The Trail Forward

From Boston Marathon winner and New York Times bestselling author Des Linden, a collection of essays exploring how we navigate life's biggest transitions through the lens of her running career

For much of her career, Des Linden wanted one thing above all else: to be a Boston Marathon champion. In 2018, she achieved her goal. Now, as she approaches retirement from competitive running, her longtime mantra, keep showing up, is at odds with what she must do—let go.

In The Trail Forward, Linden reflects on transitions, changes, and the ways we adapt to them in a series of humorous, inspiring, and deeply personal essays. Covering topics like Des's first taste of the historic Western States 100 course, her multiday and 150-mile journey across the Sahara at the Marathon de Sables, experiencing a lighthearted RunDisney race, and the life and loss of her beloved dog, The Trail Forward lets readers into the most vulnerable and relatable parts of the life of a world-class runner.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs