Maniac questionnaire Name: Rich Holmes Maniac #1776 How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 220 What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Calloway Gardens marathon, 11/11/78 What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Same as above; yes, a triple looper through azalea gardens on a warm day How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? 31 years, because it was my worst physical skill and an important one to have as an active duty soldier – I even was dropped from Airborne school because I could not keep up with the company when running. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Friends I respect who were already members, and with whom I wish to be associated. (Also would like to get Maniac support for a proposed marathon in Nunavut, without which it is impossible to complete the Canadian provinces and territories.) Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Bataan Death March Marathon, in the military full pack division (have not been able to do because they require a current legal uniform and field gear to be worn, which I’ve not been able to obtain.) If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Maurine Gillis, whose banter, zaniness, and good nature makes the miles melt away. What was you most memorable marathon and why? The Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu in Peru. It is very memorable, but almost impossible to describe. A better description than I could do can be found at the blog: http://talesofabeginner.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-09-01T07%3A20%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7 If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Steamtown, PA for Easterners, Deseret or Ogden for Westerners What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 16,000 miles (Antarctica and Ushuia, Argentina marathons) followed closely by 12,000 miles (Dubai and Apeldoorn, Netherlands sandwiched around a trip to Viet Nam) and about the same for the New Zealand and Australia marathons. 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? Yes, of course, all of them do! However, they usually really want to talk about themselves and how far they can or cannot run, which is OK with me. If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? About 35-40 From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Hogeye Where do you keep your finisher medals? They were hanging around the walls in my daughter’s room, but since she flew the nest they are just in a box. Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? No, normally not. I save the milestone ones (new continents, completion of last state or territory) but give the rest away. Family members want about half of them, the rest go to charity (taken to marathons in third-world countries to donate to locals or support staff). If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? NUNAVUT, Canada! Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? I don’t understand . . . What is your favorite pre race meal? High-carb (waffles/pancakes) two days before, just junk food and ice cream on day before. What is your energy gel of choice? GU (Expresso) Sport drink of choice? Any Which race would you never run again and why? Kiawah Island – an entire marathon on an island surrounded by ocean with high walls that prevent ever spotting the sea. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Tie between the Inca Trail (all granite broken steps with the highest pass at 13,800’) and the Lake Tahoe triple (three consecutive days of marathons, all over 6,000’ elevation with severe hills). What is a typical training week like for you? Run all days except the day before a marathon. Do you have a training partner? No What kind of shoes do you train in? New Balance (1042?) What are your short-term running goals? This year: qualify for Platinum (8 star) level; by March: complete second time around the continents What are your long-term running goals?: Two years: complete second time around the Canadian territories and provinces; complete third time around the 50 states; Complete 30 countries. Three years: complete 300 marathons lifetime Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? What, there are other things to do? I never knew that! What are they? Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty? Nope. |