Marathon Handbook Podcast Des Linden on Marathon des Sables, Boston, Ultras & the Future of Running
10 snips
Mar 26, 2026 Des Linden, American marathoner and 2018 Boston champion turned ultrarunner, now tackling stage races like Marathon des Sables. She talks about why she chose MDS, how her training and nutrition adapt for desert and back-to-back racing, the shift from marathons to ultras, pacing strategies for big-city marathons, and views on doping, athlete careers, and content projects.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Financial And Practical Reasons Shape Ultra Moves
- Transitioning from road marathon to ultras is partly financial calculus: marathons/top road events remain more lucrative, so many only switch when competitiveness or longevity shifts.
- Des sees ultra success as possible but acknowledges age, technical skills, and different incentives shape choices.
Trail Runners' Encouragement Helped Build Confidence
- At Black Canyon Des felt the trail community's encouragement firsthand — strangers telling her to 'trust your legs' while she was still learning.
- That supportive vibe helped her build confidence despite feeling underprepared.
Use Road Ultras To Bridge To Technical 100s
- Progress gradually: bridge to longer distances with fast road ultras like Comrades or Javelina before tackling technical 100-mile trail races.
- Use road-based 100K efforts to learn distance without technical trail variables first.