Amanda Brooks's Blog, page 17

Mizuno Wave Rider 28 Review | Traditional Trainer that Lives On

Mizuno describes the Wave Rider 28 as “the ultimate daily trainer.” With no shortage of high quality daily trainers on the market today, that’s a pretty bold statement. Does it live up to it? Let’s find out.

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Anyone who knows me, knows I’ve been a long-time Brooks fan. It’s been a long time since I can remember wearing anything but, and I can honestly say Mizuno was never on my radar to try. However, I’m not so stuck in my ways that I’m not game to t...

Pre Workout Snack Ideas (Easy, Foolproof Snacks to Try!)

Figuring out whether you should eat before a run and what exactly to eat can feel like you’re going down a rabbit hole of conflicting advice.

Over the years, I’ve had plenty of chats with registered dietitians to cut through the noise and get to what really matters: helping you feel good and run strong. This guide is here to make things simpler, not more stressful, so you can confidently fuel in a way that works for your body.

You’ll also see tips from our friend and trusted RD, Cortney Berling...

Altra Experience Flow 2 Review | Low Drop, Low Weight, High Times

If you’re not ready to fully commit to a zero-drop running shoe, the Altra Experience Flow 2 is the perfect in-between. It’s okay to get distracted by how stylish this shoe looks because, spoiler alert, it feels good underfoot too!

Altra built its reputation on zero-drop shoes, but last year, it shook things up with its first-ever ‘low drop’ model, featuring a 4mm heel-toe drop.

The Altra Experience Flow 2 went through some dramatic updates in hopes of making this a shoe that more runners are gr...

Saucony Triumph 23 Real-World Testing of Max Cushion

This is now the 4th iteration of the Triumph for my foot and we continue to be a very happy match. Let’s talk about what’s new for the Saucony Triumph  23 and why it’s a great daily trainer for so many.It’s a rare thing to love a shoe over many years and many iterations. The Saucony Triumph has seen some changes since I first felt the pure joy of it’s cushion in the 20th model.

While I enjoyed the Triumph 22, I noticed that as the year progressed I didn’t reach for it as often as other max cushi...

I Didn’t Expect This Much from a Sustainable Shoe | Hylo Athletics Impact Review

If you’re looking for a shoe that combines some cushion with responsiveness to protect your joints on less-than-ideal surfaces (apartment treadmills, anyone?) – the Hylo Athletics Impact deserves some consideration.

The Hylo Athletics Impact represents the brand’s effort to create daily trainers with a sustainability focus that doesn’t compromise on performance.

40% of the shoe is composed of bio-based material: the upper, the laces, midsole, outsole, and insole all contain varying degrees of su...

Ryka Podflow Review | All Day Style and Support

The Ryka Podflow is an ideal shoe for women running everyday errands, walking, working out, cross training at the gym, and interval workouts.  It offers a comfortable and supportive fit with a nice design!

Okay, so I don’t believe I have ever bought a walking shoe or actually walked in a walking specific shoe so I wasn’t sure what to expect with the Rykä Podflow Walking Sneaker.  As a runner, trainer, mom, of course I walk, but in my running shoes! I’m sure many of us are guilty of this!

Typical...

Running with IT Band Syndrome | An Honest Take on How to Recover

8 miles in to my 16 mile run a slight burning around my knee turned in to a stabbing pain, that had me sitting on the sidewalk gulping back tears. This was in the age before you took your cell phone everywhere or even Googled every injury to it was a tight IT Band Syndrome.

I hobbled 8 miles home, sniffling, cussing and wondering what the heck just happened.

Thus began my first foray in to working with sports medicine Dr’s to try and resolve and issue.

Luckily, this doctor immediately identified...

Could a Running Break Be What You Need? Ultra Runner Mirna Valerio Shares Her Thoughts

If there’s one thing that most runners have in common, it’s routine. That’s exactly what helps us stay on track month after month, but what happens when we’re forced to take a break due to injury? Or when we need to take a break for LIFE and possibly to become a better runner.

It turns out there are more than a few reasons that taking a break could actually help get you closer to your goals.

Ultra runner and author Mirna Valerio, aka The Mirnavator on social media, shared her thoughts when she ...

Groin Pain After Running: 9 Possible Causes, Treatments, & Prevention

Runners who experience groin pain after running have likely torn a ligament, tendon, or muscle. It’s also possible there is simply an overworked muscle. The groin is a complex network of tendons, muscles, and ligaments that attach to the pelvis and stabilize the hips and legs with side to side motion. That means it’s working VERY HARD and may require rest if injured.

There are different grades of severity and if you catch it early, you may be able to resolve it quickly. It could simply a be symp...

Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL Review | Ultra-Cushioned Road-to-Trail Shoe

If you’re a road runner who occasionally dabbles in some trail running, the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL might be the do-everything shoe you’ve been looking for. We love a good road to trail shoe that can take us everywhere we want to go.

As Salomon’s latest addition to its line of gravel running shoes, the Aero Glide 3 GRVL is a solid high stack, max cushioned option for those runs where the terrain gets a little grittier than your average road run.

Previously we reviewed the road only option of t...