This week's guest is one of America's greatest ever distance runners, Deena Kastor.  She won the bronze medal in the marathon at the 2004 Olympics, and she's won both the Chicago and London Marathons.  This sort of resume qualifies Deena for legend status among active runners, but I'm equally impressed by her mission to use running as a tool to improve people's lives.  I recently sat down with her to catch up on what she's up to.

Tell us what inspired you to start running?

My parents are very social and they wanted me to join the local track club in Agoura Hills where I grew up. Our first run was in the nearby Santa Monica Mountains and I remember not wanting to turn around.  It is no coincidence that my passion for running and the success I had immediately fed off one another.  I have loved this sport since the first day 26 years ago!

You're something of a running pioneer in Mammoth.  What's so great about the training up there?

I remember coming to Mammoth in High School for summer running camp.  I loved it here.  When Andrew and I were choosing a place to live 10 years ago, I immediately thought of coming to Mammoth.  If it was a great place to visit, it would be an awesome place to live.  We have traveled the world for races and competitions and haven't found a place  we like better than home.  As a distance runner, training at altitude is our greatest weapon.  Summer is such a fun time of year as the High School, College and Junior College teams continue to use Mammoth for running camps.  Andrew and I try to give them a great experience by offering Thursday night talks in the park during the month of August, in which we chat, answer questions, feed the runners watermelon and give away free ASICS stuff.  We also have a few races throughout the summer months that our local running club, High Sierra Striders, organizes.  For visitors wishing to join in on their team practices, they meet every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and welcome runners of all ages to join them.  It is my greatest wish that the positive experience here gives these student-athletes  some success, but moreover has them yearning to make Mammoth "home" some day.