Run Revolution’s First Two Weeks

Two weeks from yesterday, I run the Boston marathon. Speaking of two weeks…

Run Revolution had its two week birthday last Wednesday.

Run Revolution (runrevolution.com) has been alive for two weeks now. In those two weeks, these are the visitors this newborn had:

• .76% bounce rate (percentage of people who left the site from the home page. The lower the percentage, the better. That is .76%. Less than 1%. That’s really, really good.)
• 96 unique cities
• 10 unique countries: USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Afghanistan, Australia, China, Kenya (!!!), Japan, United Kingdom, and Netherlands

How did people find runrevolution.com?

I really don’t have anything to compare this traffic to since I have never had a website, and comparing it to this blog is not a comparison at all, but I am very proud of the action this newbie has seen in its first 2 weeks. It’s going to just keep growing, too!

Since the launch, I have regained a lot of creativity lost while focusing on the organization and editing of the entire site.

I will be posting new content every single day (except for an occasional weekend day), so check back daily (writing this is totally going to hold me accountable). Yes, this is keeping me busy, but what’s life if you’re not busy doing the things you love?

Please rememember to not only check out runrevolution.com, but to also visit Run Revolution on Facebook and “like” its page. Run Revolution’s facebook page is a fun place to: stay up to date on upcoming races, view funny running pictures, share your own race pictures, be notified of new posts on runrevolution.com, among other things.

Spread the Run Revolution love! Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors. Run Revolution is not only about running. It’s about yoga, it’s inspirational, it’s amusing (hopefully), it’s educational, and most of all, it’s fun!

 

Conception, Development, and Delivery of Run Revolution

After nearly three months of working on the private Run Revolution, it is finally up and “running” and ready for the world to see. I feel like I just delivered a baby.

In December, the idea for Run Revolution came to be. It started as, “You should start a running specific blog.” I said, “That’s a really good idea.” I then searched online to see what kinds of running blogs/sites were already started, and I quickly became overwhelmed, and discouraged. I could not compete with the big-timers. I am not an expert runner. I am not an expert writer. I am mediocre at both. The idea for a running blog did not vanish, however (obviously). I am passionate about both.

I’ve written about this before, and it still works for me: running is when I think, and think, and think, and think. So many new ideas are formed when I run. So, one day, in late December, “it” came to me. After deciding to name the site, “Run Revolution,” the story…the message…how Run Revolution was going to be different, came to fruition.

(A little back story).

Leading up to the idea of Run Revolution, I had been working on a book. For over a year, I had been writing a memoir…of one particular year of my life. A life-changing year. A year where good things finally started happening. This book had become a sort of therapy, and a way for me to really weed through this epic year. It was the “last chapter” of getting through an extremely difficult time in my life. But then, the writing all but stopped. I had documented the entire year, but that’s really all it was: documentation. I was struggling to find something to make this book come alive, and I could not find it!

(Back to before the back story)

So, on this run, I decided I would incorporate my book idea into Run Revolution. I would tell “My Story” of how I dug myself out of a bad place in life, by turning to yoga and running, and how I have been on an amazing journey to find what I’ve always wanted to find: happiness. I would use the concept of this (boring) book I was writing to help Run Revolution come to life! I would talk about the inspiration I found in hopes of inspiring others…and that is what the goal of my book was, too.

It all felt right. The name, my story, I was excited. I started creating content. I had so many ideas, and just couldn’t stop writing! I didn’t have enough time to write. I wrote pages, posts, and training schedules. I came up with what I was going to write, when I ran. It was a perfect combination.

Next came the minute details.

1. Logo design. Sounds simple enough. It was not. We employed a fantastic graphic designer, Joy Sarnowski, who gave so many good choices it was hard to choose! But, after over a month, and help from family and friends, I finally decided on:

What do you think of when you see the logo?

2. Pictures. I needed pictures. Although I was a runner, and had run a few races, I really didn’t have any good running pictures of myself, so I hired Rick Parchen, an amazing photographer, to help take some great running shots. We couldn’t have asked for a better day! It was a beautiful sunny day in Seattle with some incredible clouds. 🙂

3. Network. After I chose the logo, I decided it was time to share a bit with the world. I created a Facebook page and twitter account. I had never “tweeted” and was about to learn fast about the world of twitter. I starting setting Facebook page “like” goals, and surpassed each and every one of them: 100 likes, 150, 200 before launching. (I launched at 225 likes, and am currently at 228). It is exciting to see people I have no connection to, liking the page and interacting! Go like Run Revolution! 🙂

3. Not easy. There were hiccups…many hiccups. I created Run Revolution, and all its content (over 30 posts, nearly 40 pages, and lots and lots of pictures) on wordpress.com, which is free, easy to use, and great, but didn’t give a lot of options for widgets, and extras. I would need to host the site elsewhere. The transfer wasn’t as easy as anticipated. The majority of the content transferred over, but we had to start fresh with the theme and pictures, etc. It was time consuming.

