On the Run With Brooks Running

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Brooks Running provided items for review. Items gifted and sent for editorial consideration are marked c/o. All opinions my own. Thank you for supporting Story of My Dress! 

On the Run With Brooks Running

Brooks Running Levitate Road Running Shoes c/o | Brooks Running Canopy Jacket c/o | Brooks Running Pick-Up Tank c/o | Brooks Running Greenlight Tight c/o | Brooks Running Glycerin Midweight Socks c/o | Brooks Running FineForm Medium Impact Sports Bra c/o

I started running in 7th grade. I honestly cannot remember exactly why I decided I wanted to run, I just know that my middle school self decided that running track and cross country were the sports I would enjoy. I had previously done gymnastics for 7 years, although living on an island meant zero opportunities for competition as a gymnast and I was likely ready to move on.

Running track and cross country at Langley Middle School meant several times during the season getting out of school early and heading off island for a meet, so maybe my 12 year old self just thought that was pretty cool. Whatever the reason, once I started running, I did not stop.

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

In high school I ran varsity cross country and track and was one of just a few at my high school to letter as a freshman. As a sophomore year track captain, I definitely felt pretty cool and enjoyed watching my high school boyfriend on the soccer field as I ran laps around the track.  The 3200 and 1600 were my races and distance running was my game.

I gave a few other sports a shot throughout the years. I played basketball in 8th and 9th grade, mostly to keep in shape in the running off season, and often combined with early morning runs because up and down the court just didn't compare to running the distance.

My first year of college I played on my university's lacrosse team, although that didn't even last the season; I was a bit scared on and off the field of the sport and quickly realized it wasn't for me. I was so afraid of getting hit in the face with a ball or lacrosse stick! I also realized I much preferred the individual run to that of the group sport.

On the Run With Brooks Running

Post-high school I moved away from running as a competition/race and turned to it as a form of self care. I have not run a race since 12th grade and have not interest in doing so. I am not a marathon runner. I am not even an everyday runner or even an every week runner. Sometimes I take long running breaks up to years at a time.

However, I always come back to the run.

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

About 10 years ago I started running in Brooks Running shoes.

I remember my first pair. I was on my way home from class in Ann Arbor and stopped by a little running store to delay all the textbook reading I was dreading and so needed to do. I had also decided it was time to start running again, as the stress of graduate school was beginning to sink in. I did not own a single pair of running shoes. I had recently done a cross country move from Seattle to Michigan and sold or gave away most of what I owned.

My first run in my new Brooks Running shoes along the Huron River waterfront in Ann Arbor felt so different. My feet felt supported and cushioned and I felt energized, each foot pushing and pounding the pavement and trail. I had been running for years and had no idea the difference a pair of shoes and running gear that's made for the run makes.

On the Run With Brooks Running

After graduating from the University of Michigan, I moved out to the California coast to live with my now-husband. The California coast is where I really fell in love with running in my Brooks Running shoes. We lived in Half Moon Bay, on the coast just south of San Francisco. The weather was perfect for running, often foggy and typically in the 60s, and the coastline stunning.

I could run forever on those California coastal trails, in those Brooks Running shoes, staring out at the Pacific Ocean.

On the Run With Brooks Running

Upon moving back to Seattle a few years ago, I discovered new places to run in my Brooks Running shoes. One of my favorites is Alki Beach in West Seattle, especially in the cooler months when the crowds thin and the air cools. 

I am one of those runners that loves a light rain when I run, and of course splashing through the occasional puddle. And sometimes you can spot whales from the Alki Beach boardwalk!

On the Run With Brooks Running

Brooks Running is based in Seattle too! And they are so much more than just amazing running shoes. They make fantastic running gear, including the Brooks Running Canopy Jacket, Pick-Up Tank, Greenlight Tight, Glycerin Midweight Socks and FineForm Medium Impact Sports Bra, I wore for a recent run along Alki, in addition to my pair of the recently launched Brooks Running Levitate Road Running Shoes.

The Brooks Running Levitate Road Running Shoes are my new favorite running shoes. Launched in Fall 2017, the Leviatate with DNA AMP is a new energize shoe from Brooks Running based on seven years of running shoe research. The levitate shoe is engineered to provide the most energy return of leading performance shoes and is super springy and bouncy. This runner is a huge fan!

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

And there's just something to be said about the run.

Running is where I can let everything go. I push everything behind me as I feel the wind or sun on my face, the smell of the fresh air and my feet hitting the ground. I hate gyms and group workout classes. There I said it. I am very much an outdoors in nature girl and love running the trails, as well as the occasional neighborhood run to my local parks.

The trail always calls me back when I need them most. That runners high calling my name.

I always come back to the run. 

xoxo

*If you're following me over on Instagram, I'll be attending the Brooks Running S18 Preview tonight and sharing the spring preview on my InstaStory!

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

On the Run With Brooks Running

Photography: Karya Schanilec Photography

4 comments :

  1. You inspire me! I'm more a walker now but loved running when I was younger. Thanks for sharing the fresh air!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is always refreshing to go on a run and especially nice to look great while exercising. I do like the whole combo, including the Brooks shoes. JD

    ReplyDelete
  3. This post is so inspiring! I've never liked running, but am trying to get myself out to do it because I know its a great way to get in shape and get out of the house. I'm learning that your shoes definitely make a big difference too, I'll have to check out some Brooks!

    -Mackenzie
    www.kenzywho.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. in light of the fact that the V90 Cross Country is shut in appearance, excepting a couple of clear changes. long distance movers cheap

    ReplyDelete