Amanda Brooks's Blog, page 28

Hoka Clifton Vs Mach | Which Neutral Cushioned Trainer To Pick?

You’re ready for your first pair or your next pair of HOKA and it’s time to make the decision between two neutral models: HOKA Clifton vs HOKA Mach. Lucky for you, I’ve been testing out these shoes for over a decade and love to share my opinions and details about the shoes.

Each year, I test out their new models and put in enough miles to have solid feedback on feel, fit and whether I’ll be shelling out money for another pair.

Here I hope to help breakdown the differences and help you find the r...

Couch to 10K Training Plan: Complete Beginner’s Guide to Running 6.2 Miles

If you’ve been thinking about running your first 10K or you’re just looking for a new fitness goal, a Couch to 10K training plan is a great way to increase your distance and build endurance. We’ve got not just the plan, but a full breakdown of the process to help you hit the finish line feeling good.Depending on your current fitness level, many of the training plans out there could leave you quickly frustrated or injured.

Our team of 8 run coaches has created thousands of custom plans using the ...

Hoka Skyflow Review – Our 300 Mile Update

What if Hoka were to combine the Mach and the Bondi?? It turns out that the brand new Hoka Skyflow model is the shoe I didn’t realize I’d been missing from Hoka. Read on to compare it to other shoes and find out more!

I first started running in HOKA with the Clifton 1 and I loved it almost right away. I was skeptical at the time because no one else was doing such a large stack height, but it was fantastic.

Over the years, other brands have caught up and now the Clifton feelslike a firm cushion ...

Sick Before Your Race? Here’s What To Do.

You’ve spent the last several months training, then one day during the taper, you wake up achy with a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. Yep, getting sick before a race is just about every runner’s worst nightmare.

Before you spiral into a panic or go down a never ending Dr. Google search, take a deep breath.  You may have done everything like you were supposed to, but getting sick right before a race is surprisingly common.

It’s so common that it actually has a name, “the runner’s flu”.

At least,...

Average Mile Time for Runners: What’s Normal and What’s Impressive?

Running a mile can be viewed as both easy and insanely difficult, depending on your perspective. A full tilt run to beat your own average mile time is gut wrenchingly hard and often leaves you wondering if your time mile time is average or perhaps better??
After high school many of us don’t spend much time working on our mile time. But that could be to the detriment of our goals to run a marathon or half marathon or 5K PR!

They say, “Never judge a run by the first mile.” I agree. And with that s...

8 Ways Running Can Help Reduce Stress And Anxiety

There are myriad benefits to running. You know the obvious ones of fitness, general health, goal-setting and achieving, and of taking time out for yourself.

You’ve probably even heard of – or chased – that “runner’s high” of endorphins, which inevitably leads you to come back for the next run and the next.

But even on all of the days when you don’t get to the pinnacle of euphoria, running can do wonders when it comes to reducing stress and anxiety. Maybe more importantly it can mitigate the nega...

Benefits of Running a Mile a Day

Whether you’re a beginner runner just starting your running journey or an experienced runner getting back in the game, the goal of running a mile a day can be a nice way to build consistency.

image from mens journal

You might not feel like it’s an achievable goal at first but with the benefits listed in this article as well as the tips I’ve mentioned to get started, you’ll be running a mile a day in no time!

In truth, I usually do NOT recommend running streaks. In other words, running daily.

How...

25 Runner Quirks We Don’t Realize are Super Weird

It’s time once again for another episode of funny runner moments. This is my ongoing reminder that what we’re doing just isn’t that serious and taking a moment to laugh at ourselves is often the best way to stay in love with our crazy sport.

A few of the past reminders that we’re a little nutty:

17 Funny Running Meme’s9 Comical Running Mistakes19 Things Never Said by A Runner9 Lies Runners Love Telling25 Funny Runner Quirks

One of the most peculiar things about running is that things whic...

Ryka Devo X Max Review | She is Beauty, She is Grace

It’s going to be hard not to make this review a love letter to Ryka, but I will do my best. The Ryka Devo X Max is a walking shoe that’s going to cause FOMO amongst your friends.

If you haven’t heard of Ryka, it’s the first athletic shoe company solely dedicated to women. With RTTF being a woman-founded brand, we love this!!

The shoes are designed to specifically fit a woman’s unique foot shape, muscle movement, and build. They were even awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal ...

Best Ways To Recover After A Long Run

If you’re in the midst of a training program for your next race, particularly a half marathon or longer, you probably have a weekly long run on your schedule. The miles are important, but recovering well from the work is key to continuing training.

Recovery doesn’t get nearly enough attention through a training cycle. But it’s actually one of the biggest game changers when it comes to staying injury-free and feeling good on your next run.

You all know I love my warmups, but I also prioritize my...