Earlier this month I had the chance to run my first ultramarathon since October 2021. Attributable to a mix of accidents and life transitions, I had merely not been in a position to 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 might be sluggish, however I actually didn’t care. I used to be getting again out on the path and doing what I beloved and that’s all that mattered.
The day went very nicely. My injured components behaved, and my spirit remained excessive all through the day. Impeccable Arizona climate mixed with the splendidly constructive vibes of the native operating neighborhood stuffed my coronary heart with pleasure and made me lengthy for the subsequent time I might get on the market.
Andy Jones-Wilkins racing the 2024 Black Canyon 60k. Picture: Adam Ferdinandson
Reflections on Adjustments
Within the days following the occasion, as I usually do, I mirrored on the day. Particularly, I thought of how issues had modified on this planet of extremely path operating 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 statement to social media:
“An statement immediately after finishing my first extremely in three years: this present technology spends approach an excessive amount of time at support stations. It’s virtually like they like the help stations to the precise race. Am I fallacious?”
The response to this publish was each informative and thought-provoking. A couple of veteran ultrarunners identified to me that maybe prolonged support 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 accomplished 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 objective 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 gorgeous place, so spending further time consuming meals and chatting with the volunteers has, for some, grow to be important to the expertise.
Instructing an Previous Canine New Methods
As a veteran of the game who has usually, and justifiably so, been accused of being a little bit of a curmudgeon, I really feel as if I discovered a beneficial lesson on this episode. Although I’ve skilled the game a sure approach over the previous 30 years, that doesn’t imply everybody else has skilled it that approach.
In actual fact, it might be the breadth and depth of the experiences of long-distance path operating 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. Picture: Bryce Brooks
As I sit up for my subsequent extremely, I’m nonetheless undecided I can abandon my “get in, get out” strategy to help stations, however I actually won’t sit in judgment of those that do select to benefit from the expertise, and I could study a factor or two alongside the best way. Perhaps 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 good for a publish run thirst quencher. Brewed with actual blood oranges and a tiny trace of vanilla Solar Smack’d actually is, just like the brewer says, “limitless summer time in a can.”
Name for Feedback
- What’s your strategy to help stations?
- Do you wish to get out and in in as little time as attainable, or hang around and take in the ambiance?
