TOP 10 REVELATIONS

Before you begin reading, let me just personally say thanks to everybody who kept up with RUNATION throughout the entire semester. I had a blast from the moment I created this campaign, to this ultimate finish line. It's been just an absolute joy in providing every single one of you, a taste of the greatness of running and why it's so much fun and important. Thank you to everyone who followed me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and I hope you were all satisfied with what you got here. Anyway, without further ado, here are my top 10 revelations I learned this semester:

1. A Fine Design: even before I started my RUNATION blog, I had a general idea of what I wanted it to represent. This not only helped make the construction of my blog and other social media forms easier, but it also transported me into this unique universe of communicating. When it comes to social media, you want your audience to jump into the screen in front of them (figuratively), and have them become immersed with your world and what you are providing. Like Agresta and Bough stated in the textbook, the key to social media is a platform that corresponds perfectly to what you're offering.

2. The Encyclopedia of Social Media: one of the best things I learned about social media, is that I am my own boss. I move at my own pace, focus on the things that I like to focus on, and I get to voice my opinions and share stories that I feel deserve more attention. Social media's impact is extremely powerful, and it continues to grow. Similar to the ideas in the text, social media opens up a transformation of who you are as a person, and it also provides a unique perspective of you that others don't normally see. 

3. Engage in this age: the main goal of social media, is to reach out to other people, bottom line. Networking is essential in this day and age, and the ability to speak with people who you don't know, should be taken to the advantage. The world is a hard place, and jobs are hard to come by. But social media's ability to let you expand yourself and reach out in new directions, makes it a whole lot easier and more fun. 

4. Stay up to date or face fate: I learned that regularly posting things for my blog can be a bit of a hassle at times, but it's totally necessary. Showing what your brand is all about more and more, and further developing it, helps keep your consumers interested because they come to gradually appreciate your effort and commitment to make a difference and do things others don't do. If you don't show a lot of new material, then the blog is just bland and there's not a whole lot of definition or relevance to it. 

5. Don't delete but be discreet: Nobody likes to see any negativity on their social media platforms. But before you hit that wonderful "delete" option on your screen, you should try reading those kinds of comments and really try to understand and analyze why that comment may be there in the first place. It could clue you in on something, regarding how to make your social media source better or how you can get the approval of other people. However, if it's an unnecessary hatred comment that includes profanity, that never does anybody good, so just delete that. 

6. LinkedIN winks others in: Creating a LinkedIn was a big step in this campaign, and it was appropriate too because it's the best place to find out one's career path. But LinkedIn is more than just going through one's history. It allows you to connect with others who are in the same field, and it further enhances your networking because you now have experienced sources, who have taken an interest in you and what you and your brand represent. Having a LinkedIn lures others in, who may be in your field, or may have other particular interests as well.

7. Privacy? SORRY. You see: the internet does not provide a sense of security for you personally. Once something is put out on the web, it's out there for good, and there's no way of retrieving it. Like the textbook says, privacy is not available in the world of digital communications and more data is now available to be attained than ever before. 



8. Pictures Assure: The old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words," is undeniably true. Presenting a work of art related to your product not only gives the consumer a visual sense of what's available, but also sends a hidden message behind the picture's walls. Instagram for instance, has come in handy for me in not only letting my consumers see what's out there, but it also gives them a clear message of what running is all about, which is why I have quotes at the top of my pictures. 

9. YouTube in a cube: The fact that I was able to upload my elevator pitch on YouTube so easily, is what makes the website so great. YouTube is an ideal way of stressing the message of a campaign even stronger because, it enables the consumer to see the product in action. Additionally, the editing process such as iMovie also was fantastic in making my video unique. I was really into the making of my video and the tools that the program offered, were right there in front of me and they all worked out great. 

10. No date is ever too late: Before I took this class, the only social media that I truly had was a Facebook page. Creating new accounts on different social media sources was a bit nerve racking because I didn't think I would be good at it. But I do realize now that you can start social media at any time in your life. The textbook even stated that it is never too late, to start up a social media account. 

