7 Thoughts A Runner Has During A Half Marathon

What the heck am I doing?

That question happens around the half way mark when the reality of a likely finish time sinks in...if only I can hold this pace!  Although I may have done it once in a training run, running the second half faster than the first is unlikely and unrealistic.  Oh well, better just enjoy the run.


Here are some other thoughts a runner has during a half marathon:

1. Don't go out too fast.  Did I go out too fast?  I told myself to start slowly and ease into race pace.  Why did I go out too fast?
2. Did I hydrate properly before the race?  Did I balance the electrolyte with enough water?  
3. I hope the gels don't make my stomach turn.  Wish I hadn't changed my usual brand at the last minute?  Hope I brought enough gels.
4. Do all these runners in front of me need to be chatting so much? And they're smiling!  Wish I could smile.  I'm smiling, right?
5. If I stay in front of the 2 hour pace bunny I'll finish under 2 hours!  The 2 hour pace bunny must be running too fast.  Why is the 2 hour pace bunny pulling ahead.
6. I overdressed.  I overdressed.  I overdressed!
7. I see the finish.  Pick up the pace.  Smile.  Breathe.  Forget breathing...smile for the finish line camera!

First thought on crossing the finish line:   "I'm never doing that again!"

Thought about 10 minutes later:  "That wasn't so bad...when's the next race?"

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Connecting in Micro-Moments

The moment of truth.  More correctly, the 'moments' that trigger action that keep marketers up at night.  At least they do for me. It's the daily conversation with Managers and Business Owners revolving around how to generate more traffic to our websites and convert more of that traffic into leads.

Conversations with our website partners go something like this, "We need to optimize both our organic and paid search traffic...how do we add or improve calls-to-action so that we increase the opportunity of the Searcher to contact us directly?"  

At a recent event hosted by 6S Marketing and Google, we dug into this more deeply with three key insights:

1. The four micro-moments are, I want to know, I want to go, I want to buy, I want to do.
2. The force of mobile in triggering follow-up actions
3. The speed at which conversions occur in mobile searches:  It's fast!

Moving forward my challenge to our website and online advertising partners is to bring solutions that will encourage a higher percentage of visitors to our websites to find what they are looking for faster...from their mobile devices.

I found this slide very interesting:  75% of mobile searches trigger follow-up actions.  It leaves no doubt that we are now living in a 'give it to me now' world!

In the Automotive Retail business we talk about best in class response times of less than 15 minutes. Knowing that the majority of searches are happening via mobile devices and that conversions happen with the hour drives home the need for speed.

I want to know;  I want to go;  I want to buy;   I want to do.  

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

Running with Dogs?

A few runners in my neighbourhood run with their dogs.  I think they do it to exercise their dogs.  I wonder if their dogs enjoy it?

For running to have any benefits you need to keep running for a minimum of 30 minutes.  Generally at a ‘good’ pace.  In other words, not jogging.  Most of the runners I see have dogs who seem to be loping along but they all seem to be panting.  

In the warm summer months, even in the cooler morning hours, I have to believe it is uncomfortable for the dog.  We runners can wear less clothes but a dog generally can’t shed his/her coat to cool down.

I’ve seen oblivious runners cause their dogs discomfort when their dogs stop suddenly or veer from the running path.  Ouch…that’s gotta hurt the dog’s neck no matter how large the dog.

I don’t see the point of running with your dog.  If you focus on your running, you ignore your dog;  if you focus on your dog you have a sloppy run.  Seems like multi-tasking gone wrong. 

Take your dog to the leash-free dog park for a run.  Take your dog for a walk.  Leave your dog at home when you go running!

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Reputation Matters

Online your reputation matters.  It really matters! 

People have always chosen products based on what others have to say about their own experiences. Fact Check:  Modern Marketing did not invent Brand Opinions.  Brand Reputation lies in the hands of the consumer, your customer and is affected at every touchpoint they have with your business or brand.  Today via Social Media opinions can be shared more freely.  The task of online reputation management is more technical...blogs, Facebook, Twitter...and task more complex and inter-related. Staying on top of your reputation is your top-of-mind opportunity.

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization