Friday, July 14, 2006

Opinions, Please

This morning I was discussing my blog with someone I know, who just so happens to follow along with my posts, but isn't really a runner.

During the course of the discussion, this individual implied that my blog may at times be ....

gasp.

boring.

That wasn't specifically said, nor was that the word used, but the implication was there.

Said individual suggested that I should post more about the rest of my life in addition to my tales about my running. This individual stated that it was enjoyable reading the post about my mom, and that I should include personal posts more often. It was stated that there was "nothing wrong with letting your readers get to know you more."

If you have been following along since the beginning, I'm sure you have picked up lots of little tidbits about me along the way. But I have never posted about my miserable days at work, or my vacation pics, or whatever because I figured the mundane details of my daily life would bore the most patient of individuals to tears.

But maybe I am wrong, maybe everyone would like to hear more than just running stuff all the time.

So, my question to everyone is this:

What is your opinion on this matter? Do you post a lot of "life outside of running" stuff on your own blogs? Why or why not?

Thanks for the input!

20 comments:

  1. I'm currently of the opinion (for my own blogging) that there is such a thing as too much information. I try not to get too personal. I don't want to bore people, and I don't want to turn my running blog into an ongoing saga of. . . well. . . my not so exciting daily life. Just my thoughts on my blogging - do what's comfortable for you.

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  2. I don't post a lot of personal stuff on my own blog because I think so many things through while running that I'm bored by the time I get around to blogging. I'm sure many people consider my blog boring and don't come back.

    I don't find your blog boring, but I as a runner, I might be more interested in hearing about the running than your friend. (BTW, I think my treadmill is off, too, but I'm not brave enough to open it up. I know for a fact it doesn't keep time right, though, so the paces aren't accurate. I also think it was smart to cut your run short this morning; sometimes you have to listen to your body and ignore the schedule). I may not comment often, but I like your writing so I'll keep reading regardless of what you decide to do with posting personal stuff. I don't think either approach is wrong.

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  3. You are NOT boring. It's okay to hold back some personal information, but if something's REALLY bugging you...let it OUT! I love hearing about frustration and trials of being a runner...period. That's what I want to do and it's fun (when the weather is NOT so HOT!)

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  4. first of all, your blog is not boring. I personally like to post mostly running stuff with some personal stuff thrown in here and there. I don't post more personal stuff because I was afraid that my ex was reading it (I've been running statcounter and it doesn't appear that he's accessing my blog). Anyways..I might be posting a little more personal stuff, if I can think of anything interesting. Sadly, I think training for this marathon is as interesting as I'm gonna get.

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  5. Not boring at all! In a way, running blogs are like shop talk for any group of people who share the same hobby, job, etc...

    However, I have friends who read my blog just to see what I'm up too. And they aren't runners.. So your friend may be bored, but at least they're reading...

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  6. My very own daughter thinks my blog is boring! So whatever! You should write what you want to write; I don't put a lot of personal info in my blog (usually) unless it's running- related. I try to entertain, but I'm really writing to stretch my writing muscles. I think you should keep doing what you're doing and tell your friend to go get his/her own blog! :)

    (Now, I'm going to go read the rest of your posts bcs the last two I read were so good! so there!)

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  7. please forgive my slightly different opinion.

    Stats are boring. Everyone puts their splits up and, quite honestly, i always just skip them. Give me the basics. i ran 8 miles, didi it in an hour and 1/2.

    i look to running blogs as a support group for all levels of running. how do others deal with time restaints due to running commitments? How do others deal with personal stuff as they train?

    Running is the glue that ties us run bloggers together, but it's not what keeps bringing me back to peruse your blogs. It's the personal stuff like your mom and your PT sessions, been there, that provide added insight as you develop as a runner.

    btw... your blog is rarely boring

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  8. i post my stats because i want to be able to look back at my progress, so the first priority has always been a way to log my running especially since i'm new at this. the other benefit to keeping it mainly stats (for me) is there is no obligation to "wax poetic", i like to write but to *have* to on a regular basis would be too much pressure and i would think eventually i would just implode and the blog will be deleted. BUT, even though i'm mostly stats i will from time to time add personal thoughts and show photos of race day, etc. I probably could be better about posting my feelings about how i felt when i ran, etc, and i will probably work on doing that since i think that helps others as well as being an additional log for me to look back on to see how far i've come. Gosh i think i just wrote more in this comment than any of my blog entries! lol

