Des Linden looking ahead to Boston Marathon

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom for Dyestat

BOSTON – Two things in this city signal that the Boston Marathon is approaching.

First is when the famed Duck Boats return from hibernation and begin to flood the city as the calendar turns to spring. And second is when 500 Boston Marathon banners – presented by John Hancock – decorate the city streets making it feel like the race is right around the corner.

Coincidentally, both happened on Tuesday.

Helping to raise the first Boston Marathon banner was two-time Olympian and 2011 Boston runner-up Des Linden, joined by four-time champion Bill Rodgers and Canadian Olympian Eric Gillis.

After raising the colorful banner, Linden spoke mere steps from the race’s finish line.

She reviewed last week’s United Airlines NYC Half (where she finished seventh in 1:11:05), described her training for Boston, and reflected on what the Patriots’ Day race means to her.

Also, Linden gave a glimpse at what might happen April 17 during the 121st Boston Marathon (Hint: She favors the Americans).

Chris Lotsbom: What were your thoughts on your NYC Half performance last weekend?

Des Linden: It was good. It fits in at a tough time when we’re doing a lot and you’re kind of tired, but actually that course gives you a good idea of how you’re going to do on the last half of this (Boston) course. You have the part that’s really hilly, kind of mimics the Newton hills, then you come downhill from six miles in just like the last six miles here. It’s good to test the legs and see where I’m at. I think that was my quickest marathon-segment half marathon. I’ve done that race a few times and I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast there. That’s a good spot to be in.

Chris Lotsbom: In New York, you ran the same pace that you ideally want to run in Boston, correct? In the 2:22:00 range?

Des Linden: I think we did a nice negative split cut-down type thing, so I averaged the right pace but built into it really well. That’s kind of the thing with marathon training, it just takes a while to get the legs turning over and then you’re like ‘Oh I needed like six more miles and maybe I could’ve been in that race!’ But on a 120-some odd (mile) week, it’s right where I needed to be.

Chris Lotsbom: You’ve run the Boston course so many times over the years, but you and the Hansons-Brooks team still come back to run it again and again. What do you gain each time you’re back training on the course?

Des Linden: I think there’s always things to learn on the course, kind of refreshes your mind. But also beating up the quads gives you a little bit of practice for getting on the course. It’s a friendly reminder. I’ll be pretty sore the next couple days from running the course. I think it does something to the body and reminds you why you did that early on. There’s a lot to take away from it. Then just being in the city and being excited about the landmarks, it just fires you up for that last month (of training).

Chris Lotsbom: Compared to your previous marathon build-ups, where is your training in general? Is it on par with your other marathon and Boston build-ups?

Des Linden: It’s gone really well. I feel like I always get really fit in these next three weeks. Everything’s gone well, but we’ll get the real indicators in the next three weeks. So far, so good. I think I might be ahead of pace, ahead of where I’ve ever been before. But I want to stay healthy these next couple weeks and two of the big key workouts are just coming up right now.

Chris Lotsbom: What will you do between now and race day? Of course there is the taper, but what else will you do?

Des Linden: It’s actually a lot of strength work. We have the 2x6 (mile) which is a big indicator. We do a longer tempo, which will be a big indicator. And then basically it’s just adapting to the 120/130-mile weeks. You either fall apart in this last stretch because you are fatigued and didn’t plan it right, or you come through it and feel very strong. Hopefully it’s the latter.

Chris Lotsbom: You finished second here in 2011. How much do you think back to that experience, and the fast times you’ve run on this course since? (In addition to running 2:22:38 at Boston 2011, Linden clocked a 2:23:54 in 2014 to place eighth and 2:25:39 in 2015 to place fourth.)

Des Linden: It’s exciting. I think that’s why I love being here so much, because it’s fresh in my mind. Honestly, for a long time, obviously I got hurt in 2012, had to drop out (scratch) in 2013, so it’s something I looked back on and was very frustrated. It was a reminder of how far I had to go to be back in the game. In 2015, I felt like I was in the race a very long time and that was a mental breakthrough. ‘OK, I can do this, I can compete again.’ Now that I’ve kind of checked off the Olympic thing, crossed the finish line (in Rio), I feel like I’m all in for this one and can focus on the thing right in front of me, not like ‘Let’s get healthy for something three years down the line.’ Now it’s exciting again. I look back on that race (in 2011) and think I’ve been there, I’ve done that, I can do this. That’s become a positive thing again.

Chris Lotsbom: The hashtag #BeBoston is really big this year, and is all over the city on the John Hancock Boston Marathon banners – especially on Boylston Street. What does #BeBoston mean to you, having raced and done well here?

Des Linden: I’m a firm believer that you have to act as if you are the thing you’re trying to become. All the things that Boston is, you’re tough, you’re resilient, you never give up, you show up every day, you work hard, kind of blue collar. It’s all of those traits rolled into one, and I bring that to it every day. I want to feel like I belong on Boylston on Marathon day. I bring those traits every day and I hope I’m prepared to be Boston tough on race day.

Chris Lotsbom: What would it mean for you, personally, to win this race?

Des Linden: Obviously, personally, that’s been the big one for a long time. It would feel like redemption for 2011, being so close. Just getting it right would be great. For American distance fans, the women are due. We’ve been knocking at the door for a long time. Obviously Meb (Keflezighi) got it done a few years back and that was tremendous. I think it’s changed the sport and I think it’s brought more eyes to the city, and I think it’s the women’s time. I think if it’s not this year, it’s going to be really soon. We’ve got so much depth and we just need to breakthrough. It would be really great for the entire running community, and of course, for the city.