I’ve been writing this blog for NINE YEARS NOW (technically my first post went up on 10/19/10 but I wrote that first post the night before).
I’m not very consistent with a lot of things but blogging… I can’t stop, won’t stop:)
You can read my very first post here, I compare blogging to a first date.
There have been quite a few changes over the years—> When I first started blogging I was a high school teacher, drivers ed instructor after school and taught spin classes most nights! I blogged up to THREE times a day back then, used a different color of font for each paragraph and showed you pretty much the same picture of oatmeal each morning. Since that time there were years of growth, tears, many highs, major change and an infinite amount of mistakes that I probably overshared online.
Over the course of the nine years I have been blessed with my crew! It’s been amazing to look back over different posts when each of them have been introduced (Brooke’s 1st post, Andrew’s 1st post, Knox’s 1st post ((with his face in it)), Beretta’s 1st post, Skye’s 1st post) and hopefully we will be able to add another little one or two to this group over the years and I’ll blog about them too.
When I first started blogging I really had no idea how much of an impact it would have on my life. I never had any idea that I would be blogging through so many different seasons of life. I kind of thought in the beginning that it would just be a phase of life but I quickly became hooked.
Remember when Brooke used to growl at me?
THEY GROW UP TOO FAST and now Skye is the one that growls at me ha.
There have been a lot of miles talked about over the years, a ridiculous amount of NEW FAVORITE FOODS I’ve shared, lots of family outings talked about and so many connections formed between you and me over these 9 years!
Thanks for reading, I can’t wait to continue to learn from you and share the highs and lows of life together!
As a thanks for reading, I would love to buy BROOKS RUNNING SHOES for two winners (and if you don’t run and you win then you can just send me a link to a pair of shoes you want:)!
Just leave a comment saying hello or something like that and I’ll choose two winners!
1,495 comments
Lindsey Strunk
love your blog, it’s been such an inspiration over the years!
Amy V.
I love reading your posts! Congratulations!
Jen
I’ve been reading *almost* the entire time and look forward to reading for many more years — congrats on the anniversary!
Shirley
Hi Janae!! I love your blog, my husband hates when I talk about running and I run by myself so your blog is a great outlet for me!! Your PRs are so inspiring and I love your cute family!!
Beth Stuedemann
I always read, but don’t usually comment. Love your blog.
M-H
Hi! You are a great inspiration and a source of amazing info over the past years for me. Thanks for sharing all your good, and not so good moments, with us.
Nicole Goodman
Congrats on 9 years of blogging! You’ve been a tremendous inspiration to so many. I love following ALL of your adventures. My husband and two daughters are particularly grateful for the ‘hungry’ in Hungry Runner Girl. Two years ago we visited greater SLC on fall break, and based on your rave reviews, ate at Kneaders and Cafe Rio. Now, anytime we travel West, we make sure we eat at both. Two weeks ago we hit up Kneaders and Cafe Rio (twice) while we were in Colorado and thought about you. Excited to continue following your family, food and running adventures for many more years to come!
Sue
I love reading your blog and I hope I win. LOL. Here’s to another nine years of blogging and many more!!!
Debi
Almost through with my physical therapy appointments and have been cleared to run a turkey trot 5k at the end of November. Can’t think of a better way to come back from an injury than to have new Brooks running shoes! : )
Jordyn H.
Congrats on your PR! Love reading your blog daily.
Kari
Love you’re authenticity and have related so much to your journey…divorce, running, etc.
You inspire me ..helped me feel less alone this year.
Thank you!!!
Lisa
I love reading your blog! Loyal reader for years!
Zoe
I started reading your blog probably 6 or 7 years ago (when I was in high school cross country!), took a brief hiatus to go to college in a state that is way too hot and humid to run in, and am now back reading as I train for a half marathon PR (sub 2:00). I am happy to be back :)
Sandra
I came across your blog just a couple of months ago when it showed on my Facebook. I started reading it and I was hooked. Your blog is so inspiring and has given me many ideas on how to improve my running and achieve my goals. Thank you!
Erin
Your blog has given me so much inspiration since I have started reading it!
Sarah
I love reading your blog! I tried your strategy of repeating to myself during the race “I am comfortable” and it lead to a half marathon PR yesterday- thank you!!!
Cathy
Congratulations on 9 years of blogging!
Nikki
Hi and Congrats! Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks for running, food, life and more with us each day!
Atlee
Congrats on keeping with blogging and running so much. Being a single mom myself makes it difficult to run consistently and it is nice that you have such a good support system to help you along the way
Aly
I love Brooks because of your blog!!
Rachelle Moon
Your marathon PR was a win for your readers too!! So thrilled for you after hanging around for the last few years!
Megan
Congratulations to 9 years! I love your blog!
Juliann
Your blog is so inspiring for my own running. It makes me want to start setting goals and reaching for them!
