Second Nature The Past, Present and Future of Des Linden
Feb 13, 2026
Des Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon champion turned writer and podcaster, now exploring trail and ultra-distance races. She talks about stepping away from elite marathon chasing, the lure and learning curve of trail and ultra events, how partnerships shaped her new path, and why creating content and live shows became a big part of her life.
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Trail Running Is A Spectrum
- Trail races vary widely; some suit road athletes better than others based on runnable vs technical terrain.
- Des felt Western States matched her strengths more than UTMB's technical sections.
Marathon Meets Track Speed
- Marathon preparation has become more like track racing, favoring leg speed and fast second halves.
- Trail racing offers varied puzzles of course, distance, and strength where different athletes can excel.
Seek Sponsors That Buy Development
- Young pros should seek brands that buy multi-year development and allow room for ups and downs.
- Balance performance with content creation to add value when results temporarily dip.
