Choosing to Run

A Memoir

De: Des Linden, Bonnie D. Ford - contributor

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, listeners 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 hear 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.

©2023 Des Linden (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Writing with honesty and energy, Linden shares the life experiences that shaped her determination to rise to the top of her sport.” —Arizona Daily Sun

“[Linden] provides a fascinating look at the training and culture of professional running…For seasoned runners and beginners alike, Linden’s book offers plenty of inspiration about the power of endurance in the face of obstacles. For all readers, it grants a peek at what goes into building that endurance.” —Associated Press

"There are a lot of books by runners. Many of them are good. Few of them are as human as Choosing to Run. Because Linden knows herself as a human in essence and only contingently as a runner, she writes not for other runners only but for any reader who suspects they might be human, too. It is examples like these that make us so.” —Sport Literate

an excellent book

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

Amazing

I had to go back and watch the finish again! Desi is amazing! Such grit and determination!

Right foot in front of left! Keep going!

Such an inspiring story, her grit is unbelievable. Brought me to tears during the telling of the Boston win (while I was running)! Amazing story!

loved this!

I was on a long run listening. Mile 26 came on and even though I knew the ending, it was so stressful. I remember screaming at the TV, Des, Des, Des! and a bunch of other words I can't write here.

Great insight into the tenacity of a marathoner

At first I did feel the her voice was flat but I had volunteered in the boston hospitality suite and talked to her a few times and it felt right. It was her. I enjoyed the story and the way it went back and forth.

Loved this so much!!!

Thank you for sharing your story and yourself with us!! Really love the format and all the great things you shared. As a fellow Boston marathoner and ultra marathoner, it is so fun listening to that fire within you!! Thank you again!!

Fantastic read!!!

This book was so inspiring. Loved it! I just wanted to keep listening! What a fantastic story!

Great inspirational story

I knew of Des but didn’t really know anything about her story. Interesting to learn about life as a professional marathoner and how she got to where she is. Listened while running. :)

Fantastic and engaging listen

Great storytelling and such a great overall story and message! I listened to this during my first marathon, which was so fitting ❤️👟

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.