GPS Kids | Peg’s Posts: A day with Deena

Garmin associates had a chance to meet an elite this week when Deena Kastor, American marathon record-holder and bronze medalist, made a visit to our Olathe headquarters. Deena has been training with Garmin fitness devices for a couple of years, most recently becoming fast friends with our sleek little FR60 fitness watch. In fact, she was sporting it when she rocked the PF Chang’s Rock-n-Roll half marathon in Phoenix earlier this year. FR60 paced her to a first-place finish in 1:09:43, more than 7 minutes faster than the runner-up.

Hard to believe this elite athlete, who can knock out a 5:19 min/mi pace over 26.2 miles, was sitting right here in our midst. But here she was, answering questions ranging from how many calories do you consume during peak training (A: more than 6,000) to how has your training changed with Garmin devices? “My training used to suffer when I traveled, which is often,” Deena said. “I wasn’t accountable. But now I can be because my FR60 records all my data and keeps me on track.” So, whether she’s running mountain trails at home in Mammoth Lakes or city streets in London, Deena knows how far and how fast and a lot more.

On day two of Deena’s stay, we let her do what she does best — run … like nobody’s watching. Forget we’ve got our photographer hanging out the back of a van, capturing Deena’s every move at the rate of 8 frames per second. Forget that we’re rolling video when we ask Deena to charge up that hill. And then do it again because a truck pulled into frame at precisely the wrong time. And then again because the sunlight shifted just enough that we need one more take. Deena took it all in stride and gained our admiration as a flawless and egoless pro. With a muggy Midwest summer bearing down on us as the day wore on, Deena simply said “It feels so good to sweat and not be wearing my down coat.”

Thanks to some pros on both sides of the lens, our shoot wrapped earlier than expected and Deena was able to relax for the evening and join our fitness marketing and sales team for some of KC’s best barbecue. She was still raving about the dinner when I picked her up the next morning for our ride to the airport. As soon as we hit the highway, a wave of panic swept over me. Scary thought: If we wreck, I’m wrecking America’s dreams of a gold medal in the London games. Deep breaths … stay calm … this is like any other drive, I told myself.

Then I relaxed and reveled in the thought that I had a full 45 minutes to pick Deena’s brain on everything from anti-inflammatory foods to acupuncture. Last topic was of interest after reading that she regularly has acupuncture done to relieve inflammation from a metatarsal stress fracture (same bone I fractured nearly five years ago as a newbie runner). Deena’s so down-to-earth, I felt at ease conversing with her and gleaned much wisdom that I plan to incorporate immediately once my latest injury abates. Like varying my diet from my steady favs and getting more sleep. “Naps are an essential part of my training. After a morning of workouts and lunch, I get giddy when I get to lay down for a nap.” And then it’s time to start the cycle all over again, ending her day at 6:30 or 7 every evening she’s training. More on the insight we gained from Deena in future posts.

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