Let Your Thoughts Run: A Memoir of Considering My Approach to Victory

Great value
Great book for runners

An enjoyable, easy read about Deena’s running career with some helpful pointers on positive attitude
[Full disclosure – I am a fairly serious recreational runner and a Deena Kastor fan. I have enjoyed following her career over the years.]The book is an easy-to-read chronicle of her running career interwoven with the development of her positive mental attitude over that period. I’d say for at least the first half of the book, if not longer, it was really enjoyable (and helpful) to read about the different mental strategies/perspectives/tactics she developed and put into action to help her achieve her running goals. Some of them you will have surely been exposed to (but others you might not have), however it is helpful to read about how she implemented them to her advantage.The reason for only 4 stars? The message does start to feel more contrived by the end, especially when she is also discussing how she has up to 3 top male college athletes with her every day for training, will spend weeks at the Olympic training center, has a husband who is a physical therapist/masseuse, etc. Of course, I am happy she had all those things – I’m all for supporting world-class U.S. athletes to compete on the international stage. Positive attitude is important, but there were many other components to her success and by the end, the way that message is incorporated starts to feel a lot like, “I was shaken by something… and then I remembered to be positive and grateful!”The writing for many things she discusses (notably races but also life events) can feel cursory, especially when contrasted to what I recall as some excellent, turn-by-turn descriptions of races by Dean Karnazes in Ultramarathon Man.I did enjoy it and would recommend it if you’re interested in reading about her career and picking up some helpful pointers on how to incorporate positive thinking into your life and endeavors. I commend her for writing a strong book on her career. I am certain it will be inspiring to both men and women in athletics; I know it was for me.

A compelling and motivating read
I bought this for my tenth grade cross country runner but she hasn’t had time to read it so I read it first. I didn’t have high expectations but this is an excellent book. Well written, and in a compelling way that kept me reading into the night. I knew Deena was an amazing runner (I had read about her in Born to Run) but not much else. Her story is fascinating, and she gives concrete tips for having a positive attitude and pursuing your goals.

Excellent! Already bought 2 more copies
I run but also write. I found this book to be applicable to where I am currently in life. Very inspiring and practical.

A memoir, with a thesis, that uses the progressive, life long, development of a runner (author Deena Kastor) to illustrate one way to find one’s full potential and happiness at the same time. It is an autobiography (exciting and gripping in itself), but is really more of an extended parable. I run, but I think anyone interested in an inspiring story could find this book a worthwhile read.

Ich habe dieses Buch geliebt! Die Lebenserfahrungen von Deena Kastor sind vielleicht nicht vollständig vergleichbar, aber ihr Kampf ist es. Sie zeigt, wie positives Denken und eine positive mentale Einstellung Hindernisse in Ihrem Leben überwinden können, die zunächst unmöglich erscheinen. Ich fand es toll, dass sie dieses Buch nicht zu einem Selbsthilfebuch gemacht hat, sondern zu Memoiren, in denen sie uns ihre Geschichte, ihre Kämpfe und ihre Triumphe erzählt.I loved this book! Deena Kastor’s life experiences might not be completely relatable but her struggle is. She shows how positive thinking and a positive mental attitude can help overcome obstacles in your life that seem impossible at first. I loved the fact that she did not make this a self-help book but rather a memoir, in which she tells us her story, her struggles, and her triumphs.