Deena Kastor and Jim Ryun answer your questions about their career right here on LRC

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LetsRun.com

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 8:40am CDT

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LRC community:

If you followed along with our Greatest American Distance Runner bracket last month, you'll know that Jim Ryun and Deena Kastor earned the titles of men's and women's GOAT. After Deena was informed of her victory, she asked us if she could connect with our readers and answer some questions. We, of course, said yes -- and Jim has agreed to do the same.

Here's how it will work: if you have a question for Deena or Jim (or both), post it in this thread. Over the next few days, Deena will pop in intermittently and answer your best questions (we will email Jim some of your best questions and post his responses).

So think of your best questions and post away! And a big thank you to Deena and Jim for agreeing to do this.

Note: This thread is limited to registered users only. If you want to post a reply, please create a LetsRun.com account.

https://www.letsrun.com/news/2020/04/lrc-visitors-vote-jim-ryun-denna-kastor-as-the-greatest-mens-and-womens-american-distance-runners-of-all-time/
Milenk101

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 8:45am CDT
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Ask Deena Kastor if she's a fan again of Shalane Flanagan.
rojo

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 9:17am CDT
re: Milenk101

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Milenk101 wrote:
Ask Deena Kastor if she's a fan again of Shalane Flanagan.

Why do you use the word "again?" Was she not a fan at some point?
CGeorgeRun

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 9:23am CDT
re: rojo

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To both runners -

What is that one race/performance you look back on with your most fondness? That one race you wish you could relive/rerun to get that same thrill?
SDSU Aztec

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 9:37am CDT
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Please ask Jim what the story is behind his legendary 5:38 mile. That one of the most talented milers who ever lived and ran 4:07 the next Spring, could run that slowly, doesn't make sense.
Bear

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 9:43am CDT
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Ask Mr Ryun how different his career would have been under modern day professionalism. Obviously much more lucrative but how much longer, etc

deck0036

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 9:46am CDT
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Some say the true talent in successful athletes is the unusual ability to practice the same thing over and over and over again (as compared to the raw talent to run fast, jump high, etc). How do you see it?
Bear

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 9:49am CDT
re: Bear

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Meant to add: My dad and I were at the LA Coliseum in 1967 when Ryun ran his 3:33:1 WR defeating Keino with a huge kick off a fast pace. One of my greatest sports memories
crazzzy1216

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 9:52am CDT
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what is your favorite food/drink
MeHereYouWhere?!

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:06am CDT
re: crazzzy1216

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For both. If you could back in time and tell your peak self one thing about training/racing/running in general, what would it be?
Reading da boards

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:24am CDT
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For Jim: 1) How much and what kind of wt. lifting did you do at various stages of your career?
2) With today's track surfaces, shoe improvements, etc., what mile time do you think you could have run with that help?
Deena

Olympic bronze medalist, marathon American record holder

3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:25am CDT
re: Milenk101

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YES! I am a fan of Shalane, especially when her team comes to train in Mammoth Lakes! I think I am a fan of all runners, but particularly like Shalane's work ethic, her discipline. She is a great role model to her teammates, which she now coaches and I know they will replicate all the attributes that made her successful. I'm gaga over her and Steve adopting newborn, Jack. I was adopted too, so when others help the system by sharing their love to children who may not have been provided for, it makes me very sentimental. I'm so happy for them.

SlowFatMaster

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:28am CDT
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Hi Jim: I almost met you at your Santa Barbara camp in 1973. I was 18 but I caught the chicken pox and had to cancel and the next year I was too old. My question is, were you an altitude non-responder? Thanks and still hope to meet you some day!
Deena

Olympic bronze medalist, marathon American record holder

3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:29am CDT
re: CGeorgeRun

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CGeorgeRun wrote:
To both runners -

What is that one race/performance you look back on with your most fondness? That one race you wish you could relive/rerun to get that same thrill?

I want to relive the 2004 Olympic Marathon in Athens, not to get the same feeling, but to be slightly less conservative in the beginning. No marathon has felt as easy as that one, which only means I didn't run to my potential that day. It may not have changed the outcome, I may have done better, or I may have overheated and died like Pheidippides, but as long as your're asking, that's the race!
LoneStarXC

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:32am CDT
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1). Do you read LRC regularly?
2). Which is your favorite: llamas or alpacas? 🦙
Deena

Olympic bronze medalist, marathon American record holder

3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:34am CDT
re: deck0036

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deck0036 wrote:
Some say the true talent in successful athletes is the unusual ability to practice the same thing over and over and over again (as compared to the raw talent to run fast, jump high, etc). How do you see it?

My first professional coach and greatest mentor, Joe Vigil, would say "repetition is the mother of learning." He also said, "Rome wasn't built in a day." [I'll take his word for it.] But I'll add that success, in addition to repetition, is grit, joy, and most importantly resilience. I also believe that resilience isn't just overcoming challenges, injury and poor performances, but also finding focus and direction after great races- to realize a great performance isn't career capping, and get back to work!
Deena

Olympic bronze medalist, marathon American record holder

3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:39am CDT
re: crazzzy1216

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crazzzy1216 wrote:
what is your favorite food/drink

Pizza (any kind) and Italian wine. Lobster mac n cheese with sparkling wine. Ham and Gruyere croissants (breakfast) with coffee. Vegan shepard's pie with Mammoth Brewery Double Nut Brown (award winning stout)....because these are all the things on the menu at our house this week!
ParityCuber

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:49am CDT
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For Jim: What do you think led you to have such a great amount of success at an early age compared to many US runners nowadays? The top US high school runners now are rarely competitive on a world stage, and never to the degree you were. Do you think it was something you did different early in your career, or that something changed, like the outlook of US highschool running or something in the world stage that is different?
Deena

Olympic bronze medalist, marathon American record holder

3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:50am CDT
re: MeHereYouWhere?!

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MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:
For both. If you could back in time and tell your peak self one thing about training/racing/running in general, what would it be?

I always thought running professionally would occupy a short period of my life. I couldn't believe I was still enjoying it and pursuing goals after having Piper (my daughter) and after turning 40 (seven years ago). So, I would tell my younger, thriving self that I would be doing this a lifetime. I think the bewilderment and intrigue would driven me even more. I truly love running, racing, and pushing myself, but I enjoy more being a part of the diverse community that makes up the running world.
This is Jim Kiler

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3 weeks ago 05/05/2020 10:51am CDT
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Ask Mr. Ryun how long he kept it going. I recall running a 10K against him in late 1980, and finishing quite far behind. The promoter had printed dozens of "I beat Jim Ryun" t-shirts, and I recall he gave away one of them.