What is *Choosing to Run* by Des Linden about?

*Choosing to Run* is a memoir chronicling Des Linden’s journey from a reluctant high school runner to winning the 2018 Boston Marathon under brutal conditions. It explores her resilience, independent spirit, and the mental fortitude required to excel in professional running, while reflecting on her Olympic experiences, training philosophy, and record-breaking 50-kilometer race.

Who should read *Choosing to Run*?

This book is ideal for runners seeking inspiration, sports enthusiasts interested in marathon dynamics, and anyone drawn to stories of perseverance. Linden’s candid insights into overcoming adversity and balancing personal life with athletic ambition resonate with readers navigating their own challenges.

Is *Choosing to Run* worth reading?

Yes—Linden’s straightforward, humorous writing style and actionable advice on training and mindset make it a compelling read. The memoir balances personal storytelling with universal lessons on determination, making it valuable for both casual readers and dedicated athletes.

How does Des Linden describe her 2018 Boston Marathon win?

Linden recounts the race’s harsh weather (39°F, rain, and wind) and her initial low expectations due to recent illness. She emphasizes how embracing discomfort reignited her passion, leading to a strategic surge at Heartbreak Hill and becoming the first American woman to win Boston in 33 years.

What training philosophy does Des Linden share in the book?

Linden advocates for consistency over perfection, emphasizing incremental progress and adaptability. She highlights the importance of mental resilience, trusting one’s instincts, and maintaining a healthy relationship with training—avoiding rigid schedules that ignore bodily signals.

Does *Choosing to Run* discuss body image issues in sports?

Yes. Linden opens up about confronting body image pressures during her collegiate years at Arizona State, detailing how she balanced peak performance with maintaining a healthy self-image—a rarely discussed challenge in elite athletics.

What records has Des Linden set in her career?

Beyond her 2018 Boston victory, Linden set a world record in the 50-kilometer race (2:59:54) in 2021. The book also covers her two Olympic appearances (2012, 2016) and her longevity in a sport often dominated by younger athletes.

How does Des Linden’s approach differ from other elite runners?

Linden describes herself as a “grinder” who prioritizes steady effort over natural talent. Unlike peers focused on rigid regimens, she emphasizes flexibility, listening to her body, and finding joy in daily runs—a mindset that sustained her 20-year career.

Choosing to Run

A Memoir

Des Linden

4.26(11979 Reviews)

Overview of Choosing to Run

In "Choosing to Run," Boston Marathon champion Des Linden reveals how she conquered hypothyroidism and professional setbacks to make history. What mental strategy transformed her from elite runner to cultural icon? Discover why both novice joggers and Olympians call this memoir their secret weapon.

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Chapter 1

The Relentless Pursuit of Greatness Through Rain and Pain

In April 2018, as sheets of rain sliced down and fierce headwinds battered the Boston Marathon course, Des Linden found herself in an unexpected position: alone at the front with just four miles to go. This moment was nothing like her thousands of visualizations of winning Boston. The day had started with her standing barefoot in her hotel room completely devoid of hope, her meticulous checklist reduced to a single item: survive. Yet somehow, through pure improvisation and drawing on twenty years of running instinct, she had dropped the only woman between her and the finish line. "Can I win this thing?" she wondered, as she channeled the voice of her high school coach who always believed this moment would come. The 2018 Boston Marathon would become the defining race of Des Linden's career-a victory that broke a 33-year American drought in the world's most prestigious marathon. But the path to that rain-soaked triumph was anything but straightforward, filled with setbacks, health crises, and moments of profound doubt that nearly ended her career altogether.

