Note the menu bar
across the top of the screen. As you place your cursor on each one, a drop-down menu
will appear. Click on the drop-down menu item to access the data.
We now have 2,191
members in all 50 states, DC, and 11 foreign countries! Our members have run a
combined total of more than 128,000 marathons! (demographics)
New items are on the merchandise
order form. See the new red and blue singlets and wristbands. http://www.50statesmarathonclub.com/50dc/merchandise.html
Now you can order merchandise online CLICK HERE.
Dues:
2010 Renewal forms will go out in the March newsletter. Please fill
out the Member Profile and return it with your $10 annual dues. If you have misplaced
your renewal form, you can print out the form from the web site. http://www.50statesmarathonclub.com/50dc/renewal.html
Online membership renewal now
available. Click here. This service is
for club members only.
Newsletter:
The Spring 2010 50 States Marathon Club Newsletter was mailed in April,
please email Paula Boone batzrunner@aol.com if you
have not received the issue and she will make sure you receive a copy. Please note that
the format is a color newspaper that is bulk-mailed and presorted by zip code.
Finisher's Certificate:
All member finishers in good standing will receive a complimentary
custom finisher's certificate. This certificate will be sent to all
members who have completed the states. This includes everyone who has completed the
states to date, and all members who complete the states in the future. To receive your
certificate, you must be a member in good standing (current on your dues), and contact
Susan Sinclair by email at sksinclair@yahoo.com or mailed to 502 Pence, Webster, TX 77598. Please
include: your name as you want it printed on the certificate, your hometown city and state
(when you finished), the number of times you finished, the name of your finishing
marathon, the location (city, state), the date of your finish, and your mailing
address. (form)
For those members who would like to purchase an additional copy, the price
will be $6 each.
Certified
Finisher Certificate Sample
Finisher
Certificate Sample
Scheduled reunion marathons:
Omaha Marathon--Omaha, NE 9/26/10
www.omahamarathon.com
Packet Pickup will take place at the Product Exposition,
which will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at TipTop Ballroom on 15th and Cuming
Streets in downtown Omaha. Packet Pickup begins at 10:00 AM and continues until 5:00 PM.
Club meeting will be held on
Saturday, 9/25/10 at the host hotel at 3pm:
Double Tree Hotel
1616 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68102
402-346-7600
The Pasta Party
will also be held at the Expo from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. We plan to have a group of tables at
the reunion reserved for 50 States Marathon Club Members and decorated with an identifying
table piece which Annette Wulffe has agreed to coordinate.
City of Oaks Marathon--Raleigh, NC 11/7/10
Packet pickup and Expo will be at:
McKimmon Center
NC State University
1101 Gorman Street
Raleigh, NC 27606
Friday, November 5th 6pm-9pm
Saturday, November 6th 10am-6pm
Club meeting TBA.
6 Hour cut off
www.cityofoaksmarathon.com
First Light Marathon--Mobile, AL 1/9/11
Packet pickup and expo at the Admiral Semmes Hotel on
Sat. January 8, 2011 from noon-8pm and packet pickup on Sun. January 9th 6am-7:15am.
Pasta party will be free to all participants on Sat. January
8th from 5pm-6:30pm at the City County Atrium, across the street from the Radisson.
There will be showers available beginning at 10am at the Moorer YMCA.
There is a post-race gala from 9:30am-2:30pm.
Club meeting TBA.
www.firstlightmarathon.com
Fargo Marathon--Fargo, ND 5/21/11
Packet pickup will take place at the FargoDome 1800 N University Dr. Fargo, ND
58102 on Thu. May 19, 2011 1pm-9pm and on Fri. May 20th 10am-9pm. There are three
seatings for the pasta party on Fri. May 20th at 4pm, 5:30pm and 7pm.
The Club Meeting will be held on Fri. May 20th (planning for 3:30pm). Location TBA.
www.fargomarathon.com
Future possiblities:
Do you have a suggestion for 2011 reunions?
Please offer your suggestions and help
organize a reunion marathon in your home state. Please
contact Charles Sayles charles.50sm@csayles.com
___________________________________________
World Tour Event 2010:
Click here for latest
information
Contact Steve Boone (steveboone@aol.com)
for more details.
