Maniac questionnaire
Name Teresa Baker
Maniac # 1916
State you live in
Utah
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?
9 marathons as of Nov. 2009
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)
Annapolis Race for the Cure 5k
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?
Rock N Roll Arizona, 2004, Yes, I had signed up for the half but when I got to the expo I decided to change to the Marathon. It was really fun!
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I started running the day I turned 40. I wanted to do something for myself and I was encouraged by other runners who encouraged me and made the impossible seem possible.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
Peer pressure by Maniac #1210. I had never dreamed that it was possible and by happenstance I had 2 marathons scheduled in one month. Lynne says- “You should become a Maniac, just schedule one more marathon.” After that, I was hooked. (I’ve also “peer-pressured” or “encouraged” 5 other training partners to do it, so the Utah Maniacs have surfaced.)
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
I haven’t met many races that I didn’t like so I don’t know. I want to do them all.
I would like to be fast enough to qualify for Boston but I think that I started too late for that.
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
My daughter. She started running at the age of 9 and she is always an inspiration for me. I started running because I love watching her run. Although she is much faster than me, one day, we will run a marathon together. (2nd choice – I’d love to go on a run with Zola Budd or Kara Goucher too.)
What was you most memorable marathon and why?
“The Flying Pig” 2004- It was the only race that my husband and I have run together, my sister-in-law and several friends also did this race, it was raining for 20 of the 26 miles, it was cold, a Kahn’s hot dog beat us, and my daughter was at the finish to meet us and keep us from getting hypothermia. The medal is great and I love the backpack. Definitely my most memorable 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?
Pocatello, ID – “Running the Gap” or Ogden UT Marathon
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
From Utah to WVA to date…
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?
My extended family definitely doesn’t understand.
“Running is bad for you, you should run less”
“Take time to smell the roses – why are you going to another race?”
“Do you really run on vacation?”
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
12 seems like a good number- I really like training runs with my friends too. If they were traveling with me, we could run a race every weekend.
From what race did you receive your favorite finisher’s medal?
St. George – It’s a beautiful polished granite medallion. (I earned it that day – cold and rainy at the marathon – the first time that it had rained in 28 years.)
Where do you keep your finisher medals?
A shelf in my closet
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
Some of them – I wear the tech shirts that fit. The cotton shirts are stacked in the cedar closet.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
Zermatt, Switzerland
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
Maniac Red
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre-Race – Sushi or Grilled Chicken with Mixed Greens and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Post race – Café Rio.
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
GU Roctane- Vanilla/Orange
Purple PowerAde
Which race would you never run again and why?
Never say Never… I do have a few that are my least favorites though. I have done enough Rock N Rolls for awhile…
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
My maniac streak – 3 in 2 months because of the travel and logistics involved between my kid’s school and sports schedules and my work schedule. If I were retired, this would be much easier!
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
I usually run 4 days a week – steady at 25-30 miles per week. Cross-training includes weights, yoga, swimming, elliptical and cycling (indoor and out).
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
I have great running partners for the long runs… Bob, Jim, Franz, Angie, Teri….and more…
(They’ll be Maniacs by the end of the month.)
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
Mizuno Wave
No, I race in the same shoe.
What are your short-term running goals?
Get faster.
What are your long-term running goals?
Stay uninjured, keep racing
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Snowshoe, Downhill Skiing, Trail Running,
Mtn. Bike, Road Cycle, Triathlons, Knit, Play Scrabble
Travel, try new restaurants
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty?
WonderWoman with the above choices- she looks GREAT in that outfit – We actually have this conversation at the dinner table with our kids and there are a lot more Super Heroes out there – I would pick Bionic Woman as my favorite superhero. She always runs injury free.
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