You and me… We’ve had some really good times together.
In 8 years of blogging:
8 different houses/apartments I’ve lived in
3 kids
41 races
4,462 posts
412,315 comments
1 sub 3 marathon (yep, just slipping that in whenever I can)
956 family dinner recaps (estimation)
8,888 pictures of ice cream/candy/hot chocolate/sweet potatoes (educated guess)
14,560 miles I’ve told you about (I’m estimating about 35 miles per week on average over the 8 years)
The absolute best internet friends and running community possible.
My very first post is here and while some things have changed about the way I blog (should I go back to using a different color for each sentence?) a lot of things haven’t (sorry;). I started blogging as a way to journal everything going on in my brain and I am still hooked all of these years later. I think there are probably less than five days during these 8 years that I haven’t posted something so thanks for sticking around over the years… not sure how I got so lucky to have you guys.
I’d love to give one of you a new pair of running shoes of your choice (Brooks of course) and another one of you a $50 gift card to whatever store you would like (as long as I can buy it online;)!
To enter for the prizes: Just say hello in a comment!!!! I’ll use random.org to choose two winners on Monday:)
1,752 comments
Rhoda from Canada
8 years is a long time! Congratulations! I love reading your blog and I have learned so much from you (especially lately with your blended family sitch) You always have the best things to say and I have gained so much encouragement from you! Keep going strong girl :)
Misty Reynolds
Greetings from Alabama! Love your blog! Have been reading for about 3 years. Have a great day!
Angela Wharton
Hello, fellow Utahan :)
Wow, 8 years?! Congrats! I’ve been reading your blog for at least half of that :) you’re such an inspiration to me!
natasha
I’m a new reader and always want to comment since I love your blog….my favourite currently!
I figure a giveaway and a congrats after 8 years is a good way to start (:
Cheers!
Lauren
Congratulations on 8 years! One of my favorite blogs to read!
Martha
Hello!
Ana
Congratulations!
Jenny B
I love your blog so much! You’re always so encouraging and inspiring to all of your readers! Congratulations on your 8 years!:)
Sarah
Congratulations on 8 years!!!
Brittany
Hey, congrats!
Whitney
Happy 8 years!! ?
Karin
Your blog is just the best. My very favourite! Congratulations!
Whitney
Happy anniversary!!
Lauren
Congratulations :) Love reading your blog <3
Aileen
Congrats! Love reading!
Kelly M
Hello! WOOHOO for 8 years! Your blog is my favorite!
Ann
Hello!
Alexis
Congrats!! Your blog is one of the few I still read. Love you and the fam!
Mary
Hello and Congratulations from a longtime reader!
Kelly
Good work on the blog! It’s been fun to follow your life through the years and always impressed by your resilience.
I’d love to win some shoes too!
Carissa
Love following your journey! My first baby is 5 months old so you have inspired me to get back to running right away. Hoping to do my first marathon within the year. Congrats on 8 years!
Tammy Abbott-Thiel
Hello!
Courtney Schupbach
I’ve been reading for almost 4 years now! Love your wholesomeness. You are clearly a sweet heart!
Angela Armstrong
Congrats on eight years!! Love your blog!!
nicole
i love your blog!
Betsy
Hi! So happy for you that you finally got your sub-3!
Jen
Hi! Happy 8 years! I’m less than a year into blogging and so 8 years sounds INCREDIBLE! You’re doing an amazing job!
Rebecca
Hello! I started reading about a year ago and I love your blog, and going back to your old stories before I knew you!
Jen DeGiulio
Hi
I’m a new follower :) congrats are you sub 3 marathon! You have the cutest little family.
Shannon
Wow 8 years!! I’ve been reading for 6 ish years and love your blog and I feel like we are friends:). Congrats on your sub 3- you’re inspiring!
Alex
Hello! And congratulations on 8 years! I’ve been following for 2 years and love seeing your determination and love for your family–and running. Looking forward to the next 8 years!
Karen Odell
Happy Anniversary! I love reading your blog and have been for the last 3 years or so. It was one of the things that inspired me to have my own blog. Thanks!!
