Below is an edited transcript of our podcast interview with Des Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon champion, sharing her running journey, health challenges, transition to trail running, and insights on super shoes and her podcast, Nobody Asked Us.
Introduction
Trevor: Welcome to the MTA Podcast, Des! We’ve wanted you on for a long time, and thanks to Coros, we made it happen. Are you in Michigan?
Des Linden: Yes, I’m in Charlevoix, northern Michigan. It’s warming up—yesterday was 80°F, but it dropped 30 degrees overnight. Spring and summer are still battling it out.
Trevor: Have you ever run the Charlevoix Marathon?
Des: I haven’t, but my husband is running it this year to try for a Boston Qualifying time. I’ll be cheering him on.
Running Journey
Angie: Let’s rewind. How did you start running?
Des: I grew up in Southern California playing soccer and softball. My parents encouraged sports over TV or video games. I’m small, so as other kids grew bigger in soccer, I relied on speed—getting to the ball first and passing quickly. That led me to cross country and track. I gave up softball first, then dove into running.
Angie: You attended Arizona State and were a two-time All-American, right?
Des: Yes, once in cross country and once in the 5,000 meters.
Angie: How did you transition to professional running?
Des: It wasn’t straightforward. I was an average college runner with two All-American honors, but no agents or brands were knocking. The Hansons in Michigan took a chance on me, though they doubted I’d make it moving from Arizona to Michigan. That skepticism motivated me to prove them wrong. I packed up after college and joined their team.
Trevor: How often did being underestimated drive you?
Des: Quite often. It’s motivating across sports—think Tom Brady with his draft number as a reminder. It’s powerful but can turn toxic if you always think everyone’s against you. It’s exhausting to live that way, so you have to balance it.
Boston Marathon Love
Angie: How did your love for the Boston Marathon begin?
Des: I debuted there in 2007, a U.S. Championship year, which qualified me despite not needing a BQ. It was a Nor’easter—crazy weather, nearly canceled. Fans were sparse but passionate, and I thought, “This is the most exciting race ever.” People said it was a bad year, but I was hooked on the distance, the course’s history, and its strategic challenges.
Angie: Your 2018 win in terrible weather was inspiring. What was your mindset? Did you consider quitting?
Des: It was mixed. The rain gave me an edge—training in northern Michigan prepared me for bad weather, unlike others who might mentally check out. But I also knew if my core temperature dropped too low, recovery would be brutal. I stayed present, focusing on getting to halfway to evaluate. Helping others, like pacing, kept me productive and revealed I felt better than expected. It reminded me everyone was struggling, so I didn’t count myself out.
Angie: Was helping others a psychological strategy to avoid focusing on discomfort?
Des: Yes, it’s task-oriented. Helping someone or hitting the next mile marker creates objectives you can check off, keeping you from unraveling by thinking too far ahead.
Trevor: What was it like to win, and how did life change?
Des: Winning was amazing after a long journey—second place by two seconds in 2011, then finally winning in 2018. The Boston community’s support made it special. Life got hectic with travel and appearances, shifting focus from training to celebrating and promoting the sport. If you can’t celebrate those moments, what’s the point?
Trevor: Your “bourbon is whiskey, Larry” clip went viral. How did that happen?
Des: That was so random! I was poking fun at Larry Eder, and it just took off. Another viral moment was my Kit Kat eating—biting across all pieces for the crunch, not breaking them apart. People went nuts, but I’d rather be known for running!
Health Challenges
Angie: You’ve had longevity despite health challenges, like your 2017 thyroid condition. How did that change your approach?
Des: Two major setbacks taught me a lot: a 2012 femur fracture and the 2017 thyroid issue. Both came from pushing too hard, ignoring signals. The fracture felt like a deep itch, not pain, so I missed it until it was serious. After, I learned to recognize that sensation and haven’t had a major bone injury since. The thyroid issue felt like sustained jet lag, different from training fatigue. I kept pushing, thinking rest would fix it, but learned to seek help earlier. Sometimes fatigue isn’t just training—you need medical input.
Angie: That’s great advice. We often tell others to see a doctor but ignore our own signals.
Des: Exactly. We justify it as hard training, but sometimes you need to act, not just rest.
Training with Coros
Trevor: Coros watches track metrics like heart rate variability. How do you use that data?
Des: I’m not a data person—too much information overwhelms me. But when I feel off or workouts aren’t clicking, I check sleep or HRV to find patterns and adjust. Without a baseline, you’re guessing. Some gamify recovery, but having data is great when you need to troubleshoot. I use a Coros Pace Pro—it’s reliable in cities and trails, with a bright screen for splits. It held up at Western States and New York.
