this post is part of runner’s lounge take it and run thursday. this week’s theme is: running blogs, how and why.
i started my running blog pretty much right when i started running. i have a couple friends who have blogs and i was always reading theirs but didn’t really know what i would write about for my own. then i decided to train for my first marathon through train to end stroke and had to do a lot of fundraising for it. i thought a running blog would be a good way to keep my friends and family updated on my training and fundraising efforts throughout this process. i really had no idea what i was getting into or what it would turn into.
from there i started reading a couple running blogs i found, and once you find one blog you can usually find a ton. i would get lost in the webs of following people’s comments to their blogs, to other commenters to other blogs, to people’s blog rolls and pretty soon i had a really long list of links that i would click on every day. eventually i found google reader which has definitely helped my blog reading efficiency. i have also increased from around 20 in my blog roll to well over 200!
it took me a while to start commenting, but once i did that’s where the really fun and positive aspects of blogging come in. i have discovered this amazing network of incredibly talented, dedicated and supportive runners. if i have a problem or a question, i post it and bam i have answers. if i am feeling down or unmotivated, i go read a couple blogs and bam i find my motivation. if i just had the best run ever, i post it and bam i have people celebrating with me. when i post a race report, i feel like i have a huge group of friends who are truly excited for me and routing me on. it’s a pretty awesome feeling.
the beginning stages of my blog were kind of all over the place, now i really focus on my training runs and other random running related topics i come up with usually while running. i also really like posting about what does and doesn’t work for me. so much of what i have learned as a runner is from other blogs, so any ounce of knowledge i have i want to share. i love being able to look back at my training and know how i felt each run and being able to read about little details of race reports. it really helps me to see my progress and remember little details i might otherwise forget. now i sometimes feel like my head will burst if i don’t get on the computer and blog about my last run. it has become a great outlet for my running obsession and its awesome to know i am not alone in it either 
sometimes i really wonder where my running would have gone without this blog and without the running blogger community i have found. i am so happy and lucky to have found so many great people who i consider my friends, and even met a couple of my best friends through this blog!
thank you bloggers for sharing my passion, giving me support and constantly inspiring me to get out there and push myself! i hope i give you a tiny ounce of that back.
First, that never happens!
I love to hear how people get started blogging!! Thanks for sharing your story!!
Your blog is awesome, you are such an inspiring runner. I love google reader. I can’t believe I used to go to all the sites every day, lol talk about time consuming!
thanks for sharing aron! Your blog is one of the first I found and it definitely inspired me to start mine. As a beginner runner I feel I have learned so much already by being part of the blogging community. I heart google reader too- so much easier than clicking a billion links!
Google Reader is the bomb…I have it on my Blackberry now and catch up on blogs during my commute on public transportation. I even take notes of who to go back to to comment on later (since I have yet to master blogging and commenting via Blacberry).
Your blog’s great! It was definitely one of the inspirations to start ours… I like that we’re similar speeds and both get really hot while running, lol. But seriously, keep it up!
Love your blog… def very inspiring and a must read.
Hi Aron! You write a pretty awesome blog and your training is inspiring for everyone who follows you. For me, I always imagine myself running in sunny northern cali when I read so even when weather’s crappy here, I’m encouraged vicariously through your running.
Happy tapering for eugene!
You managed to say what I wanted to say…but instead I only rambled.
I found your blog, the same way you talk about finding blogs…through blogs and comments and so forth- it really can take you to another world. There are times when I am blogging and I look up and an hour has passed!!
You really are an inspiration as a runner! Your blog is one of my favorites- keep up the great writing!!! And running!!!
You’re blog rocks and I’m glad you found me and commented so I could find you! I love google reader too. Makes keeping up with everyone so much easier!
I too wonder where my running would be if I hadn’t started blogging.
And Kudos to you for a great blog.
Thank you for sharing your great blog with us.
I love that your blogging and running started around the same time, because it means we can actually go back and see how much you’ve improved through hard work and smart training. Being able to read about it this way makes it a whole lot more meaningful than just seeing the numbers. Plus, well, you just have the sweetest dog pics.
you are always a dose of inspiration for me- it’s why i love reading your posts!
i also want to thank you for being so positive and encouraging throughout my training. you have been so good about leaving positive and encouraging comments, and i can’t tell you how much i appreciate it!
it’s incredible how we just “find” each other! i started out reading like 2 blogs and now i read sooooo many and feel like i am getting to know these people, too! i love it! i think it’s great your blogging + running started around the same time, it’s so awesome to have such a structured record
your post reminded me of Emeril (sp?) LOL bam! ♥ your blog.
Your dedication is awe-inspiring.
Thank goodness for blogs, so we could all get to know each other!
An ounce? You give WAY more than an ounce!
