Maniac questionnaire

Name
     Ron Knecht     

Maniac #

     135

State you live in

    Continuous turmoil – live full-time in RV (Sunriver, OR current home base)

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?

    78/1 as of 5/15/08

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)

    Portland Rose Festival Twilight Run 1982 5K?

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

    Newport, OR 2003 had son, two grandsons, and granddaughter run parts with     me; BQ and I was hooked

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?

    Serious training began in 2002 when I weighed 185 at age 59

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?

    Great running shirt; great members, and nice incentive to keep running

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?

    London

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?

    My grandfather who died when I was 5 of lung cancer or
    Dr George Sheehan; who inspired me by his writing, specially Running &         Being

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

    Newport, OR was my first and only run with family members at finish

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?

    Newport, OR (again), flat, cool, right size field

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

    Since I’m in a motorhome, that’s kind of tough; furthest from OR was probably
    Disney World
 
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?

    Most comments are of admiration, amazement, and support

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?

    No more than I am already (20-26/yr) – but I think I would go international

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
  
    Boston 2004

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

    First 13 mounted on board displayed on RV dashboard; others on necktie     holders  which I hang from cabinet handles when I’m camped in one spot for awhile

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
    That’s about all I wear; I’m retired so I can get away with it

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?

    Yosemite National Park in the spring ….. I’d close down the valley to all traffic

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

    Yellow

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?

    Whole grain cereal with nuts, raisins, craisins, and fruit; pizza and beer

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?

    Hammergel; Powerade

Which race would you never run again and why?

    That’s a tough one.  There were good things about all of them.  But two didn’t live up to expectations:  2003 Portland and 2005 Runner’s World SF

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?

    Had to be the 2005 Durango Double 50K Trail and marathon the next day; difficult terrain and altitude

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?

    Run 25-30 miles a week over 4 days; walk dogs a couple of hours a day

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?

    Nope – just me …… the dogs are good walkers, but stop to smell and mark
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
I train and run rotating 3 pairs of shoes (plus trail shoes); (Asics, Nike, NB, Saucony)

What are your short-term running goals?

    Stay injury-free and complete 50 states (in 2008)

What are your long-term running goals?
    Run all Canadian provinces …. Then maybe Europe and Asia

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?

    Travel, dogs, bicycling

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

    Larry Macon