I started writing about my running experiences when I trained for my first marathon. I was part of the San Francisco AIDS Marathon Training Program in 2006 and would send out newsletters to those that had donated. After I finished my first marathon, I decided to start a blog so that friends and family could follow along as I kept on running. Later, a Facebook page was created, followed by a Twitter account, then eventually various other social media platforms. I never imagined my black-and-white newsletter mailed out to friends and family would turn into THIS.
I also never imagined that THIS would get my name printed in Runner’s World.
Last week, I started getting messages that people had seen my name in the December 2012 issue . I was shocked and curious as to what it was and why I was included. Runner’s World is kind of a big deal.
- I had no idea the article was going to run and list was going to be created.
- I had no idea my name was going to be included.
- As far as I know, there was no voting or nominating system by readers/tweeters.
Runner’s World simply wrote an article on social media and asked the question “Can Social Media Make You a Better Runner?” After the article, they compiled a list of 47 people and/or brands and titled it:
“The Running Twitterati — Elite Athletes, Science Nerds, Funny Runners, And Others To Follow.”
Here is the list (and a recent tweet):
Elite Runners:
Loving the fall running in Redding. Found some amazing trails off the McCloud river yesterday.
— Ryan Hall (@ryanhall3) October 11, 2012
Just wrapped up an easy 6 mile run down the strip in Las Vegas. This place definitely isn't Pre's Trail! #RagnarLV
— Nick Symmonds (@NickSymmonds) November 9, 2012
Diversifying my resume. #USABobsledTeam
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) October 25, 2012
Be sure to eat a light snack or meal about 1 1/2 to 2 hours before a run that is high in carbohydrates and protein. #racewmeb
— meb keflezighi (@runmeb) November 8, 2012
7 miles of sunshine, autumn leaves, and soft footpaths.
— Lauren Fleshman (@laurenfleshman) November 5, 2012
Dried shredded coconut helps hide the edamame taste, also vanilla if your smoothie flavors don't take well to edamame.
— Scott Jurek (@ScottJurek) October 2, 2012
Yes I know its early for me..early morning training
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) October 30, 2012
Running Gurus:
Congrats to all the finishers in the Richmond marathon,half & 8k. Awesome running weekend in Richmond,VA #RunRichmond
— Bart Yasso (@BartYasso) November 11, 2012
20 miles is max in my programs for those training for their 1st marathons, I want them to touch the edge of the wall, not collide with it.
— Hal Higdon (@higdonmarathon) November 8, 2012
Forget about speed on the long runs/walks. Focus only on the component of endurance.
— JeffGalloway (@JeffGalloway) November 10, 2012
Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running. -Julie Isphording, 1990 LA Marathon winner
— Runner's World (@runnersworld) November 10, 2012
#RunNerds:
Today's running equation: downhill/tailwind 1st half + uphill/headwind 2nd half = great strength workout. Really worked those last 10 mins!
— David Monti (@d9monti) November 9, 2012
Race to Recover. INGNYCM support of relief efforts starts now. NYRR $1mil., Rudin $1.1 mil, ING $500k. Can u add $26.20? Thk u!
— Mary Wittenberg (@nyrrmaryruns) November 1, 2012
Oregon wins team title Stanford/ Zona tie with 85, Stanford wins head to head #ncaad1xc
— Flotrack (@Flotrack) November 9, 2012
Ran through a bramble patch today, my legs are now reminding me. #notsmart
— Pete L. (@Runblogger) November 12, 2012
It's been like Christmas today here. New MacBook Air and Surface RT arrived today!
— Ray Maker (@dcrainmakerblog) November 5, 2012
From metabolic perspective (lower insulin response), lentils beat potatoes for pre-exercise meal. Performance the same http://t.co/tVIGKS1X
— amby burfoot (@exerscience) November 6, 2012
From NYC: my RW story on the Indigenous Australian runners who traveled farthest to the non-marathon, & their new plan: http://t.co/E2AcQ2rF
— Alex Hutchinson (@sweatscience) November 4, 2012
Tweetspiration:
Your #fears are not walls, but hurdles. – Millman
— Real Runners (@RunningQuotes) November 10, 2012
Good look tomorrow, Richmond runners! Race hard, run happy, finish strong.
