The Tour de France, what many know as the “World’s Most Epic Race Ever,” ended today with the final stage on the Champs Elysees in Paris. When the race started on July 3, I decided I would start my own race - 3 weeks of Tour de Blogging. I dropped out mid-way through. In other words, I DNF (did not finish). Sooooo, they are not “lifting small babies and throwing soft cheeses” for my final ride into Paris.
I think of Lance Armstrong who hoped to come back to the Tour for an 8th win. He was not a contender as he had hoped and planned, but Team Radio Shack did win the prize for Best Team overall.
Team Radio Shack Won Best Team Overall in Tour de France
The race turned out not to be the “Tour de Lance.” It was one of the hardest Tours since it began 100 years ago.
I’m not comparing myself to Lance; however, my own Tour de Blogging did help ingrain the importance of teamwork and friendships. One may have the best laid plans with hopes and dreams of victory for self. Yet…
The most important victory is that which results from relationships and working together.
Wins from My DNF
I may have DNF’d from my Tour de Blogging, but I did win. I did …
- Learn that people take time to read some of what I write, for which I’m EXTREMELY grateful.
- Blog about a few things I had not anticipated, such as my Letter to My Dad who died when I was a little girl. It provided an opportunity for my Mom and I to share memories and tears.
- Get in a some good bike rides with friends who believe in “No Pain. No Gain.” – who motivate me to strive for reaching the top in cycling and SEO.
- Resolve to blog more about personal life/insights/opinion on DanaLookadoo.com, to get my new site about Word-of-Mouth SEO, YoYoSEO.com, launched, and to write some promised guest posts.
AND… I did:
- Get blown away by WordStream’s recommending me as an SEO Resource this month. It was such a crazy work week of July 12 when Christine Laubenstein took the time to publish a post that blew my mind and socks off. (It’s the same week I DNF’d.)
- “Thank you, WordStream and Christine!!!!!! YOU are one of the search industry’s best resources!
AND… I also did:
- See good friends and meet new ones at BlueGlass LA search marketing conference in July.
- Take a look at some of the BlueGlass LA photos to see a few of the fantastic people in search who were at the conference.
- Read Jon Rognerud’s summary of BlueGlass LA on Enrepreneur.com and his creative photo collage.
- Record a radio show on SEO Dojo Radio with David Harry during BlueGlass LA. I’ve learned so much from Dave, the founder of the SEO Dojo Training Forum. I greatly appreciate all he does for the SEO community and for those of us on the Dojo Trail. His friendship alone is a win!
So, yes, I did DNF from my Tour de Blogging.
I didn’t take time to talk to the press as riders in the Tour de France often do. 
Dropping out of the Tour is one of the saddest moments in a professional cyclist’s career. Fortunately, I’m not riding my bike for a living or blogging for one either.
I did win time with great friends and search marketing professionals with whom I’m able to share SEO racing tactics.
BlueGlass LA Photo Collage by Jon Rognerud
July turned out to be a life and career-changing month in many ways. It’s too much to write about here. I have additional people to thank for their referrals, input, links, ideas and help. Expect those posts to be coming soon.
I may not have won the Yellow jersey in Paris, but I won friendships and relationships that surpass standing on the podium.
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