Chapter 2

The Underdog Mentality: Forging an Identity Through Sport

Des Linden's running journey began with a chip on her shoulder-one she readily admits was hereditary. Growing up in San Diego, her father required Des and her sister Natalie to play sports year-round, often holding post-practice practices where he'd bark instructions as they completed drills. These extended sessions, sometimes lasting hours after their teammates had gone home, instilled both discipline and a sense of separation from their peers. When ten-year-old Des showed up to the Junior Carlsbad one-mile road race in black cotton sweats among kids in proper running gear, she felt out of place-until the gun went off. After winning by a large margin, her father's reaction cemented their shared outsider mentality: "Look at them in all their fancy gear, and you just whooped up on them." This moment would become a defining metaphor for her career. The underdog identity followed Des to Arizona State University, where she trained under coach Walt Drenth alongside Amy Hastings, who became her closest friend despite their differences. While Amy ran happy, Des ran angry, channeling her father's competitive spirit into every workout. Their contrasting approaches created a perfect training dynamic - Amy's positivity balanced Des's intensity, pushing each other beyond what seemed possible while maintaining balance in a sport where unhealthy extremes were normalized. "I wasn't about to starve myself of food or experiences," Des recalls, noting how she enjoyed indie rock concerts with teammates where nobody questioned how she looked or if she was a "real" fan. This commitment to authenticity extended beyond running, as Des refused to conform to the stereotype of the singularly-focused athlete. After college, uncertain about her future in the sport, Des was introduced to Keith and Kevin Hanson, who had started the Brooks-backed Original Distance Project in suburban Detroit-a training group filled with underdogs who ran with something to prove. The Hansons had built their reputation on taking overlooked talent and developing marathon champions through their blue-collar approach to training. Despite warnings about Michigan winters being tough on someone from warmer climates, Des embraced the opportunity, traveling light with just two checked bags and a backpack, plus her parents' precepts, coaches' teachings, and sister's unwavering support. The Hansons' philosophy centered on "running tired"-maintaining high mileage to simulate late-race fatigue-a concept that would shape Des's approach to the marathon for years to come. This meant running twice daily, logging 120-mile weeks, and embracing the harsh Michigan winters that many others avoided. The group's collective chip-on-the-shoulder mentality perfectly aligned with Des's own outlook, creating an environment where her underdog spirit could thrive. The Detroit running community quickly embraced Des's no-nonsense approach, recognizing in her the same gritty determination that characterized their city. Training through snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures, she earned respect not through words but through consistent presence and unwavering work ethic. This period would prove crucial in developing both her physical capabilities and her mental fortitude, setting the stage for her future marathon success.

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Chapter 3

The Boston Love Affair: Finding a Spiritual Home

Des's relationship with the Boston Marathon began during an autumn course tour where she met Gloria Ratti, the first lady of the Boston Athletic Association. Dressed impeccably in her signature blue BAA blazer with a perfectly knotted silk scarf, Gloria greeted Des warmly, making her name an exclamation: "DAY-suh-ray!" As race historian and the first woman on the BAA's board of governors, Gloria personified the deep connection between the marathon and the city. Her office walls were covered with decades of racing history - vintage photos, worn racing bibs, and newspaper clippings that told the story of Boston's iconic race. Gloria's passion for preserving the race's history through meticulously collected memorabilia was contagious, and Des found herself daydreaming about having a performance worthy of Gloria's collection, perhaps her own racing shoes or finish line photo joining the historical treasury. Ten days before her marathon debut at Boston 2007, Des had a chance encounter with Dick Beardsley during a frigid April training run in Michigan. The temperature hovered near freezing, with a bitter wind that sent most runners seeking shelter. While her teammates hurried ahead to escape the cold, Des hung back to absorb Beardsley's vivid recollections of his legendary 1982 "Duel in the Sun" with Alberto Salazar. He painted a picture of every milestone: the screaming women of Wellesley College, the challenging climbs through Newton, and the moment he emerged onto Boylston Street. Des soaked up every detail about Boston's landmarks and the thrill of pushing against a favorite, seeing herself in the underdog narrative that had defined so many great Boston moments. Des's breakthrough came at Boston 2011, when the race conditions were nearly perfect-46 degrees with a tailwind pushing runners toward Boston. While others chased Kim Smith's ambitious early breakaway, Des maintained her calculated pace, methodically picking off fading runners through the Newton hills. She had studied the course's topography obsessively, knowing exactly where to push and where to conserve energy. She rejoined the lead group at Heartbreak Hill and took the lead exactly as she'd visualized countless times during her training runs in Michigan. The final miles became an intense three-way battle with Kenyans Sharon Cherop and Caroline Kilel, trading surges as they wound through the streets of Boston. On Boylston Street, just as Des kicked for the win, both calves seized completely - a cruel twist of fate in the most crucial moment. She watched helplessly as Kilel passed her, missing victory by just two seconds with a 2:22:38-the fastest time ever by an American woman at Boston. Though initially devastated by the near-miss, Des gradually recognized the significance of her performance. The Boston crowds had chanted her name throughout the race, and even in defeat, she received countless letters from fans who were inspired by her gutsy performance. She had proven she belonged among the world's elite marathoners and found her spiritual home course in Boston, where fans embraced her completely. This heartbreaking finish would become a defining moment in her career, fueling her determination to return and claim the victory that had slipped through her grasp. The historic course, with its unique challenges and traditions, had captured her heart, making every return feel like coming home.

