Welcome to my annual anniversary column! Ever since I began scripting this column in October 2011, I’ve taken a while every year to replicate again on the yr 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 could be a 13-year (and counting) journey. However right here we’re!
Since final October, we now have revealed 40 articles on this house — most months 3 times, and some months 4 instances. I’ve had the prospect to share with you ideas and reflections on the goings on within the path and ultrarunning world, and I’m eternally grateful to Bryon and Meghan Hicks for offering me with an area to search out my voice.
The yr 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. In fact, 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 performed for the previous a number of years, I’ve been writing a month-to-month sequence right here within the Taproom. This yr my focus was on “below the radar” races, as I endeavored to have a good time low-key, community-cantered occasions throughout the nation and all over the world. One among my favorites was the characteristic story I wrote on the Riverlands 100 Mile, Maine’s solely 100-mile race, the place the path group 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 “below the radar” sequence, I additionally determined to launch what is going to doubtless be a multi-year-long sequence on “working and growing old.” As an growing old athlete myself, I feel my private experiences within the sport and a few of the issues I’ve discovered alongside the best way may show to be useful to others. Since my twelfth anniversary article, I’ve written 5 items on working and growing old, and my favourite one was the one I wrote again in April about constructing consistency. If I might solely give the growing old ultrarunner one piece of recommendation, that might be it. I additionally want to offer honorable point out to this one about setting objectives as an older athlete.
After some urging from a number of 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 this stuff.
Right here’s to a different yr right here in AJW’s Taproom. Thanks all for studying.
Bottoms up!
The writer at mile seven of the 2024 Mogollon Monster 42k. Picture: Aravaipa Working
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 basic for my part. A deliciously crispy lager brewed with simply the correct amount of lime and salt that is, to me, the proper sizzling climate beer. At 4.7% and with not a little bit of bitterness, this beer is drinkable for nearly anybody!
Name for Feedback
What’s been your favourite AJW article this previous yr?