March 25, 2018 by Darlene

10 Years Ago…

I’ve been blogging since March 25, 2008. That was the DAY that I decided to become a runner.

TEN YEARS!! A Decade!!!

Well, since then, a lot has changed but some things have not.

I’ll start with what has remained the same:

Blogging Goals

My goals haven’t really changed. I blog to motivate myself to continue running, to keep track of my running and racing and to connect with others who do the same.

Posting

I’ve always posted several times a week (except for 2008-9 when I didn’t run or blog between November and March.) Some weeks, it’s everyday. Other weeks, it’s less often. It depends on my schedule.

Blogger Meetups

I have been fortunate to connect with many bloggers. Many were local and have become my friends even though they no longer blog.

: Adirondack Half – 2011

: me, Suzy, Amanda, Tami, Janis, Bridget

Race Reviews

I recap each of my races almost as soon as they are over (so I don’t forget the details. ) These recaps are mostly for myself but I have heard that others read them too.

What has changed:

Content

Check out my first ever blog post: http://wp.me/pel7R-3

I now post photos. It helps that I abandoned the camera and got a smartphone so it’s easier. Plus with the apps available, you can edit, make collages and be as creative as you have time for.

Link-ups

When I first started, there were very few. I used to write posts called Two for Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Three Things Thursday and Foto Friday, etc.

Now they are a bunch of fabulous link-ups. (Weekly Wrap, TOTR, Wednesday Word, TOLT, Friday Five 2.0, Runfessions, Ultimate Coffee Date, etc.) These help attract readers to your blog as well as, connect you with new blogs.

These link-up often suggest topics which makes it easier if you have writer’s block and don’t know what to write about.

Product Reviews

I used to get asked to review products pretty frequently. Not much anymore. Probably because there are so many more bloggers out there (with larger readerships than me).

reviewing Yak Trax

Sponsorships

These are competitive too. But in additional to getting discounts on their products, you get connected with a wonderful network of runners who use those products.

I am a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain for the fourth year.

This year, I was selected as a Rock N Blogger.

I am also a new ambassador for several other products.

My Running

Now I don’t just run 5ks. I used to (hence the title of my blog. )

I have run 30 half marathons and many many other distances including 10ks, 15ks and 10 milers.

: Troy Turkey Trot 10K

: 2016

: RnR Las Vegas HM

I am more confident as a runner and though, I don’t know it all, I know a lot more about running than when I started blogging.

Other Bloggers

I don’t follow that many blogs. I am selective. Basically because I don’t have the time.

The ones that I do read and comment on are more than fellow bloggers. They are really my virtual friends.

and sometimes you get to meet them in the flesh.

or spend a whole weekend with them

or even run a race together several times a year

I admit that after 10 years of blogging, I think about quitting. After all, what else do I have to say? And could I be using the time it takes to post on something more valuable?

Happy Running! How long have you been blogging? When is your blogoversary? What has changed since you started? How long do you plan to blog?

13 thoughts on “10 Years Ago…”

Fairytales and Fitness | March 25, 2018 at 8:48 am

What a great post! Isn’t funny how a little blog can enhance our lives with the relationships we build and the opportunities that are bestowed upon us?

I too started the Blog this same week in March (March 23 I think). I never even thought of all the benefits (like actually making friends) that would come of it. I had no idea that people would actually comment..haha. I admit in the beginning we use to do tons of product reviews and giveaways and were ambassadors for several brands but that has slowed down over the years because it is indeed very time consuming and I didn’t want that to be the focus of our blog. There are other things I like to spend time doing as well, not just blogging. We often wonder too how long we will be able to keep this up! Thanks for reading our blog too!

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- Darlene | March 25, 2018 at 4:29 pm
  
  Yes. I never thought anyone else would read my blog nor have met other runners because of it.
  
  I enjoy your blog. Thanks for reading mine.
  
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Chocolaterunsjudy | March 25, 2018 at 4:03 pm

You started on my Dad’s birthday. What a weird coincidence! God, he was only 82 then . . . anyway happy blogoversary. We probably would never have gotten to know each other if you weren’t blogging, so there you go.

I’ve only been blogging 3 years. But it’s also essentially my fourth blog (but the only one that actually found a readership — thanks to all the fabulous linkups!). Obviously I enjoy writing.

You would definitely be missed if you stopped blogging.

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- Darlene | March 25, 2018 at 4:28 pm
  
  Same here. This was 6th blog but I have been the most successful with this one. It is time consuming and often a chore. I think I prefer Instagram which seems to be more popular.
  
  But as you said, if I didn’t blog I wouldn’t have met you and some other great people.
  
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  - Chocolaterunsjudy | March 26, 2018 at 8:21 am
    
    I actually did have a work blog that was very successful.
    
    I like to write, so I enjoy blogging. I actually find IG to be harder — editing and actually remembering to take photos. And then of course reading everyone else’s posts & commenting, liking, etc.
    
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    - Darlene | March 26, 2018 at 9:14 am
      
      same. I had a work blog that was related to my job at ALS.
      
      I love taking pictures. I do it during all my runs and even post during them. So IG is good for me.
      
      I don’t comment much because I’m only on my phone so I read and not much else. I post when I’m home on the weekend but I hate to spend the time doing it when I could be more active or spending time with family and friends.
      
      I do like to write but without the computer, it’s hard to write a lot of content.
      
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      - Chocolaterunsjudy | March 26, 2018 at 4:22 pm
        
        I enjoy taking pictures, but IG is really not so insta. Definitely harder to write on a phone.
        
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Richard L | March 25, 2018 at 9:37 pm

I read your blog every day. You keep it fresh and interesting.

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- Darlene | March 25, 2018 at 10:03 pm
  
  Aww. Thanks.
  
  I appreciate this comment.
  
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Wendy | March 26, 2018 at 8:39 am

Happy Blogoversary! 10 years is a long time.

I think about quitting and then life gets interesting. My husband would love if i quit blogging. But you guys keep me motivated to keep running. So you’re stuck with me for a while…

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- Darlene | March 26, 2018 at 9:09 am
  
  My hubby doesn’t even know what a blog is. LOL. And yes, you guys keep me blogging. But life sometimes gets in the way and I feel stressed about posting.
  
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Shelley B | March 27, 2018 at 5:40 pm

Happy Blogiversary! You beat me to 10 years by a couple months – mine is in May. And I think our sentiments about blogging are similar…sometimes I think about stopping because what am I writing about at this point, anyway? But I do enjoy the interaction with my virtual friends and hey, it keeps me off the streets, LOL.

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- Darlene | March 27, 2018 at 7:18 pm
  
  I know. I amazes me that anyone reads my nonsense. But I love my virtual friends too.
  
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