Author: shorterandfaster

I am a lifelong Bostonian, a yogi, a runner, a hiker, a skier, and a gluten-free foodie. I believe most of the world’s problems can be solved by doing more yoga, eating more kale, and being around amazing people as much as possible.

The best places to run in Boston

On By shorterandfasterIn Fitness, Running1 Comment
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Sunset gawking at Jamaica Pond

I have had the unfortunately common young adult experience of moving every year since I graduated from college. So far, I’ve lived in Somerville, Cambridge, Brookline, JP, and Fenway–where I have thankfully signed on for a second year of my lease. Even though moving is THE WORST, one of the pluses is that I’ve gotten to explore lots of different running routes in and around the city. Below is an overview of my six favorite runs in different neighborhoods, with some photographic temptation to help get you out the door. I’ve also included some notes on where to find water fountains and restrooms… so hydrate it up for those long runs!

11356970_404836979724246_630599518_nIn JP, head to Jamaica pond and the Arnold Arboretum, which are both part of the Emerald Necklace. This gorgeous series of parks/green spaces around Boston provides an incredible backdrop for your runs! When I lived in JP, I ran around the pond almost every morning and absolutely loved it. If you want to get your hill training on, head to the arboretum, where the well-marked paths will lead you up a couple of pretty steep hills (keep an eye out for some sweet skyline views). Major bonus–there are tons of water fountains in the warmer seasons! Public restrooms are also available at the pond 🙂

  • Hilly: Yes
  • Separated path: Yes
  • Cleared in winter: Sometimes 

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    Pictures of strangers are cool, right?

In Brookline/Brighton, I love the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. This little gem is a 1.5 mile dirt/gravel loop around a reservoir, just outside of Cleveland Circle. The separated path gives your knees some welcome relief and the views just can’t be beat. Bonus tidbits: this is a really easy add-on to a longer run up Beacon Street from Coolidge Corner, and it can also continue up Commonwealth Avenue to the Newton hills (see below). Hit up the Starbucks in Cleveland Circle for an easy bathroom option.

  • Hilly: No
  • Separated path: Yes
  • Cleared in winter: No

If you want a challenge in Coolidge Corner, head up Summit Ave. One of the steepest hills in the area, Summit will get your heart pumping and your quads burning. If you want to attempt this one with a group, November Project runs free workouts here every Friday. There’s a super clutch water fountain at the top of the hill.

  • Hilly: YES
  • Separated path: No
  • Cleared in winter: Sometimes

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    Good lookin’ even in stormy weather

In Cambridge/Boston, you can’t miss the Charles River Path. One of the most iconic runs in the city, this path is endlessly customizable and offers some of the best skyline and sunset views in the city. Click here for a helpful map with distances and bridges noted. In season, there are plentiful water fountains/bathrooms and the esplanade section is well-lit for nighttime runs.

In Somerville/Arlington and beyond, I love the Minuteman Bike Path. A fantastic route for your longer runs, this path runs 10+ (mostly flat) miles out to Bedford. Click here for maps and other info. I did both my 18 and 21 milers along this route and really appreciated the shade in the summer! If you veer off the path there are restrooms at lots of businesses along the way, along with public restrooms at the turnaround in Bedford.

  • Hilly: No
  • Separated path: Yes (but watch out for cyclists)
  • Cleared in winter: No

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    Blue skies, clear hearts… can’t lose!

In Newton, head up the famous Newton hills. If you’ve heard of a little race called the Boston Marathon, you’ve probably heard of Heartbreak Hill. What makes Heartbreak so tough is that it’s part of a series of hills stretching from mile 17 to about mile 21 of the race. Even if (like me) you’re not training for Boston, this is a GREAT place to run! The separated “carriage lane” on Comm Ave is pretty much taken over by runners on the weekends, making for a really fun atmosphere all year long. There is an awesome private home with a water fountain just past Lowell Ave. and restrooms at the Newton Public Library.

