If there is one single take away from Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor, let it be this: there is no greater influence on success than the power of optimism. Emotional control and mental fortitude are necessary for one to do their very best in any event, especially distance running. Too often, we focus on the physical training and neglect the mental mindset required to run competitively.
I had the privilege of meeting American marathon record holder, Deena Kastor, at a breakfast meeting the day before the 2014 New York City Marathon. She and her husband are two of the nicest, most down-to-earth people that you’ll ever meet. Maybe it’s her chill California vibes, or maybe it’s just the relaxed confidence of an endurance athlete? But, I sensed that Deena is both intensely competitive and at peace with herself and her place in the world.
Let Your Mind Run reveals Deena’s greatest training secret. She practices positivity and visualization to give herself the confidence to pursue audacious goals. Throughout her career, she struggled with many of the same doubts and fears that haunt all runners. Although hers were amplified by the publicity and pressures of being a professional runner.
“Building a positive mind gives any pursuit surprising ease, lifting one to unimaginable heights.”
-Deena Kastor
Deena walks us through her career from middle school to Olympic bronze medalist. She shares her honest thoughts as she transitioned from high school phenom to collegiate athlete and the ensuing negativity that tormented her during races and workouts. She details her struggles and celebrates her achievements in stunning clarity.
For “runnerds” like me, there’s plenty of name dropping, story telling, a jaw-dropping race times to process. Deena walks us through each of her races as if we are there running along side her and the other world-class athletes. Time after time, it’s a runner’s spirit and will that propels them across the finish line.
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