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Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory
From an Olympic medalist runner and the record-holder in the women's marathon and half-marathon, a vividly inspirational memoir on using positive psychology and brain science to achieve unparalleled athletic success
The day Deena Kastor became a truly elite runner was the day she realized that she had to ignore her talent--it had taken her so far, but only conquering the mental piece could unlock higher levels of achievement. In Let Your Mind Run, the vaunted Olympic medalist and marathon and half-marathon record holder, will reveal how she incorporated the benefits of positive psychology into her already-dedicated running practice, setting her on a course to conquer women's distance running. Blending both narrative running insights and deep-dive brain science, this book will appeal to and motivate steadfast athletes, determined runners, and tough-as-nails coaches, and beyond.
This memoir, written by perhaps the most famous American woman active in the competitive world of distance running, will appeal to the pragmatic athletic population, and jointly to fans of engaging sports narratives, inspirational memoirs, and uplifiting biographies.
The day Deena Kastor became a truly elite runner was the day she realized that she had to ignore her talent--it had taken her so far, but only conquering the mental piece could unlock higher levels of achievement. In Let Your Mind Run, the vaunted Olympic medalist and marathon and half-marathon record holder, will reveal how she incorporated the benefits of positive psychology into her already-dedicated running practice, setting her on a course to conquer women's distance running. Blending both narrative running insights and deep-dive brain science, this book will appeal to and motivate steadfast athletes, determined runners, and tough-as-nails coaches, and beyond.
This memoir, written by perhaps the most famous American woman active in the competitive world of distance running, will appeal to the pragmatic athletic population, and jointly to fans of engaging sports narratives, inspirational memoirs, and uplifiting biographies.
286 pages, Hardcover
Published April 10, 2018
1012 people are currently reading
10257 people want to read
About the author
Deena Kastor
7 books143 followersAmerican Record holder in the marathon at 2 hours 19 minutes. Once held every American record from 5K distance to the marathon. Author of Let Your Mind Run, A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory, with co-author Michelle Hamilton.
I love running, reading, writing, cooking, entertaining, rescuing big dogs, spending time with family, and living in Mammoth Lakes, California.
I love running, reading, writing, cooking, entertaining, rescuing big dogs, spending time with family, and living in Mammoth Lakes, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,226 reviews
April 22, 2018
Kastor is not someone I relate to well (and is perhaps the sort of person I avoid). Her focus on positive thinking and mindset is probably the element of this book that most repels me, not because those cognitive behaviors are not helpful or even transformative, but because I think there are specific positionalities predisposed to be transformed by positive thinking; And it has everything to do with privilege, which Kastor seems oblivious to. Her narrative reads like modern, agnostic allegory of the Protestant work ethic.
However, if you're a running nerd and you enjoy listening to hours of training montages and split times, this is good casual reading.
However, if you're a running nerd and you enjoy listening to hours of training montages and split times, this is good casual reading.
June 19, 2018
I loved this book! Very inspirational. It's not just about Deena's impressive running career, but also about her journey on how to think positively and improve her running performances by changing her mental game. I got it from the library, but I'm going to have to buy a copy so I can mark my favourite parts and refer back to it when I need some inspiration.
April 26, 2018
I enjoyed this book in the sense that I'm reading it at the "right" time: I'm looking for ways to "up my running game" that are within my control, and mentality is super-high on the list. I like the fact that Deena stuck to the memoir format--rather than sliding down the slippery self-help slope--and that she really took care to show the origins of her various mindset shifts, whether they came from a person, a book, or her own mind.
However, I found her hard to relate to in a number of circumstances, particularly when she gave us a small taste of a particular struggle she was having during a race (bathroom urges and a blister come to mind) but then never gave us the upshot. (Did she poop her pants or luck out and have the urge pass? Was her foot a bloody mess after the race, or did she just imagine that blister?) In fact, the part of the book I most related to was when she recounted her first time training alone in Europe: loneliness and frustration are emotions we can all relate to, and trying to reframe experiences to change our emotions is something I'm still attempting to figure out.
Is this book worth reading? For a runner/reader nerd like me, I'd say yes, although temper your expectations (as I didn't find the writing itself particularly fantastic). For anyone outside the running world? While the idea of changing your mindset to achieve something is fairly universal, I don't think this book would be nearly as impactful for those who haven't personally experienced the agonizing monotony of logging miles and straining for a finish line. Of course, as I only have my own experience to go on, I would love to have someone tell me otherwise (or concur).
