Girls Running: All You Need to Strive, Thrive, and Run Your Best

by Melody Fairchild, Elizabeth Carey

Overview

Running can shape a young athlete in healthy, positive ways for the rest of her life.

Girls Running offers the guidance and tools girls need to thrive on their running journey, right from the start. With straight talk on training, physiology, menstruation, sports nutrition, a winning mindset, body image issues, gear, team-building, and competition, Girls Running educates and empowers young runners to achieve their potential and love running more.

Inspired by high-school phenom Melody Fairchild’s groundbreaking running journey, and with the coaching insight from Fairchild and coauthor Elizabeth Carey, Girls Running is a valuable toolkit for middle- and high-school runners. Backed by science, research, and over 100,000 miles of experience, this resource answers the most timely and sensitive questions that girls face when their bodies change and the miles increase. Girls, parents, and coaches will see ways to navigate puberty, mental health, eating disorders, and the pressures of competitive running.

Girls Running is a go-to guide for everything girls need to know to run better and love the journey while doing it!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781948007184
Publisher:	VeloPress
Publication date:	08/11/2020
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	544,920
Product dimensions:	5.75(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Melody Fairchild’s domination as a high school running “phenom” expanded the horizon for an entire generation of girls who followed in her footsteps. Her career highlights include: two-time national Footlocker cross-country champion and current course record holder, bronze medalist at the Junior World cross-country championships, 8-time Colorado state champion and state record holder in the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters, NCAA All-American in track and cross-country, NCAA 3,000-meter indoors champion, two-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the 10K and marathon, and U.S. World Track and Field Championships team member. Today, Melody directs the Boulder Mountain Warriors Youth Running Club and is founder of the Melody Fairchild’s Girls Running Camp, which gives ‘tween and teen runners the skills to thrive in running in high school, college, and beyond. She has coached youth running programs for nearly 20 years. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Elizabeth Carey is a writer and running coach. Her work has been published in the New York Times, Runner’s World, Trail Runner, DyeStat, and PodiumRunner. Her running journey started in 1999 on the Cleveland High School track team in Oregon. She ran Division I cross-country and track for Columbia University and has coached at all levels of the sport. She explores trail and ultrarunning in Seattle, Washington, where she lives with her husband.

Editorial Reviews

It didn’t take long into reading Girls Running to realize how much I wish I had been introduced to this book as a young athlete, and how so many aspects resonate with me now as a professional athlete. It’s all-encompassing with the information it provides on both the physical and mental realm of running, while also providing moments for reflection to process the information on a personal level. A fantastically informative and relatable read no matter what part of your journey as a runner (or triathlete) you are on.

Katie Zaferes

Girls Running is the perfect guide for young female runners at any level to learn how to make the most of the running journey. From nutrition, to the mental side of competition, to celebrating all the female body can do, this book is a resource all young athletes should have.

Courtney Frerichs

As a youth star herself, Melody provides a great and inspiring perspective that all youth athletes can learn from. I enjoyed the book and her story. Thanks for sharing your journey!

Jordan Hasay

Girls Running is a very timely book for young women and girls who want to make running a healthy, fun, and meaningful part of their lives. The book provides a great balance of information regarding training, nutrition, mindfulness, and both physical and mental exercises for young and engaging minds.

Joan Benoit Samuelson

Girls Running gives young athletes a perspective into how to achieve long-term success and happiness by covering a wide range of topics such as how to fuel properly, have a positive body image, be a team player, and have a growth mindset.

Karissa Schweizer

I wish I had this amazing book when I was younger, but the next best thing is getting to read it now. Girls Running deftly weaves together stories and lessons for female athletes, simultaneously lifting me up and lighting my fire. The book empowers me as a coach, athlete, and human.

Megan Roche

08/01/2020

Gr 7 Up—This comprehensive guide discusses how young girls can cultivate a healthy relationship with running. Written by two highly accomplished cross country coaches, the text covers training, workouts, nutrition, and gear. What sets the book apart from other running manuals is its detailed information on how puberty, hormones, and the menstrual cycle impact the performance of still-growing athletes. The authors emphasize that teens need to tune in to their bodies to figure out what foods and exercises will help them function at their best. They advocate for self-compassion, assuring readers that all bodies are different and there is no one type of "runner's body." A chapter on eating disorders shares available resources. A chapter devoted to mental and emotional health explains how to maintain a positive mindset and utilize mindfulness techniques to stay calm during competitions. A section on the history of women runners covers Title IX and how inequity still exists between male and female athletes in terms of access to funding and resources. Back matter includes a glossary and a bibliography. VERDICT This detailed guide will help young runners take proper care of their bodies and minds so they can succeed in an empowering sport that encourages both individual achievement and team spirit. A welcome addition to school and public libraries.—Amy Duffy, Chicago P.L.

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