Meet the Editor

Hi! If we haven't met already, it's a pleasure to meet you. My journey with Crow Athletics started a few years back when I joined a few fellow crazies and woke up in the wee hours of the morning to run the New Year's Day Boston Marathon, from Main Street in Hopkinton, to Boylston Street in Boston. This is where I first met Gary Allen of Crow Athletics, the visionary behind the event, and shortly thereafter, became a member of the club. It always brings me great joy to yell “CAW!” whenever I come across other club members out on the road and trail, and even though we may at first appear as strangers to one another, we are all members of a close knit but far reaching community, and can call one another family. This in and of itself is incredibly special. In creating this newsletter for Crow Athletics, I hope to continue to build upon this community of ours, strengthening the connections we all have with one another, and finding new ways to better appreciate all of the unique and diverse individuals who create this beautiful family. For me, running has been a part of my life from the very beginning, and has become an integral part of who I am and how I define myself. Running has been the avenue through which I approach many of life's questions, and in my explorations, I've learned so much, not only about life but about myself as an individual. From the magnificent places I’ve traveled, to the remarkable individuals I’ve met along the way, running has opened so many windows of opportunity I have been eager to accept. Writing As the Crow Flies is just one more of these opportunities, and I appreciate the chance to share my love for running with all of you.

Issue 24 | December 2, 2020

By Patrick Caron

When I started dreaming up both As the Crow Flies and The CAW, I had no idea how important these platforms would become in my life, nor did I anticipate how much time and energy would be put into them. Not only do they take a lot of care to curate, but they also give back to me in the ways in which they inspire personal reflection. Especially when reading and editing contributions for the blog, I find myself falling into contemplation, drawn by the musings on the page before me. I feel so much gratitude towards all the contributors for their willingness to ponder their thoughts and their lives intentionally and their strength in sharing these reflections with others. The work of self reflection is endless, essential, and a beautiful gift we can give ourselves. It allows us to exist with intention and grants us the opportunity to ask of ourselves meaningful questions about how we want to interact with the world. These are questions we never have to stop asking, either. Life is constantly changing, as are we… Read More➝

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Issue 23 | November 2, 2020

By Patrick Caron

The temperature has been dropping, and my daily morning runs have gone from relatively cool, to downright chilly. Even though the change has been gradual, it’s sometimes startling when I step out the door and begin my run, cheeks rosy and fingers searching for layers in which to hide. The frosty air gives me an extra pep in my step, ushering me onward in order to avoid the cold encompassing my body. The trails I explore have become rivers of leaves, which crunch and rustle with the many other sounds of the forest. There’s a beauty to the ways in which the landscapes we are familiar with transform and become something new… Read More➝

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Issue 22 | October 20, 2020

By Patrick Caron

This past weekend would have been the Ghost Train 100 in Brookline, New Hampshire. Like many events this year, it was, unfortunately (but wisely) canceled, with the hopes of keeping folks safe as we all work together to navigate our way through this pandemic. It's sad not being out there sharing miles with friends and strangers, high fiving one another, pursue our own individual goals while sharing in each other's journeys, but I know we will be back to those days soon enough. This race remains special to me for so many reasons, and I've been reflecting on my relationship with the Ghost Train 100 a bit this past couple of days, thinking about what keeps me coming back… Read More➝

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Issue 21 | October 12, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Recently, my friend and I were engaged in a discussion about identity. What does it mean to call ourselves runners? What does it mean for someone else to call us a runner? Is there a distinction between these two statements? How do we find and create our identities on our own, especially when we are continually influenced by those around us? There is an essence within each of us that is who we are. And this essence is like a through line in a story; no matter what happens in the story, there will always exist this one constant… Read More➝

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Issue 20 | October 5, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Sometimes, our lives can feel like a constant barrage of problems that we are trying to navigate, and it takes everything to just make it through the day without being consumed by our stress. In times like these, I seek the trails. The splendors of trail running have as much to do with the relative remoteness of the wooded, leaf-covered trails I weave through, as it has to do with its ability in allowing us to transcend ourselves. Running through parks, meadows, forests, and mountains allows our senses to roam free and clears our mind of the minor and major stresses of everyday life. In my solitude, as my feet spring across the wooden planks of a boardwalk, I am left with time to think, process, and engage in introspection, in order to experience self-awareness and make sense of reality... Read More➝

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Issue 19 | September 28, 2020

By Patrick Caron

This past week brought the start of a new season: autumn! The crispness of the air, the acorns scattered across the ground, the leaves starting to show their brilliant colors, and the pine needles carpeting the trails are all signs of fall’s arrival. There are changes and transitions happening all around us, in the natural world, and in our personal worlds as well. When the environments around us shift, we will find our bodies and minds react, sometimes with tenseness in regard to the change, and sometimes with excitement. Let us try our best to embrace these transitions as opportunities for new beginnings... Read More➝

