Set the Pace

Dr. Jordan Metzl on the Science of Running Motivation

This week, Rob and Becs are joined by Dr. Jordan Metzl, a sports medicine physician at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) who has treated thousands of runners. A runner himself, Dr. Metzl has completed dozens of marathons and multiple Ironman triathlons. His new book, “Push: Unlock the Science of Fitness Motivation to Embrace Health and Longevity,” draws on research, patient stories, and his own experience to examine how motivation shapes long-term health. The book offers a practical mental and physical roadmap to help readers build a sustainable exercise plan and rediscover their love of movement. Dr. Metzl also reflects on what it means to keep moving as runners age, evolve, and sometimes struggle to stay motivated. He dedicates the book to his father, an Austrian immigrant and Holocaust survivor who earned his medical degree and practiced pediatrics in Kansas City for more than 50 years—an example that inspired Dr. Metzl and his brothers to become physicians themselves.FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Every Runner Can Learn From Olympian Grant Fisher

Two-time Olympian Grant Fisher joins Set the Pace this week in a live interview with Rob, recorded on January 30 at the TCS New York City Marathon Partner Forum in NYC. Grant was in town preparing for the Millrose Games, where he was set to race the Wanamaker Mile, but after our interview, he scratched due to illness. In the conversation, Grant shares what excites him about making his road racing and half marathon debut at the United Airlines NYC Half. The Stanford grad also reflects on long-term running goals and how he balances his love of the sport with his commitment to his fiancé and their future together. Grant’s thoughts on uncertainty, decision-making, and knowing when to step back offer meaningful lessons for runners at every level. To help break this down, NYRR’s Coach Ben Delaney provides some insight on how to recognize when it’s time to listen to your body and say, “today is not my day.” FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s New and What’s Next for New York Road Runners' Members

This week, Rob is joined by New York Road Runners Chief Marketing and Digital Officer Juliette Morris for a special Town Hall edition of Set the Pace where they talk about what’s happening across the entire organization. Rob addresses some of the most common questions and concerns raised by the running community, from race access and registration demand to new processing fees and the growing popularity of the 9+1 program. He breaks down the realities behind park permits, race capacity limits, and fairness for participants, while sharing steps NYRR is taking to create more opportunities for runners at every level. The conversation also highlights the organization’s nearly $1 billion annual economic impact on New York City and what that means for local communities. Later in the episode New York Road Runners Co-Head of Marketing Strategy Emily Casey joins the show to unveil, alongside Juliette, NYRR’s new “Believe in Every Step” brand identity and logo, exploring the thinking behind the rebrand and what it represents for the future.Note - for clarity, in addition to advance registration access to the non-drawing Five-Borough Series races, all members will also now have advance registration access to the following 2026 races: NYRR Mindful 5K NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K New Balance 5th Avenue Mile FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special Live Taping of Set the Pace with Olympian and Peloton Instructor Alex Karwoski

Check out this special episode of Set the Pace taped live at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. Hosts Rob and Becs sit down with Olympian and Peloton instructor Alex Karwoski, who represented the U.S. in the men’s eight at the Rio Games and later served as an alternate for Tokyo. Since his last appearance on the show in August 2024, Alex has completed the TCS New York City Marathon twice, added strong performances at the 2025 Fred Lebow Half Marathon and the United Airlines NYC Half, and this weekend will toe the line once more at the Fred Lebow Half Marathon in Central Park. Off the course, Alex is also navigating the joys of being a new dad.Rob and Becs also welcome Cathy Wysin, PT, DPT, from Hospital for Special Surgery. An avid runner who’s completed multiple marathons, Cathy brings a passion for sports medicine and orthopedic injury rehabilitation. She shares expert tips for tackling the hills of the Fred Lebow Half Marathon course. FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTubeSUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind the Scenes with Team For Kids' Jeremie Kasmarcak

Jeremie Kasmarcak, head of Team for Kids (TFK) at New York Road Runners, joins Set the Pace to share a behind-the-scenes perspective on TFK, a charity program that’s become a training ground for runners of all ages, paces, and experience levels. Jeremie has led Team for Kids for nearly a decade, guiding it into one of the most impactful and in-demand charity running programs in the world. Since its founding in 2002, TFK runners have raised over $120 million to support NYRR’s free youth and community running programs, which provide kids the coping tools that extend beyond physical fitness. Jeremie also talks about how to become part of this passionate and welcoming community that builds lifelong friendships, and what it’s like to train and run with TFK. Watch Carolina Gonzalez's TFK TCS New York City Marathon Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf-SFkaECFg Learn More about Team for Kids: https://organizations.nyrr.org/sites/organization_sites/6a0cbbfd8a19547bc915/pages/team_for_kids FOLLOW NYRR: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube SUPPORT: Support the Set the Pace podcast! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.DISCLAIMERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.