And some people get their niggles and they pull out,
but it's pretty much even split. And we're really excited.
Actually, the non- binary athlete in this seeded athlete field
has the record here in the non- binary division.
Becs Gentry (15:42):
Amazing.
Dorian Kail (15:43):
So we're really happy about that. 1:12:55 Galo Vasquez. We're really
excited to see what they can do-
Becs Gentry (15:50):
Woo. Wow.
Dorian Kail (15:51):
On Saturday, but we have a great field. And on
the women's side, I know Alana didn't want to hear
this because...
Alana Levy (15:58):
Tough for me.
Dorian Kail (15:59):
Yeah. We have the defending champion from last year, Kim
Conley, who was a two- time Olympian in the 5,
000. She ran really well last year and she's back
to defend her title. So we're really psyched about that.
Becs Gentry (16:10):
Oh my gosh. Competition from the get-go.
Rob Simmelkjaer (16:12):
Alana, what are you thinking going into the race on
Saturday? You finished just off the podium last year, fourth
place. Do you have a strategy or do you want
to do things differently than you've done in this race in
the past? Go to the lead, stay close to the
lead, what's your plan?
Alana Levy (16:30):
My plan for races like this, for long races is
really just to run your own race. I'm not thinking too
much about who else is out there. If there's a
pack, that's always amazing to try to stay with. But
for the most part, I just kind of want to
hit consistent splits, see where I'm at, see where I'm
feeling at about halfway and then hopefully pick it up
(16:52):
a little bit for the second half. I think this is
a great course to negative split and then you can
start picking people off. It's a long race.
Becs Gentry (17:00):
Oh yeah, definitely. If you start counting the alphabet. Oh,
I hate that on the streets.
Dorian Kail (17:05):
Oh wait, wait, that's right, that's right. Do you do that?
Becs Gentry (17:07):
Do you do it?
Alana Levy (17:08):
I do not.
Becs Gentry (17:09):
Now she's going to cut. She's going to be like
Becs, ugh.
Alana Levy (17:11):
So the one good thing about running on Ocean Parkway
where I never run is I actually have no idea
where I am.
Becs Gentry (17:20):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (17:20):
So I'm not thinking about the...
Becs Gentry (17:22):
No, that's very true and in a good way, stick to
that. Okay. Dorian, what is your best advice for people
to get noticed by your team if they're out there
thinking I want to be in that group?
Dorian Kail (17:34):
Well, if you want those special bathrooms and those bananas-
Becs Gentry (17:38):
We all do.
Dorian Kail (17:39):
You have to work at it. You have to work
on your speed and you have to work on your,
like what Alana was saying, you have to put the
work in. It is fast. I mean, those people are
running really fast and they're running a lot of the
races. Right, Alana? I mean your team, Brooklyn Track Club,
you run a lot of our races. I think it's
putting in the training, it's putting in the good nutrition,
(18:02):
it's doing what we all aspire to do. If it's
joining our group training runs and working on your speed
because you need that qualifying time.
Becs Gentry (18:14):
Yeah. Yeah, very true.
Rob Simmelkjaer (18:16):
Dorian, can you talk about the role that the clubs play? I
mean, Alana's talking about her club, Brooklyn Track Club, but
the clubs play a huge role in developing this local
scene and I mean, there isn't another city in the
country that I know of, maybe not the world that
has a local running scene like New York and the
(18:36):
clubs are a huge part of that. And I think
most of the folks who are towing the line with
Alana and the other sub- elite athletes are members of one
of these clubs.
Dorian Kail (18:46):
Yeah. Many of our front, the top runners are from
these run clubs and I don't know all of the training
that they put in together, but I suspect they meet
up, they train together, they cheer each other on. We
have seven competing in the seeded athlete program from the
Brooklyn Track Club. We have several from the Central Park
Track Club. I think they work together, they cheer each
(19:09):
other on, they support each other and I think that's
a big part of it. And in New York we have so
many run clubs and I think that's the support. Right.
And Alana, you probably can speak to it better than
I can, but I believe that that's what it is, right?
Alana Levy (19:23):
Yeah, absolutely. And one thing I'll say is one of
the things that got me here were all of the women
that I was able to look up to who were
already doing this. So you see somebody and you're running
with them maybe every so often, or you're just kind
of looking at their training and you can say, that's
not too far from where I am right now. I
(19:43):
think I can do that too. Or I think I can run
that long, or I think I can try to run
that fast. And maybe you take the next step towards
that and then you just kind of continue to make
your way and you find the people that maybe are
just a little bit better than you and push you
to go a little bit further or faster than where
(20:03):
you are on that day and then suddenly your strides
ahead of where you were a year or two years
or three years prior to that. So I'm really lucky
that I've had women on Brooklyn Track Club, women across
all of the clubs, that I've been able to say, oh
wow, you ran that time? Okay. Can I run that time?
Rob Simmelkjaer (20:22):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (20:22):
So-
Rob Simmelkjaer (20:23):
It's a challenge and it's something to strive for and
you can see, right, what work they're putting in, how
they're training and try to emulate some of that. Right?
Alana Levy (20:31):
Absolutely.
Rob Simmelkjaer (20:33):
It's very cool.
Becs Gentry (20:34):
We love that and that's beautiful advice for people to
look up to their peers and just to take inspiration
from the immediacy around them, soak it in and roll
with it. That's so nice. All right, let's talk about
not just your schedule, but so I'm going to get
this right, I'm going to read this so I get this
right. You have both an MBA and an MPH.
Rob Simmelkjaer (20:53):
MPH is a master's in public health, right?
Becs Gentry (20:55):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (20:55):
Master's in public health.
Becs Gentry (20:56):
Master's in public health. And you work at a tech
startup. We already discussed that your schedule sounds pretty grueling.
What do you think, what can you say that running
gives you in your professional field? How does it support
you or so on?
Alana Levy (21:14):
I think the thing that running has done for me
is one, allowed me to set goals that I'm actually
kind of scared of and I'm not really sure if
I can achieve, but really try to continue to chip
away at them. So I'm able to see that in
my professional life as well where it's like, okay, this
is something that seems impossible, but I've been able to
(21:36):
make that become less impossible over time. So it really
just is more of the framework of how to think,
where it's like, I think I can get there and
I know it's going to take time and I know
it's going to take work, but I've put in hard
work before. So it's kind of that mentality.
