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.
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