Maniac questionnaire

Name: Misty Schuster

Maniac # 1766
 
State you live in: Minnesota

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 3 marathons in 2008 and 2 ultras and 3 marathons so far this year. Signed up for a few more this fall.

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Half marathon 5/08 in Minnesota.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? Fox Cities Marathon, WI, 9/08 What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? It was the greatest experience of my life, filled with great people and great memories.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Always been a “runner” per se, but in the last few years I took it to a whole other level.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Talking to others at races who were maniacs. They spoke highly of the group. Or what inspired you? How nice all the maniacs have been and how exciting it is to see them at random races. Makes you feel like you are never alone in the big sea of runners.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Hard to say, maybe Badwater or the Death March.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? My friend, Tim Bowers, he is the reason I have achieved so much, he inspires me and gets me through some of those difficult walls within races. Plus he makes the events extra fun.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Can’t say, I have one more memorable over another. To me each is so unique from the course, the people, how I felt, etc. Everyone is sincerely special to me.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Not my area of expertise, I don’t really go for time, doesn’t mean a lot to me, but if I had to pick one, maybe Marathon to Marathon in Iowa, it’s very flat.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? So far that would be Colorado for Pikes Peak Marathon.

Do any of your non-running friends or family members thing that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? Yes!!!What are some of their comments to you? Lots of “your crazy”, “Why do you run so far” “What’s your problem”, along with tons of weird looks.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? Wow, it would be fabulous to travel around and run one each weekend.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Wow, the Stillwater marathon in Stillwater, MN, gave the biggest medal.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? Right now, they are all hanging in my office at work.

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? YEs What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I usually end up wearing all of them, I don’t have a ton yet.

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

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? What?

What is your favorite pre race meal? Pasta, any kind of pasta Post race meal? Anything, I’m usually famished and looking for anything I can get my hands on.

What is your energy gel of choice?  Hammer Espresso Sport drink of choice? HEED, orange.

Which race would you never run again and why? I don’t have any yet, hopefully I won’t ever.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Pikes’ Peak for sure, it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. The mental and physical fatigue was the most intense, the course was what I thought was impossible and then the altitude challenge was crazy.

What is a typical training week like for you? I usually run a few times a week and try to do some cross training or yoga. How many miles do you run?  Could be anywhere from 10 miles to 25-30. Any cross training?  Yes, anything other than running, like yoga, spinning, walking, riding bike.

Do you have a training partner? I have a few training partners. My friend Tim and Jeff, my running group, and my husband runs sometimes with me. If so, who is it?

What kind of shoes do you train in?  I usually wear Brooks, but I got a pair of North Face trail shoes to break in for my trail races. I think these are by far the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. Do you race in a different shoe?  No.

What are your short-term running goals? Just continue to keep running each week and work on long runs, interval training and hill training.

What are your long-term running goals? Improve my strength and training for more marathons and a 50 miler run in October.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I like to read, and hang with friends and family and the dogs. The typical stuff anyone else does. I enjoy doing yoga too. A lot of my time is spent on running though, it’s probably one of the top passions I have, if I’m not running, I’m thinking of running, or reading articles, books, etc about running.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty? I guess I don’t really have a favorite. Interesting and funny question, what defines a super hero? I find I have lots of them in my daily life.