Amanda Brooks's Blog, page 18

The World’s Fastest Marathoners And Their Times

There’s just something about watching elite marathon runners move that inspires even those of us in the middle and back of the pack! If you’ve ever wondered what are the fastest marathon times, you aren’t alone. We’re going to break them down with some extra fun facts as well.Before we dive in to the times, it’s pretty important to know why NOT EVERY race can count towards an official world record. This might be why you hear about faster times occasionally, but they aren’t listed. It’s pretty ra...

New Balance Minimus TR BOA® v2 Review | Locked and Loaded To Lift

In an era of maximal running shoes, it may come as a surprise to many that minimalism is still having a moment in athletic footwear. However, anyone who has spent time in the weight room or a CrossFit gym knows that a close-to-the-ground feel can be a real advantage. The New Balance Minimus TR BOA® v2 promises to handle even the toughest days at the gym with a barefoot-friendly design.

An ideal gym training shoe provides stability for heavy weight lifting (think squats, deadlifts, power cleans)...

10 Signs You Might Be Eating Too Little As A Runner

Weight loss is a common reason to start running. And we absolutely support that idea, we support anything that gets you to start running. The conflict arises when you’re under eating and therefore comprising both your health and your enjoyment of the sport, which makes is really hard to stick to long term. And if we know anything about weight loss, it’s a long run kind of game!Luckily one of the interesting things we often see happen with runners is we start to WANT to eat better. We want to hav...

Sydney Marathon Course and Training Tips | How to Conquer the Hills

Anyone getting ready to run the Sydney Marathon needs to read this! 2025 is the World Marathon Majors debut for the Sydney Marathon, which means a lot of folks are paying attention to it for the first time. It’s the hilliest of the majors and should not be discounted!

image from @sports_tours_international

Traveling internationally for a marathon can add another layer of stress and anxiety. We’re going to breakdown what you need to know around training, travel and race day to make it all feel sm...

Suunto Run Review | More Run Specific Modes to Dial in Training

The Suunto Run is the newest watch from the Finnish brand.  It’s lightweight and jam-packed with features to elevate run training, racing, and recovery.

Every design detail of the Suunto Run experience was well thought out. From the moment of opening the packaging to wearing the watch, I couldn’t help but think “wow”.

Whether you’re just starting on your running journey or looking to upgrade your current watch, you might want to take a look at the Suunto Run.

It’s going to be a watch that you c...

Complete Marathon Pace Chart: Every Split for Every Goal Time

Looking to snag a new PR or just trying to figure out what pace converts to what finishing time? We got a complete marathon pace chart in miles and KM pacing.  Translate your pace to your goal time or your goal time to the average pace you need to run.

The following charts includes your split times for 5K, 10k, Half and full races. You can also use this to guide your goal pace based on how you’ve done in past races.

Whether you’re trying to find a 6 hour marathon pace or a 3:51 marathon pace we’...

Altra Experience Wild 2 Review | Altra Curious Welcome Here

Are you intrigued by the idea of a foot shaped toe box? But not so much by the idea of a zero drop shoe? Altra has heard the feedback and created a few new 4mm heel drop shoes. The Wild 2 is the second iteration and we think an improvement on a good thing.

The Altra Experience Wild 2 is the second generation of a comfortable, versatile trail shoe that serves as a good transition for runners interested in a zero drop model without taking the full plunge. It’s comfortable and protective of your fe...

Most Comfortable Hoka Walking Shoes (from a Trainer)

Hoka has become a go to walking shoe for millions for a very good reason. In fact, we’ve tested every shoe in the line up and found that so many are perfect not just for running, but for walking. We break down the best Hoka walking shoes based upon your needs.

Whether you’re walking for a workout or taking a quick mid-day break, we’ve got a good option here.

Hoka has earned our walking shoe recommendation after over a decade of testing. We love that there’s a nice balance in stability and cushio...

11 Best Protein Powder for Runners | Whey vs Plant Based

With so many fueling and nutrition options out there, it’s easy to feel a little lost on what to try. If you’re looking for the best protein powder for runners, keep reading! We’ve done the testing to help narrow it down to the options that will hopefully not end with an upset stomach.

Using protein powder to enhance distance training is entirely a personal choice! It’s not a must or a requirement, no matter what anyone tells you.

For me and many of my athletes, it’s the most effective way to e...

10 Tips for How To Run Without Getting Tired

The quest to run without getting tired is a common challenge among runners of all levels. Whether we simply want to go farther without feeling out of shape or we want to try our hand at a new race distance…the challenges in running are never ending!

There’s no secret hack that makes every run feel effortless, but there are a few strategies that can help you build up your endurance.

Whether you’re just getting started and want to stop feeling wiped out after a mile, or you’re a more experienced ...