A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who's beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

from whence i have come #4

passion for running category: running on Friday, January 14 2005

Ha! Thought I was done huh? Well, I am sort of done. I’m done with the running stuff. What I want to talk about today is the website and blogging stuff.

It seems I am the victim of success. When Aaron and I decided our niche in the running universe should be to foster and connect running blogs, I didn’t fully realize how much it would grow and what kind of impact its growth would have. I mean, we knew there were bloggers to be found and runners just waiting to become running bloggers but holy cow – we are now nearing 150 RBF members and I suspect we are still only at the tip of the iceberg.

Don’t get me wrong. Helping connect the RBF has been really rewarding – truly it has. But, it is getting harder and harder to visit and support all of you and I feel kind of bad about that. How about you? Have you at times felt a bit overwhelmed? Like, “when am I ever going to find the time to visit all these nice people”?

I’ve also often felt badly because I have not supported new Complete Running bloggers in the way I’d like to. New bloggers need technical help (e.g. how to edit their blog templates). I want to help you guys – honestly I do but sometimes days pass before I finally get to you. Argh.

I’ve also been getting worse with starting and not finishing things. Remember the RBF World Map? Still not done and that is just one example.

So as you can see, I’m feeling some guilt. Guilt I need to purge. So here it is – I apologize. I apologize for not visiting all of you as much as I’d like. I apologize to you CR bloggers for often keeping you waiting and I apologize to my partner for sometimes not getting things done, or for taking what must often seem like forever to get things done.

There. I feel better but I need more. I need to set some blogging/website goals so here they are:

1-To concentrate on one thing at a time.
2-To not worry so much and just do what I can. After all, we are a community now. A very self-supporting and growing community called the Running Blog Family. I’m just one member of the family and I love being the Running Blogfather but that doesn’t mean I have to be everywhere all the time – right?

Here’s my promise to you. I’m gonna try. If you don’t see a comment from me every day, don’t worry. I’m around. If I don’t reply to a comment you left for me, please know I still appreciate it. Know that I’m reading and paying attention AND that I’m rooting for ya so kick some asses, take some names and then WRITE about it!

That last bit brings me to the last thing I want to talk to you about. That thing is that I’d love it if you’d keep writing. Keep writing because it’s good for your soul (I think Annalisa said that to me once). Keep writing because your writings are good for the souls of others. Write because it is history you and others can look back on and learn from. Write when you are running but also write when you are not. Did you hear that? I said write when you are not running. If you are injured or bummed out, write about it. Believe me, I know it’s hard – very hard but writing about the “bad” stuff is really valuable to other bloggers because one day when they are bummed out or injured, they will remember your trials and tribulations and have a road map for dealing with them. Finally, keep writing because others will miss you if you don’t. I’ll miss ya. So keep writing…

…okay?




14 Comments

2083

Comment by Oliver

Friday January 14, 2005 @

Okay! And keep in touch you never know where you go one time and maybe you like to join a RBF member for a local run ;-) I’d appreciate it.

2084

Comment by Jon in Michigan

Friday January 14, 2005 @

Hey, you’re not letting your job, sleep, and family come before us are you?! ;)

Ok, man. Be gentle on yourself.

2085

Comment by Pamalamadingdong

Friday January 14, 2005 @

Sooo? we’re aren’t the number 1 priority in your life? Is that what you’re saying?
WHATEVER!!
Heee

2086

Comment by Dawn (aka Pink Lady)

Friday January 14, 2005 @

Hi I’m Dawn and I’m a Blog-a-holic. And its all your fault Mark! THANKS!!! :-)

2088

Comment by Rebecca

Friday January 14, 2005 @

What a great post, Mark. I often feel guilty for not taking the time to comment on the blogs that I read. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who feels this way! But we know you’re a busy guy and we can’t thank the blogfather enough for creating the RBF, so don’t stress over it!

2089

Comment by Deene

Friday January 14, 2005 @

ok. but this sounds like when the baby spiders float off into the warm weather in Charlotte’s Web.

2090

Comment by Mark

Friday January 14, 2005 @

nah, it’s not sad(?) like that at all but what IS similar is that I’m clearing some cob-webs out of my head!

:)

2091

Comment by Dianna (RCOH)

Friday January 14, 2005 @

I feel your pain Bro. I’ve been trying to keep up with the blogs too and there have been all these new people leaving me comments and I hardly have time to read their posts, let alone comment back to them and then I’m so busy reading and commenting that I forget to post.

I’m right there with you.

2092

Comment by susan

Friday January 14, 2005 @

I was wondering how you were getting all that done AND having a life and job. Thanks for all you do, Mark. I can’t imagine what I would do without the RBF…and it all started with an email to you. So thanks.

2097

Comment by BD

Friday January 14, 2005 @

Please, give yourself a break. You should NOT have to apologize. You are doing wonderful things for all of us and we should be thanking you profusely for whatever time you can squeeze out of your busy life to share with us. It’s not your burden to make all of our lives rich and whole. You have been terrific and I appreciate all that you do. But…you know your earlier reflections on overtraining and recovery? Well, sleep and stress are key factors and you should never let this community interfere with your ability to get much needed rest or recovery time. We can wait. And if we can’t wait then we can be deleted. Impatience with your voluntary gifts of time is not espectful to you.

Again, thank you for everything!!!

2098

Comment by Lara

Saturday January 15, 2005 @

It may sound hokey but I always feel like I have the RBF with me in spirit and hopefully others feel that as well. There’s a great, supportive community here even if we all can’t always read, post, or comment. You fostered that community so try to take time to enjoy it rather than feel beholden to it. It’s about the joy – remember? :)

2100

Comment by Dani

Saturday January 15, 2005 @

I USED to feel guilty about not updating daily and commenting on everyone’s blogs. Now I’m lucky to get in a few comments a week on my favorite blogs, but I don’t regret letting school and work and my personal relationships with others come first, and neither should you! We all really appreciate the time you’ve put in for the RBF!

2104

Comment by april anne

Saturday January 15, 2005 @

Great post! Please don’t feel guilty. You are doing a wonderful job as the blogfather. I only follow about 15 blogs on a weekly basis and I feel overwhelmed at times. It is impressive how often you are able to post and comment on so many other running blogs. As Dani said, we all really appreciate the time you put in for the RBF.

2106

Comment by Heather

Sunday January 16, 2005 @

Hey Mark, no need to apologize and feel guilty! We all overload ourselves and get to busy. Take the time and take care of your priorities first. When your ready to get us new bloggers going, I will still be waiting. Take care man. :D

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