ST: Could you share what a week of training looks like for you?
Des: Right now, I’m just building volume so it’s just covering mileage each day. I’ll start adding in double days soon and gradually stretching out the long run. Since there aren’t serious race opportunities on the horizon, I’ll take my time adding back some intensity.
ST: How much do you train indoors versus outdoors?
Des: I try my best to do everything outdoors. Sometimes that means bundling up and heading out in sub-zero temps and forgetting about pace but just running by effort. The only thing, right now, that keeps me indoors is really bad ice that makes an injury risk.
ST: On Twitter you posted “Some days it just flows and I feel like I’m born to do this, other days it feels like I’m trudging through hell. Every day I make the choice to show up and see what I’ve got, and to try and be better.” How do you motivate yourself to show up?
Des: Set a goal that gets me excited, it won’t accomplish itself.
ST: Does it help to have a
husband who also is an exceptional athlete?
Des: Yes. Having someone to share the work with is always a plus. We rarely have unmotivated or off days at the same time, so there’s at least one of us who’s motivated and ready to push the pace.