4. Edit. Time to edit, edit, edit. I am a perfectionist, BUT I realized, with the help of some very smart people in my life: it would never be perfect, AND the launching was not a final project. I wanted to launch it before I left for Boston, and with enough time to spare so people could follow the last part of my training. It’s not like I was publishing a book. I would still have access to fix whatever needed to be fixed, and the launch was really only the beginning. So…

5. Launch! We picked a day to launch, Wednesday, March 14, a month and two days before Boston, after work and a 7 mile run. I was nervous, excited, anxious…so many emotions. As soon as I announced the birth of Run Revolution, I felt a strange feeling in my stomach. I watched the analytics of the site, actually stared…mouth wide open, I am sure. I watched people read, “My Story.” I felt naked. Vulnerable. A little scared. I had totally put myself out there for the world to judge. Was I prepared for the feedback? Not only had I put “My Story” out there, but I had spent every single spare moment of my life for the past three months working on Run Revolution (if you remember, I am also training for the Boston Marathon, AND I work close to 50 hours/week…my spare time is negligible. Sleep has definitely suffered) and I was scared my hard work wouldn’t be received as well as I hoped.

Here I am, less than 24 hours after the launch, and I have only heard positive feedback. The uneasy feeling is gone. I am excited to watch Run Revolution grow. Since day one of this decision, I have had fun. I am doing what I love: writing, running, yoga, and everything in between.

It’s launched. It’s live. It’s running. It’s alive! Now, I can get back to doing what I love…writing new content for Run Revolution. Ahhhh….It’s only the beginning. Now it’s time to raise Run Revolution and watch it grow into something amazing. 🙂

**When I say, “we,” I am talking about me and my amazing partner-in-everything, Shawn. I couldn’t have done any of this without him, and I am forever grateful to him.**

 

Run Revolution

So, I guess I have been pretty secretive about my new endeavor. Some even thought this new “thing” might be a baby in my belly. Nope. Although, I do consider it “my baby.” It has definitely consumed me, in a positive way, and I am excited to share it with everyone!

“It” is a new blog. It is running specific, and it is named, “Run Revolution.” It is about running, and it is about what has worked for me, and continues to work for me, from training to self care to races to gear. I have a story to tell, I love to write, and I love everything about running. So, I thought, why not share all of this useful information with the world! My baby was born. 🙂

It is OH so close to launching…just a few more organizational tweaks are needed. I was waiting to select a logo before I shared any details with the public, and I just recently did that. Boy, that wasn’t easy. There were so many great choices, it was difficult to narrow it down to one. I am grateful to have friends and family with good eyes for logo selection. I really couldn’t have done it alone!

So, now that I have a logo, I decided to publicize Run Revolution’s Facebook and Twitter accounts in anticipation of a nearing launch. It’s a great way to get to know me, a bit about Run Revolution, and be the first to know when runrevolution.com goes live!

Please find Run Revolution on Facebook, and “like” the page, please! And follow Run Revolution on twitter @runrevolution.

Be a part of Run Revolution! It’s informative, inspirational, interactive, and fun! Whether you’re a runner, a wanna be runner, or a newbie runner, Run Revolution will change the world you run in!

 

Back on the wagon…temporarily.

I got this email today. It’s been two years since I started practicing Bikram Yoga. I have come a LONG way in two years. 🙂

Dear Julie,
It’s your anniversary with Bikram Yoga Seattle! As our client you are very important to us and we greatly value your business. We truly hope that you have enjoyed your experiences at Bikram Yoga Seattle and will continue to in the future.

As always, if you have any suggestions, comments, or requests about future services, then please let us know.

Hope to see you soon!

The Bikram Yoga Seattle Team

They will see me soon. Tonight! It’s been over a week since I have been, and my body is (literally) aching to go. I got back late yesterday from a long weekend in Whistler skiing some of the best snow I have skied in a LONG time. It was amazing, but my body is tired and sore.

I start week 9 of Boston training this week, and I truly consider myself in the heart of training. Starting today, I am back on the wagon until after the race, April 16. 14 mile run this Sunday. Yup. Hard core training has begun. 🙂

 

Lungs, I apologize

Seattle is having some COLD weather. Last night it got in the 20s. BRRRRRR. This means I have been running in the cold, which I normally like. I run warm (meaning, I am usually warmer than the average person), so I prefer to run in cooler weather. (why I love Bikram yoga so much then, is beyond me). The last couple of days, however, my lungs have not been too thrilled with the chillier temperatures.