Events directed by our members
Boone, NC events from member Matt
Jenkins
http://boonemarathon.blogspot.com/
Texas Marathon-Kingwood, TX 01/01/11 Steve&Paula Boone
www.50statesmarathonclub.com/texas.html
Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon--Northfield, MN 01/9/11 Dick Daymont dick@northfieldrunning.com
http://www.zoomyahyah.com/
Ocala--Ocala, FL
01/23/11
Chuck Savage
www.ocalamarathon.com
Kahtoola Wasatch Winter 50K/5K--Midway, UT 01/29/11 John Bozung
www.squawpeak50.com
Waco--Waco, TX 01/30/11
Nancy Goodnight http://mmm.sw.org
Tallahassee--Tallahassee, FL 02/06/11
Jack McDermott
http://www.gulfwinds.org/marathon/
www.tallahasseemarathon.com
Post Oak (50K)--Tulsa, OK
2/26/11
Johnny Spriggs
www.postoakrun.com
Post Oak (26.2)--Tulsa, OK
2/27/11
Johnny Spriggs
www.postoakrun.com
Seabrook Lucky Trail--Seabrook, TX 03/?/11
Robby Sabban
www.seabrookmarathon.org
Yakima River Canyon--Yakima, WA 03/?/11
Bob Dolphin
http://www.ontherunevents.com/yrcm/
Davy Crockett Bear Chase--Groveton,
TX 04/09/11
Steve & Paula Boone
http://www.50statesmarathonclub.com/bear.html
Philadelphia 100--Philadelphia, PA 04/?/11
Lauri Fauerbach Adams
http://philly100.webs.com/
Frisco Fifty 50K, Marathon, 10M-Springfield, MO
Richard Johnson
Lake Waramaug Ultra Races 50K, 50M, 100K - New Preston, CT
04/?/10
Carl Hunt
860-355-8847 huntcarl@sbcglobal.net
http://www.roadntracksports.com/LWUM/
BPAC 6 Hr Distance Classic--Buffalo, NY 04/25/10
Carl
Pegels www.wny-ultra.org/bpac
mgunther@buffalo.edu
Tacoma City--Tacoma, WA 05/01/11 Tony
Phillippi www.tacomacitymarathon.com
Walker Only--St. Cloud, MN 05/15/10 Dave
Daubert
http://walkonmn.org/marathon/general.html
tonkatails@aol.com
Wyoming--Laramie, WY 05/30/10 Brent Weigner
www.angelfire.com/wy2/marathon
Bob Potts--York, PA 5/16/10 Clay
Shaw
www.bobpottsmarathon.com
Squaw Peak 50M Trail- Provo, UT 06/05/10
John Bozung
www.squawpeak50.com
Deadwood Mickelson Trail (26.2/13.1) -Deadwood, SD 6/6/10 Jerry Dunn
www.deadwoodmickelsontrailmarathon.com
Minneapolis--Minneapolis, MN 06/06/10 Mike Swanson
http://teamortho.us/Minneapolis_Marathon
Kat'cina Mosa 100K--Provo, UT 08/07/10
John Bozung
www.squawpeak50.com
Leading Ladies--Spearfish, SD 08/15/10
Elaine Doll-Dunn
www.leadingladiesmarathon.com
Leanhorse Hundred, Half Hundred--Hot Springs, SD 08/28/10-08/29/10
Jerry Dunn
www.leanhorsehundred.com
Skagit Flats--Burlington, WA 09/12/10
Terry Sentinella
www.skagitflatsmarathon.com
Crazy Horse--Hill City, SD
10/3/10
Jerry Dunn
www.runcrazyhorse.com
Grand Rapids--Grand Rapids, MI 10/17/10
Don Kern www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
Frankenthon Monster--Cedar Park, TX 10/23/10
Frank Livaudais www.frankenthon.com
Stone Steps 50K--Cincinnati,OH 10/24/10
David Corfman
www.stonesteps50k.com
rd@stonesteps50k.com
Indianapolis Monumental--Indianapolis, IN 11/06/10
Carlton Ray & Tom Hathaway www.monumentalmarathon.com
Two Cities (50K/26.2/13.1)--Fresno, CA 11/07/10
Nancy Talley & Mike Herman
www.runfresno.com
Bartram Forest 50K/26.2--Milledgeville, GA 11/?/10
Kevin Hatfield
http://wintertrailrun.net/
kevin.hatfield@gmail.com
Baton Rouge Beach--Baton Rouge, LA 12/4/10
Craig Watson
www.brbeachmarathon.com
Bartram 100 Mile & 100K--Milledgeville, GA 12/11-12/10
Chris Lowery
http://sites.google.com/site/bartram100s/
P.O.Box 15638 Houston, TX 77220-5638 www.50statesmarathonclub.com This web site provides information for the members of the 50 States Marathon Club. The club operates under the direction of a board of directors selected by the membership. The club is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of health and fitness and the members share the common goal of running a marathon in each of the fifty states.