However, I found her hard to relate to in a number of circumstances, particularly when she gave us a small taste of a particular struggle she was having during a race (bathroom urges and a blister come to mind) but then never gave us the upshot. (Did she poop her pants or luck out and have the urge pass? Was her foot a bloody mess after the race, or did she just imagine that blister?) In fact, the part of the book I most related to was when she recounted her first time training alone in Europe: loneliness and frustration are emotions we can all relate to, and trying to reframe experiences to change our emotions is something I'm still attempting to figure out.
Is this book worth reading? For a runner/reader nerd like me, I'd say yes, although temper your expectations (as I didn't find the writing itself particularly fantastic). For anyone outside the running world? While the idea of changing your mindset to achieve something is fairly universal, I don't think this book would be nearly as impactful for those who haven't personally experienced the agonizing monotony of logging miles and straining for a finish line. Of course, as I only have my own experience to go on, I would love to have someone tell me otherwise (or concur).
May 30, 2020
This is an interesting read to learn what it is like to be an elite runner and have your entire world and the people in it revolve around you and your running goals. "Thinking my way to victory" doesn't seem like a completely accurate subtitle. Certainly, there's many sections about how Kastor changed her thinking to be more positive and that this helped improve her running. She fails to acknowledge, though, that she has every possible and imaginable advantage in her running: a hired coach, hired runners to pace her, a husband who is also a massage therapist, no other life demands (except early on as a professional runner she seemed to work an occasional four hour shift at a diner), in high school her parents hired a professional to help her with visualization.
Kastor doesn't seem to realize her tremendous advantages. A good example is her description of the 2005 London marathon where she set the American women's marathon record. She describes how after finishing, a reporter asked her if she knew she ran perfect splits (both halves 1:09:48). She told the reporter that she didn't. In the book, she then provides this commentary:"I took the symmetry, though, as a sign that I had done it, I had defined myself with a race that was the most authentic expression of who I was." Ok, so Kastor is an amazing runner, massive accomplishments, huge talent - she also had a pacer for this race and her entire life - every piece of it - was about her being the best runner she could be. So yes, she did it, but with the proverbial wind at her back.
I can't help but think of the other books I've read by runners (I'm thinking particularly of Matt Fitzgerald, swooooon) who even when they are writing about their own accomplishments they also manage to convey that they want to help other runners (even us ordinary very average runners) accomplish their goals as well. Kastor's book feels more like a celebration of her and her accomplishments with little consideration for the incredible amount of support from others and her circumstances.
It seems like the book Kastor meant to write was about about how visualization and positive thinking helped her running. I thought her book ended up being about the far-from-normal life of an elite runner. The discrepancy between these two versions of the book probably made me more critical of it than is entirely fair.
Kastor doesn't seem to realize her tremendous advantages. A good example is her description of the 2005 London marathon where she set the American women's marathon record. She describes how after finishing, a reporter asked her if she knew she ran perfect splits (both halves 1:09:48). She told the reporter that she didn't. In the book, she then provides this commentary:"I took the symmetry, though, as a sign that I had done it, I had defined myself with a race that was the most authentic expression of who I was." Ok, so Kastor is an amazing runner, massive accomplishments, huge talent - she also had a pacer for this race and her entire life - every piece of it - was about her being the best runner she could be. So yes, she did it, but with the proverbial wind at her back.
I can't help but think of the other books I've read by runners (I'm thinking particularly of Matt Fitzgerald, swooooon) who even when they are writing about their own accomplishments they also manage to convey that they want to help other runners (even us ordinary very average runners) accomplish their goals as well. Kastor's book feels more like a celebration of her and her accomplishments with little consideration for the incredible amount of support from others and her circumstances.
It seems like the book Kastor meant to write was about about how visualization and positive thinking helped her running. I thought her book ended up being about the far-from-normal life of an elite runner. The discrepancy between these two versions of the book probably made me more critical of it than is entirely fair.
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June 6, 2024As a high performing runner I loved this! Not for everyone but I think it will help me in the future!
January 2, 2024
I wanted to like this book. I wanted to like the author, and root for her, and learn from her. I love reading about running and runners and I'm pretty easily entertained by any of it. But this book just didn't do it for me.
Maybe if it was just supposed to be a biography, an account of the author's achievements, it would have been fine. But it was supposed to focus on mindset and the power of thought, the mind/body connection.
