http://www.deenakastor.com New Blog Post Updates from Olympic Medalist Deena Kastor en-us http://www.deenakastor.com Hi Marathon Fans,

With my last hard workout completed, the ASICS LA Marathon is coming up quickly. As I begin packing there are a few things that take precedent over everything else in my bag. Here is what I’ve set aside already:

My ASICS Nimbus and Hyperspeed got a neon make-over this spring and I love the splash of color. It reminds me that running is playful. The Nimbus is my training shoe of choice and I’ll be wearing it for my shake-out runs along Ocean Avenue during the days leading up to the marathon. The Hyperspeed, however is what will carry me through the race this Sunday.

The Oakley “26.2” is appropriately named for this occasion. I take sun protection seriously and these glasses are perfect for protecting me from the southern California sunshine. (I even wore these glasses at US Cross Country championships in cloudy St. Louis last month because they blocked the wind and kept my eyes from tearing).

Also in regard to sun protection, I will have my Coola Organic Sunscreen. When I am applying a product to my skin twice a day EVERY day, I want to know the ingredients are high quality. This is the best sunscreen out there. Lather up!

Hydration is a major part of the marathon game. I am packing 8 water bottles for my Pomegranate Berry Cytomax. These bottles will be every 4 miles along the race course. I look forward to these fluid stations for the energy they give me, but also because this is how I break up the marathon distance. Instead of counting 26.2 miles, I break the race up into 8 water bottle stops. Much more bearable!

And I can’t shake the impulse to pack a green post-marathon outfit since it is St. Patrick’s Day. Although I believe in proper preparation and hard work, I’ll welcome a little Luck of the Irish on race day.


Click Here to go to Deena's Website »]]>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:16:36 -0400by Deena Kastor Blog Posts http://www.deenakastor.com/blog_posts.php?id=112 http://www.deenakastor.com Dear Runners,

As I finish another week of elevated training, I am grateful to have had another significant moment in this sport. I was mid-workout after many weeks of high mileage and intense training that had left me a bit fatigued. Typical marathon training really. In a tired moment, it seemed so easy to settle for a mediocre finish as I climbed a hill, against the wind to finish my tempo run. The workout was already good, so with a few strides I settled on cruising the last mile. I glanced over to the most magnificent snowcapped peaks piercing the bright blue sky and was reminded of why I live and train at altitude in Mammoth Lakes, California. I came here for a physiological edge. My mind was keeping me from taking advantage of the opportunity to crush this workout. I had a mental shift and pushed hard toward our team van at the finish. It was a significant moment. Sometimes the pressure and pain get the best of us and sometimes it brings out the best in us. Instead of giving up, I dug down. Instead of throwing in the towel, I threw down the hammer. When I finished, I reflected on this with Coach Kastor and my teammates. The difference in exertion wasn’t that different and I made it to the finish quite a bit faster. As I prepare to leave for the USATF Cross Country National Championships in St. Louis, Missouri I cherish that this significant moment happened and that I chose correctly, grew stronger and want to have nothing to do with that weaker self that almost emerged from that workout. I’m forever stronger because of it. These are the moments running offers us. These moments are why I love this sport.
Click Here to go to Deena's Website »]]>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:01:03 -0500by Deena Kastor Blog Posts http://www.deenakastor.com/blog_posts.php?id=111 http://www.deenakastor.com Hi Runners,

It is so great to gain fitness as the 2013 racing season is among us. As temperatures warm from the single digits to a much warmer 40 degrees, we are endlessly pursuing our athletic dreams here in Mammoth Lakes. My dad wants to know what he did wrong in raising a child who thinks 40 degrees is beautiful. He lives in Southern California. Here in the mountains, the sun is shining, I had a great workout and my dog is snoring at my feet as I type this. Life doesn’t get much simpler or better. As I look ahead to bettering myself in 2013, I am chasing running goals of winning another marathon, but also looking at how to become simply better. A better mom. A better cook. Healthier. Wiser. And in shaping the year ahead I am well past the January 10th date in which most people cave in to their New Year’s resolutions. I am practicing more patience. I am experimenting in the kitchen. I am persistent in buying and using the best sunscreen. I am studying Spanish every day. I feel great, and in the thrill of being well rounded, I am better at my biggest passion, running. I will conclude by saying, enjoy your life to its fullest. Learn another language, be healthier and run faster!
Click Here to go to Deena's Website »]]>Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:47:44 -0500by Deena Kastor Blog Posts http://www.deenakastor.com/blog_posts.php?id=110 http://www.deenakastor.com Hi Runners,

We are so excited about the track buzz going on in our town. We are one month away from ribbon-cutting on the beautiful Track & Field facility here in Mammoth Lakes. The photo in this postcard was taken last week as the track was being poured. To the right you can see the recycled tire has already made its way onto the track. On the left side of the track you can see the enormous bags that hold the material ready to be placed. My husband Andrew took this photo from top of the ridge that protects the track from wind. The views here are breath-taking, but equally breath-taking is the altitude in which the track sits. 7000 feet is scientifically the ideal altitude for a distance runner to train. Andrew and I are living our ideal life in the place we love most and now can have a track to add to the amazing running options we have here. We sincerely hope you will come join us in Mammoth Lakes, our running utopia. To find out more about this project or to be a part of this facility, please visit www.mammothtrackproject.org
Click Here to go to Deena's Website »]]>Sun, 14 Oct 2012 13:55:12 -0400by Deena Kastor Blog Posts http://www.deenakastor.com/blog_posts.php?id=109 http://www.deenakastor.com Hello Track Fans,

This morning Andrew and I watched as land movers uprooted sage in a beautiful oval to lay the framework of what will be a spectacular track and field facility. Although the process was much greater than we anticipated, today seems all worth the past 5 years of chiseling away at this dream. We are fortunate that Elaine Smith, our project manager, doesn’t require much sleep, loves a challenge and is a super-athlete who committed to this daunting project. Our sports minded town of Mammoth Lakes, California is to thank for supporting this project and seeing the vision we have of bringing runners of all abilities to our majestic mountain town to run on the track and the surrounding trails. The track and field will be completed in late October, so we hope to see you at the ribbon cutting for the inaugural run around the track.

Wanna be a part of this? Here’s how:

The High Sierra Striders: My husband Andrew’s running club, responsible for promoting running and fitness here in the Eastern Sierras, is to thank for supporting this project. Please “like” them on Facebook and visit their website for practice schedules so you can join them for group runs when you visit. www.highsierrastriders.org

Visit the track website to donate or find out what programs are available. www.mammothtrackproject.org

Join me for a week of running in the runner’s paradise of Mammoth Lakes as I host a running camp. The focus is on premier running and first class food! All abilities welcome and all proceeds go to the
Click Here to go to Deena's Website »]]>Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:32:05 -0400by Deena Kastor Blog Posts http://www.deenakastor.com/blog_posts.php?id=108