Thank you Brooks for partnering on this post!

My favorite seasons for trail running are fall and winter. When the air is crisp. multiple layers required and the likelihood of a raindrop or two increases. You see, I'm about to let you in on a little secret. In the fall and winter, as temperatures drop and the sky overhead turns grey in the Pacific Northwest, the trails empty out. 

In summer in the Pacific Northwest (and also spring as soon as the first ray of sunshine appears) and particularly in close proximity to Seattle, trails are crowded every single day! Everyone loves to hike and run and play outside when that sun is shining bright and those living in the PNW crave that vitamin D. But as soon as it gets just a little colder and a little rainier and a little more grey, that is the best time to hit the trails with your running shoes!

Today I'm partnering with Brooks to share with you what to wear when trail running! Trail running is a healthy, simple activity that requires minimal gear, but it does require you to be prepared with what you do need for your run. You'll want to find the right shoes and gear up for your run to help make your run more enjoyable and stay safe, healthy and run happy!   

Run Happy: 10 Tips to Start Running Today For Beginners

 Thank you Brooks for partnering on this post!


Brooks Glycerin 17 Running Shoes c/o | Brooks Greenlight Running Tights c/o | Brooks Fly-By Hoodie c/o | Brooks Cascadia Thermal Vest c/o | Brooks Pick-Up Tank Top c/o | Brooks Hot Shot Sports Bra c/o | Brooks Glycerin Ultimate Cushion Running Socks c/o

Today I run.

In graduate school I turned to running for stress relief. Again, today, in this strange new world we are living in, I am running. Partly because, with our current restrictions for those of us under stay-at-home orders, running is one of the few forms of exercise allowed outdoors (also, walking and bicycling) while maintaining social distancing. And also, because I really love running.

Running is a form of exercise I truly enjoy that provides oh so many mental and physical health benefits, including improving cardiovascular fitness, helping with sleep and improving immunity, among countless other benefits. I also love being outside.

I started running in 7th grade. I competed in both track and cross-country in middle school (on the district winners podium in 8th grade) and in high school (varsity and lettering as a freshman and team captain as a sophomore). By college and my 20s, running turned recreational and now I no longer compete. But through my 30s (and soon to be 40s!) I still find myself running.

With many years of running now under my (running) shoes and as something I find brings me joy, I thought I would take this time to share with you a few tips to start running today if you're a beginner (or not!) I've partnered with Brooks to share with you 10 Tips to Start Running Today For Beginners. It's time to Run Happy!

Run Happy: 10 Tips to Start Running Today For Beginners:

Ready, Set #GlowUp: 3 Ways to Glow Head-to-Toe This Year!

2018 is the year I am going to #GlowUp! I am dedicating this year to taking better care of myself, indulging less in the less-than-healthy and embracing a well-rounded well-being. Last year things got a little crazy during wedding planning and as I continue to inch away from 20 and closer to 40 I realize it's time to prioritize taking care of me.

This year I'm going to make some changes to take better care of myself and today in partnership with Olay I'm sharing 3 ways I plan to Grow up and #GlowUp this year. I've reached that point in my life when I realize it's time to 'adult' more and that includes drinking more water, saying goodbye to my favorite sweet treats and taking better care of my skin with the NEW Olay Cleansing Infusions collection.