Track & Field

Running

What is "success" for you? Has this concept changed through the years?

Success: Pursuing Excellence in Every Role

Ed, what are this? Is such a great question. I actually sat with it for quite a while and reflected on, my first professional coach, the great Jovi Hill, who was my greatest mentor, and he taught me a lot about success, but not just success more, the pursuit of excellence and always trying to excel at something. And I pulled a quote from my Memoir. Let your mind run where I reflect on his lessons and values. He said that, Success was having money Awards. Status Excellence was being living, your values, having them guide, your daily life. Pursue Excellence, coach would say, and success will follow. So, waking up each day and being the best. No matter what hat you're wearing for me. Whether I'm being a mom or a wife, or a dog walker, or a member of my community, whether I'm being an ambassador or an athlete or a teammate showing up and being my Best on those days and really taking the lessons that come and continuing to grow from them day in and day out, that is excellent. And in ultimately success.

Success is having money and awards, but excellence is living your values and having them guide your daily life. Pursue excellence and success will follow by showing up each day and being the best you can be in whatever role you're wearing.

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Success, for me, is a concept that has evolved over the years. I've had the privilege of being mentored by Jovi Hill, my first professional coach, who taught me the importance of pursuing excellence and living by my values. In my memoir, Let Your Mind Run, I reflect on his teachings and share a quote that resonates with me: Success was having money, awards, status. Excellence was living your values, having them guide your daily life.

For me, success is about waking up each day and striving to be the best version of myself, regardless of the role I'm fulfilling. Whether I'm being a mother, a wife, a dog walker, or an active member of my community, I aim to show up and give my best. It's about embracing the lessons that come my way and continuously growing from them. Pursuing excellence in all aspects of life is what ultimately defines success for me.

My daughter, Talitha Diggs, is one of the best 400m in the world. Does it matter that your parents or coach are champions for you to listen to them?

Parental champions: Timing, leading by example key for success

Joanna, I'm surprised you have questions because you have so many great answers. I am such a huge fan of talitha and all that she has accomplished and I would say timing is everything that a lot of times we get an eye roll from our children as they as they find their Niche and sports and but over time that they really value your opinion and it's hard to be a Gentle Leader but Mostly leading, by example is the best way to do it and you're doing quite a good job at that.

Timing is everything when it comes to parenting, and leading by example is the best way to go. You are doing a great job!

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It's wonderful to hear that your daughter, Talitha Diggs, is one of the best 400m runners in the world. When it comes to whether it matters if your parents or coach are champions for you to listen to them, I believe timing is crucial. Sometimes, in the beginning, children may roll their eyes as they explore their own interests and sports. However, over time, they come to value your opinion and guidance.

Being a gentle leader and leading by example is often the most effective approach. It can be challenging, but you seem to be doing a great job in that regard. I'm a huge fan of Talitha and all her accomplishments. Keep supporting and encouraging her on her journey.

What’s your mantra and how do you use it?

Harnessing the Power of Mantras: Finding Strength in Short, Meaningful Repetition

Josh great question because mantras are super powerful. They're very short and easy to repeat, whether inside our head or allowed, but they typically have much deeper meaning, the Mantra that I've relied on so much over. The years has been defined yourself because I felt at the end of races specifically marathons. It was so easy to give up and throw in the towel. But if I was defining my character, I never wanted that to be able to succumb, to, to the ills and fatigue that come With racing. So Define yourself has always been powerful to me but finding a song lyric or line from a poem or or some moving book that you can just easily repeat and has really powerful meaning to your purpose. And what moves you is really really important. So find a good one and keep it on repeat in your head to get through those tough moments. If you're performing, well, it's going to be hard. So mantras are there to help us out. Good luck.

A mantra that I have used is "define yourself". A mantra can be a song lyric, line from poem, or something else that has meaning to you. Mantras help you get through tough moments, so find one that works for you and repeat it.

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Mantras are incredibly powerful, and I have one that has been my go-to over the years: Define yourself. This mantra holds deep meaning for me, especially during challenging moments like the end of races, particularly marathons. It reminds me not to give up or succumb to fatigue. I want to define my character as someone who perseveres.

Finding a mantra that resonates with you is essential. It could be a song lyric, a line from a poem, or a meaningful phrase from a book. Repeat it in your head during tough moments to stay motivated and focused on your purpose. Performing well can be difficult, but having a mantra can help you push through.