Trevor: I noticed my Pace Pro tracks stride length and cadence. My cadence was low on a trail run—any thoughts?
Des: Trails throw everything off. I’m new to them, and someone suggested my downhill struggles might be cadence-related. I’ll check that data. Knowing what’s normal for a route helps, but weather can mess with it too.
Transition to Trails and Ultras
Angie: You’re diving into trails and ultras, like pacing at Western States and the Tunnel Hill 50-Miler. What’s the plan?
Des: I’m pacing Joe McConaughey at Western States from Forest Hill to Rucky Chucky, about 16 miles. The river crossing might be tricky—I’m short, so I might need floaties! I’m registered for Tunnel Hill 50-Miler in Illinois, a flat course like my 50K world record route. It’s out-and-back, which suits me. I’m peer-pressured into it after it went public on UltraSignup, but I’m excited to swing big and see how fast I can go.
Angie: You announced 2025 Boston was your last professional road marathon. Will you return casually?
Des: If my husband gets his BQ, I’ll likely run with him next year in Wave 1, competitively. The pro field’s intensity is too much now, but I’ll stay involved with appearances for Brooks and the BAA. Another American winner might steal my spotlight, but I’ll keep showing up.
Podcast and Super Shoes
Angie: Tell us about your podcast, Nobody Asked Us, with Kara Goucher.
Des: It started on Twitter when we debated super shoes, sponsorships, and their impact. People called us grumpy, so we jokingly considered a podcast. Fans suggested Nobody Asked Us, and we loved it. We record every other week, covering running news or listener-suggested topics we’re passionate about. It’s a lot of work, but we haven’t run out of things to say.
Trevor: What’s your take on super shoes now?
Des: Initially, they felt covert—used at the 2016 Olympic Trials without full disclosure, bending rules. They changed sponsorship dynamics and made running a different sport, with barriers falling fast. It wasn’t an even playing field at first, as brands caught up. Now, I use them—they’re legal, make running faster and recovery easier, which is great for the sport. They also let athletes contribute to brand innovation, like beta testers.
Looking Ahead
Angie: You’ve accomplished so much. What keeps you challenging yourself?
Des: Marathons became predictable—I knew my time within two minutes. Trails and ultras offer new terrain and challenges. Running is part of my health and lifestyle, so why not explore crazy races or new distances? I’m excited for what’s next, like maybe the Dramathon in Scotland with whiskey at aid stations—perfect for a bourbon fan!
Trevor: Thanks for joining us, Des. Where can listeners find you?
Des: Follow me on social platforms at @Des_Linden, and check out Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara on all podcast platforms. Thanks for having me!
Key Takeaways for Runners
- Embrace New Challenges for Growth. Des’s transition from road marathons to trail running and ultras (like the Tunnel Hill 50-Miler) shows the value of stepping out of your comfort zone. Exploring new terrains or distances can reignite passion and keep running exciting, especially when familiar races become predictable.
- Listen to Your Body’s Signals. Des learned from her 2012 femur fracture and 2017 thyroid condition to recognize subtle signs of injury or fatigue (e.g., a “deep itch” for bone issues or jet-lag-like exhaustion). Runners should seek medical help early instead of pushing through, as rest alone may not solve underlying issues.
- Stay Present in Tough Races. During the 2018 Boston Marathon’s brutal weather, Des focused on immediate tasks (e.g., reaching halfway, helping others) rather than the finish line. Staying present and breaking races into manageable goals can prevent mental overwhelm and boost performance.
- Leverage Motivation from Doubters. Being underestimated (e.g., by the Hansons team) fueled Des’s drive to succeed. Use skepticism as motivation, but balance it to avoid toxicity, as constantly proving others wrong can be exhausting and alienate support.
- Running Is a Lifelong Journey. Des views running as integral to health and wellness, not just competition. Whether it’s a local race, a trail adventure, or a quirky event like the Dramathon, find ways to keep running meaningful in your lifestyle.
Listen to the podcast interview with Des here.
About Des Linden
After being a two time all American at Arizona State University Des decided to give professional running a try. She went on to represent the United States in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics women’s marathon. In 2018, she became the first American woman in 33 years to win the Boston Marathon. She holds the women’s 50K world record of 2:59:54 set in 2021. The 2025 Boston Marathon was her final professional road race.
Des and her husband make their home in norther Michigan and operate a coffee company together. Des is sponsored by Coros, big thanks to Coros for arranging this interview! Don’t forget that you can use code MTA and get an additional free watch band with your purchase of a Coros watch.
About the Marathon Training Academy
Founded in 2010 by husband/wife duo Trevor and Angie Spencer, Marathon Training Academy empowers runners through expert training plans, personalized coaching, and Academy Membership.
