Welcome to my annual anniversary column!
Ever since I began penning this column in October of 2011, I’ve taken a while every year to replicate again on the previous 12 months and share a bit about what I’ve written right here, on this very particular place. I by no means thought when Bryon Powell advised over beers in Virginia in September of 2011 that I flip my private weblog right into a weekly column right here on iRunFar that it will be a 14-year (and counting) journey. However, right here we’re!
Since final October, we have now revealed 42 articles on this house. 3 times a month, and generally 4, I’ve had the possibility to share my ideas and reflections on the goings on within the path operating and ultrarunning world, and in my world. I’m ceaselessly grateful to Bryon and Meghan for offering me with an area to seek out and keep my voice.
Meghan, Bryon, and AJW (left to proper) protecting the 2012 Western States 100. Photograph: John Mackey
On an expert word, 2025 was a 12 months of evolution for me. Along with my writing, podcasting, and training, I turned the shop supervisor of Sole Sports activities in Tempe, Arizona. On account of this life change, I discovered myself moved to jot down a number of columns concerning the operating shoe business, together with Lengthy Dwell the Native Run Specialty Retailer, The Runner’s Relationship with Sneakers, and The Golden Age of Path Operating Sneakers is Upon Us.
As I’ve for the previous a number of years, I’ve written a month-to-month sub-series right here within the Taproom. This 12 months my focus was on Legendary Assist Stations, as I profiled a few of the finest assist stations within the path and extremely neighborhood. From an extended record of reader suggestions, I compiled a listing of 11 legendary assist stations, together with Rucky Chucky on the Western States 100 and Kroger’s Canteen on the Hardrock 100.
AJW operating a nighttime part of the 2024 Javelina 100 Mile. Photograph: CTS Ultrarunning
Along with my Legendary Assist Station collection, I additionally continued my occasional collection on operating and getting old. As an getting old athlete myself, I believe my private experiences within the sport and a few of the issues I’ve realized alongside the way in which have been useful to others. From this 12 months’s operating and getting old collection, I significantly loved writing a tribute to my buddy Henry Bickerstaff and a mirrored image on attempting new issues as a seasoned ultrarunner in An Outdated Canine Learns New Tips.
In my very own private operating journey, I accomplished two unbelievable occasions up to now 12 months. First, in October, I returned to the Javelina 100 Mile, 17 years after I first ran it. I wrote about it in Who Says You Can’t Go Dwelling: Operating the 2024 Javelina 100 Mile. Then in Might, I dove into the deep finish and ran the Cocodona 250 Mile for my first 200-plus-mile occasion. I mirrored on that life-changing expertise in As soon as in a Lifetime.
From beers in Virginia in 2011 to the Cocodona 250 Mile in 2025 — Bryon Powell and AJW. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Lastly, as I’ve completed for the previous a number of years, again in January, I launched a set of predictions for 2025, 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.
Celebrating the primary anniversary of AJW’s Taproom on the place of its conception.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Alesong Brewing and Mixing in Eugene, Oregon. Contact of Brett is a hoppy, farmhouse-style ale that straddles the road between bitter and bitter. Brewed within the traditional Saison fashion, Contact of Brett suggestions the scales at a wholesome 6.4 ABV and carries a easy end. Good after a pleasant lengthy day operating on the close by McKenzie River Path.
Name for Feedback
- Do you have got a favourite Taproom piece that resonated with you this 12 months?
- Inform us a few enjoyable AJW expertise or encounter you’ve had!
