The not so wonderful world of blogging

So today I came across a top 100 list of running blogsi that has recently been published by feedspot. 

I didn't for one second think I would be on (cue lack of suspense) and I'm not and that's fine.

For the record a few blogs that feature in the top 100 that I follow and highly recommend include; 

http://www.dreamingoffootpaths.co.uk/ 

http://www.therunnerbeans.com/

http://eatprayrundc.com/

http://bensrunningblog.com/ 

There are also more than a few great sounding blogs I want to check out and that's not to say there so many great running blogs out there not on the list as well. 

It has however led me to once again reevaluate my blog goals, which is all I ever do rather than actually write any decent content! 

I started my blog about 18 months ago now and my aims were loosely as follows:

• To write about, express my passion for and generally share my love and passion for running.
• To interact and engage more with other runners
• To do something more productive with my dead time while sat on the train etc
• To have some kind of outlet and place to express myself
• To perhaps improve my writing skills and make the most of the good writing style I supposedly had during my College and Uni years

Looking back I have mixed feelings about whether I have acheieved these goals or not. In many ways Twitter has filled many of the holes I had sought to fill through writing a blog and I enjoy the interactions with other runners and the relentless  constant flow of content available that keeps me occupied but maintaining a Twitter account is not quite the same as keeping a blog.

Also my life has changed since I started out blogging, originally my job left me feeling unfulfilled and so I needed the outlet blogging provided. Now my job is much more mentally demanding and time consuming so finding the time and energy for blogging is much more difficult. 

I have lost count of the times I have thought about what my blog is for or what I think I ought to do with it.

I keep coming back to two conclusions, one my blog is for me and I will write what I want to write whether its successful or not. Although the motivation for writing great content and good posts are there as I really get a buzz from having a well received post and receiving comments and feedback from others. 

Secondly I need to stop procrastinating, the amount of times I have decided I am going to invest more time and effort into my blog our endless. And if I had a pound for every great blog idea I drafted in my mind or half wrote but never published I would be a really wealthy blogger! I'm sure most bloggers and writers have this trouble though!

So once again I find myself giving myself a kick up the arse (surely a great plyometric warm up if it was possible?!), time will tell if it develops into any real change ......

I feel I have plenty to share with the world and with plenty of running adventures on the horizon including four marathons there will be plenty to blog about!

6 month anniversary

Wow! I realised it has been six months since I started my blog! As they say time flies when you are having fun! 

So I thought I would mark this milestone with a specific blog to mark where I am now, what the last six months has brought and where I am headed going forward. 

Over the last six months I have really enjoyed writing and sharing my experiences on my blog and through social media. My blog has developed quite quickly and I am suprised and impressed with what I have done with it in a short space of time on top of a full time job, all my training and many other commitments.

My blog kind of kicked off when I wrote this article for the website running junkies. Give it a read and let me know what you think! Running junkies is a brilliant website whether you are a fanatical regular runner or just starting out  on your running journey.

My blog quickly moved from its blogger domain to being self hosted in June I think and I have since branched out in several directions.

Google+

My main outlet is via Google+ where I have met loads of people and some really interesting runners and learnt so much about a wide range of stuff and have enjoyed being part of communities sharing tips, photos, ideas, quotes, facts and recipes. If you are on Google+ add me to your circle +Gareth Davies.

Twitter

Twitter has long been something I have wanted to get involved with as a way of interacting with people and as a way to follow the going on of my favourite sports star and teams. I set up a twitter account for my blog @beoutrunning in April and have greatly enjoyed following many fitness and running type resources, organisations and individuals.

Recently I have also started branching out onto Bloglovin and Pinterest. 

Bloglovin is a great way for you to keep up to date with your favourite blogs and Pinterest provides a opportunity to find and share ideas, pictures and quotes on your chosen subject or interest. If you are on these platforms and want to connect with me I am garethdavies31 on Pinterest and you can find me on Bloglovin as Gareth Davies or as be out running. 

Running wise again I have achieved a lot over the last six months and the two feed off each other. I want to run more to give myself something to write about and having a blog on the go motivates me to run to provide writing material.

My main highlights have been smashing my Half Marathon PB in March, a few parks runs and the Spitfire Scramble 24 hour team relay event. I am also smack bang in the middle of my three marathons in three months before I am 30 challenge (I really need to think of a snappier title!) trying to crack a sub 4 marathon. The first marathon was last month at the Vanguard Way and I have my next one up at the end of September with the Nottingham Marathon.

My blog is very much a work in progress and I will continue to add new posts and pages. I have so many posts drafted waiting to be finished and posted and have so many great ideas to write about!

A big thank you to anyone who has every read a post, wrote a comment, +1'd me, reshared, liked, favourited, retweeted, pinned or connected with me. And a special thanks goes to everyone who has wished me well for races or provided any kind of running or blogging advice I am genuinely grateful.