ELEVEN YEARS.
I don’t know what it is about blogging, but it captured my heart after my first post on this blog. I remember the day I started blogging here—> I was sitting down on my couch with my laptop on the coffee table and some Skittles next to me while trying to come up with some random way to start a new blog. I had been reading blogs for a few months and decided it was something I wanted to do in my free time. I had a personal blog before that and wrote once a month but wanted one where I shared more about my running… 5,510 posts later, and I still love it. When people ask me if I ever run out of things to write about, I can only think of a time or two because it feels like I am just hanging out and chatting with my friends every day.
You being my friend over the years has meant the world to me. I can’t tell you how many comments or emails I have screenshot over the years that have helped me when I needed it the most. I have met/gotten to know the greatest people from blogging. I hope I’ve helped someone that was going through disordered eating, loneliness or a divorce. I hope that we’ve all grown in our running together and learned to better cope with the failures while better celebrating the accomplishments. I think we have found a lot in common with each other over the years while loving to see each other’s differences too. I hope you are okay with me continuing to share my tangents and training, and before we know it, I’ll be blogging about dropping off Brooke and Knox at college (THEY ARE HALF-WAY THERE).
I wanted to share eleven of some of my favorite pictures/memories from the last eleven years…
*This one was from yesterday… It just felt so so good to be back together with my crew again after a few days away.
*Feeling like myself again after divorce, loving life together with Brooke, and figuring out being a single mom.
*When we got engaged!
*When Andrew asked Brooke if he could marry me:)
*Seeing the four of them together in Christmas PJs.
*My first sub 3!
*2:49 wahoo with Emilee!
*Beck’s birth and somehow waiting until he was born to find out he was a boy!
I’d love to buy two people a pair of Brooks running shoes/trainers to celebrate today!
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment saying whatever you want or an emoji, and I’ll choose a winner on Friday!
930 comments
Danielle Turk-Bly
Janae, Happy 11 years! your blog and posts are one of the highlights of my day. I love that I got to meet you and Emilee both at CIM and I love that we are both mommas who are tackling big goals while trying to keep the joy.
Laura beth Durbin
Happy anniversary! Love coming here to catch up on your life and to get some running motivation!
Kristina McWethy
Congrats?
Natalie A
:) happy blogiversary!
Alanna
Happy anniversary!!
Amy B.
Love your blog!
Kristi Petrosky
You sharing your trials has helped me while going through my own similar trials. I love seeing the joy you’ve had in your journey, no matter what life brings. Thank you for sharing your life and beautiful family with us, with me, through the years. Love ya friend! ?
Jessie
Congrats on 11 years. I love hearing your honesty and running journey! Keep this up and hope you can get back to running soon.
Kylie
You’ve been blogging for 11 years and I think I’ve been reading for 10! You inspired me to blog myself for a few years there too…love following along with you. Thanks for sharing so much with us!
Maren Egbert
Enjoy your blog! Congratulations on 11 years!
Alli Case
LOVE YOUR BLOG!! I live in NYC and was definitely trying to find you while you were here last week. Congrats on such a blogging milestone!
Katie Christensen
I don’t even know how I came across your blog but know start my day with it. Thanks for sharing your life.
Bonnie Ushijima
Your journey has been amazing! And I am amazed by your progress and commitment. Keep inspiring!! And I’m sure you’re told this often, but your kids are just beautiful!
Meghan B.
Love your blog!
Taylor Johnson
Happy 11 Years! I have been following you for about 4 years now, I read pretty much everyday! You have inspired me to never give up on my running journey. :)
Becky
Congratulations! I love your blog and hope to continue reading for many years to come!
Tiah
I have recently found your blog and am excited to catch up on 11 years. Congratulations on this milestone.
Michele. Thompson
I LOVE reading your blog! I always feel like I can relate to so many thing you write about and it keeps me motivated. I have been running every day and sort of accidentally have a running streak going … just finished Day #556 and am hoping to get to 1,000!
Cecelia Haggan
Congratulations!
Abbi
I started reading you shortly after Beck was born. I’ve been hooked ever since. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Kat Specht
Happy 11 years. Your blog inspires me daily and I love watching your journey!
