Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World

This book is honest, raw, insightful, troubling, and reassuring all at once.I am just 1 year younger than Lauren, so I existed in the same high school and NCAA system she did - albeit not at the same high performance level.I am amazed by how perfectly Lauren articulates the struggle of many female distance runners, from the elite levels to the mediocre, waging war on their bodies daily, to hopefully get to that "next level" of performance, whatever it might be. She tells the all-too-familiar tale of many a "winning" female athlete who is plagued by an obvious eating disorder and disappears into obscurity within a season or two. Now, at age 42, she describes this with a perspective that eludes most young athletes. She also supplies a scientific, well-informed, and much-needed discussion of female peak performance which is anything but linear and not designed to occur during one's NCAA years.She tells her story - which is the story of many other women as well - within the context of a larger system that fails females and female athletes.Lauren Fleshman is the advocate for female distance running what Simone Biles and "Athlete A" are for Women's Gymnastics.Lauren attempts to protect the innocent but makes no efforts to protect the guilty, speaking openly about the abuses of Nike.While deeply distressing at times, this memoire is intertwined with the narrative of a young athlete growing into a woman - finding herself and finding her voice and purpose. The trajectory of Lauren's personal growth is remarkable and inspiring, further establishing Lauren as one of the greatest runners of all time to never become an Olympian.Part memoir, part call to action, this is a must read.Best book I have read in a long-time, and one that has helped me to reframe aspects of my own personal narrative.

Lauren Fleshman is a master storyteller. This book is amazing, there's so much I could say. It shows us how early gender stereotypes and differences impact girls, things are that so difficult to articulate at that age, Lauren reflects on it like it was yesterday. She explores the things we believe about ourselves because other people told us to, and the things we believe that no one told us because they didn't have to. It's like it's in the water and the air. Not only is Good For a Girl beautifully written, but her story is all of our stories. It's so relatable for someone who grew up in sport that it is almost hard to believe. When she talks about things I didn't experience, it gives me more empathy for the challenges girls face in sport. You can't help sport move forward if you don't understand a variety of experiences. I appreciated how candid she was about how salaries work and how much they are. Transparency is the only thing that will give us a fighting chance to make things better. This book is also about being a dreamer, which we all need a little more of. Thank you Lauren.

Love this book! Have read it and have purchased as gifts for other runners! Will order again!

It is the time our daughters to lead us out of the woods and they need stories that show them what’s possible throughout their struggles. This is one of those stories that they can see and follow in the online world they know. I’ll be sending copies to each of my four young adult daughters, in the hope that they feel that I see them for all they are.

I would recommend this book to any woman who ran for a competitive team or currently is. Lauren puts words to the issues that were insidious in my experience as a D3 Athlete, but shaped the way I thought about myself and the sport, and my ability to be a caring teammate. This book is so insightful and surprisingly relatable.

I couldn’t put this book down. I learned, laughed, and cried. If every person in a position of power could read this, our world would be a better place for young women, and everyone who loves them.

This was my absolute favorite book of 2023!!! This is a MUST read for any athlete. Not only did I read the book myself, then I listened to the audiobook during a road trip with my husband, then bought copies for my sister and friend.I appreciated the honesty of the memoir and felt empowered by the calls to action for the coaches, parents, and women athletes noted throughout. This book made me feel seen and cared for.

Every female athlete, their parent and coach should read this book!

I bought this book to help understand challenges my 12 year old daughter faces while competing in track and cross country. I would highly recommend this book to pretty much everyone as the issues discussed in this book go far beyond track athletes. Lauren does an incredible job of personalizing her experiences and drawing the reader in. Definitely the best running book I have ever read.

Dang I wish this book was around when I started running at 12. It really is essential reading for any aspiring young athlete (female or male), their coaches, parents and support team.Rather than it being a chore though, you'll soon get sucked into its page turning powers as you're guided through breath-taking accounts of battles both on and off the track.Lauren is courage personified. The word itself comes from coure meaning heart. And how pure and golden hers is. From 'ballsy' beats to mama bear bangs, at every turn she steps up with integrity to take on the darker side of sport.I don't think I've ever connected to or felt as inspired by a book ever. It has the power to 'change sports for women and girls more quickly than any policy change ever could.' Let's not wait for legislation lags. Be more Lauren.

I wish this book had existed decades ago when I was a teenage endurance athlete. It would have changed my life. I am now in my 40’s, but reading this book felt deeply cathartic and I am grateful to the author. I encourage every person involved in sport to read this—athletes, coaches, parents, etc. So much of what Lauren writes about is still going on in sport today and by being informed we can change it for our young athletes.

世界的なランナーである著者の経験を語る、洞察に満ちた本。 読みながら、立ち止まって深く考えることができた。このスポーツのファンはもちろん、女性アスリートと接するすべての人に読んでほしい。

Well written book. I couldn’t put it down! If you’re a runner, male or female, you’ll love this book