Oi meninas! Our interviewee today comes from the wonderful land of Bra71l, where it is currently Summer so don't try to get in my face about the title.

So throw your pen across the room, don't go santoss, lean back and relax because it's interview time.

How/when did you start running?

It's not a great story, to be honest. Back in 2013 I got my first Android smartphone and it had GPS. I had never owned a GPS phone and wanted to see a little map thing with a route I'd gone on. So I looked for an app that would allow me to produce such a thing and found RunKeeper. I figured I might as well try to actually run while doing it. Ended up enjoying it.

What are your PRs?

5k - 20:09

10k - 42:18

Half - 1:35:17

Favorite shoes to train or race in?

My favorite shoe is the Nike Lunarglide 6. I'm currently rotating pairs 3 and 4 and dreading the day when I have to throw them out 'cause I can't find that model anywhere anymore.

What's your next race?

The only race I have on my calendar at the moment is the 2018 Berlin Marathon on September 16. I will definitely race at least one half marathon before then, but don't know which one yet.

What is your favorite distance to race and why?

I absolutely love the half marathon. From the beginning I knew my strong suit wasn't going to be speed but endurance, so I naturally gravitated toward the half, and also I find that anyone that is able to run such a long distance reasonably fast is a badass. I hope I don't fall in love with the marathon as hard as I did for the half.

What are your goals this year?

To debut in the marathon. This is going to be my third attempt at training for a full marathon; both times ended with injury before. I've been focusing a lot on strength work and building mileage slowly after a terrible year in 2017, so I hope this time around it'll finally happen.

Proudest running accomplishment?

Finishing a half marathon under 1:40. I'd tried 5 or 6 times before I finally did it, so it felt pretty great. It didn't hurt that I beat that goal by almost four minutes either. (And then shaved about a minute off a year later.)

What do you do outside of running?

I've taught Computer Science at the undergrad level since November 2012. Right now I'm working on a PhD proposal, so that might change soon and I'll go back to being a grad student for a couple years. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

What other hobbies/interests do you have?

I enjoy writing, singing and writing songs on the guitar, though I don't do any of those things as much as I'd like. I'm a huge asian music fan and stan a few Korean and Japanese acts. Getting into Asian culture is something that can keep you pretty busy, 'cause it's an endless rabbit hole that can provide you with thousands of hours of entertainment. I'm a huge RuPaul's Drag Race fan and could name all contestants for each of the seasons. I also enjoy memes.

What is your favorite route/place to run?

Not much of a contest, as there is only the one possible route where I live. Can't say I love it or hate it, but it's about 7km long and I share all of it with motorized vehicles that routinely try to run me over. I'll have a better answer for this if I get into that PhD program and get to move somewhere nicer.

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

I've done the SP City Half Marathon twice and enjoyed it very much. I guess that's my favorite race. The Rio Half Marathon isn't bad either, very scenic. Can't say I'm madly in love with either one.

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?

Vanderlei de Lima, anywhere. He has got to still be salty about being attacked by that priest dude and losing the 2004 Olympic Marathon and I'm here for salt. Everyone in Brazil was pissed and heartbroken that day. He's a national hero.

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

My ARTC friends. Also "success" is a bit of a stretch.

What is your favorite post long run food?

Can't say I have one. Strangely, I don't usually feel hungry at all after long runs. I just want to chug water and lie down, really.

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

I have zero clue. I would probably get injured, heal, then get injured again. I like to think I might pull off a 1:25 half someday, though.

Favorite subreddits?

This one, /r/fitness, /r/financialindependence, /r/rupaulsdragrace, /r/Wellthatsucks, /r/JUSTNOMIL.

Origin of your username?

My birth certificate. You can't be doxxed if you've already done it to yourself.

Strava link if you use it?

https://www.strava.com/athletes/6112412