Chapter 4

Olympic Dreams and Nightmares: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows

At the 2012 US Olympic marathon trials in Houston, Des experienced the texture of a realized dream. Finishing second behind Shalane Flanagan and ahead of Kara Goucher, she secured her Olympic spot on that cool January morning. The moment felt both surreal and natural after years of visualization and hard work. It validated her life choices, justified the Hansons' faith in her, and increased her marketing value. Her only mixed feelings came from seeing her friend Amy finish fourth, just over a minute behind. Des had always imagined them celebrating Olympic qualification together, but when Amy showed weakness late in the race by moving to the front of their four-woman pack, Des knew exactly what to do. There was no ambivalence-she had to seize the opportunity. Des gambled on herself by delaying contract talks until after the trials. As an Olympian, her value increased, and she pushed the Hansons to restructure their Brooks deal to include salaries and multi-year contracts. Her agent Josh helped negotiate a separate deal with additional Olympic incentives, though this created some strain with the Hansons, who had traditionally controlled all financial aspects of their athletes' careers. However, Des's Olympic dream began unraveling when training for London's twisting course led to a hip injury. Despite weeks on the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill, she remained in pain. She flew to London uncertain if she could finish but decided to enjoy the opening ceremony with Amy. Days before the race, she formally withdrew, triggering a crisis when she learned she'd lose her Olympian status and contract benefits if she didn't start. Ultimately, she decided to attempt the race despite the injury. On race day, the piercing pain returned on the first right-hand turn, confirming there would be no miracles. After seeing family and friends along the course, Des reached the point where she had to stop. She faced reporters afterward, staying composed and expressing belief she had another Olympics in her. Two weeks later, she received an accurate diagnosis-a nondisplaced cortical stress fracture in her femur-a serious injury that brought strange relief, justifying why she couldn't push through the pain.

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Chapter 5

The Invisible Battle: When the Body Betrays the Mind

For most of her career, Des knew only one approach: keep moving forward, especially when her body and mind begged to stop. She'd been conditioned to push through extremes since her Arizona State days, where Walt instilled in them that conditions weren't up for discussion-only readiness mattered. The Hansons' philosophy of cumulative fatigue trained her to be comfortable at the bottom of the well, to thrive on being the best at running hard when exhausted. This mindset served her well until the summer of 2017, when alarming symptoms emerged. Her hair fell out in clumps, she felt perpetually cold, her legs tingled, and her feet kept falling asleep. Her training log resembled Swiss cheese-more holes than substance. On her thirty-fourth birthday, she spent most of the day either sleeping or crying, with no understanding of her profound sadness. When she later met Kevin for a simple progression run, she broke down crying at the mere description of the workout. During an attempted six-mile progression run, Des couldn't find rhythm-first mile at 5:59, second at 6:20-and they stopped the workout. Blood tests revealed her creatine kinase levels were 900, nine times the normal range. Back home, she could barely function-huddled under blankets, unable to concentrate, feeling like she was on a dimmer switch being dialed down. At Urgent Care, Des was diagnosed with severe hypothyroidism, which she initially rejected. A nurse practitioner later confirmed her TSH levels were over 92 (normal range: 0.45-5.33) and her free T4 was below 0.2 (normal: 0.7-2.0). She warned Des would be in a coma or dead without immediate medication. Despite her resistance to taking Synthroid-which she associated with performance-enhancing shortcuts-her survival instinct finally kicked in when she woke gasping for air in the middle of the night. After starting medication, it took about a week before Des noticed changes-sensation returning to her hands and face, slowly regaining strength. Her diagnosis forced humility and a new relationship with her health. She studied her condition, realizing symptoms had likely been brewing for at least a year-occasional sore throats, lost voice, flu-like symptoms she'd dismissed. The discipline that made her a great runner had also blinded her to serious warning signs.

