As I sat around a conference table at Brooks Running Headquarters in Seattle, my brain was in overdrive trying to find the words to answer the ice breaker question: What is your run happy moment?

How do you answer a question like that? Is it the breakthrough moment when you first decided to tackle long distances? Is it the instant where you actually believed you could? Is it your first marathon? Your fastest marathon? Your most memorable or scenic run? Is it the first time you ran with your kids? Is it a friendship you developed with a special running partner?

Over a lifetime of running, how do you choose just one moment that describes what it means to run happy?

For me, running happy isn’t about a single moment; it is everything in-between that makes running so powerful: The pre-dawn runs with strong women in my neighborhood who get up day after day to run in the wee hours of the morning before tackling school drop-offs, work and the 1,000 things it takes to keep every ball in the air. The amazing friends I’ve met who I may never have known if it weren’t for all the miles. Seeing my family on a race course when their faces are literally what keep me putting one foot in front of the other. The places running has taken me in the corners and crevices of the United States and across the world. Showing my daughter one stroller run at a time that we are all stronger than we think and capable of doing more than we believe is possible. It’s the good runs, the bad runs, the runs I have to fight tooth and nail for. When you add it all up and think about how it changes you, you can only be happy.

Running is so much more than just running. And that was my answer.

I recently spent the weekend in Seattle with Brooks Running and an amazing group of Brooks Run Happy Ambassadors remembering how true this really is. I’ve been a Run Happy Ambassador since the end of 2012, and the experience has enriched my life (and my running) in more ways than I could ever describe. The trip came at the perfect time as I’ve been searching for my running mojo (see this and this). From trail runs and footwear science to sipping champagne with 21 runners on Lake Union, the weekend reminded me about all that running is capable of giving us.

Straight from Seattle: Why Running is More than Just Running

1. RUNNING RECHARGES OUR SOUL

It’s no secret that I’ve been struggling with my running for a few months. Feeling good on a run (especially in the Florida heat) has been more like finding a diamond in the rough lately. When I arrived in Seattle to cool air and low humidity, I couldn’t wait to put on my shoes and go for a run. I had several hours before I was scheduled to meet up with the Brooks Running crew, so I ran 6.5 miles around the perimeter of Lake Union (aka the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop >>  find the running map here). I ran an easy and comfortable pace and was shocked to find it was a minute per mile faster than back home in the heat and humidity with such little effort. I enjoyed the scenery, the cool air and even the grey skies. I also loved that Brooks HQ was on my running path at the 2.5-mile mark.

Here are a few views from the run …

The following day, I had the chance to run five miles on the Burke-Gilman Trail with my fellow Brooks runners and a few of the Brooks Beasts middle distance elite runners. The time on the trail was why I fell in love with running — it was completely about connecting with our amazing community. I chatted with old friends and new friends. Learned about people’s marriages, relationship struggles, kids, travels, races and so much more. From ultra runners and runners about to break three hours in the marathon to run-walkers and moms returning to running after recently having babies, we were a diverse mix of people from every corner of the country sharing in the same joy that comes from finding more in our miles.

2. RUNNING IS A CONSTANT TEACHER

I’ve been running for as long as I can remember, yet it never ceases to amaze me how many new things I learn about our sport with each passing year. While I was in Seattle, I had the chance to spend time with the Brooks Running research experts who study every aspect that goes into making shoes — from the foam in the soles to the fabrics in the upper to biomechanical details.

Did you know that it took Brooks seven years to create the new Levitates? Or that every update our shoes get take about one to two years to plan?

Or that a shoe starts out as a piece of foam?

Or what the inside of your shoe really looks like? (Yes, the team cut one in half right there for us to discuss.)

The detail and precision with which my favorite running shoes are made is really incredible.

Speaking of favorite running shoes, I also had the opportunity to hear from the Brooks shoe and apparel teams to see what is in store for this fall and 2019. There is BIG news to report!!! My beloved PureCadence may be getting a run for their money from the newest Brooks shoe coming in September >> the BEDLAM!!!!!

These are the stability version of the Levitates, the newest shoe Brooks launched which just came out with the Levitate 2 last week (see photo below). I have adored the Levitates but use them for cross-training only since they are a neutral shoe. I am beyond excited to get my feet in a pair of the Bedlams.

You guys are going to love some of the new apparel coming out as well, including a line of short and long-sleeve tops that are simply gorgeous for a run or a studio class. I’ll share more with you on the latest and greatest gear soon.

3. RUNNING BUILDS LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS

There’s nothing that brings strangers together as friends quite like running. And no one knows how to throw a weekend get-together to bring runners together quite like Brooks. Beyond the miles we ran and hours we spent talking about shoes and gear, we also had lots of fun (aka talking while eating and drinking in cool places around Seattle).

We dined at Westward on Lake Union.

We ate the most amazing churro waffles at Cactus.

We took a dinner cruise on Lake Union where the company, views and champagne simply couldn’t be beat.

4. RUNNING ALLOWS US TO REDEFINE WHAT’S POSSIBLE

The most meaningful part of my weekend in Seattle was volunteering on the cheerline at the Special Olympics USA Games.

Teams from all 50 states paraded into the stadium with high hopes and big dreams. Having worked in the disability community, I know first-hand that defying limits is something each and every one of us has the ability to do. The joy, positivity and gratitude of these athletes inspired me beyond measure.

Brooks sponsored two athletes — Colleen Bryant and Andy Bryant — who both took home gold medals. Colleen won gold medals in the women’s 5,000-meter run (21:59) and 1,500m (5:55) while Andy won gold in men’s 3,000m (11:59) and bronze in the 10,000m (41:51). The wins are the first for each athlete at the national level.

“It’s really important to set goals and never give up. When you get tired, just keep pushing on. I achieved my dream by being here at nationals and winning my first gold.” ~Colleen Bryant

5. RUNNING ENCOURAGES US TO DREAM BIGGER

Last but not least, my weekend in Seattle with the Brooks Running team reminded me how much running encourages us to dream bigger. As I listened to the big goals of all my fellow running friends and witnessed the heart of the athletes competing in the Special Olympics USA Games, I was inspired by their grit, their passion and their drive. I’m not certain what my next big goal will be, but I find comfort in knowing running is always ready for us to dream bigger when we’re ready.

As a Brooks Running Run Happy Ambassador, I receive free running gear to wear and test and a yearly stipend I invest back into my running. Brooks paid for my travel costs associated with this trip. All opinions I share about Brooks are my uncensored, honest thoughts. Brooks affiliate links are contained within this post. 

What is your run happy moment?
In what ways is running more than just running to you?
Share your favorite things to do and places to eat in Seattle!