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Issue 18 | September 21, 2020

By Patrick Caron

In this morning’s post on our blog, The CAW, we share a story about how one woman immersed herself in the world of running, giving herself permission and opening up to the vast possibilities that lay before her. I think it is important in life not to let ourselves be held back by both the voices of others, as well as our own inner voices, telling us we’re not capable, not ready, not good enough... Read More➝

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Issue 17 | September 14, 2020

By Patrick Caron

This past weekend I headed down to the local track in the early hours of the morning and proceeded to run a marathon. It was an opportunity to test my mental strength and to practice patience. Practicing patience is a way of accepting the moment for how it is, and through realizing its challenges, coming to experience its gifts: the mountains on the horizon, the sunlight glinting off the trees, the pitter patter of my feet hitting the track in a steady and comforting rhythm, and the ability to move my body freely and with joy... Read More➝

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Issue 16 | September 7, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Throughout the past few months, I’ve found myself drawn into and captivated by several jigsaw puzzles that lie on the shelves of my bookcase or that have been lent to me by friends. There’s something so rewarding about the experience of puzzling, and I’ve been enjoying spending the spare moments of my day chipping away at whatever puzzle lays before me... Read More➝

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Issue 15 | August 31, 2020

By Patrick Caron

The other day I embarked on a scavenger hunt around the city of Portland, Maine, and boy, what a blast it was! One of the items on my list to take pictures of was nature, and there was such a variety of finds. From the bees nest hanging from a tree in between the red brick apartment buildings to the sculpture of a flower in the Institute of Contemporary Art's window, there was nature everywhere to be found… Read More➝

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Issue 14 | August 24, 2020

By Patrick Caron

I hope your week’s off to a good start! This summer has brought me to many new networks of trails, one of which is Camden Hills State Park in Camden, Maine. I’ve really been enjoying exploring this spot with its many peaks and scenic vistas. Whenever I’m out on an adventure there, I find myself being reminded of other similar places I’ve run: Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, with its rock hopping mountains and incredible ocean views; the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where you feel the wildness of nature all around you and the expansiveness of the landscape; Vermont, with its rolling fields and rugged terrain; and even the Pacific Northwest, with it’s grandiose, towering trees, misty forests, and magical atmosphere that envelops you as soon as you step inside… Read More➝

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Issue 13 | August 17, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Welcome to a new day! Have you felt the call to adventure recently? In today’s issue of As the Crow Flies, we share two new posts from The CAW about how some friends of ours have answered that call. Although we often associate adventure with travel, it’s important to remember that we don’t have to go far to discover it. Adventure exists in our everyday lives and in the mindsets we embody. In adventure, we find challenge, we find happiness, and we find reward. The accompanying newness, curiosity, and a certain amount of unknown possibility excite us… Read More➝

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Issue 12 | August 10, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Whether you’ve been finding time to explore new places, or are sticking closer to home, there’s plenty of fulfillment and excitement to be found in the long days of summer. When I visit new places, I will often find myself thinking about how the environment would suit itself as a home for runners. What would be the go-to training routes? Where would I go for hills? What about speedwork? Are there any running clubs that meet nearby? How about the proximity of running stores? What is the surrounding community and culture like?… Read More➝

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Issue 11 | August 3, 2020

By Patrick Caron

I hope this week’s newsletter finds you well! We welcome in a new week, which brings with it new joys and challenges. It might even be that some of those challenges are what bring us the joys. For many individuals, running does just that. Along with the profound joy it brings me, running has become the answer to any confusion, to any problem, to any question of existence I face. Sometimes, I take a moment to wonder why that is. As fellow runner Nicole Morton puts it, “The run means freedom, It means pride. It means perseverance. It means victory. The run means everything.” Yet, it doesn’t have to… Read More➝

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Issue 10 | July 27, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Good morning and thank you for joining me this Monday morning with the latest issue of As the Crow Flies. Recently, I’ve been thinking about the word vulnerability and my own relationship to it. When you read the word, what does it make you think? How does it make you feel? Do you experience a warmth and openness or a sense of fear and closure? Are you welcoming the emotions or shying away from them?… Read More➝

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Issue 9 | July 20, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Hi there! Welcome to a new week. Where is your mind right now? Is it here, focused on these words, drawn by this sentence, engaged in this newsletter? Or, is it floating towards what’s to come in your day or in your week, distracted by some other thought about the future or even about the past? Sometimes, it’s easy to let the present moment slip away and elude us. We find ourselves choosing to dwell on a time that is yet to be or ceases to be, stealing the joy out of what is… Read More➝

