Running the long tail

Running the long tail
Or – Why Google is so dang interesting…
I started my running podcast, (RunRunLive), for fun and created a running themed website to host it. I never dreamed I’d get the interesting, hilarious and troubling insight into the human brain that has cropped up. The internet is so cool in what it reveals about people and even more fascinating in what it hints at. So how did my little running podcast experiment give me insight this week?
Apparently there are naked runners with achy quads running the beaches of Cape Cod, swatting at green head flies. They are worried about whether taking a couple ibuprofen for their aches will ruin their sex life. That’s a slice of humanity for you!
I’ve always been interested in the fractal nature of the web’s logic. How it grew organically to represent the way our brains actually work. Random connections of thoughts and phrases produce associations that you might not have made, but when you see them you think, “OK, that’s strange but interesting…”
I was futzing around on my hosting service (seekdotnet) and saw a link in my control panel called “Website Statistics”. First I looked at the file downloads. I figured the number of people who downloaded my podcast would be interesting. I was curious to see how many and also which episode was most popular after one month.
The funny thing here is that we, the creators of the content, think we know what our best work is. In my experience writing for coolrunning, I’ve discovered that my opinion is entirely useless as an indicator. I would put up an article that I had really poured my heart into and thought was fantastic, and I would get low interest. Alternatively I would slap up something that I thought was mediocre and it would really pull. There was no telling what the readers would grab onto.
Of course I learned there are some common elements to a story that ‘pulls’. The readers tend to latch on to emotional issues and specific quick fixes. My biggest feedback articles were on running with an iPod, Running with my dog, the 2004 Boston Marathon (miserable hot year), running so you can eat more and training for a marathon on 3 days a week, in that order.
For my new running podcast, and this is only after a month, the most downloads were for episode 8 where I interview a friend of mine Gary who went from new runner to back-to-back sub-3 hour marathons in about 3 years. My suspicion is that the phrase “new runner to back-to-back sub-3 hour marathons in 3 years” in the title caught people’s attention. The triumph of the yellow press!
So I guess I’ll go change all the titles to “Free Sex Beer Now” or something…
The second thing about the downloads that I thought was interesting was that almost 200 people are already subscribing to my podcast. That’s crazy in only about a month of production. This shows you that the internet is just beginning to blossom in its ability to connect random like thinkers.
I also looked at the page views. Those boys over at Google sure are busy beavers. They hit my brand new site with their indexer 1000-2000 times a week. It looks like their servers are based in Virginia and California. Either that or the CIA is on to me.
I’ve got fans in Canada and the UK – which is cool. I think those places are ahead of the curve when it comes to podcasting. There were also hits from Eastern Europe that were probably hackers looking for someone to rob or extort. When you open the door, anyone can come through.
The really interesting stuff was what people typed into search boxes to get to my fledgling site. Below is the list. Just from looking at this I can tell you that the search engines all but ignore the tags you bake into the website itself, but they really care about the ‘content’ in the form of text and words and phrases. I’m going to collect all these and create a frequently asked questions section on RunRunLive.
Running Blogs and Running Podcasts search phrases:
First there were a bunch of what you would expect – people searching for running podcasts and blogs. In this case the search engines worked. Go to my website RunRunLive to see how to get my running podcast and running blog. Also visit Nigel’s website www.runningpodcasts.org for a wider assortment and search Blogger for the best in blogs.
runrunlive, run run live, podcast runner, runnerati, podcast running, running “side of the trail” “another runner”, running+podcast, run run long podcast, run & podcast
Running Questions
Then, believe it or not, there were other runners who searched for help with a specific running question and got directed to me because of my content. Again I’d say this was what the engines were designed for. I’ll answer those questions here…
how far is a running track around
Answer: 98% will be 400 Meters but you may find some really old one’s that are 440 yards or ¼ mile.
running; chemicals
Answer: natural ones produced by your body – cool. The unnatural one’s introduced into their bodies by cheaters – bad.
achy quads running
Answer: Yeah, that happens sometimes, it’s ok – try an ice bath after your next hard work out or long run…
how far before long run should you eat
Answer: Depends on what you’re eating. I’ve gotten to the point where I can run after eating almost anything and eat while I’m running. For races or hard workoutsI try to get a power bar down 90 minutes before the gun and a caffeinated Gu 30 minutes before the gun.
Cape Cod
It seems that there are a bunch of runners vacationing on Cape Cod in these summer months and my blogs from there drew some hits.
run in packed sand
Answer: Yeah but it will eat your feet after ½ hour if you’re not used to it and watch out for the shells.
running the cape cod rail trail
Answer: Yeah, do it. 60 miles long from Dennis to P-Town.
running path cape cod
cape cod, running path
Answer: See above
green head flies Chatham, MA
green head flies chatham ma
sandy neck greenhead fly season
Answer: They suck.
Cape Cod running and racing
Answer: Check CoolRunning or contact a local club
How deep do beachgoers wade?
Answer: Deep enough.
Now for something completely different.
These were the search phrases that through me for a loop.
naked torso runner
Answer: Are you referring to me? The rule is that you have to have a hot body or be over 45.
run the beach bare
Answer: Whatever floats your boat.
ibuprofen and sexual prowes
Answer: Prowess has two s’
mantras to keep away the nightmares
Answer: Try “No more nightmares!”
the biker elephant man chris
Answer: Are you kidding me?
Interesting, huh? Hopefully everyone got their answers. I’ll be looking over my shoulder for those streaking beach-waders next time I’m out on the beach!
See you out there!
C-,
Chris Russell lives and trains in suburban Massachusetts with his family and Border collie Buddy. Chris is the author of “The Mid-Packer’s Lament”, short stories on running, racing, and the human comedy of the mid-pack. Chris writes the Runnerati Blog at www.runnerati.com. Chris’ Podcast, RunRunLive is available on iTunes and at www.runrunlive.com. Chris also writes for CoolRunning.com (Active.com) and is a member of the Squannacook River Runners. ChrisRunner@runrunlive.com