To everyone who's reading, thanks for letting me think out loud with this tonight. This whole thing can be really hard to figure out, especially when you write pieces that connect, and get great feedback, and still the numbers go down. It's a little hard on the psyche!
Don't think it's lost on me that this is a privileged problem to have, to be sure. It's just sometimes doing this is a real mystery to figure out. I really do appreciate all the comments.
I've enjoyed the running off-shoots and am happy to read what you're interested in sharing. Running is a part of my life and so it's interesting to read how it fits in to your life and your interests, what you're balancing it with, and how it has shifted over time.
Thanks, Allison! This is really good to know -- when you're on this/my end of this thing, it's really hard to know whether your aim is right, or if you've completely missed the target sometimes. It's all a roll of the dice sometimes :) Thanks for the kind words!
Well, Terrell, i’m not your core reader. I value all the essays that aren’t about running because, as you may remember, I’m not a runner. I have MS and can’t really use my legs. So, I'll be looking to see how much your Substack meets my interests. I am a paid subscriber, and hope to continue supporting you.
I hope you do too, Fran -- and I definitely haven't forgotten you. In fact, I often think of you when I write, believe it or not, because I want to make sure these pieces are always relevant, no matter where you might find yourself. You've given me a lot to think about...
Thank you, my friend! Sometimes it’s really hard to figure out what the right path is; I hope I haven’t screwed things up even worse! Really appreciate your kind words 🙏
i’ve enjoyed all the past posts and look forward to this future experiment ! getting eyeballs is so difficult these days and it’s worth figuring out what creates community and readership. as running continues to become popular i hope more folks find their way here.
Me too! And thanks... it is hard, you know? i'm just trying to figure it out -- it seems like it's always in transition. What worked in terms of connecting with readers two years ago may (or may not) now... I appreciate your thoughts!
I love what you're doing - and your transparency about it as a business. It's funny - I think of myself and my writing as kind of the inverse of yours: I write about spirituality and use a lot of examples and stories of my running life. You write about running, with a lot of spirituality weaving through.
You know I love it! I also find it inspiring as someone who's working on something similar.
I offer much encouragement as you branch out and 'redecorate'.
I stumbled upon your writing about a year ago and immensely enjoy your essays, whether they are running specific or not. Perhaps it is my age (62) where I like pondering life’s possibilities and questions. Looking forward and backward. And with running, it’s always easy to ruminate. Whichever way you choose to go, I’ll follow!
Terrell, while I have not be as active a participant as in the recent past, I do enjoy thedirection you took with both your writing and the branching of topically. I'm good for wherever we go next as I still enjoy the reading...
I do like the running essays the most (that’s why I’m here), but I like your other essays as well. Running isn’t just the time we are pounding our feet down the road. Running surrounds all the other parts of our lives: Eating, sleeping, family time, and even work. Your writing and insights are fantastic, and I look forward to reading your words. During COVID, we were all scared and we were reaching for something/anything to get our minds off of it. It makes sense that your numbers went up. Like the New Year’s resolutions, as we got back into the swing of things, some of us (not me) went back to the usual course of things (i.e., not exercising).
You know, now that you mention it, that's an excellent point. (Actually all of the things you mention above are excellent points!) Okay, you've made me think some more... (and thank you, by the way!!)
T-I wonder if the issue is a more macro level one....In its early days, Substack was a beautiful thing--unadulterated and a place that felt free from the regular noise of social media. Now that everyone-and-their-brother-in-law is on the platform, I believe it has led to attention overload. And now we've got celebrity content (not begrudging them)--but that's taking subscribers and subscription revenue away from the original providers. I think you could have been offering million dollar prizes and you'd still have seen a diminishment in subscribers/revenue because of all this 'new noise."
I only support a few--and I mean less than 5--people on Substack. And you are one of them. As long as you're here "doing what you do"--I'll be following and supporting.
