I’ve Been Ghosted!

Disclaimer: I received pairs of Brooks Ghost 14 to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

Ask any runner what the most vital item to their running repertoire is and the majority will agree that it is their running shoes. Sure, the entire running outfit is usually carefully thought out, especially for those of us who like to have fun with color coordination, however shoes are usually what we most particular about. Why, you ask? If you think about how much wear and tear the feet of runners endure, it is easy to understand why proper shoes are key to a runner’s success.

All running shoes are created equally, right? That statement could not be further from the truth. When I first started running, I was guilty of assuming this and focused on the fancy patterns or flashy colors over the actual design of the shoe. I spent several years trying different shoes to no avail before I gave Brooks a chance. Not to sound hypocritical, but the fun designs and colors are what initially swayed me to try Brooks Launch. Since my first pair of Launch, I have collected a handful of different pairs over the years, but honestly switched to using them more as my every day or walking shoe instead of running. The main reason is the weight of Brooks versus the brand that I use for running, it’s about a 1-ounce difference which does not sound like a lot, however that adds up during long runs.

While I’ve been loyal to my brand of running shoes for a few years now, I am very much an openminded person and am always willing to give new products a try. I mean, that’s how I found all of my favorite running products, through trial and error, so why would I change that?

I’ve always viewed Brooks as a high quality, ethical brand and in addition to my pairs of Launch shoes, I have a few pieces of Brooks running gear in rotation. So, I was excited to have an opportunity recently to test out the new Brooks Ghost 14 running shoe which is a style I haven’t tried before.

Upon returning from a trip to Montana for a half marathon I was greeted by a package of run happiness from Brooks. My first impression upon unboxing the Ghost 14 was how fun and vibrant the fuschia color was. Later that night I broke them in on a trip to the grocery store and I kept being stopped by customers to compliment my shoes, which usually doesn’t happen with running shoes. An added bonus of the new Ghost 14 is they are Brooks first carbon neutral shoe, made from ~30% recycled material.

The summer in Vegas is blistering hot, so while I would have loved to test out the Ghost 14’s on a road run, they made their debut on my treadmill. I’ve been on a kick of long treadmill runs lately, so while I usually wouldn’t break a new pair of shoes in on a longer run, I decided to give it a shot. The treadmill track is pretty unforgiving, so the first few miles in I definitely noticed the responsiveness of the shoe. Around mile 10 the cushioning was much appreciated as my feet typically start to feel a bit fatigued, but they were still running happy. The Ghost 14 is a little over 2-ounces heavier than my normal running shoe, so my legs did feel a bit tighter towards the end of my 13.1 mile run, but I honestly didn’t notice the weight as much as I thought I would. At the end of my run, I did notice a little bit of rub on my feet in comparison to normal, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well my feet felt after a half marathon in brand new shoes.

I did get an opportunity to test them on a road run when I was vacationing in Playa del Carmen, Mexico earlier this month. The first test was a pretty tough run on the beach in thick sand and humid 100-degree temps. I don’t think the cushioning and responsiveness were felt much during this run given that I was running in sand, however even though my feet were wet from the tide I didn’t have any issues during my run. Given the heat and sand, a lighter weight shoe would have been ideal, but I survived! The next test was on the street by my resort, this is where I really had a chance to see how they performed. Although it was still hot, I felt much better and could feel the assistance from the responsiveness as the transition was very smooth. I’d definitely recommend these shoes for the road over sand 😉

I also decided to take the Ghost 14 for a stroll up and down the Las Vegas Strip on a Saturday to see how they held up in the heat. I’ve got to say, these shoes are fun to walk in thanks to the DNA LOFT cushioning and responsiveness. They almost have a slight bounce to them. Altogether I probably walked about 4 miles and I didn’t have any issues with blisters or rub from the side effects from the heat (hello, swelling and sweat!). I also received several compliments from tourists on my shoes while I was out and about.

I definitely feel that the new Brooks Ghost 14 are a strong contender for runners that are seeking a shoe that will provide cushioning during their runs when weight isn’t a factor. For me, I will probably flex these shoes in for some of my shorter, easy pace runs, however I see them being in my regular rotation of travel and walking shoes.

Everything is Bigger in…Missoula!

Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Missoula Half Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Since I first ran the Missoula Half Marathon in 2015, it immediately became a must on my race calendar every year. So, when the world shutdown in 2020, I was most upset about missing this race for the first time. I was hopeful that it would return in 2021, but it ended up being a very long two year hiatus for the Missoula Marathon. I was counting down the days until I graced the streets of Missoula again, so when I had the opportunity to help promote the race on behalf of BibRave, it was an automatic YES!

I’ve ran many different races over the past 8 years; however, the Missoula Marathon weekend of racing is always my favorite. You read that correct, not only do they host the Missoula Marathon and half marathon on Sunday, they also offer a 5k on Saturday and a free Beer Run on Friday. Three days of running in beautiful sky country? Yes, please!

