Run To The Finish Reviews and Coaching

Most running sites do one thing well – they either focus on gear reviews OR they provide training advice. We do both, and we do them better because we understand they’re connected.

Our team of certified running coaches doesn’t just test 200+ shoes per year – we understand how different shoes work for different paces, foot strikes, and running goals. Training tips are crucial, but we also test the gear that supports that training in real-world conditions across thousands of miles.

This comprehensive approach means we our articles help with everything from choosing the right shoe for your marathon training to adjusting your nutrition strategy based on what actually works for runners at every pace.

We specialize in supporting middle and back-of-the-pack runners because we know your needs are different from elite athletes, and frankly, you deserve better guidance than “just run faster.”

Whether you need a training plan that fits around your busy life, honest gear reviews from people who understand your pace, or coaching that celebrates your progress rather than obsessing over splits – we’ve got you covered.

Why?

Because it’s exactly what Coach Amanda was missing when she started running in 2002.

Gear Reviews

Learn all about our gear reviews and our testing team!

We don’t cut shoes apart or just repeat back marketing speak. Sure it’s interesting to see inside, but you want to know is how does this shoe feel? Does it rub along the collar? Does it run true to size? Will those trail shoes grip on wet rocks? Are those cushioned shoes bouncy or firm?

That’s why we take every shoe out for many miles before giving feedback. And then we hit in some key areas in every single running shoe review to help you quickly compare shoes!

Our team is also following the research, checkout some helpful starters:

• Understanding Running Shoe Foam – yes it impacts durability!
• Are Max Cushioned Running Shoes Bad For You?
• What Running Shoes Are Good for Knee Pain?

Amanda Brooks Coaching Qualifications

I founded Run To The Finish as a place to support the middle of the pack in 2012. Since that time I’ve created an incredible community through our Virtual Run Club, brought on a team of 8 running coaches, shared over a thousand articles to improve your running and a book.

You’re not an elite runner able to dedicate all your time to training, reading the new research and figuring out what will ACTUALLY work.

That’s why I’m here!

I do the research. I’ve got the certifications. I test out the new gizmos. So you can spend your time enjoying the miles.

• Certified Running Coach from United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy
• Certified Ultra Running Coach from United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy
• Certified Personal Trainer with Sport Nutrition from ACE
• Over 36,000 miles run myself
• Over 500 hundred runners coached 1-1
• Created a team of running coaches to help with different goals
• Thousands of runners coached through our group programs
• Over 2000 researched articles on running written
• Hundreds  of running shoes tested and reviewed
• Continuing education through courses like Dr Stacey Sims Training Athletes in Perimenopause and Menopause
• I LOVE RUNNING. Which means I am always reading, learning and discovering new things to share.

I believe that every runner is different and requires a program designed around their life, their body and their goals!

My journalism degree was dusted off and put to work as I started taking Run To The Finish from a blog to a website filled with truly useful information for runners. Learning what we could do to prevent injuries, enjoy our runs more and see food as fuel to hit our goals!

RTTF has expanded to a team of writers and runners who follow strict testing, research, news, and reviews standards.

RTTF Coaching Mission

I want us all to think beyond the clock.

To love the run for what it gives us.
To love our bodies for what they can achieve.
To take the extra few moments to keep us running injury free and happy.

In fact, that’s the major portion of the first 1/3 of my book! Run To The Finish: The Everyday Runners Guide

I know what it’s like to fake knee pain to get out of running or hear someone say they crave vegetables and think “they’re batty”!

That’s why I’m sharing my story, running tips, recipes for runners, workout ideas, motivation, expert interviews, travel, adventure, joy and LIFE all of which is geared to help:

• How to prevent the most common running injuries
• Confidently run alone amidst sometimes scary news
• Learning to balance running and strength training
• And creating in person running retreats to help us all connect

In the beginning of my healthy living journey, I knew only that running made me joyful so I just kept doing it.

In the years that followed, I expanded my horizons and realized that active living in general makes my life full and fantastic.

Which means now you’ll find me doing A LOT of wellness travel, kayaking, indoor climbing, golfing, or just finding ziplines in the middle of Colorado!

I’m always ready to try new things and share them here…sweaty, goofy details and all.

AMANDA C BROOKS BIO

An only child raised in Kansas City, I played every sport under the sun, but was frequently told I stunk at running and even in to college people commented on my “baby fat”.

Once I realized I wanted to FEEL differently about my body, I began to make small changes that I could maintain for life and as a result my body and mind started to change.
{Read about my 35 lb weight loss to fitness journey.}

Running was an integral part of my weight loss journey, but not simply because it involved burning calories!

After my very first race {a half marathon in 2002}, I found within myself a new deep sense of pride and I wanted to feel that every day.I’ve never been terribly interested in racing because that creates a pressure around running.I simply run 40-50 mile weeks because I can and I want to…that’s not to say that I haven’t raced and enjoyed many of these experiences!!

You can read all of my race reports and find out which one’s I really loved on my Race Reports page.

Writer At Heart
I graduated from Mizzou in 2003 with a degree in Journalism which was fueled by my desire to follow my passion of writing.

Instead, after college I found an amazing job with  a company that allowed me to spend 9 years developing my analytical thinking skills by providing online consulting services to Fortune 500 companies around the US.

Then in 2012, I decided to make a change for my health and pursue blogging full time.

Shortly after graduation, I also met my husband. We were married in the world’s weirdest weather horrifying ceremony on March 29, 2008 and as with everything in our marriage he taught me how to roll with the punches and keep on laughing.

I helped him start traveling around the world per my passion and his job moved us right out of KC to Miami Beach in 2008! Then we moved on to Orlando and finally we’ve jumped to Denver, we hope for a long haul.

The best part is making new friends in cities all over the country.

CONTACT Run To the Finish

I love hearing from you so please reach out at any time: contact Amanda Brooks — sorry yes it’s a form, I get so many spam emails that’s the only way to keep my sanity.

You should join me on Instagram here – because I’m there…a LOT
You should follow me on Twitter here
You should follow me on Facebook here – because there’s great community connections
You can also watch me on YouTube

If you’re looking for a coach, checkout the online coaching programs!