  • Hilly: Yes
  • Separated path: No, but when you run in the carriage lane it can feel like it
  • Cleared in winter: Yes

Where are your favorite places to run in Boston? Let me know where I should check out next!

p.s. If you like these photos and want to see lots and lots of running sunset shots (and more), follow me on Instagram @leahohh!

Fitness adventures: Barry’s Bootcamp Review

On By shorterandfasterIn Fitness1 Comment

Like many of my fellow runners, I am not at all a gym person and I don’t think I ever will be, but I’d heard enough people rave about Barry’s Bootcamp that I had to give it a go when a Gilt deal came up. Check out my recap below!Barry's logo

Location/atmosphere: Barry’s is located in the financial district near Downtown Crossing–easily accessible from the red or green lines. The locker rooms and foyer are spacious and well-appointed. The room itself seems like it would feel cramped (they have half the class start out on the floor and the other half on the treadmills, and then swap) but it actually works out really well.

The basics: Barry’s is an hour-long class that’s 50% treadmill work and 50% floor/weights/core. You swap back and forth every 10 minutes, and there’s loud, fun music playing throughout. Different days of the week have different focuses–core, arms, shoulders, etc. You can check out more here, just don’t be intimidated by the super jacked people in the video/on the website! The classes are very mixed and not intimidating.

The workout: Each class has the same basic structure, but both the floor and treadmill pieces are different each time. This helps keep things interesting but easy to follow. The classes truly do fly by, and you’ll get a decent sweat on each time. I am terrible about weights/upper body work and love how much these classes force me to do more of it. And of course, the hills and speedwork are awesome!

The takeaway: Barry’s is a great workout and I like that it’s pushing me to do the speedwork and upper body work I so desperately need. There are a few major downsides for me, beyond the insane pricing–they aren’t particularly interested in checking on injuries, there is minimal focus on proper form, and the corework just didn’t jive with me–I felt it more in my hip flexors than my core and I wasn’t super sore the next day. I really enjoy these classes and would go back if they have another sale/Gilt City offer, but I’m not sure it’s worth it for me for the $20+ per class.

Have you tried Barry’s Bootcamp? Any advice on other classes I should check out?

Leah

Running naked, and what’s next

On By shorterandfasterIn Running2 Comments
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Moonrise running!

I definitely am making my way out of a little bit of a post-marathon running slump. The post-race blues are definitely a real deal thing! I think the darker/cooler weather conditions have really just been killing my inclination to get out there–so I’m strategically planning out my next few months of running and racing to get back on my game, and maybe to even start thinking about another fall marathon next year…

In the meantime, my biggest goal for the past few weeks has been to rediscover running just for the sake of running. I’ve made a conscious  decision to run naked. And no, this doesn’t mean running without clothes! Come on you guys, Boston is chilly! It means trying to run without tracking technology–no GPS watches or tracking apps allowed. I’m even trying not to pre-plan my routes, which is totally out of my comfort zone. I have to say, it has been really nice just to go with the flow without worrying about splits, fueling, or pacing strategies.

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That’s Megan in the middle. Hi Megan!

So, what’s next? A while back I signed up for my first Ragnar race with some of my friends and colleagues. While the race isn’t until May, I know the winter months can fly by. I’m guessing some of the longer legs are going to fall to me, so I want to be prepared to anchor my fantastic team! Also big ups to my girl Megan who is running the Boston Marathon and captaining our team–get it, girl 🙂

Since May is still a little far in the future, my pal Maura and I signed up for the Hyannis Half Marathon in late February (apparently running on the Cape is my new thing??) We actually were going to run this race as a marathon relay last year but it got snowed out, so fingers crossed for a slightly less crazy winter this year. Looking good so far, and I’m definitely looking forward to some longer days and less running in the dark. Can’t complain too much, though–on Saturday I went out for my first “long run” since the marathon and I saw some splits with 7’s in the front of them… who knew?? Does anyone else find they’re much speedier when they aren’t running are often, or is it just me?7 mile run

Happy trails, happy belated Chanukah, and merry merry Xmas!

