Maniac questionnaire
Abi Brownell
Maniac #1062
State you live in:WA
As of this interview I have run total of 11 marathons (Ultras included
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?
First marathon was the Royal Victoria 2007. I was completely miserable the last hour and a half being that the last portion of the race was dripping wet, windy. I was at mile 17 when it occurred to me that I had done this on purpose. My hip flexors were so stiff and sore I had to consciously move my leg up for every step. I was way weak because I had not eaten enough. I almost cried when I crossed the finish line. It was the best day of my life I think!
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I have run since high school. I played basketball in high school and the kindest thing that can be said about my skills is that I sucked. In my junior or senior year (can’t remember now!) I started running because I overheard one of my less than impressed team mates telling someone not to worry because I wouldn’t be on the track team. I told myself, “Wanna Bet!” To this day I have no idea what personal vendetta they had against me but on that day at that moment I joined track the next week and found something I loved doing. That person did me the biggest favor! I subsequently returned it by doing phenomenal (for a double a school anyway) and haven’t stopped running since.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
I run with a bunch of maniacs and if you can’t beat em’- join em’!! A month after my decision to run a marathon, a friend w whom I met at another friends bachelorette party told me about the run club. I stayed out till about 2pm for the party, woke up the next morning at 7 and went running. I have been with them ever since.
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
That’s easy! I want to run the Dublin Marathon. I actually would like to run any marathon or ultra in Ireland. I loved the country and the weather is perfect for running, the landscape is beautiful and the smells- everything is just full of memories.
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
I would run with my grandmother. At her funeral a few years ago, I found out that she loved to run! She was on the track team in college I think too- way back in like the 20’s or 30’s! I had no idea about this part of her life in all the time I knew her. She raised 12 kids, buried one husband, ran a 10 acre farm, a poultry business, a furniture carpentry business, and still found time to run as much as 10 miles at a time when she could squeeze in the morning time. I love that I inherited my love of running from her!
What was you most memorable marathon and why?
I would have to say my most memorable marathon was my first marathon. I will never be able to relive the feeling of triumph I got by crossing the finish line of my first marathon ever. I never really thought I would do it until I actually did it. What stuck out in my mind the most was how stinking cold I was at the end of it. I couldn’t stop shivering enough to eat. When I found my drop bag all I wanted to do was get into warm clothes. The only place available was a wide open tent cover. I dropped trou. right then and there and changed in the middle of pedestrian traffic and everything. Didn’t care, just wanted to be warm.
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?
A good PR race would beYakima River Valley was a pretty quick course- and also Light at the End of the Tunnel which was a gentle downslope all the way. I had run my first ultra the day before and still made a pretty decent time. If I hadn’t done the ultra I guarantee that would have been a PR for me.
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
The furthest I ever traveled for a race was Spokane- Bloomsday. If we are talking marathons- because after all, this is a marathon maniac thing- It would be Yakima I think.
Do any of your non-running friends or family members thing that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are some of their comments to you?
My family thinks I am crazy. I have comments galore. Some of my favorites are-
You are going to break your hips.
Running 33 miles isn’t even possible.
Are you going to win your marathon?
How long is a marathon?
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
All of them. As long as I could eat and bring along a personal massage therapist life would be one race after another.
From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
I liked the Starbucks paper cup holder medal from the Grande Ass Marathon. And I also liked the N. Discovery medal- pretty colorful.
Where do you keep your finisher medals? On my doorknob in my closet. I really don’t know what else to do with them.
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
I hate t-shirts and I seldom where them. If the shirts are running quality I will wear them. Otherwise, I just collect them and I am not sure what I will do with them yet.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
I think it would be really cool to do a night marathon through the Warm Beach Camp during Christmas when they have all those lights- but without any of the traffic. Now that would be fun!
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
I like black but partly because Yellow is a hideous color on me.
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre race meal- oatmeal, tea and peanut butter toast. Post race meal. My favorite post race meal was the one I had in Victoria. My friends and I stopped at some fancy restaurant across the street from the race and I had: Pumpkin soup, garlic red potatoes, glass of wine, crème broule, the best steak I have ever tasted, asparagus and cheese bread. It was perfect.
When I don’t have that option I go for a fresh burger and a cold Guinesse.
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
I like Hammer Gels so far and Gatorade is my preference for drinks.
Which race would you never run again and why?
Don’t have one I wouldn’t run again so far.
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
To date the Tacoma Marathon was my toughest race mentally and I really don’t know why. It doesn’t have the prettiest scenery once you leave Pt. Defiance and I suspect the 3 miles of steady hills in the middle really took it out of me and made the rest of the race miserable. For some reason, I hit mile 23 and my hips and calves hurt so bad I could barely walk. I didn’t even feel that bad on my first ultra or the marathon I did the next day. Recovery took me longer than it did on my first marathon.
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
I really don’t train. I just run when I feel like it for however long my route takes. I run anywhere from 5 miles to more than 60 in a given week. To cross train I do some moderate weights, hills, and that’s about it.
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
I run with the run club.
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
Right now I run in Asics. If the shoe fits, I wear it!
What are your short-term running goals? My short term goal is to beat my PR of 4:27 marathon time.
What are your long-term running goals?
I want to run the Tahoe Triple and qualify for Boston. I think I have a better chance at the Tahoe Triple personally. I will probably qualify for Boston by the time I am 80. It’s my own fault really- I don’t train hard enough. Who knows though? I never really believed I would actually do a marathon and now I do them for fun!
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
I hike, read, camp when I can, rollerblade- fall down, get up, fall down some more-, canoe and raft when I get the chance, paint, listen to music, sing (okay, just kidding on that one- no one and I mean NOONE wants to hear me sing).
Things I do not like to do- Swim, repel down mountains (it isn’t the repelling it’s the climbing up I have a problem with.) play tennis and pretty much any other activity that involves hitting a ridiculously small elusive ball with an equally ridiculously small racket.
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)
I think Superman is weird, Wonder Woman –not so much. So it has to be the cat! |