I have read “Let Your Mind Run” by Deena Kator at least half a dozen times. If you’re looking for a book about running, an athlete autobiography, a book about reading, or a book about getting over injuries, this is all of those books. It’s also an inspiring book about positive thinking. Kastor has an amazing running resume, but since I’m a middle of the pack runner the thing about this book that really resonates with me is her achievement with positive thinking.
There is a great interview with Kastor about positive thinking on the Runner’s World Podcast (which I wish was still in production).
This book has some great advice about how to harness the power of positive thinking on runs and in life. Sometimes on a bad run I’ve thought to myself “be the best Deena Kastor you can be today.” I think that about life sometimes too. Sometimes I might not be winning the day, but I can win the gold medal in looking on the bright side.
I have a friend who had knee surgery. I was thinking that he was probably stuck in his house for the recovery. He’s an amazing runner, so I knew he would be missing the sport. I sent him a copy of this book to read. I was a little worried that he wouldn’t want to read about running when he was sidelined, or that some of the themes might seem a bit out there for him. He told me later that he really appreciated the book, because he had started thinking he should have lined up reading material for the recovery and because he thought the message about positive thinking was helpful for his mindset.
I really enjoy the memoir aspect of the book. Kastor’s had an interesting life, and I love that she tells the stories about highs and the lows. I also love that she is a bit of a bookworm. These are the books she mentions:
- The I Ching
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
- Road to the Top by Joe Vigil
- Jane Austen’s books
- Watership Down by Richard Adams
- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
- Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra
- The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
- Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
- Power vs. Force by David Hawkins
- Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
- The Complete Book of Running by James Fixx
If you are struggling with staying positive during times of few races, try this book for a run-remedy. What books do you turn to for inspiration?