Sara
Happy Anniversary! Still my favorite blog!
Elyse
Hello and congrats!
Kathryn
I love your blog! I often refer to you as “my friend” when talking about something you’ve written. Cuz, frankly that’s what it feels like— 2 friends crushing dreams and trying to live as our best selves.
Lyndber Miller
Hi there and congratulations!!
Sarah H
Congrats on 8 years!!! I’ve been following along for about 6 of the 8 and have thoroughly enjoyed it!
Alex
I hope I win!!!
Stephanie knewbow
Hi! I hope i win!!
Megan
Congratulations on 8 years! I’ve only been reading for a little over a year, but your positivity makes your blog one of my favorite places on the internet. Here’s to 8 (plus) more!!
amy acevedo
Congrats on 8 years. I live in UT too, so I love the local recommendations!
Jo
Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And congrats!
Lisa
Congrats on 8 years!!! Your blog is literally the only one I read and I love it so much!! You can be trusted to be real, genuine, optimistic, and kind. The world needs more people like you!! I have also caught your interviews on my favorite podcast Allie on the Run while training for my second marathon (I completed it on October 14!)! Thank you for the motivation to keep working hard towards our goals with the reminder to also enjoy the special moments of life (big and small) along the way!
Lexa
Wow 8 years!!! Congrats.
Melody Erickson
Happy anniversary! It’s always a fun start to my day to pop online and see what HRG has been up to! Thank you for sharing everything you do!
Maggie L
I never miss your blog! Congratulations on 8 years!!
Lindsay
Wow, congrats on 8 years!!!
Meegan Drake
Wow! 8 years is exciting!! I’ve loved following along with your journey. I read your recent post about the sub 3 marathon and cried! I hope you know how much love and support you have coming from the internet!
Lori g
Been reading you for almost all of those 8 years!?
Jenni F
Hi. I’ve been reading your blog for many years now. You inspire me to try to run more.
Lisa
Love reading about you and all of your family. I think I’ve been reading about 5 years.
Lori P
Love you blog – the only blog I read daily! First time actually commenting!
Charlene
Hello. Just found your blog this year. Really enjoy it. Congrats on your marathon.
Hudgy Mama
Hello!! Congrats on 8 years, I’ve enjoyed following along all the way from Hawai‘i!
Andrea
Happy anniversary!!!
Andrea
Congratulations on 8 years! Love reading all your posts daily. ?
Emily
Hi! Still marveling at your sub 3!
Kristen
Hi there!! I feel like every year I’m surprised that your blog anniversary is on my birthday. Happy blog birthday!! Next year I’ll try to remember. Crazy fun fact: your blog turned 8. Which is what you get if you add the numbers of my age together. 4+4 ?
Cathy
Hello and congratulations on 8 years!!!!! And thank you for all the good running advice.
Tori
8 years! Wow! Congratulations! I’ve been reading your blog since 2012!
Pam
Howdy! I can’t believe it’s been 8 years!! I started following you 2ish years ago and I feel like I have learned so much from you!
Tori
Congrats on the sub 3 marathon!
Shannon
Loved watching you chase your goal of sub 3 all these years! Congrats again Janae!
Katrina
Hello! I’ve read your blog for about 6 years. Love it and the life you’ve shared with us. :) Happy blogiversary.
Gila
Woo! Congrats!!
Emily
Hi! Been reading your blog for years, enjoy following your journey. Love Brooks, they are my designated shoe too!
Elizabeth Luther
Congrats on your sub 3!
Shanna
Hi! Love your blog!
Sara Campbell
Hello!
Rebecca Friedrich
I love your blog! I feel like we are best friends even though this is the first time I’ve ever commented!!! I’ve tried many recipes and recommendations on a variety of things over the years! Keep on blogging!!!
Julia
Congratulations on 8 great years! So glad I found your blog!