Marathon thoughts–what I would do differently next time

On By shorterandfasterIn Running2 Comments

Alright y’all–it’s time for some Thursday thoughts (linking up with Running with Spoons). Almost everyone I’ve talked to about the marathon has asked me the same question: would I do it again? I’ve flip-flopped a little bit on my answer, but now that it’s a big fat YES. Sure, the training schedule was tough, the last 5-ish miles of the race were pretty painful, and my right knee is still recovering.

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I’m smiling because I’m running downhill!

But I have a couple of things to prove to myself and I really loved the whole training process (and of course, the endorphin high!) And because I’m super goal-oriented–I want that sub 4:00 marathon. After running by far my fastest half (1:46) during training, I know I can do it. So here’s my after-action review and what I will do differently for my next marathon.

More hills and speed: I was pretty laser-focused during this training cycle on counting miles–it was all about checking the box and getting in the specified mileage each day/week. I purposely chose a training plan that was mileage-based (this one, if you’re curious) and didn’t spell out when run hills or do speedwork… and then I ran a really hilly (or bridge-y) race. I did run my fair share of Newton hills during training but I wasn’t strategic about it, and I felt the effects of that during the race. Also, I just didn’t do speedwork. If I felt good on a shorter run I would push my pace, but I didn’t do intervals or sprints on the reg. Adding both intentional hill training and speedwork would definitely get me to the next level.

More strength training and core work: I think strength training is every runner’s secret weapon–and because of that, I did yoga at least once a week during training. The problem is that you never know what you’re gonna get in a yoga class, and it may not end up being what your body needs. Next time, I would love to have an at-home runner-focused strength circuit to commit to doing multiple times a week.

A personal training plan: Dovetailing off of the two points above, next time I’d hope to sit down (maybe even with a running coach) and make a plan that meets my particular needs and goals. I don’t think training is one size fits all, and a tailored plan would help me reach my goals and still stick to the things I know work for my body (lots of yoga, no more than 4-5 runs a week, during the week mileage that adds up to at least my total long-run mileage).

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Post-marathon face

Not running a big city race: The NYC marathon was an incredible bucket list race, but traveling to a big city added a huge amount of time and expense. Next time I’d hope to try for a smaller, less logistically complicated race–I’ve heard across the board that small local races are the perfect places to PR. I guess that’s why so many people (like my speedy big bro) choose to BQ at teeny tiny races like the Sugarloaf marathon!

Not running for charity: I really loved running for the Celiac Disease Foundation (and thank you all SO much for your support) but fundraising on top of running is a huge added stressor–and this is coming from a professional fundraiser! I think next time around I’d like to focus more on running and less on money.

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Boston Fit Post-Race Party!

The one thing I would definitely, 100% for sure do again? Train with a group! Having the built-in accountability and camaraderie of training with a group was absolutely essential. I’d recommend a group like Boston Fit to any first-time marathoner. I especially liked the flexibility of the program–it really worked for any fall marathon. Plus these peeps–what a rockin’ crew!

Fitness adventures: that time I tried aerial yoga

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Fall marathon training season is officially over–and all of a sudden, my built-in workout plan is no more. While I’m still running, some niggling knee pain and a colder/darker season have made this a great time to revisit my favorite yoga spots (love to Coolidge Corner Yoga and Yogaworks Back Bay!) The void left in my fitness life also gave me with a hankering to try new things, so today I’m going to recap the aerial yoga class I took at Om Factory Yoga in New York City.

I’ve been wanting to give aerial yoga a shot for years–I LOVE anything that involves heights and getting off the ground (flying trapeze, anyone?) and I was bummed when South Boston Yoga stopped offering classes. So I scooted off during a family trip to NYC for Thanksgiving to take a beginner’s class at the Om Factory Flight School.

Location/atmosphere: Obviously this studio isn’t in Boston, but for anyone who lives in/spends time in NYC they’re located right outside of Union Square. The studio has big fabric loops rigged from the ceiling, and can accommodate about 15-20 students. The silks/hammocks (which you can see hanging out in the photo below) are adjusted for each individual student.image2 (1)

The basics: Aerial yoga is probably less traditional yoga than acrobatics type work, but it’s a fun fusion and the silk loops provide a really neat way to “float” your body weight up off the floor. Classes involve a ton of movement and playing around–sense of humor 100% required!