And I guess the last thing I'd say is: To thine own self be true! Because when you are--when you write about the things that matter to you--running, life, being a father--that's what makes THM shine. D
You know what Diana, that's a great point. And I'm so glad you reminded me of it! Everything -- and I mean everything -- changes, you know? The context we're in right now (with Substack) is so different from where we started; I think I've probably paid too much attention to all the data and the numbers, and probably need to ignore all that for a while and just write. It's much easier than I thought to get too sucked into all of it.
Seems to me, Katie Arnold had something to say about Substack on one of her Newsletters (I think it was 4/6/ of 2025 where she goes into the meaning of CON-tent vs the meaning of con-TENT it was much along the lines of what you said about Substack becoming another social media site. Good observation!
Well, Terrell, I wrote one comment last night and another one this afternoon and managed to delete both of them! They were nice, but I guess it was not meant to be! As it stands, I'm a dedicated paid subscriber to your newsletter. There have been a lot of changes. All of them have been for the better. I have changed a lot too. . .from someone who could hardly wait to get out the door to someone who can hardly walk much less run. I love your essays. They make me think. I love the community of runners who show up in the comments! I'm looking forward to your redecoration!
I'm sure it will be as good as all the other modifications you've done in the past! :)
I just have to come on here to say… thank you for sharing your thoughts, your valuable time with strangers. I truly enjoy reading your content whether it’s about running or not. I always seem to find relatable ground. Thank you.
I am one of the paid subscribers and I haven’t received your daily emails you mentioned in this article with the information about races . Would love to get those
I, too, am a paid subscriber. I enjoy ALL of the content, from the race recommendations, to the subscriber discussions, to the non-race material. What makes THM is the community, the feeling of belonging.
This is a cool website to check out: https://www.corita.org/tenrules. Corita Kent was an amazing artist, educator, and advocate for social justice. Her story is remarkable and there is an art center named after her.
To everyone who's reading, thanks for letting me think out loud with this tonight. This whole thing can be really hard to figure out, especially when you write pieces that connect, and get great feedback, and still the numbers go down. It's a little hard on the psyche!
Don't think it's lost on me that this is a privileged problem to have, to be sure. It's just sometimes doing this is a real mystery to figure out. I really do appreciate all the comments.
I've enjoyed the running off-shoots and am happy to read what you're interested in sharing. Running is a part of my life and so it's interesting to read how it fits in to your life and your interests, what you're balancing it with, and how it has shifted over time.
Thanks, Allison! This is really good to know -- when you're on this/my end of this thing, it's really hard to know whether your aim is right, or if you've completely missed the target sometimes. It's all a roll of the dice sometimes :) Thanks for the kind words!
Well, Terrell, i’m not your core reader. I value all the essays that aren’t about running because, as you may remember, I’m not a runner. I have MS and can’t really use my legs. So, I'll be looking to see how much your Substack meets my interests. I am a paid subscriber, and hope to continue supporting you.
I hope you do too, Fran -- and I definitely haven't forgotten you. In fact, I often think of you when I write, believe it or not, because I want to make sure these pieces are always relevant, no matter where you might find yourself. You've given me a lot to think about...
One day at a time my friend riding the waves isn’t always easy but I truly appreciate your posts on running and on life
Thank you, my friend! Sometimes it’s really hard to figure out what the right path is; I hope I haven’t screwed things up even worse! Really appreciate your kind words 🙏
i’ve enjoyed all the past posts and look forward to this future experiment ! getting eyeballs is so difficult these days and it’s worth figuring out what creates community and readership. as running continues to become popular i hope more folks find their way here.
Me too! And thanks... it is hard, you know? i'm just trying to figure it out -- it seems like it's always in transition. What worked in terms of connecting with readers two years ago may (or may not) now... I appreciate your thoughts!
I’m sticking with you. I can’t think of something you’ve written that I didn’t enjoy or found thought provoking. In it for the long haul.
me, too!!
I love what you're doing - and your transparency about it as a business. It's funny - I think of myself and my writing as kind of the inverse of yours: I write about spirituality and use a lot of examples and stories of my running life. You write about running, with a lot of spirituality weaving through.
You know I love it! I also find it inspiring as someone who's working on something similar.