To join, a runner must have completed a marathon in at least
ten states.To Join: Read the Rules, print an Application, complete the information and mail it in.
Feed back
Your input, ideas and voice are important to the formation of the club. We need
members and volunteers to share their successes, concerns, and general thoughts regarding
the sport of marathon running.
This site was developed and is maintained by American Computer Systems, Houston, TX please contact steveboone@aol.com for any changes or corrections.
Board of Directors
Tom Adair-president tomadairsr@bellsouth.net
(picture)
Charles Sayles-VP/reunions charles.50sm@csayles.com
(picture)
Susan Sinclair-secretary sksinclair@yahoo.com
(picture)
Steve Boone-treasurer steveboone@aol.com
(picture)
Paula Boone-membership batzrunner@aol.com (picture)
Lois Berkowitz-newsletter gberkowitz336393@comcast.net
(picture)
Dave Bell-board member run26.2dave@gmail.com (picture)
Incorporated 3/30/2001
Personals
Member George
Rehmet was feature in an article (page 20) in Club
Running Magazine (article)
-posted 8/26/10
"The Marathon Show" featured Donald
Arthur, club member and heart transplant recipient,
on the 8/20/10 program. (program)
-posted 8/20/10
Power Walker, Yolanda Holder, was featured in an article about her world record attempt. (article)
-posted 8/19/10
Ten-toes running from Ruth Morrow on her new running goals and furry friends. (article)
-posted 8/18/10
Our good friend and founding Board member, Rick
Worley, was killed in a traffic accident on 7/25/10.
Our love goes out to Dee, Little Rick, Taylor (who will miss her Papa) and the rest of the
Worley family. (services
information) (article) -posted 7-26-10
Diane Bolton was featured in an article about her 50
state completion. (article
1) (article
2) -posted 7/22/10
"Madison Marathon Includes 50-staters" article features club members Robert Bishton, Rich Holmes, and Jeff Bollman (article)
-posted 7/22/10
"Marathon Man Makes it 50" article features Mark
Swanson and his completion of the 50 states. (article)
-posted 7/16/10
The Richmond Times-Dispatch featured Fran Gilday in an article about her 50 states finish. (article)
-posted 7/16/10
Angela Tortorice was featured in an article
"Rest 'Overrated' for this Maniac" (article)
-posted 7/14/10
Brendan Cournane wrote
an article called "When Hitting the Wall Takes on a New Meaning" in the
July/August 2010 issue of Marathon & Beyond. -posted 7/5/10
"50-for-50" article tells how Theresa
Pipher finished the states in Alaska in June. (article) -posted
7/2/10
See the "Feat of Feet" article about a third time through the states for Boonsom Hartman. (article)
-posted 7/2/10
Kendel Prescott was featured in The Champion in an
article about her amazing journey to finishing all 50 states five times. (article)
-posted 7/1/10
The Marathon Show featured youngest female finisher, Laura
Skladzinski and Paula
Boone on 6/30/10. (link)
Annette Wulffe was featured on The Marathon Show
(Internet Radio) on 6/14/10. (link)
Barb Wnek is featured in an article about her goal
of completing a marathon in all 50 states. (article)
-posted 6/25/10
Bob Lehew is recovering from open heart surgery in
Houston. He should be going home on Monday. -posted 6/25/10
Carol Dellinger
was featured in an article in The Seattle Times for completing her 240th
marathon. (article)
-posted 6/25/10
Cincinnati.com featured Tamara Smith for her completion of the 50 states. (article)
-posted 6/22/10
Way to go Annette Wulffe for being featured on The Marathon Show (program) -posted 6/16/10
Our sympathies go out to Jean Evansmore on the passing of her husband, Steward Frazier, on May 25th (web link). -posted
6/15/10
David Reid was featured in an article about his 50 state finish and 100th
marathon. (article)
(written by club member, Eddie Hahn)
-posted 6/1/10
Note from Nancy Stuparich, "FYI,
I had a really bad fall on Thurday and ended up in the hospital with a multiple fractured,
dislocated leg. I was doing yard work and missed a step walking to the
backyard. I just got home from the hospital. I had surgery on Friday and must
stay in bed for at least 6 weeks. It is pretty unbelieveable, but it happened.
