Showing posts with label Blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogs. Show all posts

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Sponsored Blog Posts

Hi!

Yesterday was a run rest day and suppose to be a cross training day but I think you can see where that is going.  I actually stopped doing any cross training for the last couple of months because I was starting to get overwhelmed with fitting everything in.  I was trying to do way too much along with my running routine and it was a little ridiculous.  Now I am realizing that running is my heart and where I want 90% of my fitness to go and I'll cross train once per week to help avoid injury.  Before this realization I was attempting to do 30 miles per week along with 3 days of cross training which is much more of a time commitment than I have available.  I would rather be able to run further in the morning then cut it short because I have to get in my cross training too.  I also know that if I am not up before the girls to run or cross train than I can forget about it for the rest of the day.  Yesterday I made the mistake of hitting snooze and ended up bagging it, whomp whomp.  I currently wake up at 5:30 and will probably start moving that up to 5:00 soon because that extra 30 minutes in the morning would be really beneficial.  Like most of you with kids you know that once they are up and running it becomes almost impossible to accomplish anything else.  The lesson learned from yesterday is that I can't hit snooze!

I feel like we need a cute picture after all that brain purging 

I read quite a few blogs before starting my own and continue to read even more I find along the way.  The blogs that I really enjoy are the ones that are running centered and I feel a connection with the writer.  Some of the blogs I have read for a while are starting to take a different direction and I am finding myself more and more turned off from reading them.  I understand that everyone needs to make a living and I am all about vouching for products and companies that I really love too but sometimes it can be a bit much.  

    I love my Mizunos! 

 There are many bloggers who have a good balance of sponsored posts versus everyday posts.  I enjoy a sponsored post every now and then but feel there is a fine line.  When the product makes sense to the blog and their reader then I can really appreciate the information.  When the product is completely random and doesn't have any value to the blog's reader I find myself annoyed.  It has really got me thinking about where I want to take my blog and what I am comfortable with in regard to sponsored posts, ads, etc.  There was a lot of sessions covering this topic at Fitbloggin' and I learned quite a bit about the business side of blogging and working with brands.  Since I have recently started receiving inquires from companies about giveaways and talking about their products on my blog the conference could not have came at a better time.  Granted there are certain brands out there I have some mad love for and I'll pimp their product with our without any sort of incentive.  If I believe in a product or company I am going to talk about them and give them credit where credit is due.  

Pro Compression Marathon socks are the bomb diggity!

Will you see sponsored posts on my blog from time to time, yes, but they will be from companies that I hold in high regard.  There are certain products and companies I already know will not make an appearance on my blog and I love that I have the freedom to make that choice.  Honestly what I want more than anything from my blog is to create a place of motivation and inspiration for everyone.  I have written this blog for almost 2 years and have never received a dime for it, I really just enjoy writing and sharing my running experiences with anyone who wants to read it.  My ultimate dream and hopefully my eventual reality is to be working as a (paid) freelance writer and one day publish a book.  I have a lot of time to accomplish my goals and right now my current focus are my girls and my family, and running! 

I really value your opinion, which is why I am asking!
              
How do you feel about reading sponsored posts? 

Do side bar ads on a blog bug you or do you even notice? 

Are there any topics in particular you would like to see covered? 






Sunday, March 17, 2013

Sunday Housekeeping & Favorites

Hi! 

I ran my first race of 2013 this morning and it was great!  I'll share more of the details tomorrow, but it was definitely a good start to the season.

I realized the other day I should give the heads up that Google is going to be shutting down Google Reader in July.  For me personally I don't use Google Reader to keep up on my blogs so I don't need to transfer anything.  I am sure a lot of people do use it and if you do my personal recommendation is to switch to Bloglovin.  I talked about it just a couple weeks ago here, but I'll share my love for it again.



An Ode to Bloglovin'

- It is simple all around and I am a simple minded girl    
- Adding and searching for blogs is super easy
- There is a free app for your iPhone and Android based phone, sweet!  
- Both the app and the website lay out the blogs so that you never miss a new post from your favorite blogs

That is my 2 cents on a great blog reader that is simple, easy and keeps track of all of your favorite blogs at the tip of your fingers.  I have a link to my blog on Bloglovin' on the right side bar of my page if you are so inclined to follow this runner!


