Amanda Brooks's Blog, page 9

50 Running Mantras: Why They Work, What Elite Runners Use

The mental side of running is often joked about, but it’s truly a massive component of having a great training cycle and race day. There is a lot we can do during training to help with this, but one key tool is running mantras.

It can be as short as a single word or as long as a phrase.

What matters is that you FEEL it deeply and connect with it. Ideally you’ll start using it during some of your harder training runs from speed workouts to long runs, so that you’ve made that mental connection. B...

The Strength Training Program Every Runner Needs (From Real Running Coaches)

A good strength training program for runners blends current fitness with running goals. Which is to say it needs to be progressive, not leave you too sore to run and focus on some of the common weaknesses for runners. No matter where you are in your strength journey, we’ve got a breakdown here to help you get on track.

Sprinter Natasha Hastings often shares her strength workouts

All of our athletes are required to incorporate strength training.

We put it in the plan and we follow up to make sure...

Wahoo TRACKR HR Monitor Review | The Chest Strap that Connects to Everything

We know that chest straps are the gold standard for training by heart rate.  Since HR is a metric I love to use, it was time to checkout the Wahoo TRACKR to go right alongside all the other fun Wahoo gear we’ve been testing.You might remember last month we told you about the Wahoo KICKR treadmill which can auto adjust your pace based  on where you are on the belt. AND in a super exciting twist pairs to your watch so you get exact training data.

The next step in this process, heart rate!

With the...

11 Best Wide Foot Running Shoes (Basics to 4E Fit)

When it comes to finding the right running shoe for wide feet, it can feel like a never ending hunt. But a seriously important one. If you’ve been dealing with blisters, bunions or other foot pain these wide running shoes might help.

A wide shoe has more room throughout the entire width of the shoe. Where a wide toe box is focused on increasing the space for the widest part of your foot, known as the ball of your foot.

The difference does matter, as we’re looking to find that great fit where you...

Best Running Sun Shirts That Don’t Feel Like Wearing a Blanket

Sun shirts for runners reviewed by our team over the years that we think hit the mark. Providing UPF protection without overheating, which can be a tall order at 9,000 feet where the sun is ultra intense!

In case you’re totally new to the idea of sun shirts, let’s do a quick primer on why you might want MORE clothing instead of less for your sunny day adventures.

What is UPF in Clothing

We’ve all heard of SPF, which is the protection rating scale used for sunscreen. UPF is similar, and stands fo...

Running With an Apple Watch: Perfect for Some Runners, Terrible for Others

Can I run with just my Apple Watch? A valid question and one we running coaches receive weekly.  Yes, you totally can. But there are a few things worth considering.

image from @stepsapp

If you’re not big on gear (especially when it comes to tech), you’ll be happy to know you really only need one watch to support your training. And for many people, the Apple Watch fits the bill.

With so many good running watches on the market, it ultimately comes down to what matters most to you. But if you’re al...

Altra Olympus 275 Review | Great Shoe, Terrible Fit

Our review of the new Altra Olympus 275, after having some pretty high praise for the Olympus 6.

The Altra Olympux 275 arrived looking flashy right out of the box in this bright coral and black combo and I could not wait to put them on and take them for a run.  Even with all of that cushion, they felt lightweight and very stable.  The outsole is similar to the Altra Olympus 6 with the Vibram® Megagrip. which has such great traction out on the trails.

The Olympus line of shoes is known for its ex...

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review: The Daily Trainer That Gets Regular Runners

Mizuno describes the latest edition of its long time neutral trainer as an “excellent choice for everyone from beginners to marathon fans who like moderate cushioning.” A little ho-hum compared to its lofty description of this shoe’s predecessor, the Wave Rider 28, which Mizuno called “the ultimate daily trainer.”

Those who read my review of the Wave Rider 28 may recall that even I, as a long-time Brooks devotee, was impressed by the comfort and technology Mizuno shoes had to offer. The 28 has i...

Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Review | Hard Charging Technical Shoe

When a shoe gets a full redesign, it can go one of two ways: it either solves problems you didn’t realize you had or it overcomplicates a good thing. With the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4, Salomon clearly went all-in.

 From the higher stack height, updated foams, and a more structured upper, this version in many ways feels like a different shoe altogether. I was curious to see how these changes added up on real mountain terrain.

As a mountain runner, Salomon shoes have always been on my radar. But whe...

Women-Owned Fitness Brands Every Active Woman Should Know

As a female-founded brand, we’re all about lifting up other badass women doing amazing things. Let’s talk about some brands built by women who know exactly what women need. Because it’s more than “shrink it and pink it.”

You’ll find a mix of big names and small businesses here, but they’ll have one thing in common: they were built by women, for women.

Each of these brands has a similar mission, empowering female athletes across every sport, at every level. They’re not just creating great produc...