Han Van Meegerin Interviews Tamara McRill

I thought the race was a really cool, fun and motivational idea. I was curious to see which contributors would participate.

2. When the page view race started, what did you expect your chances to be in winning the Race to 50,000 Page Views: #1?

Honestly, I was 75% sure I would win. I started out ahead of everyone else, so I had an advantage. That said, I knew there was a possibility that someone could really step it up and unseat me. I think I would like to see where I stack up against the contributors who place second and third, before I consider it a true win.

3. You won the Race to 50,000 Page Views: #1, leading from wire to wire. Did you have doubts on the road to victory?

Oh, there were some doubts! When Kayla busted out with a huge page view update, I wondered if her page views would go viral and leave me eating her dust. The same when Jennifer had some awesome updates. It made me very aware that someone could get astronomical page views and win overnight.

4. When the Race to 50,000 Page Views: #1 began, how did you think you would fare in the total page views for the contest period?

I wasn't too sure how I would stack up on this one. Everyone started at zero page views for this part of the contest, with no advantages. I think whoever wins in total page views would have the bigger accomplishment.

5. Who do you predict will come in 2nd and 3rd place in the race to 50,000 page views: #1?

I really don't know. It is a bunch of great contributors competing and any update could bring a new surprise leader.

6. What do you predict will be the order of finish for the top three spots for the total page views for the entire contest period?

This is also still wide open. The leader positions have jockeyed more on this aspect of the race.

7. Did you find it fun to participate in the page view race?

This really is fun for me. It made me notice some fellow contributors that I may not have otherwise. AC has a really diverse talent pool and it is interesting to see it in action.

8. Did you find it motivational to participate in the page view race?

Extremely motivational. I'm very competitive. Even though I'm crazy busy with other parts of my life, it made me take the time to submit content. Maybe not near as much as I had planned on doing, but I think it would have been less, if I didn't have the race to motivate me.

9. Did you think that the slideshow updates were informative and helpful?

Nothing lets you know where you stand, like cold hard numbers! It helped me focus on how much better I needed to perform (and still do) to win. For example, knowing exactly how far I was behind Kayla in total page views helped me set daily goals to catch up. Of course, by the time I managed that, Jennifer passed me by! Time to form a new set of goals.

10. Did you think that the narrative updates were enjoyable to read and helpful?

I really liked the narrative. I pictured us all as race horses, trying to make it to the finish. It added to the entertainment value of the race, for me.

11. Did you think the race succeeded in its attempt to promote friendly and supportive competition or do you feel like the race turned out to be a cut throat competition that became hostile and negative?

It was definitely a friendly and supportive competition! I noticed a lot of contributors cheering each other on and offering words of encouragement to those they had just passed up.

12. What can you say about the other Associated Content Contributor's in the race?

They are a great bunch! It is one thing to have your numbers displayed on your account page, where you kind of think no one is keeping track. It is quite another to have your progress listed, for the express purpose of everyone tracking your progress. That takes some guts and belief in yourself.

13. Are you glad that you are participating in the Race to 100,000 Page Views: #1?

Yes. For me, 100,000 page views is a huge undertaking. I can see the positive experience of this race helping me out in that one.

13. Do you think it is likely or unlikely that you will participate in any other page view races?

I definitely think I would participate again. After all, you do the hard part! I just have to set goals and keep writing.

14. Would you recommend to other Associated Content Contributors that they participate in page view races?

Yes, I would. Especially if they are in a rut or want to see how they are doing, compared to other contributors in their current page view range. It is fun, painless and may just inspire you to do better.

15. Are there any other comments that you would like to make regarding Race to 50,000 Page Views: #1?

I would just like to thank you, Han, for doing this. I know you have put in a lot of time and effort for these races. Slide show problems have doubled the amount of work you had planned on doing and I think it is commendable that you kept up with everything. I think it speaks highly of your level of community involvement on AC.

Oh, and good luck to everyone still competing!