Sunday, January 31, 2010

I'm so clueless!

Ok- so the title of this post could be taken many different ways. And most of them would be correct. However, this time, I am referring to how clueless I am about how to effectively blog and position myself to get my name out there.

Before I started blogging, I thought all you did was post a blog and then let people find you. Now, I hadn't really thought about HOW those people would find you- I just assumed they would. Now I am learning about all the different ways you should be blogging in order to get your name and information find.

Of course, there is Twitter and Facebook, but there are also sites and blogs dedicated to helping you make the most out of your blog. This is one good site that was passed on to me by a fellow Disney Dream Depot member and a roomie of mine for the Disney Social Media Moms conference coming up.
http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/up-the-ante-by-taking-bold-actions/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+smartpassiveincome+%28Smart+Passive+Income%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher
Also, Chris Brogan is has written several books that are considered near bibles for social media.

Now- I have to admit, I haven't done any of the things recommended in website above, nor have I read any of Chris Brogan's books. But, at least now, I'm starting to have a clue about everything I don't know. I'm still not sure if that's a good thing or not. In some ways, it's so much easier to just be clueless...

Friday, January 22, 2010

What's in a name

Recently, my husband asked me why I decided to name my blog "Always Running Behind". Now, the logical answer would be because I am always running behind and late for things, but that isn't true. I am one of those people who can't be late for anything. Seriously, if I think I'm going to be late, I start twitching and shaking and I can't deal with it. As my friend says, I am annoyingly prompt.

However, if you have ever seen me out running, you know why I named the blog as such. As I mentioned earlier, running isn't something that comes easily to me. When I run, I don't run for speed. I run because it's hard. I finally decided I was tired of saying "I can't run" or "I'm not a runner". I decided to get out there and do it. But, I'm not fast and when it comes to running in a group, I am ALWAYS RUNNING BEHIND. Now, I may not be fast, but I am steady. It may take me longer than some (but not all), but I will get there. When I enter a race, I have two simple goals: run the whole thing, and not finish last. So far, I have been able to accomplish both of these goal in all 3 races I've been in.

One other reason I chose the name I did- because it seems when it comes to things like blogging, Twitter, etc., I'm one of the last people I know to get involved in it. Again- I'm always running behind! :)

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Surfing the social media wave

I'm so excited! There has been so much going on in the last week related to both this website and my "tribe" www.disneydreamdepot.com. It's been a social media explosion in my house!
(To learn what the heck I mean by tribe, see http://www.tribebuilding.com/2008/10/what-is-a-tribe.html)

First, obviously, I started this blog. Then, I got an invite to the Disney Social Media Moms conference in Walt Disney World next month. This is a BIG, BIG deal. This is a huge conference co-hosted by Disney World and www.5minutesformom.com. There will be many special events hosted by Disney, as well as many internationally known speakers on social media. The opportunities for learning about how to effectively use social media- such as blogs, facebook, twitter, and the internet in general- to get your name and concepts out there and known. I am a complete newbie at all of this, and I can't wait for the chance to learn from not only the speakers, but many of my fellow attendees at the conference.

The other big thing with social media this week is the official launch of our Disney Dream Depot website. We have been working on ways to differentiate ourselves from the plethora of other Disney planning websites that are available, and we have hit an amazing solution. Starting this Thursday, and every Thursday after, we will be hosting a live Q&A chat. There will two members of the Dream Team broadcasting live audio to answer questions from people in the chat room regarding planning a trip to Disney World. This is such an exciting, new opportunity. So, I've been learning about using TinyChat, audio, video, and running chat rooms. Come check us out!


So, as you can tell, I've completely immersed myself in social media. Nothing like jumping in with both feet! I am so excited about where all of this is going and the potential it has. As my husband said I'm "Surfing the social media wave."

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Can I run farther?

One thing I have determined since I started running, is that it is very hard to build up stamina. I get to a certain point in my run, and all I want to do is stop. And try as I may, that point tends to stay at about the same distance in my run. Now, I know- you have to push through it and then it gets better. Easier said than run... But, I came across a great article from active.com about how to build up stamina when running.

http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Steps_for_building_running_stamina.htm?act=AFC-SocialMedia&Property=Active&Sport=Running&PageType=Content_Articles&Emp=TO&PostType=Micro_blogging&Site=Crtwitter&Dy=01_12_10&Note=Steps_for_building_running_stamina

What I like about this article is it puts things simply. Run, run faster, walk. Run faster, walk. It's easy. It also incorporates weight training, which provides a nice change of routine. Not to mention, it gives you fabulous looking arms! Of course, I like using my kickboxing class as part of the weight training, as well as cross-training. The only drawback to that is when I can barely lift my arms from all the "training" I've done!

As I stated before, my goal is to increase my weekly distance to up to 30 miles a week. Seeing as how I'm currently at about 15 miles, on a good week, I have a ways to go. Now, I'm a pretty impatient person, and want to hit that goal NOW. But, I know that it will take a while. So, for this week, I'm at a whopping 4 miles. I'm hoping to get a couple of miles in tonight while Matthew is in class at the Y. I think the hardest part of all this is going to be finding the time to run with everything else going on. It's not going to be easy, but I really want to be a "runner" and not just someone who runs.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Let the blogging begin

Almost three years ago, I decided I need to get into shape before it got too late. At that point, I changed my eating habits and began going to exercise classes at our local YMCA. As time passed, I got bored with what I was doing, and both my eating and exercise habits declined. Last summer, faced with bathing suit season, I decided to try something new. So, I turned to running.
I can’t say that I LOVE running, but I do enjoy it. Well, at least I enjoy it when I’m done with it… Running is not something that comes easily to me.I ran two 5k’s last year and an 8k. My goal this year is to run the Broad Street Run, a 10 mile race in Philly in early May. I am still debating whether or not I want to run a half-marathon. I think I’ll continue to mull that one over.
Along with running, I discovered a kickboxing class at the Y. I love, and I mean LOVE, this class. The instructor is a no-nonense, kick your butt type. I know that when I go to that class, I will be giving it my all for that hour. I leave that class exhausted, sweaty, and on a total endorphin high!
So- by now you are probably wondering “Why is this person doing a blog?” I have to be honest- I’m not 100% sure I know the answer to that question. I have toyed with the idea of doing a blog for a while. I also have toyed with the idea of seriously increasing my running and exercising to see if I can get into amazing shape. So, I am merging the two ideas. This blog will be about my running, my exercising, and just telling you about my life.
My goal is to run 30 miles a week (that is something I will have to work up to), as well as do 2 to 4 hours of kickboxing at the Y each week. I know this is ambitious, but if I put my mind- or really, my body- to it, I think I can do. Whether or not I will be able to get out of bed each morning without assistance remains to be seen
So, sit back and let’s see with this goes. Please feel free to leave me comments and let me know what you think!