Welcome to my annual anniversary column! Ever since I started writing this column in October 2011, I have taken some time each year to reflect back on the year that was and share a bit about what I’ve written here in this very special place. I never thought when Bryon Powell suggested over beers in Virginia in September 2011 that I turn my personal blog into a weekly column here on iRunFar that it would be a 13-year (and counting) journey. But here we are!
Since last October, we have published 40 articles in this space — most months three times, and a few months four times. I have had the chance to share with you thoughts and reflections on the goings on in the trail and ultrarunning world, and I am forever grateful to Bryon and Meghan Hicks for providing me with a space to find my voice.
The year 2024 started out with a bang for me, as I decided to end my 34-year career in education to focus exclusively on running related pursuits. Of course, I had to write about it here in AJW’s Taproom, and this piece from January was really fun, and a bit scary, to publish.
As I have done for the past several years, I have been writing a monthly series here in the Taproom. This year my focus was on “under the radar” races, as I endeavored to celebrate low-key, community-cantered events across the country and around the world. One of my favorites was the feature story I wrote on the Riverlands 100 Mile, Maine’s only 100-mile race, where the trail community of that region comes together in incredible ways to support a one-of-a-kind event.
Runners receive a pre-race briefing from the co-race directors. Photo courtesy of Valerie Abradi.
In addition to my “under the radar” series, I also decided to launch what will likely be a multi-year-long series on “running and aging.” As an aging athlete myself, I think my personal experiences in the sport and some of the things I have learned along the way might prove to be helpful to others. Since my 12th anniversary article, I have written five pieces on running and aging, and my favorite one was the one I wrote back in April about building consistency. If I could only give the aging ultrarunner one piece of advice, that would be it. I also need to give honorable mention to this one about setting goals as an older athlete.
After some urging from a few long-time readers, I revised and re-published my Obsessives Guide to the Western States course, and also wrote a funny, and at times, painful article about running and falling. Finally, as I do every year, I released a set of predictions for 2024, some of which seem to have come to fruition, and some of which have not. Such is the nature of these things.
Here’s to another year here in AJW’s Taproom. Thank you all for reading.
Bottoms up!
The author at mile seven of the 2024 Mogollon Monster 42k. Photo: Aravaipa Running
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week is from a Taproom favorite, Stone Brewing Company in San Diego, California. Stone Buenaveza Salt and Lime Lager is an instant classic in my view. A deliciously crispy lager brewed with just the right amount of lime and salt this is, to me, the perfect hot weather beer. At 4.7% and with not a bit of bitterness, this beer is drinkable for just about anyone!
Call for Comments
What’s been your favorite AJW article this past year?
