Runner biographies: Kara Goucher got me thinking

suzie favor hamilton, who did write a book

I’m sure one or two of the sprinters from 1968 who were involved in the racial equality movement could be interesting studies for an individual biography. Lee Evans, Tommie Smith, guys like that. There’s a couple of good books out there on them as a collective unit, including “The Track in the Forest” about the 1968 Echo Summit Trials, which focuses on the sprinters but also touches on everyone who was on that Olympic team or tried out, so you get appearances by the likes of Jim Ryun and Billy Mills (who failed to qualify) as well.

You're probably right that most elite runners have a fairly ordinary story of being middle class, being the fastest runner on the soccer team, being convinced to try track, etc etc etc. Kara Goucher might be more interesting than you might guess, I understand her father died early and her upbringing wasn’t exactly smooth sailing? (Goucher is actually her third different surname in her life if I remember right, which is a sign that something out of the ordinary was happening in her life).

Goucher has a book coming out??? Being perfectly honest, she’s overrated to a very high level. Broke 2:25 once, I believe. Medaled in a weak WC 10,000 field (proof: see the Olympic results a year later). Not sure what you mean by “medals”?

Sorry mate, I don’t understand the obsession and I have the right to my opinion.

Shalane is a WAY more accomplished runner!

Read the book on Bill Rodgers, my wife just bought it for me. Considering his era, he was quite the runner and did amazing things. Lack of a medal does not disqualify him as not having an autobiography worth reading. Look at when he truly started training and racing competitively and see where he got to…I truly didn’t know until I read his story.

Carry on mate

I feel the same bout Desi Linden's upcoming book.

All of these books have similar arcs.

Found out they were good at running at a young age

College was hard than I thought but found some success

Got a pro contract but toils away for a while until they "find" their pro even

Some good races, national champs, etc but lacking the big prize

Almost quit

Then wins the big race

Throw in a few quirky facts "I like burbon!", "I'm a blue collar runner"

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I did like Nick Symmonds book because he wasn't a D1 product.

A book about Joe Vigil with the athletes he coached would be cool

I also enjoy running biographies. But to me, the criteria does not have to be a great runner, but it can be the story they tell. For instance, I recently read '1972', by Steve Bence. Although I never heard of him, he was in a great situation being at Oregon while Pre was there and at the start of BRS/Nike. So his story and subsequent employment with Nike was a wonderful read. Another fantastic read was 'Wannabe Distant God' by Timothy Tays. I loved his story of always trying to be a national class road warrior, but always being just a little behind. Two books I could not get into, were the Browning Ross book and the Haile Gebrasalasie story.

The analogy I can think of is of a great professional player becoming a coach and not succeeding. Their natural talent didn't make them work that extra amount to be great. Nothing to really overcome. Hence, they fail at coaching. Same with a great runner trying to tell his story. If it was just a straight rise to the top, what are they telling. Will it be just a journal of training and racing? I want to read about Anne Audain's physical issues ('Uncommon Heart') and how she overcame them, being a woman runner in the 70s and 80s. Those are great stories.

The amateur era simply brought many more interesting characters and life stories to the sport. And I guess there was more general public interest in the athletes as well during the amateur era as well. Look at Yuki Kawauchi as a recent amateur hero when he won Boston and the attention he received when compared to some faceless pro athlete.

Most runners are very boring people, I assume this is because the amount of energy that goes into making it as a pro runner pretty much keeps you from exploring other, more interesting areas of life.

David Goggins has a new book out right now. It’s basically part of the SHAM( self help and actualization) movement.

Big Wave Dave biography would be a great read.

Narcissistic personality disorder

BTW- Should've checked there is a. Book about Vigil

umm have you ever heard of Nikki Hiltz?

I want to get Fleshman's book and Scott Fauble's recap of how he trained for NYC. That would be worth the $.

It'll sell a few thousand copies at the most, and the majority of those bought in bulk by sponsors. Would be mildly amusing to know her financial arrangement with the publisher... if she actually got an advance to write this, or whatever. Someone, somewhere must think a profit can be made here.

You're probably referring to a more current book, but one of my favorite running books is Marathoning by Bill Rodgers from 1982. It's part autobiography, part training manual. It's a great read and would still be applicable today. Bill is not a particularly controversial figure, but that doesn't make him any less interesting to me. I think his story about being a runner, quitting and then returning is fascinating.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Bill at my running club about 20 years ago and he did not disappoint. He was friendly, humble and insightful. Great guy.

Re: Bill Rodgers

"he was quite the runner"

Understatement of the day on LR.

I like Kara and what she tries to stand up for. But I have to agree. I go back to an interview she did about going to see Salazar after leaving college. She said she thought he was a miler or something. That just doesn't sound like someone who knows much about the sport.

This website is so predictable. Only men are interesting!

alternative take.

Publishers don't invest in unique women's stories so they are all cookie cutter.