Chapter 6

Redefining Success: Finding Purpose Beyond Victory

After her health struggles, Des needed to redefine her approach to running. Taking her high school coach Frank Browne's advice to "read and travel as much as you can," she joined her sister for a two-week trip to Rome and Marrakesh. This hybrid approach allowed her to train while experiencing new cultures, running along the Tiber River in the mornings and exploring ancient sites in the afternoons. Free from the rigid structure of team training, Des built in more rest, slept later, and gave herself flexibility in workouts. She needed to discover if she was intrinsically motivated enough when no one was watching. Back in Charlevoix, she embraced "the grind" positively, balancing intense training with naps, massages, reading, and occasional bourbon by the fireplace with her husband Ryan. As she prepared for Boston 2018, Des created a schedule working backward from April 16, planning tune-up races in Europe on different surfaces to avoid comparisons to past results. Her focus was putting the intrinsic pleasure of running front and center. Unfortunately, these European races exposed her lingering health issues-she couldn't find the right pace and finished behind competitors who shouldn't have beaten her. Her carefully planned comeback was failing despite doing everything right-taking proper medication, resting adequately, building slowly, and creating an alternative winter schedule to refresh her motivation. With Boston Marathon just three months away featuring an incredibly deep American field, Des questioned whether she should even participate if she couldn't deliver a credible performance. Needing both professional guidance and perspective, she headed to Arizona for warm weather, familiar roads, and trusted support. Her healthcare provider John confirmed her lingering issues and advised treating her condition like an injury requiring patience. In Arizona, Des rediscovered comfort in familiar routes around Tempe and Papago Park, letting her body dictate training rather than forcing predetermined mileage targets. Meeting with non-professional running friends reminded her why she loved running itself, beyond competition. She embraced the Bhagavad Gita's wisdom that "you're entitled only to your labor, not the fruit of your labor." On her best days, running felt purposeful and aligned-like what she was "100 percent built, wired, and designed to be doing" in that moment.

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Chapter 7

The Perfect Storm: When Preparation Meets Opportunity

Four days before Boston 2018, Des tested new Brooks racing flats during a workout. Initially concerned about their weight and rigidity, she found them becoming more responsive at faster paces. This mirrored her larger dilemma about racing with uncertain fitness. At the pre-race media conference, she honestly answered that she didn't support the Hansons signing Dathan Ritzenhein from the controversial Nike Oregon Project, creating tension with her team. The emotional strain compounded her physical doubts, leaving her telling Josh she was "over this" and considering only casual races until her contract ended. Her bodyworker John Ball advised her to consider dropping out for her long-term health, even suggesting excuses she could use. Despite her exhaustion and uncertainty, Des couldn't ignore her competitive wiring or visualize actually quitting. The night before the marathon, Des received good news that Brooks was planning to continue her contract regardless of her connection with the Hansons. This positive development, combined with the forecast of terrible weather conditions-heavy rain, cold temperatures, and strong winds-led Ryan to urge Des to actually race rather than just start and drop out as planned. "You're mentally tougher than everyone. This is perfect for you," he insisted. On race morning, when the athletes finally stepped outside, the full force of the day's brutal weather hit them-howling winds and freezing rain immediately soaked through Des's towels and clothing. Looking at her agent Josh, who was struggling to keep his hat on against the wind, Des had a realization: while everyone would suffer in these conditions, no one had managed suffering the way she had over the previous eight months. At Mile Six of the Boston Marathon, Des and the other elite women battled through a nor'easter worse than anything she'd experienced. The massive pack shuffled through the first miles, with nobody wanting to lead into the headwind and rain. After nearly falling when someone clipped her heel, Des told Shalane she might drop out soon but offered to help her if needed. When Shalane needed to make a pit stop around Mile 13, Des slowed down to wait for her, pointing at her shoulder for Shalane to tuck behind as she led her back to the group. Working in Shalane's service put Des in a better rhythm and headspace. When they rejoined the pack, Ethiopian runner Mamitu Daska was thirty meters ahead with no one willing to close the gap. After several failed surges, Des found herself running alone on the rain-slicked road.

