What people read says much about them. It’s one of those things that’s not significantly influenced by others. It’s an individual preference that, when looked at as a whole, provides some insight into the thinking of the person. In general, especially from a periodical point of view, I think people read about topics that are parallel to their own views. They want to learn more about and see what other people with the same interests have to say. I know this applies to me.
My magazine subscriptions are few but the ones (ok, one) that I pay for, I’m very loyal to. I’ve had a subscription to Runners World for many years and have no plan to end it anytime soon. Runners World is the core magazine for runners. It contains information about food, special interest, real people, training, shoes and various other topics. Occasionally, I’ll think it has too much information for beginning runners, but the other information is just too good for me to stop reading. It’s the one magazine I read from cover to cover every month.
A long time runner friend recently purchased a subscription to Trail Runner magazine for me. In the past several years, I have been doing predominantly trail running and really enjoy the relative solitude of being off road. A big positive for Trail Runner is that it focuses less on beginner runners and more on places and trail races. I can see it becoming another magazine that I will move into my every month reading list.
If you’ve ever been in an airport about to board a several hour flight and are looking for a good read in the newstand, what do you buy? You’ve already got your “go to” magazines in your bag and are looking for something else… I know I tend to migrate to the either the business or science sections. Scientific American is always good to learn something new. But, I have to be awake to pay attention to this one. Though I love the magazine and the topics it covers, sometimes I don’t want to think so much on an airplane. The Economist is another favorite of mine but again – I need to be awake to read this one. My default if I want general information without needing to put much effort into it is USA Today. The articles are general and it keeps me up to date on current events.
What does this say about me – Runners World, Trail Runner, Scientific American, Economist and USA Today? Not sure, but maybe it says something that none of these magazines have anything to do with my what my every day job is. I wonder if I’m an anomaly or mainstream from that point of view.
Grand Masters Running 