Des Linden has never been one to follow the expected path. And now, after nearly two decades on the road, the two-time Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon champion is preparing for a radical pivot: ultramarathons and trail running. At 41, Linden says she’s not retiring, she’s starting over.
“I’m going back to being a beginner,” she told Olympics.com in a recent interview. “There’s still a lot of exploring to do in the running space, and I’m excited to get on the trails and try out some ultras.”
She’s already diving in.
Later this month, she’ll pace a section of the Western States 100, the iconic California ultramarathon that traverses over 18,000 feet of elevation gain. In July, she’ll line up at a trail race in the Swiss Alps, and in November, she’ll compete at Tunnel Hill’s 50-mile national championship in Illinois.
It’s a dramatic shift for someone who built her career chasing split times and Olympic qualifying standards.
But Linden says the marathon had grown stale.
After missing the U.S. Olympic team for Paris 2024, she placed 11th at Trials, she found herself asking: what’s next?
“Marathons became almost comfortable and repetitive,” she admitted. “It felt like I was going through the motions, which is not something that I enjoyed.”
Her farewell to marathoning came on the streets of Boston this April, where she ran 2:26:19 to finish 17th overall and fifth American. It wasn’t her fastest race, but it was exactly what she wanted: one final performance with meaning.
“I wanted the pressure. I wanted the nerves,” she said. “I think it allowed me to get the most out of myself on the day. It felt really complete.”
For most elite athletes, “complete” signals the end. For Linden, it was a green light. She’s calling her next move “not a capital-R retirement,” and she’s treating the trail world with the curiosity and humility of a newcomer, even if she already holds a 50K world record (2:59:54).
“There’s a little part of me that’s this arrogant road runner who’s like, ‘That sounds easy,’” she joked. “And I think I’ll have a reality check moment.”
Trail running demands a distinct kind of athleticism and a unique mindset. Steep climbs, rocky descents, and unpredictable terrain all challenge the body in ways road racing doesn’t.
“You have to trust yourself bombing down these hills,” she said. “I still have this fear of it, so that’ll take some learning.”
But the most exciting part of this new chapter, she says, is the chance to be a novice again.
“You kind of miss that being a beginner and trying something new,” she said. “It’s still just right foot, left foot, repeat, but I’m going to be nervous again. And all of those feelings are what drew me to running in the first place.”
That beginner’s mindset also comes with a blank slate, no pressure to win, no expectations to chase records. Still, don’t be surprised if Linden winds up competitive. She’s already eyeing potential record opportunities in the 50-mile range and plans to see how she stacks up at the front of the pack.
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Linden is also quick to remind people that elite running, whether road or trail, isn’t just about talent; it’s about total commitment.
“It’s a full lifestyle,” she said. “From the moment you wake up to the moment your head hits the pillow, it’s all about: How can I improve? And that’s running, that’s nutrition, that’s rest, bodywork. And yeah, you just have to be so incredibly committed to make it to the tip of the spear of the sport.”
It’s a lifestyle she knows well.
“Running is a long game,” she said. “The rewards will show up eventually, but it’s not always when you expect it.”
