First Boston Marathon? Heres What to Know.
Not that we'd trade the lives we have -- our families, friends and careers. But still, out on a run, tired from too little sleep, burned out from a long day at work, we imagine what it'd be like to do nothing but train, race and travel the world collecting medals, records and covers on Running Times and Runner's World.
So when I heard that U.S. marathon record-holder Deena Kastor -- "Deena" to her fans -- had just turned 40 and was making her masters debut at the nearby Rock 'n' Roll Pasadena Half Marathon, I decided to ask her if the "life" measures up to our nonelite daydreams.
"The traveling has been amazing," says Deena, nodding her head that, yes, the life is all it's cracked up to be. She cites the constant opportunity for self-improvement, as an athlete and a human being. Her incredible coaches. Her team of supporters. Her family. The journey itself: the years of training, the buildup to races, the sense of accomplishment when she crosses the finish line after working so hard. And mostly, the people she has met. "That's what I cherish most -- the relationships along the way."
And is there a downside to the life that we nonelites never see?
"I don't see any downside," she says. "Running is a healthy pastime. It's good for us. It's engaging. If there was a downside, I wouldn't do it.
Deena has been doing it since she was 11 years old. Over the years, she has picked up five California high school state championships, eight All-American selections at the University of Arkansas, innumerable USA national titles, nine American road records from 5K to the marathon, and a bronze medal for the 2004 Athens Olympic marathon.
I was lucky enough to be there at the beginning, a young Southern California coach, when Deena was winning races and demolishing records for the Agoura High School Chargers. Now that she has 30 years in the sport, the last 17 as a pro, is the thrill of racing still there?
"Absolutely," she says. "The thrill is definitely still there. And putting on a fresh pair of shoes still feels as good each time, too."
And what about the training? Those thrills don't come cheap. Has she been able to maintain an elite-level schedule, or has she made inevitable adjustments for age?
"I used to run 140 miles a week," she says. "I'm probably 100 to 110 now. I'm focusing on the quality of work that I'm doing. The quantity of miles has gone down, but the quality remains the same."
Her training shows, with Deena as lean and fit as ever. I know it's considered gauche, but I inquire about her diet, about what it's like to maintain race weight for three decades while fueling for elite competition.
"Expensive," she says, laughing. She and husband Andrew have high metabolisms, with 2-year-old daughter Piper defaulting into her parents' eating habits. They eat a lot and Deena insists on quality food. "We order grass-fed beef from a cattle ranch in Missouri. We eat only organic fruits and vegetables."
Turning the tables, I ask Deena to imagine if she hadn't lived the running life, if like those of us who only dream of Olympic medals, she'd taken a different path.
"I would have opened a bakery," she says. "I was really close to doing that and was convinced by a coach to give running a shot. I committed to running, and it panned out."
Finally, she's on record saying she loved running from the very first day. After her long journey, does she still love it?
"My first run was in the Santa Monica Mountains," she says, "and the coach told us after a couple of miles to turn around. My response was, 'Do I have to?' And that's why I love living in Mammoth Lakes. There are trails in every direction, and they go on and on, and so you can always explore. To me, heaven on earth is exploring on a trail."
Which is funny, because most runners would agree. And lots of us plan weekend runs to do just that. So maybe, just maybe, we're living the running life after all.
Pete Magill holds five American age-group records and is the oldest American to break 15:00 for 5K, running 14:45 a few months before his 50th birthday.
