Earlier this month I had the chance to run my first ultramarathon since October 2021. As a consequence of a mix of accidents and life transitions, I had merely not been capable of toe the road in an extremely for over two and half years.
That each one modified after I signed up for the Black Canyon 60k right here in Arizona on February 11. Going into the occasion I knew I’d be sluggish, however I actually didn’t care. I used to be getting again out on the path and doing what I liked and that’s all that mattered.
The day went very properly. My injured components behaved, and my spirit remained excessive all through the day. Impeccable Arizona climate mixed with the splendidly optimistic vibes of the native working group crammed my coronary heart with pleasure and made me lengthy for the subsequent time I may get on the market.
Andy Jones-Wilkins racing the 2024 Black Canyon 60k. Photograph: Adam Ferdinandson
Reflections on Adjustments
Within the days following the occasion, as I typically do, I mirrored on the day. Particularly, I thought of how issues had modified on the earth of extremely path working over time. Most notably, since my place within the pack has modified so dramatically — the previous 15 years has seen me go from a entrance of the packer to a again of the packer.
I thought of not solely my expertise however the expertise of these round me. In that context, after the race I posted the next commentary to social media:
“An commentary at present after finishing my first extremely in three years: this present era spends method an excessive amount of time at assist stations. It’s virtually like they like the help stations to the precise race. Am I unsuitable?”
The response to this put up was each informative and thought-provoking. A couple of veteran ultrarunners identified to me that maybe prolonged assist station breaks have all the time been part of the game, it’s simply that I’ve by no means seen them till just lately since I used to be all the time dashing ahead within the entrance of the pack.
A couple of others identified that as increasingly newcomers have come to the game, they’ve carried out so for various causes and with completely different targets. Particularly, one considerate commenter jogged my memory that extra individuals are coming to those occasions for the easy purpose of getting a particular expertise.
They’re much less involved with ending time and extra involved with sharing the path with a bunch of likeminded individuals in a phenomenal place, so spending further time consuming meals and chatting with the volunteers has, for some, turn out to be important to the expertise.
Instructing an Previous Canine New Tips
As a veteran of the game who has typically, and justifiably so, been accused of being a little bit of a curmudgeon, I really feel as if I realized a beneficial lesson on this episode. Regardless that I’ve skilled the game a sure method over the previous 30 years, that doesn’t imply everybody else has skilled it that method.
In truth, it might be the breadth and depth of the experiences of long-distance path working that make the game so nice and retains the individuals coming again.
Lucy Bartholomew (proper) racing the 2024 Black Canyon 100k, with Abby Corridor (left) pacing her. Photograph: Bryce Brooks
As I look forward to my subsequent extremely, I’m nonetheless unsure I can abandon my “get in, get out” method to assist stations, however I definitely won’t sit in judgment of those that do select to profit from the expertise, and I could study a factor or two alongside the best way. Possibly you actually can train an previous canine new methods!
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Nice Basin Brewing Firm in Reno, Nevada. Solar Smack’d Blood Orange Blonde Ale is a scrumptious, fruit enhanced blonde ale excellent for a put up run thirst quencher. Brewed with actual blood oranges and a tiny trace of vanilla Solar Smack’d actually is, just like the brewer says, “infinite summer season in a can.”
Name for Feedback
- What’s your method to assist stations?
- Do you wish to get out and in in as little time as attainable, or hang around and take in the ambiance?
