Can you describe a “run happy” moment? That was the question asked of me back in June when I was sitting at Brooks HQ in Seattle (surrounded by my fellow Run Happy Ambassadors). My answer included a moment with my (almost) 7-year old daughter and coaching her Track & Field team. But the larger take-away for me was the importance of the question being asked. Being a part of the Brooks Run Happy Ambassador team has been an amazing experience. It’s a team filled with runners that are about more than pace and finish times. It’s about amplifying the joy of running in our individual communities and online. And that is what makes the Brooks experience different.

When Brooks asked me to gift a runner an outfit from head-to-toe (and having “run happy” fresh on my mind), I immediately knew who would be the lucky recipient. Last year, I had the opportunity to run with @fitfam6 in the Marin Headlands. We decided to take on a running tour through the Bay Area and our final stop was on some trails.

David had never really run on trails before, so it was an entirely new experience for him. While we were running, I could sense the “awe” he was experiencing. We were up in the hills North of San Francisco, far away from the noise of the city and running with sweeping views of the Bay. He commented several times on how great this was and how he was already looking forward to incorporating more trails run in the near future.

See where I’m going?

I knew that I needed to celebrate this “run happy” moment and set him up with some of my favorite things that I use while running on trails. Here is what Brooks helped me to set him up with (and his thoughts on the gear highlighted in orange).

Shoes: Caldera 2
We needed to start him off on the right foot, so to speak. I enjoy running in the Caldera and knowing that David enjoys a more “neutral” experience, I thought these would be a perfect starting place for him. “ I feel very comfortable yet protected in these shoes. The right amount of cushioning and responsiveness.”

Shorts: Sherpa Short
LOVE these shorts for trail runs. Super light and functional. They also come in various lengths for those that prefer a longer or shorter) cut. I also sent him the reflective ones, with a pattern that lights up when light hits it (the same as the jacket below). “There are so many pockets! Storage is the best part of the shorts. I can carry gels, keys and cards without any excess gear.”

Shirt: Ghost Tee
I will tell anyone about the Ghost tees from Brooks. When I’m going on a trail run, the only question is what color Ghost shirt will I wear. They are super light, comfortable, and hands-down my favorite style of shirt to run trails in. I wouldn’t even consider running a trail race in something else. “I’ve never worn a lighter tee than the Ghost Short Sleeve.”

Jacket: LSD Jacket
I mean, he already had the reflective shorts, might as well get him the reflective jacket to match. The LSD jacket is a go-to for those early-morning (or late-night) runs. It’s super light to run in (or pack away) and even something great to keep in the car just in case you need something to take with or throw on if the temperature drops. “I love that the jacket is reflective and packable. I will definitely be wearing it at times other than running.”

David and I both already have a trail race on the calendar in November and I was excited (and grateful) for the opportunity to gift something to him that was not only gear, but more the opportunity to gift him an experience so that he could re-discover his run happy moment on the trails.

Do you enjoy running on trails?