The workout: The class started with some standard breathing/stretching and then proceeded into a series of guided moves using the silks. The instructor was very specific and demoed all of the moves, which made it easy to follow along. We did corework, backbends, and upper body work using the silks to support our seats, backs, arms, and legs. I absolutely loved using the silks to invert and backbend–taking your feet off the ground makes it super easy to use gravity and get really deeply into the poses. There is an incredible amount you can do with silks, and for an inversion junkie/heights lover like me it was a total blast. If you were one of those kids who always wanted to get the swings to go up and over the top of the swingset, this class is for you!

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The takeaway: I had a fantastic time and loved getting to play around and take some photos after class. While my arms were pretty sore the next day, this wasn’t the most intense workout (thank goodness, because I had just finished an 8 mile loop around Central Park). It was a super fun challenge, though, and well worth it if you’re ever in the ‘hood. Boston studios, get on it–I’d love to try again!!

Stay tuned for more upcoming recaps of my fitness adventures–up next, I try my first bootcamp class.

10 lessons I learned running my first marathon

On By shorterandfasterIn Uncategorized8 Comments

Sometimes big accomplishments take a while to sink in. Basically, my thoughts have been running in a loop over the past few days that goes something like this: I just ran a marathon. Did I just RUN a MARATHON??? I JUST RAN A MARATHON.IMG_7848

I’m working on a full race recap post, but since I get teary every time I try, I thought I’d start with a list of the top ten things I learned this past weekend. Some were total surprises and some reinforced what I had expected–but they all were funny, powerful lessons on just how wonderful people can be if you let them.

  1. Be selfish: New York is one of my favorite cities, so planning a weekend away without a lot of museum-going, city-strolling, or bar hopping with friends was a struggle. My takeaway was to just own the weekend and be incredibly appreciative that my parents, boyfriend, brother, and cousins all were there to support me–crazy meal schedules, hydration planning, early bedtimes and all. Be selfish, it’s YOUR marathon!
  2. IMG_7833Beware what you wear: Spectators will yell whatever you have on your shirt, over and over, for 4+ hours. I got all hometown proud and decided to wear my Boston Strong t-shirt with my name stuck on below. I didn’t quite realize I’d be hearing “woooooo Boston!” and “go Pats!” for most of the day on Sunday. So just beware, people will read and yell the biggest and boldest thing you’ve got on your chest. Choose wisely.
  3. Do not underestimate the power of having family and friends along the course: looking for friends and family is the number one best way to pass time during the most painful parts of the race. I’ll let this video speak for itself in terms of my enthusiasm level the first time I saw my personal cheering squad. Goofball central!
  4. Staten Island Ferry viewsMost runners people are really, really nice: My most frequently asked pre-marathon question was: are you running it alone? And the answer was yes. Like most runners, I think, I like to run races solo so that I’m not beholden to anyone else’s pace. Being by myself made me even more appreciative of all of the support from friendly fellow runners: Sarah from San Francisco who showed me the sights from from the ferry (check out that sunrise!), my fellow #teamglutenfree runners who kept me company during the stressful last few minutes before the race, everyone who made noise during the long, painful slog up the Queensboro bridge, and more–you made me feel like I had a running buddy holding my hand all day. Thank you. 
  5. The last 5 miles will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced: in equally good and painful measures. My body did some tricky things at this point in the race–muscles I didn’t even know I had threatened to cramp up, dehydration set in, and sweat flowed–but I also felt like I had an invisible hand pushing me forward. That’s what those months of hard training are really for. I knew I could run 21 miles, but I built up to be able to get myself through “the wall” and across that finish line.
  6. You are a rock star (for a few miles, at least): the high that is running down fifth avenue about to accomplish a huge life goal with thousands of people screaming your name has to be experienced to be believed. Pure marathon magic.
    Hey! I'm almost done!
    Hey! I’m almost done!
  7. Marathons are emotional roller coasters: Highs, lows, frustration, tears, pain, euphoria–all emotions were on tap on race day. But the disappointment and frustration of cramping up and dropping below my goal pace paled in comparison to the complete sense of accomplishment I felt when I knew I had done it.
  8. There’s a reason people say your first marathon time goal should be to finish the race: Watching my time goal slip through my fingertips was really hard–I had a sub-4:00 time in my grasp and then just lost it during the last five miles or so. I’m glad I had a secondary goal in mind and am incredibly proud of my 4:05, but this was a lesson I learned the hard way.
  9. The post-finish line trudge will be the longest walk of your life: NYC is notorious for making you walk pretty far after you finish the race, and the rumors are true–my achy, cranky legs had a 20 minute walk ahead of them before I could leave the chute and find my family. This is supposedly good for you, but those were probably the longest 20 minutes of my life.
  10. The next few days will hurt: I’m usually pretty diligent about stretching/yoga, foam rolling, and getting back on my feet after a race. Post-marathon recovery, however, is a whole different beast. It took me 3 days just to be able to walk down stairs properly, and running probably won’t be happening until this weekend at least.

