Thank you NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this book!

I loved this! Some books are targeted for specific audiences, and this may be one of those that you won't enjoy as much if you haven't ever run. I think anyone can benefit from it whether they are a runner or not, but runners will find it exceptionally enjoyable!

5 stars from me and I will be purchasing my own copy for the personal shelves. I have been a runner for almost a decade now and this story felt so inspirational and motivating, I am ready to lace up my shoes and hit the roads. I learned things about Des I didn't know before, details to her health and training and I appreciate her willingness to be open and transparent with her readers/fans.

I honestly cried at the end when she crossed the finish line in Boston! I thought the chapters were setup nicely jumping back and forth between the Boston race and her past stories. I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys sports, running in particular.

Des Linden is a familiar sounding name, I wanted to read her story because running is not my thing, but I have met a lot of distance runners that just amaze me. Des shares her experiences with us and she is totally vulnerable. I enjoyed her story and I hope you will too.

Can this be 6/5 stars?! I have innumerable highlights within this book and I've already purchased a copy of the audio edition so that I can have it in my ears, over and over, during many future long runs.

For those of you who are not fans of running (or familiar with the author), I'll just say that this is an honest, inspiring, insightful and reflective account of true dedication and perseverance. Who doesn't love a good cheering-for-the-underdog story? Cannot recommend highly enough!

Choosing to Run is a captivating memoir written by Des Linden, a renowned long-distance runner and winner of the prestigious Boston Marathon. Linden takes readers on an inspiring and deeply personal journey through her life, sharing the highs and lows of her career and the mindset that has propelled her to success.

From the very first page, Linden's honest and raw storytelling grabs your attention, making it difficult to put the book down. She recounts her early days as a young athlete, the challenges she faced, and the defining moments that shaped her resilience. Through her narrative, she skillfully weaves together her experiences, training methods, and the mental fortitude required to excel in the sport.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Choosing to Run is Linden's ability to convey the sheer dedication and sacrifice required to become an elite runner. Her unwavering commitment to her craft shines through, and readers gain a profound understanding of the sacrifices she made to pursue her dreams. Her candidness about the grueling training sessions, injuries, and setbacks reveals the true nature of her determination.

Beyond the physical aspects of running, Linden delves into the mental aspects that are often overlooked. She openly discusses her doubts, fears, and insecurities, offering valuable insights into the mindset required to overcome obstacles. Her emphasis on the power of a positive mindset and the ability to push beyond perceived limitations is both enlightening and empowering.

Linden's storytelling is both relatable and inspiring. She shares her experiences in a manner that allows readers to connect with her on a personal level, regardless of their running abilities or familiarity with the sport. Whether you are an aspiring athlete, a recreational runner, or simply someone seeking motivation and resilience in your own life, Choosing to Run has something to offer.

Moreover, the book showcases Linden's unique perspective on the running world. She provides a behind-the-scenes look into the elite racing circuit, shedding light on the dynamics, strategies, and rivalries that exist among top athletes. Her account of the historic 2018 Boston Marathon, where she triumphed in challenging weather conditions, is particularly riveting and highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Overall, Choosing to Run is a powerful testament to the indomitable spirit of a true champion. Des Linden's memoir goes beyond the sport of running, delivering valuable life lessons on determination, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. Her story will inspire readers to chase their dreams relentlessly, embrace challenges, and make the choice to run towards their own greatness.

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking motivation, whether they are runners or not. Des Linden's remarkable journey will leave you inspired to embrace your own personal challenges and strive for greatness in all areas of life.

Des Linden is someone I watch in races because my husband is a big runner. He watches all of this quite closely so it's a great way to get to know her a little more.

i admire des linden a lot as an athlete but in all honesty, her story isn't all that interesting? it just felt like a similar story to a lot of other elite runners. the writing in this wasn't also not amazing, and after a few chapters it felt a bit monotonous.

I loved this book. Des Linden was the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in decades. Chapters about the race are interspersed with chapters about her running life. Even though you know how it ends, it's suspenseful. Des comes across as down to earth--someone you'd like to know.

Received as a free ebook ARC from NetGalley.

I was so excited to receive this running memoir. I love memoirs, reading about running, and strong female characters. It shared Des Linden's ups and downs, but always coming back better and stronger. It also highlighted more information that I didn't know such as she likes to read, loves dogs, had problems with her thyroid, likes bourbon, and other things besides running. It was a quick easy read. At times, it was confusing and jumped around in time. I usually don't mind that, but it was sometimes not clear what time frame was being discussed. Maybe it was on purpose. I still loved the book.

Des Linden won the 2018 Boston Marathon in amazingly crummy conditions. It was cold. It was rainy. And she had debated not even finishing. This book gives an insight into her day and makes her win even more exciting than it was at the time! Chapters of her race are interspersed with chapters about her life and running career leading up to that fateful day. I will admit that I didn't really know much about Des prior to reading this book. It was interesting to read the course her career followed but some parts of the book felt a little scattered and more stream of conscious than I would have liked. However, as with all memoirs, the question is whether the book was written for the author or for the audience. In this case, I believe it was written for the reader, to allow us to get to feel like we personally know Des. It was successful! More than ever, I am a dedicated fan.