Ali Patterson
Love your blog! The best running inspiration and the sweetest family ❤️
Melissa S
11 Years, how is that possible??!! Congrats on creating such a fun and welcoming community for everyone!
Rachel
Congrats on 11 years! I am in desperate need of some new running shoes! Your blog always inspires me to get out for a run.
Angie Preuss
I’ve loved following along all these years! It’s my morning ritual.
Miryana B
I’ve been reading your blog since day 1. I feel like I relate to everything you write on some level. Thank you for being real, thank you for continue to write. And please don’t ever stop lol (no pressure lol). Sending you lots of warm hugs from FL! ??♀️❤️
Jenna
Congrats! You are amazing!
Jennifer
What a beautiful family!
Tonya Mcminn
Congratulations on the precious baby boy!!!
Meredith
I always enjoy reading your blog! Happy 11 years! ???
Jessica
Love following your blog. It gives me so much running inspiration!
Michele H
I love Brooks shoes. I used to use the Pure Flows exclusively for speed work. I first came across your blog about a year ago and just love the way you put your training and personal life together so well. I have purchased quite a few things you have recommended and it has been so helpful. Thank you for sharing and blog on!
Danielle Burgar
❤️ this blog
Rachel Lumbrezer
Love your blog!
Jessica Trentham
I’ve been reading your blog for about 5 years and find it so inspirational. I’m pregnant with my second and I find myself going back to your HRG Baby posts lately too! :)
Kari
You are the only email I always read. I have personally benefited from your authentic, courageous telling of life and find myself truly rooting for you, your goals, and your beautiful family.
Kathleen
Thank you for allowing all of us to be a part of your amazing journey. Through your blog, we are able to realize that all of our lives are similar in one way or another. Here’s to many more years together!
Elizabeth
I love your blog!
Thank you for keeping it going long after many have stopped :)
Elizabeth d
Congrats
McKenna
Congratulations! I’ve been reading your blog for so many years as a runner in AZ! So glad you keep writing and sharing!
Mari-Beth
I love keeping up with you and your family adventures!
Kenleigh
Congratulations on 11 years!
Rachael
congrats on 11 years!
Fran
Congratulations on 11 years! Thank you for sharing every day!
PS I haven’t tried it, but I hear this is a good Levain copycat recipe … https://www.modernhoney.com/levain-bakery-chocolate-chip-crush-cookies/
Steph C.
Congrats on 11 years!!
Elizabeth
Gosh I found your blog I think about 11 years ago, when I started running! You have always been an inspiration in many different aspects of life. I have to be honest and say I’m not a daily reader anymore. Life has gotten busy, but I do check -in every so often. Congrats on 11 years! ???
Sarah
Happy # 11 Anniversary Janae! Thank you for sharing so much of you, your family, wisdom and advice with us all. I enjoy your blog so much and look forward to it each day. Have a great rest of your week!
lindsey
OMG i’ve been following your blog for over 6 years and i just realized it! i love that you share about your running and family, thank you!
Tricia Hilgersom
So thankful for your blog! I’d be lost if you didn’t post every day! Thank you!!
Connie
Happy 11 year anniversary!! I love following along with your growing family. I have been following since before Andrew! Pretty to get to watch your kids grow!! Love all your tangents!
Enjoy another 11 years and more!!
Rachael T
Congrats on 11 years!
Patty
Congratulations on 11 years! Your blog is always a fun read about every day life.
Amy Rosen
Happy 11 years!
Megan
Happy Anniversary!! I’ve followed since 2010 and am so happy you are still blogging! :D
Katrin
I love your blog! ❤️ Reading these old posts made me emotional – you’ve gone thorugh and accomplished so much and really deserve the best. Big fan from Estonia!
Marsha Bowers
Congrats on 11 years! I have enjoyed reading all of your adventures.
Melissa
Happy anniversary! ???
Heidi
Congrats
Ali
Woohoo!! :)
Sydney
I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW BLESSED I FEEL TO BE YOUR F•R•I•E•N•D! ☂
Cheers to 11 bazillion more years! *raises mug of hot cocoa* ?????????
Brooke
Happy 11 blogging years! I have started many of my runs with a cup of oatmeal while reading your blog. You’ve helped me get out the door and get going. Glad that you have stuck with it all these years. Thanks for the generous giveaway
Liz
Hi Janae! Congrats on 11years! I just had to return a pair of non brooks running shoes, should have never strayed! Happy Pelotoning! Can’t wait to see you on the leaderboard one of these days!
