Happy Wednesday everyone! Make sure not to miz this one.

How/when did you start running?

My neighborhood had a rec track league when I was growing up, so I did started off doing that during elementary school. My dad and uncle were former competitive runners, so it was definitely a family thing. I played soccer each fall, and starting in junior high I also ran in cross country meets. After my freshman year doing that, I decided I was better at running than soccer, so that was my sport. Everyone else grew but I didn't.

What are your PRs?

• 5,000m: 14:13 (track)
• 10,000m: 29:28 (track)
• Half Marathon: 1:04:34
• Marathon: 2:28:28

Favorite shoes to train or race in?

Adidas Boston Boost 6. Truly a do-everything shoe. Although I do look back fondly on my old black Nike Matumbos...my track racing days are over, but I still keep those for sentimental reasons.

What's your next race?

Ultimately the Boston Marathon, but I'll do a few low-key tune-up 5-15ks come March. Haven't decided which yet, though.

What is your favorite distance to race and why?

I like the 15k-half marathon distance. It's been in my wheelhouse the past few years, and I really enjoy the longer distance that's just on the edge of total misery. I am set on mastering the marathon, but that hasn't gone so well yet.

What are your goals this year?

• Stretch goal: OTQ in the marathon.
• Realistic goal: Complete a training cycle with a healthy Achilles.

Proudest running accomplishment?

Qualifying for the 2016 Trials is up there, but I think the race I'm most proud of was the indoor 3,000m at conference champs my junior year of college. I doubled back from the 5,000m and it was my weaker event, so I didn't have too many expectations. The break happened after the first mile, and I had a gut decision to just go with it. The second mile ended up being as fast as my mile PR which I had run a week before, and I outkicked Matt Llano for the win. No guy from my school had ever won a conference race in cross country or track, but the thing I remember most is my teammates going nuts and being corralled by meet officials because they were too raucous.

What do you do outside of running?

I teach middle school social studies. I have grades 6-8, and as the only social studies teacher in the middle school I joke that I am the history department.

What other hobbies/interests do you have?

I've been getting into cycling a lot more since I've been battling injury. I like to read (currently: "Diamonds, Gold, and War" by Martin Meredith) and write (running blog and teaching blog). I also like trying local beer (current favorite: Christian Moerlein Emancipator Doppelbock).

What is your favorite route/place to run?

There's a suburb of my hometown with rolling two-lane country roads, but it's only like 15 minutes from the city. Not a ton of traffic and few stops at traffic lights, so I love to just cruise on those roads.

Do you have a favorite run/race that you’ve ever done?

The Minster Oktoberfest 10k is my favorite road race, although the Boston Marathon does have a hard-to-beat atmosphere.

If you could run anywhere in the world with anyone in the world, alive or dead, where would you run and who would you run with?

I would run the Waiatarua with any of the old Lydiard guys the old Florida Track Club.

What do you think has been the greatest contributor to your success in running?

Just enjoying it, man. When you're fit, running and racing and competing and kicking ass is just so damn fun.

What is your favorite post long run food?

Cookies, ice cream, donuts; anything sweet. This is also bad, but beer: it helps calm down the poop gut after a rough run.

If you had a year to train, with no other distractions, how fast do you think you could get?

Sub-2:19.

Favorite subreddits?

/r/politicaldiscussion, /r/askhistorians, /r/askreddit, /r/cincinnati...nothing too fancy here.

Origin of your username?

It's my favorite character from my favorite book.

Strava link if you use it?

No Strava, I'm on R2W. I think I linked my running blog further up, but I also do personalized coaching if anyone needs a coach!