Breaking Anonymity

When I started this blog, it was somewhat anonymous.  I always used my first name but beyond that kept it somewhat vague on purpose.  Very few people in real life knew about it.  Slowly, it started becoming less anonymous.  More and more pictures, local race recaps, more of the real me than just some random girl who was training for a first marathon.

The blog led me to local friends by way of other bloggers.  I've met speedy marathoners, great ultra runners and more inspiring runners including some who share my love of desserts as much as running - all through the connections of blogs and social media.  I've yet to meet one crazy person or stalker.

Soon, people in real life started to find out about it.  It was also pretty obvious that anyone who wanted to find out anything about me certainly could with just three minutes of research - my name, where I live, where I work.

I read a couple of blogs that try to be anonymous, part of me really wonders why.

At some point, I made the conscious decision to just say screw it and become completely transparent across all social media.  I've come to the conclusion that more great things can happen this way.  

Twitter
Pinterest
Athlinks
LinkedIn
Higher Miles Facebook page
Miles and Mutts Facebook page
Miles and Mutts

This is still a running blog so it's only a little sliver of my life.  Work isn't discussed or really much else outside of running and dogs, but well, work, running and dogs pretty much sums up my life anyway.

Why am I writing this?

Two reasons.

First, in my 'down-time' (otherwise known as lazy time over the winter during which I can absorb lots of bad reality TV while I'm not working out), I've discovered a guilty little pleasure in the show Catfish on MTV.  I find it fascinating that people spend so much time and effort to be people they are not online.

I don't fabricate anything about myself online but do I come across completely as I am in real life?  Probably not.  I don't think anyone does.  Kim has written several great posts about perceived identities before.  I always love her posts and the topic interests me too.  I'm sure I come off a little more as I want to be seen versus how I actually am but I'm still in the same general realm (I hope).  :)  

Second, I'll be in Chicago for a few days this week.  Any non-stalkers in Chicago want to try to meet up?  I doubt I'll have a lot of free time since it's a quick work trip but maybe a little!

Anonymous blogger or not?  Why?

This is a Running Blog

Between the time period of November 18 - current, I've been running but something has definitely been missing.  Most days I want to avoid it.  I've been making many, many excuses - tired, cold, icy, too busy, out of shape, just ate, too hungry, you name it.  I've also gained about 10 pounds along the way.  I feel really out of shape.  And lazy.

I've been eating things like this chocolate chip cookie dough cake so it's really no wonder why I've been feeling like this.

Last week, something finally started to change a little.  I started to have the desire to sign up for a race again.  Our local half marathon is coming up on March 9th.  Earlier this month, I began to think I'd probably be skipping the race that I've run the last three years...my first half marathon.  I honestly didn't think I was in shape enough to even be able to run the entire thing (let along be anywhere close to previous times).

But, then, I decided to try to finally get myself out for a long run.  I've haven't run more than 8 miles since November and usually no more than 5 miles.  11 miles later and I actually had that runner's high I've been missing for a few months.  It was a little humbling that I was getting tired by the end of the 11 miles but I wasn't the least bit sore the next day and I wasn't as slow as I thought I would be so maybe I've lost less endurance than I thought.  This song really helped too.  Catchy and a little dirty...perfect!


Suddenly, I have the beginnings of a race plan for the year that is making me want to actually 'work' again:
03/09/2013 - Chambersburg Half
04/21/2013 - Race Ride Run Ramble 15K
05/18/2013 - Paws on the Pavement 5K (with the dog)
09/21/2013 - Peace 4 Paws 5K (with the dog)
10/12/2013 - Baltimore Marathon (already signed up for this and so is the hubby for the half)

Guest Posts and Shout Outs

Thank you to Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point for featuring my guest post yesterday regarding Miles and Mutts.

To read the post, go here.

Also, thanks to Bart Yasso for sending out a Tweet and Facebook post yesterday:

Love this program Abbi @highermiles Miles & Mutts is a program to run with adoptable shelter dogs, Rescue, Run, Repeat milesandmutts.com
— Bart Yasso (@BartYasso) February 12, 2013

The power of the internet and social media, it's a beautiful thing!

Runners Seminar with Bart Yasso

Between a little bit of running, small group personal training (a new adventure which deserves its own post at some time), an unexpected networking dinner, runners seminar dinner on Friday, runners seminar exhibit on Saturday plus a Sunday Miles and Mutts run, the last week flew by!

Our local road runners club, the Chambersburg Road Runners Club hosted Bart Yasso, mayor of running and chief running officer for Runner's World, for this year's runners seminar.  I attended both parts.

First, was a dinner event where Bart shared stories of all of his running adventures around the world.  Great event and dinner was really good too so that's always a plus!

On Saturday, I headed to one of the local middle schools early to set up a table for Miles and Mutts.  Due to Twitter interactions (follow me, @highermiles), Bart stopped by to say hello and view some of our runners and dogs!

The presentations were enjoyable and I definitely took away a few things related to running, especially as I continue to work through a bit of a running rut and funk this winter!  Most importantly, keep it fun and don't get too stuck in a routine of just running to run miles!  :)

 I'll probably be in Runner's World any day now.  ;)