Tuesday night was sprints. I went from a really warm house, to a warm car, directly to the track. It was 39 degrees. I started my first lap, sprinting, immediately. Less than one lap in, and my chest started to feel extremely tight. Before I had finished the second lap (4 laps in a mile), I was on the verge of having trouble breathing. Nearing panic or hyperventilation, or quite possibly death, (okay, that’s me just over dramatizing), instead of stopping to rest (I physically just don’t know how to do this…I swear), I reminded myself, “You practice yoga. Use your yoga breathing.” So, I changed my breathing, which almost instantaneously helped. My breaths got deeper, and I actually felt like I was getting some air in my lungs. I started to calm down, and then I finished the first mile: 6:59. I did a full lap to cool down…er, warm up my lungs. I figured my lungs were in shock. Each subsequent mile felt a bit better.

What did I learn? And what can I teach you? If the air outside is much cooler than your lungs are used to, give them some time to acclimate. Starting a run without warming up is shock enough, but jumping right into a sprint? Cruel. Oh, lungs, I am so, so sorry. 😦 Next time, I will walk one full lap of the track, breathing deeply, giving the frigid air time to mix with my warm lungs. Lesson learned, and hopefully lesson taught to you. 🙂

Happy running!

 

Running on my mind

I’ve got running on my mind. It’s always on my mind. I am currently eating, sleeping, and breathing running. All I want to do is talk about running. Running is my passion. It makes me happy. It makes me feel good. Except sprints…I have to run sprints tonight. Sprints don’t make me feel good. But it’s part of my training, so tonight, I will run mile sprints. Three of them.

What’s your passion?

 

Creativity Hill

Tuesday night I ran hills. Again, not my favorite. My legs were extremely sore. Yoga Friday, for the first time in nearly three weeks. 11 mile run Saturday. Couch potato to the max Sunday, which allowed my legs to tighten up just perfectly. And an intense yoga class Monday made for a set of immensely sore legs Tuesday. They ached a LOT. And then, I had those damn hills to run.  But, it was warm, it wasn’t raining, and my interval runs are shorter than any regular run, which meant it would be over quickly. I could take it easy…as much as one can take it easy when running a 1/4 mile hill, back and forth, four times.

I decided to run the hill I used to run. I don’t venture to that old neighborhood very often, but that hill is great. Not only is it a good training hill, but it has a tendency to spark some intense creativity inside me. Last time I ran that hill, I came up with an excellent idea for a project (that has yet to be completed, but is a really good work in progress, nonetheless). I have maintained that creative streak since, although it ebbs and flows, and I was hoping to fill up the tank with another hill run. It didn’t fail me.

Running that hill Tuesday night was a success. Not only did it loosen up my tight legs, but I also came up with some new ideas. I couldn’t stop thinking! When I am feeling creative, I don’t mind thought overload, and I felt euphoric after my run, much like the way I felt last time I ran that same hill.

In three weeks, I run hills again, but this time I will be excited! I will head back to Creativity Hill and become an expert at running hills, but more importantly, fill up my creative tank, which is what really makes me happy. 🙂

 

Happy 2012

Happy 2012, everyone! This year has begun perfectly, and I am excited to see what unfolds this year.

I finished off the year with an amazing 11 mile run down at the beach. It was perfect running weather (in my opinion): mid 40’s and partly cloudy with no wind. I was supposed to run 10 miles on Sunday, but since that was New Year’s day, and I knew I would be celebrating the night before, I ran my long run on Saturday. The decision to run 11 miles was a last minute thought. 2011 was good to me. Very, very good to me. I thought running 11 miles would be a good tribute to a memorable 2011. It was an amazing run to finish off an even more amazing year. It was goal crushing, strength building, and growth stimulating.

Just a recap of the amazingness that was 2011.

Traveled to Mexico for the first time.

Kicked a couple of nasty habits

Learned how to take care of, and truly love, myself

Found my happy place. 🙂

My running “career” REALLY took off:

• Placed 2nd in the St. Patty’s Day dash
• PR’d 1/2 marathon
• Ran my first marathon
• Qualified for Boston in that first marathon
• PR’d 5K

Met, and fell in love with, my “ethnic” boyfriend, S. 🙂

Lead my first climb

Continued to progress in yoga

Traveled to Costa Rica for the first time

Wrote…a LOT

Started a lot of projects (2012 is my year to finish them)

2012 is starting off busy! But busy good. I am going to apologize, in advance, to my friends and family. The next few months are going to be crazy busy: (more than) full time job, Boston training, and an exciting project I am working on. I (hopefully) will come up for air after Boston. 🙂

Exciting things are on the horizon. Stay tuned for more!

