Hey Reader,

A listener asked us a great question on this week’s pod.

It’s that time of year when people start looking ahead.

So they wanted to know what our 2027 race plans look like.

The timing was perfect because I’d been thinking about it a lot.

I was recently out in California running sections of the course for my next race next month.

A big chunk of one of those runs was on the Western States Trail.

Western States is one of the biggest ultras in the US, a 100 mile race through the mountains and canyons of California

Seeing those trail signs gave me goosebumps.

I remember thinking, “I’m going to run that race one day.”

But you can’t just sign up for something like that.

You have to finish certain races to qualify, and even then, you have to get lucky in a lottery to get a spot.

So when the question came in, I already had a plan taking shape.

📖 What next year looks like

Once I finish my race next month, I’ll put my name in the Western States lottery.

The race is in June, but my chances of getting in next year are almost zero, so I see it as a multi-year project.

But if my name gets pulled in any year, that becomes the focus.

In March, I’m running Big Alta, a 100K trail race in California.

That’s about 62 miles.

I’ve also got my eye on the races in Chamonix, around Mont Blanc.

The big one there is UTMB, probably the most famous trail race in the world.

It’s a 100-mile loop around the mountain, but I want to do the 100K version first.

My coach has won it twice, so that would be a pretty cool project.

To apply, I need to finish a 100K race that counts towards it.

And it turns out there’s one in Wales in July, right when we’re already planning to be there for the month next summer.

Then there’s a race in California in October that gets me points toward Chamonix in 2028.

Comrades, the famous ultra in South Africa, was on my list too.

But next year just doesn’t work with life, so that might be 2029.

❤️ Something to look forward to

Whatever you want next year to hold for you, giving it some thought now makes a real difference.

You get the space to think about what actually matters to you before the year gets busy.

And you get to enjoy the build-up, which is half the fun anyway.

I find having my plans all laid out early really exciting.

There’s no pressure in it.

I just like to know where I’m going and what the next step is.

Every race next year has a reason, and each one brings me a little closer to the big one.

And because it’s planned around family and life, it all fits.

If something changes, like my name getting pulled in the lottery, I’ll adjust.

But I get to walk into the new year with a real sense of direction and something to look forward to.

Running is definitely not the only thing I’m planning for next year, but this is the bit we got into on the pod.

There’s work, family, and a few other things I’m excited about too.

So what does next year look like for you?

Start with the big thing. The one that gives you goosebumps.

Then work backward. What steps get you closer to it?

Check it against your calendar and the people in your life.

And leave room to adjust when things change.

It’s never too early to start thinking about it.

And if you’ve already got goals mapped out, I’m rooting for you.

You’ve got this.

With appreciation,

Huw

P.S. We talked about our plans for next year on this week’s pod.

My co-host shared how she finally broke 3 hours in the marathon, and what it took to get there. I share how my 3-day vision quest went and what I learned, plus loads more fun stuff.

Worth a listen.​

Ep 31. Did Alice go sub-3? P... Oct 20 · Two Average Runners 49:31   ​

Huw Edwards Founder & CEO, h3.xyz​

Our next episode drops on Tuesday

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