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  9. first of all... any non-runner reading a running blog is going to think its boring.

    there's a reason we call this the RUNNING BLOG FAMILY!!!

    so, that being said.. your blog isn't boring. and YOUR blog is exactly that. YOUR blog. write about what you want to write about, and try not to start doing it to please other people!!

    personally, i write about personal stuff all the time. but thats me. i'm a very open, ask me i'll answer kind of person. some people aren't that way. its really whatever you're comfortable with.

    i'm with Mike... i like reading other people's blogs not for their stats, but for how they go about fitting in this lifestyle with their normal routine. especially people that are like me, that have to really make an effort to keep up this whole fitness thing. seeing how it impacts other parts of your life is i think what brings so many of us together.

    but, just keep this in mind. that person that said your blog was boring...

    they're still reading. so.. must not be THAT boring, cuz they keep coming back for more, ya know?!?!!

    ;)

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  10. My blogging opinion....I'm not here to win any awards for blogging...my blog serves my purposes, nobody elses. The question you should be asking is, "Is my blog making me happy" if you answer yes, you're doing great!! It's all about you girl!!

    P.S.--I dont find you boring.

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  11. Thanks for stopping by!

    To answer your question: I guess it depends on the purpose of your blog. My blog is for me. I created it to have an outlet for writing about my running and to connect with other runners. I don't intend to include too much "personal" stuff, but it does get included as it relates to running.

    If anyone finds my blog entertaining, great! But its not my primary concern.

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  12. Well...I sometiems am the extreme wtih personal details. But you have to make it interesting, not that yours isn't. And non-running people will totally think it's boring for lack of not understanding why we get so excited over a "good run." Know what I mean? However, as noted before, I have gotten into some trouble with the things I post from certain family members and work related crap. So just becarful with that.

    Mike ~ Really splits bother you? Well I do post those so that other experienced runners can give me tips on how to improve.

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  13. Running is a part of my life, so some personal stuff is naturally going to be woven in my entries.

    I love your blog and hearing about your running. Most of my friends don't even know about my blog, so I don't have to worry about boring them. :)

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  14. I personally think blogs are best when they stick to a theme instead of being free to talk about whatever (unless you're increbily funny and then anything you ramble about is amusing -- there's only a few bloggers who can get away with that). Otherwise, I think it's good to have a focus on your blog.

    But lots of things can be related to running -- for those of us who make it part of our lives, life and running become intertwined and its hard to separate the two.

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  15. Thanks so much for your comments. I appreciate the input. It's been fun hearing what everyone thinks on the matter.

    I really have no intentions of changing what I have been doing. As many of you have pointed out, it is my blog and I need to do what makes me happy. Personally, I like keeping track of my training and my running, but will continue to refrain from the random post about my boring life.

    But, I really do like writing and have been tossing around the idea of starting another blog for random babblings. Maybe I will do that. Possibly one with a little more anonymity so I can discuss whatever I want, per RR's advise! :)

    btw, blogger so needs a spell checker on the comments section! I am the world's worst speller!!

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  16. I don't think your blog is boring at all. In fact, I think it's one of the best running blogs out there. You have such a knack for writing exactly what I'm feeling, but don't know how to say. I love your running philosophy, and it's something that I aspire to.

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  17. Well, I think we all have boring posts every once in awhile - I have more boring posts than most. But, I find your blog great! It is inspirational and helpful to me so I say things are great the way they are.

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  18. Nah, we as bloggers may go thru spurts where we don't have a lot to say, but I find the routine of blogs to be the very thing that keeps me reading them. Make your blog what YOU want it to be and nothing else. If you feel like including other aspects of your life, then by all means, go for it.

    I always find your blog interesting and funny, as well. :)

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  19. I'm with everyone else. I don't think your blog is boring. I right about a whole lot of different stuff, running included, but I'm an open person. I'll talk to a wall if I think it might be interested in what I'm saying.

    Keep doing what you are doing and don't worry about what other peeps think!

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  20. I'm a little late to the conversation here, but I'm in agreement with almost everyone. Bottom line is that this is about you and your *adventure in running*. I enjoy what you have to say, and this is why I visit. If I happen to find you boring, though rarely, it's just like any other medium, I can flip the channel! That applies to anyone who reads me.

    On personal information .. I share to a point, and only to what I'm comfortable with.

    Just don't start boring yourself...

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