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Hurdles in the Dark: My Story of Survival, Resilience, and Triumph
A Mexican-American teen girl dreams of winning an athletic scholarship against all odds in a Texas border town. This true story of survival, strength, and triumph is perfect for fans of
Educated
and Athlete A.
Twenty-four that's how long fourteen-year-old Elvira Gonzalez is given to come up with the $40,000 she needs to save her kidnapped mother from a drug cartel. It's 2006 and Elvira's hometown of Laredo, Texas, has become engulfed by the Mexican Drug War. Elvira's life is unraveling around her—setting her on a harrowing path that leads her to being locked up in one of South Texas's worst juvenile detention centers.
After Elvira's released from juvie, she's resolved to never go back. That's when her unexpected salvation arrives in the form of 33-inch-high plastic hurdles. Determined to win a track scholarship out of Laredo, Elvira begins breaking into the school, alone, at 5:30 in the morning to practice hurdling. Soon, she catches the attention of a renowned high school coach, an adult man in his 30s. As they train, their coach-student relationship begins to change, becoming sexual. At just seventeen years old, Elvira experiences the dangers many young athletes face, especially those who are marginalized. In spite of these towering obstacles, Elvira eventually propels herself to become one of the top ranked hurdlers in the USA and the first in her family to go to college.
This inspiring true story of grit, tenacity, and hope traces Elvira's path as she overcomes impossible hurdles in her race to freedom.
Twenty-four that's how long fourteen-year-old Elvira Gonzalez is given to come up with the $40,000 she needs to save her kidnapped mother from a drug cartel. It's 2006 and Elvira's hometown of Laredo, Texas, has become engulfed by the Mexican Drug War. Elvira's life is unraveling around her—setting her on a harrowing path that leads her to being locked up in one of South Texas's worst juvenile detention centers.
After Elvira's released from juvie, she's resolved to never go back. That's when her unexpected salvation arrives in the form of 33-inch-high plastic hurdles. Determined to win a track scholarship out of Laredo, Elvira begins breaking into the school, alone, at 5:30 in the morning to practice hurdling. Soon, she catches the attention of a renowned high school coach, an adult man in his 30s. As they train, their coach-student relationship begins to change, becoming sexual. At just seventeen years old, Elvira experiences the dangers many young athletes face, especially those who are marginalized. In spite of these towering obstacles, Elvira eventually propels herself to become one of the top ranked hurdlers in the USA and the first in her family to go to college.
This inspiring true story of grit, tenacity, and hope traces Elvira's path as she overcomes impossible hurdles in her race to freedom.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2024
22 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 3, 2024
I hated every single adult in this book for a good portion of it. That's it, that's the review.
June 23, 2024
Incredible story of a young woman overcoming so many hurdles (!) in her early life. At times the writing felt choppy, but it was told through the perspective of a young adult. Speaking of adults, the ones in this book are awful!!!
July 7, 2024
16/40
wow this book was so fantastic and inspiring to me! based on a true story, the author writes about her immense struggles growing up and her goal to earn an athletic scholarship in track and field in order to attend a university and escape her town that had been overtaken by drug violence.
a great read for any student athlete. a very important message regarding athlete-coach relationships and learning how to recognize inappropriate behavior and manipulation.
i am so thankful the author decided to write this book and persevered through everything!
i listened to the audiobook version of this book, which i think added even more to the storytelling aspect, as it was narrated by the author herself.
wow this book was so fantastic and inspiring to me! based on a true story, the author writes about her immense struggles growing up and her goal to earn an athletic scholarship in track and field in order to attend a university and escape her town that had been overtaken by drug violence.
a great read for any student athlete. a very important message regarding athlete-coach relationships and learning how to recognize inappropriate behavior and manipulation.
i am so thankful the author decided to write this book and persevered through everything!
i listened to the audiobook version of this book, which i think added even more to the storytelling aspect, as it was narrated by the author herself.
September 24, 2024
The story had a lot of potential because it was super interesting, but the book was just poorly written. There were a lot of chapters where I felt like she could have elaborated more, but it ended abruptly and she just moved on???? This should have been a trilogy, imo, so we could have gotten a separate book for each story and they got the full attention and detail they deserved.
