Maniac questionnaire

Name Rob Chambers

Maniac # 1885
 
State you live in, Halifax, NS, Canada

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 5 Marathons

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) 5km CIBC Run for the Cure

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? 2004, Bluenose INternational Marathon. I tore my PCL somewhere around 8km in. Was not sure what was wrong so kept going. Was with my wife, she waited for me and finished in just over 5 hours. It was extremely hard, but I loved it....I was hooked!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I ran to get back into shape after not being that active in my first few years of university. I starter in 1998

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? A Runner's World article about Larry Macon. A little more exploration sent me to your website, then was inspired by many others.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? New York Marathon, my best bud lives in NY and I have been there twice. I entered a race in the park once, 7000 people. It was amazing. I would love to run that race with my bud.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
My father. He passed away when I was 15. He was not around when I became a runner. If I could run with him I would use the time to catch up, I could think of no better way.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?
The 2009 Bluenose Marathon has been the most memorable for me so far in my early marathon career. It was my first sub 4 hour, it was in my home town, and the day before was my daughters 3rd birthday. There is a Youth Run component to the Bluenose, and on her Birthday, Elliot completed the 4.2km run without being carried or going in the stroller. She loves running and on that day I felt I witnessed something very special. It motivated me for my marathon.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Legs for Literacy Moncton Marathon, Flat and a fair amount of paths or the "Cross Boarder Challenge 10km" dirt road and pretty flat until the last 500 meters.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 6 hours round trip by car for a marathon. Flew from Halifax to New York for a The Run for One race in Central Park.

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? Some think I am crazy, some think I will get injured either now or won't be able to walk when I'm older. Some think I must be a slacker at work because I have this much time to run and train (truth is, I wake up early and sacrifice), but most are pretty supportive. They think I'm nuts, but they are supportive. Now, they call me a "Maniac" and it make me proud.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I think I would do 26 in 2010 if I could.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Bluenose Marathon 2009, it is the same one my daughter got for finishing her race so we have that to share.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?
Hanging on a the two top corners of a big picture frame collage of my family.

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
The only thing my wife doesn't support about my running is the wearing of the shirts when I am not running. I wear some to run in, others become weekend shirts. I teach Phys Ed though, so I can even wear some to work. The bottom gear drawer is getting full now though.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Joggins, NS. Country Roads, Beautiful cliff views, UNESCO World Heritage site and sate of the art Green Fossil center and visitors center. It would help the local village economy and the people there are amazing and hard working. It would be a huge hit!

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Maniac Black

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
pre race meal is a banana, either a plain doughnut or a fruit turnover pastry, a coffee, and a Poweraid

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Power Gel Banana/Stawberry with caffeine and Carb-boom Apple Cinnamon. Poweraide Red.

Which race would you never run again and why? I have not found one yet at any distance that I would not return too

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
To achieve my Bronze 1 Level I ran two marathons in 14 days. I faced lots of car travel, hills, quad cramps, wind and rain, and doubt. it seemed like a huge undertaking and it was, but luckily I had lots of positive encouragement to combat the obstacles.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I run trails with the Dog after work or will run-commute to and from work. I also bike my daughter to preschool two days a week. I get some lunch time runs in so I can log anywhere between 8 and 16 a day (kms) four days a week. Then I will run a longer run of 24km or more on the weekend. I cycle a lot so It is nothing for me to try to get more than 200kms a week in there as well. Being a teacher allows me to have some great time off, so I can race a lot in the summer as well as devote time to organizing our local trail running club (www.hfxtrailrunners.com). I have no real typical week as being a father and teacher had every week looking different. It keeps training fresh if you are flexible.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I run with a few HTR club friends, my usual training partner, Rob Kerr, moved to Korea, we logged a lot of adventures together. But most of the time it is my dog or my daughter (stroller for the long runs)

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Asics 2130...3rd pair, helped solve an achillies issue. I'l never switch. As for trail shoe, I get to test different ones because I get some through the club and have gotten some for doing review in Trail Runner Mag, favourite are Montrails

What are your short-term running goals? Keep strong over the winter, get a little faster. Do the vermont 50 miler next fall.

What are your long-term running goals? Have 40 marathons completed when I turn 40 (7 years to do 35 more) complete some ultras. And I just directed my first race, a trail race at a local ski hill. We had 58 come out for the first running. I want to build on that. Mostly, I want my running to take me around the world. Seeing places as a runner with my family.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Walk the dog, go to the beach with the family, cycle, camp, hang with friends, photography, drink coffee, dream.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty? Superman, the real one. Christopher Reeves. Inspirational the way her kept on living...I was always a Spiderman kid growing up though.