6/2/11
8 miles easy / 1:14 / 9:15 avg pace (little too fast for an easy run)
I was thrilled when Kara Goucher came out with a running book. I’m a huge fan was hoping the book would share some of her training tips. But then again why would she share them? She’s got lots of competition and training is probably kept hush hush. Her blog doesn’t even reveal that much.
Anyway, I knew the book was geared towards beginners but I bought it anyway and read it on the way home from Ireland. Hmmmm. Well…let’s start positive with what I actually liked.
* I think if you are a beginner you can definitely benefit from this book. She does have all the classic running tips listed out and easy to read.
* I did like when she shared some of her personal stories: emotional eating and subsequent weight gain while she was injured and her decision about when to get pregnant. It made her seem…human! I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to give anything away.
* I did like her advice on running while pregnant (she did dispel some myths).
What I didn’t like…
* The Q&A sections. I swear they were written by my 16-year-old niece (no offense, Catherine). I like a cute boy in my running club, what should I do? Should I wear make-up when I run? I’m paraphrasing of course, but I felt like I was 16 again, reading Seventeen magazine! I could do without the make-up tips.
* Like I said before, I wished she would have shared more personal stories.
Overall, I give it 2.5 out of 5. And I’m still a Kara Goucher fan 🙂
I’m reading Born To Run now and so far, so good. I’m really amazed that I like it as much as I do.
Did you read Kara’s book? What did you think?
I felt the same way about Kara’s book! There were some good take-aways, but overall it was a little too basic for me.
I LOVED Born to Run!
And I’m naked running with Chris McDougall, the Born to Run author, this weekend. 🙂 (see my recent blog entry for details; unfortunately not quite as exciting as it sounds!) 🙂
You must bring your camera and get pictures!
I felt the same way, the questions were a bit 17 magazine. Still obsessed with Kara!
I haven’t read it, but I’ve heard it doesn’t have much revolutionary stuff in there, so I’ll wait until it comes out in the library.
Who wears make up to run? Seriously!
Hmmm, that doesn’t really make me want to buy the book, maybe I’ll look for someone to let me borrow it. Thanks for the review tho, I was tempted to get it cuz everyone else was and now I can save the money for something else.
Heard good things about After the Last PR. Will you be reviewing Kristin Armstrong’s book? I’m totally loving it. (Thanks again!)
I’ll add it to the list! Just checked out After the Last PR — looks so good. My pile of running books to read is out of control.
Can we have a virtual book club? I just started Born to Run too. Let’s chat about it when we are done!
Yes! Absolutely!
Thanks for the review! You confirmed what I was thinking that it is geared toward beginners which is the only reason I haven’t read it yet. I would like to read it eventually though. I started Born to Run awhile ago but just couldn’t get into it. Hopefully I’ll finish it someday…
I have it — just flip through it from time to time. I think its good for that. Good for motivatio and advice when you need it!!
Love Matt Fitzgerald’s “Run: The Mind-Body Method of Running By Feel” — highly recommend!
I’ll have to add that one to my list!