Strong: A Runner's Guide to Boosting Confidence and Becoming the Best Version of You

by Kara Goucher, Blue Star Press (Produced by)

Overview

The New York Times bestselling author of The Longest Race shares her secrets to conquering self-doubt and improving performance in this empowering self-confidence guide

Selected as an all-time favorite running book by the readers of Women's Running magazine.

Mental conditioning is an important part of any athlete’s training regimen. In Strong: A Runner’s Guide to Boosting Confidence and Becoming the Best Version of You, two-time Olympian and New York Times bestselling author Kara Goucher opens up about her personal struggles with confidence and offers readers her best techniques for overcoming self-doubt so you can stay focused on your daily training routine and better mentally prepare for a race or your whatever you’re hoping to accomplish.

This comprehensive guide to developing confidence includes:
• Stories from Kara’s career and glimpses inside her personal confidence journal
• Confidence Techniques and Guided Activities to incorporate into your own training, including: Positive Self Talk, Mantra, Setting Goals, Enclothed Cognition, Power Pose, Visualization Techniques, Power Words, and Social Connections.
• Insights from inspiring women in the field of running and other Olympic athletes
• Tools to start your own Kara-style confidence journal, with over 25 prompts to get you going

In addition to Goucher’s best tips and techniques, Strong also shares the real-life experiences of fellow athletes, including Olympians Emma Coburn and Molly Huddle ,and New York Times best-selling author Robin Arzón. The book also provides perspective from two experts in the field of sport psychology, including Kara's own sport psychologist, Dr. Stephen Walker.

"Strong is the ultimate guide to dreaming big and reaching your goals whether that's qualifying for the Boston Marathon or scoring the big promotion at work."
—Liz Plosser Editor-in-Chief, Women's Health

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781944515591
Publisher:	Blue Star Press
Publication date:	08/14/2018
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	653,713
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Kara Goucher is a professional runner, inspirational mentor, proud mother, and loving wife. A three-time Division I NCAA track champion, a two-time Olympian, an American record holder, World Championships silver medalist, and one of the most accomplished female distance runners of all time, Kara is an inspiration to people everywhere, and an advocate for clean sport and women’s rights.

Read an Excerpt

Kara’s Example Journal Entries:

I STRUGGLED THE LAST TWO TIMES I’VE RUN HERE. But today, I nailed it. I was surprised by how fast and relaxed I was running the last four miles. Fought the urge to panic and slow down. Great overall average, great day.

Horrible, horrible wind. Did not hit the paces I wanted, but still knocked out a solid workout. I’m definitely getting stronger.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction:

Meet Kara - Meet The Contributors - Preface - Intro

2. Confidence Techniques:

Mantra - Visualization - Social Connections - Setting Goals - Power Pose - Enclothed Cognition - Power Words - Positive Self Talk

3. Confidence Essays

Molly Huddle - Emma Coburn - Sally Bergesen - Robin Arzon - Christy Turlington Burns-Mary Wittenberg

4. Your Confidence Journal
5. Acknowledgements
6. References

Interviews

“ I like to keep a confidence journal. Every night after I write in my training log, I also write a sentence or two in my confidence journal about my run for that day. It might be something like, “felt great today and surprised myself by finishing my mile repeats much faster than expected.” Or it could be something like, “felt terrible today. Was way off pace but somehow found the strength to finish the workout.” It’s a way to find something positive from every single day of training. Then, the week of and night before a big race, I can look through my confidence journal and remind myself that I am ready to be on the starting line. Not only do I remind myself of all the hard workouts I nailed, but I also remind myself of all the times I fought through bad days and still found a small victory. Reviewing this journal has been super helpful in calming my nerves and gaining confidence when I go to race. It has made a huge difference in my mental preparation.”

Editorial Reviews

"With Strong, Kara Goucher elevates the athlete memoir, providing readers with more than just compelling anecdotes, but techniques we can apply to our own lives. In doing so, she becomes our coach, our champion—someone not just to admire, but to emulate. I love, love, love this book. It's intimate yet emboldening, aspirational yet useful. Strong is the perfect training companion. Thank you, Kara, for sharing these lessons with us."
— Sheila Monaghan, Editor-In-Chief, Furthermore from Equinox

"High-achieving women in any field can find themselves drained as they try to outrace self-doubt. Kara Goucher offers techniques and tools for sustainability over the long haul, whether itʼs distance running or a different kind of professional goal."
— Bonnie D. Ford, Senior Writer, ESPN.com

