Deena Kastor is a three-time Olympian, bronze medalist, former American marathon record holder, Chicago and London marathon champion, and US women's masters marathon record holder at 42 with a time of 2:27. She is one of the most decorated American distance runners of all time. But what made her great was not just her training. It was what she did with the six inches above her shoulders.
In this episode Deena breaks down exactly how she trained her mind to run faster, the daily practices that made her simultaneously happier and quicker, how she broke the masters marathon record despite wildfires, allergies, the flu, and a flawed race, why comparison does not have to steal your joy, and what runners over 40 need to hear about their relationship with the sport as times start to change.
This is a conversation about the science and practice of thinking your way to better running.
Resources:
1. Deena's Book: Let Your Mind Run - https://www.amazon.com/Let-Your-Mind-Run-Thinking/dp/1524760757
2. Deena's Website: https://www.deena-kastor.com/
3. Andrew Kastor's Coaching: https://www.coachkastor.com/
0:00 The mindset shift that changed everything
6:42 How to structure mental training
12:04 Does positive thinking actually make you faster
13:47 Mental approach as a masters athlete
15:48 Breaking the masters marathon record at 42
22:18 How to handle the pain cave in a race
26:20 Training now at 53
29:34 Recovery and how it has changed with age
31:05 How environment shapes running longevity
34:16 Advice for runners whose times are declining
36:29 Advice for runners still improving after 40
38:10 Navigating the decline from elite to masters
43:23 How to handle comparison
45:57 Training with only 5 to 6 hours a week
47:08 When injury takes running away
49:52 The book — Let Your Mind Run
57:54 How to work with Deena and Andrew
58:44 Final message to runners over 40
#DeenaKastor #MindsetForRunners #RunningMindset #RunnersOver40 #MastersRunning #MarathonMindset #EnduranceLab #LetYourMindRun #MarathonTraining #RunFasterAfter40 #MentalTraining #PositivePsychology #RunningMotivation #MastersMarathon #RunningOver40 #EliteRunning #MarathonPerformance #RunningLongevity #ThinkFaster #WomenRunning
