About the Author

Amanda Brooks

I am a running coach with over a decade of experience helping thousands of runners to achieve their goals from running injury free to crossing that marathon finish line with a PR. I've run over 28,000 miles in my own running journey since 2002. Run To The Finish is my place to share that love and my deep dive in to researching all things running. I hold multiple run coaching certifications, as well as a personal training certification. But it's my ongoing desire to learn and progress as a coach that has allowed me to help runners from their 20's through their 70's! More ways to connect with me:

Amanda Brooks

Shut Down the Negative Voice on Your Next Run

You’re out for a run and then you hear it – that voice. You turn up your music, but it’s still there. The voice that tells you that you can’t…

Sleep: Why Runners Need It and How to Get More!!

Sleep is the one component not listed on marathon training plans that should be! You get up extra early to fit in the miles and slog through sprints when you’re…

Healthy Shrimp Recipe: Easy One Sheet Dinner

We’ve established previously that I’m all about easy meals…but easy meals that are healthy! Since my parents tend to be the one’s I test these things on, they’ve had a…

A Year of Running After Knee Surgery

Whhheeeewwwww this year packed quite the punch, as I had the opportunity to remember exactly what it feels like to be a beginner all over again! I had a choice…

Overcome Your Top Running Excuses

Each time I tell a non-runner about my running, my face lights up and I get all gushy and excited like a love sick teenager, which ALWAYS provokes a response…

ASICS GT-2000 7 Review

Sponsored by Zappos, all opinions are my own. You might not know this, but it’s thanks to my friends at ASICS that I had a chance to train for and…

Runner Pays $410 for Banana

Have you seen the shirt “this is a lot of work for a free banana“? It cracks me up every single time. Then I started to ponder it, as one…

Psychology of Running: Incorporating Mental Marathon Training

You won’t find mental training on your plan. It’s not 10 reps of 30 seconds with 1 minute of rest. It’s rarely something that is specifically prescribed because it feels…

3 IT Band Strengthening Exercises

You know I’m dedicated to fixing your IT Band, right?! It’s why I created a whole 70 page ebook about how I resolved it permanently for myself and others, for…

Is Running Fun? Do We Really Enjoy Running?

We talk a lot about the pure satisfaction of crossing a finish line and knowing you’ve achieved something you once thought beyond reach. We see the big smiles of #medalmonday…

Is Lake Powell Resort Worth It?: Boat Tours, Hikes and More

If you’ve spent any amount of time on Instagram, you’ve probably come across Lake Powell Resort and the surrounding areas. Instagram seriously knows how to take my wanderlust from around…

Omron Tens Review: Avail Wireless TENS Device

In that first post, I talked all about what transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation does, who should use it and why. Today I’m talking more about the specific at home TENS…

TomTom Runner Watch Review

I get asked frequently about which GPS watch I wear and the truth is that I rotate a lot..but one that you’ve seen on my wrist for at least 4…

Long Beach Half Marathon Race Review and Report

Hellllloooooo from sunny California. Really I could not have timed this trip any better, as the first sightings of winter seem to be hitting Denver. What can I say, I…

Salzburg, Austria: Cycling, Hiking and Gelato

Wind in my hair, sunshine on my face, feet on the pedals….WHAT? Don’t I mean feet on the ground, like running? Well there was that too, but first I have…

Slovenia: Ljubljana and Lake Bled

If you missed Croatia Part 1 and Plitvice Lakes, you gotta start there! It was a stellar part of our trip leading in to the time in Slovenia, which makes…

Secrets to Fully Experiencing Plitvice Lakes and Zagreb, Croatia

If you’re finding this post before my first one with details on everything you need to know about a Croatia vacation, be sure to check it out! I also talk…

19 Croatia Travel Tips Before Your Next Trip

These Croatia travel tips are perfect for anyone heading to this European country. Croatia is a truly stunning country with a beautiful Adriatic coastline, 1244 islands, incredible cities, and breathtaking…

It’s All Hard Sh**: Time to Embrace the Hard and Potential Failure in Life

Funny story. Well not the kind that will have you peeing your pants funny. But none the less, one that you’ll probably nod along to and go yup, we kinda…

Ragnar Colorado: Our Adventure and Race Review

We did it!! Ragnar Colorado: 200 miles, over 30 hours, 2 vans, 12 ladies. Our goal was only to have fun and there were moments of oh crap this is…

