Last year Desiree Linden won the
Boston Marathon, becoming the first American woman to win the iconic race in
over thirty years. Despite the disastrous weather leaving her soaked from the
top of her head to the bottom of her Glycerins, Linden still managed to smile
as she crossed the finish line. Training for hours and running hundreds of
miles to prepare is one thing, but to be like Linden and still smile at the end
of the day requires relentless optimism and dependable running shoes. Luckily, as
a professional athlete for Brooks, Linden has plenty of both.
The Spirit
Linden’s life motto is “keep showing
up.” It’s this persistence that allows her to keep going race after race, year
after year. Of course she needs to be physically fit to run marathons (that’s a
given), but it takes just as much mental preparation to be able to push herself
at that caliber.
Before winning in 2018, Linden ran the
Boston Marathon six times, and she’ll compete again on April 15. And even if
the results don’t pan out as she’d like, there’s a 99% chance that she’ll keep
showing up to marathons across the country because that’s just who she is.
The Shoes
This “keep showing up” mentality is why
the dependability of the Brooks brand (who have sponsored her since 2006) is so
important to her. Linden knows that year-round she can trust Brooks Glycerin shoes
to support her and give her comfort during her runs.
“I’ve
never had a Glycerin that I felt uncomfortable putting on and logging a long
run in, right out of the box,” Linden said. “Trends will come and go, but the
Glycerin is going to outlast all of them.”
She’s been running since high school
and wearing Glycerins since college, so when it comes to shoes, the 35-year-old
knows what’s best.
“The
DNA LOFT is a stellar cushion, and there’s just the right amount,” Linden said.
“In the Glycerin 17, the upper fits like a glove, and the material is very
breathable and well ventilated.”
Linden
points out that though the shoe is an important part of her success, it doesn’t
possess magical powers.
“You do the running,” Linden said. “It doesn’t bring anything fancy to the table because that’s your job, but it’s never going to take away from your run.”
In less than a week Linden will show
up to compete in this year’s Boston Marathon with hopes to defend her title, no
doubt sporting a pair of her favorite shoes.
For all your running needs and to purchase a pair of the new Brooks Glycerin 17, visit eastbay.com.
The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s largest races and, every year, many of the best runners test their mettle along the grueling course. We got a chance to talk to two of this year’s biggest names, Desiree Linden and Shadrack Biwott, about what they’re looking forward to, how they’ve prepared, and which Brooks Running shoes they’ve been rocking to train for the event.
One of Eastbay’s own tackled the 2016 Boston Marathon. Here’s a look at her racing experience.
By Amanda Murphy
Tears of excitement and joy filled my eyes as I entered Athletes’ Village. In three short hours, I would toe the line in Hopkinton and take off towards Boylston Street to complete my third Boston Marathon. Volunteers cheered on the athletes, helping us get excited for the 26.2 miles ahead. All around, I could hear friendly conversations about where runners were from and how many Bostons they had run.
That’s one of the greatest things about the Boston Marathon: every runner has a story. A story about how they got there, why they run, and where they come from. As I waited for my wave to be called to the starting line, I exchanged those stories with the runners around me. There is something about the Boston Marathon that brings together some of the best — and also the friendliest —competition.
It was a clear morning, and the sun was beating down on us as we entered the starting corrals. I felt nerves come over me as I worried that the conditions were a bit warm to start, but I quickly reflected back on my months of training and all that I had done to prepare for this race. I was ready to run.
The gun went off, and the race started. I could hear cheers, music, and cowbells along the entire course. Children stood with their arms outstretched, offering up high fives. Signs decorated with encouraging words and humor were everywhere. Spectators handed out wet towels, ice cubes, oranges, and popsicles to keep runners cool and offer up additional fuel.
As I approached the halfway point, I could hear the infamous shrills of the Wellesley girls before they were even in my sight. I felt a surge of energy as I ran through the Wellesley Tunnel, high-fiving so many of them along the way. Again, as I approached the Newton Hills, the cheers got louder as the spectators cheered runners through the tough inclines.
I could feel myself tiring, my legs getting heavy as I climbed the hills. I started worrying that I had started too fast and overhydrated, but I kept pushing through. I thought about all my training runs and the even bigger hills I had run. I knew I was capable of this. Of my 11 marathons, there was only one where I overheated and had to walk, and I knew that if I stopped, it would be too hard to start back up, so I kept pushing. For me, success comes from keeping a positive attitude. So, I kept thinking about my training and all my friends who were at home cheering me on, telling me to dig deep.
To fill the 26.2 miles, I wore headphones and listened to music, but sometimes I would turn it down and listen to the crowd, just taking in everything around me. Again, I thought about friends and family and how I have so much to be thankful for. I also thought about my high school coaches and teammates, how my cross-country coach used to say, “You’re a machine, Murphy!” or my track coach would say, “Git, git!” Another track coach used to quietly call out my splits and tell me to pick it up or settle into pace. Even years after graduation, I still hear those positive words every time I run. And they helped me through the harder stretches of Boston.
