"So much can happen in those last few miles."

It was a good day in Chicago for Des Linden: Not only did she run 2:27:35 to break the American Masters Marathon Record (previously held by Deena Kastor) by 12 seconds, she also had her puppy, Rivers, there for all the action. In this conversation — Des's 10th appearance on the Ali on the Run Show! — the 2018 Boston Marathon champion and two-time Olympian recaps her weekend at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, including the highs (Rivers), the lows (marathon math), the stories from the elite athlete technical meeting, and, of course, some thoughts on the forthcoming Emily in Paris Season 4.

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What you’ll get on this episode:

• Deep thoughts and hot takes on Emily in Paris Season 4 (2:40)
• All about Rivers (10:45)
• Des’s decision to go for the American masters marathon record (18:05)
• Des reflects on her training, and how she was feeling heading into the race (26:35)
• Chicago vs. NYC vs. Boston (30:45)
• All about the elite athlete technical meeting in Chicago (35:15)
• On Ryan’s role during marathon weekends (39:40)
• What race morning is like for Des (42:15)
• The race plan and pace plan (47:50)
• Des breaks down how the race went (51:00)
• Des talks about when the race started to get hard (1:00:05)
• Hindsight: what Des would've done differently at this year's Chicago Marathon (1:06:25)
• What's next for Des — on the trails, at the New York City Marathon, and beyond (1:14:00)

FOLLOW DES @des_linden

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