Amanda
Congrats on sub 3! I always look forward to reading your blog everyday
Cynthia
Hello
Cynthia
Hello
Nikki
8 years, holy cow congrats!!!! I have been a reader for the last 5ish years and love following you and that adorable family!! Thanks for always sharing :)
Tiffany
Hi from Pleasanton, CA! Love your blog!
Michelle P.
Congrats Janae! 8 years is a long time and I’m glad you’re still around. Happy Blogiversary!
Sarah
Getting ready to run my second Marathon tomorrow! I get inspiration from your posts! Thank you!!
Courtney Spencer
Happy Blogiversary!! I have been reading your blog since Brooke was in your tummy. I love following along on your family and your running adventures.
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures
Congrats on the anniversary! Thanks for the chance to win :)
Sarah
Hello!! Me and my sisters all read your blog!
Wendy
Hi, congrats on 8 years!
Brooke
Happy 8 years Janae. Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve made a few of the family recipes you’ve posted. I’ve purchase some of your Friday favorite products. I’ve tried a few of your TJs and other food suggestions. I’ve used your running mantra “I can do hard things”.
So thank you for all of those things :)
Lauren
Aw, congrats on everything!:)
Dawn
Love your blog!!
Dorene
Congrats, for 8 years and for your sub 3!
Katie
That’s an impressive word count! :) Congrats on all the happy things that have happened this year!
Carla De La Barra
Me! I told my kids I wanted running shoes for my birthday. I could tell they disapproved of me not asking for Legos!
Ramie Carlson
8 years! So awesome! Your blog has helped me through some rough patches of my own. I love reading the daily updates! Thanks for doing what you do! ?
Kristy H.
Hello from Michigan!! Congratulations on 8 years of blogging!
Allie
Hello!! Congrats on 8 years!!! :)
Laura Hickey
Hi from Michigan! Congrats on your 8 yeArs Janae! I started following you about 6 years ago.. you’ve been a great running inspiration! Keep up the great work!
kendra
i adore your blog. it’s been so fun to follow you through all of your adventures. keep on keepin on.
Krystan
Hello! I love following your blog… it had probably been 5 years now! Congratulations!
Janae
HUGE CONGRATS!!!! YOU WON A GIFT CARD!!!! Will you please email your address at [email protected]!!!
Dee
Hello…enjoyed your blog all these years!!!
Katie
I can’t believe it’s been that long! Congrats on the anniversary!
Karlie
Hello!! So happy to read this blog everyday!
Sophie
Salut! Or Hello :-)
Big fan, love your blog, happy anniversary from Switzerland!
You are an inspiration to me.
Alyssa Klas
Hello! I wanted to say CONGRATS on your Sub 3! It is so super inspiring for me and many others. I’ve strayed away from running for the past couple years due to injuries…they are frustrating. I think I’ve finally learned that one of the biggest keys though is to actually run easy runs EASY. No matter how embarrassingly slow that is…you’ve definitely been a helpful teacher. I think I’m going to try and get back out there and sign up for a half, and do it right this time! You are definitely a big inspiration for this decision. Thanks:)
[email protected]
Hello from Lake Havasu city Arizona.
Nancy
Yay! Love you, Janae!
Linsey LaPlant
Hello! I love.your blog but have never commented. But now I can win something! Thank you!
Linsey
Annamarie V
Hello and congratulations!
Yvonne Valenzuela
Hello! I ? Brooks!
Kali
Hello! Thank you for getting me through a really tough patch in my life last year. Reading your blog helps me remember how running can help me through the toughest of times.
Nichole
Congrats on 8 years! Amazing to me that you find time to be an accomplished runner, great mama, and a dedicated blogger! Your blog is my ever day go to:)
Kassi
Thanks for making the running community even more special for 8 years :)
Lara
Hello and congratulations!!!
Brie
Hello! I love reading your blog daily and can’t wait for what’s to come in the future for you!
Darcee
8 years! Congrats!! That’s a super impressive milestone.
Penny
Hey!!!! I’ve been following you for 7 of the years!! Love following your journey ❤️❤️❤️
Katie
Congrats on 8 years!
