Des Linden’s Tweets Reveal Hilarious Reality Of Marathon Training

Des Linden is the rare champion distance runner who makes her heroics seem relatable. Yes, she was the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years, but she also drinks whiskey! She loves Gucci Mane! Taylor Swift kissed her on the cheek! (Okay, maybe not that last one).

The 35-year-old is currently training for next month’s TCS New York City Marathon, where she will join defending champion Shalane Flanagan as the top American entrants. Both women have a legitimate shot at winning what could be a second Abbott World Major Marathon title, and in true Linden fashion, the Brooks-sponsored runner is keeping things lighthearted on her social media feed in the lead-up to the race.

Last week, Linden made a joke about how high mileage makes lightweights out of the best of us: “Enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner, hit me so hard I tipped 30%. This is fitness.”

Enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner, hit me so hard I tipped 30%. This is fitness.

— des_linden (@des_linden) October 10, 2018

But at least she wasn’t drinking whiskey.

Not Whiskey.

— AthleticsIllustrated (@AthIllustrated) October 10, 2018

Thank goodness, no! Might have overdrawn my account.

— des_linden (@des_linden) October 11, 2018

The tweet took off in the online running community, with fellow professional marathoners Scott Smith, Tim Ritchie, Scott Fauble and Lindsay Flanagan sharing their #ThisIsFitness confessions.

Went to walk the dog and realized I needed to use the bathroom. Rather than summit the stairs back to modern plumbing, I used a porta potty outside the house. This is fitness. https://t.co/3Q4LgFVSsT

— Scott Smith (@scott_n_ready) October 11, 2018

Crack my eggs into the disposal and threw the shells into the fry pan. This is fitness. https://t.co/ybVvJfqtmm

— Tim WTD Ritchie (@TimRitchieWTD) October 12, 2018

Sitting in my car, in my garage, staring at Twitter, while I try to summon the motivation to walk 10 feet and eat a bagel. After an easy run.

This is fitness. https://t.co/fScaJ7kwNL

— Scott Fauble (@scottfaubs) October 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/lflanagan242/status/1051584313236410368

Plenty of regular, non-professional runners joined in the oversharing session, too.

3:30 alarm for long run. Mixed pre-workout with seltzer instead of water. Blender bottle explosion. This is fitness. https://t.co/yod6Ywpe20

— Shannon Lewis (@Shanimal730) October 12, 2018

Excited to put seemingly Huge Michigan Blueberries on my cereal this AM pre Long Run. Alas, they were Grapes. This is fitness.

— Brian Schuetter (@Sheetsclub) October 13, 2018

Day after my 50K, I made apple crisp and used garlic salt instead of nutmeg in the topping. This is fitness.

— Jen A. Miller (@byJenAMiller) October 13, 2018

Bike to workout. Start workout. Realize you're still wearing your bike helmet. This is fitness.

— Keith Carroll (@KeithCarroll210) October 13, 2018

Like most races, though, Linden wins this contest.

Final five miles of a two hour workout, I am unstoppable. First five minutes of a two hour movie, I am unconscious. This is fitness.

— des_linden (@des_linden) October 13, 2018

Fifty shades of grey and fifteen types of fleece: not a sexy sequel, just my post-run lounging attire. This is fitness.

— des_linden (@des_linden) October 16, 2018