November 3, 2024
As a former track and field athlete, I found this book incredibly relatable, particularly in its exploration of mental and physical training. I was truly moved by the author's story. Having run hurdles for 12 years, including at the D1 level, I appreciate how track shaped her identity. Elvira's strength in sharing her journey is inspiring. As a hurdler, you learn to overcome challenges. Life truly is a beautiful race.
April 26, 2024
I don’t think I have ever read any non-fiction about sports or athletes and I honestly let this one sit on my NetGalley shelf for several weeks before opening it. Once I did, I could not put it down. Hurdles in the Dark: My Story of Survival, Resilience, and Triumph by Elviria K (Kris/Kristy) Gonzalez is an inspiring borderland memoir about her struggles and successes getting over not only the metaphorical hurdles often found in this genre, but also the physical 30 inch aluminum track hurdles. My son ran track from 3rd grade to D1 college.so I have been to a lot of track meets.and those hurdle events are not for the faint of heart.
Kristy’s dream in middle school is to be in a punk band and skateboard. Her mom has dreams of getting her out of the barrio and into the best public school on the other side of town. After a track coach scouts Kristy at a track meet, mom thinks she has found her ticket out. When Krisy's friend is gunned down outside his house, Krisy agrees with her mother to switch schools.
A month before starting her freshman year, her mother attends a wedding across the border in Mexico and is kidnapped by cartel members. Kristy has 24 hours to raise the $40,000 ransom. She literally runs around her poor but generous border community trying to come up with the money needed for her mothers safe return.
At 16, Kristy ends up in juvie after calling 911 for a domestic argument. She explains the conditions and humiliation she endures. She bonds with some other girls in there and commits to two things upon her release: #1 to write a book and #2 to get a scholarship for running.
Even though her misogynistic coach refuses to train her in hurdles, she sneaks onto the track at 5 am every morning to train herself. - She hurdles in the dark. But the road to state finals is not easy. And like too many young athletes, he is sexually abused by a coach.
Elvira was ( and probably still is) an avid journaler and she sprinkles in copies of her handwritten entries throughout the book . She also includes lots of family pictures and photos of her competing.
Gonzales writes in her teenage voice without the perspectives she acquired through therapy as an adult, so it is very vulnerable yet accessible to teen readers. There is a long and detailed Afterword that follows up on people and events she writes about. It is especially important that she addresses the issues of sexual harassment, abuse and assault amongst athletes and their “trusted” coaches. It is very powerful and well cited.
Hurdles in the Dark My Story of Survival, Resilience, and Triumph will in bookstores May 29th, but is available for pre-order now.
Kristy’s dream in middle school is to be in a punk band and skateboard. Her mom has dreams of getting her out of the barrio and into the best public school on the other side of town. After a track coach scouts Kristy at a track meet, mom thinks she has found her ticket out. When Krisy's friend is gunned down outside his house, Krisy agrees with her mother to switch schools.
A month before starting her freshman year, her mother attends a wedding across the border in Mexico and is kidnapped by cartel members. Kristy has 24 hours to raise the $40,000 ransom. She literally runs around her poor but generous border community trying to come up with the money needed for her mothers safe return.
At 16, Kristy ends up in juvie after calling 911 for a domestic argument. She explains the conditions and humiliation she endures. She bonds with some other girls in there and commits to two things upon her release: #1 to write a book and #2 to get a scholarship for running.
Even though her misogynistic coach refuses to train her in hurdles, she sneaks onto the track at 5 am every morning to train herself. - She hurdles in the dark. But the road to state finals is not easy. And like too many young athletes, he is sexually abused by a coach.
Elvira was ( and probably still is) an avid journaler and she sprinkles in copies of her handwritten entries throughout the book . She also includes lots of family pictures and photos of her competing.
Gonzales writes in her teenage voice without the perspectives she acquired through therapy as an adult, so it is very vulnerable yet accessible to teen readers. There is a long and detailed Afterword that follows up on people and events she writes about. It is especially important that she addresses the issues of sexual harassment, abuse and assault amongst athletes and their “trusted” coaches. It is very powerful and well cited.
Hurdles in the Dark My Story of Survival, Resilience, and Triumph will in bookstores May 29th, but is available for pre-order now.
June 26, 2024
After having worked with students extensively, reading about Gonzalez’s experiences as a young person totally broke my heart. I appreciated the details she shared in her afterword about keeping kids safe. Actually, the entire afterword was a needed reality check that helpfully balanced the “bootstraps” mentality of other book sections.
