Craig W. Barrett, Hughesville, REALTOR®
Hughesville, MD Real Estate
http://www.hughesvillehomes.com/
Ok, well maybe it's not that dramatic, but I was going to write about the correlation between marathon training and blogging on Active Rain at some point. Lenn's post inspired me to go ahead and knock it out and Bryant's post got me thinking about points.
I've been training for marathons about as long as I've been blogging, which isn't very long, and see similarities in successfully accomplishing both. I think it's about planning, dedication, commitment, consistency and sticking to the plan even when you just don't feel like it. Overtime, the plan will become second nature and will simply become part of the process.
One of the common mistakes of any foot race is starting out too fast and not pacing correctly. No amount of carbs, goo, sugar, etc... is going to help you when you "hit the wall". You've already bought the farm. Holding back in the
beginning is a learned behavior and one that takes time and correct practice. Blogging is no different, come out of the chute too fast and you'll fade. If you fade, try again and again until you get the pacing right.
When I made a commitment to run my first marathon, I could barely run a mile and a half without feeling overly exerted. I did some research and found a training program, ran my butt off and stuck to it. It is the same with blogging, I could barely write a coherent post, but I did some research, found knowledgeable folks and joined Active Rain. I read, learned, shared and blogged (repeat). Some may argue my recent posts are coherent... :-)
When blogging on Active Rain, consider your points as miles. That number one spot in your State or County is your marathon. Does it seem like an unsurmountable task? Break it up into manageable pieces, just like you would a race. Instead of one 26.2 mile run, think of it as six 4.4 mile runs or smaller. Maybe 5,000 points in a week is an unrealistic goal.
Why not set your sights for 10 comments per day and two posts per week and see how it goes. Was it exhausting or were you able to finish strong? Adjust your schedule on your results. Don't run with pain, take a day off and cross-train. Did the blog you just posted fall flat on it's face? Take a day off and cross-train. What is cross-training? I'll tell you in a second.
Eventually, as your plan becomes second nature, your miles (points) will become faster and easier. You'll find yourself continuously in your comfort zone and will need to push yourself to the next level. An important part of any marathon program and a natural way to push yourself to the next level is cross-training. Do things to exercise your core and upper body like swimming, push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, playing basketball, partial squats, etc...
You can cross-train in blogging too. Push yourself to the next blogging level by subscribing to and reading other blogs, trade publications, newspapers, attending educational seminars, social networking events, listening to other people, etc... Take days off. Your cross-training should be done on non-run (non-blog) days.
Mix up your training. Running the same route at the same pace gets boring. Throw in some hills, speed workouts and long runs. The same with blogging, mix it up a bit. The same theme will eventually bore you. Post about a local event, a hot listing, a cool techno whiz-bang, a news story or do some research on local history.
Did I mention take a day off? You need to give your body plenty of time to recover from a long run. Some long runs can burn in excess of 3,000 calories! You need to replenish and blogging is no different. Take the time to clear your mind, rejuvenate, refresh and get yourself ready for the next post or comment.
Marathon training and results are a personal objective. What one may do or the time they finish may be genetically impossible for you. I can't run a 5 minute mile for 26.2 miles. I can't run even run a 5 minute mile for one mile! Should a beginning marathoner aspire to run a 2:30 marathon? a 3:00 marathon? Probably not! Should they watch or read about how those that do train? Absolutely. There are those that blog that are just naturally talented writers or have a formal writing education. Should beginning bloggers aspire to obtain thousands of points or write tens of posts in a week? Probably not! Should they watch and read those that do? Absolutely.
This is just one of many analogies to get you started or keep you going and my perspective on points and blogging here at Active Rain. In both running and blogging all that matters, at the end of the day, is you've achieved your personal objectives and are satisfied with the results.
Hi Craig,
Good analogy, I'm (somewhat) of a blogger for a little over a year now, and I'm (somewhat) of a marathoner, I've finished 10 so far. Right now just too darn many "blogging lbs" to run anywhere. Your comment on cross-training is an EXCELLENT one!
