[Editor’s Note: This article is part of an occasional series on the unique opportunities and challenges of growing older as a runner. While this article was written prior to the start of the 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile, at the time of publication, the author has about 40 miles to go. iRunFar’s Bryon Powell is with him as a pacer and sent the images for this article from the race course. Go, AJW, we are all so proud of you!]
Twenty-five years ago, I stood on the starting line of my first 100-mile race, the 2000 Angeles Crest 100 Mile in California. I was 32 years old — a young educator and father, a new runner, a “rookie,” as everyone told me I was — and I was scared out of my mind.
As I write this 25 years later, I am a 57-year-old grandfather, a running store manager, and a salt-encrusted veteran runner standing on the starting line of my first 250-mile race. And, like I was 25 years ago, I am scared out of my mind.
As the saying goes, “You never forget your first time.” And I suspect, just like I have never forgotten the 2000 Angeles Crest 100 Mile, I will also never forget the 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile.
The author heading into Sedona, Arizona, at mile 162 on the third day of 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile. All photos: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
A thing I have noticed among my peers as I have gotten older, is that fewer and fewer of them seem willing or able to put themselves in scary situations. Situations in which they might fail, situations that may be embarrassing, or situations that may make them look and feel vulnerable. On the one hand, I can understand why they choose not to take the risk. On the other hand, I look at my own life and say to myself, It is in those situations that I feel most alive!
And so it is that I am here, on the eve of the Cocodona 250 Mile, which will wind its way around the state of Arizona, scared of what the next five days might have in store for me, but also enthralled by the opportunity to learn, to grow — and to get a glimpse into my soul, as even a curmudgeonly 57-year-old needs to do once in a while.
I have done the training. I have previewed the course. I have figured out my nutrition and I have dialed in my gear. I have even figured out how to charge all the devices I need to have along with me for this length of a race. I have an incredible crew to back me up, and a wealth of experience on my side. I have a positive attitude and a will to march my way through. More than that, I am running this race in honor of my dear friend Rob Martin, who passed away suddenly back in November at the age of 54. If all those things aren’t enough to get this old desert dog to face up to fear, I don’t know what is.
I know that the Cocodona 250 Mile will be a grind. I know that there will be ample times for me to quit, to give in to the softer side of my late 50s, times when I will likely tell myself I have nothing left to prove. But, my plan is to face those times head on. I plan to take those times and turn them on their head and, in the end, do that thing that makes me feel most alive. It’s what I’ve been doing since the 2000 Angeles Crest 100 Mile, and I see no reason to stop now.
Bottoms up!
AJW and pacer Bryon Powell, deep into the adventure at the 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile.
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Smelter Town Brewery in Clarkdale, Arizona, about 130 miles into the Cocodona 250 Mile course. Cleopatra Kölsch is a crisp, refreshing authentically German-style beer that is smooth, slightly sweet, and perfect for a salty desert dog like me!
Call for Comments
- When did you last do something that scares you as a runner?
- Or do you have a big scary goal planned?