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Issue 8 | July 13, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Greetings everyone! Welcome to the latest issue of As the Crow Flies. Thank you for starting your week with me. It means a lot to have you here. It’s been several weeks since the launches of both our blog, The Crow Athletics Wire, a.k.a. The CAW, and our newsletter, As the Crow Flies, and I hope you’ve been finding both sources of content to be thought-provoking and engaging reads. The main reasons why both The CAW and As the Crow Flies exist are to give people a platform to share their voices, to learn more about one another, to form closer connections, and to explore all the many ways in which running can play a role in our lives… Read More➝

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Issue 7 | July 6, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Good morning! I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend with family and friends! As the summer days roll on, one of the challenges many of us are facing is how to find connection in this time where we are being asked to practice “social distancing.” I believe we must reevaluate this term. What is necessary is “physical distancing” and not distancing of everything else which makes up the human race. Social and, therefore, emotional distancing ourselves from others will not curb the spread of this virus. Physical distancing and other counseled safety precautions will. In practicing these recommendations, it is essential not to forget our social and emotional needs. Even with distance between us, we still must coax one another towards closeness, an emotional closeness that is... Read More➝

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Issue 6 | June 29, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Welcome to a new week of As the Crow Flies! I hope you have all been well and are finding peace amidst much of the unrest existing in our world right now. It’s important to remember that to best take care of others, we need to take care of ourselves first, so please prioritize your own health and wellness during these challenging times. What are you doing to take care of your body and mind these days? How are you practicing self-care? Take a little time to ask yourself these questions this morning, and try to make room in your day to focus on your wellbeing. Doing so is not only a gift for yourself but is also a gift for all of the people with whom you share your life. We have a lot to unpack in this week’s newsletter, so let’s begin... Read More➝

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Issue 5 | June 22, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Good morning friends! We welcomed in the first day of summer this past Saturday, and for those of you living in the New England area, it sure was a hot one! I hope you had the chance to get outside and catch a few rays of sun (and shade!) in celebration of the summer solstice. Now’s the time of year where runs start to take place before dawn or after dusk if they haven’t been already, with the sometimes wishful thinking of escaping the heat and humidity. For midday runners, adjusting to these new timeframes may prove a bit daunting and present some challenges, but I urge you to give it a try. There’s a lot of beauty to discover in running when the world is just waking up or just tucking itself in for the night, and doing so will give you a whole new appreciation for the ever-giving gift that running is...
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Issue 4 | June 15, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Good morning and welcome! This is our fourth week of the newsletter, and I’ve started to find a rhythm in preparing for its release every Monday. Earlier this year, I published a post on my Instagram about the power of consistency, after having surpassed 3,000 consecutive days of running. Although training for wild adventures in the mountains is very different from typing out these words, I’ve realized the same principles of consistency can be applied to many areas of life, and I’m trying to implement these with my writing. As I described, “More than anything, consistency is a mindset,” and I aim to bring that mindset to my work with this newsletter... Read More ➝

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Issue 3 | June 8, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Good morning and welcome to a new week. If this is your first time reading our newsletter, thank you for joining us! We are glad to have you as part of the As the Crow Flies community. Our world has been experiencing a lot of unrest recently, and I hope you are all safe and well. In this time of contention and action, I have chosen to use the Crow Notes section of this newsletter to provide links highlighting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) runners and their stories. By hearing the voices of BIPOC, supporting their platforms, and seeking out their perspectives, we are starting the important work that must be done to achieve a more equitable and just society. Let us embrace this moment in history with thoughts of unity and compassion... Read More➝

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Issue 2 | June 1, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Good morning and happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had enjoyable weekends and found some time to get outside and experience the many beautiful sights and sounds of spring! Let's get right into Issue 2 of As the Crow Flies. If you're new to the newsletter, welcome! We just launched, with Issue 1 released last week, and we have been psyched with the level of enthusiasm and interest many of you have expressed so far. As mentioned before, we'll constantly be evolving and improving this newsletter based upon how we can best serve you, our readers, so please let us know any feedback you have from Issue 1 or this current week's edition… Read More➝

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Issue 1 | May 25, 2020

By Patrick Caron

Good morning and welcome to our very first Crow Athletics newsletter, Issue 1 of As the Crow Flies! This has been a project in the making for some time now, and it's a pleasure to finally be able to share it with all of you. There are a number of superb newsletters that exist within our running community, many of which the staff at Crow Athletics read and subscribe to, but we thought creating a newsletter of our own would allow us to offer a new and unique perspective. As a result, As the Crow Flies was born, and today marks the official launch, with Issue 1 making its way to all of your mailboxes… Read More➝

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