What lessons have you learned from accomplishing a big goal–running-related or otherwise?

Go take a hike!

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IMG_6829Like all grateful New Englanders, I LOVE Boston in the summer. But when the nice weather hits, I’m setting my alarm at 6:00AM on weekends and jumping in the car to drive 2-3 hours north for the day. Why would I do anything so crazy? Just a little range called the White Mountains. Thanks mostly to my mountain-loving other half, I have officially been bitten by the hiking bug. While the city is mighty pretty in the summer, there’s something special about the blue skies, 360 degree vistas, and the glorious endorphin high from a good hike. These mountains are gorgeous, for sure, but they’re pretty challenging to scale and it can be intimidating to figure out how to get started. Here are my tips for novices, along with some great resources to get you up and hiking.

First and foremost, be prepared! Most hikes in the Whites are lengthy and strenuous, so make sure you are ready for 5+ hours of work. I suggest bringing the following:

  • Synthetic clothing and lots of layers: even if it’s 80 degrees in the valley it could be in the 50s at the summit, so always have extra layers. Be prepared for changeable weather conditions and lots of wind up top.
  • Proper footwear: ideally, hiking boots or trail running shoes. Good sneakers should be fine if you’re just starting out, but consider investing in something with better traction and support.Garfield
  • Water, water, water: Even if the weather isn’t super warm, hiking dehydrates you quickly and there may not be anywhere to safely refill along the trail. I usually bring at least two liters, and more if the hike is particularly long.
  • Food, and not just snacks, but something for a proper meal. Trail mix, jerky, and peanut M&Ms are great fuel, but you’re going to want a real, hearty lunch–think meat, cheese, veggies, protein, etc.
  • A proper daypack: You are going to be way happier hiking if you have a pack with a waist strap and chest strap. I absolutely love my Osprey daypack, if you’re in the market!

    Not an ad for Osprey backpacks.
    Not an ad for Osprey backpacks.

Choose wisely: The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has wonderful guidebooks that describe the various hikes, and you can also look around at sites like this one for more information. When they describe a hike as difficult, they mean it–don’t get cocky! Pick hikes that are appropriate for your timing and skill level. Just because you’re fit does NOT mean you should pick the toughest trail on the mountain. Start small and build your way up!

Also, some bonus wise words from hike-master J: Schlepping through the woods up and down rocks and roots in the humidity can a take a toll on your spirits (why does the last mile take so long!) Do yourself and your mountain-mates a solid and stay positive. If you need an outside influence try bringing some hard candies (just like grandma)–a little bit of sugar will keep you going!

I have just scratched the surface of what there is to hike in NH (let alone the rest of New England) but I do have a couple of hikes I recommend for newbies, listed from easiest to most difficult:

  • Blue Hills: a local Boston area option with skyline views–the trails are not well marked, so skip this one if you get lost and/or frustrated easily
  • Zealand Falls: a short but rewarding hike to Zealand Hut (more on the huts below!)