That said, I’m so glad Gonzalez decided to share her story. I loved rooting for her, loved reading the dialects and slang from her hometown, and found it hard to put the book down. Her tenacious mindset is contagious.
I’d recommend this to: coaches, athletes, writers, teachers, students, anyone with a family, folks interested in psychology, fans of memoirs, and pretty much anyone who can read in America.
That said, I’m so glad Gonzalez decided to share her story. I loved rooting for her, loved reading the dialects and slang from her hometown, and found it hard to put the book down. Her tenacious mindset is contagious.
I’d recommend this to: coaches, athletes, writers, teachers, students, anyone with a family, folks interested in psychology, fans of memoirs, and pretty much anyone who can read in America.
July 24, 2025
Wow, what an incredible story. This book was filled with so many ups and downs, and the craziest part is that it is about Gonzalez's actual life! I was absolutely stunned by some of the things that Gonzalez faced growing up. Seeing the resilience, grit, and determination it took for her to not only survive these challenges but build a life where she now seems to be thriving is so inspiring. I think this book is a perfect example of something we should read to help ourselves keep an open mind when thinking about others; to walk in someone else's shoes and experience their life helps give us so much perspective on what others may be facing.
There are definitely a few trigger warnings regarding the topics discussed in this book, but I think it is so important that we talk about them, and Gonzalez did it in a meaningful way that furthers the conversation about them. It takes great courage to share some very personal experiences with the world.
I loved the afterword. It was such a beautiful way to conclude this story, reflecting on the events that occurred and proposing ideas for a better future. I also really enjoyed the incorporation of the slang; I thought it gave the novel a personal feeling.
My only minor qualm was maybe two or three typos towards the end of the novel. Other than that, this was a great book!
There are definitely a few trigger warnings regarding the topics discussed in this book, but I think it is so important that we talk about them, and Gonzalez did it in a meaningful way that furthers the conversation about them. It takes great courage to share some very personal experiences with the world.
I loved the afterword. It was such a beautiful way to conclude this story, reflecting on the events that occurred and proposing ideas for a better future. I also really enjoyed the incorporation of the slang; I thought it gave the novel a personal feeling.
My only minor qualm was maybe two or three typos towards the end of the novel. Other than that, this was a great book!
December 1, 2025
I finished this book with a quiet sense of respect — not the kind that overwhelms, but the kind that stays with you after the last page.
This is not a story that tries to impress through drama. Its strength lies in its steadiness. The author doesn’t rush to glorify pain or romanticize suffering. Instead, the narrative moves through darkness with honesty, showing how resilience is often built in small, almost invisible decisions, repeated again and again.
What I appreciated most is the emotional sincerity. The struggles feel real, the setbacks unpolished, and the victories hard-earned rather than conveniently timed. The book doesn’t promise transformation as a miracle — it presents it as a process, sometimes slow, sometimes discouraging, but always human.
That said, there were moments where I wished the writing went a little deeper psychologically. Some passages felt more descriptive than reflective, and I occasionally wanted more inner conflict, more rawness beneath the surface. Perhaps that restraint is also part of the author’s style — but it’s the reason I stopped at four stars instead of five.
Still, this is a meaningful, grounding read. It reminds you that survival doesn’t always look heroic, resilience isn’t always loud, and triumph doesn’t always arrive with fireworks. Sometimes, it arrives quietly — and stays.
This is not a story that tries to impress through drama. Its strength lies in its steadiness. The author doesn’t rush to glorify pain or romanticize suffering. Instead, the narrative moves through darkness with honesty, showing how resilience is often built in small, almost invisible decisions, repeated again and again.
What I appreciated most is the emotional sincerity. The struggles feel real, the setbacks unpolished, and the victories hard-earned rather than conveniently timed. The book doesn’t promise transformation as a miracle — it presents it as a process, sometimes slow, sometimes discouraging, but always human.
That said, there were moments where I wished the writing went a little deeper psychologically. Some passages felt more descriptive than reflective, and I occasionally wanted more inner conflict, more rawness beneath the surface. Perhaps that restraint is also part of the author’s style — but it’s the reason I stopped at four stars instead of five.
Still, this is a meaningful, grounding read. It reminds you that survival doesn’t always look heroic, resilience isn’t always loud, and triumph doesn’t always arrive with fireworks. Sometimes, it arrives quietly — and stays.
