The past few weeks have really given me an opportunity to think about my blog: where it is now, what I want it to become, and also where it all began. Quite a bit can change in three years…and change can be a good thing. It would make sense that as time goes on we change, our workouts change, our blogs change, etc. Without that change life would get pretty boring. Sometimes thinking about where we once were can be frustrating. For example, right now I think about how last year at this time I was getting ready to run a marathon, and now I am considering 8 miles a long run.
It just so happened that this week’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is “How are you different from when you started blogging?” I decided to use this as a chance to look at who I was and what my blog was like at the beginning of it all, especially as I am in the midst of revamping my site and trying to move forward in a way that is a good fit for me and my blog.
Running Out Of Wine in 2013
My first post was written about marathon training. I just jumped right in midway through a training cycle because it felt like the time was right to start a blog. After reading blogs for a few years, I finally decided I wanted to start my own. I figured I would talk about running (obviously) and other parts of my life, which included wine.
Back then I was working out quite a bit. A typical week included 5-6 days of running, 1-2 days of body pump, and a yoga class. My mileage was always above 30 miles per week. In general I had more time overall to devote to running and other workouts. I also had more time for blogging.
My posts back then were nothing special, but I was really just writing about whatever was on my mind. My pictures were small and blurry and I only had a few readers. Slowly I began connecting more with other bloggers and learned some tips to improve my blog. I didn’t write too much about wine, but I definitely stuck to the running theme.
How are things different now?
Let’s see, so much has changed in 3 years. I guess the biggest changes that affected my running and blogging is living in a different area and having a different job. Just by moving out of the city I had a longer commute. Then on top of that I got a new position that demands more of my time. With one car, I drive Rob to and from the train so we need to be mindful of each other’s schedules. Out here, it’s not as comfortable to be out running at 5am like it was by the harbor.
Because of these changes I am awake earlier, leaving for work earlier, and getting home later. I have no time or energy to exercise after work like I used to. It’s all about making dinner and finding some time to relax before an earlier bedtime. Sometimes I don’t have the mental energy to write a blog post or even comment on other blogs. I do my best writing and thinking in the mornings.
Beyond all that, I guess my body just can’t handle all the running and exercise the way it used to. Or maybe it’s because of the additional stress of work and such. Either way, I am learning that I need to back off and not compare myself to where I used to be. I was still able to set PRs this year even with lower weekly mileage.
These changes led me to just let go of some of the things I used to feel the need to control. Like eating enough vegetables. Or meal prepping for hours each weekend. And hitting a certain number of miles each week. I wish I could do those things, but it takes mental energy to worry about them. It’s just not worth it.
Don’t get me wrong- I still struggle with feeling like I need to control certain areas of my life, I guess I have realized that I can’t control everything.
Mile By Mile: Where am I headed?
I am not exactly sure, but I do feel like this is a fresh start. Developing my site and looking back on old posts gave me a chance to really think about this. I want to get back to being able to just sit down and write whatever is on my mind. I want to share information I learn with others, and connect with more runners and bloggers. My goal is to create a space that I am proud of and that makes me want to write and share ideas.
As I am getting back into running more after my long bout with an injury, I am starting to think about what’s next with my running. The best answer I can find is that I shouldn’t be thinking about what’s next. I should just appreciate where I am now. (For those of us who are planners, we know that is a foreign concept.) However, after months of not knowing whether or not I would make it through a 2 mile run without pain, I have learned that you don’t always know what the future holds. I am happiest when I am running consistently, and I want to be able to do that without the stress of any goals or expectations.
[Tweet “Where I have been, where I am, and where I am going, one mile at a time. #tuesdaysontherun #milebymileblog”]
How are you different now than when you started blogging?
Have your fitness/running goals changed over the years?
I’m linking up with No Guilt Life, MCM Mama Runs, and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Tuesdays on the Run and Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs for the Coaches’ Corner!
I don’t have the time for my blog I am realizing as I once did either! I am hoping somehow I figure it out but other responsibilities are taking my brain away from my ability to find time and words to write! it happens though because like you said, things change over the years. my workouts are fairly the same though I think. I run more miles than I when I started writing a few years ago but I wasn’t doing pure barre then.
These days I wonder how I ever used to post 5-7 days a week! I guess we can only focus our brains on so much at a time.
Priorities shift! I love my blog, but I also know that I am going to be making some changes before too long. But right now, it is helping to ground me with all of the change that is going on in my life.
Blogging can be great for working through things. And it will also be helpful to be able to look back on your posts and see how far you’ve come!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic. My life has changed so much over the past 2-3 years, and I think my priorities have shifted from trying to make other people happy to being focused on making myself happy. This translates into health and fitness because staying active does make me happy. I’ve also had to move away from running and focus on swimming and cycling because of my various injuries over the past few years. So I have moved from wanting to do a half marathon to triathlons. I’ve tried to embrace life’s changes.
I can also sympathize with commuting and job stress… Sometimes that completely dictates my schedule!