Sarah made this necklace for me and it immediately jumped to the top of my favorites list.  They are at an age where they want to know about Mama and Daddy.  Recently the big discussion is what our favorite color is and obviously mine is pink.  I love pink, all shades I am not discriminatory.  The other day I pulled out their bead kit so they could make some necklaces and Sarah made this one special for me.  I was doing some chore when she brought it to me and my heart skipped a beat.  In her sweet little voice she said "Look Mama, I made this necklace for you because your favorite color is pink!"  The idea of Sarah sitting quietly and thinking to herself "hey mama likes pink, I'll make her a pink necklace" pulled at my heart strings.  Usually once all of the strings and beads have been used we'll take the necklaces apart and start over.  I hid this one, I'll keep it with me forever, it is such a true representation of my sweet children.  I'll pull it out when she is 15 and hates my guts, it'll remind me of her innocence at 4 years old.  I question myself as a mom a lot, I think most mothers do, but for a moment Sarah made me feel pretty good.  I really do have some amazing little girls, I am a lucky mom.


Back to running news!  Road Runner Sports in Tualatin Oregon is having a Girls Night Out Wednesday March 20th @ 6PM.  I went to their last GNO and it was so much fun!  They have yummy snacks, wine, great vendors and lots of prizes.  If I was home I would be there in heartbeat, but alas I'll have to wait till next time.  Grab your best running girlfriends and go, if not for you do it for me!  

Are you going to humor me and go to the Girls Night Out? 

Do you have a blog reader that you really like?  If so, share what it is!  

Did you do a St. Patrick's Day themed race today?!  
-There was so much green in my race this morning, I loved the tutus the most!
        

Monday, February 18, 2013

Coast to Coast Million Dollar Marathon

Good morning!  

Ran a pretty lame 3 miles on the treadmill this morning, just wasn't into it.  The last mile I decided to act like I was trying so I put the incline to 1% and turned it all the way up to 5.5, slow down girl.  Not every run is going to be awesome, but it is the janky runs you push through so your good runs are that much sweeter.  

I received an email last week from Meredith who is participating in the Coast to Coast Million Dollar Marathon.  Meredith told me "Basically a team of 160 runners will run one marathon each, one right after the other, non-stop from the west coast to the east coast to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and support.  Each team member commits to raising at least $7500, with the team goal being to raise $1 million."  I thought this sounded like such a neat idea!  You can learn more about this event by clicking the link above or going to Meredith's Team Page where you can read her personal story.  The event starts June 21st on Mount Rainier in Washington and will cover 4000 miles by the time it finishes.  Take some time to check it out!  So many of us have been affected by cancer, it is a terrible disease and the more I learn about some of it causes the angrier I get.  So many of our illnesses can be traced to our food, we need to take a stand against what the food industry is selling us.  Please do me a favor and just check it out and pass it on to anyone who could be interested.  

Also if you are looking for a new running blog to read that is local to Portland you should check out my friend Patty's new blog, Running in Muck.  Patty is funny and has a great writing style.  I met Patty through a running group I run with most Saturday mornings.  She ran two marathons in two weeks last year!  Yep, she is officially a maniac.  Check her out!  

This Week's Set Up
Monday - 3 Miles, Burn 1 
Tuesday - CLX Burn It Off & Abs 
Wednesday - CLX Burn 2 
Thursday - CLX Burn 3 
Friday - 5 Mile Negative Split Run 
Saturday - LR 10 
Sunday - Barre  
*My running schedule is weird this week because of some scheduling conflicts and I'll probably only get in 3 run days so that is why I am making up for it with so much cross training*

Finally I leave you with this


See that scar above her right eye, she got it in a fight with a pit bull over a ball, she is tougher than she looks.

What is your favorite type of dog?  
- I love Pugs (obvi), Chocolate Labs and one yellow lab in particular, Heelers,etc, ya I love dogs.     

Do you write a blog?  If so share it with me!  I am always on the lookout for new blogs to read!
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