Track & Field

Running

During the 2008 Olympic Trials you were trailing the eventual runner-up by a couple minutes at the halfway point. Can you talk about closing that gap?

From Doubt to Victory: Closing the Gap in Olympic Trials

Hi Josh, thank you so much for the question. I actually questioned my race strategy halfway through the Olympic trials that year because I wasn't sure I could make up the distance that Magdalena Louis boulet. Had had gapped me during that first half of the race. I stuck to the race plan. I had to have belief because it's all I had in the moment is making sure that I was making strategic moves. Nothing too abrupt to burn sugars. And really sabotage. The last section of the race and the me. Athan. I would encourage anybody to do that. Make those moves slow and sustainable and so you can keep in that aerobic anaerobic burning Energy System, but although I questioned myself halfway through the race, I stuck to the belief, stuck to the race plan and eventually it worked out in my favor.

I questioned my race strategy halfway through the Olympic trials that year, but I stuck to my plan and it worked out in my favor.

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During the 2008 Olympic Trials, I found myself trailing the eventual runner-up, Magdalena Louis-Boulet, by a significant margin at the halfway point. It was a challenging situation, and I began to doubt whether I could close the gap. However, I decided to stick to my race strategy and maintain belief in myself.

Instead of making abrupt moves that could deplete my energy, I focused on making strategic and sustainable moves. This allowed me to stay within the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems without sabotaging myself for the final section of the race. I believe that this approach is beneficial for anyone in a similar situation.

Although I had doubts halfway through the race, I held onto my belief and followed the race plan. Eventually, things worked out in my favor.

The Olympic Village: Where Friendships Blossom Amongst Athletes

Hi Sam. What a fun question because the Olympic Village really is a multicultural experience on your street, in particular, it's just everybody from Team USA. So you get to know athletes from from other sports which is always eye-opening to see what they what they value and their needs for the day. But as you make your way to the dining hall, which is where everybody eats, that's really where the Friendship start to Blossom when you squeeze into that. Empty seat at the end of the day and start a conversation and realize that despite so many of our differences, we are truly alike and so many ways, I feel a great privilege that sport has shown that over the years. Maya Angelou said, we are so much more alike than we are. And I like my friends and it's not more evident than in that Olympic Village, when everybody's striving to be the best in their, in their field and they can sit together and break bread. Read and really have significant conversations from my 2000. Olympics. 2004, Olympics, in 2008, Olympics. I have created friendships that really. I feel like I can travel the world and have a couch to sleep on just about anywhere, because of the friendships that were born from the Olympic Village experience. So it is priceless. Despite the fact that you see, the competition's happening on the field and court and track and and and venues Use the relationships that happen behind the scenes are truly remarkable. It's a great question.

The Olympic Village is a multicultural experience where friendships blossom between athletes from all over the world. Despite the competitive atmosphere, relationships form that can last a lifetime, creating an invaluable experience.

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The Olympic Village is a multicultural experience where athletes from different countries come together. It's fascinating to interact with athletes from various sports and learn about their values and daily needs. The dining hall becomes a hub for building friendships, as athletes gather to eat and engage in conversations. Despite our differences, we realize how similar we are in many ways. It's a privilege to witness the power of sport in bringing people together.

Over the years, I have formed lasting friendships from my Olympic Village experiences. These friendships have transcended borders and made me feel welcome in different parts of the world. The connections made in the Olympic Village are priceless. While the competition takes place on the field, the relationships formed behind the scenes are truly remarkable.

In summary, the Olympic Village is a place where athletes strive to be the best in their respective fields, but it also serves as a platform for fostering meaningful connections and friendships. It's an incredible experience that goes beyond the competition itself.

What injury was toughest to recover from during your career?

Olympic marathoner's career nearly ended by dramatic injury

I feel pretty fortunate that I haven't had a lot of injuries during my lengthy career, but the one that sticks out felt pretty dramatic. I broke my third metatarsal in the 2008 Olympic marathon. And I think the reason why it felt so profound is that I innately knew that that was probably my last Olympics and this could have been a career-ending injury. So I was pretty scared coming back. Slow, coming back. It happened to do with a vitamin D deficiency, which was not such a buzzword back in 2008 and I came back slowly, was able to make a full recovery and able to come back. Never winning races and breaking records, but certainly using the sport to get the best out of myself. So I feel grateful for the time of reflection because I couldn't move physically, I had to really work on my mental side, and the strengths that It come from really paying attention, sitting there and getting real and paying attention to our fears and thoughts. And so, in that respect, it was a blessing in disguise.

In 2008, I broke my third metatarsal in the Olympic marathon and was scared that it could be career-ending. However, I was able to make a full recovery and use the injury as an opportunity to reflect on my mental side and gain strength from it.

