Strong: A Runner's Guide to Boosting Confidence and Becoming the Best Version of You Flexibound – August 14, 2018

Great book for runners to track.

This book is incredible. I was sucked into it right away with Kara's honesty and genuine way of writing. This book is super easy to read and easy to follow! It is perfect for empowering any runner, not just women runners. She covers many topics that aren't easy to talk about with runners-failure, fear, doubt, disappointment and how to overcome them all. I love how it includes self-reflecting questions and areas to write your answers-that way I always can refer back to them! The exercises in the book are wonderful--super easy to follow and easy steps to take. I was just so impressed at the openness of Kara in this book and the very doable confidence exercises that are currently have already helped me as an avid marathon runner with my many running goals. Highly recommend this book with it's many helpful and wonderful takeaways!

I've always been a pretty positive runner, yet I've never been a super serious athlete either. I'm more of an ultrarunner who slows down so i can keep on talking to my best friend. This book really took me inside Kara's mind and her journey and helped me see how often we can struggle when surrounded by so much pressure to succeed. She's an amazing runner and is a true inspiration for me! The journal is a great accountability tool and one that I am enjoying using as I train to run the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim. Eventually the body will tire out, yet the mind can keep me going strong thanks to this book.

I bought “Strong” by Kara Goucher because we have two runners in our household of seven. I was going to put the book on the coffee table, to inspire my 11-year-old and 18-year-old grandsons to train harder. It is a beautiful book that will draw them to pick it up and browse because of the velour feel to the cover, the unusual dimensions of 6-1/2” x 7-1/2”, and the gorgeous photography.But I think I’m going to claim the book as my own and (maybe) share it with the boys on occasion. I am a musician, have been playing and performing since I was 15 (and I am now 72), but I still have an issue with self-confidence. I have never gotten over feeling nervous when I am faced with an audience expecting to hear something amazing, and because of this – I tend to avoid performance opportunities.This book contains page after page of practical tips about how to build self-confidence. Actually, I think the title should be “Confidence” instead of “Strong.” I have always been a list-maker, and make extensive lists of the goals I want to reach. Goucher applauds this, but encourages us to also create a confidence journal. Running, like performing musically, is a head game. Runners and musicians both tend to think things like, “I’m not ready for this.” “Everyone here is better than me.” “What was I thinking when I took on this race/performance.”With a confidence journal, we can change our negative self-talk to confidence boosting statements, focusing on the positive. The book provides space to begin doing this, with leading questions by Kara to get you started. I recommend this book for anyone who may lack self-confidence, whether for running or another chosen field.

I’m a fan of Kara Goucher, however, this book did not appeal to me. I feel that, as others have noted, younger runners would benefit from this book the most. The layout & design are visually stimulating but there is not much content. I like Voucher’s ideas but would like much, much more.

Quick read, lower level than I expected, good information, but very basic

This is not a straight up reading book, but a work-through With training for your own journal. I found a lot of the exercises very helpful as I struggle a lot with being "enough" (like the words on Kara's shirt on the cover).You work through subjects like:•Positive self talk•Setting goals•Enclothed cognition•Power Pose and•Visualization techniques(among other subjects) for a well-rounded confidence plan that is guaranteed to succeed if you keep up with it.This book can apply to so many situations in life, not just running, and is a great asset for the female in any family.

I'm a runner, and have been for about a year and a half now, and Kara Goucher was one of the elites who's story has been truly inspiring to me. Something about Kara's sincerity, honesty, and ability to face her struggles head-on and share what she's learned is just special. Strong is essentially all of that condensed into a book, in the best way. Honesty for the sake of helping and inspiring not just other runners but other women. I highly recommend the book to runners and non-runners alike! Anyone who wants to grow, pick up this book. It'll be worth your while.

Super motivating, not a bio or anything if that’s what you’re looking for - more o a journal

First off, this isn’t your typical ‘self help’ book and all the better for it. Presented in the only way Kara knows how - with honesty, sincerity and integrity, it’s a compelling read. Written for women, but as I can confirm, it’s a fantastic guide for anyone fighting their self doubt demon. It’s not heavy going, in fact refreshingly easy to read as it doesn’t get bogged down in the details of psychology. This book will be a brilliant tool to help build a solid foundation for confidence, both in and out of running. With some interesting contributions and excerpts from Kara’s own confidence journal, it’s a great read and gives you a real insight into a pro runners mind, and how you too can use these techniques to become a better you.

love this book and the pictures Inside of it. Empowering when feeling low.

An incredible read! Great reading and self reflection mix! I couldn’t be happier with this! It’s really inspired me to change my personal mindset and goals on running.

Good