Becs Gentry (21:51):
Wow.
Rob Simmelkjaer (21:51):
I have noticed Becs, everybody that I think the runners over index for success
in various parts of life, right?
Becs Gentry (22:03):
Agree.
Rob Simmelkjaer (22:03):
And it's really what you're talking about, Alana, that the
discipline, the framework, the knowledge that what you get out
of something is a function of what you put in.
And seeing those results in running makes you realize, yeah,
you know what? The same thing is going to happen
in life. If I put in those extra hours studying
(22:23):
or those extra hours working or whatever it may be,
you do see the return.
Becs Gentry (22:29):
Yeah. I agree. And you have plenty of time to
think it over while you're doing the miles.
Alana Levy (22:34):
I mean, honestly, running is a great time to just
be able to think through whatever problem is eating at
you, whether it's with work or personal life. It's an
amazing way to kind of just think over whatever is
happening in your life.
Dorian Kail (22:47):
I feel like you can be your most creative when
you're running, right?
Alana Levy (22:51):
100%.
Becs Gentry (22:52):
Oh my gosh. Yeah.
Dorian Kail (22:52):
You think about things that you would never think about when running.
Becs Gentry (22:54):
I feel like a genius when I'm running and then as soon as I come home,
I swear I take off my running kit and I'm
like, where did that thought go? Oh my gosh.
Alana Levy (23:01):
I think what we need to do is tell my
boss that running counts as work because I am working
in my head while I run.
Becs Gentry (23:09):
I like that.
Rob Simmelkjaer (23:10):
Is it challenging? I mean, there must be times when
jobs just takes you away. You can't get in the
training you want. I mean, we have this conversation also
with a lot of moms or dads who just have
crazy schedules. How tough is it to balance these things?
Alana Levy (23:29):
No. So one thing that I've done, I used to
be somebody who ran in the evening and I had
to change that just because sometimes work can be unpredictable.
Sometimes days go long, sometimes you're just so tired by
the end of the day. So I've really forced myself
to get up and run every single morning because one,
I'm then way more awake, way more present at work,
and I'm no longer worrying about, oh, will I get
(23:51):
this run in? Will I be able to make this
happen? It's just a given. I'm going to run. And
then for some reason, if you're traveling for work or
if you have some big project, you have to kind
of just take that into consideration and maybe you're running
really early that morning or maybe you've shifted the workout
to another day during the week, but if you kind
of are able to zoom out and just take it
(24:15):
day by day and know when the hard days are
going to come and be mentally prepared for it, I
think that's the best way.
Becs Gentry (24:20):
I like that. That's a really important message I think
to everybody, professional or not with running, be able to
zoom out and just put yourself first, don't over index,
but know it will get done. But you might have
to rejig it and just find it a little bit
of a nicer route for you. Love that. Love that.
Rob Simmelkjaer (24:41):
Dorian, there are probably thousands of runners in this race
who would love to have your job because what's more
fun than recruiting professional runners, great sub- elite athletes like
this to run races. What is the most fun thing about
your job in the pro- athletes division of New York
Road Runners?
Dorian Kail (25:01):
Wow, that's a loaded question and kind of unfair because
you're the boss. I love my job. I love working
with all my colleagues who are out here. I love
running and when you love running and you can for
a living be around runners and races and anything having
to do with running is really cool. And I love
(25:25):
the athletes. I think my biggest problem with my job
is that I love everybody and I want everybody to
win. And I become kind of so attached to everybody,
but there's only one winner, right? There are only three
people on the podium. But I care a lot about
the athletes. I care a lot about running and that's
(25:46):
why I love what I do.
Rob Simmelkjaer (25:47):
That's why you're good at what you do because they can see
the love and they love you right back, and that's
how we're able to get such an incredible field. You
or your colleague, Sam Grotewold and Christine Burke and that
whole team, you guys do such a great job. Okay.
Can we come up with another name for sub- elite?
I feel like it just seems a little like, okay, you're just a little below elite.
Becs Gentry (26:09):
Can we call them local elites?
Rob Simmelkjaer (26:11):
Well, how about-
Dorian Kail (26:11):
Well, no, no. Wait, wait. So sub- elite is really
a term we use at the marathon. We have a sub-
elite field, which is after the pros, it's the next
one, 50 and 50 of the fastest athletes. Then we do have
a local competitive group. For this group at the RBC
Brooklyn Half, it's called the Seeded Athlete Program. So let's
not, we're not really talking about sub- elites except for
(26:33):
the marathon, Rob.
Rob Simmelkjaer (26:34):
A lot of names. I can't keep track of so many names.
Dorian Kail (26:36):
I know. There are too many names.
Becs Gentry (26:37):
Too many names.
Alana Levy (26:37):
I don't think any word that you're putting next to elite
is going to make it better. Right. I think once
you're local, anything, it's kind of you're downgrading it and
it's okay. We know that we're not the professionals and
that's fine.
Becs Gentry (26:52):
Hey, it's less pressure.
Alana Levy (26:54):
Yeah.
Dorian Kail (26:54):
That is the beauty of this sport, right? You are
running with the best and anybody can do it, right?
Anybody can run the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon. You don't
have to be an elite athlete or anybody in the Seeded
Athlete Program. You can just run.
Rob Simmelkjaer (27:09):
Speaking of running, I have a funny Alana Levy story-
Alana Levy (27:12):
I'm scared.
Rob Simmelkjaer (27:12):
That I like to tell when I think of Alana
Levy. At the marathon this past year when the runners
go off, I jump in a police vehicle to get
to the finish line and Alana has taken off with
this pro field and I'm in the police vehicle. We're
going through Brooklyn and the elite field has, the pros
(27:33):
have spread out a bit by about mile eight. Some
of the leaders have gone off ahead. There are some
that are lagging back, not having a good day, and
I'm following and passing some elite runners. And then I
think it was about mile eight or so where it
gets really quiet, there are not a lot of people
cheering, it's kind of quiet and lonely. And we pull
aside, Alana, Alana Levy's there and she's running well, but
(27:56):
she's falling behind the lead pack, but she's way ahead
of the people who she's passed. And you're literally all
by yourself, like running in the TCS New York City
Marathon with no one within 100 yards of you. And I
pulled up next to you and I said, " Hello." I said, "
Hey, how are you doing? You're looking great. Keep running.
