Choosing to Run

by Des Linden
Choosing to Run cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Technical
  • ID: 5549
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
inspiring 3.50

Choosing to Run is an inspirational memoir by Des Linden, detailing her journey as a professional runner and her historic win at the Boston Marathon. The book offers insights into her training, mindset, and relationships, but some readers found it lacking in depth and emotional resonance. Overall, it's a motivational read for runners and sports enthusiasts.

Choosing to Run by Des Linden is a memoir that chronicles her career as a professional runner, culminating in her victory at the Boston Marathon. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at her training routines, her approach to racing, and the personal motivations that drive her. Linden's narrative is interspersed with reflections on her Olympic experiences and her deep connection to the sport. While the book is inspiring and offers valuable insights into the life of an elite athlete, some readers found it somewhat dry and lacking in emotional depth. The memoir is particularly engaging for those interested in running and sports, as it highlights the tenacity and determination required to succeed at the highest levels. However, the writing style and narrative structure may not resonate with all readers, as it sometimes feels more like a training log than a deeply personal story. Despite these criticisms, the book serves as a motivational read for anyone looking to push their limits and achieve their goals.

Quick quotes

    Run the mile you're in!

    She had plantar fasciitis and recovered and did awesome.

    I’m uncertain how this mile will unfold and I love it!

runningtotravel.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2023-06-23
great 4.00

Choosing to Run by Des Linden is a memoir focused on her journey as an elite runner, particularly her victory at the 2018 Boston Marathon under harsh weather conditions. Linden's story stands out for her determination and resilience, making it a unique read among similar books by female elite runners.

Des Linden's memoir, Choosing to Run, offers a compelling narrative centered around her triumph at the 2018 Boston Marathon, which was marred by extreme weather conditions. Linden's ability to persevere through adversity and her journey from being an underdog to a champion are highlighted throughout the book. The memoir also touches on her personal struggles, such as dealing with hyperthyroidism, and her creative approaches to running during the pandemic. While Linden remains private about her personal life, the book provides a glimpse into her running career and the challenges she faced. The book is a quick and engaging read, making it accessible for both casual readers and those interested in the world of elite running.

Quick quotes

    Linden’s book is unique enough to give it a read.

    Linden proved that much of a marathon is in the runner’s brain and how you deal with poor race conditions, as she gutted it out to the finish line.

    At 250 pages, this book was a quick and easy read and one that I enjoyed.

deedireads.com · Unknown · 2023-06-17
inspiring 4.50

Choosing to Run by Des Linden is an engaging memoir that details her journey as a professional runner, culminating in her historic win at the Boston Marathon. The book is praised for its inspiring narrative and the way it expands the reader's worldview, making it a great read for fans of memoirs and sports stories.

Des Linden's memoir, Choosing to Run, is a compelling account of her career as a professional runner, highlighting her resilience and determination. The book is structured in a way that builds momentum, interspersing snippets of her big race throughout her career's ups and downs. Linden's relatable and inspiring story makes the reader feel like they could have a beer with her, adding a personal touch to her incredible journey. The memoir is not just for running enthusiasts but for anyone who enjoys a good comeback story or a well-told memoir. It's a book that can inspire and expand the reader's worldview, making it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    Written by the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years, Choosing to Run is exactly what I love in a memoir. It was engaging, taught me something new, and made my world a little bigger.

    My favorite kind of memoir is one by someone who feels like a regular person, someone you could get a beer with, who just so happens to have an incredible story (or find meaning in a normal life).

    I’d recommend this to not just anyone who’s run so much as a 5K, but also anyone who loves a good memoir, who lives a comeback or underdog story!

librofulltime.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2023-04-17
inspiring 4.50

Des Linden's memoir 'Choosing to Run' is a compelling narrative that intertwines her journey to winning the Boston Marathon with her personal struggles and insights into the world of long-distance running. The book is praised for its honesty, attention to detail, and Linden's relatable personality, making it an engaging read for both running enthusiasts and general readers.

Des Linden's 'Choosing to Run' is a memoir that offers a deep dive into her journey as a professional runner, culminating in her victory at the Boston Marathon. The book is co-written with Bonnie D. Ford, who skillfully captures Linden's voice, making the narrative feel personal and direct. One of the standout aspects of the book is Linden's unflinching honesty about her experiences, including her struggles with a serious health condition and her views on doping in the sport. Her attention to detail and deep knowledge of the Boston course are particularly admired. Linden's relatable personality, humor, and ability to connect with both elite and everyday runners make her an engaging subject. The book also touches on her relationships with her family, her unconventional training methods, and her sponsorship with Brooks. Overall, 'Choosing to Run' is a well-rounded and inspiring read that offers valuable insights into the world of competitive running.

Quick quotes

    As athletes and support crew members continue to file onto the bus, my expression says, Don't even think about sitting in the empty seat next to me. Ordinarily, that seat would be filled by one of my coaches, but not today. in fact, I’m very confident that my coaches for most of the last thirteen years will be actively rooting against me. (p. 30)

    I didn’t know much about Des before reading this book, but what I have come to really admire about her is her attention to detail, her deep, deep knowledge of the Boston course, her amazing tenacity (although this is almost her undoing, too, as she tries to train through the beginning of a very serious health condition), and, of course, her unflinching honesty about her feelings about the doping which started to engulf long-distance racing as it has sprinting and other sports.

    She’s funny and she swears and is blisteringly honest at times, but honours both the exceptional athletes who have gone before her and the “ordinary” runners in the pack behind her at a marathon who are trying just as hard as she is, and she clearly acts as a role model for younger athletes, who thank her for speaking out on things they’re not able to be as vocal about at their stage in their careers: this all makes her relatable and an engaging person to read about.

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