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I've been fortunate to have had few injuries throughout my lengthy career. However, one injury stands out as particularly challenging to recover from. During the 2008 Olympic marathon, I broke my third metatarsal. This injury felt significant because I knew it could potentially end my career, especially considering it was likely my last Olympics.

The recovery process was slow and filled with fear. It was discovered that the injury was related to a vitamin D deficiency, which wasn't as well-known at the time. Despite the initial setbacks, I was able to make a full recovery and return to the sport. While I didn't go on to win races or break records, I used running as a means to push myself and bring out the best in me.

The injury provided me with a valuable period of reflection. Unable to move physically, I had to focus on the mental aspect of my recovery. This time allowed me to work on my mental strength and confront my fears and thoughts. In that sense, the injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Who’s the greatest competitor you ever raced?

Unleashing the True Competitor Within: Beating Our Greatest Rival

What a great question because our greatest competitors really bring out the best in us. And I would say from Paula Radcliffe, who's the world former world record holder in the marathon to Catherine de Reba, silver medalist in the, in the marathon from the 2004 Olympics. There are so many great Runners who time in and time out have have really allowed me to draw the best out of myself. But when it comes down to it time and time, Again, day after day, training after training, competition after competition, the greatest competitor is ourselves. It's what we're trying to overcome, its its demons. It's personal best. It's a it's trying to overcome a defeatist mindset and and so I think that continuously it's our inner competitor that challenges us day in and day out and that's who we have to master and who we have to beat

The greatest competitors are ourselves, as we must continuously challenge ourselves to overcome our inner demons, personal bests, and defeatist mindsets.

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Our greatest competitors truly bring out the best in us. From Paula Radcliffe, the former world record holder in the marathon, to Catherine de Reba, the silver medalist in the 2004 Olympics marathon, there have been many incredible runners who have pushed me to perform at my best. However, when it comes down to it, the greatest competitor is ourselves.

Day after day, training after training, competition after competition, we are constantly striving to overcome our own limitations, personal bests, and defeatist mindsets. Our inner competitor challenges us and it is our responsibility to master and surpass it. So, while there have been remarkable competitors I've raced against, ultimately, the biggest competition lies within ourselves.

When did you first decide to move to Mammoth?

Altitude Training in Mammoth: A Runner's Dream Come True

I decided to move to Mammoth in 2001 to form a new training group led by dr. Joe v hill. And Bob Larson, who coached Meb Keflezighi. I always knew I was going to be an altitude. I actually moved from Colorado, Alamosa Colorado, but I can really as an athlete live anywhere in the world and run from there. And there's no place I would rather be than Mammoth Lakes California.

In 2001, I moved to Mammoth Lakes California to form a new training group led by Dr. Joe V Hill and Bob Larson, who coached Meb Keflezighi. I chose the area because of its high altitude, which is beneficial for runners like me.

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I made the decision to move to Mammoth in 2001 to join a new training group led by Dr. Joe V Hill and Bob Larson, who coached Meb Keflezighi. As an athlete, I knew I wanted to train at altitude, and while I was originally living in Alamosa, Colorado, I realized that as long as I could run from anywhere in the world, there was no place I'd rather be than Mammoth Lakes, California.

The Chicago Marathon in 2005 was your first first place finish at that distance after a couple attempts. What's the story behind it?

Olympic Champion's Struggle for First Marathon Win

Thanks for the question, Sam. When I towed the line at the 2005, Chicago marathon. I had an Olympic bronze medal in my pocket. I had the American record at the Marathon distance, but I had never won a marathon Race. So, I was trying every step of the way to win that race Constantine edita of Romania, made it very hard on me being on my shoulder until the, the last stretch of the race, and she went on after that race to win Olympic gold at the The 2008 Beijing Olympics, but it took every ounce of physical and mental energy to get to that Finish Line first, but that's what it takes to win the race.

I had an Olympic bronze medal in my pocket when I toed the line at the 2005 Chicago Marathon, and I was determined to win the race. My competitor, Constantina edita of Romania, pushed me until the last stretch of the race, but I managed to cross the finish line first. It took a lot of physical and mental energy, but that's what it takes to win a marathon race!

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Thanks for asking, Sam. The story behind my first-place finish at the 2005 Chicago Marathon is quite memorable. At that time, I already had an Olympic bronze medal and held the American record for the marathon distance. However, I had never won a marathon race before, so this was a significant milestone for me.

Throughout the race, Constantina Tomescu-Dita of Romania pushed me hard. She stayed by my side, making it a tough competition. It wasn't until the final stretch of the race that I was able to break away and secure the first-place finish. Interestingly, Constantina went on to win the Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Winning that race required every ounce of physical and mental energy I had. It was a challenging and intense experience, but ultimately, it was what it took to come out on top.

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.