RunToTheFinish

Online Running Coach | Running Shoe and Gear Reviews

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

Is the Scale Broken? What Happens when the Numbers Don’t Budge.

**Update on 2014 post with some additional information and my own personal update.** 12 weeks. 84 days. 100+ snacks. 252 meals. Not 1 pound lost. %$&*#(*@@@ <<< In keeping this…

Comical Look at the Secret to Decoding Race Course Descriptions

I’ve made two repeated mistakes over the last 15 years of racing…. I don’t bother to read the course description at all. Leaving me with a stomach in knots the…

12 Weird Thoughts Every Runner Has at the Start Line

You’ve made it to race day. No surprises there, you woke up 322 times to watch the blinking red dots on your clock and ensure you didn’t over sleep. Of…

Why We Have Fitness Imposter Syndrome? Owning our Flaws is Better

In college, as I started my weight loss journey, running became one of the best tools ever. It took me from thinking just about a number on the scale to…

Hearty, Healthy and Easy Ground Turkey Veggie Soup

Calling all my one pot dinner fans! I shared this in progress on Instagram Stories and had so many questions about it that I figured it deserved it’s own post.…

Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice

Grab your coffee and settle in, you’ll find that there are many posts here about Iceland and you won’t want to miss a single one if you are planning a…

Forget Running for Weight Loss, Try This Instead

Today, I’m going to share with you the secret to weight loss, health and fitness no one talks about. Yes, it’s the plan that covers alllllll of those and is…

Best Running & Fitness Hashtags on Instagram to Grow Your Following

After sharing tips for breaking free of your selfie posting habit to get better photos and some great fitness accounts to follow for inspiration, in came the questions on “what…

The Split Long Run: Is It As Effective?

Sunday – 4:00AM AKA – Zero dark o’clock and time to get up for a marathon training run What if I just sleep a few more minutes? And an hour…

The Secret Power of Beginning Runners (And We’re All Beginners)

We spend a lot of time focusing on the end result, on being better, on performing like the top of the pack. But beginning runners have a some incredible benefits.…

I’m Not Grateful For This Injury and Other Post Knee Surgery Musings

I’m not grateful for this 8 month journey of pain and frustration. I know that’s not the kosher thing to say. I’m supposed to tell you how it’s made me…

Ireland Active Vacation: Hikes, Bikes, and More

Planning an Ireland active vacation is simple - from biking to hiking to even dancing there are tons of options! Here's what you should try.

Rock N Roll Dublin Race Report and Review

May your heart be light and happy, may your smile be big and wide, and may your pockets always have a coin or two inside. – Irish Saying I’ve got…

Beyond Pace and Distance: Real Stories of How Miles Change You

Every runner has  a story. I’m fascinated with learning them. Digging in to that unique moment that made someone decide to lace up and do something that the rest of…

Healthy Summer Slow Cooker Meals: Back To School Light and Easy Recipes

One of the few downsides to summer is that I want to spend even less time in the kitchen, and I feel like all of my crockpot meals are geared…

You’re Injured. 7 Step Program for Mental Recovery

Is it possible to run without injury, absolutely. Do most of us do all the things that would require (daily PT, stretching, never pushing beyond our limits, avoiding misplaced man…

Oregon Dirt and Vert: My First Trail Race

You never forget your first. Clichés sound trite, but only because they ring true with such simplicity. In 2002, I ran my first race ever. I can’t say I loved…

Unlike Any: Women Stand Alone and NYC Running

Earlier this week, I took off with my Under Armour Women family for a quick trip to NYC to celebrate the launch of a new campaign that I’m so excited…

Wanderlust 108: A Mindful Triathlon 5K, Yoga and Meditation

I’ve always wanted to do a triathlon. I mean I have all the required skills to swim, bike, run. What I lacked was the interest in racing, I’d prefer to…

Understanding Your Fitness Personality for Lasting Workout Motivation

I like eating cereal without milk. I adore cuddling with my cats, but only where I can quickly clean up their fur. I hate seams anywhere near my toes, making…

Beginners Guide: Dairy Free Alternatives

Welcome to part two of this dairy free series! First we chatted about why people are going dairy free and the ever important calcium, today we’re touching on some of…

Should You Go Dairy Free? Benefits, Tips and Calcium Sources

My love for veggies is widely known thanks to my frequent usage of the term freggies and my weight loss tips to aim for 7-9 servings. This has lead to…

Decoding Expensive Workout Gear Jargon and How to Make it Last

Over the last 10 years of blogging, I’ve tested out a lot of different gear. Some good…some bad…some excellent. None the less, even after all that testing and meeting with…

5 Secrets to Simplify Your Training (and get back to your life)

Each time I talk with another runner, I come away with new training ideas. It’s both a blessing and a curse! How many things can I actually do? What will…

Biggest Runner Pet Peeves: Read It. Remember It. Stop Doing It.

