Kara Goucher Interview | Running, from the Olympics to the Trails

Kara Goucher is a true legend of the running world, from competing in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, to a bronze medal at the 2007 World Athletics Cross Country Championships (formerly IAAF), to the women’s fastest-ever half marathon, and third overall at the 2009 Boston Marathon! In this interview she discusses the importance of being vulnerable, challenging yourself, leaning into things that make you feel anxious and how much you can learn from something you’re not good at. Kara Goucher also talks about aging, transitioning as an elite athlete, and entering the new exhilarating realm of trail running. Try to keep pace with this awesome woman and a great interview! 

LESSONS 

1. Find out how good you can get 
2. Be ready to pounce
3. Appreciate each experience 
4. Be vulnerable and challenge yourself
5. Never be too afraid to try
6. Lean into things that make you anxious 
7. It’s good when your not good 
8. Not winning doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing
9. Don’t be afraid to age
10. Do scary things
11. Try a trail run! 

 

LINKS

http://www.karagoucher.com

https://www.spartan.com/en/trail

 

This episode was brought to you by TrueForm Runner. Visit www.TRUEFORMRUNNER.COM/SPARTAN and use the code SPARTAN10 to save 10% 

The Spartan World Media Fest was made possible by ATP Science 

TIME STAMPS 

0:00 Johnny and Joe De Sena introduce Olympian Kara 

1:05 TRUEFORMRUNNER.COM/SPARTAN special offer 

1:40 Interview begins with Dr. L and Kara Goucher 

2:15 Starting running with her grandfather 

3:30 Why she fell in love with running 

4:45 Running as a profession 

5:30 Finding out how good she could get 

6:30 Going through the transition 

7:30 Finding something new, fun and scary 

8:30 Appreciating each experience- the nuance of the trail

9:45 Getting to the podium and finishing what you start 

10:55 Shifting her athletic identity 

12:00 TRUEFORMRUNNER.COM/SPARTAN break

13:45 Interview continues with how we challenge ourselves

15:00 Challenging yourself and being vulnerable 

16:30 The athletic journey as you get older away from the Olympics

18:00 Product versus process

19:00 Good to not be good- being humble and having humility 

20:30 Three lessons of wisdom

22:15 Johnny and Joe De Sena debrief this great discussion 

27:27 TRUEFORMRUNNER.COM/SPARTAN close

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CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc.

Hosts: Joe De Sena, Dr. Johnny Waite and guest Dr. Lara Pence 

Col. Nye & Sefra Alexandra are off on winter sojourn  

 

Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress 

Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty

 

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