Running can shape a young athlete in healthy, positive ways for the rest of her life.

Girls Running offers the guidance and tools girls need to thrive on their running journey, right from the start. With straight talk on training, physiology, menstruation, sports nutrition, a winning mindset, body image issues, gear, team-building, and competition, Girls Running educates and empowers young runners to achieve their potential and love running more.

Inspired by high-school phenom Melody Fairchild's groundbreaking running journey, and with the coaching insight from Fairchild and coauthor Elizabeth Carey, Girls Running is a valuable toolkit for middle- and high-school runners. Backed by science, research, and over 100,000 miles of experience, this resource answers the most timely and sensitive questions that girls face when their bodies change and the miles increase. Girls, parents, and coaches will see ways to navigate puberty, mental health, eating disorders, and the pressures of competitive running.

Girls Running is a go-to guide for everything girls need to know to run better-and love the journey while doing it!

Speed . . . wind in your hair . . . lifelong friends . . . awesome experiences. Running is the best!

But let's be real, it doesn't always come easy. That's where this manual comes in. Girls Running is a no-nonsense guide for young runners, inspired by high-school running star turned coach Melody Fairchild, and backed by science and over 100,000 miles of experience. It's your go-to toolkit to help you build a healthy, lifelong relationship with running.

Girls Running has the straight talk on everything you need to know:

*Training: How to get fast, race strong, avoid injury, and recover to get the most out of your running

*Fueling: Tips on feeding yourself and your busy life, plus how to avoid or tackle eating and energy issues

*Your body: Working with-not against-hormones to run your best in every phase of your cycle

*Crosstraining & strength building: Routines and workouts that complement your training and don't undermine it

*Building your team: From coaches to docs to teammates, how to create a strong tribe and be a great team member

Girls Running will help you run stronger, faster, and healthier!

"A great and inspiring perspective all youth athletes can learn from." -Jordan Hasay, professional American runner

"Girls Running provides a great balance of information on training, nutrition, mindfulness, and both physical and mental exercises for young minds. . . . A very timely book!" -Joan Benoit Samuelson, first women's Olympic marathon champion

"As a youth star herself, Melody provides a great and inspiring perspective that all youth athletes can learn from. I enjoyed the book and her story. Thanks for sharing your journey!" - Jordan Hasay, professional American runner

"Girls Running is a very timely book for young women and girls who want to make running a healthy, fun, and meaningful part of their lives. The book provides a great balance of information regarding training, nutrition, mindfulness, and both physical and mental exercises for young and engaging minds." - Joan Benoit Samuelson, first women's Olympic marathon champion

"Girls Running gives young athletes a perspective into how to achieve long-term success and happiness by covering a wide range of topics such as how to fuel properly, have a positive body image, be a team player, and have a growth mindset." - Karissa Schweizer, American middle- and long-distance runner

"Girls Running is the perfect guide for young female runners at any level to learn how to make the most of the running journey. From nutrition, to the mental side of competition, to celebrating all the female body can do, this book is a resource all young athletes should have." - Courtney Frerichs, Olympic steeplechaser

"It didn't take long into reading Girls Running to realize how much I wish I had been introduced to this book as a young athlete, and how so many aspects resonate with me now as a professional athlete. It's all-encompassing with the information it provides on both the physical and mental realm of running, while also providing moments for reflection to process the information on a personal level. A fantastically informative and relatable read no matter what part of your journey as a runner (or triathlete) you are on." - Katie Zaferes, 2016 Olympian, world champion, and professional triathlete

"I wish I had this amazing book when I was younger, but the next best thing is getting to read it now. Girls Running deftly weaves together stories and lessons for female athletes, simultaneously lifting me up and lighting my fire. The book empowers me as a coach, athlete, and human." - Megan Roche, MD, pro runner, and coach