2024 in Hindsight
Looking back at the two key points of the past year
Optimism isn’t always my strength, but as each year ends I usually find myself thinking, “That was the best year yet.” Additionally, I almost always look forward to the next year, believing it will somehow top the last. Of course, sometimes “best” or “better” just means different—adapting to changes, finding fulfillment in them, and redefining what makes a year meaningful. Looking back on 2024, two big things stand out as important and unique compared to other years.
Signing with Sponsors
At the start of 2024, I signed a contract to run with Nike. Running professionally was never a goal or a driving force behind why I race, but the level of support I’ve received from Nike and Precision has been transformative. Suddenly, trail running and racing no longer felt entirely selfish. What was once a personal passion now provides additional income for our family and gives us a compelling, financially supported reason to travel to some of the most amazing places.
Morgan, my wife and biggest supporter, has played a key role in making all of this work. Whether acting as crew chief during races or facilitating all the work needed behind the scenes to get ready for those races, she’s been amazing. I’ve also been surprised by how rewarding it’s been to contribute to product testing and development. There’s something satisfying about trying out a prototype, offering feedback, and seeing the next iteration incorporate those suggestions.
I’d worried that signing a sponsorship deal might change my relationship with running, making it feel less fun or pure. In some ways, I was right—it has changed my relationship with running. But the change has been positive. There’s a new kind of joy in pushing myself harder, in finding a balance between structured training and playing outside. I’ve accomplished things this year I didn’t think were possible for me, and that’s thanks in large part to the support of my sponsors.
The Bigger Surprise
The second major change of 2024 came in August, just two weeks before CCC. Morgan and I were in Chamonix, and we decided to climb Mont Blanc overnight. After summiting, we slept the rest of the day away. The next morning, a little blue line and a stick with the word “Enceinte” on it got my heart racing even faster than Mont Blanc had. Pregnant.
While Morgan has always been excited about becoming a parent, I wasn’t in a rush. Life lately has felt so perfect—so full of freedom, adventure, and connection—that I wasn’t eager to see it change. But in that moment, staring at the pregnancy test, I felt my excitement begin to grow.
This year, we’ve spent more time with close friends and family who are raising young kids. Tyler and Rachel with Lewis, Katie and Anthony with Piper, Finn and Jules with Sloan, Frannie and Aubrey with Theo—they’ve shown us that you can embrace parenthood without sacrificing the things you love. They’re still social, still running at a high level, still balancing work.
One moment they’re breastfeeding, then the next moment they’re destroying me at pickleball. I’ve seen them seamlessly transition from walking their kid around an arcade to bowling strikes, or from a 12-hour ICU shift to meeting friends for tacos with a kid in their lap. It’s not easy, but it’s intentional. And it looks rewarding. Watching them has made me more ready to step into this new chapter.
Looking Ahead to 2025
I know 2025 will be very different from 2024, but I’m looking forward to it. There are plenty of things I hope won’t change much, and I don’t think they will. The changes that are coming will push me out of my comfort zone, but that’s often where I realize I’m capable of more than I thought.
One thing that won’t change is we still have a fun race calendar lined up… more on that coming soon.