    Zealand Falls in the fall (no pun intended)
    Zealand Falls in the fall (no pun intended)
  • Mount Mondanock: a wonderful mountain to get you started–super popular, with rewarding views
  • Mount Garfield: a great first 4000 footer with some spectacular views
  • Mount Mooislauke: a good challenge if you’re ready for the next step–the 360 vistas at the top are worth it!

If you want to turn your trip up north into a multi-day adventure, look into your options for camping or get a teeny bit more swanky by staying at one of the AMC’s huts. I have a bit of an “in” here since my brother worked up at the huts for years, but staying at one is an incredibly unique experience. You get:

  • A comfy bunk to sleep on (BYO sleeping bag)
  • Delicious home-cooked dinner and breakfast (they’re super accommodating for gluten free guests!)
  • Fun extras like naturalist talks, hilarious skits by the caretakers (the “croo,” to the initiated), activities for the kiddies, and indoor bathrooms/access to clean water, drinks, books, games, and snacks.

Most importantly, staying at the huts means you can get a several days of hiking in without having to camp overnight and carry all of your food with you. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it! J and I are doing our first multi-day hut trek in a couple of weeks, so more to come on that front.

Happy hiking!

Thinking out loud Thursday: my running must-haves

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I’ve been getting a lot of good thinking done during my runs recently, especially since I’m trying to do less running with my headphones. Oddly enough, most of my thinking while running is about… you guessed it… running! Thinking-Out-LoudSo I’m linking up with Amanda from Running with Spoons for Thinking Out Loud Thursday to share my latest musings 🙂

The NYC marathon will be my first long (10k+) race in a year or so, and it has been fun breaking out all of my favorite running gear. Over the course of the past few years, I have a few pieces that have been indispensable to my training. Here are my top five favorite items:

  1. Fuel belt (or other hydration conveyance device): Hydration is incredibly important for distance runners–and finding a comfortable way to carry your H2O around is no small feat. Luckily, there are lots of options out there to lug water around. I happen to have a small handheld single bottle for shorter runs and a fuel belt for longer ones, but I plan to test out a small Camelbak this season. Whatever you choose, be sure to stay hydrated, especially in the summer heat.
  2. Reflective gear: Unless you don’t have a job (and you do have incredible time management skills), you will probably end up doing some running in the dark–so make sure you’re as visible as possible (and those teeny reflective stripes on your sneakers are NOT gonna cut it, sorry!). I love my Amphipod vest because it doesn’t bounce around, but anything reflective will do.

    Rockin' some sweet shades on top of Mt. Moosilauke
    Rockin’ some sweet shades on top of Mt. Moosilauke
  3. Comfy sunglasses: Getting caught without any eye protection on a particularly bright or windy day is the worst–and cute everyday stunnah shades are going to get old really quickly. I recommend snagging a pair of lightweight sport-style sunglasses for running. No need to spend major $$ here–I got mine for $15 off of an LL Bean sale rack. Not the most fashionable but an absolute lifesaver.
  4. A foam roller: Distance running does some… shall we say… interesting things to your muscles. You’ll be feelin’ it in places you never expected. My IT and I spend quality time pretty much every night with my foam roller and it has done wonders–it’s like an at-home deep tissue sports massage. Hurts SO good.
  5. A running ID: Thanks to my running bestie Bry for bugging me to finally get one of these. It’s a little bit scary to wrap your mind around, but you should always run with ID in case anything happens to you when you’re on the road. I got a Road ID that attaches to my shoe, so I never have to think about it, but there are lots of great options out there.

Runners, what gear can’t you live without?

Leah

 

Marathon training with Boston Fit

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I am running a marathon in t-minus 162 days. Holy WHOA… so close yet so far away! The most common tip I’ve gotten about marathon training is to find a crew of people to run with. Given the fact that my charity team is five people strong and we’re all over the country, I took to the internet and found my brand new running crew: Boston Fit.

As they say on their website, Boston Fit is “a group of training partners and friends preparing together for a fall marathon or half marathon.” Basically, we meet up every Saturday morning (so so very early…), listen to a seminar on a running-related topic, and head out for our long runs together. I’m only three weeks in, but the verdict so far? Two very enthusiastic and sweaty thumbs up!

