American Distance Runner Deena Kastor is a True Champion
Greg Woodburn
Ventura (Calif.) High School
Deena Kastor did amazing the other day.
The pride of American women’s distance running competed in the 10,000 meter race in early September at the 2007 Track & Field World Championships in Osaka, Japan. However, this actually wasn’t all that amazing because Deena, who won a bronze medal in the Marathon at the 2004 Olympics, is one of the greatest women distance runners in the world—she is the American record holder in the marathon (2 hours, 19 minutes and 36 seconds) as well as in the 10,000 meters (30:50.32).
Deena went to the World Championships with the realistic goal of standing on the medal stand. However, she didn’t have her best race by any measure and finished a disappointing (for her) sixth. So instead of a medal, she got heartbreak. And yet when she was interviewed right after the race when her disappointment was at its max, Deena made no excuses and graciously congratulated the other runners. This again, was not amazing though, because Deena is always gracious in victory and defeat.
No, here is the amazing thing Deena did. Two days after her disappointing race in Osaka, she returned to the United States with her husband, Andrew, but instead of feeling sorry for herself for a bummer of a race, Deena was already thinking about others who don’t even have running shoes, much less races to run in. Specifically, she was thinking about the kids in Africa and Mexico who receive used running shoes from my “Share Our Soles” (S.O.S.) organization so they can enjoy this great sport that can help provide confidence, self-esteem, friendships, and strong character—you know, so kids can be a little like Deena.
Before they even arrived at their vacation beach house in Oxnard, California, Deena called me to say she had another batch of running shoes for S.O.S. for me to clean up and then send off to underprivileged youth in far away lands. The truth is that the shoes Deena gives to me don’t require much cleaning. They are almost like new.
I started S.O.S. nearly a year ago and to date have collected and donated more than 800 pairs of running shoes to needy kids. I had sent a letter to her six months earlier explaining my S.O.S. project; and instead of answering with my self-addressed envelope, she phoned me! And now she and Andrew have become my biggest supporters, donating nearly 100 pairs by themselves.
Deena does more than just unlace her shoes after a few weeks and a couple of hundred miles and toss them in a bag. She also collects them from many of the world-class runners she trains with. Andrew, who is a personal trainer, collects shoes from his clients. And then they pack these smelly shoes in their car and drive them all the way from Mammoth Lakes to Oxnard for me to pick up. Of course they offer to deliver them to my door, but I always insist on coming to get the latest haul, which is always a thrill because they always invite me in for a long visit.
Obviously, I want to talk to Deena, who is super nice, about her amazing career. But she and Andrew, who is equally nice, would rather ask me about my training and racing for Ventura High which is currently ranked No. 1 in the state of California and No. 4 in the nation. In truth, we end up talking a lot about everything but running.
During my most recent pick-up visit, Deena apologized because she said she left some near-new running shoes in her hotel in Japan. On purpose. She explained that the housekeeping staff would be able to take the shoes—as well as some clothes and backpacks she left behind—home to their families. To me, that is Deena, a champion not only on the track, but more importantly a champion in the sport of life.
I have a framed autographed picture of Deena hanging on my wall with the inscription: “Greg—Keep inspiring! Continue making a positive difference in all you do!”
Truly, those words best exemplify what Deena does—and not just after a medal-winning race.