The final American lady to win the Boston Marathon is buying and selling asphalt for sand dunes.
In a current interview with Singletrack2018 Boston Marathon champion The Linden introduced she will likely be taking a break from the roads and toeing the beginning line on the Marathon des Sables, the long-lasting six-day, self-supported ultramarathon that spans roughly 250 kilometres throughout Morocco’s Sahara Desert, on April 3.
Marathon des Sables is extensively thought to be one of many hardest extremely races on the planet, that includes day by day phases starting from 10K to greater than 50 miles that may stretch in a single day. The hardest half? Navigating a punishing mixture of rocky terrain and towering sand dunes, all whereas carrying your individual gear via scorching daytime temperatures and chilly nights.
Though Linden is greatest identified for her accomplishments on the roads, she isn’t a whole stranger to the extremely distance. In 2021, she set the American document within the 50K, operating 2:59:54 at a Brooks Operating occasion in Oregon. That race stays her solely ultramarathon so far, however she says the attraction of Marathon des Sables is how far it pushes her exterior her consolation zone.
“It felt like an excellent second to attempt one thing utterly completely different,” Linden informed Singletrack. “The timing was proper.”
As a part of her buildup, the 42-year-old plans to race the Black Canyon 50K in Arizona this February, which she described as a low-pressure, “plenty of vibes” tune-up. “It’ll function a pleasant prep race for the MDS,” she mentioned.
Apart from the space, the Marathon des Sables’ self-supported format will likely be new to Linden. Every competitor is required to hold their very own meals, clothes and obligatory security gear for your entire length of the race. Linden says studying to run with a pack and managing fueling has added a brand new layer of intrigue to her coaching.
Linden will run the race alongside fellow American marathoner and former U.S. Olympian Magda Bouletwho gained Marathon des Sables in 2018. The thought for the 2 of them to do the race collectively got here throughout a six-day path operating journey via the Swiss Alps final summer season.
Linden mentioned she wasn’t totally satisfied at first, however after just a few individuals within the path‑operating neighborhood referred to as it a loopy thought, she felt proper at house. “It’s so completely different,” she mentioned. “(MDS) looks like a enjoyable solution to get excited once more and check out one thing utterly out of the norm.”
