Here at runladylike.com, Fridays are all about sharing the inspiring stories of fit people who motivate all of us to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. My Friday FITspiration series profiles runners, triathletes and casual exercisers who are making choices every day to be as healthy as they can be – in both huge ways and through simple, small victories.

Today, I have the incredible honor of having elite runner Desi Linden join us to share her thoughts, advice and everything in between on Boston, running and life. Desi is a Brooks Running-sponsored athlete and was the first American female to finish the 2015 Boston Marathon last month after leading for an impressive portion of the race. Desi has a personal record of 2:22:38 in the marathon, 1:10:34 in the half marathon, 31:37 in the 10K and 15:08 in the 5K. Beyond her amazing running accomplishments, she is an even more wonderful person.

See what Desi had to say about running Boston and her tips for us mere mortal runners.

rUnladylike: Congrats on an amazing race in Boston! You made us all so proud! What mental strategies do you use during a race like the Boston Marathon? What are you telling yourself in your head when the miles get really hard?
Desi: Thank you. I had a lot of fun out there, which is one of the things I try and remind myself when the miles get hard! When things start getting tough, I always try and break the race down into manageable sections. Sometimes it’s as simple as looking up, finding a landmark and getting to it. It’s a bit of an attitude shift for me … instead of dreading how much race is left, I focus on the moment I’m in and the little small goals I’m checking off along the way.

rUnladylike: What thoughts were going through your mind as you led the race at Boston?
Desi: My coach and I set up a pretty solid game plan before the race, and I knew that because of conditions there was a good chance I would be out front setting the pace. I always sit down and literally write out my race plan the night before the race. We all have doubts and negative thoughts that creep in our minds when we are out there on race day. When that happens, I go directly back to my plan and focus on the next thing on my ‘race day to do list.’ Of course, when you’re leading the Boston-Freaking-Marathon, there’s the opposite end of the spectrum of feeling superhuman and getting caught up with emotions and excitement. It’s just important to check those thoughts too and again, stick with the plan.

rUnladylike: What does your marathon nutrition strategy look like? What do you eat the night before, the morning of and as fuel during a marathon like Boston?
Desi: I keep everything pretty simple and plain before race day. The night before, I have a little bit of pasta, some sweet potatoes and a good amount of white rice. In the morning, I’ll have a bagel with peanut butter and a cup of coffee usually three hours before race time. Because Boston has a later start time, I usually take an extra bagel half to snack on during the bus ride. About an hour before the race, I’ll have a PowerGel. In the days leading up to and right before the race, hydration is key. I use the PowerBar Perform electrolyte mix.

During the race, I use the same PowerBar Perform mix for the first 20K of the race. I shoot to get in 8 to 10 ounces of the mix every 5K. After 20K, I switch to DoubleLatte PowerGels pre-mixed in 8 ounces of water. Having a new flavor and a bit of caffeine keeps me from losing focus and helps avoid flavor fatigue.

rUnladylike: For those of us who have yet to run Boston, what tips or advice would you share about the course and/or the experience?
Desi: Everyone knows about the Newton Hills and prepares for how tough the climbs are, but the course is mainly downhill, so don’t forget to prepare for that too. I highly recommend adding in some downhill work into your training plan. You’ll be surprised how your quads feel even after a little bit of work. Imagine that feeling over 26.2 miles. If you prepare for the downhills and remember marathon 101 (don’t go out too hard), you’ll set yourself up for a fun day. The Boston Marathon experience is pretty incredible, and I’d highly recommend reading up on the history before race day to fully appreciate the experience and recognize what’s happened on the exact roads you’re covering.

rUnladylike: How do you deal with the pressure that comes with being an elite runner running races with a lot of media attention?
Desi: I don’t really view the media attention as pressure. It’s something you have to earn, and I try and remind myself that it’s a good thing to have people interested and excited about my potential. If I’m running well and ready to go, it’s a fun opportunity to talk running and get others excited about my race, too.

rUnladylike: Do you have a favorite runner you feel you’ve learned a lot from?
Desi: Oh man, no way could I pick just one. Honestly, I’d have to say it’s been all my Hanson’s teammates over the years. Brian Sell and Mike Morgan stand out as guys who set the bar for how to work hard, run fearless and get the most out of their potential. Bobby Curtis and Jake Riley are two incredibly talented teammates who know how to do the work but also to trust their ability and balance that well to avoid setbacks. Megan Gothels is a high school superstar who has navigated crazy highs and lows and pressures for years and still has a love for the sport and for the run. I could go on, but the point is all the Hanson’s teammates bring something big and important to the group and they bring it day after day so it’s easy to learn and be inspired by them all every day.

rUnladylike: Finish this sentence: When I’m not running, I most enjoy ________.
Desi: When I’m not running, I most enjoy reading a good book.

rUnladylike: As a #RunHappy junkie I’ve got to ask, what’s your favorite Brooks Running shoe and/or apparel?
Desi: Brooks Ravenna, PureProject Seamless Ombre Capris and PureProject Seamless Tank II.

What running accomplishment do you most want to achieve that you have yet to conquer?
Desi: Win a Major Marathon.

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Do you know someone with an inspiring story that should be featured on Friday FITspiration? If so, email runladylike@gmail.com.

What inspires you most about Desi’s journey and advice? What is your favorite activity to do when you’re not running?