— Ali Feller (@AliOnTheRun1) November 10, 2012
I <3 tracking runners almost as much as I love running. Although I can't run from my couch…
— Theodora Blanchfield (@tblanchfield) November 10, 2012
Life is too short to do nothing… so do what you can to live well. http://t.co/8kVF7W98
— Janet Oberholtzer (@JanetOber) November 11, 2012
Running/Fitness Communitites:
Share your running superstitions – http://t.co/FCp3xAOr #runchat
— #RunChat (@therunchat) November 7, 2012
Happy Friday BGR! Nation!
— blackgirlsrun (@blackgirlsrun) November 9, 2012
Getting in my #plankaday & then calling it an early night- how are you starting this week off right? #FitFluential
— FitFluential (@FitFluential) November 12, 2012
Foodies (or Drinkies):
In search of beer and running: http://t.co/aTZF0XoJ http://t.co/ikT4FFtr
— Beer Runner (@TheBeerRunner) November 12, 2012
I made it to Iowa. #potatogoodness
— CarrotsNCake (@CarrotsNCake) November 12, 2012
Making No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake. Thanksgiving experiment!
— RunEatRepeat (@RunEatRepeat) November 11, 2012
New post: Chop. Heat. Serve. http://t.co/rGDBar2J
— Meghann Anderson (@MealsAndMiles) November 9, 2012
Great article on how fad diets are doing nutrition a disservice (and confusing everyone): http://t.co/vaLKqEsp #rdchat
— Anne Mauney, MPH, RD (@fANNEtasticfood) November 7, 2012
Tweeting Brands:
Meggie and new #oiselleteam athlete Stacy Black at the Richmond Marathon. Congrats to you – and all the fast… http://t.co/mu4LB39R
— oiselle (@oiselle) November 12, 2012
Anyone else having some colder weather? Keep those feet warm with our NEW cold weather model – the Lontra! http://t.co/quy1KOgO
— Vibram FiveFingers (@Vibram5Fingers) November 8, 2012
It pays to fly with Garmin! Save big on select #aviation portables now through December 31! http://t.co/SZuI3Y69
— Garmin (@Garmin) October 24, 2012
Happy Friday! RT & #RunHappy this weekend. #TGIF
— Brooks Running (@brooksrunning) November 10, 2012
Funny Runners:
It's one of those mornings where you realize you will never love another human being as much as you love coffee.
— SkinnyRunner (@skinnyrunnerSR) November 8, 2012
Is there such a thing as too many doughnuts?
— Ask Miles (@AskMiles) November 9, 2012
The leaves are refusing to rake themselves into a neat pile streetside. Again.
— Tish Hamilton (@RWtish) November 10, 2012
Hey, @runnersworld! Thanks for listing me as a funny running feed. Now I have to be funny.
— Peter Sagal (@Peterruns) November 5, 2012
Anyone want to play the game "guess which state my luggage is in?" I'm going with Indiana. Just because.
— Emily (@emilysweats) November 12, 2012
#TeamRichmond is stuck in horrible traffic. Should we just run the remaining 70 miles to Ricond?
— Jess Underhill (@RacePaceJess) November 9, 2012
I just had my first vegan dinner… vegan means zero calories, right?
— Pavement Runner (@PavementRunner) November 11, 2012
#MotherRunners:
Just changed my voicemail to: "hi. This is caitlin. I am terrible at listening to voicemails so please don't leave me one." haha.
— Caitlin Boyle (@CaitlinHTP) November 9, 2012
Tomorrow my little man will be 2. Seriously I am not old enough to have a 6, 4 and 2 year old….. #randomthoughts
— Dorothy Beal (@MilePosts) November 8, 2012
10 Short, Challenging Runs from #motherrunners. Just in time for shorter days of #daylightsavingstime http://t.co/COoRRNcK
— Sarah Bowen Shea (@SBSOnTheRun) November 5, 2012
Anybody out there cross a finish line today? #motherrunner #shoutitout
— Dimity McDowell (@dimityontherun) November 10, 2012
Just used a shower with 8 shower heads. Excessive? Maybe. Luxurious? Definitely. #bigpimpin
— Tonia Blanchet (@RacingWithBabes) November 11, 2012
ONE more day of work, then I can catch up on my social media! Real life is interfering with my tweeting ;)
— Heather Gannoe (@runfastermommy) November 11, 2012
And there I was, included under “Funny Runners”
@pavementrunner, 4,062 followers, Brian, blogger. SAMPLE TWEET: Just another Manic Monday, I really wanna run day.
