>> Click to Enlarge <<
It’s a fine line between being connected and constantly plugged-in. I’ve been able to walk (or run) that line by USING technology to be more efficient with how I interact with others. That’s right. I said “interact” because that is how I view it.
It’s funny how you can meet someone for the first time and feel like you have known them forever. It’s happened on several occasions where I’ve met runners from twitter in real life and we instantly connect and dive into a conversation like we have known each other forever.
The leaps and bounds that technology has come in recent years has allowed me to interact with others more efficiently. And runners love efficiency. I’m able to jump in and out of the interwebs on various occasions throughout the day. Here is how I’m able to do it.
Sharing through Social Media
Using Social Media to connect with runners at last year’s Nike Women’s Marathon.
Social media has made me a better runner: FACT. I’ve learned so much from talking to all of you and am motivated constantly by your posts and shares. Being able to access Twitter, Facebook and Instagram on my iPhone puts me in constant communication with runners and athletes just like me.
- I can easily send out a tweet: “Going for a run.”
- Snap a photo from mile 4 and share it on Instagram.
- Finish my run on my Nike App, share it to my Facebook page.
It’s so simple. When I’m done running, it’s always fun to read all the comments. If I do it right, I’m able to share almost my entire run with you.
Connecting through Blogging
Meeting up with fellow bloggers. Toronto, Canada
80% of my blog posts are done on my phone. It has changed where I’m able to write my posts and get ideas down when they hit me. For example, I’m writing this right now on the train during my commute in an email. I’ll then email it to myself, copy and paste it into the blog on the desktop, add some formatting, hyperlinks, photos, and done. It’s really easy and has made blogging regularly fairly easy.
Being able to lay out my training and/or schedule on the blog and share it with you has made me more accountable. In the past, if I had a 20 mile run planned, it was just circled on a calendar. Now, I’m usually talking about it with all of you days in advance. When the alarm goes off, I know I have to get up because:
- I told all of you that I was going to.
- It will give me something to write about next week.
It’s like having thousands of running friends that show up at your day ready to run with you. Figuratively speaking, I’m never running alone.
Engaged with tracking
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about what watch I use to track my runs. I originally started with the Garmin 305 and just recently moved to using the Nike+ watch. I like it… a lot. It’s easy to use along with being fashionable. The Nike app was also a huge bonus to making the switch. I love the user interface of the app and how easily it interacts with the social media.
For Example:
Share your Nike+ run with hash #runirishluck for a chance to win a running trip to Ireland.
If you share your run through the Nike app on Twitter between Aug. 20 – Sept. 13 and use the hash #runirishluck, you could be invited for free trip to Ireland and win a bunch of Nike swag — of course, the more miles you log, the better your chances.
Check it out here!
Interacting because of technology
Technology sometimes gets knocked with the “isolating” term that it prevents us from interacting with people in real life. I understand the point, but it all depends on how you use it. I’m actually a big fan of USING technology to meet people and interact in real life. The #BostonStrong run is the perfect example.
>> Click to Enlarge <<
With a simple look at your Facebook page, a refresh of your twitter feed or scroll through Instagram and you can SEE the love. But I want to FEEL it. I want us to embrace the community in a REAL and HUMAN way. I want us to do what we do best. I want us to run.
We were able to use technology to bring the running community together. Through twitter, I’ve met a bunch of folks that I run with on a regular basis. It’s a great tool to connect and communicate with other people and, in some cases, is a great way to turn those online connections into real life friends. It has almost become a regular question for race weekend “when is the tweet up?”
Ways to connect with me:
Twitter: @PavementRunner
Instagram: @PavementRunner
Facebook: RunPavementRunner
How do you use technology to stay connected?
Advertisement:
I love being able to connect with runners through technology! I have met some super amazing people through blogging, tweeting, and Facebook!
I also live more than 900 miles from my hometown family & friends, so technology helps make keeping in touch that much easier!
I use apps like MapMyRun and Strava to keep track and share my runs and rides. I like seeing other people in my area running the same routes, and I get a little competitive!
FACT! Could not agrees more!
How DON’T I use it to stay connected?!
I have been running old school lately with just the Ironman watch (no GPS). I log the runs on RunKeeper when I get home. Most of my buddies are in another city so we support each other, and compete using the friends feature. I have enjoyed my runs more without the lady in my ear calling out my splits. Thanks for the discussion!
Social media and technology has opened up so many doors for me – in my running, friendships, business and life in general. Just think about how you registered or found races before the internet…word of mouth I’m guessing?
That’s a great watch. Definitely stylish. You know you can post via email. Instead of needing to copy and paste. ;)
Um, I may have to switch to the Nike app purely for this contest. My dream is to one day visit, and run in, Ireland.
I also email blog posts to myself or use the wordpress app.
The WordPress app has gotten so much better lately.
I love everyone I met when I started blogging!!! :) The running bloggers community is the best! :)
GTK about the Nike watch. I use all ways to stay connected iPad, laptop, iPhone (although I may switch to the new MotoX). I like your Boston Strong Photo’s. My daughter was asked to sing this 9/11 in Boston at the state house. I hope she can do it. It’d be a tough song.
You didn’t even mention things like the #runchat hashtag, which makes it so easy to constantly see what the rest of the world is doing in the running community. So cool/neat/helpful.
Love this! I am so happy we connected online and in person :)
You are totally right about ‘the fine line’. Quoted you in my post!
i can’t say enough great special people i’ve met through technology. blogging, twitter, facebook…it’s amazing! some are some of my closest friends and i can’t imagine life w/out them at this point. though, i do need to work on being a bit more disconnected at times. such as when i meet up with those people in person…we don’t have to tweet all we are doing!