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When my friend first told me that Kara Goucher would be at Powell's Bookstore doing a book signing, I couldn't think of a reason NOT to go! I mean, I wasn't going to be running (still resting), it was in the evening so no excuse for not being able to get away without kids, and HELLO, Kara Goucher! Enough said. To be honest with you, I've never really been one to keep up with the pros or follow the sport of running until I started reading so many running blogs and books about running. I've always just run because I love running but now I've found that I'm also in love with the "sport of running". As we all know, if you follow the sport of running, you know who Kara Goucher is. Especially if you live in Oregon.
I walked in to Powell's to see a large group of people waiting for Kara to arrive. There was a shelf of Kara's books at the front and they were GOING FAST! I grabbed a couple and so glad I did this before she started talking because they were gone within minutes after I arrived. By the time Kara arrived with her sweet baby boy and husband, all her books were sold-out.
Kara, dressed in jeans and a sporty shirt and jacket, was as personable and "Real" as she looked. She opened the room up to a Q&A session before she signed books and I was so impressed with how funny, smart, open and candid she was! This girl is the REAL DEAL. The whole package! She answered so many great questions with honestly and sincerity. I almost forgot that I was in a room full of people because it felt like I was just sitting down and having a one-on-one chat with Kara. Ha! Just a few of the things she touched on:
- The 120 miles she runs a week
- How she trains
- When she sleeps
- Where she runs
- How much she respects her body, especially seeing the miracle of growing a child. She got a little emotional here.
- What she eats (she admitted to having a sweet tooth)
- How she got started running
- Women issues and running
- Learning experiences
- Stress fractures
- Over-training
- How she views her competition
- Her schedule as a professional runner
Kara answered each and every question without reservation. She certainly has a light within her that makes one want to be near her. She seemed to have a sparkle in her eyes to go with her smile and happy demeanor!
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| I'll only post this picture a few dozen more times. Promise! |
Even though there were a lot of people to get books signed, Kara took her time with each of us. She answered more questions and asked us about our lives. She even did some photo shoots to humor all of her fans! When it was my turn, she chatted with me briefly about how much of a break I can take from my training before I start to lose fitness. The neatest thing about her was that she didn't talk to you like you were beneath her in any way! She just had a normal conversation and treated us all as if we were just fellow runners. She even mentioned something about this when she said something to the point of not having to be fast to be a "runner" but doing it because you love it.
Her Book
I have only just begun Kara's book RUNNING FOR WOMEN--From First Steps to Marathons. I've also spent a good amount of time flipping through it. I don't think I'm alone in saying that this is a book that all of us can get something from! Beginning runners and more experienced runners alike will be able to take inspiration, wisdom, motivation, etc. from it. I love how she sprinkles in "favorite quotes" throughout the book with her "I LOVE THiS QUOTE!" She includes:
- tips/tricks
- how she got started running
- finding the right gear
- balancing family and work
- staying injury-free
- food, nutrition, and weight control
- racing
- running a marathon
- pregnancy and new motherhood
- running for life
I think you will find that her writing voice is as personable, warm and as genuine as her presence in real life! Just reading her first chapter about how she got started running, makes me feel connected to her. Just a few things we have in common (not that I'm comparing myself to Kara. Especially with RUNNING! Ha!): She is the middle child of three, her dad died when she was four, her grandfather was a runner and he encouraged her to run at a young age. My grandfather and my father were runners and when my dad died, my grandfather was a great support to us. He is the reason I went to college and he always entered us in races when we would come for visits. Unfortunately, unlike Kara, my grandfather lived far away and his influence was from a distance. I often wonder how my running life would be different if I would have had someone to push me and get me involved from a young age. But this isn't about me! Let's stick to Kara and her book!
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| Here's Kara signing YOUR book! |
A Signed Copy of Kara's Book for You!
When I found out that Kara was signing books, the first thing that came to mind was how awesome this book would be to giveaway to one of you. I don't do a ton of giveaways on here but this book just seems PERFECT for my readers/followers. Most of you are mothers or runners and the majority of you are Women! Even if you are one of my readers reading for the motherhood side of Runninghood and you've never run but kind of want to try it out, this book is perfect for you! As many of you know, Kara just had a baby not too long ago.
She not only makes this book easy to read for the beginning runner (unlike so many running books written by pros), but she specifically gears it to women and touches on pregnancy and new motherhood! I think this just might be my new favorite book! And not just because Kara wrote my name in it with a little heart next to her name telling me to "Always believe in your dreams"! It really is a good book for all levels of runners!
I asked Kara to sign a book for one of you. Of course, I couldn't have her personalize it since I don't know who will get it but she wrote a little message to you and signed her name with the same little heart that she wrote in mine.
So, here is how this giveaway works. I want to keep it easy but I also like to read about you and not have a lot of hoops to jump through. Goodness knows, we are all busy!
1. This is a time that I will ask you to be a "follower/reader" of my blog. Please let me know that you are in your comment.
2. Tell me why you want to win this book and why you think you deserve to win
Extra credit:
* Share this giveaway on facebook, your blog, or twitter (however that works. I still don't know). Please let me know you did.
I will keep this giveaway open for much longer than usual. Since I have 3 weeks until my marathon, I will keep this open for 3 weeks! Yes, I know, that's a long time for a giveaway but it is going to help me with my motivation and countdown as I near the end to this long training. I will announce a winner on June 2, 2011! I'll choose the answers I like best (I love to read your thoughtful words!) and then my final decision will be a random drawing from the answers I narrow down. Since this isn't completely random, give me something good! I want to know you better!
Good Luck!
Amanda
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