Last night we had an amazing opportunity to attend the live recording of Nobody Asked Us, the popular podcast with Des Linden and Kara Goucher. Des Linden was the 2018 Boston Marathon winner and represented the US in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Kara Goucher was the silver medalist in the 10,000m at the World Championships and also a 2008 and 2012 Olympian. The event took place here in Chicago, 2 days before the 45th Chicago Marathon.
We got to the location about 10 minutes early and were able to catch Des, her husband Ryan and their dog Rivers right outside. Rivers was the sweetest dog and got so much love all evening!
Once inside we were greeted by familiar faces from Fleet Feet Chicago, checked out the new AltraFWD Experience running shoes, got a really cool goodie bag which included a copy of Kara's book, and even had some brownie bites!
The podcast recording started, and it was really cool to see Kara and Des in person. We are so used to hearing their voices on the podcast as we run or commute to work, but seeing them live and their facial expressions added that extra layer of awesomeness to the total experience.
The entire night was such a great vibe, we got to hear about Margot and talk about Halloween costumes for pets. And, of course, discuss the upcoming marathon. As some of you may know Des is going after the American masters record this Sunday. We think she has it in the bag!
Des talked about her pre race routine, taper mileages, and her foolproof gym routine! Kara shared her plans to spectate the day of the marathon, she will be running the Abbott 5K on Saturday morning as well!
A few fun, interesting tidbits we learned…
Des & Kara have very different approaches to the marathon. Kara does not rely on a running watch, preferring to run by how she feels and focus on racing against the other women in the field. Des has a planned strategy for each mile and executes on that plan. This is so she does not negotiate with herself mid-race (to go faster or slower), which admittedly, we are all prone to do! It reminded us that there is not one right way to run a marathon, and we should do what works for us.
Even elite runners think about quitting. Kara shared an experience with her first marathon where she hit the wall and wanted to drop out. She was in such a daze that she missed the fluid station and ran by her coach and did not even remember it.
Des does not lift weights! When asked whether she had been lifting weights, Des admitted she did not and we found she does not go to the gym regularly. Given all the emphasis on strength training and cross training these days, we were surprised to hear it (and Janet was relieved that she was not the only one who didn't strength train!)
After the podcast, Kara stayed to sign copies of her new book The Longest Race, which was included in the goodie bag!
The episode will be available soon, and you will love it! In addition to the above, be ready to hear about fidget spinners, Kara’s complicated relationship with directions, invaluable pre race advice and answers to the questions from the audience about the recent Boston Marathon qualification time cut off, and relationships with brands. Zhenya left feeling energized, ready, yet calm and at peace, ready for her 3rd Chicago Marathon!
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