Here are my favorite things about Boston Fit so far:

  1. Accountability: It is super easy to get myself up and rolling on a weekend morning when I have a place to be and a time to be there.
  2. The coaches: I’ve never had a running coach before and I’m pumped to have professional cheerleaders/advice givers to give me tips along the way.
  3. The pace group: Boston Fit splits their runners into three pace groups and I somehow ended up in the fastest of the groups (say whaaatt??) It is really lovely to be with a group of people who challenge me to push myself. I tend to find I’m faster than most casual runners but slower than most hardcore runners, so this is a great middle ground.
  4. The seminars: So far we’ve covered hydration and injury prevention, and I’m super pumped about the sessions on proper gear and running form. SO much to be learned…
  5. The training plan: Every week, Boston Fit gives each pace group a detailed plan for which days to run, how many minutes to run for, and when to fit in hills and tempo runs. I’ve never run for time before (my training plans have always been mileage-based) but I feel great so far, and I LOVE not having to plan out my runs myself. Especially the long run routes!Leah and Bry Run
  6. This girl: I somehow managed to get my former work wife and running bestie Bry on board to train for her first marathon with me at Boston Fit. Hooray for fit friends!!

Oh yeah, if you haven’t yet, head on over to my fundraising page to support my NYC marathon run for the Celiac Disease Foundation. And if you or anyone you know wants to train with us for a fall marathon, tell them about Boston Fit–there’s still time to join!

Happy running,

Leah

Advice for bloggers (from a superfan)

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As you may have gathered from my favorite blogs series (parts one and two) I’m borderline obsessed with my favorites. But there are a few things I see almost every single one of my favorite bloggers do that just get under my skin. Am I qualified to offer blogging advice? Probably not. But bloggers, I’m just one reader, and I’m here to give you my ten cents.

So without further ado–here are my top ten pieces of advice for bloggers, from a loyal fan and reader!

  1. If you’re going to go outside your niche, but that fitness, fashion, travel, or food, do it well. In general, know your brand and stick to what you’re good at.
  2. Also, if you don’t know what your niche is, figure it out. Unless you’re like, a supermodel look-alike living the most glamorous life ever, your general “lifestyle” blog is going to get old real fast.
  3. I am SUPER excited for you that you’re pregnant/just had a baby!  Your pics are adorbs, truly. That said, if you turn your blog into a baby blog I will unfollow you immediately. I’m 27 sooo not ready to be bombarded by that stuff yet. Also, refer to #1.
  4. Please stop apologizing because you posted 3 times a week instead of your usual 5. Your readers have no idea what your posting schedule is, nor do we care. Keep on providing high-quality useful content and we’ll keep reading!
  5. If you don’t have anything interesting to say, don’t say anything at all. I actually like reading your cute little life recaps before you post a recipe–but if you spent your weekend eating cereal straight from the box and binge watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix, the internet does not need to know that. (No judgement though!)
  6. If publish a post entitled something along the lines of BEST PANCAKES/CAKE/DINNER EVER and then proceed to share an incredibly complicated recipe with obscure ingredients I can’t actually buy at a store, I will probably be sad.
  7. Don’t post a recipe you haven’t tested properly. Make it multiple times, feed some to your friend/boyfriend/neighbor/dog, listen to their feedback, make it again, and THEN post it on your blog. Quality > quantity!
  8. Be up front when a post is sponsored. You gotta bring home the bacon, and that’s totally cool. Just be honest with your readers–we’re not stupid, and we’re going to figure it out if you’re not.
  9. Fashion blogs/posts are cool. I’m not the best at dressing myself and inspiration is always welcome. But posting 25 pictures of the same outfit is annoying, unhelpful, and makes you seem like a raging narcissist. Cute top though.
  10. Before you hit publish on a post, ask yourself what your readers will get out of it. The golden rule? Always consider the reader. Always.

Fellow fans, what advice do you have for your favorite bloggers? Bloggers, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback too!

Leah