Kara Goucher Qualifies For U.S. Olympic Marathon Team

Kara Goucher is without a doubt one of the brightest stars in the long distance running world. With a Bronze medal in the 2007 World Championships and an appearance at the 2008 Olympic games, Goucher hasn't left too many stones unturned in her professional running career.

Winning a Gold Medal is still one goal that hasn't been realized yet and Goucher is determined to keep striving for it. Goucher recently earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic marathon team, with fellow runners Desiree Davila and Shalane Flanagan last Saturday, with an impressive 3rd place finish amongst some of the best marathoners in the United States. Goucher is a very dedicated, even fierce competitor.

Yet, off the running course, Kara has a sweet girl next door quality and runway model looks that have made her a true star in the sport. Kara has graced the cover of Runner's World magazine three times in the last few years and more magazine covers are sure to come with this summer's appearance at the Olympic games now a sure thing.

Kara's husband and training partner Adam Goucher (his new book, "" was featured here recently) lends a lot of credit to Kara's "hard work ethic" and "relentless discipline" in her workouts the key factors behind her success as a runner and as a mom to her son, 1 year old Colt Goucher. (When Kara finished the marathon last Saturday, she held Colt up at the finish line to help Mommy celebrate!)

Kara and Adam hope to visit Palm Desert this spring for a few quiet days of "R&R" before the journey to the Olympic trials where Kara may compete at the 10,000 meter distance as well her marathon spot, which landed her on the team for certain. Adam Goucher is hoping to run in the Palm Desert Half Marathon next January.

Kara Goucher recently changed running coaches and left her longtime mentor coach Alberto Coach Alberto Salazar for Jerry Schumacher's team of runners, which includes her running rival Shalane Flanagan, who finished first in the trials race last Saturday. The two are very close and poke fun at their rivalry as runners in a YouTube video attached here.

Last year Kara Goucher authored her first book on Women's Running and is a sponsored Nike spokesperson. Goucher is one of the most passionate advocates of the sport of running and constantly credits it as one of the "true joys" of her life. Goucher usually trains by running an incredible 120 miles per week!

Hopefully, later this year the Gouchers will return to Palm Desert for a well deserved vacation with Kara's Gold Medal from the 2012 Olympic Games in tow!