I keep in mind it prefer it was yesterday. Standing on the beginning line of my first 100-mile race, the Angeles Crest 100 Mile in 2000. I used to be a seething bundle of feelings; pleasure, worry, pleasure, and nervousness coursed by means of my physique. For the primary time in my life, I used to be plunging into the entire unknown and I had no concept what to anticipate. I simply needed to belief in my coaching and hope for one of the best.
Immediately, over 23 years later, I’m as soon as once more a seething bundle of feelings; pleasure, worry, pleasure, and nervousness are coursing by means of my physique. However this time, I’m not standing on the beginning line of a 100-mile race, relatively I’m standing on the beginning line of a brand new life journey. And identical to all these years in the past, I’ve to belief in my coaching and hope for one of the best.
AJW operating his do-it-yourself 100 miler in 2017. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Final month, after ending my 67th semester as an educator, I hopped in my automotive and drove away from the schoolyard for the final time. After 34 years, I’ve determined to maneuver on from my profession in schooling and transition full-time into operating associated ventures. It’s the place my ardour is, the place my pleasure is, and the place I really feel I can dwell my most purposeful life. In essence, operating is not only one thing I do, it’s who I’m.
Earlier this week I plunged headfirst into my new life. My plan at this level is to mix my endurance teaching follow at CTS with my writing right here at iRunFar and my private podcast, “Crack a Brew with AJW,” to cobble collectively a dwelling.
As well as, I hope to develop a sequence of operating camps in my beloved Sonoran Desert right here within the U.S., enhance my involvement with the Mountain Outpost livestream crew, and return to work on the ebook that’s been banging round in my head for over a decade.
Briefly, as my youngsters mentioned after I advised them, I’m going to “ship it!”
Like that first 100 miler 23 years in the past, I believe this new journey could have its ups and downs. I’ll in all probability go astray a number of occasions, get sick to my abdomen, and make a number of poor choices which can lead me astray. However I even have religion that with focus, expertise, and laborious work, I’ll evolve and develop.
Moreover, now not being tied to the educational calendar that has primarily dominated nearly all of my grownup life, I shall be given the reward of time. Time for my very own operating, time for my household and buddies, and time to spend at races throughout the nation and maybe world wide, one thing that has supplied me with a few of the biggest reminiscences of my life.
AJW and his son Tully after the 2021 Bighorn Path 100 Mile. Picture: Shelly Jones-Wilkins
As 2024 dawns I sit up for seeing a lot of you on the market on the paths and on the races. I sit up for sharing my journey with you, and in addition listening to about yours. At a time of life when many of us are starting to wind down, I’m excitedly getting ready to wind up, and I couldn’t be extra thrilled. Let’s do that!
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Alpine Beer Firm in Alpine, California. Based in 1999, Alpine produces one of many broadest number of IPAs within the nation. Infinite Haze IPA is Alpine’s New England fashion providing and it’s excellent. Crisp, wealthy, and with only a trace of bitterness, Infinite Haze combines old style and new college nearly completely.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever gone by means of a giant profession change like this?
- Do you might have any suggestions or recommendation for AJW to ease the transition?
