What will I learn about: Learn how Des Linden transformed from a reluctant athlete under strict parental pressure into an independent champion by claiming her sport as a medium for self-expression?

Learn how Des Linden transformed from a reluctant athlete under strict parental pressure into an independent champion by claiming her sport as a medium for self-expression.

What will I learn about: the critical importance of balancing extreme physical performance with a healthy body image, as demonstrated by Linden's collegiate challenges?

Understand the critical importance of balancing extreme physical performance with a healthy body image, as demonstrated by Linden's collegiate challenges.

What will I learn about: how to navigate professional setbacks and industry disillusionment by shifting your focus from elusive external victories to authentic, personal growth?

Find out how to navigate professional setbacks and industry disillusionment by shifting your focus from elusive external victories to authentic, personal growth.

What will I learn about: why confronting a severe health crisis taught Linden to redefine her relationship with her career, proving the vital necessity of respecting your body's limits?

Discover why confronting a severe health crisis taught Linden to redefine her relationship with her career, proving the vital necessity of respecting your body's limits.

What will I learn about: the art of mental resilience by exploring how strategic acumen and self-belief empowered Linden to conquer harsh conditions and secure a historic Boston Marathon victory?

Master the art of mental resilience by exploring how strategic acumen and self-belief empowered Linden to conquer harsh conditions and secure a historic Boston Marathon victory.

Choosing to Run

A Memoir

Des Linden

★ 3.0 / 5(19 ratings)

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Categories:

Personal Development Motivation & Inspiration Biography & Memoir

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You should listen to this audiobook

💡What’s the secret to finding the mental grit to keep pushing forward when your body is screaming at you to quit, miles away from the finish line?
💡Did you know that one of the most legendary marathon victories in history actually began with the runner deciding to give up on their own race to help a competitor?
💡Have you ever wondered how top-tier athletes maintain their motivation during the grueling, invisible hours of training that no one ever sees?

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Key Takeaways from Choosing to Run

✓Learn how Des Linden transformed from a reluctant athlete under strict parental pressure into an independent champion by claiming her sport as a medium for self-expression.
✓Understand the critical importance of balancing extreme physical performance with a healthy body image, as demonstrated by Linden's collegiate challenges.
✓Find out how to navigate professional setbacks and industry disillusionment by shifting your focus from elusive external victories to authentic, personal growth.
✓Discover why confronting a severe health crisis taught Linden to redefine her relationship with her career, proving the vital necessity of respecting your body's limits.
✓Master the art of mental resilience by exploring how strategic acumen and self-belief empowered Linden to conquer harsh conditions and secure a historic Boston Marathon victory.

Learning Tools

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Mind Map

Choosing to Run

Early Journey & Evolution+

Olympic Trials & Tribulations+

Health & Mental Battles+

Holistic Growth & Autonomy+

The 2018 Boston Marathon+

Core Themes & Takeaways+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7

How did Des Linden's relationship with running initially begin?

A. She was inspired by watching marathon runners on television and begged her parents to let her compete.
B. She was coerced into it by her father, who viewed athletics as vital for character development.
C. She used it as a way to overcome childhood asthma and improve her overall physical health.
D. She joined a local track club purely as a way to spend more time socializing with her friends.

Question 2 of 7

What major physical setback did Linden face during the 2012 London Olympics?

A. She suffered a severe femoral stress fracture that eventually forced her to withdraw from the marathon.
B. She collapsed from severe heat exhaustion mere miles from the finish line.
C. She experienced a sudden flare-up of severe hypothyroidism that severely limited her speed.
D. She tore her Achilles tendon during a preliminary training run on the course.

Question 3 of 7

Following the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2017 Boston Marathon, what primary factor caused Linden to question the essence and fairness of competitive marathoning?

A. The lack of financial support and sponsorships available for female distance runners.
B. The extreme weather conditions that race organizers continuously refused to mitigate.
C. The intense pressure from her family and coaches to consistently break world records.
D. The prevalence of advanced technological gear and the shadow of doping scandals among competitors.

Question 4 of 7

How did Linden's diagnosis of severe hypothyroidism alter her approach to her running career?

A. It forced her to retire from international competition and focus strictly on coaching younger athletes.
B. It led her to shift from a relentless pursuit of victory to a more balanced, autonomous approach that prioritized rest and recovery.
C. It prompted her to adopt a highly rigid, data-driven training schedule to constantly monitor her heart rate.
D. It motivated her to rely exclusively on advanced technological gear to compensate for her physical limitations.

Question 5 of 7

In addition to adjusting her training regime, how did Linden embrace holistic growth beyond the track?

A. By pursuing a medical degree to better understand sports physiology and endurance.
B. By founding a non-profit organization dedicated to combating doping in professional sports.
C. By aligning her athletic pursuits with personal passions like bourbon tasting, literature, and travel.
D. By abandoning professional coaching entirely to train in complete isolation in the mountains.

Question 6 of 7

On the night before her historic 2018 Boston Marathon win, what crucial interaction helped shift Linden's mindset from reluctance to determination?

A. A motivational speech from marathon legend Joan Benoit Samuelson.
B. A team meeting where her coaches promised her a new, independent training contract.
C. A phone call with her former college coach, Walt Drenth, reminding her of her early successes.
D. A conversation with her husband, Ryan, who urged her to fully commit to the marathon.

Question 7 of 7

What made Linden's victory at the 2018 Boston Marathon particularly historic for American sports?

A. She became the first American woman to win the race in thirty-three years.
B. She broke the world record for the fastest marathon ever run by a woman.
C. She won the race despite stopping halfway to receive medical treatment for a stress fracture.
D. She was the first un-sponsored, amateur runner to win the event in the modern era.

Choosing to Run — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — From Reluctant Runner to Resilient Racer
32 — Trials and Hardships in Olympic Marathon Running
43 — Overcoming Inner Battles in a Marathon of the Mind
54 — Embracing Holistic Growth Beyond the Track
65 — Linden’s Resolve on the Eve of a Challenge
76 — Triumph in the Face of Adversity
87 — Final summary

Choosing to Run Summary & Overview

Choosing to Run (2023) explores the world of professional marathon running, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of long-distance racing. It delves into the mental and physical preparation required to excel in such a demanding sport, highlighting the resilience and dedication needed for success. By blending personal experiences with broader themes of perseverance and determination, it provides a captivating look at the journey of a top-tier marathon runner.

Who Should Listen to Choosing to Run?

Amateur and professional marathon runners
Individuals seeking motivation and perseverance strategies
Fans of inspirational athlete biographies

About the Author: Des Linden

Des Linden is an American long-distance runner, celebrated for her remarkable achievement as the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years, a feat she accomplished in 2018. Known for her extraordinary endurance and strength in marathon running, she has become a prominent figure in the world of athletics.

Choosing to Run

If You're Curious About These Questions...

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Key Takeaways from Choosing to Run

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Choosing to Run — Full Chapter Overview

Choosing to Run Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to Choosing to Run?

About the Author: Des Linden

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