Shoot me emails periodically, as the next 6 weeks are going to drive me nuts." nastuparich@msn.com -posted 5/18/10
The Mad Man, The Marathoner -The Life of Marathoner Donald
P. McNelly book by Juanita Tischendorf is now available. http://mcnelly.tatepublishing.net/
I thought you might like to know that two of your 50 staters (me and Kathleen) are
in the new issue of Runner’s World. Check out the article on the new Exeter
Marathon in Rhode Island, which we signed up for in our quest for 50 because we already
had plane tickets to Boston. I think this is about page 23 or 24. Anyway, CNN
caught wind of this, called me, and will have another online blurb this Thursday or
Friday. So, a bit of press for the 50 state notion! -Jonathan
and Kathleen Wendel -posted 4/7/10
"At 50-plus and 50,000 miles" (article)
is about Debbie Lazaroff and her chance to "see the world 26.2 miles at a time".-posted
3/30/10
"Runner Has 50 Reasons to Smile" (article)
is about Craig Smith's 50 state finish at the Big Island Marathon.-posted 3/25/10
"I completed my 5th continent on the 28th of Feb at the Mount
Kilimanjaro. Also, I attempted to climb Mount Kili after the marathon but I fell and
broke my right leg in 2 places. I have surgery scheduled for the 19th of March to put in
screws and a plate. it has been really tough but I hope I can get back on the bandwagon
after about 4 months. I went to Kaiser for a follow up visit, and the surgery is
scheduled for Friday. I will be getting plates and screws in my right leg (tibia and
fibula). then a non-weight bearing cast to be followed by a weight bearing one. Gary
(husband) has been a great nurse, and he has a great deal of patience for this patient.
More later. With aloha, Pam
Penfield"
-posted 3/16/10
"Want to See 85? Get a Move on" article features member Don McNelly. (article)
-posted 3/11/10
Our sympathies go out to Rick Karampatsos on the passing of his daughter, Heather. -posted 3/3/10
We're all hoping for a speedy recovery for Vasilios
Stayeas who underwent heart surgery 2/2/10. His
wife, Terry, sent this update: "His surgery went beautifully. I
waited until his surgeon's and cardiologist's appointments to update you. He is
recovering very well, better than most, because of all the exercise. It's been 3
weeks and he is walking 1 hour in the house which is amazing to me. He probably will
not do any marathons this year, but hopes to finish his 7 states and 100th marathon in the
future." -2/26/10
Sympathies to Don Taylor and his
family on the loss of his brother on 2/17/10.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Susan Sinclair
and her family on the loss of her father on 2/16/10.
"Marathon Maniac" and 50 Stater, Rich
Holmes, was featured in an article when he ran the Trinidad & Tobago
Marathon (article) -posted
2/15/10
"Sustained a heart attacked in Mexico Thanksgiving week,
flew home, had a stent Wednesday before Thanksgiving and a Quad by-pass the day
after. Home recovering. Expect to run next marathon in May/June 2010. I
will reach #100 by end of 2010." -Mike Brandt
-posted 2/4/10
Debbie Cropper teaches gifted students in Anchorage,
AK. She would like to ask members to send something representative from their state
that she could share with her students to teach them about the different states. As
an example; John Lent sent maple leaves from his farm in VT. If you would like to help
Debbie with her project, please mail any post cards or items to:
Debbie Cropper
C/O Willow Crest Elementary School
1004 W Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Attention - If you've sent an e-mail to
Susan requesting your finisher's certificate, and have not yet received it - would you
please re-send your request to sksinclair@yahoo.com.