You're doing a great job." Do you remember that?
Alana Levy (28:16):
I do. I do. I had a personal cheer squad
for that one moment and then solo.
Dorian Kail (28:21):
You actually said something while she was running the race?
Rob Simmelkjaer (28:24):
I did. The police officer let me use the loudspeaker on the
car, and so-
Becs Gentry (28:29):
I love that.
Rob Simmelkjaer (28:30):
I was like hyping up the crowd and everything.
Becs Gentry (28:32):
Yes.
Rob Simmelkjaer (28:32):
And when I get to Alana, I'm just like, " Alana,
keep going. You're doing great." And she turns and looks
and smile all by herself. It was a little moment-
Dorian Kail (28:39):
Only in New York.
Rob Simmelkjaer (28:40):
We had there in the middle of the marathon.
Alana Levy (28:42):
That's amazing. And I will actually say, I remember Becs, you
were there too.
Becs Gentry (28:46):
I was on the women's elite lead vehicle.
Alana Levy (28:48):
So I remember seeing you on the first bridge.
Becs Gentry (28:51):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (28:51):
Yeah. And I gave you a little wave. You gave me a little wave back. Any
person who wants to cheer me on, I will be
so excited for it.
Becs Gentry (28:58):
Yep. We were ready for it.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:00):
All right. Before we go, can we sing happy birthday to
the birthday girl?
Dorian Kail (29:04):
Yes.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:05):
We got Alana Levy here who came on our podcast
on her birthday.
Becs Gentry (29:09):
Everyone queuing up.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:09):
So everybody can hear me on the count of three, we'll
sing happy birthday to Alana.
Becs Gentry (29:13):
All of you lot.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:15):
One, two, three. Happy birthday to you.
Becs Gentry (29:21):
Come on everyone.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:22):
Happy birthday to you.
Dorian Kail (29:22):
Happy birthday to you.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:22):
Happy birthday dear Alana.
Dorian Kail (29:22):
Dear Alana. Happy birthday to you.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:22):
Happy birthday to you. Yay.
Alana Levy (29:24):
Thank you. Thank you. That's very kind.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:24):
Alana, happy birthday.
Becs Gentry (29:39):
Yay. Happy birthday.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:40):
Thank you for coming on Set the Pace. Great to
have you. Dorian-
Alana Levy (29:44):
Thank you for having me.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:45):
Great to see you.
Dorian Kail (29:45):
Thank you. This was fun.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:46):
Thanks for coming on.
Becs Gentry (29:46):
Thank you both.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:46):
It was a command performance.
Becs Gentry (29:49):
It was great.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:50):
And you were great. Thank you so much. Great to have
you. Good luck on Saturday.
Becs Gentry (29:55):
Best of luck.
Alana Levy (29:56):
Thank you. We'll see. We'll see you about the podium. We'll
see about Kim Conley.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:00):
That's right.
Becs Gentry (30:00):
You got this. You got this.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:00):
We will see. Throwing the gauntlet down. I like it.
Becs Gentry (30:02):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (30:02):
You heard it here first.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:02):
Right from the stage-
Dorian Kail (30:06):
I won't tell Kim.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:06):
Of the pre- party. Becs, great to have you back.
Becs Gentry (30:09):
Thank you. Great to be back.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:10):
Thanks for coming in. Good luck to everybody out there running.
Becs Gentry (30:15):
Yes.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:15):
Let's hear some noise. Who's running out there? Who's ready
to go for Saturday? Good luck. Hope you have a great day.
Hope we get some good weather for you out there
on Saturday. Thanks for coming out and watching this very
special episode of Set the Pace. We'll see you Saturday
at the after party at Maimonides Park. Have a great
race. Enjoy the miles.
Becs Gentry (30:39):
Woo.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:51):
New York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a
vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the
transformative power of running. The support of members and donors
like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the
health and well- being of our communities through inclusive and
accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn
(31:13):
more and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate.
I love the Brooklyn Half course, and I'm obsessed with
this race. This will be my eighth time running it.
And what's cool about it is how many different ways
I have run this race. And I think at this point
I feel ready to talk about it and talk about
the best parts and the best strategies around it.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:22):
Thank you. Thank you very much and welcome everybody to
Set the Pace, the official podcast of New York Road
Runners, presented by Peloton. I'm Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of
New York Road Runners and co- host of Set the
Pace. And with me to my left, my amazing co-
host from Peloton, can we give it up for Becs Gentry.
Becs Gentry (00:43):
Hello.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:43):
Hello, Becs.
Becs Gentry (00:45):
Hi.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:48):
How are you?
Becs Gentry (00:48):
Good. Good to see you.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:49):
It's great to see you. It's been a while since
I've seen Becs because Becs husband, partner, Austin, went off and
ran the London Marathon-
Becs Gentry (00:58):
He did.
Rob Simmelkjaer (00:58):
Not long ago and you all took a little European
vacation after that, which sounded lovely. How was it?
Becs Gentry (01:05):
It was amazing. And you're welcome, I brought the sun
back with me. It just took me to arrive at
a New York Road Runners event for it to come
out. But no, it was fantastic. It was so good to
see everybody crushing London. What a hot day, might be
a little bit like tomorrow. Wait, what day is it?
I have no idea what day it is. Whenever the race is.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:24):
Today is Thursday. The race is Saturday. Don't worry.
Becs Gentry (01:27):
The race is Saturday.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:27):
We'll figure it out.
Becs Gentry (01:28):
I've got this. I'm still on a beach. But no, it
was such a wonderful race. Congrats to anyone who ran
London Marathon out there as well. Great, great event.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:38):
Well, for those of you who are listening out there,
you might hear some crowd noise. That's because we are
live at the RBC Brooklyn Half pre- party presented by
New Balance. And it's a thrill to be here-
Becs Gentry (01:50):
Yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:50):
At Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier number two. And, yes, it's
Thursday. We're here-
Becs Gentry (01:55):
Thursday. There you go.