Perhaps even more special than the three consecutive days of racing is the amazingly supportive community in Missoula. I have not experienced more warm and passionate crowd support and volunteers than in Missoula. The full and half marathon both start bright and early at 6am, however that doesn’t stop the community from coming out with their coffee to cheer us on as we run past their homes and businesses. The horses shortly after the start line of the half marathon even “cheer” us on by running alongside the fence as if to help motivate runners. I might be reading into that, but I’d like to think that I’m not. The volunteers that drive the buses from the University of Montana campus to the start lines super early in the morning are always surprisingly chipper and happy to be there. This sets the tone for a positive race and that energy is continued by the volunteers and police along the course.

The Beer Run on Friday is the kick-off to the race weekend and part of the Big 3 Challenge, which runners receive a special gift for completing the Beer Run, 5K, and either the half or full marathon. It’s a wonderful way to ease into a weekend of running and get excited for the two upcoming races. The run starts and ends in Caras Park in downtown Missoula, running along the Clark Fork River and past the University of Montana campus. I always try to remind myself that this is an untimed run, however my competitive nature usually kicks in and I run faster than I had planned. I was shocked at how many people showed up for the Beer Run this year, it was really refreshing to see so many walkers/runners of all abilities took time out of their Friday evening to participate. The free beer from Big Sky Brewery for all finishers may have been a bit of a motivator, I’m sure!

The Beer Run is also conveniently located next to the expo, so I was able to pick up my packet and shirt for the 5K and half marathon onsite. The expo also features some really unique vendors as many are local to the area. I picked up a couple of Montana themed running shirts to add to my collection. I do have a confession to make, I completely blanked on registering for the 5K this year- crazy, I know! I am usually so organized and on top of my registrations, but this past year with my move to Vegas definitely threw me off my game. I didn’t realize I neglected to register until I was picking up my packets at the expo. My first reaction was a mix of sadness and anger (at myself) as this would only be the second weekend that I did not participate in the 5K (in 2015 I only ran the half marathon). I knew that the 5K was sold out, but I gathered all of my hope and walked over to the solutions table. I explained my situation and asked if there was any way to register late. The gentleman working the solutions table was extremely helpful and was able to get me registered.

This year the 5K was renamed to the Tony Banovich 5K in honor of the beloved race director and Missoula community member who passed in 2020, so it was extra special to run in his memory. The course is similar to the Beer Run, so it’s nice to have a preview and comparable warm-up the night prior.

Following the 5K, I have a tradition of hiking the “M Trail” on the side of Mount Sentinel as the views of the valley at the top are worth every step of the switchbacks. After working up a sweat between the 5K and hike, I treat myself to a delicious scoop of huckleberry ice cream at The Big Dipper. This Missoula staple is just up the street from Caras Park and offers a variety of yummy flavors, but I am loyal to huckleberry.

A new experience for me this year was hiking through the beautiful Blue Mountain Disc Golf course. The course was beautiful and a perfect complement to a very active and outdoorsy weekend in Missoula. I also had the opportunity to meet up at the Big Sky Brewery with a couple of my fellow BibRave Pros who were in town for the race as well, which was really fun! Now it was time to settle down for the night in preparation for the half marathon early the next morning.

Both the half and full marathon are point to point races, so the organizers provide shuttle service to the start line. At the start line of the half marathon, we were greeted with coffee which is a welcome perk given the chilly temps. There was also a table with other essentials that runners may have forgot, such as petroleum jelly (to prevent chaffing), Kleenex, and sunscreen. To enhance the experience, fireworks are also going off as soon as the race starts at 6am. The first 4 miles of the race weave through stunning woods and along the river with a gentle downhill.

The course then flattens out and runs through the neighborhoods of Missoula before making the final right turn for your moment of glory across the Beartracks Bridge. The finish line is at the end of the bridge and it’s a very special experience in that final stretch with the sides of the bridge filled with enthusiastic spectators cheering runners to victory. After crossing the finish line, runners are treated to an awesome medal, post-race food, beer, printed results, and photos in Caras Park. The finish is always a little bittersweet as it marks the end of an amazing weekend in beautiful Missoula. I just funnel that into excitement for another chance to run the races next year!

Did I mention the medals? The Missoula Marathon always has some of the largest, heavy, high-quality medals and this year was no exception. I appreciate how they keep the general design with the elk that has running shoes hanging from its antlers standing in front of the “M”. The finisher shirts are also some of my favorites as they are high quality and actually fit really well- it’s surprisingly rare to find a “XS” shirt, but Missoula is amazing and offer XS! I wear my Missoula finisher shirts more often than any other races.

I’m already looking forward to running these races again in 2023, only 11 1/2 months to go…!