Hi ilona. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment on my ’15 reasons I’m a rubbish blogger’ post. The positive feedback I’ve received from my slightly negative post has made me aware that I’m not such a ‘rubbish’ blogger after all. I love your suggestion and will list all of the positive reasons I will carry on blogging. At the end of the day I love writing, and use my blog as a way of giving myself a break from academic writing. Over the last 12 months I’ve stopped reading a number of fitness and running blogs. These blogs were interesting to start with but are now pages and pages of product reviews and sponsored posts. By the way 6000-7000 page views a day is seriously impressive and no doubt a reflection of the fact your blog isn’t just page after page of sponsored content. Finally, thanks for the positive feedback on my photos. Quite a few people have said that they love my photos as I share my not so photogenic running photos.

Hi Alana, thanks for reading and commenting on my slightly negative blog post. Why do I blog? I originally started my running blog when my family and friends told me that they were fed up with me constantly talking about running. People started to follow my blog, so I continued blogging in the hope that other runners could learn from my (many) running mistakes. I also enjoy writing occasional ‘hints and tips’ type posts and sharing my experiences as a back-of-the-pack runner. As a stats geek I’d love to be able to understand my blogs’ stats more. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to become a blog stats expert at the moment. I’ve definitely always tried to be honest in my blog and hopefully by sharing my not so glamorous running photos I’m keeping it real.

I agree with you about the product reviews, I refuse all requests. I don’t accept freebees, guests posts, advertising, or sponsorship. Unless you actually need the money it brings in, why bother with the hassle. I started my blog eight years ago, have posted almost every day, I get 6 – 7 thousand page views a day, and haven’t made a penny from it. I blog because I enjoy it.

Your blog is pretty upbeat, I like your honesty and sense of humour, it looks fine, and it is a reflection of you. Keep on with it, shorten your posts if you don’t like writing, your photo’s are fine, don’t jump to anyone else’s tune, do it for you.
Best wishes,
ilona

Yay excited for random comments 🙂 Re the reviews and sponsored posts, I choose carefully as I don’t want to tie myself to write about too many products, but I like to collaborate with brands on a meaningful level, on stuff I’m interested in trying out of curiosity, or partnerships that work both ways with content creation etc. It’s a fine balance!

Thanks Lucy! Whenever I think of a new name for my blog I write it down before I can forget it. There are so many running/fitness blogs out there now, that quite a few of my ideas have already been taken. The whole process is quite overwhelming and I suspect I might end up paying someone to do it for me. I really enjoyed meeting everyone at the Duncan Goodhew swimming event last year. You’ve reminded me that I need to start swimming on a slightly more regular basis if I’m going to take part in Swimathon again.

Thanks Tess! I’m definitely more of a waffle than an influencer and I’m proud. I let my academic research do all of my influencing. I won’t start another blogger versus influencer debate; the last one got slightly heated. I did find quite a professional looking blog template on Pipdig, but quickly discovered I’d have to upgrade my WordPress account to be able to install it. If I ever get around to changing the name of my blog I’ll upgrade the design at the same time. I’ve been offered payment for posts and reviews a few times but have always said no. Probably another blogger fail! I do enjoy writing, so will probably try to post a couple of times a month. Be prepared for more slightly random comments now that I’ve worked out how to comment on your blog.

Thanks Anna! I’ve always tried to keep my blog ‘real’ although perhaps at times my posts and observations have been slightly too honest. I love reading your blog because you come across as a really genuine, likeable person. I don, however, experience occasional food envy when you share photos of ribs and tasty looking puddings. I did find a slightly more professional looking blog template on Pipdig (I think it’s the Viva viva theme) but realised I can’t update my blog unless I upgrade from WordPress. It’s all quite confusing and I’m pretty lazy so I will probably leave my blog alone unless I think of a more relevant name. By the way, I don’t think your blog name is odd, it’s really relevant! Don’t get me started on irritating pop-ups. I could dedicate an entire ‘rant’ to irritating pop-ups.

Thanks Maria! I recently stopped following and reading a few of what were my favourite running and fitness blogs. Virtually every post was either a product review or a recipe promoting some impossible to find in my local supermarket ingredient. Coconut flour I’m looking at you! I’ll have to read your Quest bars review, I don’t think I’ve seen many not so positive product reviews. I almost get the impression that some bloggers are so afraid of upsetting PRs and brands they won’t write negative reviews. Earlier this week I received an invite to a pilates class in London, as I’ve never tried pilates I’m actually quite tempted to attend the class. You are right though, most PRs seem to forget that some bloggers do have other commitments.

I tried to install Google Analytics, discovered that my blog wasn’t compatible and then decided I don’t really need any extra data. I only know my (apparently very inaccurate) page views because I’ve got the Word Press App on my phone. Like you, my blog is for fun. I only started blogging as an outlet for my running related ramblings. I don’t think most of my family and friends are even aware that I have a running blog. They got fed up hearing about my running injuries and racing woes years ago. I always do try to be honest but don’t share everything. I decided not to write weekly Cambridge Half Marathon training updates because like you I find reading training diaries quite dull. By the way, I had no idea I’ve got a dry sense of humour. This probably isn’t always a positive personality trait!

Thanks for your kind comments kyra. I’m really pleased you enjoy reading my blog and that my waffle makes you laugh!