Running Happy in 2012!

I was super super excited to receive word today that I will once again have the opportunity to represent Brooks Running!  2012 is going to be a great year for running with the Olympic Trials, the Olympics and some personal goals I have for myself.  I'm super excited that once again I'll be sporting my Brooks gear and checking off some running "to-do's". 

The past few months I've been fortunate to see, first hand, the influence of I've had as a handful of people close to me are now Running Happy!

• Inspired by Chris McDougall's Born To Run, I recently purchased my younger brother's first "real" pair of running shoes!  We had an amazing experience at Fleet Feet, Chicago where he tried on a couple of Mizunos, Adidas and the Brooks PureProject Pure Cadence.  Not only is he now wearing shoes when he runs (he was going barefoot on a treadmill in his Girlfriend's apartment complex - that is the fastest way to get kicked to the curb!) but he helped pace a buddy in the Chicago Marathon and completed his first race - a 15k!  
• A friend of mine's daughter recently broke up with her long-term running shoe partner and switched over to the Brooks Adrenaline.  She cruised to her first marathon finish at the NYC Marathon in November!  Running for charity, the shoe switch that took place helped her achieve her goal.  
• A friend and co-worker who's gone through a complete transformation, dropping over 100 pounds and completely changing his diet, recently changed over to Brooks shoes as his long walks increased to over 15+ miles and he needed a wider, more supportive shoe than what he had previously been wearing.  The new Brooks now power him on his 3+ hour walks and is what he plans to use for his first half-marathon coming up in March!
• The aforementioned GF did not kick my brother to the curb for running barefoot!  Previously loyal to another shoe company, by brother and I have some affect on her!  She switched over to the Brooks Ghosts and we're super excited to have her be part of our Brooks family!

The Brooks ID program has been nothing but amazing and I'm super excited to continue representing, inspiring and being inspired by the brand and the other runners.  When I can think of more than enough excuses not to go for a run I'm inspired by so many of my Brooks friends who I know have already laced 'em up and had a great run! 

RUN HAPPY!