I used the downhill and let the cheers of the crowd propel me into Boston and push me toward the finish line. Around mile 25, I started looking for my boyfriend in the crowd. As soon as I spotted him, the feeling of heavy legs and tiredness vanished. I gave him a high five and felt a burst of energy that carried me the last mile of the marathon.
As I rounded Hereford Street and took a left on Boylston, I finally had the finish line in sight. The blue line guided me down the street, and with hands in the air and a smile on my face, I crossed the finish line. My One Goal was to give it my all and leave nothing on the course. I had done just that. My time was a course record for me — my fastest Boston yet.
Volunteers congratulated all of the runners, crowning each of us with a medal. While I had completed the 26.2 miles in record time, what made the race truly memorable were all of the spectators, volunteers, family, and friends who encouraged me along the way.
On April 18, 30,000 runners will line up on Main Street in Hopkinton, Mass. and begin one of the world’s most difficult races — the Boston Marathon. They’ll have to fight for every step of the 26.2-mile journey that stands between them and Copley Square in the heart of Boston, but those who make it will have achieved one of the greatest honors in running.
Established in 1897, the Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world. It’s also one of the most beloved. Inspired by the race and those who run it, some of your favorite brands are creating Boston Marathon versions of their top running shoes to help you celebrate this incredible event.
The Fresh Foam Zante v2 is designed with one thing in mind: speed. The shoe’s breathable, bootie-fit upper eliminates bulky overlays that add weight and slow you down, while aggressive toe spring propels you forward for one fleet-footed ride.
The Fresh Foam Zante v2 Boston uses this fast platform to honor the city, incorporating details that celebrate its history and love of running. Varsity colors represent the many colleges and universities in the Boston area, paying homage to the great minds who have called the city home. Gold accents on the heel and laces bring to mind the excitement of finishing a race victorious.
The outsole and insole both feature a bold chevron pattern to remind runners to keep looking forward — a mantra many runners will need to keep in mind as they battle through the difficult hills of the Boston Marathon course. The insole also sports the outline of Massachusetts, with a heart marking Boston’s location.
A long-time staple for Brooks Running, the Adrenaline GTS 16 brings cushioning and support to runners who pronate or suffer from weak or flat arches. This is done through the BioMoGo DNA midsole, which adapts to each runner’s unique weight, gait, and chosen running surface for personalized comfort.
The Adrenaline GTS 16 Nantucket showcases a more lighthearted side of east coast culture, with a bright plaid pattern decorating the upper, tongue, and insole. The heel sports a sailboat and whale, a lobster perches on the shoelace lock, and an anchor on the insole sets a strong foundation for your run.
Varsity colors come back into play in Nike’s Boston Marathon shoes. These Patriots’ Day styles of the Free RN Distance and Zoom Streak LT 3 are decked out in red, white, and blue and feature yellow Boston shoutouts on the tongue, heel, insole, and laces to give them a unique look and feel.
The Free RN Distance combines two of Nike’s best technologies to provide a natural ride that can withstand longer distances. We have all the details here, but basically, the Free RN Distance has the extreme flexibility you love about the Nike Free line and soft Lunar cushioning to protect your foot and help you run farther.
The Zoom Streak LT 3 is a race-ready option designed for a fast, responsive ride. This unisex racing flat is only available in men’s sizes, so women will have to size down to achieve the snug fit needed for successful road racing.
Making a departure from the blue and red hues of the other Boston Marathon shoes, Saucony takes its inspiration from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, specifically the MBTA’s oldest subway — the Green Line, which originated in 1897, the same year as the first Boston Marathon. Bostonians love to hate the Green Line for its slow pace and frequent delays, but it remains a classic piece of the city’s culture. And, while they may be inspired by the Green Line, these Saucony shoes will keep you moving at a faster pace.
Both the Boston Kinvara 7 and the Boston Triumph ISO 2 turn heads with their bold green color, but it’s the details others can’t see that set these shoes apart. Both feature printed insoles that match the seats of Boston’s public transportation system, and the tongues are emblazoned with “Inbound”, a welcoming message for those entering Boston or crossing the finish.
The Kinvara 7 delivers a firm, fast ride on the track, treadmill, or road. This sleek runner uses FLEXFILM overlays, originally part of Saucony’s racing line, as a supportive, lightweight exoskeleton for the foot.
For a plush ride, look to the continuous cushioning of the Triumph ISO 2. EVERUN midsole construction places a layer of cushioning closer to the foot than ever before, allowing for better response and ground feel. The highly durable material fights breakdown, so the Triumph ISO 2 can carry you through all 26.2 miles without ever missing a step.