Good luck in your marathoning and blogging!
I guess the key to blogging and to marathoning is beginning right? Well, with a coach like you, one has to start (and finish). Thanks for the "key".
Shelly
Lynda - I remember us talking about your marathons last summer. Cool stuff. I think cross-training in bolgging helps expand the mind and perspective which could only improve blogging. Thanks for the comment.
Gaye - That's right. The stamina, dedication and determination needed to complete a marathon is easily portable to any challenge. I think it's about breaking a large task into manageable pieces, creating a plan and sticking to it. Thanks for the comment.
Leesa - Relevant blogging topics keeps you and your readers interested. Relevancy is subjective, right? What may be good for the goose may not be good for the gander. If it doesn't work, don't be afraid to try something new. You're right, I don't think anyone can go wrong with focusing on the local area. I know running isn't for everyone and I know you think I'm nuts. :-) Thanks for the comment.
Candice - Thanks for stopping by. :-)
Todd & Danielle - Yes, I do think so. I think it's also important to have a plan how to acheive the desired result, but don't neglect listening to the "feedback" and making changes as needed. Thanks for the comment.
Shelly - You gotta start somewhere, the beginning seems like a natural place to start. :-) Thanks for the comment.
Excellent. In fact, I believe that the discipline and focus that it takes to gain high points on ActiveRain is the same discipline and focus that it takes to excell in any individual sport. I've been a champion skeet and trap shooter and that, I can tell you, took a rigorous schedule of practice, training and competion events.
That hard work has stood me well over the years when I was challenged to excell and it still works.
Winning depends a lot on attitude and realistic expectations. Climbing the ladder on ActiveRain requires the same. The rewards, if handled correctly, is more business.
What more could a hard working real estate broker want.
Very nice post, Craig. Thanks.
I'm still waiting for you to contact me about referrals in Chas. County.
Lenn - Your right, accept the challenge to excel and work hard. Realistic expectations and attitude are key to success. I think we all want more business, ultimately that's why we're all here, right? Hard work never hurt anyone. It was a pleasure speaking with you this morning. Thanks for the comment.
Pat - I remember your post, it was a good one. I agree, make it part of your process and it'll become second nature. Don't forget to cross-train. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Craig,
What a great analogy! The first thing that comes to mind is how bad do you want it....:)
Hi Julie - I understand how you feel and where you're coming from. Hey, that's life, right? We're so busy taking care of everyone else, we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. But, if you do take care and do things for yourself, you'll be that much better for daily tasks and such.
So, how do you handle the daily chaos? Personally, I have to have lists and am constantly reevaluating and prioritizing. It's way too easy to get bogged down in the details if you don't have a clear path to the objective. It's important to also have a chance to release and renew. Make time for you and do what makes you happy.
Set a realistic goals, define a plan to obtain them and the satisfaction will keep coming day in and day out. Go get 'em Julie! But first, sit down and read a book by yourself. lol
[Leesa sez: Hey - where did Candice come from?????????]
The Blonde Universe of course, my dear Pixie! :)
Craig's been my unofficial running coach since last October. About the best coach anyone could ask for!
I'm nowhere near my originally set goals, but I'm heading in the right direction--working the plan and pacing myself . . .
In running, real estate and life . . .
Yo Candi-o! Work the plan and re-adjust as necessary. Lather, rinse, repeat. Listen to your body and pace yourself for a strong finish... always.
As a runner this is a good analogy! I have run 6 marathons and one ultra marathon, a 50K and when I finished some wise acre commented that "it's not really an ultra until you run 50 miles". I was too tired to punch him (which is a good thing!)
Thanks Russell! I've run 3 full, one 1/2 a 20 miler and a 5k. Those short community races are great for pushing you out of your comfort zone. I've missed more races due to work. I hate it when work gets in the way of running!
Not an ultra? You should have decked him. What a running snob.