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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
My favorite bits of this memoir were the statistical analyses - where Fleshman intertwines her own experience in sport and coaching with the numbers about how many girls drop out of athletics during puberty, and how professional athletes of different genders are treated by brands. The statistics started fading out as the memoir continued, which was a little disappointing.
Near the end there was a lot of commentary on sports fashion/clothing brands, which felt more like easy promo for the brand that she works with and an easy way to diss Nike, rather than meaningful or enriching content that one might want to include in a memoir.
Overall, I appreciated the insight into women in sport. I've never been into fitness myself (until recently - in case you missed all the sports novels and memoirs I'm reading lately ;)), but I have always been into feminism, and this was a nice introductory foray into feminism in sport.
Near the end there was a lot of commentary on sports fashion/clothing brands, which felt more like easy promo for the brand that she works with and an easy way to diss Nike, rather than meaningful or enriching content that one might want to include in a memoir.
Overall, I appreciated the insight into women in sport. I've never been into fitness myself (until recently - in case you missed all the sports novels and memoirs I'm reading lately ;)), but I have always been into feminism, and this was a nice introductory foray into feminism in sport.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
This hits close to home and is a must read for every woman, man, coach, runner, family member, human being.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Cried, laughed, felt. Stayed up past my bedtime reading. One of the most evocative books I’ve read.
Outstanding. I started running when I was 8, for a Brownie badge ("jogging"). I developed an eating disorder at 12, which I struggled with through my mid-20s, and which seriously curtailed my running success. I've read some other reader reviews that are critical of the ED content (saying it's a "how-to" guide). I couldn't disagree more. Lauren goes to considerable lengths to *not* make this a "how-to" manual - which as someone in my 40s in recovery, I noted and appreciated. As an author she made careful decisions on what she sensitively and thoughtfully chose to present and include about her own story (and if it hadn't been presented this way, I'd have abandoned the book). I have followed Lauren's career for many years and didn't know large parts of these struggles, both physical and mental. I'm glad she is using her platform to advocate for larger change. Her book is coming out at a time when so many others (Alison Mariella Desir, Kara Goucher) are as well, which will echo and reinforce some of the toxic behaviors that have long been present and tolerated throughout the industry. I am hopeful the disruptors will continue to force change.
Great read even if you're not into running. Many "aha" and "hmm" moments while listening.
I think this will be the year of professional runner memoirs as this one was just released and Kara Goucher and Des Lindon also have books coming out soon, and I am super pumped. I listened to the audio version of this book and finished it in less than 2 days. Granted I cry easily, but I was crying in both the triumphs and downswings. In the acknowledgments Lauren describes the help she got as far as writing and I think all that work paid off because she had such a strong, emotional, vulnerable, and consistent narrative. I highly recommend!
I devoured this book. It's shockingly relatable for writing coming from one of the greatest runners in the world. This manages to drive home some real concerns about how female athletes were and continue to be treated in the collegiate and professional setting - not to mention their representation in media. There's also a message about the need to continue to lift up other female athletes and to bond together with people that may have been or are currently our 'competition'. As a recreational trail runner, I have no illusions about being an Olympian, but this book is not only for people with Olympic dreams. It's for every athlete who doubts their ability to reach their goals while staying healthy. It's for everyone who has been told 'you don't look like a runner' or struggled with an injury. There's an emphasis on how living a full life (healthy relationship, family, friendship, business ventures) will boost your mental health and ultimately your performance - no longer the need to tunnel vision your athletic goals. Which is relatable to everyone, you don't need to give up everything to hit your own goals and in fact doing so will only make it harder to reach them. I genuinely hope that major athletic corporations and governing bodies take note of the major adjustments needed for safe sport