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

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 it’s 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 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. (Liz Plosser, Editor-in-Chief Women’s Health)

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. (Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner and New York Times bestselling author)

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, journalist and author, regular contributor to Runner’s World)

Goucher isn’t just one of the most recognizable runners in America; she may be the best at cultivating a fan base. (Runner’s World)

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

“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.” (Kara Goucher)