She has managed to lock herself out of her msn account, and is unable to retrieve those
requests. Or, you can always send it the old-fashioned way - via "snail
mail". Thanks a bunch.
------------ Notices
-------------
Members,
Want to know where you're ranked by marathon count, who's birthdays are coming up,
ages our members finished the states, and all kinds of demographics? We have a feature to
the club web site called Demographics. Click on Membership
on the drop down menu. This is an ongoing project and we add functions to it
occasionally. Play with it at your leisure. Send us updates to your marathon
count, states completed, location where you completed the states, etc. Updates to our
database are done nearly daily. If you haven't done so, please send us a digital photo to
add to the membership list. It helps members recognize each other at the races.
.jpg works best. http://www.50statesmarathonclub.com/50dc/demographics.html
Members!! The club has secured an arrangement with Hometown Threads
to offer discounted embroidered merchandise to our members. You can choose from apparel,
jackets, bags, totes, etc. with our 50 States Marathon Club logos. You can also
have your name embroidered on the apparel for a small additional fee. You can order
directly from the web site. If you prefer to add additional text or FINISHER, please
specify in the "Additional Instructions" field in the order form online.
Hometown Threads will contact you directly about any questions you have concerning your
order. They also have a large
logo available for the back of jackets and heavier items.
http://www.companycasuals.com/50statesmarathonclub/
Greg Taylor let us know about a great
free website that allows you to create a map with the states you select shaded. You can
select up to 6 different criteria (six colors). Pretty nice for creating nifty looking
maps that show which states one has completed.
http://monarch.tamu.edu/~maps2/us.htm
Jerry Greenwald has
put together a Yahoo! group for our members. This is a site where you can post
questions, blogs, comments, pictures, polls, etc. You will have to set up a free
Yahoo! user and join the 50statesmarathonclub group. Any questions
email Jerry at born2runinbldr@yahoo.com
Beth Davenport is working to help
folks find missing results for certification. Please contact her if you cannot find
old marathon results and she may be able to find the results. beth.eddiesfan@gmail.com
----- Deals for our members-------
Discounts to races are offered
exclusively for our members in good standing. Membership is verified by the
individual races.
Beth Davenport has had a good
response from her local running club about a "buddy system" to have a New Mexico
"buddy" for our club members travelling to New Mexico for any of their
marathons. beth.eddiesfan@gmail.com
Charlie Alewine Racing is offering a 20%
discount to our members in any of his events. http://www.charliealewineracing.com/
7/2/10 Midnight Madness 50 Miler--Tulsa,
OK is offering a $5 discount to our members.
www.tatur.org/Midnight50/index.html
8/15/10 Humpy's Marathon--Anchorage, AK In 2010 in honor of 50 years
of statehood we will give 5 dollars cash credit
when the bib is picked up to any 50 Stater coming North plus the Race Director will
buy them a beer to celebrate their feat or feet! -Mike Halko, Race
Director
www.humpysmarathon.com
8/21/10 Run With the Horses
Marathon--Green River, WY is offering a $5
discount to our members. You can
register directly at the Chamber of Commerce office 307-875-5711. They decided to handle
registration from the office this year.
http://www.grchamber.com/run_with_the_horses_marathon.htm
8/29/10 Santa Rosa Marathon--Santa Rosa, CA is offering a $10 discount to club members who note "50 States Marathon Club member" on the
mail in entries until 8/1/10. Please deduct $10 from the applicable price.
www.thesantarosamarathon.com
9/19/10 Fox Cities--Appleton, WI is offering a $10 discount for the marathon (code: 50STMARA) and a $5
discount for the half (code: 50STHALF).
www.foxcitiesmarathon.org
10/15-16/10 St. Pat's 6/12/24 Hour Race--South Bend, IN is
offering a $10 discount to our members.
