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Kara Goucher of Portland

A gifted distance runner, Kara Goucher won three NCAA titles in 2000 while running for Colorado, but struggled with a series of injuries in the years that followed.

Photo Gallery: Goucher releases her kick

Together with her husband and fellow runner Adam, she moved to Oregon to train under Marathon legend Alberto Salazar as part of Nike’s “Oregon Project.”

In 2007, she responded by winning the Bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan - only the fifth medal by a U.S. woman in a distance running event.

And during the Olympic Trials in Eugene in 2008, she qualified for the Olympics in two events by winning the 5,000 and taking 2nd in the 10,000.

"It's been really fun. The crowd was awesome," she said. "It's very exciting for me to have my first win (in a major race). This whole meet has been bigger than Osaka. It's been amazing."

Goucher said she moved to Oregon for a fresh start and it appears to be working.

"Four years ago was probably ground zero for me. I ate a lot, gained a lot of weight. It was a low time, but obviously something was still there. There were times when I asked myself, 'am I crazy?' It never totally went away. I kept trying and kept coming back."

Sadly, Goucher's husband fell short of qualifying for the Olympics, finishing in 7th place in the 10,000 and dropping out in the final race for the 5,000.

 More on Kara Goucher:

Goucher wins, then watches in despair as husband loses

Oregon athletes shine at Olympic trials

 Photo gallery: Best of Olympic Trials