Chrissy
Happy anniversary!! I’ve been a wannabe runner for a long time. It started when someone convinced me to do a half marathon so I did… and came in last place! That was a good lesson in how to train properly. :) Haha. Now that I’m 3 months postpartum with baby #2 I’d love to try running again but maybe properly this time. :)
Lexa
Congratulations!!!! I think I’ve been following along for 9 years!!
Whit
❤️
Angela
Congrats on 11 years! I’ve been following your blog since the beginning and even though I don’t run anymore, I love checking in to see how you’re doing.
Lindsey C.
Congratulations! I have been reading your blog for years and love following along on all your adventures. You are also a big inspiration to me running wise. Some days I do not want to get out the door, but you give me the push I need
Betty
Love your blog
Learn so much from you
You are my inspiration !
♡♡♡
Congratulations and good luck !!!
Krystina
Congrats on the blogging anniversary! Have so enjoyed reading your posts and following your running and personal journeys. LMK if you ever come to PC for some mountain running.
Laura
??♀️??♀️??♀️ Happy Anniversary!! ???
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
Stephanie
Congrats on 11 years!
Jenny K.
Thank you for being here!
Jenny K.
Thank you for being here! There are great trail marathon and half marathon races in Bend, Oregon btw. :)
Mary
Long time reader. Love your blog and insights to running and life. Congrats on 11 years!
Sherry C
Love your Blog!!!
Sarah P
Congratulations on 11 years – and many more!
Melissa
I love this! I have somehow been with you these entire 11 years. (Well, more like 10.8 years because I found you shortly after the beginning). :) So happy for you and your loving family!! It makes me happy every time I come visit your page. (I actually save my visits for the time of day when I most need a hug from a good friend.) Thank you for being that person during seasons of life when otherwise there would not have been a hug. ???
amanda charles
Aww this is the sweetest message! I turned in my comments to read all the love for Janae and this one resonates with me a lot; you said it perfectly!
Michelle
Congrats on 11 years!!! ?
Liz
I’ve loved reading your blog!
Karissa
Happy Anniversary!
Allison Rounds
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Erika
thanks for all the posts! love reading every day!
Joelle
Happy Anniversary! I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and its wonderful seeing you happy and your beautiful family grow! :)
Libbie
Congrats on 11 years! Reading about your divorce comforted me as I’ve been going through mine. You’ve inspired my running journey over the years. Thanks for sharing your story.
Tiffany
Happy 11th Blog-a-versary!
Tessa
Congratulations on 11 years!!! <3
Angelica
Happy 11 Years! You’re inspiring!
Gabrielle Welsh
Congratulations on 11 years! ??♀️??
Taryn
You inspire me to run faster! I am a Mother of 5, just PR’d on a half at 1:48:28. My long term goal is qualifying for Boston. Reading your blog and your running achievements, as well as the fact that you can do that with 4 children gives me hope!
Kalena
Happy 11 years! I’ve been reading since pre-Brooke days, & you motivate me to keep running!
Yvonne
Happy 11th Blog Anniversary! Your blog is so inspirational to me as a fellow runner, nowhere near as fast as you, but nevertheless you inspire me and I think of your motivational sayings on tough runs. Thank you for being so open and sharing your life on your blog. You are beautiful and I am grateful I found your blog. I feel like you are a friend, even though we have never met. Keep sharing and motivating your faithful followers. ?
Ava
Amazing
Jen s
11 years!! Congrats! We have never met, but I feel like we would chat like friends if we ever did. Thanks for sharing your journey of running, motherhood, and life in general with all of us.
Megan
Congratulations!
Heather I.
Never stop blogging!! You’re my favorite and have been for years and years. One day I hope to run into you in Utah or on one of your trips to Vegas!
Debs
I love your honest posts always with such a gorgeous smile. I don’t know if you would send shoes to NZ – but you are definitely admired from afar.
Thankyou for being my go to when my running was a struggle with injury after injury. Happy to say I was given the all clear this week to run – and it is such a liberating feeling (albeit short bursts). Through you I have learnt that its ok – I am not starting again, and my body did need a break for whatever reason. Here’s to 11 more years ?