www.stpats24hour.com
10/17/10 Grand Rapids Marathon--Grand Rapids, MI is offering a $7.50 discount. Use the code: 50States www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
10/17/10 Mount Desert Island Marathon--Bar Harbor, ME is
pleased to offer a $15.00 discount
to current 50 States Club Members. Please use discount code: MDI50STATES
when registering online. This discount is being offered only to current 50 States Club
Members who are in good standing* (*have paid all yearly dues or fees as may be required
by their club - WE WILL CHECK.) The discount code may not be used retroactively or in
combination with any other, new or old, discount codes or offers. If the discount code is
used by anyone other than an active 50 States Club Members their registration fee will be
forfeited and they will not be registered to participate in the event. The race committee
reserves the right to reject or accept any entries. The event is strictly capped to the
first 1000 who enter, no exceptions. This special discount offer may end without prior
notice. Register now:
http://www.mdimarathon.org/registration_mdi26.2.html
10/24/10 Wisconsin Dells Marathon--Wisconsin
Dells, WI is offering a $5 discount on active.com. Please use the code: DELLS10
http://www.dellsmarathon.com/
11/06/10 Indianapolis Monumental
Marathon--Indianapolis, IN is offering a discount. Use the discount FUN50Stater
www.monumentalmarathon.com
11/07/10 Manchester City Marathon--Manchester, NH is offering a $10 discount Use code: 50stateclub www.cityofmanchester.com
11/21/10 Gobbler Grind Marathon--Overland Park, KS is offering a $5 discount to members.
www.gobblergrindmarathon.com
1/30/11 Waco Miracle Match Marathon--Waco,
TX is offering a $10 discount. Use the
code: 50texas.
http://mmm.sw.org
3/5/11 Snickers Marathon--Albany, GA is offering a $5 discount. Write 50state
on the mail in application http://www.albanymarathon.com/pdf/regform11.pdf
http://www.albanymarathon.com/
---- Invitations to our members ----
11/21/10 Route 66 Marathon--Tulsa, OK will have a tent for
the 50 staters to have a spot to congregate before and after the marathon. Members
can take lawn chairs, coolers, and other personal items and there will be volunteers to
stay at the tent during the marathon.
www.route66marathon.com
The first three people
from each state who sign up for the Minneapolis Marathon 6/6/10 will
receive a Marathon Performance Running Fleece. Currently they have 37 states registered.
They are also offering a $10 discount for
the first three people from each state that is currently missing. Email Laura at: teamortholaura@gmail.com for the code. For more
information on the 50 State Challenge please go to: http://www.teamortho.us/Minneapolis-Marathon/
The information is towards the bottom of the page.
You can order an autographed copy of Dane
Rauschenberg's book, See Dane Run (order
from Paypal). Or you can order from his blog: www.danerunsalot.blogspot.com
I’d like your help in promoting my autobiography, Running through
My Mind: Confessions of an Every Day Runner. After 105,000+ miles
and (literally) running every day for over 28 years, I think I’ve managed to compile the
complete book of running. From Peachtree to Boston to a ‘run across
Georgia’ to 24-hour endurance runs to Badwater to Western States—I’ve
managed to taste a little bit of everything running has to offer in my quest to cover the
spectrum in my running career (which is still going strong, by the way). I would
appreciate it if you would forward this to the members of your running club as well as
anyone else you believe might be interested or in need of a little motivation, a little
inspiration, and a whole lot of entertainment. Thanks in advance for your
support. -Scott Ludwig Available
now on www.amazon.com
100% of author royalties will be donated to the American Cancer Society and the
American Heart Association in memory of the author's parents.
Kevin Smith with Your Run is looking for marathon stories. If you
have a running story you would like to share, or would like to read other runners'
stories, check out their website.
http://www.yourrun.com/
Bethann Powers is offering 20% off
each item of her "Uniquely Colorful Activewear". www.runningfunky.com
From Fairbanks to Boston - 50 Great U.S. Marathons This book
provides a fun and informative "where to" resource about marathon
experiences. Available for $16.95 (+$4 shipping - US) from dolphinmteam@earthlink.net or
425-226-1518 or 509-966-0188 -Bob&Lenore
Dolphin
Our Life on the Run
This is Marlin Keesler's story of running all 50 states -a six and a half year race across
America that he and his family would embark on - one in which the benefits of travel would
do more for his two children afflicted with a rare learning disorder than any classroom
could offer.
www.ourlifeontherun.com
Heading Toward the Final Finish Line
Book about Rick Karampatsos' run through the 50 states and crossing the many finish
lines throughout life.
602 E. Alexander St. Plant City, FL 33563
$15.99 (free S/H) and copy will be autographed.
http://www.june3rd.com/blogs/