The delight we take in predicting the  “dark horse” or an “underdog” is a pastime that almost every sports fan revels in. Emotions, hunches, and guesses are forever being created and spotlighted around new athletes, and when it comes to the marathon, the distance is sometimes disrespected and we tend to overlook PRs, credentials, and overall fact.

Now this is in no way trying to deflate the momentum of the athletes debuting at the trails (Jesse's underdog article is a must read), but simply ensure that the track world gives proper respect to our most distinguished veterans.  Deena Kastor is afterall, the American Record holder in the marathon and has a 2004 Bronze medal around her neck. Facts are facts, Deena has a marathon PR that is more than six minutes faster than any other women in the field.(Not counting Boston) Six minutes, that is more than a mile ahead at womens marathon pace. Oh, did we mention that she is the reigning Olympic trials champion? In 2008 Deena never panicked and ran her own race. We watched Magda cruise ahead and Kastor sat back until mile 10, when she launched her attack and steadily cut down the field and the gap, cruising to a win in 2:29.35

Watch more video of 2008 Womens Oly Marathon Trials on flotrack.org

Forget the marathon, Deena is also has the AR in the half marathon at 1:07.34, and is a two time runner up in World Cross!

So why is Deena not proclaimed as a “favorite” among running circles? Because sports is, and always will be a “what have you done for me lately?” environment. When you really look at it, Deena has not entered a race firing on all cylinders since well, the 2008 trials. In 2010 Deena , Andrew and Deena announced that they were pregnant with their first child. Piper Kastor was born March 2011 and with Deena being 36, most wondered how one of America’s greatest female runners would respond.

This Fall, Deena has returned to the road and is clearly all business when it comes to making her 4th Olympic squad. A quick 5k dabble on the roads of NYC, and a win in the L.A. half in 1:11.48 have shown that she has adapted to her new life and is ready for Jan 14.

I wonder what goes through the minds of Shalane and Desiree when they hear the name Deena Kastor. In just over a week we will get to see the trials showdown take place and to count Mrs. Kastor out would be a grave mistake for any would be challengers