64. Desiree Linden

"We fail all the time, and we learn from it and we get better. I think that's amazing. You fail your way to success. That's how it happens, and I'm super comfortable with that. I have no problem pointing out a bunch of failures in my career. But I don't define myself or my career as a failure." —Des Linden

Desiree Linden is a professional distance runner who has represented the United States at the London and Rio Olympics. She runs for the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project in Michigan, and is a strong, consistent 2:22 marathoner. In one month, Des will race the Boston Marathon, and on this episode she talks about how her training has been going, and why she's in it to win it. She also talks about why she thinks women are often hesitant to admit their big, scary, awesome goals, and opens up her recent running burnout — and how she busted out of it. Plus, Des talks about failure — and why she's not afraid of it — and shares her big post-Boston goal. (Hint: She wants to make big moves in 2020.)

This episode is brought to you by Strava, the leading social network for athletes. Click here to join today, and then enter for your chance to win a 2018 TCS New York City Marathon entry and a $500 travel stipend! https://blog.strava.com/nyc-marathon-contest/

What you'll get in this episode:

• How Des is feeling a month out from the Boston Marathon and what her training strategy and approach have been this time around (2:10)
• Whether Des has had any of those magical runs yet in her Boston training (4:50)
• The marathon taper: Love it or hate it? (6:40)
• What would make Desi's husband say, "She's batshit crazy" (7:45)
• Whether Des is superstitious or what her pre-race rituals entail (9:45)
• How Des thinks she's evolved as a competitive athlete (11:40)
• How Des evaluates her race performances (13:00)
• What Des is thinking when she's standing on the start line (13:35)
• How Desi became such a consistent runner — and ran perfectly even splits at last year's Boston Marathon (16:00)
• Who Des says is her biggest competition at this year's Boston Marathon (17:00)
• Des shares her best advice for Boston first-timers (18:10)
• Whether Des notices spectators when she races — and what YOU need to yell to her when you see her run by! (18:45)
• Why Des never looks rattled or emotional when she runs (21:40)
• How Des is feeling about the United NYC Half
• The women Des loves racing against (24:30)
• How Des kicked her running slump (25:05)
• How Des feels about the word failure (26:00)
• How Des met her husband, Ryan, and the hilarious story about their first encounter (31:05)
• How Des would describe herself as a runner (37:00)

What we mention on this episode:

Boston Marathon

Hansons-Brooks Distance Project

United Airlines NYC Half

Arizona State University

John Hancock

Shalane Flanagan

Kara Goucher

New York Road Runners

Diane Nukuri

The Moth

Banff Film Festival

Bayshore Marathon

Joan Didion

Joan Benoit Samuelson

Amy Cragg

Maximum Mobility

Follow Des:

• Instagram @des_linden
• Facebook
• Twitter @des_linden

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• Strava

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