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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
I loved reading this book, and I thought that Fleshman’s placing her personal story as a collegiate and professional runner in the context of the larger issues related to women’s athletics, from eating disorders to the lack of understanding of women’s bodies to discriminatory contracts, worked really well. She has been a true disruptor, and I especially appreciate the risks she took to challenge the objectification of women in advertising. I don’t know that we think deeply enough about the importance of shifting from catering to the (assumed) male gaze to reflecting women’s internal sense of strength and power. We need more women like Fleshman continuing to fight for that in arenas where it moves the needle. My one problem with the book is that Fleshman seems to want to have her binary and deconstruct it too. The centrality of the male/female dichotomy is established right in the title, and I just wish the book had grappled a bit more directly with the complications of confronting women’s issues in a world where ideas of sex and gender have been dramatically changing. There are references to the particular struggles of non-binary and trans athletes (as well as those of women of color), but the references feel tangential rather than integral.
As a former D1 athlete & someone who loves running, I related to a lot of this and just found it very fascinating. Highly recommend. 4.5 stars rounded up
I started this book thinking it was just about running, and me, not being a runner, didn’t know what to expect. I couldn’t put it down! Its informative, inspiring, and relatable. Will be recommending to everyone I can, and especially those who have are or have a connection with girls and women athletes.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This book was POWERFUL. I don’t use that lightly. Lauren’s stories made me laugh, but many more made me cry. I genuinely believe any woman who is or once was in sports; any person with a girl in sports; or any coach needs to read this book. The messages to girls and women are so important. I remember as a junior in high school, through no ideal or attempt of my own, I lost a lot of weight and my swimming was suffering - feeling like I was swimming through mud. I was so lucky to have parents who noticed and asked the right people (my mom actually worked with a former Olympic swimming medalist) and got me on better track nutrition-wise sending me to school with double lunches and many snacks and increasing our whole grains and protein with dinner. I was also so lucky that my weight was never once discussed in 15 years of almost all male coaches. But the fact that so much is ignored for the “perfect” woman athlete body is so harmful long term. As a former swimmer, a current runner and dietitian meeting with people through all walks of life, and mom of two kids, I feel so empowered by the women who have done the work and paved the way forward; and those continuing to advocate for learning and policies to protect girls and women in the future. Thank you for sharing your story, Lauren.
This book was super well written and captivating. She speaks from experience but also with so much knowledge and expertise on every topic she touches. Super refreshing to be reminded that success doesnt have to look like being an olympian. Find and support success in the small stuff. Also so much shit needs to change around womens running. Lauren has some great ideas in this book but sucks to still see women being blamed for their natural bodies and cycles.
Listened to the audiobook. I love sports memoirs, especially focused on running. As such was incredibly excited to try this book out.
Lauren Fleshman has had an amazing career and accomplished a lot!! She’s very inspiring in that way. That said, I don’t find this book to be inspiring at all. She holds a lot of anger toward many involved in women’s running. Every success she recounted felt wrapped in disappointment and anger.
I think the author spoke about many positive changes that could be made in women’s running. That said, I think a persuasive essay might have been the better format.
I would not recommend this book if you’re looking for a happy running memoir. This not that. However if you are looking for a detailed critique of the sport told through one women’s lens, this could be interesting.
Lauren Fleshman has had an amazing career and accomplished a lot!! She’s very inspiring in that way. That said, I don’t find this book to be inspiring at all. She holds a lot of anger toward many involved in women’s running. Every success she recounted felt wrapped in disappointment and anger.
I think the author spoke about many positive changes that could be made in women’s running. That said, I think a persuasive essay might have been the better format.
I would not recommend this book if you’re looking for a happy running memoir. This not that. However if you are looking for a detailed critique of the sport told through one women’s lens, this could be interesting.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Yesss, this book. I'll never think about the world of sports, especially running, the same. Every running coach, every student athlete, every professional runner should read this book. So much more needs to be done to support female athletes and I just applaud Fleshman for dedicating her life to this work.