Love your blog, love how inspirational you are.
this blog just put a huge cheesy smile on my face
so glad that you got into blogging and introduced me to it! I love the amazing support system it provides and I love reading about your runs!! You give me more than a tiny ounce of inspiration 
I definitely enjoy reading your blog…it’s so inspiring! And I love pictures of your puppies
Keep up the good running and blogging!
Ahhhh yes Google Reader is the BEST when it comes to sorting. Man I don’t know how I lived before it
I *heart* your blog too
Your blog has been an inspiration to me – love hearing about how you just keep getting speedier and speedier!
you and your blog are definitely inspirational and motivating! i’ve enjoyed hearing about you getting a lot faster lately, and i too live vicariously through your california running. jealous
I also find myself wondering where I would be today if the blogging had never started. It sounds weird, but I can’t really imagine running without blogging! lol
Anyway, I’m sure glad you started because I absolutely love reading your “rambles”.
I *heart* reading your blog. Its so positive and exciting. Your running life is far more interesting than mine. Plus its always nice to hear a positive outlook on things
Your blog totally inspires me! So keep it up
I have to say the best part I’m finding is being able to relate to other runners. It is SOOO helpful!
Your blog is definitely one of the most inspirational. You’re doing so great with your running!! It’s so nice to have this network of runners. I’m glad we all found it.
You give way more than a tiny ounce of it back, girl!
I just realized eugene is the same weekend as my 1/2 in Indy!
Not that it matters or anything hahaha!
what a great post. I am like you – took me awhile to start commenting. I was a lurker for months. ha!
Great “start up” story! Glad to hve you here amongst us.
I still think it’s so cool that you have your ROHO group.
I agree, I began to truly enjoy blogging when I started commenting.
Yes- the race in Sac. We are Zoo Zooming! It’s a really fun race. If oyu ever do feel like driving for a race our Cowtown 1/2 marathon is SUPER fun and well run, obviously CIM is fantastic and I’d highly recommend the Shriners 8k. It’s a PA USATF race so the competition is super stiff and there are always fast times…
Thanks for sharing your blog journey. I am just getting started and trying to find my niche, so it was interesting to read about how you got here.
So cool that you started your blog the same way I did mine. I just read your first post and I began my blog to let people donating to me know how I was doing and what I was up to. It’s so great that you’re such an inspiring runner and blogger now. That first post really wasn’t that long ago.
I think I may have to start using this google reader you are all taling about!
Love your blog…it’s so fun to read about your running, and I’m glad I found it! One of the reasons I started a blog was the “join the community” and get to know other bloggers, and you were definitely on my list of people to follow. Thanks for sharing with us all!
such a fun success story – love reading your blog!
Your blog is definitely inspiring, especially to a newer/slower runner like me!
And I got my WrightSocks today, taking them for a spin tomorrow!
blogland is wonderful!!!
So true! I have found a great support team (both virtual and in person) through blogging. I never in a million years would have thought I would enjoy it so much.
You, TFH and POM were the first three blogs I read. Now I have a ton too!
It helps me stay motivated and held accountable.
P.S. I don’t think I would have EVER tried an ice bath if it weren’t for you!
I blog for the same reasons. I love the community, and finding new blogs. There are just so many cool people out there – especially you!
I’m glad you started blogging! You’re such an inspiration. Keep it up, lady!
you are a wonderfully supportive blogger! but i am never getting in an ice bath
This post is dead on! I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I started my blog–I can’t even remember how I figured out that running blogs existed! But boy am I glad I did. Love your blog, lady! It is seriously one of the most inspiring blogs I read
You took the words right out of my mouth! And I also look to your blog when I’m needin’ some extra motivation.
As a “virgin” blogger, I appreciate your post and suggestions. Thanks!
~carpeviam
Wow! Over 200? That’s amazing. You work, you run, you blog, you have dogs. I don’t know how you find time for all of that. I’m glad you do though, that’s for sure. I enjoy reading your blog and your comments on my blog.
You give WAY more than an ounce back. Hopefully one day I’ll get my running times to match yours. I said hopefully, right?
I really like reading you blog aron! Keep writing and Ill keep making rambling comments! You are such a dedicated runner that it keeps me motivated for when I finish track and start running road races again!!
Blogging is a pretty amazing thing, eh? I don’t think I would have gotten as interested in triathlon, or even considered an Ironman if I didn’t see other people out there doing it.
I remember when you had only a few links on your blogroll and a few commenters. Now, your blog has gone CRAZY with comments!
Happy tapering!
Yay, I love this post! I also wonder where I would be without the running blog community (friendless, eating frosting out of the can? hahaha)
You are such an inspiration to me and I love reading about your runs, your thought process through the runs and about how you tackle those tough hurdles…it really does help me attack my own runs so much!
<3 you!