I hiked from Campo to Florence Lake this spring leaving the PCT at mile 857. My intention was to thru hike the entire trail. To make a long story short, I decided that my attention was needed elsewhere and that being on the trail for five months was just too long given my circumstances. My thinking at the time I stepped off the trail was that I'd chunk hike the middle portion of the PCT to Ashland next year and the rest in 2017. However, not completing the thru this year really bothers me. I'm thinking that if everything falls into place personally I could pull off being away for 100 days much easier than 5+ months. So I'm thinking about doing a fast thru in 2016. This would require rethinking some of my gear and probably spending some money to get down to the bare essentials (cutting down to ~10 base weight from ~15). I feel physically up to the challenge having done many low-mid 20s and a couple of 28-29 mile days in SoCal and sustaining 20+ miles in the section of the high sierra that I completed. I've done six marathons and my PR is just under 3:28. I feel like I'm in great shape for my age (41). With sustained training, I feel like I could sustain high 20s/low 30s next year in most places and I don't really need to take many zero days if I use mail drops and minimize off trail distractions.
My main question is whether I should look into a SOBO thru hike if I think that I can complete in 100 days or less. This has some attractions: First, it would feel like a different hike contrasting with my NOBO attempt this year. If I NOBO again, the first 857 miles will be repeated which isn't terrible since I liked almost all of it. But I feel like starting at the Canadian border vs. Mexican border may keep me more excited at the start. Second, I would avoid more of the crowds with a SOBO thru hike. Even though I didn't feel that the crowds were overwhelming, I suspect that it will only get more crowded next year. Since I'll be going fast, I'd probably start in mid-May if I start at the Mexican border. That would mean weeks and weeks of passing lots of hikers, not really getting to know very many people, and dealing with much hotter temps than I did this year with my April 12 start. Third, I wouldn't have to deal with early season conditions in the Sierra which could be really important if 2016 is a high snow year (I hope it is for the sake of CA). I was probably least comfortable on the high passes even though there was relatively little snow. By going SOBO, I would hit the Sierra in late season when snow is a non issue.
If I go with a SOBO attempt I'm thinking July 15 would be a reasonable start date avoiding too much snow in Washington state, getting to Oregon after the worst of the bug season, hitting Northern California after the peak of the heat, hiking the Sierra in what is usually great early fall conditions, and getting to Southern California after the worst of the heat but before snow is likely in the higher elevations.
Anyway I'm just thinking out loud at the moment but interested in any feedback on SOBO vs NOBO for a 100 day thru hike. In terms of physical preparation, I'm open to suggestions as well. I'd have over a year to prepare. More marathon training, or should I plan on some shorter ultras (50k, maybe a 50 miler?), or possibly just plan on some faster AT hikes locally with a lighter kit?