So, find a mantra that speaks to you and keep it on repeat in your mind. It will provide the support and encouragement you need to overcome challenges. Good luck!

Olympic gold inspires lifelong running journey

Hi Cynthia, great question because I've made a practice of gaining inspiration from everything around me whether it's this my surroundings or people in my life, but the athlete that's inspired me. The most has been Joan Benoit Samuelson. I was 11 years old when I watched her win Olympic gold at the 1984 games in Los Angeles. I became a distance Runner that years, so no coincidence. And so she has continued to inspire me over over the years with her performances and how she continues to give. Give back to the sport. So she is the athlete that has inspired me the most over the years. Thanks for the great question.

The athlete who has inspired me the most over the years is Joan Benoit Samuelson. I was 11 when I watched her win Olympic gold at the 1984 games in Los Angeles, and ever since then she has continued to inspire me with her performances and her dedication to giving back to the sport.

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The athlete who has inspired me the most is Joan Benoit Samuelson. I was 11 years old when I witnessed her winning Olympic gold at the 1984 games in Los Angeles. That moment sparked my interest in distance running, and I have been a runner ever since. Throughout the years, Joan Benoit Samuelson has continued to inspire me with her performances and her dedication to giving back to the sport. She remains a constant source of inspiration for me. Thank you for the great question!

Carlsbad 5000: A Party by the Sea with Great Performances!

Hi Suzanne. What a fun question to bring back. So many great memories of the Carlsbad 5000 in North County, San Diego. The annual race is actually coming up this weekend. So it's probably why it's first on my mind and really it's just about the memory of Great Performances, but also a really good time. It's long been dubbed, the Party by the Sea and it is that indeed. In fact, fellow expert on the any questions app Meb. Keflezighi is co-owner of that race. So it's great to see it fall in. Great hands. Thanks for the question. Hope to see you in Carlsbad.

The Carlsbad 5000 is an annual race in North County, San Diego that has been dubbed the "Party by the Sea". It's coming up this weekend and it's owned by fellow expert on the Any Questions App Meb Keflezighi.

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My favorite race would have to be the Carlsbad 5000 in North County, San Diego. It holds a special place in my heart and brings back many fond memories. The race is actually happening this weekend, which is why it's fresh in my mind. The Carlsbad 5000 is known as the Party by the Sea, and it truly lives up to that reputation. It's a fantastic event with great performances and a fun atmosphere. It's worth mentioning that Meb Keflezighi, a fellow expert on the Any Questions app, is a co-owner of the race, which adds to its significance. Thanks for asking, and maybe I'll see you in Carlsbad!

Think of the best and worst coach, teacher, or leader you ever had. What can you learn from them?

Defining yourself and embracing growth: Lessons from the best and worst coaches.

What a great question. I would say a coach at his best has taught me to Define myself, not just thinking of winning races and breaking records but how I develop as a person building that character. So important and at a coach's worse is a no pain, no gain mentality because it really does mrs. The recovery process, which is so essential for growth. Thanks.

A coach at his best has taught me to define myself and a coach at his worst has a no pain, no gain mentality.

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Thinking of the best and worst coach, teacher, or leader I've had, I can learn valuable lessons from both.

The best coach taught me the importance of defining myself beyond just winning and achieving external goals. They emphasized personal development and building character, which has had a lasting impact on me.

On the other hand, the worst coach had a no pain, no gain mentality. While pushing oneself is important, this approach neglected the crucial aspect of recovery, which is essential for growth and overall well-being.

Reflecting on these experiences, I've learned the significance of balancing ambition with self-care and recognizing the holistic nature of personal growth.

Deena Kastor answers your Running questions. See all the advice Deena Kastor has and get answers to your own Running questions.

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Deena Kastor is an American long-distance runner and 8-time national cross country champion. She was the holder of American records in the marathon (2006-2022) and numerous road distances. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, she won the bronze medal in the women's marathon. She ran collegiately for the University of Arkansas, coached by Joe Vigil and Terrence Mahon, and post-collegiately coached by husband Andrew Kastor. Kastor has earned two silver medals in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, and holds U.S. records in the women's road 10 mile, 15K, and 8K. She formerly held the women's marathon, half marathon, 10,000m, and road 5K records. Kastor has won multiple awards, including the Jesse Owens Award, USATF Runner of the Year (2001, 2003, 2004, and 2008), and C.C. Jackson Award. She has been inducted into the New York, National, and Southern California Jewish Sports Halls of Fame.