Amanda Brooks's Blog, page 34
February 28, 2025
Saucony Guide 18 Review | Staying the Course
The Saucony Guide 18 is a great option for everyday runners that want more cushion and some support. Designed to be a cushioned daily trainer, these find a nice balance of stability and cushion, helping you go the distance.
With its balance of comfort, support, and breathability, the Guide 18 is a solid choice for runners looking for a dependable daily trainer. It was never intended to be a speed work shoe and that hasn’t changed with this model.
But let’s look at what upgrades they’ve made an...
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Review | Sweet Spongy Speed
As a self-proclaimed Saucony shoe nut, I was buzzing when I spotted the Endorphin Elite 2 during the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics. What made this shoe so fantastic they wanted to wear it for that race? Let’s find out.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the original Endorphin Elite, so I was curious (and cautiously optimistic) to see what Saucony had cooked up this time.
After two years of waiting, I laced them up and hit the road to see if this supershoe lived up to the hype.
The Saucony End...
February 27, 2025
9 Best Running Shoes for Walking Long Days or Workouts
What do a bunch of running coaches know about walking? A ton! We all use walking as part of our training, daily life and of course we can traverse a theme park with the best of them. So let’s talk about the best running shoes for walking.
Whether it’s a quick walk on the treadmill between meetings, strolling through your neighborhood or exploring the local trails, how a pair of shoes feels underfoot is super duper important. Especially if you’re on your feet for super long days!
As long as a sh...
February 26, 2025
This Nine-Pound Chihuahua Has Finished Six Marathons, And Is Looking To Continue To Inspire With Faster Times In 2025
People like to say that big things come in small packages, and when it comes to Jellybean, a nine-pound chihuahua who runs marathons, that definitely seems to be the case.
The running pup is six years old and has completed six marathons beside her owner, Andrew Owens. He says that she’s looking to break some records in 2025 for dogs running both half- and full marathons.
Owens adopted Jellybean in 2020, and though he says she wasn’t sure what to make of running at first, she grew to enjoy it.
Altra Torin 8 Review | Lightweight Miles
The Torin series is a popular zero drop middle distance road trainer from Altra, the brand known for its roomy foot shaped shoes. The latest version, the Altra Torin 8, is another step in the right direction from what many dedicated Altra fans considered missteps with versions 5 and 6.
The Torin 8 doesn’t have a high-tech midsole foam or carbon fiber plate sandwiched between two layers of foam, tuned to the exact durometer that will maximize the energy return of each stride. And that’s fine be...
February 24, 2025
February “We Tried It” Gear Testing | Odd Balls to Hoodies
There is a lot of gear in the running world we test that doesn’t always make sense to write a long review. But we still want you to know the unfiltered review and truth on how it performs. In our ‘We Tried It’ series, we put gear to the test and let you know in quick summaries if it works as advertised.
Hopefully each month we can introduce you to some brands you might not know from women owned brands to fuel to extra gear pieces that might just be the solution you’ve been looking for!
This roun...
February “We Tried It” Gear Sears | Odd Balls to Hoodies
There is a lot of gear in the running world we test that doesn’t always make sense to write a long review. But we still want you to know the unfiltered review and truth on how it performs. In our ‘We Tried It’ series, we put gear to the test and let you know in quick summaries if it works as advertised.
Hopefully each month we can introduce you to some brands you might not know from women owned brands to fuel to extra gear pieces that might just be the solution you’ve been looking for!
This roun...
Rate of Perceived Exertion: Why RPE is Important Runners
RPE or Rate of Perceived Exertion has finally gained popularity as Garmin and other watches made it part of saving each workout. As a long time running coach, I couldn’t be happier to see this because we’ve been asking it of our athletes for years. Find out why it’s such an important metric for every runner.
Learning how to run by effort is a game changer to prevent injury, increase enjoyment and helps many runners improve their race day PR’s.
You are not a machine, which means that sometimes you...
Merrell Antora 4 Review | Women’s Only Trail Shoe
The Merrell Antora 4’s are a quick and lightweight trail shoe ideal for moderate, dry trails. This is a women’s specific fit shoe, which is always interesting to test!
I put these to the test during a midwest winter and explored snow and slush as well as some drier, less technical trails. These are definitely better suited for the latter.
Interesting that it’s listed as their best-selling trail shoe because we’ve tested others that we believe would hold up much better for truly technical trail...
February 23, 2025
7 Best Wide Toe Box Walking Shoes
Have you realized that your feet need a bit more space? Whether it’s walking with bunions, a wider forefoot or just seeing the benefits of a foot shaped shoe, we’ve got you covered! Our team has tested tons of gear to come up with the best wide toe box walking shoes!
If you’ve ever dealt with blisters or sore feet after long hours of walking or standing, I hate to say it but your shoes might be the cause.
The toe box is the front part of a shoe and the fit can totally make or break how your fee...