The author did not "think her way to victory". She was massively talented from childhood, had every advantage and privilege imaginable, and faced no real struggles or hardships either personal or professional. She learned some mental strategies that help her be successful (with help from a hired personal visualization coach as a youth) and she would speak like she had the absolute answer and key, but multiple times had to change tactics when she either forgot or realized it was actually doing more harm than good. Many times she practically won by accident.
Most of the book was just long play by plays of training runs and races, topped off with a PR, or world record, or win. Success after success. She even brags about how easy it is for her compared to others. She gives very little credit to anyone else and their hard work, seeming to think she deserves it all over everyone else. Then the smallest issue comes up and is catastrophic to her.
Even outside of running, she was wealthy, had a team dedicated only to her success, never had to worry about anything except running. All of her personal relationships revolved around her, and even world events were minimized in her shadow. (Her family wants to go to Ground Zero after she ran the first NYC marathon after 9/11, and she laughs "I'm game for anything involving a taxi!" Her mother gets cancer and she worries because "she's always been a hypochondriac". Her overseas hosts who already work factory jobs provide housing and meals and she complains it's not enough and is miserable).
She's hard to root for.
Maybe if it was just supposed to be a biography, an account of the author's achievements, it would have been fine. But it was supposed to focus on mindset and the power of thought, the mind/body connection.
The author did not "think her way to victory". She was massively talented from childhood, had every advantage and privilege imaginable, and faced no real struggles or hardships either personal or professional. She learned some mental strategies that help her be successful (with help from a hired personal visualization coach as a youth) and she would speak like she had the absolute answer and key, but multiple times had to change tactics when she either forgot or realized it was actually doing more harm than good. Many times she practically won by accident.
Most of the book was just long play by plays of training runs and races, topped off with a PR, or world record, or win. Success after success. She even brags about how easy it is for her compared to others. She gives very little credit to anyone else and their hard work, seeming to think she deserves it all over everyone else. Then the smallest issue comes up and is catastrophic to her.
Even outside of running, she was wealthy, had a team dedicated only to her success, never had to worry about anything except running. All of her personal relationships revolved around her, and even world events were minimized in her shadow. (Her family wants to go to Ground Zero after she ran the first NYC marathon after 9/11, and she laughs "I'm game for anything involving a taxi!" Her mother gets cancer and she worries because "she's always been a hypochondriac". Her overseas hosts who already work factory jobs provide housing and meals and she complains it's not enough and is miserable).
She's hard to root for.
April 26, 2025
I enjoyed this book and learning about Deena’s life and her experiences in the sport of running. She had some relatable stories and a lot of good suggestions for the reader on the power of positive thinking. She is very likeable and accomplished, and I enjoyed her book!
February 25, 2020
I read this book back and forth with “Grapes of Wrath,” which has made for quite a contrast. I’m hardly the first to be impressed by it, but there is no way to describe “Grapes of Wrath” other than art. Every paragraph is like a painting, each letter, word, and comma like a brushstroke contributing to a beautiful whole. Sometimes after finishing a page, I just sit back and wonder how someone was able to make something so rich and full of life out of words. Reading his greatest book, it is easy to see why Steinbeck is considered a master of his craft, worthy of a Nobel prize and his place in pantheon among the other “Great Writers” is history.
When it comes to writing, Kastor is an amateur, and although her writing is powerful, I wouldn’t call it beautiful. Her words are simple and frank. They reflect her personality... direct and not too showy. But it was her book, not Steinbeck’s that I found myself reaching for after a long day, not necessarily because it was “better” but because it was what I needed.
This book has changed the way that I think about running. It has helped me remember to look for the beauty in each minute on the roads and trails. It has made me believe in the power of optimism. It has convinced me, at least for the time, that my personal “ceiling” for running may be higher than I’ve previously been willing to believe.
Kastor is an inspiration, and her book is exactly what I needed to power me to my biggest month of running in years. This is a book that I should read every year, to remind myself why I do this, and why I should never stop.
“Because that’s how I grow and learn. I don’t ever want to lose that.”
When it comes to writing, Kastor is an amateur, and although her writing is powerful, I wouldn’t call it beautiful. Her words are simple and frank. They reflect her personality... direct and not too showy. But it was her book, not Steinbeck’s that I found myself reaching for after a long day, not necessarily because it was “better” but because it was what I needed.
This book has changed the way that I think about running. It has helped me remember to look for the beauty in each minute on the roads and trails. It has made me believe in the power of optimism. It has convinced me, at least for the time, that my personal “ceiling” for running may be higher than I’ve previously been willing to believe.