Rob Simmelkjaer (01:56):
Speaking, recording this on Thursday. A much nicer day than we
had yesterday. The sun has come out, it's a beautiful
day all of a sudden as we watch runners streaming in
to pick up their race bibs for the RBC Brooklyn
Half coming up on Saturday. We could not be more
excited. Becs, the sun came out so suddenly-
Becs Gentry (02:16):
So suddenly. I'm sweating.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:17):
And we've got this spectacular view of New York Harbor,
Lower Manhattan. The Statue of Liberty is right in front
of us.
Becs Gentry (02:23):
Which you haven't been able to see all day because it's been foggy.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:25):
Not for the last two days.
Becs Gentry (02:27):
No.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:27):
But it all opened up. It's gorgeous. And so much
so that we needed some last- minute sunglasses.
Becs Gentry (02:32):
Yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:32):
So I want to thank our friends at Knockaround Sunglasses
for giving us some last- second shades. Anybody out there who-
Becs Gentry (02:39):
They're fabulous.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:39):
Suddenly finds themselves blinded by the sun, go get yourselves
some Knockaround shades. They are fantastic.
Becs Gentry (02:45):
They're so good. They're chic too. I think we all look pretty good.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:48):
All right.
Becs Gentry (02:48):
Yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:48):
Well, Becs, we're so excited. This by the way, this
party, this pre- party is just the first party of
the weekend.
Becs Gentry (02:55):
I know.
Rob Simmelkjaer (02:55):
Because there'll be another party on Saturday, of course. That is
the RBC Brooklyn Half, 13. 1 miles to Coney Island.
And then after that we're going to have another party,
the epic RBC Brooklyn Half After- Party at Maimonides Ballpark.
There will be live music, entertainment, and another live recording
of Set the Pace. And Becs, I know you're not
(03:17):
going to be with me, so I'll be solo-
Becs Gentry (03:18):
I know.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:19):
For this one, which I'm sad about. But we're going to have
an amazing guest.
Becs Gentry (03:23):
I have to do my real job.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:24):
Yes, you got to go teach people at Peloton.
Becs Gentry (03:27):
I do. I do.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:28):
That is what you get paid to do. We understand. But we're going
to have an amazing guest at the after party on
Saturday. Dancing with the Stars, Alan Bersten-
Becs Gentry (03:37):
Wow.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:38):
Will be our guest. Don't miss that. And I can tell
you one thing that won't happen... I'm sad you won't
be there because I was hoping Alan would have someone
to dance with at that show. And I can tell
you one thing, it will not be me. I will
not be dancing.
Becs Gentry (03:51):
I'm a runner. We move in one plane of motion.
I do not dance well. Austin is embarrassed when I start to dance.
Rob Simmelkjaer (03:57):
I think Alan Bersten could teach you a couple of moves.
Becs Gentry (04:00):
I'd take it.
Rob Simmelkjaer (04:01):
And there's no way he could teach me anything. So
anyway, you can look forward to that. That'll be another
special episode of Set the Pace, and we can't wait.
Try the Peloton app for free and access classes for
every type of runner, whether you're training for your first
race or you're a seasoned pro. From outdoor runs and
intervals to strength, yoga, and stretching, you'll find a perfect
(04:22):
fit for every part of your routine. Whether it's long
run day or you just need a quick five- minute
reset, the Peloton app meets you where you are and
helps you become a stronger, faster runner because it's designed
for someone like you. Try the app for free for
30 days and download it now from the App Store
or Google Play. Terms apply. Peloton, the official digital fitness
(04:44):
partner of New York Road Runners. Our event schedule at
the RBC Brooklyn Half pre- party presented by New Balance
is packed. So to keep things moving, we're going to
have a super speedy show today, a quick show that
celebrates the stars of the RBC Brooklyn Half, our local
elite runners. This is a race, Becs, that does not
have a professional field. Instead, we pay tribute and highlight
(05:08):
some of the fastest runners here in our New York
City club scene.
Becs Gentry (05:12):
Yep.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:12):
And we've got one of those runners here with us today.
Becs Gentry (05:15):
Yeah, we do.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:15):
As well as the woman who makes it all happen,
booking those guests. First I want to introduce New York
Road Runners own Dorian Kail, our Director of Professional Athletes.
Becs Gentry (05:27):
Yeah, Dorian.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:28):
She's got one of the coolest jobs in running. She
recruits pro athletes to our big races like the Marathon,
the United Airlines NYC Half. And for the RBC Brooklyn
Half, she recruits our incredible local field of elite runners.
And one of those runners with us today is we
(05:49):
call them sub- elite athletes. We're going to talk about
that because I feel it's kind of like-
Becs Gentry (05:53):
Yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:53):
A little insulting. Sub- elite.
Becs Gentry (05:55):
Sub-elite. So elite.
Rob Simmelkjaer (05:57):
These runners are pretty elite. But Alana Levy is here
and she's one of the fastest amateur women in New
York City.
Becs Gentry (06:04):
Oh, yeah.
Rob Simmelkjaer (06:05):
Alana ran at Cornell where she received All East Honors
at the ECACs. She has personal bests of, get this, 4:
42 in the mile, 16:29 in the 5K, and 2:40. 33 in
the marathon. All those records were set within the last
18 months. And she was the first woman, New York
(06:26):
City resident, to finish the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon
with a time of 2
a true Brooklyn runner because she's been running with the
Brooklyn Track Club since 2018. Outside of running, by the
way, Alana, your resume is ridiculous. She has an MBA
(06:46):
from NYU Stern School of Business, an MPH from the
University of Edinburgh, and she's the director of product management
at Pearl Health, which is a healthcare technology startup. Hello, Dorian
and Alana, welcome to the show.
Becs Gentry (06:57):
Hi.
Alana Levy (06:58):
Wow.
Becs Gentry (06:59):
Wow.
Alana Levy (06:59):
Hello.
Becs Gentry (07:00):
I did not know you went to Edinburgh.
Alana Levy (07:02):
I did.
Becs Gentry (07:02):
As in Scotland.
Alana Levy (07:02):
I love it there.
Becs Gentry (07:04):
Yes.
Alana Levy (07:04):
It was the most beautiful city, beautiful place.
Becs Gentry (07:06):
Isn't it stunning?
Alana Levy (07:07):
Yes.
Becs Gentry (07:07):
Oh my gosh. Can you do a Scottish accent?
Alana Levy (07:11):
Not on this podcast. Not right now.
Becs Gentry (07:12):
Oh, no.