Chapter 8

The Moment of Truth: When Victory Becomes Possible

In the Newton hills, the toughest part of the Boston Marathon course, Des found herself chasing alone through sheets of rain. She could see the press trucks ahead, which meant they could see her too. As they neared the crest of Heartbreak Hill, she was finally within reach of Gladys Chesir, who had closed the gap on race leader Daska. Chesir had been running inefficiently, missing tangents while Des ran the perfect racing line. When Chesir passed Daska at Mile 21, Des was just fifteen seconds behind, and she made her decisive move, passing Chesir with newfound authority. She skipped the next fluid station to create separation, applying lessons from months of inconsistent training where she learned to value effort over pace. Despite the brutal conditions, Des pushed forward, drawing on memories of her deepest struggles over the past year when simple runs felt impossible. With four miles remaining, she focused solely on maintaining maximum effort for this day, in these conditions, as the steep descents through Brookline toward Boston tested her battered quads and resolve. With so much suddenly at stake, fear struck for the first time all day. Her muscles tightened and heart rate rose-almost welcome sensations in her numb, frozen state. She had no idea how close Chesir might be behind her. Part of her waited for the inevitable blowup, her body calling in its chips, the race reverting to form with her in her standard supporting role. Still mentally focused, Des knew every landmark on this course. Approaching the Massachusetts Avenue underpass with under a mile to go, she tried unsuccessfully to unzip her jacket for the finishing photo with frozen hands. Right on Hereford felt like climbing a mountain at Mile 25. Taking the final left onto Boylston, she was hit by the strongest wind gusts and sideways rain yet, rivaling the wild roars of the crowd as she made the turn alone. Boylston seemed enormously wide with just her on the road-an outsider no more. A smile crept across her face at the absurdity as she charged toward the finish, hearing the announcer: "And here comes your 2018 Boston Marathon champion, Desiree Linden."

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Chapter 9

Legacy Beyond the Finish Line: Finding Your "Why"

Des's Boston victory cemented her place in marathon history - her face would now grace the banners during race week and her name would be permanently etched in the 122-year-old record books. Gloria Ratti from the Boston Athletic Association meticulously created detailed scrapbooks of her victory coverage, carefully preserving every newspaper clipping, photo, and article. Ratti, who had witnessed decades of Boston Marathons, noted it was "the most challenging and difficult race in my many years of association," highlighting the exceptional nature of Des's achievement in those brutal conditions. Returning to Boston in 2019 as defending champion, Des faced a different kind of challenge. The weight of expectations and a body that wasn't cooperating created a perfect storm of difficulty. At mile 18, running through the Newton Hills, she sensed the impending struggle before it fully materialized - her legs growing heavy as she watched the pack chasing Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa slowly pull away. As fatigue crashed over her like a wave, she briefly contemplated simply jogging it in to the finish, when thoughts of fellow runner Gabriele Grunewald pierced through her exhaustion. Though Des and Gabe weren't close friends, Gabe's unwavering positivity while battling adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare and terminal cancer, had profoundly impacted Des. Just days before the race, they had exchanged messages on Twitter where Gabe expressed how deeply she missed running - a simple joy now denied to her. This interaction gave Des a powerful perspective shift about her own complaints regarding increased sponsor obligations and media appearances. At a pre-race event, Des had dedicated her upcoming 26.2 miles to Gabe, her voice breaking as she realized that Gabe was providing her with something invaluable - a meaningful "why" for running that transcended personal achievement. Des's journey illustrates that success in endurance sports, and life itself, isn't merely about physical preparation or talent, but about discovering the deeper motivation - the "why" that propels us forward when our bodies scream to stop. This motivation can take many forms: sometimes it's about proving skeptics wrong, as Des did throughout her career; sometimes it's about honoring those who've lost their ability to pursue their passion, as with Gabe; and sometimes it's about showing others what's possible against seemingly impossible odds. Through years of battling hypothyroidism, enduring fractured bones, processing devastating Olympic trials disappointments, and logging countless training miles in Michigan's harshest weather, Des Linden never wavered from her chosen path. She continued running not just toward finish lines, but toward becoming the resilient, determined person she was meant to be. Her greatest victory wasn't breaking the tape in Boston - though that was undoubtedly sweet - but rather discovering that the real race is against our own perceived limitations and finding the courage to push beyond them, one determined step at a time. Her legacy extends far beyond her athletic achievements, serving as a testament to the power of perseverance and finding purpose in the face of adversity.

