Happy Wednesday everyone, I'm on the west coast this week so this thread is now west coast biased.

This week we're welcoming /u/DillonPanthers33 to the forefront.

How/when did you start running?

I ran for three years in high school (track fr–jr, xc so–sr) and really enjoyed it. I can't say it was ever a huge priority for me though, at least results-wise, so my training was never super committed or even year-round. Socially it was great though and it did instill a fondness for running. I didn't run really at all in college and then have sporadically run in the years since then, but am really getting committed this year. I ran 15-20 mpw loosely over the summer and early fall, but have jumped into some better basebuilding over the last month and a half. Hit 40 miles last week for the first time since high school.

What are you PRs?

I have a 3200 PR but I can't recall it. I ran 5:07 for the 1600 in 2006 and 18:01 in XC (3mi w/ a major climb) in 2007.

Favorite shoes to train or race in?

New Balance has been my bread and butter lately. Love the Zante v1 but it's not very durable. Just picked up a pair of Fresh Foam Gobi which is a great shoe... perfect for cruiser trails in dry weather. All-time favorite shoe is the Nike Zoom Streak XC, though. Best upper ever.

What's your next race?

Right now my main focus is on getting miles in, but I've been hitting big long runs in particular to get my legs ready for running the length of the Wildwood Trail in early December. Not a race—just running with friends—but it's a skosh over 30 miles which will be the longest day I've ever done. Did a 20 miler two weekends ago that felt pretty decent though, so I'm not stressing it.

After that I'll probably spend a few more weeks running mostly easy then get going on a training cycle for a half marathon in Spring. Was looking at the Corvallis half in mid-April. Anybody done it? Other suggestions for NW half marathons in mid- to late-Spring?

What are your goals this year?

Obviously not much time left in the year. :) Just looking to add in the sixth weekly run and hopefully roll into 2018 feeling comfortable in the 45-50 mpw range.

Proudest running accomplishment?

I've never run on a treadmill in my life.

What do you do outside of running?

See #8. I have a job in web publishing too, but jobs aren't as fun as hobbies.

What other hobbies/interests do you have?

Backpacking is my most cherished pursuit (but I'm hoping to get some big mountain runs in next summer!). Still very interested in art and photography, which I studied in college. Otherwise I'm a pretty avid cook and wine/beer dork, vegetable gardener, and big time NBA (Blazers) and baseball (Giants) fan.

Also my dog. And pizza.

Favorite subreddits?

/r/nba /r/Ultralight /r/BackpackingDogs /r/museum

Origin of your username?

http://i.imgur.com/YeleFkz.jpg

Strava link if you use it?

https://www.strava.com/athletes/6295 (this is where I flex my four-digit account number)

1 - How do you manage the balance between packing on miles and running shorter races? Do you set aside a certain time of year to work on your base mileage?

2 - Follow up from the first question. How far in advance do you plan out the structure of your training?

3 - The Boston 2018 field was announced this week. Any hot takes or predictions?

4 - Word on the street is that /u/artcbot is getting a new feature soon. What features would you like to see/have? (shameless self promotion)

5 - Anything else you'd like to add?