May 30, 2024
I would consider myself a voracious reader, and this is the first time I felt compelled to leave a review for a book that I read.
Elvira's rich description of her hometown and all that in entails drew me into her story and made me feel as if I was her childhood friend skating with her in Ghost Town, her teammate running with her on the track, and a fellow inmate incarcerated with her in a juvenile detention center. The brilliant decision to pen this story from young Kristy's perspective made the harrowing details of her mother's kidnapping and her coach's abuse so much more potent, and her triumph so much more gratifying.
The importance and urgency of this book exists on multiple levels -- in addition to providing a beacon of hope for young athletes who have faced similar abuse by letting them know they are not alone (and by providing resources in the afterword), Elvira shines a spotlight on a systemic issue in youth sports that is shamefully overlooked. Awareness is a necessary prerequisite to initiate change, and Hurdles in the Dark will empower young women and men alike not only to recognize the signs of abuse and take measures to protect themselves and their peers on a personal and community level, but to initiate cultural and institutional changes that will protect the next generation of young athletes.
Elvira's rich description of her hometown and all that in entails drew me into her story and made me feel as if I was her childhood friend skating with her in Ghost Town, her teammate running with her on the track, and a fellow inmate incarcerated with her in a juvenile detention center. The brilliant decision to pen this story from young Kristy's perspective made the harrowing details of her mother's kidnapping and her coach's abuse so much more potent, and her triumph so much more gratifying.
The importance and urgency of this book exists on multiple levels -- in addition to providing a beacon of hope for young athletes who have faced similar abuse by letting them know they are not alone (and by providing resources in the afterword), Elvira shines a spotlight on a systemic issue in youth sports that is shamefully overlooked. Awareness is a necessary prerequisite to initiate change, and Hurdles in the Dark will empower young women and men alike not only to recognize the signs of abuse and take measures to protect themselves and their peers on a personal and community level, but to initiate cultural and institutional changes that will protect the next generation of young athletes.
September 6, 2024
The definition of a page turner! What an incredible story! The author writes from her teenaged self point of view, a creative decision resulting in a book geared towards teens & young adults while still completely accessible for adults of any age.
The writing is rich in detail and dialogue, enabling the reader to become immersed in Kristy's inner and outer worlds. Gonzalez also evokes a deep sense of place, weaving the language and culture of her border town of Laredo throughout the entire book.
The adversities she encountered and overcame are remarkable, even unbelievable. This seems like it was written by a writer in Hollywood for a TV Show or film...which makes it all the more heartbreaking to know it's a memoir. But, the resilience and ultimate hope in the face of it all reminds you of the power of the human spirit. I finished the book feeling inspired, hopeful, and insistent things need to change so other young people don't have to experience what the writer did growing up.
The writing is rich in detail and dialogue, enabling the reader to become immersed in Kristy's inner and outer worlds. Gonzalez also evokes a deep sense of place, weaving the language and culture of her border town of Laredo throughout the entire book.
The adversities she encountered and overcame are remarkable, even unbelievable. This seems like it was written by a writer in Hollywood for a TV Show or film...which makes it all the more heartbreaking to know it's a memoir. But, the resilience and ultimate hope in the face of it all reminds you of the power of the human spirit. I finished the book feeling inspired, hopeful, and insistent things need to change so other young people don't have to experience what the writer did growing up.
September 22, 2024
Exploring several injustices done to her, Elvira at a very young age is embroiled in the Mexican drug wars when her mother is kidnapped and held for ransom. Then, as she tries to find a way to excel, after a bout in a difficult juvenile facility, she begins doing hurdles. But this is done under the cover of early morning at a school where she becomes the apple of a coaches eye and the dangerousness of her situation leads to a predatory sexual relationship.
Quite a bit of hardship, Gonzalez finds a way through these difficult situations and how she found a way to triumph and be inspirational to others who read her story. Featuring a heavy dose of Spanish without translations, it would be a comfortable read for a native Spanish speaker.
A worthy autobiography with a woman dealing with unimaginable situations but coming out on top.
Quite a bit of hardship, Gonzalez finds a way through these difficult situations and how she found a way to triumph and be inspirational to others who read her story. Featuring a heavy dose of Spanish without translations, it would be a comfortable read for a native Spanish speaker.
A worthy autobiography with a woman dealing with unimaginable situations but coming out on top.