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Key Themes in Choosing to Run

marathon racing strategy
underdog mentality
endurance sports psychology
grit and resilience
professional running culture

Quotes from Choosing to Run

Des ran angry, channeling her father's competitive spirit.
Look at them in all their fancy gear, and you just whooped up on them.
Running tired-maintaining high mileage to simulate late-race fatigue.

Characters in Choosing to Run

Des LindenOlympic marathoner and 2018 Boston Marathon winner
Amy HastingsDes’s closest friend and ASU training partner
Keith and Kevin HansonCoaches of the Brooks-backed Distance Project
Gloria RattiRace historian and BAA board member

About the Author

Desiree "Des" Linden, Olympic marathoner and 2018 Boston Marathon champion, explores resilience and perseverance in her memoir Choosing to Run. Linden is a two-time U.S. Olympian and former world record holder in the 50K.

Linden combines her 20-year professional running career with candid storytelling, framing her historic Boston victory—a rain-soaked triumph that ended a 33-year American drought—as a metaphor for overcoming adversity. The book intertwines race-day drama with reflections on her unconventional path in elite sports and collaborations with icons like Shalane Flanagan. She also critiques systemic issues in athletics.

Co-authored with ESPN veteran Bonnie D. Ford, the memoir leverages Linden’s reputation as a straight-talking podcaster (Nobody Asked Us with Kara Goucher) and Brooks Running ambassador. Now a masters division record-holder and columnist for Women’s Running, Linden’s debut became a New York Times bestseller, resonating beyond running circles for its raw portrayal of grit.

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Chapter 3

Choosing to Run

OverviewOverview of Choosing to Run

One book. Many ways to hear it.

The Relentless Pursuit of Greatness Through Rain and Pain

The Underdog Mentality: Forging an Identity Through Sport

See every word as you hear it

The Boston Love Affair: Finding a Spiritual Home

Olympic Dreams and Nightmares: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows

Get more out of Choosing to Run

The Invisible Battle: When the Body Betrays the Mind

Redefining Success: Finding Purpose Beyond Victory

See every word as you hear it

The Perfect Storm: When Preparation Meets Opportunity

The Moment of Truth: When Victory Becomes Possible

Get more out of Choosing to Run

Legacy Beyond the Finish Line: Finding Your "Why"

You made it to the end of Choosing to Run

Key Themes in Choosing to Run

Quotes from Choosing to Run

Characters in Choosing to Run

About the Author

Download Summary of Choosing to Run

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FAQs About This Book

What is Choosing to Run by Des Linden about?

Who should read Choosing to Run?

Is Choosing to Run worth reading?

How does Des Linden describe her 2018 Boston Marathon win?

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1,000,000+ curious minds.

1,000,000+ curious minds.

One book. Many ways to hear it.

The Relentless Pursuit of Greatness Through Rain and Pain

The Underdog Mentality: Forging an Identity Through Sport

See every word as you hear it

The Boston Love Affair: Finding a Spiritual Home

Olympic Dreams and Nightmares: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows

Get more out of Choosing to Run

The Invisible Battle: When the Body Betrays the Mind

Redefining Success: Finding Purpose Beyond Victory

See every word as you hear it

The Perfect Storm: When Preparation Meets Opportunity

The Moment of Truth: When Victory Becomes Possible

Get more out of Choosing to Run

Legacy Beyond the Finish Line: Finding Your "Why"

You made it to the end of Choosing to Run

Users also liked

Discover more

Overview of Choosing to Run