Melanie Jane Kinnie
Hello! I’ve been reading your blog since the beginning and have LOVED joining you on your journey! You have inspired me to start writing again and have reinvigorated my passion for it AND running. I am training for my very first TRIATHLON and have taken up swimming lessons so I can survive it haha. Thank you!
Kristen
Your blog is so fun to read! You are such an inspiration to me and I love your positivity!
Caitlin
What a landmark year for you! Yay!
Elaine
I found your blog just after you found out you were pregnant with Brooke. I love it so much and I love how your positivity lifts me up everyday. Thank you!
Erin
long time reader, would love to win!
Amy Parker
Enjoying the blog!!
Holley
Hey Janae! I’ve been reading your blog for a good 8 years… time flies when you’re having fun! Congrats on breaking 3 hours in your marathon, and then crushing that PR one year later! Can’t wait to watch you race the Olympic Trials ;) cause we know that’s totally coming. Thanks for doing a Brooks giveaway!!! They’re my fave!
Jamie
I have loved watching your marathon journey. I just started running this year and my cousin suggested that I follow you on Instagram. I just ran my first race ever, the St. George marathon, and it was the hardest, but most rewarding thing I’ve ever put myself through. I’m still a beginner runner and my pace isn’t that fast, but it has been inspiring to follow you and see all of your hard work and dedication pay off. It gives me hope that it is possible for me to progress and get faster. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Lynsi
I have only been reading for a few years now, but your love of running was a huge motivation for me to really get back into running after not doing it over the past 15 years. I love your outlook, motivation, and hard work that you put into everything you do. Thanks for including us on your journey to a 2:45!
Dave Herbert
Awesome blog!
Sarah
I found your blog a few years after you started and I went back and think I read every post to get caught up :) I’ve loved following your journey! You’re such a light to the online community and inspiration for us all to be better people, women and runners! Congratulations on your blogging anniversary, Janae! You’re one of a kind!
Sarah Kluck
Congrats on nine years of blogging!! You are my favorite! :)
Atlee
Congrats on the anniversary
Megan
Free Shoes?!?!?! Free Brooks Shoes?!?!? I follow one blog and this one is it! It’s been so fun watching you “grow up”. You are a true inspiration and I seriously cannot wait to see what the future has in store for you! Keep it up, girl!
Erin K
I can’t believe it’s been 9 years! I have loved following along on your journey-thanks for sharing your life with us!!
Melodie
Brooke’s growling was the best! Mine used to scrunch her nose and sniff aggressively and I miss it so much!
Stacey
Hey there! Congrats on your PR!
Sarah
I have loved following your blog!
Natalie A
Congrats on the anniversary and the huge PR!
Jamie
You sure are an inspiration Janae!! I love to keep up with your training and see how far you come. It’s reminds me that ‘I CAN’!!
Danielle
Your blog is sunshine on a rainy day!
Kelly
I’m kind of a new reader. I think I was looking for a winter gear list because I literally freeze my a$$ off in the winter. I stuck around for all the good running advice.
Kelsey O'Callaghan
I’ve loved following your blog! Your storytelling captures the core of why we all love running, to test our potential and grow in the messy, non-linear journey along the way. Looking forward to implementing some tactics at CIM and cheering for you to hit the next audacious goal. :)
Jennifer Mercurio
Hi! Love your blog you are such a inspiration as a runner wife and mommy !
Jill
9 years! I would love a new pair of Brooks Ghosts ready to start marathon training again soon, they’re my favourite shoes for long runs
Emily
Congrats on the blog-o-versary!
Ainsley
Coming out of the shadows to say I have been reading your blog since almost the very beginning : ) I love reading your blog because you have the sunniest and most positive attitude through everything and you truly make us all feel like friends–and running is better with friends!! Thanks for being such an inspiration!
Shelby
Yay Janae!!
I’m a new reader to your blog, but I found it right in the thick of training for my first marathon, which was the St. George marathon. I read your blog for the first time the night before I was supposed to run 18 miles, which would be the furthest I’d ever ran at that point. You said that you swapped out negative thoughts on your run for positive ones, and that made a huge difference for me the next day! When any bad idea came to mind, I thought about all the things that were going right. To this date it was one of my most favorite runs ever and I’ve kinda loved it ever since. I had a great marathon, and I owe a lot of that to you and your blog for keeping me excited throughout training. Your blog is a happy place for a nervous runner. Thanks for all you write, happy blogging and happy nine years! A true accomplishment.
Shelby
Halley
Love your blog! Keep working hard and sharing your thoughts!
Angie Hykaway
Congrats on 9 years of blogging! I haven’t been reading or quite that long but so glad I found your corner of the interweb :)
wendy
I love your blog and both your honesty and positive attitude! I look forward to my HHG email each day!