March 2, 2024
3.5-4. This one is really hard to rate as a teacher. As a woman, I commend the author. This is an incredibly important book to write and put out into the world. I cannot Imagine the courage it took to do this. However, as a teacher of high school students, I can’t imagine using this in the classroom. Elvira is so brave and such an outstanding survivor. But, as a trusted adult I would never be comfortable encouraging students to read this because of the sexual abuse between coach and student. That also means it couldn’t be a lit circle or whole class novel either, it would be too much of a risk in to read in a high school community.
August 29, 2024
this is an utterly harrowing story of a girl's struggle against massive curve balls thrown her way--just when things start to be looking up, horrible things happen (for instance, when she's still a teenager, her mother gets kidnapped, and she has to raise $40,000 to get her back). It is so jam packed with desperate setbacks and continued resilience that it grips the reader tremendously. I am so glad she has made it to a place of safety, and has written the story she promised her young self to write.
October 24, 2024
Wow. I am in awe. Not only is this memoir extremely well written and engaging, it is such a necessary truth to tell. Elvira’s drive and powerful self-determination is inspiring to all generations. She uses her complex trauma as a guide for those who may be enduring what she did. Her story exemplifies incredible wisdom for one so young, instead of cycling into the victim mentality.
I hope she runs for public office, one day. She focuses on her physical attributes as an athlete, however, she has underrated her mind.
I hope she runs for public office, one day. She focuses on her physical attributes as an athlete, however, she has underrated her mind.
February 20, 2025
The only reason I read this book is because it takes place in one of the cities I grew up in. I went to the high school where some of the story took place. That’s the only reason why I even finished the book.
The writing itself was not great. It was all over the place. The storyline seemed to jump a lot and seemed just kind of out there.
Overall, the theme of the story is great. Perseverance and resilience. We all need it.
The writing itself was not great. It was all over the place. The storyline seemed to jump a lot and seemed just kind of out there.
Overall, the theme of the story is great. Perseverance and resilience. We all need it.
May 28, 2024
This story will inspire you. It’s so beautifully written and well executed- I binged it in one day. This is a perfect summer read that will instill empathy, teach you something, inspire and motivate you to reach your own goals, and just wow. Tremendous read. This is a great gift to teens for summer reading!
July 10, 2024
Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.
This was a fascinating and inspiring read. This young woman went through so much in her life, and it was definitely an eye opener to what a lot of people unfortunately go through! Definitely an impactful read, and the author did a great job as the narrator as well.
This was a fascinating and inspiring read. This young woman went through so much in her life, and it was definitely an eye opener to what a lot of people unfortunately go through! Definitely an impactful read, and the author did a great job as the narrator as well.
March 28, 2025
4.5 stars. This book made me cry. I became so attached to Elvira and so upset about all of the things she had to overcome. I'm so glad she was able to bring this book to us, and I would definitely recommend it. It deals with some tough issues that deserve more attention.
June 30, 2024
I couldn’t put it down! A great and entertaining story of a barrio girl that went through some serious life experiences. Great life lessons in the afterword. Loved it.
September 16, 2024
So good and inspiring!
September 24, 2024
A heart-wrenching and inspiring memoir, offering an insightful perspective into the life of a young girl who refuses to be defined by her circumstances.
October 2, 2024
Bam! What a story! Told with energy and heart, this 'lived through this memoir' rocks with honesty, desperation, and joy of looking back to say, yeah, I did it and you can too.
November 23, 2024
real and powerful
Can read through quickly but hard to stomach the trauma she had to endure. I admire Kristy and value her story that should be read by students in high school.
Can read through quickly but hard to stomach the trauma she had to endure. I admire Kristy and value her story that should be read by students in high school.
March 17, 2025
Found my stomach clenching a lot during this book. Gonzalez's story is relevant right now.
I thank her for writing her story.
I thank her for writing her story.
May 18, 2025
A truly fascinating story.
May 30, 2025
I didn’t know what to expect when I picked this book up, but am I glad I did. It has some hard to digest topics but are topics that need to be talked about.
June 11, 2025
Heartbreaking and triumphant.
September 2, 2024
3.5/5 stars
July 10, 2024
You know what? I just don’t want to do this anymore. Picked this up for work reading. I'm not a sports book person. I'm not a memoir person. So this is doing nothing for me and life is just too short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews