History often likes to repeat itself. We banished Birkenstocks, leg warmers, bright neon colors, red lipstick and Full House long ago, yet we’ve happily welcomed them back into pop culture with open arms. If what’s old is new again, then there’s something else I’d like to bring back: Authenticity.

About eight years ago, I stumbled upon the first running blog I ever read. Although I was a long-time runner and fitness enthusiast, I was new to long-distance running. I was catching the bug as most endurance runners do, and I was in awe of several women who wrote about running. Their journeys inspired me and made me think, “Hey, maybe I can do that too.” I learned a lot from those women. I felt connected to them even though I didn’t really know them. As my own running evolved, they admittedly inspired me to start writing about my own experiences in an effort to make a small difference in this corner of the world.

And then something changed.

About 99.5 percent of the time, I stay away from controversial topics here at runladylike.com. I believe running and the running community should focus on positivity, lifting each other up and being supportive. However, I fear I’m headed down a Jerry Maguire moment here. I’m either going to “have you at hello,” or you’re going to send me packing with my goldfish in hand. Thanks in advance for hanging with me for a minute as I share my mini mission statement before stepping back down off the soapbox.

Perhaps companies started realizing how influential bloggers really are. Perhaps people’s lives took different paths and they forgot why they started writing in the first place. Perhaps the temptation of dollar signs was just too good to pass up. Perhaps the invention of Instagram made quick partnerships and sponsored content easier than ever before. Whatever the reason, personal running and fitness Web sites have become overrun with sponsored posts and advertorial-like content that is diluting everything about what made them so great in the first place.

Don’t get me wrong. As a running coach and influencer in the running community, I love testing new products so I can be educated about them and make recommendations to new runners, athletes I coach and our community. In fact, I pride myself on keeping up with the latest running/fitness trends, gadgets and technology and enjoy reviewing products from time-to-time to share with you. But when did this world of running blogging/writing become a 24-hour commercial? When did writers stop being passionate about brands they love and start supporting anyone who would give them a free pair of shoes and a check?

I fear blogging is on the precipice of extinction if something doesn’t change soon … ending up somewhere like the VHS tape, which definitely is not going to make a comeback like some of its 80s counterparts.

I know, I know. I don’t make my living off of running or coaching or this blog. My husband and I both have demanding full-time jobs that more than pay the bills and we don’t yet have children to care for (working on it). I’m not supporting my family with the words I write or the partnerships I engage in like others might be. I get that. But let me ask writers everywhere, do you really believe in what you’re writing about? Would you write about it regardless of if there were no paychecks or free stuff involved? Is it something people who love and follow you want to see when they come to your little piece of the World Wide Web?

Call me idealistic, but lately I’ve been really saddened to see great companies trade Instagram followers for authenticity and great writers trade their authenticity for an extra dollar, a free trip or Web traffic. I fully support the monetization of social influencers and storytelling, but only if it is real. Authentic.

I thought this would be a good time to reflect on how and when I receive compensation and benefits from companies through runladylike.com. I want to be fully transparent with you so you know you are safe here. I’m not going to write content that benefits me at your expense. If you’re like me, it’s hard to tell sometimes.

Coaching: The majority of income I make from runladylike.com is from coaching other runners to achieve their best running selves in half marathons and marathons. It is a true honor to be a part of other people’s running journey, and I’m deeply grateful for the trust these athletes of all abilities place in me. I typically coach no more than three people per season given competing responsibilities. This income has no effect on what I write or share with you, unless I’m inspired by lessons from my athletes or their questions spur the need to share answers more broadly.

Long-Term Partnerships: I have long-term, ongoing partnerships with two companies: Brooks Running and ClassPass. I’m in a love affair with these two companies because I engage with their products/offerings almost every single day. Brooks Running is my favorite running brand on the planet. I love their products, their people and their message. I was writing about them and how their products helped me achieve my running goals long before I ever became one of their Run Happy Ambassadors. Almost all the running gear I own is from Brooks, and I strive to wear their products from head to toe as much as possible. You will rarely see me dressed in other running clothes with the exception of yoga/strength training gear and/or compression gear I love from other companies. I do not own any running shoes that were not made by Brooks. Period. We partner throughout the year on various content topics, I test products each month and I receive a yearly stipend I re-invest back into running and this Web site. What that means for you as a reader is that I often share what I think about new Brooks gear or shoes, and the team inspires me to write about various running-related topics that are interesting for us to think about.

On the ClassPass side, I share my adventures at studios I attend on Instagram and here on runladylike.com on a monthly basis, mostly with photos. From time to time, they send me surprise care packages and offer fun opportunities, but the only financial benefit I now receive is $25 off the membership I personally pay for when people join using my special link.

Advertising and Affiliate Links: I make a few pennies from the two advertisements on my side bar (to the right). I also make a small commission when I choose to link to products I talk about on Amazon and BrooksRunning.com when you make a purchase on their sites as a result. Trust me, I can barely afford a trip to the grocery store with this income.

Free Gear/Sponsored Content: Ahhh … the elephant in the room and the disdain of this post. I receive pitches and requests from companies all the time to test products and/or engage in sponsored content. You would be horrified by some of the things I get pitched and amazed at how many opportunities I turn down or delete. I actually no longer accept compensation to test or feature products. If it is a product that I would use in my daily/weekly workout/health regimen, would consider purchasing myself and would talk about naturally, I will accept the opportunity to receive and test a product. This includes things like apparel, running gadgets, running accessories, fuel and nutritious food products. I make no promises to write or share about it unless I really love it, and even then I don’t commit to when or how I will write about it (if I ever do). If you ask me about something, I will be 100 percent honest with you on the blog, social media or via email. Through weekly training recaps and series like my Runner’s Report Card (where I do give tough reviews), I let you know what I think about products I test.

And there you have it. Please consider taking a stand and joining me in being authentic. Don’t settle – not as a reader or as a writer. Be true to you and true to the run. Remember why you read what you read and write what you write. Let’s bring authenticity back. xo

Now, I want to know what you think. Did I “have you at hello” or are you sending me packing?