I think it can be difficult to accept changes over time or to even embrace them. With fitness I think we can get so wrapped up in our goals that we don’t want to feel like we are giving up on them- but eventually we may realize it’s for the best.
I love this topic! I can definitely relate to how you’ve changed over the years. This year my blog has been in a bit of a rut as I’ve been mentally exhausted trying to make it “great” while also juggling responsibilities at home and work, plus marathon training. I’m proud of my blog but looking to get my mojo back!
It’s like we can only focus our energy on so much at a time- something has to give!
My goals have shifted too. Instead of trying to PR and doing everything, I just want to have a fun time and finish. I’m still competitive, but having fun is more important.
Sometimes it can be difficult to accept that but it really is all about enjoyment!
Blogging and running both definitely evolve with time and are reflections of where we are in our lives. Glad you decided to live “in the moment” and leave “what’s next” for another time. : )
It’s tough to let go of some of the bigger goals for now but it just makes sense. I’m sure things will continue to change and eventually I will get back to working towards my goals!
Heyyyyy! You know what? I feel like I got a peek into your mind in this post, a little more than ever before. Like you let your guard down a bit. I LIKE IT. You’re an incredible person and have so much to offer. You are one of those people I’d choose to sit down with over drinks and just pick your brain. I look up to you, and I’m excited to see what you’ve got in store for this blog!
Aw, you’re the sweetest. I didn’t even realize I let my guard down in this post, but I’m glad you liked it! I do hope we can have drinks together some day!
Oh yes, this spoke to me. I think you have great things coming your way and love that you are looking to the future. Change isn’t bad, it’s just change! Whatever you do, make sure it’s true to you and makes you happy.
Thanks- you are spot on that we need to focus on what makes us happy!
I have definitely evolved over the past 10 years or so. I was a road runner, then a trail runner, then I was addicted to cardio (2 hours a day) then I started lifting… now I feel like I finally have BALANCE where I am happy and healthy.
Balance is great if you can find it! I feel like it changes for me so much. I’m glad you are feeling happy and healthy!
I read back over my posts from when I started blogging and my writing was terrible lol. No real subject matter and no relating to readers. My personality was not coming through in my writing. Now a days I find myself laughing at my own posts, then again I’m special that way :).
Running has changed a ton too. I started out dedicated to the 5k trying to crack 20 min. As of today I’m three and a half weeks away from my first ultra marathon. My how things have changed.
I think it’s great to be able to look back on the progression of our running. It’s one of those things that we can always find something to work towards!
I love hearing how our relationship with running has evolved over time, so I loved this post! I never knew your full story going back that long and enjoyed reading that. Its interesting that you wonder about the tie to work stress. During this training cycle work stress skyrocketed for me, and I know that made my training so much harder. All stress retakes a lot out of us, and when you add the stress of work and other things to the stress of training, it can become very difficult to handle. I also really like the idea of not setting big goals and just appreciating where you are now. I think that’s a great strategy for you, tough I know it’s hard to do for us planners!
My blog has changed dramatically since I started it in 2010. It’s amazing really. I spend a lot of time on it but I do enjoy it so there’s that. Plus I work from home so I don’t have to worry about a commute or anything.
I think I would get really distracted by blogging stuff if I worked from home! It helps me to separate things a bit. But it would be great to not have a commute to deal with!
I definitely relate to many of those changes especially with respect to running and control. I can’t believe how much I ran 2 years ago, or even leading up to the NYC marathon last year, that type of devotion to exercise seems sort of crazy to me now, which makes me realize that the “break” I’m taking now is very necessary. I like the idea of just appreciating where we are right now! Also love how looking back on the blog helps us reflect on all of it.
I think we have gone through similar transitions with our running!
I look back on my early blog posts and I cringe at some of them. I think writing is a lot like running; you have to train and practice to improve!
Thats a really good point! And blogging is so much more than just writing posts- it can take awhile to get the hang of it!
Such a good message to enjoy the now and not worry about the future. It’s fun to look back and see how we change!
I guess I have just realized its pointless to worry about setting running goals when things are still so up in the air with my running. I just got fed up with being disappointed!
Blogging is definitely time consuming. It is fun but there are much more important things in life like spending time with family. We just have to find a balance between, blogging, family, and working, It is hard to devote all your free time to blogging when we could be doing more productive things or just taking the time out to relax.
Yep, its all about finding the right balance!
A fresh start feels good, you have me thinking about one now 🙂
Best wishes with the new blog.
I started blogging a little over three years and when i think about how much has changed and taken place I am surprised.
Thank you! Alot can happen in 3 years and I think that definitely gets reflected in our blogs.
Such a nice theme! Definitely relatable to all of us. I am quite a perfectionist and many a times, it hasn’t been a good thing. Some times, we just need to take that step back and see our life with fresh eyes to help with better prioritization. My mantra of 2016 has been – “Let go of the need to control that which you cannot control”. It seems to have made me more content and happier. Thanks for sharing your journey. Btw, love the design of your new blog.
Thank you! And that is a great mantra. I need to keep that in mind. I have been working on letting go of control for quite some time now but in many areas of my life the need is still there.