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.

Thoughts about Optimizing Life: Dana Lookadoo

DNF Tour de Blogging – But Here’s What I Did Win

It’s on!

Le Tour de France started today, July 3, 2010, marking 3 weeks of cycling. Few will argue that this epic bicycle race is one of the most grueling matches of strength, stamina, endurance, strategy and courage.

Fabian Cancellara, the World Time Trial Champion, won the Prologue, the first stage time trial. He put on the winner’s Yellow Jersey.

Fabian Cancellara wins Tour de France Prologue

Craig Hummel, a VS Cycling TV commentator, noted:

“Today proved that Cancellara is the most powerful man on the pavement.”

3 Weeks of Cycling

What motivates these TdF Racers?

Riders race for 3 weeks across France and in surrounding countries. They spend, on average, 4-6 hours each day on the bike for 21 stages across almost 2,300 miles.

What would motivate an athlete to push himself to such limits?

Just under 200 riders begin the race, an honor in itself. Finishing Le Tour de France is the goal for many. They work most of the year to suffer for the chance of glory or simply the opportunity to support a teammate. Not all will finish the TdF.

What makes cyclists tick?

I don’t have the answer, but a fellow cyclist said to me today,

“Cycling is a lifestyle. It’s in the blood.”

For the next 3 weeks, being a cycling fan is part of my lifestyle. Talking about blood (and EPO), well, that’s another topic.

3 Weeks of Blogging

I decided to enter my own 3-week race – Le Tour de Blogging. I plan to blog at least SOMETHING each day for the next three weeks.

3 Weeks of Cycling & Blogging starting June 3, 2010

What’s motivating me?

Blogging regularly has been my Achilles Heal. Perfectionism is a protagonist. Blog posts don’t need to be perfect or epic, however. It’s like training for a bike race.

• Every workout and every effort counts toward the whole.
• In this case, every piece of content counts toward the whole for strength and authority of a website.

It takes 7 days to form a new habit and 21 days to break an old habit. The Tour de France is my impetus to:

• Form the habit of putting thoughts into a blog, to get into the habit of continual content development.
• Break the habit of starting posts and not finishing them, of sharing more on Twitter, Facebook, Skype, and email rather than developing website content.

It’s time to begin practicing what I preach. I enjoy creating and optimizing content for others, yet I ignore or put off writing my own posts. Also, I promised some guest posts to some industry sites, and it’s time to begin blog training - to begin developing content on a regular basis.

What makes me tick?

I’ve been cycling seriously since 1991, and I’m moved and motivated by the stories and sacrifices behind the Tour de France. For example:

Fabian Cancellara’s nickname is Spartacus. He is known for his incredible speed and strength as well as his passion, discipline and focus.

I’m striving for a fraction of Spartacus’ focus. I’ll never be “the most powerful woman on the pavement” or in the blogosphere, but I’m sure not going to set on the sidelines as a spectator!

Viva le Tour de France!

Viva le Tour de Blogging!

It’s on!

Thoughts about Optimizing Life: Dana Lookadoo

3 Weeks of Le Tour de France + Le Tour de Blogging

The blogging break is over! It’s time to kick it to get rolling and start blogging again!

There is so much to share. Who reads it? If you’re here, then you! I care about you and appreciate your interest and feedback.

What’s been going on?

I’ve experienced a lot of changes in the past year, some ups and downs. Most importantly, the highs and lows have provided for an opportunity to start over again. I’m blessed to have the flexibility to regroup and not be stuck in a trap. Gosh, it’s fantastic to love what one does!

I heart SEO and the search industry!

Optimizing anything pushes my button!

I have a lot to share and will kick out the posts as I develop this blog and learn more about Thesis and its hooks, as well as its power!

Two quotes summarize my current thoughts:

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”
~Mark Twain

“We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.”
~Calvin Coolidge

Kick It & Go!

My husband jokes about a motorcycle rider who looks like Mr. T and his explanation to his mechanic about how he wanted his “ride” to be tuned up. He explained:

“When I hit it…I want it to GOOOAAAW!”

Right on!

That’s how I feel about a blog, heck, anything technical. With new computer and software loaded and optimized, it’s time to hit it!

Subscribe to my RSS feed if you want to learn more as I kick it and GOOOAAAW!

Thoughts about Optimizing Life: Dana Lookadoo

Kickin’ It!