Name: Paul Wester
Self-described age group: 50-55
Residence: Beltsville, Md.
Occupation: Director of the National Agricultural Library
How has your running changed in the last few months: Except for the mask and reducing mileage because of the heat, not much.
Why you run: Fitness and to clear my mind for the day.
When did you get started running: May 2009
Have you taken a break from running: Since May 2009, not really.
Training shoe: New Balance 1080v10 (RED)
Coach or training group: College Park parkrun
The hardest race you’ve ever run: Vermont City Marathon, May 2010
Most adventurous decision you’ve made with your running: I am not terribly adventurous, so deciding to run a marathon in 2010 was pretty adventurous for me!
Running mentors: Kara Drake (a friend who inspired me to start running), and Kara Goucher and Hal Higdon
My favorite place to run in the D.C. area is: Around Lake Artemesia and on the Paint Branch Trail in Prince Georges County, Md.
Favorite local trail: Paint Branch Trail (College Park parkrun course)
My best race was: Each one that I have finished
Favorite local race: Azalea 5K in University Park, Md.
Ideal post-run meal: Plain steel-cut oatmeal
Favorite flavor of gel, gu, etc: Salted Caramel GU
Pet peeve: Running with earphones
Goals: Run at least a mile everyday until Thanksgiving 2020 … I am on day 246 (07/30/2020)
Your advice for a new runner: Just start and keep at it.
Favorite running book: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Song in your head during a run: None, see pet peeve above 
Have you dealt with a major injury: No (knocks on wood)
Running quote: “It’s not so much that I began to run, but that I continued.” – Hal Higdon
Why is the D.C. area a great place to be a runner: The plentiful trails and beautiful parks and historical sites; friendly people; and except for a few weeks here and there, consistently decent weather.
Recent Stories
Looking for our race calendar? Click here Submit races here or shop local for running gear
Coaching high school cross country and track made Kelyn Soong a better runner.
A break from racing one of my favorite events gave me a chance to help other runners reach their time goals.
Eight local runners will compete in the Olympic Marathon Trials Saturday morning in Orlando.
Hero Dogs 5K9
Hero Dogs Inc will host its 5th Annual 5K9 race at the Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, May 17th, beginning at 8 am. There will also be a 1K Fun Run. The 1K Fun Run will start at 8 am sharp
Mid Atlantic Corporate Relays
Team relays, individual races and field events with unique age and gender requirements. Events are structured for men and women of all ages.
Some events are gender/age graded. Individual track distances range from 100m to 3000m.
Field events include shot
