THE BROOKS BLOG

Name : Keely O’Neill

Job at Brooks : Territory Representative

Your favorite apparel item : Viva Capri

Why you love it : I love it because they are cozy enough to wear to bed, grocery shopping, and especially on my runs. Also, I like the flare a little below the knee, so they feel light enough and not constricting while running. Sidenote: I tripped on a reflector during the Disneyland Half Marathon and skinned my knee and hands up pretty badly, but the capris weren’t damaged at all! Pretty durable!

Favorite sport : Water polo

Favorite movies : Gangs of New York and Dumb and Dumber

Favorite book : Naked by David Sedaris

What are you currently training for : Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll full marathon

Favorite shoe : Ghost 2 …excited for the Ghost 3 this summer!

We’re very happy to announce that our Brooks For Her program raised $27,000 for breast cancer research and support services in 2009. Throughout the year, 6.25% of the retail price of each Brooks For Her item sold was earmarked to go to three breast cancer charities. The percentage of money going to each charity was determined by you through online voting.

And the results are in!

• Young Survival Coalition (YSC) received 66% of the votes. This international non-profit organization is dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. YSC offers resrouces, connections, and outreach so women feel supported, empowerd and hopeful.
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center received 21% of the votes. This group brings together world-renowned scientists and humanitarians to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases. The Hutchinson Center’s Brooks For Her donation will be used for breast cancer research.
• Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation received 13% of the votes. This group grants wishes and memory-making events for metastatic breast cancer patients while continuing to support, educate, and increase awareness.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this program a success in 2009 by purchasing Brooks For Her apparel, voting for the charities, or just making yourself more familiar with these wonderful organizations.

Encouraged by the accomplishments of 2009, we are extending the Brooks For Her program through 2010. Voting has been reset and the donations are being tallied starting from January and running through December.

>>Click here to learn more about the Brooks For Her program and to vote.

>>Click here to see the entire Brooks For Her apparel line.

Thank you again for your support and participation!

We’ve got a lot of socks. But never fear—the sock guide is here. Here are our bestsellers and a grand introduction to our newest sock offering: the Utopia.

The Utopia Sock has it all—breathable mesh upper, padded cushion underneath, and anti-microbial silver fibers for stench resistance. But wait, there’s more…contoured arch support and availability in mini and low-quarter lengths. Sizes: S M L.

*****

The Runner Quarter is as light as they come. Moisture-transfer fabric wicks away sweat and an articulated arch gives a snug fit. The quarter length puts the top just above your ankle bone. Comes in a 3-pack so you can put off laundry for a little while longer. Sizes: S M L.

*****

The Runner Ped also comes in a 3-pack, but it’s a tad (very, very small tad) thicker than the Runner Quarter. It has the same wicking moisture-transfer fabric and articulated arch as the Quarter, but a lower profile make the top of this one hit under the ankle. White Sizes S M L. Multi-Color Pack Sizes: S M.

*****

The Gossamer Ped comes in a quarter size that fits above the ankle and a ped size for that “I’m not wearing any socks” look. Seriously lightweight cushions reinforce the heel and forefoot without adding any bulk. Brooks’ Twister II yarn give s a snug fit that moves with you for miles and miles. White/Black Sizes: S M L XL. White/Blue Sizes: S M.

*****

Name : Nijah Twigg

What is your job at Brooks : Customer Specialist—part of a newly developed customer-support focused team.

Pets : Only child, spoiled rotten, center of our universe, Duncan. All-white beautiful mutt of a dog!

Favorite movie : Princess Bride and Count of Monte Cristo—equally enjoyed.

Explain your love of Zumba : I love this class because I am sore in all of my target muscles the day after, yet during I feel like I’m just dancing.

Your favorite Spring 2010 apparel item : Glycerin T

Why it’s awesome : Soft, luxurious, easy flatter fit, cool breathability and everyday wearability. Transitions from sleep to exercise to casual mall wear. Love it, love it, love it! Perfect with Viva Flare or my fave pair of jeans.

Perfectly situated between jacket and long sleeve shirt, the 1/2 zip is the best of both worlds. We’ve got two options this winter - the Vapor-Dry 3D 1/2 zip and the Podium 1/2 zip. Both are made for men and women, both are made of moisture-transfer fabric and both are offered in a Nightlife version.

Here are a few details to consider when choosing between them:

Men’s Podium 1/2 zip     Women’s Podium 1/2 zip

The Podium 1/2 zip is a lightweight midlayer for moderate-to-chilly temperatures. The sleeves give extra coverage for the top of your hands and have thumbholes for days when you may have forgotten gloves or want a little extra warmth at the start of your run.  If you’re wearing this one on really cold days, you’ll want to pair it with a vest or a jacket. The soft waffle fabric makes the Podium 1/2 zip a great travel piece as it performs well on the run and also looks great with jeans.

