AJW’s ideas on staying within the sport, even when previous one’s aggressive peak. 
“As athletes, we have now a troublesome selection: We will exit the game in peak type, strolling away from competitors on the peak of our powers. Or we will stay within the sport long-term, occupying competitors in softer varieties. We will deteriorate in public view. I select the latter.” — Sabrina Little in her new Substack newsletter.
A decade in the past, I used to be about 20 miles into the 2014 Western States 100, when a runner whom I didn’t know got here up alongside me and quipped, “AJW, is that you simply? What are you doing all the best way again right here with us?”
I used to be operating my tenth and remaining Western States 100. I used to be 46 years previous, and I used to be clearly not operating as quick as some folks anticipated me to. The remark made me pause, and within the second, I didn’t actually know find out how to reply.
“You understand, that is my final Western States 100, I’m simply taking it straightforward at this time,” I mumbled as they moved on forward of me.
For the following a number of hours I dwelled on the remark. Did they assume I ought to be operating sooner? Did they really feel sorry for me? Was there one thing mistaken with me?
The writer racing the 2011 Western States 100 within the M9 bib, through the years of his aggressive peak. All photographs courtesy of Andy Jones-Wilkins.
The reality was and is that I used to be slowing down — “deteriorating,” if you’ll, and it was on full public show to anybody who cared to note. I didn’t give it some thought on the time, however at that second I had a option to make — to stroll off into the sundown or preserve grinding.
Over time, we have now seen numerous aggressive runners come and go. Extremely gifted athletes who’ve, in Sabrina’s phrases, chosen to stroll away from the game on the peak of their powers. For me, when my decline grew to become evident, I noticed I had no real interest in doing that.
I didn’t enter the game for the joys of competitors or of successful, and I used to be actually not going to exit the game when these days had been gone.
However, making that selection shouldn’t be all the time straightforward. My tempo, lately, is extra labored and gradual. My type, which has by no means been all that good, shouldn’t be an image of effectivity and beauty. And my outcomes, actually, are a lot slower than they had been earlier than.
AJW snaps a fast selfie on a newer run with Bryon Powell.
At occasions I see folks taking a look at me surprisingly, nearly with a little bit of pity of their eyes, maybe questioning why I’m nonetheless doing this in any case these years, and doing it with a lot much less aptitude than I as soon as did.
The straightforward fact is, I adore it an excessive amount of to go away it. Whereas wins and fancy awards are far again within the rearview mirror, my pleasure for the game, my love of the neighborhood, and the hopeful exuberance that lengthy distance operating brings me is as alive in me than it’s ever been.
I actually don’t blame others who select to stroll away, however as for me, I’ll proceed to “deteriorate in public view.”
Bottoms up!
This week’s beer of the week comes from Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dirty Bastard Scotch Style Ale is a wealthy, darkish Scotch ale brewed within the basic custom. Weighing in at 8.5% ABV, it’s fairly robust but additionally remarkably easy and creamy. An amazing beer for a chilly winter’s evening.
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Andy Jones-Wilkins is an educator by day and has been the writer of AJW’s Taproom at iRunFar for over 11 years. A veteran of over 190 ultramarathons, together with 38 100-mile races, Andy has run among the most well-known ultras in the USA. Of explicit word are his 10 finishes on the Western States 100, which included 7 occasions ending within the prime 10. Andy lives together with his spouse, Shelly, and Josey, the canine, and is the proud guardian of three sons, Carson, Logan, and Tully.
