Today is Wednesday, July 8, 2025, and on this day in 1978, American distance runner Kara Goucher was born.

In this episode, we'll learn more about Kara's background, I'll do a top 5 countdown on why she's my personal favorite runner of all time, and then we'll hear from Kara herself about motherhood, Minnesota, and the advice she'd give her younger self.

This episode is sponsored by MyRaceTatts, the awesome temporary tattoos with motivational phrases that I love to wear during races. Listeners of Today in Running History can get 15% of your purchase with this link, or by using my code "HILLARY" at checkout. 

During today's episode, I reference the two books that Kara Goucher authored:

• The Longest Race can be purchased here
• Strong can be purchased here

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, Rob on the Run here, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary, or check out my website here. 

Bibliography:

• Goucher, K. (2023). "The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team". Gallery Books
• http://www.karagoucher.com/about/
• https://cubuffs.com/honors/cu-athletic-hall-of-fame/kara-grgaswheeler-goucher/52
• https://www.oiselle.com/pages/kara-goucher?srsltid=AfmBOoowkRkAd92NhfVkhcxolXAaw-Mkl68MgUQ1nc5s1DfSuU9y3cBo

Edit to add - upon listening to this episode myself, I realize that I made 3 errors. Kara and Adam got married in 2001, her book is called "Strong" without an "er", and Billy Mills' win was in 1964.