It is scary how many bad coaches there are at every level. I greatly benefited in my athletic and personal life from my relationship with my HS coaches. I recently got to visit with my HS head coach along with my teammates at our 50th HS Reunion. The reunion with our coach was emotional. My college days were the total opposite under two different coaches. My best year of running in college was my senior year when I quit the team, started training on my own, got strong and healthy again, and was winning or placing in races in and around a very competitive Buffalo running scene. Thankfully the college coaches did not destroy my love for the sport.
Thanks for this post, Pete! I’m almost done reading the hard copy of the book, but I might go back and listen to the audiobook while I walk and run. I agree, this is a powerful and important book in women’s running. It definitely shows what can happen when young talent is pushed to the brink by coaches and a system that is win-at-all-costs. Kara Goucher’s “The Longest Race,” Alexi Pappas’ “Bravey,” and Mary Cain’s book are some of my favorites in running because they are so honest and raw. They capture both the moments of joy and love for the sport, as well as the painfully truthful dark side of being a female runner dealing with mental and physical stress from internal and external factors.
Wow! I’m touched simply by your post! As the father of a young girl I’m eager to listen to this book. Thanks for the recommendation.
You reminded me of the documentary “Free To Run”. This is a must see! I found myself in tears watching and thinking about the hurdles my daughter will still need to overcome today, in all elements of her life.
I am still taken aback by the fact that women were not even allowed to run the Olympic marathon in my lifetime. The first being in 1984.
Salazar had a number of coaching issues from emotional and sexual misconduct to doping violations.
My big question is what parent would let their 17 year old daughter live across the country on her own to become professional runner. I don’t care what Nike paid her. Would have been a smarter move to take the traditional college route for at least for a few years. Bad parenting, maybe. Nike and Salazar did payout $20 million to Mary Cain in the settlement. Unfortunately, I think we are only going to hear one side of the story on this one.
Salazar had a number of coaching issues from emotional and sexual misconduct to doping violations.
My big question is what parent would let their 17 year old daughter live across the country on her own to become professional runner. I don’t care what Nike paid her. Would have been a smarter move to take the traditional college route for at least for a few years. Bad parenting, maybe. Nike and Salazar did payout $20 million to Mary Cain in the settlement. Unfortunately, I think we are only going to hear one side of the story on this one.
It is scary how many bad coaches there are at every level. I greatly benefited in my athletic and personal life from my relationship with my HS coaches. I recently got to visit with my HS head coach along with my teammates at our 50th HS Reunion. The reunion with our coach was emotional. My college days were the total opposite under two different coaches. My best year of running in college was my senior year when I quit the team, started training on my own, got strong and healthy again, and was winning or placing in races in and around a very competitive Buffalo running scene. Thankfully the college coaches did not destroy my love for the sport.
Thanks for this post, Pete! I’m almost done reading the hard copy of the book, but I might go back and listen to the audiobook while I walk and run. I agree, this is a powerful and important book in women’s running. It definitely shows what can happen when young talent is pushed to the brink by coaches and a system that is win-at-all-costs. Kara Goucher’s “The Longest Race,” Alexi Pappas’ “Bravey,” and Mary Cain’s book are some of my favorites in running because they are so honest and raw. They capture both the moments of joy and love for the sport, as well as the painfully truthful dark side of being a female runner dealing with mental and physical stress from internal and external factors.
Wow! I’m touched simply by your post! As the father of a young girl I’m eager to listen to this book. Thanks for the recommendation.
You reminded me of the documentary “Free To Run”. This is a must see! I found myself in tears watching and thinking about the hurdles my daughter will still need to overcome today, in all elements of her life.
I am still taken aback by the fact that women were not even allowed to run the Olympic marathon in my lifetime. The first being in 1984.
Salazar had a number of coaching issues from emotional and sexual misconduct to doping violations.
My big question is what parent would let their 17 year old daughter live across the country on her own to become professional runner. I don’t care what Nike paid her. Would have been a smarter move to take the traditional college route for at least for a few years. Bad parenting, maybe. Nike and Salazar did payout $20 million to Mary Cain in the settlement. Unfortunately, I think we are only going to hear one side of the story on this one.
Salazar had a number of coaching issues from emotional and sexual misconduct to doping violations.
My big question is what parent would let their 17 year old daughter live across the country on her own to become professional runner. I don’t care what Nike paid her. Would have been a smarter move to take the traditional college route for at least for a few years. Bad parenting, maybe. Nike and Salazar did payout $20 million to Mary Cain in the settlement. Unfortunately, I think we are only going to hear one side of the story on this one.