Elyse
Love following your running!! Long time reader, you have gone through so much!?
DG
Congrats on 11 years! I’m a relative newcomer, but I love watching you progress as a runner — and a mother.
BTW, I don’t need shoes, but if you happen to pick me please donate a pair to a local high school cross country team. I’ve been donating all my old running shoes to various teams and even though they typically have 200-300 miles on them, the kids really appreciate getting lightly used high end running shoes ?.
Lori
I love your blog. You have a way of saying exactly what I need to hear when I need to hear it. I tend to be very hard on myself and you help me keep a more level head. You definitely have helped me ease up on myself in the 2 years I’ve been reading your blog.
Sorry to hear about your plantar. I should have a blog called injuredrunnergirl so I feel your pain. Dry needling has helped me tons. I’m sure you’ll be back running in no time!
Alyssa
Congratulations on 11 years! ❤️
Renee
Congrats on 11 years!! Your blog inspires me so much!! Keep on doing what you’re doing-I look forward to reading your blog daily!!
Twyla Luke
I’m glad you continue to blog. Over the years I have read and/or followed several running blogs and yours is 1 of 4 that I continue to follow! Thanks for sharing your life, the good, the bad and the ugly! :)
Abby
I absolutely love following your blog! Thank you for sharing your life with us!
Sayra Butterfield
Hi! Congrats on the milestone!
Stacey
I love your sweet family and running stories !
Katy
??♀️
Hollie
Love, love, love your blog!!! But most inspiring is your positive, bright light. Hope to be reading your blog for years to come. Happy Anniversary!
Laura Cho
Congratulations!! I’ve been following along since day 1 ?
Jackie Horning
I ran my first Boston last Monday thanks in large part to your inspiring posts and advice! Thank you! It was such an awesome experience, even if my quads were feeling it halfway through! I even re-qualified so I’m
hoping maybe I can run it again in the springtime 2023 with my twin sister if she BQs her race in Richmond next month! ??
Macy
I don’t even know how, but some way came across your blog about 2-3 months ago & im sad I’ve been missing out all these years! I love reading it each day. There are plenty of days where I’ll tell my bf some of your stories/tips just like we are bffs who just had a coffee date ?. I’m from Louisiana and an avid runner-growing up playing sports I like having goals to still work towards + it’s the best stress relief! Looking forward to many, many more blog posts
Emily Coleman
Congratulations! I enjoy your blog very much ☺️
Alex
Janae, I’ve been reading since before you met Andrew. I don’t even run much anymore as I’ve found other exercise that is a better fit for me but I still LOVE your blog. You are a ray of sunshine and I wish you so well.
Caroline
Thank you!
Lizzy
You introduced me to Brooks and now I LOVE Brooks!
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Christie
Your blog is so real and down to earth. Love it!! Co grata on your success!
Michelle Richardson
Congrats Janae! Thank you for everything you’ve shared over the years to help me and so many others.??????
Corry
Congratulations on 11 years Janae!
Molly S
I happened upon your blog the day Brooke was born, and have been following since! It’s been great following your life journey! Xoxo
Jeanne
I started reading your blog a couple of years ago when you were writing about your ultra. Being 72 years old and a SLOW runner especially now, I never thought I’d relate to a young, speedy runner. But I must say I now look forward to your posts everyday finding connections through your shares of your family, faith, and inspiration. I find I can learn and apply much of your joys, frustration, and general daily life lessons to my own life and my family’s in my own way. Thank you for your many contributions of ideas, encouragement, and keeping it real. Your general overall positivity has helped me in running and life. I decided to add this comment today because when I returned home from my run in the darkness this morning, I realized both my shirt and bra were inside out!(haha):)
Chanda Powell
Congratulations on 11 years! I’ve been reading your blog for at 5 years. I look forward to reading your post. You are an inspiration.
Jessica
Love following your journey! I also so appreciate how much you’ve focused on your plantar fasciitis lately-I struggled with this for many MANY months. At one point it was so bad I had to crawl out of bed and stretch it before I put any weight on my foot and it was still excruciating. I now invest in EXPENSIVE shoes-not just running, but for work and even nice dress shoes. Worth it to NEVER deal with that horrible horrible pain again! Here’s hoping you’re on the mend!
