Links to running blogs here - General running

MikeTV

23/10/2009 at 13:30

Hi all,

I am new here, and new to running actually, and I wondered it it might be useful to have a thread for people to post links to their running blogs? I'd certainly like to read more than I do, so I'll kick it off with the link to mine:

http://hoot-the-runner.blog.co.uk/

2 more sleeps until the BUPA Great South Run!!!!

Wilkie

23/10/2009 at 13:34

Hmmmm - I just don't find reading strangers' training logs interesting.

I certainly don't imagine anyone would be interested in the dull details of my running life!

SophieM

23/10/2009 at 13:41

Wilkie - clearly you haven't read this bloke http://milestogo-joad.blogspot.com/

He doesn't post much and he's injured atm but he's an absolutely awesome writer.

Wilkie

23/10/2009 at 14:40

Sophie - I had a read, but it didn't do much for me. As a description of the day of the race it was OK, but that's not what most blogs are like, I think?

Really, is anyone interested in how far/fast someone they've never met ran on a wet Thursday evening in Doncaster?

fat buddha

23/10/2009 at 14:56

personal blogs are all a bit "me me me"

the modern equivalent of a diary - but read by anyone

unless you're the writer or someone close to them then they're about as dull as ditchwater

petedaddy - www.peteruns.com

23/10/2009 at 15:05

Christ Wilkie, it seems that every thread I see you post on, you're very negative and keen to criticise. Firstly you can't stand people getting excited about their marathon entries, and now you see no need for others to read running blogs. I'm sure if I checked your back-posts I'd find more handy examples. Just lighten up and if you can't think of anything nice to say, feel free to button it.

Personally I'm really interested in running blogs, although I'll admit overly verbose posts are about as interesting as dispassionate logs of distance and time. It is however a great source of motivation and encouragement to follow someone's progress, especially if you can liken it to your own struggles.

When I did the training for the first marathon I was definitely spurred on by watching some training videos of a guy who did it the year before, and it's that which compelled me to do the same for my training this year. It's self motivating and I hope it helps to motivate others.

My blog is located in my title, and I'm more than happy to read everyone else's, so please post away.

RunningInPleasePass

23/10/2009 at 15:05

We already seem to have a lot of me me me peeps on the forum already !!!

Why blog when you can start a new thread of how well you've done in a race or how fast your pb is

Muttley

23/10/2009 at 15:07

I've always thought that bloggers are like the guy who stands at the end of the bar in the pub talking to himself. Granted, one or two are worth looking at, but only one or two. As soon as I see someone on the telly captioned as a blogger, I switch off.

SophieM

23/10/2009 at 15:21

It seems really odd to me to criticise people for blogging. Criticise the writing itself if you find it dull, of course, or criticise the person's opinions or training methods or whatever if you disagree with them, by all means - they're putting their stuff out in the public domain and hterefore laying it open to criticism. But surely if you find blogs per se dull, the simple solution is not to read them?

petedaddy - www.peteruns.com

23/10/2009 at 15:25

And it must be a very exhausting way to live your life is you feel irresistably compelled to verbally criticise everything you don't like. The simpler solution would just be to keep your trap shut, and that's aside from the fact that it's good to encourage people even if they have the writing talents of a spider.

Wilkie

23/10/2009 at 15:33

Er, yes, Sophie. That's why I don't read them.

I didn't criticise anyone for blogging, I just said that I didn't find it interesting to read them.

Muttley

23/10/2009 at 15:35

Dear Petedaddy and Sophie

This is a public forum. Anyone can comment. Not all of the comments will please you. Such is life. Get over it.

Love,

Muttley
xxx

petedaddy - www.peteruns.com

23/10/2009 at 15:38

Dear Muttley,

Many people choose to write running blogs and then publicise them on a public running forum. Not all of the blogs will please you. Such is life. Get over it.

Less love,

Pete

Blimpy

23/10/2009 at 15:43

I like this blog, it's the best of it's kind around these parts - very informative. If you're not au faix with the local running scene this is indispensable and it's not 'me, me, me' like a lot of other blogs I've seen.

MikeTV

23/10/2009 at 15:45

Sorry guys, I hadn't wanted to start an argument!

I only started running this July, and it is a new found passion for me! As such, I feel like I want to chart my progress in words, mainly for me, but many others have said that they enjoy reading my blog as well.

I found an American dude's blog through a Google search and I really enjoyed reading it. He may be thousands of miles away, and a stranger, but I am trying to improve every aspect of my running and by listening to people who are more advanced I find it helps and interests in equal measure.

I guess I agree with the stance that if you don't like reading or writing blogs, then this thread probably isn't for you. If you do, post away and let's share the wonderful experience of running between us.

All the best,

Mike

Muttley

23/10/2009 at 16:14

Dear Petedaddy

I have no problem with people publicizing their blogs. I just find such blogs tedious. That's just me. You have a problem with that, but I couldn't give a shit. I'm bored, so last word to you.

Love,

Muttley
(not xxx this time but a manly no-pelvic-contact backslapping hug if you want it)

SophieM

23/10/2009 at 16:14

Muttley - "As soon as I see someone on the telly captioned as a blogger, I switch off." That's a bit silly, isn't it? Dismissing someone's opinion just because they happen to write on a blog? Kind of like saying "All runners are arrogant wankers," which I can't imagine would go down terrbly well.

Wilkie

23/10/2009 at 16:21

That's as may be, Sophie, but I tend to do the same as Muttley. After all, the world and his wife are bloggers these days.

The trouble with blogs is that anyone, whatever their writing talent, can start one and the few that I've had a look at have been uninteresting. That's why I don't bother any more.

I'm sure the details of my training, if I wrote a blog about them, would be as dull to strangers. That's why I don't do it!

The only one I look at regularly is written by someone I know, so I have a personal interest. And he writes well.

SophieM

23/10/2009 at 16:26

Wilkie, I absolutely agree. But because you and I and most other people are disinclined to read boring drivel, for a blogger to be quoted as an expert in the field of running or budgie-keeping or whatever on the strength of their blog, it would need ot have been pretty well and credibly written and amassed quite a wide readership over quite a long period.

If you've never found a blog you've enjotyed reading that's fair enough, but it seems a bit close-minded to dismiss the entire genre on the strength of that.

Dustin

23/10/2009 at 16:39

Hi,
Must admit I tend to veer towards the sentiments of Wilkie, Mutts & FB. Can't find the thought of reading somebody else's diary too appealing.
Sophie - I'm sure you're right that one or two maybe OK, but I'd suggest that by and large not everyone is a great writer (or even an interesting writer). However in the interests of fairness I have been reading Mike's from the OP, Pete's and the one in Sophie's link. Sorry to say my original thoughts totally vindicated, yet each to their own, if you want to create a blog, fine by me, I'll choose to ignore it.
Oh one thing, Mike, good luck at the GSR, its a nice run, but ditch the ipod, not needed in races.....hang on , I'm sure there is a thread about ipods somewhere....