I was a freshman at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1997 – the same year that Adam Goucher was a senior and shattering all kinds of cross country records. I wasn’t a runner yet back then or I would have paid more attention to what exactly was going on. But I do distinctly remember seeing Adam’s name and face on the front page of the school newspaper quite often that year. I remember thinking that he must be a big deal to get so much press. (It wasn’t until many years later when I read Running with the Buffaloes that I really knew the whole story of what happened that year.)
Fast forward four years and there was a new runner that I kept hearing about. Her name was Kara Grgas-Wheeler. By this time I WAS a runner, so I was paying a little more attention to the running scene at CU and around Boulder. It turns out she was in my graduating class, and I remember thinking that I should keep an eye out for her name because she was going to make it big. Kara Grgas-Wheeler would go on to marry Adam and become Kara Goucher – the now world-famous runner who just ran the marathon in the London Olympics.
Kara has been my idol for several years for so many reasons. While I won’t get into that now (because this is not a post about Kara), I will just say that both Kara and Adam are huge inspirations to me. I have never met either half of the running power-couple, but they both seem like genuinely nice, warm-hearted people.
There are two authors of Running the Edge and while I certainly don’t mean any disrespect or mean to ignore Tim Catalano, the fact is simply that I don’t know much about him other than he ran cross-country at CU, where he met and befriended Adam. Both Tim and Adam are amazing runners who know a great deal about the sport. So needless to say, when Tim offered to send me a copy of Running the Edge to review, I was ecstatic. It’s actually been on my reading list for quite a while now, but it’s one of those things that I just haven’t gotten around to. No particular reason, other than life.
Okay, okay…on to the book!
Anyone who has met me or knows the story behind my coaching business knows that I am a huge believer in mixing psychology with running. The tagline to my business (She Runs Strong) is “Empowering Women through Running” because the way I coach combines running coaching with life coaching. I strongly believe that running can help people in every aspect of life, from family to career to personal crises. And the thought of writing a book has in fact crossed my mind before. The one flaw here is that I do not have a psychology degree – just personal experience.
It turns out that Tim Catalano DOES have a psychology degree and this book is the perfect blend of running and psychology. Running the Edge is exactly what I preach to my clients and typically anyone else who will listen. Tim and Adam talk in depth about six attributes that most runners possess (initiative, adaptability, integrity, responsibility, determination, and person-ability) and then extend those discussions into how we can use these attributes to transform other areas of our lives. There are exercises for the reader to complete within each of these areas, as well as personal stories from both Tim and Adam sprinkled throughout the book.
Overall, the book is a great read and one that I think every runner can relate to and benefit from. It makes you stop and ponder the different areas of your life, what could use improving, what you need to do to improve it, and what you are already doing right. Like I said, it’s the perfect mix of running meets psychology/self-help.
My favorite parts of the book, however, are the personal stories that Adam and Tim tell. So often, we have the tendency to put athletes like them on a pedestal and think that they are untouchable and flawless. It’s so refreshing to hear personal stories from them about the setbacks they’ve had and the hardships they have had to overcome for them to be where they are today. It makes them human, real, and relatable.
And the best part is that Tim and Adam have given me a SIGNED copy of Running the Edge to give away! It’s the brand-new revised version, so you’ll be one of the first to read it! To enter for a chance to win the book, simply leave me a comment in the comments section of this blog entry. The contest will close Wednesday, August 29th 2012 at 5:00 pm Arizona time. One entry per person, and I will draw the winner at random.
Great review Ashley! I’m always proud of fellow Buffs!
Hope they come to Boston Expo, would be fun to meet them.
Hi, I’m Megan flint from Vermont and I love running and I’m inpired by these amazing running:)
Your review of the book is great. It sounds like something I could use to get myself back on track. This is my fourth marathon season and finding it a bit more difficult to get mental and physical in alignment, especially when dealing with balance with family. Been searching for something to help me get my mind back in line with my goals…something to inspire me…this may do the trick.
This book sounds awesome! I can’t wait to read it:)
Would love to win the book. I bought the first edition for college runner, but she is 2000 miles away so we cannot share. Thank you
Sept will be one year that i started running..I’ve been a cyclist (recreation) for years and have found running to be not only demanding but addicting…you really begin to discover parts of yourself that you never knew existed. When i started i couldNTT make it around the block now I’m one week from running my first half marathon….whooda thunk!
I just found your fb page and blog. Looking forward to read your posts!
Just found your FB Page and blog through the Running the Edge site. Hope I’m the lucky one to win the book! And I look forward to your inspiration and motivation.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book! Ready to get into another great running book after just finishing “Born to Run”. So much inspiration out there!
Great blog. Ready to win the book:)
I would love the chance to win the book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for the great review! I really want to read this one!
Hope I win.
Awesome review. Kara is my ultimate running idol, and I love Adam and Tim’s blog. I can’t wait to get my paws on this book!!
I ran across this book recently…. haha, pun intended!… and it is definitely on my list to read. I would love to win it!
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing, Ashley!
Would love to read this book and be honored to have a signed copy. Running has been my greatest teacher– friend and foe… it has been a reflection of my well being. Loved the quote in the trailer/promotion on You Tube: “When I am a running, I am chasing a better me and creating a better tomorrow. I breathe in hope and exhale worry. Despair can’t catch me. When I am running I am free.”
Would love to win this book. I am about to turn 60 and I would love to run in a marathon. I have been walking/jogging to get into shape and would like to step it up a notch.
Small world! Nice review & I would love to win a copy. I’m always interested in what the athletes are really going through that as a spectator are unable to see. I also believe the psychological parallel between running & our lives. You can learn a lot about someone by their fitness pattern.
Thanks for the review. I will put this book on my reading list.
Great blog! This give-away has brought attention to a very deserving blogger. Ashley is very impressive! As much as I would love a copy of Running the Edge I will also enjoy this blog-win/win!!!
Thanks, Kathy!
Love your blog. As a four-time cancer survivor and marathon & ultra runner, I’ve found that all women run strong… on and off the road.