Welcome to my annual anniversary column! Ever since I began penning this column in October 2011, I’ve taken a while annually to mirror again on the 12 months that was and share a bit about what I’ve written right here on this very particular place. I by no means thought when Bryon Powell urged over beers in Virginia in September 2011 that I flip my private weblog right into a weekly column right here on iRunFar that it might be a 13-year (and counting) journey. However right here we’re!
Since final October, we now have printed 40 articles on this area — most months thrice, and some months 4 instances. I’ve had the possibility to share with you ideas and reflections on the goings on within the path and ultrarunning world, and I’m ceaselessly grateful to Bryon and Meghan Hicks for offering me with an area to seek out my voice.
The 12 months 2024 began out with a bang for me, as I made a decision to finish my 34-year profession in training to focus completely on working associated pursuits. After all, I needed to write about it right here in AJW’s Taproom, and this piece from January was actually enjoyable, and a bit scary, to publish.
As I’ve accomplished for the previous a number of years, I’ve been writing a month-to-month sequence right here within the Taproom. This 12 months my focus was on “underneath the radar” races, as I endeavored to rejoice low-key, community-cantered occasions throughout the nation and around the globe. Certainly one of my favorites was the characteristic story I wrote on the Riverlands 100 Mile, Maine’s solely 100-mile race, the place the path neighborhood of that area comes collectively in unimaginable methods to assist a one-of-a-kind occasion.
Runners obtain a pre-race briefing from the co-race administrators. Picture courtesy of Valerie Abradi.
Along with my “underneath the radar” sequence, I additionally determined to launch what’s going to possible be a multi-year-long sequence on “working and getting older.” As an getting older athlete myself, I feel my private experiences within the sport and a number of the issues I’ve realized alongside the best way would possibly show to be useful to others. Since my twelfth anniversary article, I’ve written 5 items on working and getting older, and my favourite one was the one I wrote again in April about constructing consistency. If I might solely give the getting older ultrarunner one piece of recommendation, that will be it. I additionally want to present honorable point out to this one about setting objectives as an older athlete.
After some urging from just a few long-time readers, I revised and re-published my Obsessives Information to the Western States course, and likewise wrote a humorous, and at instances, painful article about working and falling. Lastly, as I do yearly, I launched a set of predictions for 2024, a few of which appear to have come to fruition, and a few of which haven’t. Such is the character of these items.
Right here’s to a different 12 months right here in AJW’s Taproom. Thanks all for studying.
Bottoms up!
The creator at mile seven of the 2024 Mogollon Monster 42k. Picture: Aravaipa Operating
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week is from a Taproom favourite, Stone Brewing Firm in San Diego, California. Stone Buenaveza Salt and Lime Lager is an on the spot traditional in my opinion. A deliciously crispy lager brewed with simply the correct amount of lime and salt that is, to me, the right sizzling climate beer. At 4.7% and with not a little bit of bitterness, this beer is drinkable for almost anybody!
Name for Feedback
What’s been your favourite AJW article this previous 12 months?