Maniac #1077

State you live in: Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 5 as of September 2008

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)
The 5K Teddy Bear Run in 1990 (to commemorate the opening of the Seattle bus tunnel)

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?

Marathon du Medoc in Pauillac, France, September 8, 2007. We had a blast!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I started running a couple months before my first 5K in 1990. A few of my friends were runners, so I thought I’d give it a try. I didn’t run a lot of races, but ran my first half marathon (Seattle, when it was on the Burke-Gilman) in 1993. My first running “phase” pretty much petered out by the late 1990s.

I became a personal chef in 2001 and started packing on the pounds. In May 2005 I tipped the scale at 200 pounds and decided it was time to get back to running. I lost 40 pounds within a year and started training for the Seafair half marathon in 2006. That’s when the running/marathoning bug hit!

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
It seemed like a fun group of like-minded individuals. Once I realized I was truly committed I figured I’d better make it official.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
Boston is definitely on the list, and fortunately I’ll get my chance to run it on April 20, 2009. I’d also love to run New York and Paris. I supposed I’ll eventually get around to running the Seattle Marathon as well.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
Julia Child!!! Okay, so I don’t think she was a runner, but as a personal chef I would just want the opportunity to spend 4+ hours with such a culinary legend.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?
Hands down the Marathon du Medoc, and not just because it was my first. The course winds through the chateaux of Bordeaux and features 22 wine tastings during the race, as well as tastings of cheese, beef and the famed oyster bar at mile 25. Approximately 95% of the runners dress in costume (I was a zebra); it’s surreal!

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?
Light at the End of the Tunnel (that’s where I BQ’d)

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Bordeaux, France

Do any of your non-running friends or family members think that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are some of their comments to you?
They probably think I’m crazy, but they’re also very proud of me since they know running was instrumental in my weight loss (they see I’m SOOO much happier now).

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
At least 12, but if my body could withstand the rigors, even more.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
It wasn’t a medal that was my favorite, it was the bottle of wine they gave every finisher at the Marathon du Medoc! But my favorite medal was from the Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge (we actually received three – a Donald Duck medal for finishing the half, a Mickey medal for finishing the full, and a Goofy medal for finishing both).

Where do you keep your finisher medals?
I built a shadowbox for my Marathon du Medoc medal and bib number (and will someday do the same for my Goofy medals), but the rest go into a race portfolio with my bib numbers and pictures.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
Now that most races hand out technical tees, I do wear them (many of my old cotton tees were turned into rags).

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
We have a summer cottage in Trenton, Maine, so I’d love to hold a marathon there and invite everyone to our cottage afterwards for a barbecue. However, the Mt. Desert Island Marathon is close by, so I suppose that’d do J

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

No opinion yet.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre-race: pasta with lean protein (typically chicken) and lots of veggies. Post race: potato chips immediately after, then a burger, French fries & beer lunch.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
Clif Shots and Shot Blocks (I love the margarita blocks with the extra sodium). Got turned on to Heed recently and love that as it’s easy on the stomach.

Which race would you never run again and why?
The Jingle Bell 5K run; too many freakin’ people, boring route (under I-5; WTF?), can’t get a decent speed with all the walkers.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
Probably my most recent marathon, Skagit Flats, since it was three weeks after I BQ’d and my body was quite sore. However, I still loved the experience.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
It really depends on my goal for the race. I’ve been following Pete Pfitzinger’s “Advanced Marathoning” plan for my BQ attempts, but for races in which I just want to run for fun, I’ll come up with my own that just focuses on getting in the miles (no hill or speed work). With Pfitz’ plan I worked up to a little over 50 miles/week (my monthly mileage PR was 205).

As for cross training, I bike and swim on occasion, as well as take yoga and do an arm weight routine at the gym. I also try to get in some ab and core work.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
My husband, Matt Hagen (Maniac #1078).

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?

I race and train in the same shoes – Brooks Defyance

What are your short-term running goals?
Heal up from Skagit Flats and try to re-qualify for Boston at Royal Victoria.

What are your long-term running goals?
Depending on finances, I’d love to be part of the 50 states and/or 7 continents clubs. I’d also love to be the crazy 80-year-old woman running her 300th+ marathon some day!

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Is there such a thing?

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)
Under Dog.