I offer much encouragement as you branch out and 'redecorate'.
and blessings.
Thank you, Cathie!!! You put it perfectly.
I stumbled upon your writing about a year ago and immensely enjoy your essays, whether they are running specific or not. Perhaps it is my age (62) where I like pondering life’s possibilities and questions. Looking forward and backward. And with running, it’s always easy to ruminate. Whichever way you choose to go, I’ll follow!
Thank you, Christine! I love that 🙌
Terrell, while I have not be as active a participant as in the recent past, I do enjoy thedirection you took with both your writing and the branching of topically. I'm good for wherever we go next as I still enjoy the reading...
I do like the running essays the most (that’s why I’m here), but I like your other essays as well. Running isn’t just the time we are pounding our feet down the road. Running surrounds all the other parts of our lives: Eating, sleeping, family time, and even work. Your writing and insights are fantastic, and I look forward to reading your words. During COVID, we were all scared and we were reaching for something/anything to get our minds off of it. It makes sense that your numbers went up. Like the New Year’s resolutions, as we got back into the swing of things, some of us (not me) went back to the usual course of things (i.e., not exercising).
You know, now that you mention it, that's an excellent point. (Actually all of the things you mention above are excellent points!) Okay, you've made me think some more... (and thank you, by the way!!)
T-I wonder if the issue is a more macro level one....In its early days, Substack was a beautiful thing--unadulterated and a place that felt free from the regular noise of social media. Now that everyone-and-their-brother-in-law is on the platform, I believe it has led to attention overload. And now we've got celebrity content (not begrudging them)--but that's taking subscribers and subscription revenue away from the original providers. I think you could have been offering million dollar prizes and you'd still have seen a diminishment in subscribers/revenue because of all this 'new noise."
I only support a few--and I mean less than 5--people on Substack. And you are one of them. As long as you're here "doing what you do"--I'll be following and supporting.
And I guess the last thing I'd say is: To thine own self be true! Because when you are--when you write about the things that matter to you--running, life, being a father--that's what makes THM shine. D
You know what Diana, that's a great point. And I'm so glad you reminded me of it! Everything -- and I mean everything -- changes, you know? The context we're in right now (with Substack) is so different from where we started; I think I've probably paid too much attention to all the data and the numbers, and probably need to ignore all that for a while and just write. It's much easier than I thought to get too sucked into all of it.
Seems to me, Katie Arnold had something to say about Substack on one of her Newsletters (I think it was 4/6/ of 2025 where she goes into the meaning of CON-tent vs the meaning of con-TENT it was much along the lines of what you said about Substack becoming another social media site. Good observation!
Well, Terrell, I wrote one comment last night and another one this afternoon and managed to delete both of them! They were nice, but I guess it was not meant to be! As it stands, I'm a dedicated paid subscriber to your newsletter. There have been a lot of changes. All of them have been for the better. I have changed a lot too. . .from someone who could hardly wait to get out the door to someone who can hardly walk much less run. I love your essays. They make me think. I love the community of runners who show up in the comments! I'm looking forward to your redecoration!
I'm sure it will be as good as all the other modifications you've done in the past! :)
I just have to come on here to say… thank you for sharing your thoughts, your valuable time with strangers. I truly enjoy reading your content whether it’s about running or not. I always seem to find relatable ground. Thank you.
I am one of the paid subscribers and I haven’t received your daily emails you mentioned in this article with the information about races . Would love to get those
Oh I’m glad you mentioned that. Do you have the Substack app installed on your phone?
Yea I have
I, too, am a paid subscriber. I enjoy ALL of the content, from the race recommendations, to the subscriber discussions, to the non-race material. What makes THM is the community, the feeling of belonging.
I hear ya, Terrell.
Rule 4: Consider everything an experiment — Corita Kent (this is where I'm at if it helps)
Keep going.
That’s such a great rule, Julie — who is Corita Kent? I’ve got to hear/learn more about this…
This is a cool website to check out: https://www.corita.org/tenrules. Corita Kent was an amazing artist, educator, and advocate for social justice. Her story is remarkable and there is an art center named after her.