My goal is to complete a 100mi race, specifically the "Mountain Lakes 100" in central Oregon.  This year I volunteered to help crew it.

I started running seriously in Jan 2018 (with a solid general fitness base) and am up to 30mi/week.  Longest run so far over 17mi.  I plan on doing 50k on my own, approaching it mentally as a race this fall.  Every black friday we also hike 30 miles, my brother in law wants to run the trail one way, then walk it back the other way this year for a total of 60 miles.  I'll probably take him up on that as that is a lot of time on my feet. Might be great prep...

Ideally, I'd like to do a 50mi and a 100k race before the 100 miler.  Real-world, I'll take either/or if both distances aren't doable due to scheduling.  If the 100mi is 3rd week of Sep 2019, when should I be looking to schedule the 50 mi and 100k?

I'm 44 yo male without any (knock on wood) injuries, decent recovery.  I understand the role mental toughness plays in such an endeavor and am no stranger to adversity.

My dream is a 100 miler also...well would love to do several.  My approach is slower than most probably.  I started at 51 with a run/walk and did a bunch of 5ks and a few HM's.  2017 I did my first trail marathon and then my first 50k.  This year I'll do my first 50 miler.  In 2019 I want to do my first 100k and then 2020 do my first 100.  Due to an autoimmune condition I'm limited to walking my races but as long as I meet the cut off I'm good.  Good luck on your quest.

Far more important than the 50K or 50 miler here and there is day in and day out consistency.  There is no substitute for getting out there 5-7 days/week week after week.

Did you ever write reports for Western States and Angeles Crest?

I would say 50 mile late fall.  100k in the spring and the 100 mile in the fall (Is that when mt. lakes is?).

Have a fun journey.  Join the training thread.