“Featuring the story of a historic, unforgettable win and insight into the life of an indelible champion, Choosing to Run is a truly inspirational memoir from Boston Marathon winner and Olympian Des Linden, sharing her personal story and what motivates her to keep showing up.” (GoodReads)

I sprinted through this (pardon the pun)! Part memoir, part play-by-play of the 2018 Boston Marathon, this was completely enthralling. But then, I enjoy reading about runners and running (Want proof? Check out my “book stack” from 6 Mar 23.)

I remember watching both Olympic Marathon trials described in the memoir and being electrified by the athletes’ performance. Desi always had my heart because she was short (like me) and always seemed to be the underdog. No dramatics, no theatrics, just determination, putting one foot in front of the other. This comes across loud and clear in her memoir.

If you enjoy athlete memoirs, I recommend CHOOSING TO RUN.

Thanks, NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton, for a Digital Review Copy.

Des had me from the first few lines of her memoir, CHOOSING TO RUN. I got goosebumps just reading the prologue.

The bulk of the book follows a traditional memoir style, but is interspersed with chapters from the 2018 Boston Marathon. I loved the extra details from that race.

I really enjoyed this (I read the entirety on one flight!). I was surprised how many times it made me teary - though I'm also the kind of person who cries watching the 2018 Boston women's highlights. There's a lot of reflection on the page; I felt like I was tagging along through Des's career, through the highs and lows. She's so gritty! How kind she was in describing other runners and people working in the sport stuck out to me too.

But maybe all you need to know: I read an early e-galley, and immediately went online to figure out how to order a signed copy.

I'd of course recommend the book to other runners or (even casual) fans of the sport, but think it might also work well for sports fans in general and/or those who enjoy stories about women's careers/lives.

I finished this in less than 24 hours — it was one of those books that made me want my subway ride to take longer to give me more time to read.

Yes, this is a memoir about running. But it’s also about relationships. About family and how they impact your psyche. It’s about choosing yourself and pushing yourself. It’s about controlling what you can and recognizing what is beyond your control.

As a runner, I obviously loved the interspersed chapters that took us through Des’ 2018 Boston Marathon win (foreshadowed by the course map at the start of the book) but it was those chapters leading up to the the historic 2018 race that made the payoff that much sweeter.

Catch me at the NYC Half visualizing like Des’ writes about and pretending I’m in the same league while knowing she’s up ahead running the same route in the elite race.

Highly recommend this book to runners and non runners alike and can’t wait until I have a hard copy to reread.

This book couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Two months ago, I ran the Dopey Challenge at Disney’s Marathon Weekend. It’s 4 races in 4 days, totaling to 48.6 miles, and finishing off with a full marathon. I spent the better part of 2022 training for it (along with a few other races mixed into the training plan), and to say I needed a break after finishing the challenge was an understatement. As I’m trying to get to get back into the running routine and get to base building for the Chicago marathon in the fall, Des Linden’s story was the perfect primer for that.

With the narrative alternating between her career in running and her historic 2018 win at the Boston marathon (the first US woman to do it in 33 years, aka my lifetime), it was a really interesting format. It’s written in a super personable tone (side note: Des, can we drive around singing Saves the Day together?) and it’s really easy to connect to her struggles and triumphs. It gives you a behind the scenes look at what being a professional runner is really like, such as dealing with coaching relationships, sponsorships, questionable race results from competitors, and other things.

Des has been racing for as long as I’ve been watching the Majors and Olympics after taking up running and I loved getting to know more about her. If you’re a fan of sports memoirs with an interesting format that reads as easy as a novel, make sure you check this one out when it’s released next month.

So many shout outs to Dutton Publishing for the advanced reader’s copy of this one. Very grateful for the opportunity to get a sneak peek at this one.

Choosing to Run is absolutely the memoir that I thought Des Linden would write! It is poignant, honest, unflinching, motivating... and fun. Des is the type of runner that runners like myself admire because she is so down to earth. I loved the way this book allowed Des to tell her story of the 2018 Boston Marathon as well as her journey to get there as a champion. I credit that race with getting ME back into running marathons after becoming a mom. I'll never forget watching that race on my work computer (oops). Des's win in terrible conditions made me so happy for her. But with this book, we are able to see how much she really has overcome in terms of health, family, personal struggles, coaching/elite runner issues, and more.

I am not someone to go all fan girl over celebrities but if I ever get a chance to meet Des, I have no idea what I'll do. Ha! I've been a runner since I was 12 and always take elite runners with a grain of salt, but this book solidifies it for me. Des is the real deal and is truly someone to like and respect. This is a must read for runners and anyone needing a hefty dose of motivation.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the chance to read this eARC. All opinions are my own.

