Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Makenzie Rink (@the.realistic.runner) about the role support played in her memories of the 2024 NYC Marathon and 2025 Every Woman’s Marathon. This conversation also dives into running community, running culture, what it means to be a runner, and how to use comparison for good.

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To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F1524b8jRNA

About Stephanie Diaz:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Makenzie Rink:

Makenzie Rink is a graduate of NC State University, content creator, and the voice behind The Realistic Runner, where she advocates for a diverse and inclusive running community. Believing that anyone can be a runner, regardless of background or pace, Makenzie is dedicated to breaking down barriers in the sport. A 4x marathoner and passionate speaker, she’s now based in Lexington, Kentucky, where she’s managing a local running store and coordinating events with a mission to transform the running industry. As an advocate for the back-of-the-pack runners, she works to ensure that all runners - no matter where they finish - feel supported, seen, and celebrated. Follow her journey on Instagram and TikTok @the.realistic.runner.

• https://instagram.com/the.realistic.runner