Summary: "I really believe that running is such a great way to challenge us and to add that difficulty to our life in a very controlled way so that we can deal with challenge and adversity. And I love that. I love getting to the crux of a workout. I go out hard in races and workouts because I want to suffer early on so I can find ways to get through it. And to me it’s always been a game—just this playful pursuit of seeing how badly I can hurt and then what tools I can learn to get through it…When I can handle these challenges in running continuously, then when something shows up in life, I feel like it’s a breeze to get through it." Honored to welcome Deena Kastor to the podcast this week. The 45-year-old, who lives in Mammoth Lakes, California with her husband (and coach) Andrew and daughter Piper, is an Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon, multi-time national champion at various distances, and holds numerous American records, including the still-standing women’s marathon mark of 2:19:36. She also holds multiple Masters world and American records from 5K to the marathon. Kastor, who published her first book, Let Your Mind Run, in April, recently sat down with me to discuss a wide range of topics, including: — Living and training in Mammoth Lakes, California, a place she’s called home since 2000. — The launch of the Mammoth Track Club 18 years ago and how it’s evolved since then. — What keeps her going and brings her excitement at the age of 45. — Writing her memoir, Let Your Mind Run, and what that experience was like. — The importance of surrounding yourself with a great team, both in running and in life. — Training under coach Joe Vigil after graduating from Arkansas in 1996 and how he helped shape her life philosophy: “If you have it, share it.” — Using disappointment as a means to fuel the next big breakthrough. — How training for and racing cross-country “feeds her soul” and helps her become a better racer on the track and on the roads. — Transitioning to the marathon as a means to get stronger for the 10K. “I wouldn’t even call myself a marathoner [at the time],” she admitted to me. “I was a 10K racer using the marathon to strengthen myself for the track.” — The buildup to the 2004 Olympic Games and what it felt like to bring home an Olympic medal. — Breaking 2:20 in the marathon to set a still-standing American record in 2006 and who she thinks might be able to break it. “I don’t believe the record is mine to own,” she told me. — Dropping out of the Boston Marathon in April due to hypothermia and where she was when she learned that Des Linden had won the race. — What’s exciting her in running right now. — And a whole lot more. This was a fun conversation and gives a good glimpse into how one of America's greatest distance runners thinks about and approaches her craft. Listen in, learn, and be inspired by one of the most accomplished athletes of our generation. This episode of the morning shakeout podcast was edited by John Isaac at BaresRecords.com. Complete show notes here: https://www.themorningshakeout.com/podcast-episode-22-with-deena-kastor/ Sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday morning: www.themorningshakeout.com/subscribe/ Support the morning shakeout on Patreon: www.patreon.com/themorningshakeout