 

How to run happy in the rain

We knew it wasn’t going to last, we live in Seattle, for goodness sakes. What? Our dry spell. We were on par to have the driest December EVER, but today, everything changed, and looking ahead…it appears we will fill our December rain quota in the next few days. GREAT news for the mountains and us skiers, but bad news for us runners. I am both, so I have mixed feelings about the rain.

Today I started week 5 of training with hills. Interval training. Not my favorite, but I do it because it is an important element of my training. It keeps things spicy. And with today’s rain, it definitely was interesting. I have been spoiled with dry runs over the past month, but living in Seattle, I knew it would eventually end. Running in the rain, dark, wind and cold is pretty standard this time of year. Sometimes I dread it, but I always do it. Rarely do I turn to a treadmill to escape the elements. Running on a treadmill is almost worse. It is sooo boring. At least running in the rain and cold and wind is NOT boring. It’s challenging, and I like it. It makes me feel like a bad-a$$ and a little crazy, too. I like looking at the array of facial features staring at me from passing cars. I can hear them now, “She is f’n crazy.” “Show off.” “What an idiot.” “Is she okay?” “I wish I had balls like her.” “Does she know it’s pouring?” “She’s going to die.” “Should I ask her if she needs a ride?” (AND, last time I ran in the pouring rain, someone actually DID pull over and ask me if I wanted a ride. I was dumbfounded, and didn’t really know what to say. Obviously, they weren’t a runner. I said, “No, thank you,” and continued to run in the torrential downpour).

Growing up in Seattle, I am used to the rain. That’s not to say I like it, per se, but I am used to it and know how to deal with it. I would much prefer to run in the sunshine, but we don’t get a lot of that up here, so I use the rain to my advantage. It makes race day (assuming it’s nice weather) that much better, and it really does help with my training. Also, as long as my face and feet are dry, I really don’t mind running in the rain. As long as there is no wind, I actually kind of like the rain.

Key to (trying to) enjoy a wet run: Keep your face dry. Having water roll down your face is not fun, in my opinion. I have been on the hunt to find the perfect hat to keep my face dry. So, at the expo for the Seattle half marathon, I was ogling all the cool Brooks gear (I am a BIG fan of Brooks), and was haphazardly looking for a hat for race day. There was a 90% chance of rain, which meant a 100% chance of being wet. My eyes caught a hat with a really long bill, ideal for keeping the rain FAR away from my face. It was $20, which seemed a bit steep for a hat, especially since I can get a discount, but I purchased it anyway. It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed the bonus. It had a battery pack…which controlled the LED light! Amazing. Not only is it a good rain hat, but also a good night running hat. And something else amazing? Online it is $35, so I scored BIG. I give Brooks’ Nightlife Hat, two thumbs UP! (especially for $20)

Another must for enjoying a wet run are dry feet. It’s nearly impossible to avoid the puddles when it rains up here, and wet, soggy feet are NOT fun, especially on long run days. Not only is it squishy, but it makes blisters pop up too easily. The best socks in the world cannot keep your feet dry if it is pouring in Seattle. I discovered something very cool, however. I run on Brooks Ghost 4, which I love. Ghost GTX, however, is the same shoe, only in Gore-Tex! How cool is that?? A waterproof shoe! A must have for a Seattle runner. I haven’t run in the shoe…yet. I will need new shoes in the next couple of weeks, and that shoe will be my next shoe. Stay tuned for my review.

I don’t worry about rain gear when I run. I get wet with sweat even if it’s not raining, so I don’t care if my body is wet. All I care about is keeping my feet and face dry. 🙂

What do you do to stay dry while you run?

 

There’s no high like a runner’s high

Hello. I have been fighting a sickness something fierce this week, but, I have managed to get all my training runs in. Sunday…Christmas Day…a 10 mile run, and that will finish week 4. Already. Wow.

Since I have been feeling off this week, I have not wanted to, nor felt like, running fast or pushing myself, so when I saw this today, it made me smile:

I run for myself and because it makes me feel good. When I am in the funkiest of funks, and all I feel like doing is hiding from the world, curling up on the couch, and feeling sorry for myself, I KNOW a run will save me. Before I can talk myself out of it, I remember all the times I have felt horrible, and how much better a run made me feel. It works every time…it’s my antidepressant. Fresh air + running body + a good sweat = runner’s high. And after that run, all I want to do is rest my tired limbs on the couch and relish my runner’s high. Now, if I could just get myself to yoga more…

Happy Holidays and Happy Winter. We are officially on the upswing to summer. The days get longer starting today!