On a surface level, 2:39:54 doesn't look like a very impressive finishing time for a professional marathoner. No current records will be broken with that time: not on a world, national, or course level.

As a spectator, we can look at any finishing time for any marathoner and make a whole lot of assumptions — about their training, their effort, their endurance capacity (for the good and the bad). But, until we know the whole story, we don't actually know what they had to sacrifice to get there. Sure... 2:39:54 is not an "impressive" time when looked at through an objective microscope, but 2:39:54 holds a certain kind of magic for Des Linden because in 2018, she fought tooth and nail for that time to win her Boston.

With unapologetic candor and hard-earned wisdom, "Choosing to Run" is an exciting re-telling of the decade leading up to Des' 2018 win and the grit and determination that got her there. While my marathon times will never match Des', there is so much within the pages of her story that reads in such a relatable way: particularly that desire to stop fighting, but also that equally fierce fire to get back up and keep going.

Flipping back and forth between specific mile markers of her 2018 race and the years leading up to it, I found "Choosing to Run" so enjoyable to read with every twist and turn in the road of her story. Despite some of the shorter stories and quicker re-tellings fitting a bit oddly — as though they were thrown in last minute — each moment did add a weight to her overall journey. It's amazing how many of our experiences off the road intersect directly with our work on the road. Nothing is out of question in the lives of runners to provide fuel for this sport.

Runner or not, "Choosing to Run" is a gripping and honest Memoir about what it takes to achieve your goals and the lessons we learn in the process. Cheers to you Des! You're amazing!

**I don't typically rate Memoirs because how do you rate someone's life story? The five stars here are for the quality of entertainment. I breezed through these pages like it was my job!

Desiree Linden is the kind of runner who appeals to us recreational runners. She's a workhorse with a quiet humility that in the past has made people underestimate her abilities. That all changed when she won the 2018 Boston Marathon, a race that was run in horrible conditions. In her memoir, Choosing To Run, Des tells the story of that race and how her mental toughness propelled her to outrun her opponents. She doesn't tell the story all at once though--sharing tales of her rise from a young runner to becoming an elite marathoner. These stories are interweaved throughout the book. Des worked with a ghostwriter but was completely involved, wanting the voice of the story to be true to herself. While I was impressed with her thoughtful approach to racing and running, what stood out most to me is her unwavering desire to stay true to her principles. She shares her thoughts on the Nike Oregon Project doping scandal and how she spoke out about it, even though she was concerned she was risking her long-term relationship with Brooks Running. I liked her before I read her memoir--after reading it, I like her even more. She is a true legend.

An easy 5 stars for me! I could not put this book down once I started and loved how well Des's voice came through the entirety of the book. I was floored by some of the things she revealed and was captivated by her race descriptions.

The book is told alternating between her running career/preparation to the 2018 Boston Marathon and her experience on that infamously tough race day. I liked this structure as a whole, but felt that I could have used some more guidance on when in time we were when in the career/buildup bit. While it's not necessary to have a lot of knowledge of professional and/or distance running to enjoy this book, I think it would definitely help as a lot of things are not explained about the inner workings of either. I also would have liked more post-Boston 2018 content, the epilogue felt unfinished to me. Maybe another book is in her future...?

That being said, I am a Des fan girl forever and I had so much fun reading her story. I appreciate her frankness on some tough issues and situations. Would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves running!

Thank you Diamond Bridges for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review. As a marathoner and ultramarathon, Des Linden is one of my biggest role models in the runner world. Des laid it all out in this book with snippets of what really brought her to the front of the pack and leader to runners world wide.

I have so much respect for Des and would encourage anyone and everyone to read this. This is more than a running book. It is a look into the life of a world class athlete.

What you see is what you get with Des Linden which is why she’s one of my favorite athletes. There’s no pretense, no curation, no socials or hashtags for hairstyles. Des is 100% every-woman human except she runs far and fast. She tells it like it is. She’s curious. She lives her life while also pursuing her goals. Even though I knew most of the ending, I could not put this one down while also learning a lot I didn’t know. Several books have been or are publishing this year by female runners. So far this one is my winner. Highly recommend.

Des Linden has always been a bit of an anomaly in the professional athlete industry.. She is not one to chase the spotlight, She isn't flashy or searching for validation from the masses. Yet she finds herself in the conversation because she has a phenomenal talent for running and racing marathons. Des has created a narrative that is relatable and down to earth while also letting readers spectate on the inside world of training and racing the most famous marathon in the world. She is witty and charming and human. The format of the book takes us back and forth from the 2018 Boston Marathon race day to the days when Des got her first taste of sports as a child. Her personality comes through while also staying true to her grounded nature. I think this book will appeal to runners and non=runners alike because it is not just a story about a runner. It's a story about a person who happens to run. She bravely outlines various challenges with family, colleagues, and her health while also celebrating her victories and successes along the way. And I enjoyed every moment of the ride.