"Equal parts inspiration and tactical advice that you can put into place immediately, Strong is the ultimate guide to dreaming big and reaching your goals—whether thatʼs qualifying for the Boston Marathon or scoring the big promotion at work. Iʼve admired Karaʼs luminous energy, grace, grit and many running accomplishments from afar for many years. Coach and author are natural roles for her: There is no better person to encourage you to power onwards and upwards with confidence."
— Liz Plosser, Editor-in-Chief Womenʼs Health

"Kara Goucher is someone Iʼve looked up to and admired for many years, not just because of her extraordinary running prowess and athleticism, but because of the difficulties sheʼs overcome and the grace in which sheʼs conducted her life. The principles Kara outlines in Strong are universal and can help anyone improve and get better, regardless of age or ability. Strong has both helped and inspired me, and Iʼm sure it will do the same for you."
— Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner and New York Times bestselling author

"Itʼs easy to assume that a two-time Olympian like Kara Goucher was just born confident, but itʼs reassuring to learn that itʼs taken years of discipline to achieve the kind of mental strength that has led her to the highest levels of sport, as well as extraordinary success outside of competition. Through lively anecdotes, Kara gives tangible techniques that all of us can implement in our personal quests for improved confidence—in running and in our daily lives, too. Strong is inspirational, motivational, and most importantly, itʼs a practical guide for stoking our self-belief."
— Erin Strout, journalist and author, regular contributor to Runner ʼs World

Goucher isnʼt just one of the most recognizable runners in America; she may be the best at cultivating a fan base.
— Runner ʼs World

"Ms. Goucher has helped ignite a recent resurgence in American womenʼs distance running."
— The Wall Street Journal

"I believe that most runners—both amateur and professional—can struggle with self-confidence. It's really interesting to learn about the power of our minds and to think how mental strength and well-being can impact performance. Kara's book has inspired me to work with my mind more often, and I will continue to come back to these words by Kara and her collaborators. This is truly an amazing book that will make you stronger not only as a runner but also as a person." 
— Emelie Forsberg, professional ultramarathoner and author of Sky Runner

From the Publisher

I believe that most runners—both amateur and professional—can struggle with self-confidence. It's really interesting to learn about the power of our minds and to think how mental strength and well-being can impact performance. Kara's book has inspired me to work with my mind more often, and I will continue to come back to these words by Kara and her collaborators. This is truly an amazing book that will make you stronger not only as a runner but also as a person.

professional ultramarathoner and author of Sky Run Emelie Forsberg

Ms. Goucher has helped ignite a recent resurgence in American women’s distance running.

The Wall Street Journal

It’s easy to assume that a two-time Olympian like Kara Goucher was just born confident, but it’s reassuring to learn that it’s taken years of discipline to achieve the kind of mental strength that has led her to the highest levels of sport, as well as extraordinary success outside of competition. Through lively anecdotes, Kara gives tangible techniques that all of us can implement in our personal quests for improved confidence—in running and in our daily lives, too. Strong is inspirational, motivational, and most importantly, it’s a practical guide for stoking our self-belief.

Erin Strout

Kara Goucher is someone I’ve looked up to and admired for many years, not just because of her extraordinary running prowess and athleticism, but because of the difficulties she’s overcome and the grace in which she’s conducted her life. The principles Kara outlines in Strong are universal and can help anyone improve and get better, regardless of age or ability. Strong has both helped and inspired me, and I’m sure it will do the same for you.

ultramarathoner and New York Times bestselling aut Dean Karnazes

Equal parts inspiration and tactical advice that you can put into place immediately, Strong is the ultimate guide to dreaming big and reaching your goals—whether that’s qualifying for the Boston Marathon or scoring the big promotion at work. I’ve admired Kara’s luminous energy, grace, grit and many running accomplishments from afar for many years. Coach and author are natural roles for her: There is no better person to encourage you to power onwards and upwards with confidence.

Editor-in-Chief Women’s Health Liz Plosser

High-achieving women in any field can find themselves drained as they try to outrace self-doubt. Kara Goucher offers techniques and tools for sustainability over the long haul, whether it’s distance running or a different kind of professional goal.

Bonnie D. Ford

With Strong , Kara Goucher elevates the athlete memoir, providing readers with more than just compelling anecdotes, but techniques we can apply to our own lives. In doing so, she becomes our coach, our champion—someone not just to admire, but to emulate. I love, love, love this book. It's intimate yet emboldening, aspirational yet useful. Strong is the perfect training companion. Thank you, Kara, for sharing these lessons with us.

Sheila Monaghan