Kastor is an inspiration, and her book is exactly what I needed to power me to my biggest month of running in years. This is a book that I should read every year, to remind myself why I do this, and why I should never stop.
“Because that’s how I grow and learn. I don’t ever want to lose that.”
March 28, 2022
Good for what it is. A ghostwritten memoir by a Olympic athlete. I’m impressed by the down-to-earth-ness presented. The bits on mental toughness are great.
December 17, 2021
Deena is a talented runner, but her story is just not compelling. She's a privileged white woman who never seemed to face any notable adversity. This isn't to discredit her hard work, but it just does not make for an interesting story.
She was raised in an upper middle class family in a nice community and had everything she needed. Went to good schools, got into the best training programs with the best coaches and put in the work. She met a wonderful guy and they got married. No adversity. She also seems completely oblivious to her privilege and just goes on and on about thinking positively. It's easy to always be positive when you were born on 3rd base.
Lastly, what is up with all the xenophobia? I was really turned off by all the negative comments of foreigners, specially the chapter on her trip to Finland. These people give her free room and board and all she can do is complain and then later talk about changing how she thinks to be positive. Fake 1st world problems.
Honestly wouldn't recommend this one. It's interesting to read about the insane workouts she put in, but that's it. Just to be clear, I think Deena is an impressive person and deserves all her success, but this memoir is just uninteresting.
She was raised in an upper middle class family in a nice community and had everything she needed. Went to good schools, got into the best training programs with the best coaches and put in the work. She met a wonderful guy and they got married. No adversity. She also seems completely oblivious to her privilege and just goes on and on about thinking positively. It's easy to always be positive when you were born on 3rd base.
Lastly, what is up with all the xenophobia? I was really turned off by all the negative comments of foreigners, specially the chapter on her trip to Finland. These people give her free room and board and all she can do is complain and then later talk about changing how she thinks to be positive. Fake 1st world problems.
Honestly wouldn't recommend this one. It's interesting to read about the insane workouts she put in, but that's it. Just to be clear, I think Deena is an impressive person and deserves all her success, but this memoir is just uninteresting.
February 6, 2018
Rhonda Byrne in running shoes. Self-help in sneakers. Deena Kastor began her career running with genetic talent but didn't begin to truly make progress until she committed to a coach who challenged her to work on her mental approach and her philosophy. A book about discovery and making choices.
August 5, 2024
I love running, and life. This has great perspective on both.
“If you believe you are fragile, the biochemistry of your body unquestionably obeys and manifests it. If you believe you are tough, irrespective of your weight and bone density, your body undeniably mirrors it.”
“If you believe you are fragile, the biochemistry of your body unquestionably obeys and manifests it. If you believe you are tough, irrespective of your weight and bone density, your body undeniably mirrors it.”
December 16, 2024
Edit: I am still thinking about this book and the way Deena was so determined to rewire her entire brain. Overall just thankful to have a healthy body that is able to do so much for me.
10/10. This book is overflowing with gratitude. The running part was also cool to read about
10/10. This book is overflowing with gratitude. The running part was also cool to read about
January 22, 2019
I was very compelled by the reference to mental stamina in the title and synopsis of this running memoir, particularly because mental endurance is an area of my running that I am working on right now. I could definitely appreciate Deena Kastor's commitment to her running lifestyle, and drew support from her decision to turn negative thinking into positive on the trail. This is something that is often overlooked, because it sounds so simple and trite. I have no doubt that, just like meditation, this method goes far with practice. Other than this aspect of the book, though, I had a hard time relating to Kastor as both a personality and a runner. She was born with the natural talent for running and speed, and was able to live a lifestyle where she could commit 24/7 to her craft, bringing her to higher and higher levels of performance. It was difficult not to feel like she got everything handed to her. I am not trying to discount her hard work and fortitude, as well as commitment. But it seemed at times that, other than her own moments of self-doubt, there was really not that much holding her back, be it financially, socially, physically, or technically. Maybe I am just a little too new into my own running journey to appreciate the nuances of success in her story.
January 5, 2019
“I had learned disappointment was rooted in the desire to improve & that under the grief there was deep love.” This book reminded me why I love running and why I love pushing myself to new limits. Deena’s writing style was engaging and empowering.
May 1, 2025
Lots of good positive tidbits and mantras. Always good to remember how being grateful and consciously thinking of what you are grateful for leads to a more positive and happier outlook, in sport and in life.
October 1, 2024
did you guys know im running a half marathon this week? have i said that enough? but this book changed my life.
