Choosing to Run: A Memoir

Wow, this was exactly the kick in the pants I needed for my current training cycle. Des Linden has this no-nonsense way of articulating the grind that feels so much more authentic than the usual 'just believe in yourself' fluff you find in most sports memoirs. I loved the dual-timeline structure, especially how it kept cutting back to the 2018 Boston Marathon. You know the outcome, but the way she builds the suspense around those brutal, freezing conditions makes you feel like you're right there in the rain with her. The book is filled with quotable wisdom, particularly her 'run the mile you're in' philosophy, which I've started repeating to myself during my long runs. It’s a beautifully written testament to sheer stubbornness and grit. Not every page is about glory; she’s honest about the monotony of the training log and the repetitive nature of injury recovery. That vulnerability makes her win feel so much more earned. This is a must-read for anyone chasing a big dream.

Is it possible for a book to feel like a cold, rainy day in Massachusetts in the best way imaginable? Des Linden manages to translate her famous 'Keep Showing Up' mantra into a narrative that is both gritty and deeply moving. I opted for the hard copy because I’d heard mixed things about the audiobook narration, and I’m glad I did. The writing is sharp and concise. She avoids the flowery language often found in running books and instead gives us the raw truth about the work. I found the 'The Deepest Well' chapter to be particularly profound—it’s where she really dives into the 'why' behind the miles. Her journey isn't a straight line to the top; it’s a jagged path filled with doubt and physical pain. Seeing her vulnerability paired with that trademark toughness was inspiring. She isn't just a runner; she’s a philosopher of movement. This is easily one of the best sports memoirs I’ve read in years.

Finally got around to reading about Desi’s journey and I’m blown away by the sheer stubbornness required to reach her level of success. This isn't your typical 'rah-rah' motivational book. Instead, it’s a grounded, realistic look at the life of an elite marathoner who doesn't always love the sport but chooses to do it anyway. That distinction is so important! The chapters regarding her trip to Kenya were eye-opening, even if she stayed a bit of an outsider in her observations. I loved the technical details about her training and the specific challenges of the Boston course. The way she describes the wind and the rain in 2018 makes your bones feel cold. It’s informative, entertaining, and filled with the kind of grit that makes you want to lace up your shoes and hit the pavement immediately. A fantastic read from front to back that showcases her unique personality perfectly.

The chapter titled 'The Deepest Well' is worth the price of admission alone. Des Linden has a way of cutting through the nonsense and getting to the heart of what it means to be an athlete. This book isn't just for runners; it's for anyone who has ever faced a long-term goal with uncertainty. I loved the honesty about her health struggles, especially the thyroid issues and the plantar fasciitis. It made her feel human rather than some untouchable elite machine. The dual timeline kept me turning pages late into the night because the suspense of the Boston win was built so perfectly against the backdrop of her previous heartbreaks. It’s a story of redemption, but a very quiet, humble kind of redemption. She shows us that toughness isn't about being loud; it’s about not stopping when things get miserable. Absolutely loved it and found it incredibly enlightening.

Ever wonder what goes through a champion’s head when the weather is miserable and the body wants to quit? This book gives you the answer in spades. Des Linden’s 'Choosing to Run' is a masterclass in mental fortitude. I found myself highlighting so many passages that focused on the philosophy of the long game. The way she describes her win in Boston—not as a fluke of the weather, but as the culmination of years of 'showing up'—is incredibly powerful. The writing is honest and showcases both her toughness and her vulnerability in a way that feels very authentic to who she is. I especially enjoyed the parts about her training at ASU and her early career struggles. It’s a fast, easy read that manages to stay with you long after you close the cover. For anyone who needs a reminder that the hard work is worth it, this is the book for you.

Picked this up after watching the 2018 Boston highlights for the tenth time, and it mostly lived up to the hype. Desi’s voice is distinct—tough, a bit dry, and incredibly focused. I will say, there are sections where it feels a bit like reading a training log, focusing heavily on the injury-recovery-repeat cycle that can be a bit draining to get through. If you aren't a runner, some of the technical bits about plantar fasciitis or thyroid issues might feel a little deep in the weeds. However, the chapters about her time at ASU and running the trails in Phoenix brought back so many memories for me. She doesn't sugarcoat the 'mediocre' days, which I actually appreciated. It isn't always about the runner's high; sometimes it’s just about showing up when you really don't want to. I took off one star because the prose can be a bit clinical at times, but her passion for the sport eventually shines through the technical details.

As someone who has dealt with the nightmare of chronic injuries, reading about Des's comeback was incredibly validating and gave me a new perspective on my own setbacks. She captures the mental toll of being an elite athlete whose body isn't cooperating, and her honesty about the thyroid diagnosis was a highlight for me. I’ve seen some people call her tone 'cocky,' but I didn't get that vibe at all. To me, it felt like the quiet confidence required to win a Major. The book oscillates between her life story and that legendary Boston day, which keeps the momentum moving even when the biographical parts get a little slow. To be fair, I did find some of the descriptions of her training in Kenya a bit detached, as if she was trying too hard to be objective rather than emotional. Still, the ending is powerful. It’t a solid, honest look at what it actually takes to be the best.

Look, I’m a 'mediocre' runner by Des’s standards, but I found so much to relate to in this memoir. The way she talks about the 'mile you're in' is a game changer for my mental game. I did find the audiobook a little difficult to listen to—there were some strange pauses and the audio quality shifted between chapters—so I’d recommend the physical book instead. The story itself is great, though. It’s a perfect blend of personal history and race-day strategy. She’s very honest about the difficult work involved, and she doesn't try to make it sound glamorous. It’s mostly just hard work and showing up. My only real gripe is that I wish she’d spent more time on her life outside of running to give her character more depth, but I suppose for an elite athlete, running IS the life. Overall, it’s a very solid 4-star read that I’ll likely revisit before my next marathon.

Truth is, I struggled with the pacing of this one despite being a huge fan of Desi. I was looking for more of an emotional exploration of her internal life, but a lot of the chapters felt like a play-by-play of her training logs. While I respect her tenacity and the incredible feat she pulled off in Boston, the writing felt a bit insipid and dry in the middle sections. It’s very much 'I did this race, then I got this injury, then I recovered.' I wanted more of the 'feels' and less of the 'grocery list' of events. Also, the transition between the two timelines was a bit jarring for the first few chapters until I got the hang of it. It’s a decent history of her career, but it lacked the spark I was expecting from someone so charismatic in interviews. If you’re a die-hard running nerd who loves split times and gear talk, you’ll love it, but casual readers might find it a bit technical.

Not what I expected from an elite athlete's memoir, to be honest. While I admire Des Linden immensely, the book felt a bit superficial in its execution. I was hoping for a deeper dive into her psyche, but instead, I got a lot of clinical descriptions of injuries and race results. It felt like she was holding back the 'real' her behind a wall of training data and professional milestones. The audiobook narration was also a bit of a letdown—it felt disjointed and the pacing was off, which made it hard to stay engaged during the slower chapters. I appreciated the sections on the 2018 Boston win, as those were genuinely exciting, but the rest of the book felt a bit like a slog. It’s a fine book for a fan, but as a memoir, it lacked the emotional resonance I look for in a 5-star read. Just a bit too dry for my taste.