Maniac questionnaire Name Valerie Merges Maniac # 1907 State you live in Utah How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? Nine marathons so far. It’s inconceivable at this time I could run more than 26.2 miles at one time, but we’ll see if I can increase the mileage in the future. What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) In 1992 I ran a 5 K on the island of Kauai where I was living at the time. Although I was one of the last finishers, I won the grand prize drawing in the raffle. The prize was a weekend for two on the Big Island of Hawaii. What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? The first was the Phoenix Rock and Roll marathon in 2007. I injured my knee while training, so I was forced to walk the marathon distance. While walking, I talked to many inspirational participants. There was a guy over 70 years old, some people from an arthritis “just move” group, and others who walked and told me about John “the Penguin” Bingham. I thought this would be my first and last marathon, but after finishing I was so elated that I was motivated to try again. How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I’ve been running since High School just to stay in shape, but never with a coach or on a running team. I’ve always been a slow runner; I have some neurologic impairments. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I found two marathons on the same weekend that were 40 miles apart. I wondered if I could run the first one and walk most of the second marathon. My goal for the second marathon was to run the first hour, then walk the remainder of the marathon. The morning of the second marathon, I started with six other Maniacs in yellow shirts. These people told each other their “numbers”, stats, past events, etc. These Maniacs were obviously part of an exclusive club. The Maniacs weren’t in the race for speed; it was all about having fun. I wanted to be in that club! I was chasing two Maniacs ahead of me…..who kept running. I finally passed the second Maniac about 2 ½ hours into the race. But San Antonio Maniac guy in first place wasn’t slowing down. So I ran the entire second marathon – even though I didn’t think it was possible. I never caught that San Antonio Maniac. Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Everest Marathon If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Someone from the Monty Python’s Ministry of Silly Walks. Every spectator would be laughing as we passed by. Watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlQfXUk7w What was your most memorable marathon and why? My first Phoenix Rock and Roll marathon because I could not believe how many local residents were cheering us on along the route! And the rock bands make it fun! If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Ogden, UT marathon because it is mostly downhill and you do not start with half marathoners. What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Planning to travel from Utah to Hawaii for the Hilo marathon in March 2010. 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? They ask me why I enter races when I don’t “win” anything. I can’t convince my friends at the gym to enter any races, and my family is 100% sedentary. If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? Thirty or so. I also compete in triathlons, so I need time for those events. From what race did you receive your favorite finisher’s medal? Top of Utah (Logan, UT). It’s HUGE and colorful. Where do you keep your finisher medals? On hooks on the wall, which is filling up fast so I might have to figure out an alternative. Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear old race t-shirts when trekking; I’ve given a lot away over the years to porters in third world countries. If someday you’re mountain climbing in Morocco and see a guy with an Ogden marathon shirt, it’s probably mine. Of course I wear more recent race shirts in the gym and while running. If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Torres del Paine, Patagonia Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? I’m all about high vis yellow What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre-race oatmeal + Boost. Post race – sushi. What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Chocolate flavored any brand of gue; Cytomax Which race would you never run again and why? The Rock Cliff Triathlon in 2009; the girl next to me’s $5000 bicycle was stolen during the run. That race organizer needs to improve transition area security! What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? The Battle At Midway triathlon of 2009 had water temperatures below 60 degrees. The cold water took my breath away, and made my arms and legs go numb. I couldn’t feel from my knees down until half the run was over. It was like running on pogo sticks. Since it was a trail run, it was challenging not to trip on the uneven surface and do a face plant. What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? There is no typical week. My life is complete chaos. I train mainly for triathlons; running is just one component. The run portion of an Olympic distance triathlon feels like mile 20 of a marathon. After a marathon, I can go right back into swim and bike training the next day. Triathlons and marathons complement one another. Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Podcasts on my iPod What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Whatever shoes are on sale on Sierra Trading Post – that’s what I wear for everything. They are so cheap that I can rotate them out after a few months. What are your short-term running goals? Move up to Ruthenium level, which is difficult because I work every other weekend. What are your long-term running goals? Complete both a marathon and triathlon in all 50 states. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Triathlons, snowboard, rock climb, trekking all over the world, Broadway musicals, rock concerts, bird watching, learning new things, eating healthy, and travel. Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty? Any marathon runner over 80 years old! |