Deena is a former professional runner and bronze medalist in the Athens 2004 Olympic marathon. Crazy. She wrote this book about, obviously, her running journey, but more specifically the mental power in running. If you run, you should 100000% read this, even if you dont, its worth the read. this book completely changed how i think about doing hard things.
here are some of my favorite mental "tricks" she talks about in the book.
1. gratitude. beginning to see uncomfortable things as something good. instead of waking up and thinking "wow my hamstrings are sore", wake up and think "my hamstrings are building muscle where they need to". overall, this just made me a more positive person.
2. visualization. ok this sounds crazy. but ive been laying down and closing my eyes before each run and I run the course in my mind. it helps relieve any of pre-run anxiety (esp for the long runs). it seems to be working so far.
3. lying to yourself! ok Deena for sure has a better name for this. Deena talked about writing down her goal in the past tense, so something like "i qualified for the olympics". at the time, she hadn't, but she was able to convince herself that she could. i've now done the same thing, different goal though lol. before i ran my 12 mile long run last week, i truly didnt think i could do it. i kept repeating to myself "i ran 12 miles" and it worked! any ounce of doubt i had was gone, there was only one option for that run and it was 12 miles. not once on that run did i think about ending it early.
so yes. highly recommend if you do anything that physically challenges you. this is a book that i would buy in paperback to have around forever and reread once a year. top 5 of all time.
Deena is a former professional runner and bronze medalist in the Athens 2004 Olympic marathon. Crazy. She wrote this book about, obviously, her running journey, but more specifically the mental power in running. If you run, you should 100000% read this, even if you dont, its worth the read. this book completely changed how i think about doing hard things.
here are some of my favorite mental "tricks" she talks about in the book.
1. gratitude. beginning to see uncomfortable things as something good. instead of waking up and thinking "wow my hamstrings are sore", wake up and think "my hamstrings are building muscle where they need to". overall, this just made me a more positive person.
2. visualization. ok this sounds crazy. but ive been laying down and closing my eyes before each run and I run the course in my mind. it helps relieve any of pre-run anxiety (esp for the long runs). it seems to be working so far.
3. lying to yourself! ok Deena for sure has a better name for this. Deena talked about writing down her goal in the past tense, so something like "i qualified for the olympics". at the time, she hadn't, but she was able to convince herself that she could. i've now done the same thing, different goal though lol. before i ran my 12 mile long run last week, i truly didnt think i could do it. i kept repeating to myself "i ran 12 miles" and it worked! any ounce of doubt i had was gone, there was only one option for that run and it was 12 miles. not once on that run did i think about ending it early.
so yes. highly recommend if you do anything that physically challenges you. this is a book that i would buy in paperback to have around forever and reread once a year. top 5 of all time.
April 23, 2025
Deena was the first runner I looked up to in high school, & I learned the importance of balancing nutrition & recovery with training. One week before the Boston Marathon I was glad I picked this book up, she focuses on maintaining a positive perspective throughout our training, racing, and obstacles in our every day life. For sure this book played a huge part in helping me reach the finish line!
August 1, 2024
What a refreshing read! Loved to read about Deena's career but also ways she incorporated positivity and embracing essentially a mind-over-matter mentality. And the best part is it wasn't any of that "woo woo BS" specifically for elite athletes, it actually felt like things I could add to my daily running (and life) habits.
May 5, 2020
Lots of inspiration here! Interesting to read about Kastor’s training regimens and all the disappointments and victories that come with being an Olympian. I found the Optimist’s Guide at the end of the book particularly helpful in teaching oneself to think and be more positive.
April 25, 2018
This book was incredible. It was motivating, inspiring, and fluidly told her story up to date. She tells of how she became a great athlete without making it feel like she is bragging about being great. You get to hear about the hard work she put in, the emotional and mental changes she had to make and physical limitations which changed training seasons. She talks a lot about positivity and how it changed the way she trained and lived...which sounds so cheesy, but she doesn't offer it up with a "this is the greatest thing ever you should do it too!" type of attitude. She talks about training runs/races that went sour because she believed they would be bad or she had a negative attitude, and her experience working to shift that perspective and the effect it had on her. You are able to read into all of that how great it is and want to implement it yourself. I feel like i didn't just read "the Deena Kastor" story, I actually learned a lot from her that I will put into practice in my own training and life. The best part is, the way it's written she never feels "elite"; like what she does never feels out of my reach- which is incredibly inspiring and uplifting.