7 Rules for a Legendary Relay Race

Have you ever run 16 miles in a torrential downpour in the middle of the night on the side of a state highway in a strange city? Yes, after running…

7 Hilarious Porta-Potty Stories Only Runners Will Understand

It’s the early morning moment we all dread, stepping in to a dark start line porta-potty, breath held and praying for the best. Will there be toilet paper? Will it…

Create an Instagram Feed People Want to Follow and Take a Better Running Selfie

“Does someone follow you around to take your photos?!” This is possibly still one of my favorite questions received {thanks Terese}. I love that people have wondered for awhile now…

8 Things I Was Totally Unprepared for When I Started Running

Shoes on. Laced up. Door locked. Watch on. Start running. That’s all it takes right? Well it’s probably all that it should take, but I quickly found in 2002 after…

Ragnar Relay Race Common FAQs and Team Names

After writing about both Miami to Key West Ragnar Relay Race, the Colorado Ragnar Race, the Wild West Relay, the Palmetto 200 and the Race to Kinvara, I’ve gotten a…

Confessions of a Sugar Free Failure

Update: This post is 100% honest and to help you not feel alone. I’ve now figured out how to get control of sugar and I’ve shared that here >> I…

Post Sugar Detox: Sugar in Moderation?

Initially I committed to only a 7 day Sugar Detox as part of the Clean and Lean Project. For me, mentally – 7 days was much easier than saying no…

Sugar Detox: Running Is Not A Free Sugar Card

For a long time, I had the idea that because I run and workout regularly, sugar didn’t necessarily have the same effect on me as someone who doesn’t. It’s an…

Sugar Detox: How to Change Your Eating Habits

Let’s be honest, it’s a little exhausting to manage all the do’s and dont’s of a detox, isn’t it? Because after a few days of detoxing, it isn’t just about…

Sugar Detox: Managing Sugar Detox Symptoms

Hair flying, arms straining, a battle of tug-o-war ensued between the I NEED it and the I WON’T let you have it sides of my brain. I could literally see…

Sugar Detox: Emotional Cravings

“I just can’t believe he said no running for six months” she half mumbled, half sobbed through her spoonful of froyo topped with more candy than I remembered seeing on…

The Incredible Yoga-Running Connection: Improving Life Through Two Modalities

You can practice running or yoga for an hour every single day for a month, a week, a year or a lifetime and while your focus might be on the…

Wilder Running and Writing Retreat: Experience and Review

Is it weird that I just spent four days with an aching hand as we spent hours writing (yes with actual pen and paper!) during the Wilder Running and Writing…

Steamboat Springs Half Marathon Review and Race Report

Should I do this race? Is it good for a PR? How’s the weather? Just a few of the things I’m wondering before clicking register, which is why I now…

BE FAST: Understanding Stroke Symptoms

As many of you know by now, my father had a heart attack last month. It was immensely terrifying to see someone in good health, suddenly dealing with something so…

Running Problems We’ve All Experienced: How to Make it to Race Day

No one plans to fail. I’m sure the captain of the Hindenburg didn’t set out for his trip thinking, “I’ll stop paying attention for awhile and this big bubble of…

Dreadful Running Advice and What to Do Instead

Wiping the stinging sweat from my eyes, I sucked in as much oxygen as possible to join the rest of the group in celebrating the end of our run. Already…

Colorado Sand Dunes and Pueblo State Park: Another Active Adventure

The traditional thing to do for a 10 year anniversary might have been a bottle of wine, a fancy restaurant, dressing up and making googly eyes at each other. We…

We Got Married in a Parking Garage and Other Bizarre Marriage Facts

Did I just say parking garage?? If you’re one of the 2 people who haven’t heard this story yet, welcome. Come in. Pull up a chair. Grab a drink, you’re…

Tips for Running Downtown Austin

If you’re staying in downtown Austin, then I’ve got some easy to get to spots that are perfect for getting in your miles. Runsploring isn’t just a workout to get…

7 Reasons Your Eating Clean is Too Expensive and How to Fix It ASAP

“I got my mind on my money, my money on my mind” — preach it Youngbloodz On a visit to Kansas City, I took a little spin to Wally World…

Food Sensitivity in Athletes And Its Impact On Performance

Athletes may actually be more susceptible to symptoms of food sensitivities. Learn why and what to do about it in this complete guide.