One Year Blogiversary!

Happy Saturday everybody!  On July 12, 2013, I wrote my very first blog post on Run With No Regrets.  It’s my One Year Blogiversary!

It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since I’ve started this blogging journey! The reason I started this blog was to have a space where I can write about my running challenges and triumphs as I get back on my feet after my stress fracture injury.  My hope was that with a positive attitude and persistence, I would get back to where I used to be, running at an awesome pace with no injuries.  Who knew that I’d also fall in love with healthy eating and yoga along the way??

Here’s a look at my very first post!  A year later, and this is post #83…wow!

What I’ve Learned from Blogging:

This has been an amazing experience, to say the least.  Did I really know what I was getting myself into?  Absolutely not!  Here is what I’ve learned from this crazy ride so far:>

• Blogging is HARD WORK!  I can have posts that I work on for several hours, days, or even weeks. Time management and organization is EVERYTHING
• Social Media builds your brand.  You have to have an online presence, and you have to be engaging.  Networking is key!
• WordPress blogs are the standard.  I’m doing pretty well with Blogspot and I love that it’s free, but it is so limited.
• Looks matter.  There are some amazing blogs with gorgeous designs and drool-worthy photos.  While seeming superficial, these aesthetics go a long way to attracting readers.  I hope to get better at making my posts more eye appealing!
• Bloggers are SO friendly!  I am amazed at how kind bloggers are, and how much they are willing to provide help.  It is definitely refreshing to work in a field where you don’t have to worry as much about getting stabbed in the back!

Popular Posts:

Here are some of my popular posts over this past year.

• Adidas Supernova Glide 6 Shoe Review
• Penn Relays and Liebster Award Nomination
• This Summer I Will…
• Five Things I’ve Learned After 3 Rounds of Physical Therapy

My Favorite Posts So Far:

I also wanted to show some love for some of the posts that I truly loved writing.  Hopefully you enjoyed or will enjoy reading them!

• Healthy Eating at Thanksgiving 
• Meal Planning and Food Shopping 
• Turkey Meatballs Recipe
• Haddonfield 5K Race Recap 
• Yoga for Beginners Class
• Clean Air Council 5K Recap
• Preparing for Stair Climb Training
• ALA Fight for Air Stair Climb Recap
• Nutrition Counseling:  Getting Back on Track
• Be Well Philly Boot Camp and Dock Street Scavenger Run

My Favorite Pictures:

And of course I couldn’t resist some of my favorite pics!

Running in Pennypack Park

Haddonfield 5K

Victory ice cream after Clean Air Council 5K

Cheesy Buffalo Meatloaf Muffins                                    Brussels Sprouts for Thanksgiving!                                                 Chicken Ropa Vieja

Looking to the Future:

There is so much more that I want to do with Run With No Regrets.  I never knew that the blogging world could be so big, so rewarding, and even so lucrative.  I am a very goal oriented person, and while I have shared my goals from the end of last year, here are even more specific things I hope will come along moving forward:

• An Official Facebook Page!  This should be happening very soon, stay tuned!
• A No Regrets Monthly Feature!  This will profile readers who have had health and fitness successes due to their “No Regrets” attitude!
• A New Website!  To help propel the brand, I will be creating an official website, hopefully in time to kick off 2015!  I hope you love it!
• An Email Newsletter!  Not only will you be able to keep up with the latest blog posts, there will be additional running and injury prevention tips, blogging links, and hopefully some other fun perks for being a faithful reader!

I also look forward to guest posting for other bloggers and participating in more link ups on a more consistent basis!

Thank You!

Last, and most important,  I want to say thank you to every single one of you who have come by to read my blog.  I appreciate the loving support from my family, boyfriend, and close friends.  Working on RWNR takes up a LOT of time and it’s a real balancing act.  I’m glad I am able to pursue this passion without opposition.

Thank you to the blogging community:  Running Bloggers, Miles to Blog, Healthy Living Blogs, The SITS Girls, Blogelina, Black Bloggers Connect, and link ups hosted by Jill Conyers, Mommy Run Fast, Amanda at Run to the Finish, Darwinian Fail, Sweet Life with Ericka, Hump Day Happenings with A Savory Feast and The Walker Fireside Chats, Joy’s Book Blog, Jen at Peas and Crayons, and the DC Trifecta:  Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What for helping to get my blog to the masses!

To my readers:  you’re amazing!  I’ve learned so much from so many of you experienced runners and healthy cooks!  I’ve appreciated your encouragement as I’ve written about my setbacks and struggles.  It means a lot to me that you care enough to follow my blog, out of the millions of other blogs out there.

And if you do love Run With No Regrets, please help spread the word!  You can find me on:

• Twitter: Janelle_RWNR
• Instagram:  runwithnoregrets
• Google Plus: JanelleJ

Happy Blogiversary to me!!  What have you enjoyed about Run With No Regrets?  And what would like you to see on the blog in the future?