Google Alerts/RSS

Chicago Tribune: In 2014, if you had told Lowell High School Cross Country coach, Jake Rakoczy that his team would come in third place at the 2016 New Prairie Semistate, he would've probably thought you were crazy, after his team finished eighteenth overall. However, that is exactly what happened. In the course of two years, the Indiana High School's cross country team improved dramatically by 15 spots. The astonishing improvement, was the culmination to a very successful season for the Red Devils. Rakoczy acknowledged that part of this success, was not overworking his runners. He gave them more time to heal, even on race days. But he was always sure to remind them, that as the postseason rolls around, they need to give it all their very best.
Fox 5 San Diego: Well, now we know one high school that David Rosas is going up against. The Cathedral Catholic boys cross country team from San Diego, California, shocked the running world last weekend, winning the CIF Division III State Championship. The team overcame a lot of obstacles such as injury, illness and fatigue. But they managed to come together and became only the third team from San Diego to win a state title, and the first in 24 years. Congratulations to these runners, they totally deserved it. Get ready though, because you're going up against our runner, who is one of the best in the country.
TCPalm: May 22, 2017, will be the date of the Sports Awards, honoring student-athletes. Along with track and cross country, this event will recognize the top 26 male and female athletes of all sports in high school. The Readers' Choice Award voting begins next Monday and it will entirely be announced by December 30. The runners that are eligible are:
Caleb Potorff- Lincoln Park, Bailey Yoerin- Vero Beach, Chase Hyland- The Pine School, Daniel Shelley- Okeechobee, and Jimmy Granberg- Vero Beach. Who will win? We'll find out in 5 3/4 months.

Here's the 2016 Nike Northeast XC Championship Video Coverage

CROSS COUNTRY RATINGS FOR 2016- Google Alerts and RSS

With the 2016 Cross Country season officially concluding in two weeks in San Diego, CA, news reports (online & in local papers), have been publishing articles, regarding who they feel deserves recognition for their performances during the regular season.

The News-Herald: News-Herald of Mentor, Ohio, voted for their choice of the 2016 Boys Cross Country Runners of the Year. Matt Bull of Mentor High School, and Jacob Keating of Lake Catholic High School received the honor as co-champions. Both Bull and Keating entered the 2016 with enormous targets on their backs, as they were rated the top two runners in the region. Both runners lived up to their hypes and put together strong seasons, as exemplified at the Boardman Spartman Invite in October, where Bull came in second and Keating came in sixth. Both will continue their running careers in college. Bull will attend Eastern Michigan, while Keating still hasn't committed yet.
Gwinnett Prep Sports: In Gwinnett County in Suwanee, Georgia, sophomore Chase Condra won the Daily Post's vote for Boys Runner of the Year. Peachtree High School also had a very successful season as well. In the state championship meet in Carrollton, the Lions placed four of their runners in the top 21 and finished 3rd overall in the team standings. Condra conquered 5th place at the state meet with a finishing time of 16:29. Condra also was given the name "Brick 2.0" by his teammates who lauded him, for his outstanding achievements as a sophomore.
Capitol Hill Seattle: The Capitol Hill Seattle blog, commented that the National High School Coaches Association voted the 2016 Northwest High School girls cross country team, as the top Division II high school team in the nation. Aron Taylor, who founded XCNation.com, said that the team put on an amazing performance for the Sun Willows 5000-meter course. According to Capitol Hill, Taylor claimed that the team averaged under 20 minutes to finish the course. The team had some notable runners during the season. Junior Isa Meyers and Sophomore Macenna Hansen, were ranked fifth and sixth overall individually.

Cross Country Season Is Over

Today, was the Nike Northeast Regional Championships, at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, NY. Teams from the Northeastern states (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania etc.), fought for a trip to Portland, Oregon next weekend. Overall, the race was an intense and hard fought battle. The winner of the race was senior David Principe Jr. of La Salle, who ran a ridiculous 15:18 at Bowdoin Park on Saturday afternoon and single-handedly demolished his course record, which was 15:22. For Don Bosco, David Rosas capped off his outstanding regular season with a 5th place finish overall, granting himself a ticket to Portland next weekend as an individual. The race was bitter sweet for Bosco though. Although David finished strong, the team came in 9th place overall. There was extremely tough competition in the race, and in the end, Christian Brothers Academy once again prevailed and emerged victorious! They captured the championship and will make another appearance at the Nike National Championship in Portland. Through it all, Don Bosco Prep had another solid season in cross country. Although they didn't accomplish the amount of success they would've liked to, they overcame so much adversity and put together a strong team effort. Everyone on that team contributed in some way, shape or form. The season may not have been what the Ironmen are used to, but they proved to everyone that you still cannot count them out. I would like to give my heartfelt congratulations to everyone associated with the Don Bosco cross country team, from the coaching staff to the parents, and to everybody on the team. But I specifically want to personally congratulate the graduating seniors: Matthew Agrusti, Jessie Mingalone, Brian Frank, Joey Erskine, David Rosas, and my brother Justin Touhey. All of you have had great cross country careers and congratulations on your final season.

RUNATION Elevator Pitch

Check out this warrior!

This proves that heart and determination, is greater than skill!
http://www.flotrack.org/article/48655-eli-moskowitz-was-kicked-in-the-face-and-still-beat-8-people-at-ncaas