Carrie Punt
Congratulations on 11 years. I have enjoyed reading your blog since you were pregnant with Brooke.
Lauri
I truly enjoy reading your blog each day! I am so thankful you are still writing. Thank you for sharing!!! Happy Anniversary!
Joanna
Happy Blogaversary!! ??
Katie Aurand
Congrats!! It has been so fun following your journey! I found your blog in 2012 and have been following it since.
Lindsay Mckibben
I love your blog!!! LOVEEEE! Been reading for years and it’s the first one I read every day and the only blog I check on daily! Except sundays ?…but even some sundays I still check. Just Incase ?.
Kimberly Craig
Happy blogiversary!! :)
Maggie Reiff
11 years!! what an accomplishment! THANK YOU for all the journies you have brought us all on :)
Justine
Happy 11 years! You’ve been one of my favorite follows!
BRITTANY LUMLEY
Your blog is amazing. You are amazing.
Happy 11 years!!
-Brittany
Sharsti
I remember meeting up with you and Brooke for lunches! You were what inspired me to run my first half and start my blog(which I sadly no longer do) but it’s been so fun following all these years and seeing your family grow ❤️
Amy Lynn Jeffres
I feel like I just read about your 10 year anniversary yesterday.
Alison
Congratulations on blogging for so long! Life happens everyday but when you write it down it’s like a taking a snapshot of all the best things!
Hilary
Congratulations!
Kristen
I just love the inspiring and real space you’ve created through your blog. I always look forward to reading it and feel like I know you personally although we’ve never met. ;). Thanks for what you do!
Kali Devor
Wow, a trip down memory lane for sure! It’s amazing to think about the blog before Andrew, but I know I read for years before that! So fun! Could definitely use some shoes as I get back into training for my Spring races!
Amy Wilkerson
Happy 11 years!! I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I love reading about you and your family! Congrats!!!
Katie
Cheers to 11 trips around the sun blogging ☀️ You are a breath of fresh air! xo
Lea Ann
I havne’t been reading for 11 years, but pretty darn close!
amanda
Yay! Congrats!
Olviya
Congrats on 11 years! Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you on your journey. You and your family are inspiring and a bright ray of light in this sometimes hard and heavy world.
Jackie
Happy 11 years! Love your blog! ??
Jessica Kincaid
Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
Jen W.
A little late to the game here, but I’d love a pair of the new Brooks Ghosts!!!!!
Happy blogging anniversary—so glad you’re here!!!!
Jess
Congratulations on Eleven Years! I feel like such a weirdo because I started reading your blog to support myself as a nascent runner about ten years ago, and I couldn’t believe how relatable I found you because you were so much more of an athlete than I thought I could ever be.
Fast forward a decade and I have two babies of my own, and I’ve run half marathons and gone through so many injuries. It really is incredible what a community you’ve nurtured here. Thank you so much for that.
Nohemi
Congratulations on 11 years! ??
Rebekah Mulloy
You have helped me so much, Janae. You are a precious soul. ♥️
Emily
Happy blogaversary! So grateful for your blog and positive attitude :)
Alexis
Congrats!
Diane S.
Happy Anniversary! Love your blog.
Cavilyn Keown-Schaus
What an accomplishment and I just love you how you now have captured amazing timeline of your family too.?
Maryann
Yay for you! Not sure when I started following you, but it’s been a while now. Thanks for teaching me new things, keeping me inspired and sharing a bit of yourself/your family with us.
Laina
I have followed you for these 11 years. You have inspired me to stay on the run! I love your recommendations and I share your advice with my family all the time! “Hungry Runner Girl says…”. Ha!! Your fashion picks are awesome too! All this to say, none of us are perfect people, but we all have something awesome to share. You have told your readers the best and the worst and shared this incredible life journey with us. You are a gift to us and I always look forward to reading your blog. Congratulations on 11 years!
Ali
Happy 11 year Anniversary that is incredible!! https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/pureflow-7-womens-running-shoe/120262.html
Erica Wiener
Happy blog anniversary! I enjoy following your family – we have kids similar ages!
Alexa
Seems like you had a great experience blogging. I always love to read your content related to different topics specially in kitchen recipe. Thank you for share your valuable time.