Ellen
I have been reading your blog for several years now! your sub 3 story is really inspiring and makes me want to push myself to see what I am capable of. I also kind of want to start a blog, but don’t think anyone would be interested in what I have to say! and can’t come up with a fun title! Anyways, congrats on 8 years and the sub 3!!
Veronica
Hi! Congrats on 8 years!
Kristen Thompson
Congrats on your amazing sub 3 hour marathon and making us all laugh ( and cry, I cried like a baby when I read your St. George recap) for the last 8 years.
Julie Cirbus
Hi! I’m so happy you reached your goal!
Kelly
Hello! I have followed you for years! Your family is adorable!!
Lesli
Hello! Long time reader! Love your blog!
Angela
Congratulations on 8 years! I’ve probably been reading for about 3 years now. I’m 2 weeks out from running my first half marathon since having my first baby and you have helped inspire me to try for a PR!
Catherine Springer
Hello!
That’s dedication to blog consistently for 8 years. And of course the running too. . . ?
Chiara Ruffer
Hello from upstate NY!!
Alexis
Hello!!!!!!! Congrats on 8 years!!!!
Ariana Koniuto
LOVE your blog!!!!!!
Darcy
I LOVE the blog. It’s my FAVE!!! Been a reader since your CA days. Keep doing what you’re doing!! ❤️
Terrie
I have followed for several years and it’s been so wonderful to see how everything has come together for you! Can’t wait for the what next hold!
Mindy Mendyke
Hello!!! Where does the time go?!?!? Thinking back to the days of reading your run recaps with your treadmill on your deck/porch in California. Congrats!!!!
Diane Z
Congrats Janae! I have been reading your blog for the past five years and feel like we are besties! Thank you for sharing so much with us. You are such a great example of someone with a kind heart!
Linda C.
Congrats on the Blog-iversary! I’ve been reading a long time and you are so inspirational. Thanks for sharing all your training tips and recipes! I’m actually running my very first half marathon tomorrow morning so wish me luck!
Julie jedlicka
Congrats on 8! You are an inspiration in so many ways!
Karen O’Brien
I’m a newish reader but love reading about your running adventures and how you work your family into that crazy schedule. Cheers to 8 more years!
Kelli
Hello! Congratulations on 8 years! :-D
Amanda L.
Congratulations on 8 years, a Sub 3 and being an inspiration to so many people!
Nicole Watson
Janae,
You are the best I think if any of your readers met you it would be friends at first sight. Thanks so much for what you do!
Kim
Haven’t been reading for the full 8 years but have really enjoyed it since I came across it. Best of luck for many more years to come.
Sharon Fisher
Hello! Your blog convinced me to try Brooks!
Rebecca
Congrats on 8 years!!!
Liz
A huge congrats on 8 years and a huge THANK YOU for sharing your story with us. I’ve been struggling with running lately and somehow your posts always make me feel a little lighter and remember how freaking awesome I feel after a run! Oh btw, hello :)
Jennifer
Happy anniversary!
Kathy
Congrats on 8 years! You’ve been an inspiration for me. I can’t wait to see what amazing things you accomplish next.
Grace
Congratulations, so cool! I always enjoy reading your posts!!
Rachel R.
Hello and so many congratulations! I run my first half marathon in nine and a half hours (I should be asleep!) and you’ve been a great inspiration throughout my training, so thank you!
Allie
Congrats :) I’ve been reading for 8 years!
Sunshine Szedeli
Love your blog. Been a follower for years!
Morgan
Hi! Congrats on 8 years!
Britney Trone
Hello! Congratulations! I love reading your blog.
Sandy Carter
Hi, Janae! Congrats on your sub 3!
Heather A.
Hello! Here’s to another 8!
Lizzy
Congratulations on 8 years!!
Angela
Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog over the years :)
Amanda
Happy blog-anniversary! Here’s to many more miles and memories!!
Anna
You’re amazing! So glad you’ve been around so long in the bloggersphere-I’ve been reading since well before you got preggies with Brooke-love you girl-congrats!