Men’s Vapor-Dry 3D 1/2 zip    Women’s Vapor-Dry 3D 1/2 zip

The Vapor-Dry 3D 1/2 zip has a tighter knit with a bit more “loft” to it. This means it’s going to block harsher weather and keep you warmer on it’s own than the Podium 1/2 zip will. It’s other extra features are 360 degree reflectivity, a hidden side pocket large enough for energy gel or a credit card, and side splices for extra ventilation. Anti-microbial silver fibers in the HVAC collar help regulate body temperature and manage sweat.

Name : Stephanie Dooley

Job at Brooks : Graphic Designer

Favorite Color : Magenta and Dark Purple

Favorite Shoe : Ravenna

Best vacation spot : A cruise ship traveling in the South Pacific (ahh, that sounds so nice right now!)

Inspiration for joining Team in Training : Luckily, I have never had anyone I know be diagnosed with Leukemia. However, while I was searching for something to call my own (away from work, my husband, and one-year-old son), I found something that would allow me to make new friends, get out of the house, exercise, and help a good cause all in the same stride. So far, it has been a very rewarding experience!

Why you love the Vapor-Dry 3D Hoodie : I love this piece because it can easily be layered or worn on its own. On mild temperature days I can wear it with a top underneath, but on super cold days I can add my vest and I am good to go. I also love the fold over mitts (especially because I am not much of a glove person).

What makes you Run Happy?: Knowing that every step is making me a healthier person.

Follow Stephanie’s Team in Training progress on her blog: http://dooleytnt.blogspot.com/

Check out the Vapor-Dry 3D Hoodie here:

Vapor-Dry 3D Hoodie

Name: Angie Mayer

Job: I wear many hats at Brooks My job title is Sales Coordinator. I plan and help support all events and activities for the sales team.

Favorite cross-training activity: I love the elliptical and enjoy running stairs. Also, I’d like to get back into my hip-hop dance classes.

Favorite shoe: Ravenna

Gym or outside in the winter?: GYM!

What makes you Run Happy?: I run happy because I love red wine. Ha.

Your picks: My favorite workout pieces are the Epiphany Stretch Short and Epiphany Tank.

Epiphany Stretch Short

 

Epiphany Tank

Only two weeks left to vote for the charity you’d like to see receive our Brooks For Her Donation.

Since March of this year we’ve been setting aside 6.25% of the suggested retail price from each Brooks For Her apparel item sold. Your vote determines which portion of our donation goes to each of the three deserving charities we’re supporting. No purchase necessary to vote, of course.

Click here to find out more about the Brooks For Her program and to cast your ballot.

Click here to check out the Brooks For Her apparel line.

And finally, a very grateful shout out to our participating charities and the good work that they do.

Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation grants wishes and memory-making events for metastatic breast cancer patients while continuing to support, educate, and increase resource awareness.

The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases.

Thanks for your vote!

There are few things as beautiful to runners as the weird looks we get while running outside in absurd weather. Clearly the couch potatoes are jealous. Gear up for the winter with Brooks gloves for any temperature. Get an extra couple of pairs for your running friends and take advantage of our FREE shipping for orders $50 and over (see details) .

Pulse Lite Glove

The Pulse Lite Glove is our lightest weight glove, perfect for longer runs when you might need a thin layer of warmth at first but want to be able to stow the gloves for the rest of the run. Updated this year with a retractable MP3 thumb pad for easy access to your tunes. Also available in purple and blue.

Vapor-Dry² Glove

The Vapor-Dry2 Glove is a mid-weight glove that will keep you warmer in cooler conditions. This year we gave this glove a retractable MP3 thumb pad as well as grip strips on the fingers for better handling of a steering wheel (on the way to your run) or hiking/skiing poles (if you must do something besides run). Super-soft terrycloth on the side makes you wonder why you ever used a hanky to wipe your nose before. Magnets at the wrist keep the gloves together for easy storage. Available in all black as well as Nightlife.

HVAC Glove

The HVAC Glove is the thickest of the three gloves, but still thin enough for easy movement. The HVAC has an MP3 thumb cap, finger grip strips, wrist magnets for storage, and the terrycloth (ahem) snot rag features of the Vapor-Dry² , but also gives you a small magnet-closure pouch on the back of the hand for storing a key or a few bucks. Silver fibers in the glove regulate temperature, taking you from moderate to freezing temps with ease.

“Like the old disco song says, ‘I LOVE the NightLife!’ Whenever I talk with runners at race expos, I always gravitate to our NightLife collection as a great example of how well Brooks finds practical running solutions that really WORK!”

–Peter Mannos, Director of Retail Marketing

Check out our Nightlife collection for Men and Women .