It’s happening, you’re sliding in to the zone, the world is fading away and you’re now one with your running shoes. Who knows, maybe you’ll just run for days, maybe…

Why We Run Through Pain? The Injured Runner’s Mindset

You need to just rest, take time off. Don’t run through pain. It’s  a well meaning statement from a logical non-runner. We duck our heads with a little grin and…

Curing an Emotional Hangover: What Happens When the Big Event is Done

A few days ago you crushed your PR. You wore that medal proudly all day around town. You didn’t even mind the ache of your calves as you devoured the…

Podcasts with Run To The Finish: Where I’m Talking Business and Running

If you feel that reading here every day is simply not enough of my fabulosity then I’ve got some good news…a few fantastic people have invited me to share more…

7 Habits of Highly Fit People that You Can Easily Do

Creating healthy habits — SNORE. It just sounds so BORING, nothing like the sparkle and pizazz of “10 minute abs” or “lose 5lbs overnight”, so our eyes glaze over just…

An Open Letter to the Middle of the Pack: Embracing the Average Runner

Lungs searing, legs aching for relief, she lunges forward finding the finish line respite, where she can finally stop hands on knees heaving with fatigue and accomplishment. She didn’t make…

15 Active Fitness Camp Vacations & Adventure Retreats

Ready to escape the daily grind, but you want to come home feeling more alive and possibly more healthy? These active vacations are a win.

DNF: Colorado Half Marathon Recap and Race Review

Everyday we’re faced with a myriad of decisions. Most of which have such a tiny impact, we won’t even notice for years that we opted to add that extra squirt…

Why Running a 5K Could Result in a Marathon PR

Endurance or speed that seems to be the option for most runners. I fully admit to running distance because I’m not a speedster! But what if we would improve in…

Peanut Butter Addiction Support Group

WARNING THIS IS NOT AN ANONYMOUS GROUP…join at your own risk. You might be an addict if… you feel like crying when the jar is empty. You might be an…

An Running Knee MRI Mess: 12 Tips for Running Without Drugs

Oh my God, I can’t be that person who starts saying “I used to run, but now my knees are bad.” I’m sure it’s wrong that this was my first…

High Fat Diet for Endurance Athletes: Why Keto Is Gaining Traction

When I originally began sharing research about high fat diets for endurance athletes in 2014, it was still a bizarre concept that left most saying, no, no no. {myself included}…

Xango Juice Review and Free Samples

The Mayo Clinic is using Xango Juice in a current study to determine the long-term benefits…Drew Brees drinks it and the infamous heal your body Dr. Oz says it’s one…

Run Mindful Retreat: What Happens on a Running Retreat

Initially I was going to break this down by day, but do you need to know every second?! No. What you want to know is what were the runs like,…

A Trail Running Retreat for Every Runner

Is a trail running retreat right for you? What should you expect? Will everyone be pro’s and is it only for experienced trail runners? All things that were running through…

LHR Training Results: Maffetone Method Half Marathon

I’ve talked a great deal about why Low Heart Rate training has worked so well for my body and how it lead to a 4 minute half marathon PR. But…

True Life: I’m Married to a Runner

It’s 5AM on Saturday, you roll over to discover nothing but a dent in the pillow next to you, do you know where your spouse is? If they’re a runner…

The Colorado Fit Life

It’s Saturday morning, the clock blinks 4:55 and though you don’t need to get up yet, you can’t stay in bed. There’s a sky filled with pink swirls coming soon,…

7 Secrets to Break Through

Feeling stuck? Discover which of the 7 most common runner issues is holding you back in this free program. Videos, interviews, workouts and more!