Rules And Why We Have Them
An essay on balancing rules and the egalitarian nature of trail and ultrarunning.
Andy Jones-Wilkins
Title: AJW’s Taproom Columnist
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Social Media Links
Expertise
- Topics of Expertise: Trail running, ultrarunning, run coaching
- Amount of Expertise: 22 years trail running, 30 years ultrarunning, and 12 years coaching running, along with more than 500 articles published in the AJW’s Taproom column.
Education & Certifications
- Education: Bachelor of Arts, American Studies, Hamilton College; Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Villanova University
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Years of Professional Experience Relevant to iRunFar: 11 years writing AJW’s Taproom
- Club Memberships: Aravaipa Running, Virginia Happy Trails Running Club, Charlottesville Area Trail Runners Club
- Other Relevant Positions, Current or Past: Senior-level coach with CTS, frequent contributor to Trail Runner Nation Podcast, Koopcast, and the Adventure Jogger podcast.
A Word from Andy Jones-Wilkins
I aim to inspire and motivate others about and through trail running and ultrarunning by providing thoughtful and provocative columns. My personal interests include trail running, ultrarunning, gravel cycling, and pizza making.
Traits Of Successful First-Time 100-Mile Runners
AJW writes about three qualities he sees in successful first-time 100-mile runners.
Running and the Busy Trap
A look at the tendency to over busy ourselves in the modern world and how running can spring us from the “busy trap.”
Dave Mackey And The 2004 Western States 100
AJW looks back to Dave Mackey’s second-place finish at the 2004 Western States 100.
Seventh Annual AJW’s Taproom Year In Ultrarunning Rankings: 2017
The Seventh Annual AJW’s Taproom Year In Ultrarunning Rankings for 2017.
Fact or Fiction? The Ultrarunning Boom And Burnout
AJW anecdotally explores the relationship of the ultrarunning boom and runner burnout.
Lost And Found
One of the most rewarding parts about lingering around the edges of the sport of ultrarunning for a while is […]
Every Friday For Six Years, Really?
AJW reflects on his six years of penning ‘AJW’s Taproom’ column on iRunFar.
Running From Despair
AJW writes about using running as a way to cope with tragic current events around the world.
A Do-It-Yourself 100-Mile Run
AJW writes about running a do-it-yourself 100 miler, not as part of a race.
Finding Your Comfort Zone In The Growth Zone
How to grow by finding your Growth Zone between Panic and Comfort.
Raising Awareness For Public Lands: My 50th Birthday Run
AJW writes about his upcoming run through Shenandoah National Park on the Appalachian Trail.
UTMB Intrigue
AJW compares the intrigue of the 2017 UTMB men’s race with the 2010 Western States men’s race.
Colorado Weekend
AJW writes about three races this week in Colorado, the TransRockies Run, the Leadville Trail 100 Mile, and the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon.
The Art Of Race Management
AJW writes about adaptability as a key to successfully managing a long ultramarathon.