Dorian Kail (07:12):
That was great.
Becs Gentry (07:12):
There we go.
Dorian Kail (07:16):
Wait, wait, wait. It's Alana's birthday.
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:18):
Yes.
Becs Gentry (07:19):
Everyone, it's Alana's singing.
Dorian Kail (07:20):
So wait, can we sing happy birthday?
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:20):
We will be getting to a little happy birthday singing.
Becs Gentry (07:23):
Yeah, we will.
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:24):
We're going to finish with that. We're definitely going to wish her-
Alana Levy (07:25):
All right. Okay.
Becs Gentry (07:26):
We have to make sure she's out of here-
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:27):
A happy birthday.
Becs Gentry (07:27):
For her dinner reservation.
Alana Levy (07:27):
I'll have to dread it the entire time.
Rob Simmelkjaer (07:30):
That's right. We want to hold that over your head
for the entire podcast. All right, Dorian, I want to
start with you and your incredibly fun job of recruiting
these amazing athletes to our races. But let's talk about
the field for the RBC Brooklyn Half for a second.
How does one get to be a, what we call
seeded runner, one of the folks who get to start
(07:51):
right in front at the RBC Brooklyn Half running with the
very best runners we have in New York City?
Dorian Kail (07:56):
So Alana is part of our Seeded Athlete Program, and
this is an elevated experience for the fastest athletes in
the area. It's pretty cool because they get to start,
they kind of have a VIP start at the Brooklyn
Botanical Gardens. They get indoor bathrooms by the way, indoor
bathrooms. That's key for your VIP start, right?
Rob Simmelkjaer (08:18):
Fancy, fancy.
Dorian Kail (08:19):
They get bananas, they get a little breakfast, they get
to warm up, and then we put them right on
the start line. When they are on the start line,
we, our team, our great team takes their bags right
to the finish line. So literally they cross the finish
line and they get their bags right away. It's truly
a VIP experience for these amazing athletes. And what's really
(08:43):
cool about all of these athletes is that many of
them are the fastest in the area. And this year's
group represents 13 local running clubs and we're really proud
of that. And Alana is part of the Brooklyn Track
Club, so give it up for the Brooklyn Track Club.
Becs Gentry (09:00):
Amazing.
Dorian Kail (09:00):
Yeah. And this year we had the defending champion in
the men's division, Ryan Cutter from the Brooklyn Track Club,
and he happens to be running for the first time
with our New York Road Runners Team for Climate, which
is really cool. And we're very, very proud of that.
Becs Gentry (09:15):
Yay.
Rob Simmelkjaer (09:16):
We love that.
Becs Gentry (09:16):
Absolutely.
Rob Simmelkjaer (09:16):
So for those who don't know, Team for Climate is a
new thing at Road Runners that helps raise funds to
help us offset or actually inset, which is prevent the
carbon emissions from all the things we do and all
the runners flying to the marathon and other races. So
thank you to him and everybody else who's running for
Team for Climate.
Becs Gentry (09:36):
Absolutely.
Dorian Kail (09:37):
And what I love is that last year Ryan ran
a 1:04. 08, that is a 4. 54 pace. So
these people are fast, they're really fast.
Becs Gentry (09:46):
That's moving.
Dorian Kail (09:46):
I know.
Becs Gentry (09:46):
And it's not, I mean, we've got this on another podcast episode. The course
is not easy. Okay.
Dorian Kail (09:51):
Yeah.
Becs Gentry (09:51):
Alana, you have run this race before. It's not a
new one for you. And so what do you love?
What is your favorite part? Because I feel like this
race has got chapters to it. It could be three
races. What's your favorite part?
Alana Levy (10:09):
I love the Brooklyn Half course, and I'm obsessed with
this race. This will be my eighth time running it.
And what's cool about it is how many different ways
I have run this race. And I think at this point
I feel ready to talk about it and talk about
the best parts and the best strategies around it. But
I think my favorite part is leaving Prospect Park, you
(10:33):
hit the downhill, you've done all of the hills, the majority
of the work, and then you just hit cruise control
and you go through all of these crowds and you
lock in.
Becs Gentry (10:43):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (10:43):
And that's probably like a moment when you flip the
switch and it's like, now is my time.
Becs Gentry (10:49):
I would agree and I feel like it's the coolest
thing as a human to be running on a on-
ramp or an off- ramp onto a, as you call
them, highways, freeways, whatever. I don't know what this one
is, a motorway to us Brits, but it's cool because
you're like, I didn't do this in the car, but
today I get to do it as a human machine.
It's pretty funky.
Alana Levy (11:06):
No, it's so special because I think all of the biggest
New York Road Runner races have this where you're on
these massive roads and these on- ramps that you're never
on before. So you have it on the FDR. In
the NYC Half, you're running over the bridges, in the
New York City Marathon, of course you're all over the
place and whenever you're running on these empty streets, it is
a really surreal experience.
Becs Gentry (11:26):
It is.
Rob Simmelkjaer (11:27):
Dorian, how does someone get to be Alana Levy and
get this experience of running in this competitive elite field?
Dorian Kail (11:36):
Well, Alana's nice, but she's also really fast. Alana I
think last year came in fourth and ran a 115.
So women have to run at least a 118, non-
binary athletes have to run 118 and men have to
run a 108 to qualify for this group. So they're fast.
Becs Gentry (11:57):
That is so speedy. Alana, what did it feel like the
first time you qualified for it?
Alana Levy (12:02):
It felt amazing. Again, what's cool about this is that
I didn't just kind of start running and then here
I was. I very much worked my way into this.
So the first time I ran this in 2012, I
ran a 132 and then each year I kind of
set these new goals for myself and kept chopping off
time and getting faster and faster. So then it was,
what's the goal? Let's get to corral A, let's get
(12:23):
to corral double A, and then finally we got to
this and you have your own private little start and
it's really fun and you get to know all of the people around with
all of the local clubs. So you get to run together
and it really feels like a community out there, which
is amazing.
Rob Simmelkjaer (12:38):
That's pretty incredible, the journey that you took, Alana, from
132, a great time down to where you are now
in this group. You also, by the way, were in
the pro field at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon
lining up with the Helen Obiris and the Sharon Lokedis
of the world as well. So I mean, how do
(13:00):
you reflect on where you are now as a runner? We
read your resume at the start of the show and
it's a great running resume in college and you've obviously
got talent, but what has it taken to go from
a talented college runner to someone who really is now
showing up at some big time starting lines?