April 5, 2018
In this book, we get to understand what it takes to be a runner. I enjoyed the perspectives she shared from early in her life, all the way through her professional career. She stresses the mental game in running and it was an interesting read. Thanks for the opportunity.
April 24, 2018
This book shows the powerful mind of an Olympic medalist who has managed to remain an artist at heart by controlling her thoughts at a level I don’t know that most can do. I am absolutely in awe of Deena Kastor!
April 12, 2019
Loved this! Mental strength is so important in running long distances and handling life. I love that this isn't a self help book, just a memoir of her extraordinary running career and the importance of mental strength to go the distance. Now I want to go YouTube the 2004 women's marathon. 😊
January 11, 2025
Former professional elite runner and Olympian Deena Kastor and her co-author Michelle Hampton wove together the stories of Kastor’s professional career, personal life, and how the tool of “joy training” or “mental training” not only elevated her athletic performance but also helped her develop into the kind of person she wanted to be. Kastor was vulnerable in sharing some challenges including rejection by teammates and identifying the negative impact that her tendency towards self criticism and doubt had on her. As a runner myself, I was intrigued about her experiences in the career of running and the mental toughness and flexibility this demanded of her. As a therapist and person navigating life, I appreciated the wisdom she developed and shared about the mind-body connection, and how significantly we can shift our experiences by asking the question “what way of thinking will serve me better?”
May 21, 2018
I loved this book! I was always interested in checking it out, but after a terrible final long run before starting to taper for my first marathon, I started listening to it on Audible for an emergency pep talk! Her stories of perseverance over many obstacles (injury, mental limitations she set for herself, loneliness, those assholes she ran with in Alamosa) and tips on channeling positivity and gratitude in the face of adversity really helped me when facing my own challenges. I also loved stories of her early track days (made me nostalgic for my own!) and the quotes at the start of every chapter. This is a book I'd reread/listen to again - great for runners but also great for anyone looking to become mentally tougher.
October 11, 2021
I finished this a couple months ago but I felt the need to review it. I love this book. It gets so much into the mental aspect of running, and Coaches positive attitude is really inspiring. It was helpful and motivating to read the struggles Kastor had throughout her career: they are very similar to my own. It really highlights the point that running is challenging for everyone, even elite athletes: something I forget sometimes. Highly recommend!!
-one thing I didn’t like: I feel like the book undermined the difficultly of transitioning to a positive mindset. It almost made it seem like it’s just an overnight switch which is not the case for 90% of people
-one thing I didn’t like: I feel like the book undermined the difficultly of transitioning to a positive mindset. It almost made it seem like it’s just an overnight switch which is not the case for 90% of people
September 5, 2024
Really enjoyed this one! I’ve enjoyed running from a young age, so this book was a cool look into an elite athlete’s mindset of what it takes to have a successful and fulfilling career and life in general.
Our minds are powerful and can influence our physical bodies more than we know. I love how she spoke about gratitude and positive thinking being big tools for running and just having a better life overall.
In the end she talks about 7 mental habits for reaching your potential and living a more positive life. So cool and very thought provoking for me.
1) Start with purpose
2) Build belief
3) Reduce negativity, grow positivity
4) Expand the good
5) Be analytical
6) Rebounding
7) Execute, day after day
Our minds are powerful and can influence our physical bodies more than we know. I love how she spoke about gratitude and positive thinking being big tools for running and just having a better life overall.
In the end she talks about 7 mental habits for reaching your potential and living a more positive life. So cool and very thought provoking for me.
1) Start with purpose
2) Build belief
3) Reduce negativity, grow positivity
4) Expand the good
5) Be analytical
6) Rebounding
7) Execute, day after day
July 17, 2025
Loved this book! Signing up for my next race as we speak to take some of the mindset shifts on my training runs with me :-)
“My competitive days had a short window, but I could push my mind and strengthen my positivity for a lifetime. How optimistic could I become? How much richer could I build my life? What joy and potential lay ahead. Pursuing positivity felt infinite, limitless.”
“My competitive days had a short window, but I could push my mind and strengthen my positivity for a lifetime. How optimistic could I become? How much richer could I build my life? What joy and potential lay ahead. Pursuing positivity felt infinite, limitless.”
February 16, 2023
The book is good but not exactly what I was expecting. While the story is inspirational and gripping, the outcomes are not earth-shattering. I also found the mix of behavioural science with some mumbo jumbo new age BS a bit annoying.
Read it for Deena Kastor's story and ignore everything else
Read it for Deena Kastor's story and ignore everything else
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