Kara Goucher had dreams of Olympic glory, excelling in running despite facing significant challenges, including her father's death and struggles with disordered eating. She achieved notable success, winning high school cross country championships in Minnesota and NCAA titles at the University of Colorado, leading to a sponsorship deal with Nike. Alberto Salazar, a legendary figure in American distance running, was hired by Nike to create a team to restore the U.S. as a distance running powerhouse. In 2004, Kara and her husband, Adam, were invited to join Salazar's elite team in Oregon, a seemingly perfect opportunity. However, Salazar's charming exterior concealed dark secrets; he was narcissistic and power-hungry, exerting complete control over his runners while pushing the boundaries of anti-doping rules and fostering a culture of abuse. In this powerful narrative, Kara bravely confronts these issues, ultimately becoming a key witness in Salazar's lifetime ban from coaching and advocating for female athletes. She shares her journey of overcoming fear, reclaiming control over her life and career, and rediscovering her passion for running, making it a compelling call to action.
Kara Goucher Books


Running for Women
- 302 pages
- 11 hours of reading
GET FIT, GET FAST, AND GO FARTHER WITH OLYMPIC RUNNER KARA GOUCHER’S COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO RUNNING FOR WOMEN KARA GOUCHER is crazy, madly, head-over-heels in love with running, and she wants to help you feel that love, too. Whether you’re just getting started or already a seasoned runner, this is the book that will take you to the next level. Kara Goucher’s Running for Women contains her expertise, tips, and tricks targeted specifically at female runners to help you become a better, happier, healthier, and more fulfilled runner. She’ll teach you how to: • GET STARTED WITH THE RIGHT GEAR • BUILD A SUCCESSFUL SUPPORT TEAM • FIND THE RIGHT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOU • OVERCOME PSYCHOLOGICAL SETBACKS • BALANCE RUNNING WITH FAMILY AND WORK • AND MUCH MORE Designed to fit your busy lifestyle, Kara Goucher’s Running for Women is packed with quick tips, pearls of running wisdom, and sample training schedules and nutrition plans, as well as sections dedicated to running during and after pregnancy, managing the special challenges of the female athlete’s body, and maintaining a balance between sporting and family life. Kara Goucher’s Running for Women is the ultimate guide for women who want to train for the gold or simply discover their personal best.