Coming First in Something

Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 April 2010 08:54 Written by The Virtual Runner Wednesday, 21 April 2010 08:54

Okay, it might not be a marathon, 10k or even a 5k but I’m coming first in some ways.

When I originally started this blog I would go onto Google and do some different searches to see where I came (if anywhere) in the list/results.  I used to just search on “virtual runner” or “the virtual runner” and I’d be lucky to be anywhere!  Eventually I started creeping up the rankings until I was in the first few pages of result until I finally reached the top.  Now when I do either of those searches I’m number 1.  Where’s my medal?

On 07 June 2009 I decided to create a page on my blog which listed all the “best running blogs” that I had found.  It was meant to be a source for visitors to get involved and find more information, a way to advertise other bloggers sites and a way to drive traffic to mine.  The link is here (opens in a new window):-

http://thevirtualrunner.org/blog/best-running-blogs/

I added the different blogs that I read from time to time and eventually people started contacting me asking to be added to the list as well.  If they’re actually a blog about running or something to do with running then I usually put them on there.  I try to avoid sites that are selling something.  Blogs should be more about information and entertainment (not that mine is that entertaining).

My plan was for the “Best Running Blogs” page to creep up the Google rankings as people did searches for running blogs, and it worked.  At first, nothing.  Now, you do a search on “best running blogs” or “top running blogs” in Google and take a look at who is top!  Yeah baby.  This means more traffic to my site and more traffic to the blogs on my list.

Because I use the services of statcounter.com I can also see the effect that Best Running Blogs page is having and who is getting the majority of the traffic from my site.  Below is the 1st page of “exit links” people of followed when eventually leaving my site.  The numbers down the side show how many times they’ve been followed.

Exit Links that people followed when leaving my site.

Perhaps I should let some of these people know?  Nah, it’s nice that traffic is being driven to some quality blogs and the traffic to my own site is increasing on a regular basis.  Who would’ve thought stats could be so interesting?  Well, they are to me in this sense anyway.

Another thing I can see is what people type or search for when they end up at my site.  It’s called a “Keyword Analysis” and I’ve got a small part of mine here for you to look at.  See what’s right at the top:-

Keyword Analysis shows what people have been typing to end up at my site.

All of this makes me think I should do more with the Best Running Blogs page as it seems to be increasingly popular.  Should I make it more functional?  Should I add more blogs?  Should I have some sort of ranking system for people to vote on favourites etc?  Or, should I just leave it how it is?  Why fix what isn’t broken.

I also see that my friend Robby has been searched for 3 times recently.  It could be more but the free service at statcounter.com only keeps a limited number of entries/records at any one time.  In fact, if you now do a Google search on “robby kilborn” my site is at the top.  Well, it is on my computer!

And finally, the free service at statcounter.com (among other things) gives me the ability to see where my recent visitors have come from.  Because it only keeps a limited record of entries at any time on the free service at statcounter.com there aren’t that many to see:-

A map that shows the recent visitors to my blog and where they are in the world.

So, nothing really “running” related today but I thought it was interesting so I wrote about it.  If you found it dull… then why have you read this far?  Jeez…

Friends & Family

Last Updated on Friday, 26 March 2010 08:01 Written by The Virtual Runner Friday, 26 March 2010 08:01

Won’t be long now (scary) and I’ll be in Canada visiting family and attempting my very first marathon.

Besides being excited (and scared) about the marathon, I’m also excited to see my family.  We tend to only visit Canada about once a year and we never got to go to Canada last year because we got married.  So, it’s been two years since I’ve seen everyone!

I’m also looking forward to seeing my best friend Robby.  I’ve mentioned him before on here and if you google him my site comes up (lol).  We met when we were younger and we’ve been the best of friends ever since.  Even though we’ve both moved all over the place and been almost on opposite sides of the world we’ve always stayed in contact.  Also, it’s been much longer since I’ve seen Rob so I can’t wait to just hang out and have him meet my son for the first time!

I always tell my son about his family in Canada and I also tell him that he’s going to see “Uncle” Rob because he’s like my brother and is a part of my family.

I’m looking forward to hanging out with my nieces and nephews, talking to my sisters and my parents.  We are also hoping to rent a car for a few days and head down to another part of New Brunswick and into Nova Scotia to see more family too.

So, not long now and we’ll be bringing in the house sitter (Tony!) and shipping ourselves to Canada to visit family.

You know what else I’m looking forward to in Canada?!  Food!  There is loads of food that I grew up with that you can’t get in the UK.  In no particular order, some things I’m looking forward to eating:-

• Bologna
• Kraft Dinner
• Kool-Aid
• Tim Hortons Coffee and Donuts
• Pizza Delight Pizza (with the works)
• Donair
• Dill Pickle Crisps (or Chips as they’re called in Canada)
• My mum’s potato salad

That’s just the stuff I can think of off the top of my head.  Don’t worry, I won’t be sitting down to a large meal consisting of all of those items in one go… although that might be good.  I’ll be spreading out the joy!