Alana Levy (13:18):
Yeah, it's amazing to be on the start line with
some of those women. It's really, really special to be
at least just part of that group, knowing that they're
obviously so incredible and very inspiring for everyone. After college,
I kind of took a break from running, not fully,
just competitively, and I kind of was just running on
(13:39):
my own a little bit. I was running in these
races, but I didn't have as high expectations for myself.
But then when I joined Brooklyn Track Club, I started
racing a lot more and then I ended up getting
a private coach during the pandemic and just kept running
more and more. So now I've been seeing all of
that effort kind of turn into much better race results,
(14:01):
which has been really, really cool to see how when
you put in that time and when you put in that
effort every day, it really ends up turning into these
better performances. So running 70, 80 miles a week, just every
single week, just staying really, really consistent is what's been
doing it for me. And I don't think this is what
I ever saw for myself. I don't know if 10
(14:24):
years ago I would've said I would be here, but
I'm so excited that I am here. It's really amazing.
Becs Gentry (14:29):
Wow. And that's it. Persistence pays off. It really does.
Dorian Kail (14:32):
It's almost more impressive with this group because they all
have full- time jobs.
Becs Gentry (14:36):
Yeah.
Dorian Kail (14:37):
Right. They're working really hard. They have to train. I
mean, what's your schedule like?
Alana Levy (14:42):
Wow. It's busy. No, I typically run in the mornings
and then I work all day and I often double.
So I usually double two or three times a week
either with a run or some sort of a swim
and I'll do a little bit of a lift or
some core exercises and then yeah, cook dinner and go
(15:04):
to bed.
Becs Gentry (15:05):
And do it again. Rinse and repeat. That's it. Well, talking
of rinse and repeat and doing it with full- time
jobs and getting it done, that is for the local, the
everyday runner as well. Dorian, let's talk about that field
this year. How big is the local competitive field each year?
Dorian Kail (15:23):
So this year it always hovers around 40. We're at 36.
Becs Gentry (15:26):
Okay.
Dorian Kail (15:26):
And some people get their niggles and they pull out,
but it's pretty much even split. And we're really excited.
Actually, the non- binary athlete in this seeded athlete field
has the record here in the non- binary division.
Becs Gentry (15:42):
Amazing.
Dorian Kail (15:43):
So we're really happy about that. 1:12:55 Galo Vasquez. We're really
excited to see what they can do-
Becs Gentry (15:50):
Woo. Wow.
Dorian Kail (15:51):
On Saturday, but we have a great field. And on
the women's side, I know Alana didn't want to hear
this because...
Alana Levy (15:58):
Tough for me.
Dorian Kail (15:59):
Yeah. We have the defending champion from last year, Kim
Conley, who was a two- time Olympian in the 5,
000. She ran really well last year and she's back
to defend her title. So we're really psyched about that.
Becs Gentry (16:10):
Oh my gosh. Competition from the get-go.
Rob Simmelkjaer (16:12):
Alana, what are you thinking going into the race on
Saturday? You finished just off the podium last year, fourth
place. Do you have a strategy or do you want
to do things differently than you've done in this race in
the past? Go to the lead, stay close to the
lead, what's your plan?
Alana Levy (16:30):
My plan for races like this, for long races is
really just to run your own race. I'm not thinking too
much about who else is out there. If there's a
pack, that's always amazing to try to stay with. But
for the most part, I just kind of want to
hit consistent splits, see where I'm at, see where I'm
feeling at about halfway and then hopefully pick it up
(16:52):
a little bit for the second half. I think this is
a great course to negative split and then you can
start picking people off. It's a long race.
Becs Gentry (17:00):
Oh yeah, definitely. If you start counting the alphabet. Oh,
I hate that on the streets.
Dorian Kail (17:05):
Oh wait, wait, that's right, that's right. Do you do that?
Becs Gentry (17:07):
Do you do it?
Alana Levy (17:08):
I do not.
Becs Gentry (17:09):
Now she's going to cut. She's going to be like
Becs, ugh.
Alana Levy (17:11):
So the one good thing about running on Ocean Parkway
where I never run is I actually have no idea
where I am.
Becs Gentry (17:20):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (17:20):
So I'm not thinking about the...
Becs Gentry (17:22):
No, that's very true and in a good way, stick to
that. Okay. Dorian, what is your best advice for people
to get noticed by your team if they're out there
thinking I want to be in that group?
Dorian Kail (17:34):
Well, if you want those special bathrooms and those bananas-
Becs Gentry (17:38):
We all do.
Dorian Kail (17:39):
You have to work at it. You have to work
on your speed and you have to work on your,
like what Alana was saying, you have to put the
work in. It is fast. I mean, those people are
running really fast and they're running a lot of the
races. Right, Alana? I mean your team, Brooklyn Track Club,
you run a lot of our races. I think it's
putting in the training, it's putting in the good nutrition,
(18:02):
it's doing what we all aspire to do. If it's
joining our group training runs and working on your speed
because you need that qualifying time.
Becs Gentry (18:14):
Yeah. Yeah, very true.
Rob Simmelkjaer (18:16):
Dorian, can you talk about the role that the clubs play? I
mean, Alana's talking about her club, Brooklyn Track Club, but
the clubs play a huge role in developing this local
scene and I mean, there isn't another city in the
country that I know of, maybe not the world that
has a local running scene like New York and the
(18:36):
clubs are a huge part of that. And I think
most of the folks who are towing the line with
Alana and the other sub- elite athletes are members of one
of these clubs.
Dorian Kail (18:46):
Yeah. Many of our front, the top runners are from
these run clubs and I don't know all of the training
that they put in together, but I suspect they meet
up, they train together, they cheer each other on. We
have seven competing in the seeded athlete program from the
Brooklyn Track Club. We have several from the Central Park
Track Club. I think they work together, they cheer each
(19:09):
other on, they support each other and I think that's
a big part of it. And in New York we have so
many run clubs and I think that's the support. Right.
And Alana, you probably can speak to it better than
I can, but I believe that that's what it is, right?
Alana Levy (19:23):
Yeah, absolutely. And one thing I'll say is one of
the things that got me here were all of the women
that I was able to look up to who were
already doing this. So you see somebody and you're running
with them maybe every so often, or you're just kind
of looking at their training and you can say, that's
not too far from where I am right now. I
(19:43):
think I can do that too. Or I think I can run
that long, or I think I can try to run
that fast. And maybe you take the next step towards
that and then you just kind of continue to make
your way and you find the people that maybe are
just a little bit better than you and push you
to go a little bit further or faster than where
(20:03):
you are on that day and then suddenly your strides
ahead of where you were a year or two years
or three years prior to that. So I'm really lucky
that I've had women on Brooklyn Track Club, women across
all of the clubs, that I've been able to say, oh
wow, you ran that time? Okay. Can I run that time?
Rob Simmelkjaer (20:22):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (20:22):
So-
Rob Simmelkjaer (20:23):
It's a challenge and it's something to strive for and
you can see, right, what work they're putting in, how
they're training and try to emulate some of that. Right?
Alana Levy (20:31):
Absolutely.
Rob Simmelkjaer (20:33):
It's very cool.
Becs Gentry (20:34):
We love that and that's beautiful advice for people to
look up to their peers and just to take inspiration
from the immediacy around them, soak it in and roll
with it. That's so nice. All right, let's talk about
not just your schedule, but so I'm going to get
this right, I'm going to read this so I get this
right. You have both an MBA and an MPH.
Rob Simmelkjaer (20:53):
MPH is a master's in public health, right?
Becs Gentry (20:55):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (20:55):
Master's in public health.
Becs Gentry (20:56):
Master's in public health. And you work at a tech
startup. We already discussed that your schedule sounds pretty grueling.
What do you think, what can you say that running
gives you in your professional field? How does it support
you or so on?
Alana Levy (21:14):
I think the thing that running has done for me
is one, allowed me to set goals that I'm actually
kind of scared of and I'm not really sure if
I can achieve, but really try to continue to chip
away at them. So I'm able to see that in
my professional life as well where it's like, okay, this
is something that seems impossible, but I've been able to
(21:36):
make that become less impossible over time. So it really
just is more of the framework of how to think,
where it's like, I think I can get there and
I know it's going to take time and I know
it's going to take work, but I've put in hard
work before. So it's kind of that mentality.
Becs Gentry (21:51):
Wow.
Rob Simmelkjaer (21:51):
I have noticed Becs, everybody that I think the runners over index for success
in various parts of life, right?
Becs Gentry (22:03):
Agree.
Rob Simmelkjaer (22:03):
And it's really what you're talking about, Alana, that the
discipline, the framework, the knowledge that what you get out
of something is a function of what you put in.
And seeing those results in running makes you realize, yeah,
you know what? The same thing is going to happen
in life. If I put in those extra hours studying
(22:23):
or those extra hours working or whatever it may be,
you do see the return.
Becs Gentry (22:29):
Yeah. I agree. And you have plenty of time to
think it over while you're doing the miles.
Alana Levy (22:34):
I mean, honestly, running is a great time to just
be able to think through whatever problem is eating at
you, whether it's with work or personal life. It's an
amazing way to kind of just think over whatever is
happening in your life.
Dorian Kail (22:47):
I feel like you can be your most creative when
you're running, right?
Alana Levy (22:51):
100%.
Becs Gentry (22:52):
Oh my gosh. Yeah.
Dorian Kail (22:52):
You think about things that you would never think about when running.
Becs Gentry (22:54):
I feel like a genius when I'm running and then as soon as I come home,
I swear I take off my running kit and I'm
like, where did that thought go? Oh my gosh.
Alana Levy (23:01):
I think what we need to do is tell my
boss that running counts as work because I am working
in my head while I run.
Becs Gentry (23:09):
I like that.
Rob Simmelkjaer (23:10):
Is it challenging? I mean, there must be times when
jobs just takes you away. You can't get in the
training you want. I mean, we have this conversation also
with a lot of moms or dads who just have
crazy schedules. How tough is it to balance these things?
Alana Levy (23:29):
No. So one thing that I've done, I used to
be somebody who ran in the evening and I had
to change that just because sometimes work can be unpredictable.
Sometimes days go long, sometimes you're just so tired by
the end of the day. So I've really forced myself
to get up and run every single morning because one,
I'm then way more awake, way more present at work,
and I'm no longer worrying about, oh, will I get
(23:51):
this run in? Will I be able to make this
happen? It's just a given. I'm going to run. And
then for some reason, if you're traveling for work or
if you have some big project, you have to kind
of just take that into consideration and maybe you're running
really early that morning or maybe you've shifted the workout
to another day during the week, but if you kind
of are able to zoom out and just take it
(24:15):
day by day and know when the hard days are
going to come and be mentally prepared for it, I
think that's the best way.
Becs Gentry (24:20):
I like that. That's a really important message I think
to everybody, professional or not with running, be able to
zoom out and just put yourself first, don't over index,
but know it will get done. But you might have
to rejig it and just find it a little bit
of a nicer route for you. Love that. Love that.
Rob Simmelkjaer (24:41):
Dorian, there are probably thousands of runners in this race
who would love to have your job because what's more
fun than recruiting professional runners, great sub- elite athletes like
this to run races. What is the most fun thing about
your job in the pro- athletes division of New York
Road Runners?
Dorian Kail (25:01):
Wow, that's a loaded question and kind of unfair because
you're the boss. I love my job. I love working
with all my colleagues who are out here. I love
running and when you love running and you can for
a living be around runners and races and anything having
to do with running is really cool. And I love
(25:25):
the athletes. I think my biggest problem with my job
is that I love everybody and I want everybody to
win. And I become kind of so attached to everybody,
but there's only one winner, right? There are only three
people on the podium. But I care a lot about
the athletes. I care a lot about running and that's
(25:46):
why I love what I do.
Rob Simmelkjaer (25:47):
That's why you're good at what you do because they can see
the love and they love you right back, and that's
how we're able to get such an incredible field. You
or your colleague, Sam Grotewold and Christine Burke and that
whole team, you guys do such a great job. Okay.
Can we come up with another name for sub- elite?
I feel like it just seems a little like, okay, you're just a little below elite.
Becs Gentry (26:09):
Can we call them local elites?
