LIVESTRONG
George Tchakanakis

1. Name George Tchakanakis
2. Maniac # 1333
3. State you live in Illinois
4.  How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 20 as of May 31, 2009
5. What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Bark in the Park 5K. It was me and my brother Demetri and our two beloved dogs Sammy and Zander!
6. What was the first marathon you ever ran? Chicago Lassale Bank Marathon
7. What year did you run it? 2000
8. Did you have fun that day? Yes.
9. How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I started running May 1999. I became a runner to overcome depression and it worked,  I climbed (or ran) out of depression and have NEVER looked back. NEVER...
10. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? In my Philadelphia Marathon I ran up to a couple with Marathon Maniacs jackets on. I had seen them before (the jackets) and the more popular yellow singlets. I asked what is this Marathon Maniacs deal is all about, they explained it all to me in a nutshell and joined soon afterwords.
11. Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? BADWATER!  Yes you heard it and I announced it first here, it will be a fun journey to get there!
12. If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Phidepides, Yianis Kouros, and Dean Karnazes, we are all Greek and related!!  Phidepides is involved in the creation of our beloved 26.2 miler some 2500 years ago.  Kourous and Karnazes are Greeks of Nature no no I mean Freaks of Nature.  Kouros, Karnazes, and myself are GREEK FREAKS OF NATURE!!!
12. What was you most memorable marathon and why? The first one is always special. Me and my brother Vasili both trained and ran our first marathon.  It changed our lives forever.   Also South Bend Indiana May 31, 2008, This was special because it was on my 41st birthday, and it was also the first dedicated marathon towards my 50 states. It was career #11 and state # 5
13. If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Chicago if you can get a front corral! 
14. What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Chicago to San Diego.
15. Do any of your non-running friends or family members thing that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? Yes and no! What are some of their comments to you? They don't believe the body is designed to run marathons especially multiple marathons and my response is the body is not designed to drink excess alcohol or drugs but people still do it all the time at least my addiction is a healthy addiction!
16. If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? 52!
17. From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Chicago Distance Classic 2008, It is of substantial weight and shinny.
18. Where do you keep your finisher medals? In an old school Runners World metal lunch box that I found at a thrift store! It is starting to get full now!
19. Do you wear your race t-shirts? Some of them. What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? In boxes at Moms house basement storage. I formed  an idea to find a home with an old school cloughs lines and to hang all my race tshirts with old school clothespins then photograph them!!  Maybe when I complete my 50 sates!?
20. If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? They pretty much all ready exist anywhere in the world!?
21. Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Black but they don't come in XL?
22. What is your favorite pre race meal? Simple pasta and my favorite fitness drink, water. Post race meal? If dollars are available Prime steak, if not a nice juicy burger will do just fine.
23. What is your energy gel of choice? GU. Sport drink of choice? I stopped drinking gatorade when I realized how much sugar is inside.
24. Which race would you never run again and why? MDI (Mound Desert Island) in Bar Harbor Maine. The most scenic of my marathons so far it runs through Acadia National Park it is hilly but so beautiful.
25. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? MDI because of its steep hills. It is my slowest marathon finishes not including Chicago 2007 when the race was canceled and 11,000 runners were not ALLOWED to finish I was "ordered" to walk! goggle "Chicago Marathon Meltdown 2007" it was surreal.
26. What is a typical training week like for you? . How many miles do you run? Any cross training? 30 miles on the run and at least 30 miles on the bike. My goal is to cycle more than I run every year.  I believe that cycling is an excellent cross training for running and vice versa because it strengthens parts of the legs than the other doesn't.
27. Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?  No, 97% of my traing runs and rides are done solo. Just me, myself, an I and my thoughts!
28. What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Lately New Balance 1011 and Asics Gel Plus . I train and race in the same shoes.  But have at least three pairs and never wear the same pair twice in a row.
29. What are your short-term running goals? complete my 50 states BEFORE the age of 50.
30. What are your long-term running goals? Compete in Ironman triathlons, Ultras, and marathons all over the world.
31. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I  bike, cook, read, philophosy, PMA (positive metal attitude), I look for love  and appreaciation in everyday life, photography,  I am a long lens shooter I love candid photography.