Ready to Commit to the Big Run?

This post is sponsored by Fleet Feet. For our sponsored post policy, click here.

What motivates you to live an active life?

I’m aware that the answer can be a bit complicated. You know how we feel about finding your big, meaningful, feel-it-in-your-soul why — that strong, internal motivation. It’s huge, and, when it comes to making healthy choices day after day after day, there’s just no substitute.

But … it doesn’t have to be the only thing that gets you out the door.

I mean, if you ask me my main motivation for staying active, it’s honestly all about feeling the best I can — now and in the future. I feel better, both mentally and physically, when I get in a wide variety of types of movement on the regular, and running has been one of my go-to forms of exercise for … whoa. Almost 20 years now.

Can that be right?

Time flies when you’re getting sweaty, I guess.

Now, sure, I always feel great after a run, and sometimes that’s enough to get me lacing up my shoes, but there are a couple of other things that tend to help as well: committing to a running goal and trying out new gear. And, thanks to our friends at Fleet Feet, I’m doing both of those things right now.

Fleet Feet and The Big Run

The Big Run — Fleet Feet and Brooks Running’s annual nationwide 5K that brings thousands of people together on Global Running Day — is coming up on June 5. There are events taking place all over the country (give me a shout if you’ll be at the Sarasota run!), and in many areas, you can register now, and maybe even join a 5k training program hosted by your local Fleet Feet store. Because finishing The Big Run won’t just give you a feeling of accomplishment — it’ll also offer you a chance to win prizes, and not just for being the fastest, but also for things like having the most common 5k finish time on June 5, finished exactly in the middle of the pack, and for being a social media superstar using their tags (#thebigrun, @brooksrunning and @fleetfeetsports).

Now, if you’re like me and tend to find a spark of motivation in new gear, you’re in luck. Fleet Feet also has exclusive apparel from ASICS’ The Start Line Collection and Brooks Running’s Brooks x Fleet Feet Heritage Collection, so you’ll feel fully kitted out for The Big Run (or for your next big run, whatever it might be).

And, if we’re talking running, you know we’ve gotta talk shoes! Fleet Feet sent me a pair of the brand new Karhu Ikoni, the first-of-its-kind running shoe developed using data from its 100,000 customers’ 3D foot scans. Now, Karhu might not be as familiar to you as the brands above, but not only is it Fleet Feet’s in-house brand — it’s also got major history. As in, the brand has been around more than 100 years, developed and sold the three stripe logo to adidas, and has developed tech for both Nike running shoes and Merrell hiking shoes. So, legit — and while I haven’t gotten in a long run in them, my short jogs have been enough to show me that they’re comfortable right out of the box.

Here’s a quick breakdown on what I’m wearing in all these pics (but there’s more exclusive apparel than just this, including a Very Cute version of my favorite shorts, the Brooks Chaser, that might appeal to a few of you):

• Brooks Sideline Jacket (lightweight but wind and rain resistant with vents to let all that sweat escape)
• Brooks Distance Graphic Tee (the quote is from Fleet Feet’s founder, Sally Edwards, and reads: “Fleet are the feet, serene in the spirit of the runner.”)
• Brooks Greenlight Capri (and yes, the pocket really does hold a phone — a big one!)
• ASICS Dorai Short Sleeve (light and soft for workouts, but simple and casual enough to pass as streetwear on days when you’re running errands along with miles)
• ASICS Dorai Quarter Zip (perfect for layering over a light tank or under a jacket when you need a base layer — plus, note the thumb loops!)
• ASICS Fietro Tight (pockets ALL AROUND THE WAISTBAND, plus, that fabric feels like butter and stays put like whoa)
• Karhu Ikoni (it has a toe box that works for just about any shape of foot, and thanks to the use of the data from Fleet Feet’s 3D foot-scanning platform, fit id — which you can totally go in and use, by the way — it offers a fit that feels custom, right out of the box)

Sign up to commit (or just learn more about) The Big Run here.

And don’t be shy — we want to know: What are you committing to? What are you willing to work for? And how will you keep yourself motivated to achieve your goals? —Kristen