Some Favorite Blogs: SUAR (UPDATED)

Background:

I have a few very favorite blogs that I visit, and I remember the urls by heart - and they coincide with my early blog readers!  One is not boring, one guy talks about Dairy Queen (DQ or something), another the guy can't afford shoes, still another is a fast runner from Minnesota that chicks everyone but does it cutely, then there's the quality assurance guy that runs beside elephants and gazelles in the off-season.  Then there are a bunch of friends of these people from Phoenix, Socal, mid-west, Canada - then there are all those young runners, one known by one letter (usually followed by a "u"), or abfest from the southwest, or the runner that doesn't run in races but has a laundry basket for everyone ... the list goes on and on.

But I thought I would wax poetic about a blog I read on a regular basis (but comment on a little less): Shut up and Run.

Shut up and Run:

Beth, the author, is currently suffering from an injury and is trying to maintain her sanity by doing pool workouts.  She posts at least 6 times a week, and runs contests often.

If I could describe her blog in three phrases that would describe at least 75% of the posts I remember it would be:

1. toilet humor,
2. endurance running,
3. Dean Karnazes

She's been getting very deeply thoughtful in her writing every few days, and I'm enjoying it more.  

As of writing this post she:

1. has 1025 blog followers, 
2. is the Boulder Colorado Running Examiner
3. is a RRCA running coach
4. runs in all distances and has done a tri
5. has done over 20 product reviews of interest to female (and male) runners
6. is also pretty famous outside of her blog on newspapers, tv, radio, road signs ...

3 questions for Beth (Beth's responses in yellow):

1 . How has blogging improved your experience as a runner?

Blogging has made me a better runner (emotionally, mentally and physically) for two reasons:

#1 The incredible support of the blogging community. I know if I get a PR, run a solid race, have a great training run, crap in a tree or BQ there will be comments of sincere heartfelt congratulations (or pity when it comes to the crap). Yet, on the flip side, if I incur a stress fracture in my hip the week before my marathon, there is even a more significant outpouring of support. When I got my injury, I had almost 200 comments within a few hours. It blew me away. I just sat at the computer, tears rolling down my face.

#2 - The blog keeps me honest, accountable and motivated. I'm pretty disciplined and don't have much trouble getting out there to do my workouts. However, if there is something I'm scared to try or if I'm thinking about quitting a workout, race or anything, I remember the blog community and feel them rooting for me. Weird to be so impacted by so many people I've never met, but it's a powerful posse that way.

2. What do you find tough about blogging?

Not much. It's my most favorite thing to do. A hobby, really. I get lost in it. The writing never feels forced or strained. I will say, that every time I publish a post I take a deep breath wondering how it will be received. Will people think I've finally lost my mind? Will they identify with even a smidge of what I'm saying? Will they be offended? You would be surprised how much I care about what people think. However, just because I care does not mean I censor or change what I write. Everything I write is completely 100% authentic and from the heart. I think when you put yourself out there, you have to be prepared to be criticized and judged. 99% of the time this doesn’t happen, but when it does I try to take it with a grain of salt. And a glass or two of wine.

3.Do you meet regularly with other runners that you met first through blogging?

No, not often. I have gotten together with local runners/bloggers a couple of times (Jill & Tara) and I got to meet boring Adam in Denver this fall. This past weekend I met Chris K (BQ or Die) in Boulder, which was really cool. What I can’t wait for is the Boston Marathon in April – it will be the blogger meetup of the century. I’ll get to see some favorites in the flesh (Emz, Misszippy, Meg, Tall Mom, Hungry Runner Girl, Aron, Marathon Maiden, Bethany & Ryan to name a few). I really want to organize a blogger flash mob. In the nude.

I have some bloggers/readers contacting me and we email pretty regularly, but I don't necessarily get together with them. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I can barely keep my head above water as it is with family, work, blogging, working out that it is tough to set up times to meet people. Plus, I'm pretty sure no one wants to run in the deep end with me. Maybe when I get my new bathing suit.

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I thought I would help you all shop for blogs this Christmas.  I recommend you check out Beth's blog.  you will definitely enjoy yourselves!

Merry Christmas Beth, this is my gift to you!