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

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.

Should You Follow a Race Pace Group?

For months, you’ve diligently followed a training to help you crack your newest race goal. As the race approaches, you start seeing notes about the provided race pace group and…

Ideas for Switching Up Your Exercise At Home For Max Benefits

Yet another blast of fridged air has pushed you to the treadmill or a crying baby is keeping you on your toes with an indoor ride. You’re a champ, you’ll…

Timex Ironman GPS Watch Reviews

12 years ago I walked in to Wal-Mart as a poor college student looking for a watch to wear as I started running. I found a Timex Ironman watch that…

Ultimate Running Knee Pain Treatment and Prevention Guide

When I took up running in 2002, the first thing I heard was “it’s bad for your knees“. At the time, I didn’t have any information to dispute that, but…

31 New Marathon Race Signs: Ideas for All The Funny You Need

In part one I gave you 50 ideas from hilarious to motivational, but I’m hearing that you need more because everyone is stealing your ideas…so um here are some more…

5 Reasons to do an Adventure Race (Time for a New Running Challange)

Long before there were Spartan Races and Tougher Mudders, there was adventure racing. It’s a world that has fascinated me for many years, but not one I’ve truly dove in…

9 Lies Runners Love Telling

Running is a mental sport, which means some days we have to play some mind games with ourselves. Other days we have to play mind games with our non-running friends…

Nike Epic React Review: Softest Run Ever

This post sponsored by Nike, all content and opinions expressed here are my own. How do you choose new running shoes? What about when you want to order the same…

20 Best Meal Planning Tips

If you’ve ever tried meal planning but failed at it, don’t worry! These meal planning tips will help you learn exactly what to do and not do to make the…

Run To Eat: National Pizza Day

Say what you want about not out running a bad diet, for a slice of pizza I’ll do my best! We are definitely not foodies in this house. I’m fine…

Running After Knee Surgery 5 Month Update

Since my first update was just two months post surgery, I thought I’d hop back on to give you the official 5 month update! If you are looking at knee…

Practical Winter Running Tips: Running Layers, Shoes and More

Over the last few months, I’ve tried to convince you to find ways to embrace winter running. First I told you how it burns more body fat. Then I showed…

How to Reboot Your Metabolism When It’s no Longer Working For You

Last year, I found myself wondering what this whole “macro” thing was about. I’ve been maintaining my 35lb weight loss pretty easily for almost 10 years, maybe this would be…

The Best Worst Year: The Injury Episode

“Nothing seems to go right for me, what am I doing wrong?!” I sobbed these nonsensical words as we hiked passed towering cacti under the Phoenix sun in February. The…

Underwear Runs: The Next Big Trend

Spartan races, mud runs, color runs…is this the year of the underwear runs? I’ve gotten a LOT of emails lately asking me what I think will be the big, hot,…

Luck vs Hard Work: Are You Giving Away Your Power?

The eyes downcast. A slight shrug of the shoulders. “Ahh I’m just really lucky it came together.” My standard response when someone looks at me with wide wondering eyes at…