Rob Simmelkjaer (26:11):
Well, how about-
Dorian Kail (26:11):
Well, no, no. Wait, wait. So sub- elite is really
a term we use at the marathon. We have a sub-
elite field, which is after the pros, it's the next
one, 50 and 50 of the fastest athletes. Then we do have
a local competitive group. For this group at the RBC
Brooklyn Half, it's called the Seeded Athlete Program. So let's
not, we're not really talking about sub- elites except for
(26:33):
the marathon, Rob.
Rob Simmelkjaer (26:34):
A lot of names. I can't keep track of so many names.
Dorian Kail (26:36):
I know. There are too many names.
Becs Gentry (26:37):
Too many names.
Alana Levy (26:37):
I don't think any word that you're putting next to elite
is going to make it better. Right. I think once
you're local, anything, it's kind of you're downgrading it and
it's okay. We know that we're not the professionals and
that's fine.
Becs Gentry (26:52):
Hey, it's less pressure.
Alana Levy (26:54):
Yeah.
Dorian Kail (26:54):
That is the beauty of this sport, right? You are
running with the best and anybody can do it, right?
Anybody can run the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon. You don't
have to be an elite athlete or anybody in the Seeded
Athlete Program. You can just run.
Rob Simmelkjaer (27:09):
Speaking of running, I have a funny Alana Levy story-
Alana Levy (27:12):
I'm scared.
Rob Simmelkjaer (27:12):
That I like to tell when I think of Alana
Levy. At the marathon this past year when the runners
go off, I jump in a police vehicle to get
to the finish line and Alana has taken off with
this pro field and I'm in the police vehicle. We're
going through Brooklyn and the elite field has, the pros
(27:33):
have spread out a bit by about mile eight. Some
of the leaders have gone off ahead. There are some
that are lagging back, not having a good day, and
I'm following and passing some elite runners. And then I
think it was about mile eight or so where it
gets really quiet, there are not a lot of people
cheering, it's kind of quiet and lonely. And we pull
aside, Alana, Alana Levy's there and she's running well, but
(27:56):
she's falling behind the lead pack, but she's way ahead
of the people who she's passed. And you're literally all
by yourself, like running in the TCS New York City
Marathon with no one within 100 yards of you. And I
pulled up next to you and I said, " Hello." I said, "
Hey, how are you doing? You're looking great. Keep running.
You're doing a great job." Do you remember that?
Alana Levy (28:16):
I do. I do. I had a personal cheer squad
for that one moment and then solo.
Dorian Kail (28:21):
You actually said something while she was running the race?
Rob Simmelkjaer (28:24):
I did. The police officer let me use the loudspeaker on the
car, and so-
Becs Gentry (28:29):
I love that.
Rob Simmelkjaer (28:30):
I was like hyping up the crowd and everything.
Becs Gentry (28:32):
Yes.
Rob Simmelkjaer (28:32):
And when I get to Alana, I'm just like, " Alana,
keep going. You're doing great." And she turns and looks
and smile all by herself. It was a little moment-
Dorian Kail (28:39):
Only in New York.
Rob Simmelkjaer (28:40):
We had there in the middle of the marathon.
Alana Levy (28:42):
That's amazing. And I will actually say, I remember Becs, you
were there too.
Becs Gentry (28:46):
I was on the women's elite lead vehicle.
Alana Levy (28:48):
So I remember seeing you on the first bridge.
Becs Gentry (28:51):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (28:51):
Yeah. And I gave you a little wave. You gave me a little wave back. Any
person who wants to cheer me on, I will be
so excited for it.
Becs Gentry (28:58):
Yep. We were ready for it.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:00):
All right. Before we go, can we sing happy birthday to
the birthday girl?
Dorian Kail (29:04):
Yes.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:05):
We got Alana Levy here who came on our podcast
on her birthday.
Becs Gentry (29:09):
Everyone queuing up.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:09):
So everybody can hear me on the count of three, we'll
sing happy birthday to Alana.
Becs Gentry (29:13):
All of you lot.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:15):
One, two, three. Happy birthday to you.
Becs Gentry (29:21):
Come on everyone.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:22):
Happy birthday to you.
Dorian Kail (29:22):
Happy birthday to you.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:22):
Happy birthday dear Alana.
Dorian Kail (29:22):
Dear Alana. Happy birthday to you.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:22):
Happy birthday to you. Yay.
Alana Levy (29:24):
Thank you. Thank you. That's very kind.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:24):
Alana, happy birthday.
Becs Gentry (29:39):
Yay. Happy birthday.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:40):
Thank you for coming on Set the Pace. Great to
have you. Dorian-
Alana Levy (29:44):
Thank you for having me.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:45):
Great to see you.
Dorian Kail (29:45):
Thank you. This was fun.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:46):
Thanks for coming on.
Becs Gentry (29:46):
Thank you both.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:46):
It was a command performance.
Becs Gentry (29:49):
It was great.
Rob Simmelkjaer (29:50):
And you were great. Thank you so much. Great to have
you. Good luck on Saturday.
Becs Gentry (29:55):
Best of luck.
Alana Levy (29:56):
Thank you. We'll see. We'll see you about the podium. We'll
see about Kim Conley.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:00):
That's right.
Becs Gentry (30:00):
You got this. You got this.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:00):
We will see. Throwing the gauntlet down. I like it.
Becs Gentry (30:02):
Yeah.
Alana Levy (30:02):
You heard it here first.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:02):
Right from the stage-
Dorian Kail (30:06):
I won't tell Kim.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:06):
Of the pre- party. Becs, great to have you back.
Becs Gentry (30:09):
Thank you. Great to be back.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:10):
Thanks for coming in. Good luck to everybody out there running.
Becs Gentry (30:15):
Yes.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:15):
Let's hear some noise. Who's running out there? Who's ready
to go for Saturday? Good luck. Hope you have a great day.
Hope we get some good weather for you out there
on Saturday. Thanks for coming out and watching this very
special episode of Set the Pace. We'll see you Saturday
at the after party at Maimonides Park. Have a great
race. Enjoy the miles.
Becs Gentry (30:39):
Woo.
Rob Simmelkjaer (30:51):
New York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a
vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the
transformative power of running. The support of members and donors
like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the
health and well- being of our communities through inclusive and
accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn
(31:13):
more and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate.
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Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
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