Who knew that listening to The Bangles as a kid would get me printed in a magazine? I suppose I have to thank my dad for including it on a cassette tape he made me. I have to admit, I DO tweet funnier things… but we have all had those Mondays where a run is the only thing that will make you feel better. I guess it’s a good thing the right people saw it and appreciate my sense of humor.
I had a moment earlier this year where I really questioned what it is that I’m doing on the blog and/or social media. The responses I received from friends, blog readers and twitter followers were all positive, heart-felt, reassuring and made me feel that I was a part of “something bigger.”
Feel free to tell me: “I told you so.”
This recognition and inclusion would not be possible without every single one of you. I’ve said it before, I get my inspiration and motivation to keep running from interacting with all of you. It didn’t go unnoticed that I was the only Bay Area runner listed. For the amount of runners and large social media presence in this area, I am completely floored and astonished. It’s a list full of amazing athletes and running icons who I look up to and place high value in their opinions and experience.
I am humbled and honored to be included.
If you’d like to connect on other social media platforms:
Twitter: twitter.com/pavementrunner
Facebook: facebook.com/runpavementrunner
YouTube: youtube.com/pavementrunner
Pinterest: pinterest.com/pavementrunner
Google +: PavementRunner
Instagram: PavementRunner
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HUGE CONGRATS.
honestly I can not imagine how amazing this must feel as a runner.
an honor you *tremendously* deserve.
When I saw your name I squealed! Congrats to you! You deserve it.
Congrats!! You are one funny guy and totally deserve that!
I am not surprised in the least! Cheers!
Congrats! We love the running community on Twitter!
Congratulations!! This is so well deserved. You bring so much to the running (and fitness) communities. So stoked for you!
So happy you were on this list!! Congratulations!!!! =)
this is awesome!! especially because you’re actually in it and itz not a joke like my cover haha
told you so ;) congrats!
YAY SO SO PROUD OF YOU! Well deserved too! WOOHOO!! I just got my runners world today, so I am super excited to find you and check you out!
Congrats! That is so awesome! Now if I can just figure out why they forgot about me ;-)
I saw that – it’s so cool!
Paparazzi watch out now!
I saw this! Congrats! It is very deserved!
When I read your tweets, I’m happy that I follow you!
Major congrats to you!! I saw the article and thought…how cool I know him!!
How freaking awesome! Very cool!
How cool! Congrats!
congrats to you!!
Congrats! That’s awesome!
Congratulations! Love it!
AMAZING, Good Job and keep up the awesome tweeting!!
Holy crap that is so exciting!!! Yay you!
I think I’d scream! Awesome!
Congratulations- keep on inspiring people, including me.
You’re inclusion on this list makes perfect sense to me! Congrats!
Haha, that is 100% fitting. :) Congratulations!
Wait, you’re funny? hahaha. So deserved. Coolio.
I actually meant to tell you the other day that ever since I got my runners world in the mail last week, that song has been stuck in my head. It was finally gone, but now it’s back. forever, I’m pretty sure.
When you’re all famous, I’m totally claiming my 5 minutes of stardom to your birthday shout out post ;)
You are the MAN! Congrats Funny Tweeter!
Congrats, my mag is still in transition so I will save my told you so until then ;), but really what an amazing accomplishment. And I never knew you ran for that cause in 2006, you just keep getting more inspirational.
congrats that is so awesome! thanks for showing us everyone that was picked! (:
How exciting and very cool. Congratulations on the mention Mr.Funny guy.
You totally deserve this- so awesome! I love that none of you knew it was coming. It’s like Christmas morning for running tweeps. :)
Nice!
WOOO! Congrats!! And I can’t think of anyone better for the honor. You deserve it!
Congratulations!! And nice tweet ;)