Choosing to Run

A Memoir

De: Des Linden, Bonnie D. Ford

Narrado por: Des Linden

Featuring both the story of an historic, unforgettable win and insight into the life of an indelible champion, Choosing to Run is a truly inspirational memoir from Boston Marathon winner and Olympian Des Linden, sharing her personal story and what motivates her to keep showing up.

When Des woke up on April 16, 2018, the morning of the Boston Marathon, it was 39 degrees and raining, with high, gusty winds. The weather didn’t bother her. In fact, she thought it might be a blessing. She was far from peak form—recovering from illness and questioning her running future—and didn’t expect much of herself that day.

But as she ticked off mile after mile in the brutal conditions, passing familiar landmarks on the course she knew by heart, something shifted. Opportunity unexpectedly presented itself. Des tapped into her inner strength and remembered all of the reasons she loved to race.

Coming off Heartbreak Hill at Mile 22, Des took the lead and never relinquished it, becoming the 2018 Boston Marathon champion and the first American woman to win the race in thirty-three years.

Her career has always been defined by tenacity and an independent spirit, stretching back to her first competitive race in San Diego, when she beat better-outfitted, more experienced kids. Des was a two-time All-American at Arizona State University, and as her collegiate years wound down, she decided she wasn’t done with the sport. Des gambled on herself and moved to Michigan to give professional running a try. As she rose through the elite ranks, she became increasingly determined to do things her way in an industry often bound by the status quo.

In her first book, readers will learn the story behind that resolve: the way Des trains, the way she thinks, her relationships with other great runners of her generation, and how much she values her family and friends. They’ll read about her deep connection to the most famous marathon in the world, her two very different Olympic experiences, and how she defined new goals and set a world record at the 50-kilometer distance.

Most of all, they’ll learn what makes her get up and run every day.

an excellent book

I really enjoyed this book and really loved that Des narrated it herself, it adds another dimension to the book.

Inspirational

An inspiring memoir of one of the greatest female marathoners ever. Every time I read this, I’m encouraged to continue pushing through my training to reach my goals. It’s never too late! This inspiring memoir of one of the greatest female marathoners ever serves as a powerful motivator for me to persevere through my training and achieve my goals. It reminds me that it’s never too late to accomplish your dreams.

Authentic and inspiring

One of the better memoirs in sport. I have mad respect for this human and athlete. Des has a genuinely generous way of viewing the world, yet she seems more down to earth than many other elite athletes and tells it as it is.

Great Running Tale of Perseverance over Doubt

It was great to hear Des tell her story. She's not a perfect narrator, but there were times when one can hear her emotion as she tells the tale. The book does go back and forth from her Boston Marathon win, moving from moments in the marathon back to her life leading up to that event. And she covers a bit of her life post marathon. In the end, she captures a wonderful story of what to her might have seemed an improbable event - winning at Boston. I don't want to give away too much except to say that as a runner, one can identify with the feelings she captured in her story. Especially for those who have run Boston, this book is an absolute MUST. For non-runners, it is a story that captures the psychology of grit and how one can achieve in amazing circumstances. In listening to this book, I enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of this runner's life for a few hours.

Loved listening to Des’s journey

An interesting look into Des’s career from her own perspective. The book is written linearly, but interspersed throughout are chapters that cover her 2018 Boston marathon race mile by mile - perfect for running nerds and my favorite parts of the book by far.