Julia
Hello! ;-)
Haley B
Absolutely love getting your emails and following along with your journey! Hope you have a great day!
Hannah Halverson
You’re the only blog that I still read! I’ve loved watching your cute little family grow :)
Lisa
I love your blog! I followed 6 years ago when I was training for my first marathon. I took a many year break & started training again this summer and found you again. It was great to see how well you’re doing and your new family members ?
Ashley
I love your blog and have enjoyed following your training and progress over all of these years. :)
Trina
DID SOMEONE SAY SHOES?!?!? :D
Thanks for everything you do to inspire us. <3
Amy D
Hello! I love catching up on your blog every morning at work! Although I was surprised when I went on maternity leave and you were single and I came back and you were married… :)
Natalie
Love your blog!
Laura
I love following your running goals, PRs, and races in general. I’ve taken a bit of a running break since getting pregnant and then having my daughter but reading your blog has me SUPER inspired to start training towards a goal again. Can’t wait to get out there a little bit at a time! Thanks for sharing for so many years!
Pavlína
I’ve been following you for many years, it’s amazing to see the running progress you’ve made and the person you’ve become. You are inspiring in your hard work and juggling the mum/work balance. Looking forward to another year of inspiration! (P. S. Ultra running is addictive, I hope you’ll do more ultra races)
Brittney
Congratulations! Truly amazing and so inspiring to follow your journey!
Mary
I love reading about your life every day! Congrats on the PR!!!
Heather Davies
Lots of my running friends have mentioned your blog, and I’m so glad I found it! It helped me qualify for Boston this year. Woot! ???
Margaret Esordi
Just finished my first marathon ever yesterday, 10/20. It was so fun to see what you were doing training wise alongside of what I was doing as a first timer. I learned so much from your previous blog posts and instagrams, especially about race nutrition! It was such a tremendous help for me to get through 26.2!
Kristi Bunn
Love reading your blog!! You are such an inspiration!!
Kristi
Love reading your blog!! You are such an inspiration!!
Shailja Nair
Hi Janae, Happy Blog-er-varsary. I have been reading your blog for several years now. Dont comment as much. But you are a huge inspiration.
Kristi B
You are such an inspiration!
Laura Hengesbach
Love your Blog
Brooke D
My favorite blog to read :) Happy anniversary!
Heather
Actually just started reading and have started back at the beginning. Really enjoying the blog, and am getting some great inspiration!
Robin
OMG! 9 years! Congrats! I have enjoyed you blog for years! Can’t wait to read more!
Carissa
Love reading your blog! It’s very inspirational! Shooting for a sub4 marathon here in a few weeks!
Hollie
I love everything about your blog! Thanks for always being such a positive voice.
Jenna Melanson
I have been reading this blog for the last few years and your new PR gave me the courage to start running again :)
Anna
Me! I’ve been reading your blog almost from the beginning! You’re been a joy to watch as you’ve grown and learned so much over the years. I don’t comment much anymore as there is just very little time while being a BUSY homeschool momma to my 7 minions but I do love multi tasking and reading the blog when I can! :)
Kathy
Thank you for sharing your life and training! Honestly, I have relied on you so much when I was pregnant and running and just for inspiration getting out the door.
Rebecca
Hi! I love your blog, especially the mental training aspects. Have a great day janae!
Melissa Raymond
Thank you for sharing your running journey. I have enjoyed following you for a while now, and you inspired me to try for a BQ this fall. I dared to dream and BQ’d by 5+ minutes!
I’m excited to see you OTQ in a few months!
Alana
Hey Janae,
Congrats on your blog-iversary! Been reading for a few years now…wow time flies!!! Love the blog!
Katie
Congratulations!!!! I have been rooting for you all of these years! Crazy how time flies!
Lauren
Hello!! Congrats on 2:49, and good luck in a few weeks at CIM! I’ve followed you for years and it makes me so happy to see you crushing your goals! I’m running my first Ragnar in a few weeks and hope to channel some of your tips!
Stacey S
This wd be awesome inspiration!!
Tracy Alana Travaille
Yesssss! You are super inspiring. I’m running a 1pk in Big Sur this weekend and another in San Francisco in December. After coaching the local middle school cross country team, my shoes are fried. I need a mental reset on running and need to get back to doing it for me.
Tracy A Travaille
10k not 1pk
Dawn Hardin
Hello! LOVE your blog! :)
Joan Dukore
Hi! I love your blog! It was great meeting you guys at Mt Charleston last year!
I also wear Brooks, but we have very different opinions on the Hyperions.
Rachel
I have loved filling you on your blog and instagram. Your posts are always so inspiring and real. I love the insight you have provided, it really helps in many ways for my training!
Paige
ONe of my favorite blogs to read! Congratulations on 9 years.
Elizabeth
I remember those posts with the different colors and fonts!