Maniac questionnaire Name - Hileray Shackelford Maniac #1757 How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? - 13 What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) – Probably the Sun Run – 10 kilometres What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? – 1999 Vancouver International Marathon. The weather was atrocious – started off a very slight misty drizzle but by mile 13 was a total downpour. They didn’t have any space blankets for runners (or not enough) so we were walking around shivering at the end of the race. Despite that, I don’t remember feeling so proud and immediately signed up for my next race – got addicted to that feeling of completing such a goal. How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Ran a little in high school, just for exercise, but did not start running more regularly until after graduating university, in 1993. Then entered my first 10 k race which was on a corporate team, so for fun. Trained for my first half-marathon in 1997 and ran half marathons for a year or so, then bumped it up to marathon distance(s). Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I had heard about the Maniacs before through the web and seeing them at races, but it wasn’t until the Yakima River Canyon marathon which I raced in April of this year, when I became so inspired. Unbeknownst to me it was a reunion for that club and for some 50-staters and I met a number of people who had completed such amazing running feats Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? There are 2 – Great Wall of China Marathon and The Marathon, Athens, Greece If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Bart Yasso, I would love to hear his tales, in person. Or Jon Stewart – don’t believe he runs, but he can bike beside me and keep me laughing the whole way. What was you most memorable marathon and why? Definitely Boston, it is remarkable for so many reasons. The fact that you have made it there (based on qualifying time) is an achievement in itself. The history behind that race, organization and crowd support is humbling. If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? I don’t believe I’ve ran enough marathons to comment on this. What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? From Vancouver, B.C. to Boston, MA. It was far for our kids who were 1 and 3 ½ at the time. They were troopers and so good on the plane! 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 hubby loves it and is so supportive, kids are intrigued with mommy’s “sweatiness” after a race or a regular run and like to bug me about it. Some of my friends run or are into other sports/activities so they understand. My parents have never really gotten it, but they never really exercised so I don’t expect them to. They always say I should “slow down on my running” (hah!). If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? Body willing, I would love to run one every 3 weeks, maybe 16 a year? It would mean not really having to go through all the training in-between – each marathon would be a “long run” prep for the next race, hah! From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Boston is really nice and I have my jacket from the 112th running too! Where do you keep your finisher medals? I have a special box for them. Would really love to put them in a shadow box, and have been meaning to do that. Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear the high tech ones for training and races. I have a few marathon t-shirts which are cotton (useless) and those go up on top of the pile in my closet. My last race (Seattle RnR), they didn’t have my size left, so I asked for the large size and gave it to my hubby. He wears it all the time! If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? My husband’s family originates from Cape Verde which currently does not host a marathon, to my knowledge. It would be cool to put one on there. Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yellow What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre: Dinner (night before): pasta usually in a tomato sauce with chicken/seafood. Breakfast: banana, bagel with peanut butter, oatmeal, water, ½ cup of coffee, sport drink. Post: am usually soooo craving a huge burger with sautéed mushrooms and the works. MMMMMM! What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Gu is ok. I’d rather take Sharkies or the Sport Beans though. The gel consistency has been making me gag of late. Sport drink is Accelerade, but not too sweet or Endurox. For runs between an hour ½ to 2 hours, or an intense spinning workout I’ll just use plan Gatorade, since that is usually a given at races – might as well get used to it. Which race would you never run again and why? Probably the Olympia, WA Capital City marathon. Nothing against the race organizers, but the difficult hilly course, lack of spectators and the rural setting was not supportive enough. I can handle that atmosphere on a half-marathon course, but it made the race seem so long. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? I just raced the Seattle Rock and Roll marathon and the next day ran a half marathon in Vancouver. The closest thing I’ve come to an ultramarathon distance. It was tough! What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? Usually run about 30 to 45 miles. For cross training, we have a spinning bike at home and I do some of the Sufferfest Podcast workouts, or other spinning workouts I can find. I cross train once, sometimes twice a week. Usually one day off, completely. The rest – 4 or 5 days is running. Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? No, sniff. It is hard having 2 small kids. When I have my running window, I need to just GO. What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I train in Newtons and Mizunos (switch). I’ve gotten accustomed to the Newtons and now race in them. LOVE those shoes! What are your short-term running goals? Registered for Chicago for this October, 2009. Am considering maybe running 2 others in the 3 weeks prior to that for Gold MM status. What are your long-term running goals? Keep running, no injuries (pray). I eventually want to get up to my age in marathons (37), by the time I reach 40. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Spend time with my kids, as much as I can, and my hubby. Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty? Wonder Woman, she was FIERCE! |