Maniac questionnaire

Name    Eva Basehart  

Maniac # 1943
 
State you live in NY

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?  12

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) My first race was a sprint triathlon.  I came in 3rd and I was hooked.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?

 My first marathon was the Buffalo Marathon.  When I was 38.5, I decided I was going to do “40 races by 40”.  The marathon was my 40th race, and fell about 2 weeks before my 40th birthday.  The race was painful, but finishing was awesome.   My son joined me at mile 26 and helped me finish.  I think I became addicted to endorphins during that race.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I started running about 4 years ago.  I was vacationing with friends and several got up in the morning to run on the beach.  I LOVED it.  I trained first to do a triathlon to honor my day, who recently passed away, but who taught me to run, bike and swim. 

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
I recently decided to give up long distance ironman’s.  (I am a two time finisher) and I was looking for a club that would help transition me into a marathon-focused runner.  I couldn’t miss your club’s bright yellow shirts.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
BOSTON!

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
My Dad, but I would like Lance Armstrong to be my crew.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?
Hard to say, but I’d have to say the start line of my first (Buffalo), miles 1-25 of the Plymouth Iron Distance (along the ocean of my hometown) and the finish line of the Oil Creek 50 miler. 

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?
So far, Mississauga.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
I’ve driven 8 hours to get to a start line.

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?
My most common comment from my friends is that I’m crazy.  Now I can tell them that I am not crazy.   I am a maniac.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?  As many as my legs would let me!

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
Musselman half iron.  One year I got a hand made wooden finisher medal and the next year I got a bike gear.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?
I have a wall filled with them.  Sometimes I look at it and wonder who did all those races, other times it reminds me how strong I am. 

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
Since Brooks sponsors me, I only wear the race shirts that they make.   I give the rest to my son.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
Halifax, Massachusetts around the twin lakes.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
Maniac yellow

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Before races its tofu pad Thai, usually from the King and I.  Post race, if I’ve PR’ed or accomplished some cool feat-chocolate milkshake.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
Lemon Sublime Gu.  Not picky about sport drink, just don’t like grape.

Which race would you never run again and why?
Last Chance for Boston Marathon, Ohio.  26-1 mile loops in February.   The race was as mind numbing as the temperature.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
2 years ago.  Musselman ½ iron in Geneva.   Weather was unbelievable.   3 foot waves on the swim.   Lighting and rainstorm throughout the bike.   Washed out roads and mud on the run.  Ugh!

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
Run 40 miles, 4 half out sets of abs, 50 miles of biking hour and a half of upper body work which may/not include swimming.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
Just my IPod.  I train early mornings before the world wakes up.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
Brooks Defiance or Glycerin.  I do trail runs in Cascadia.

What are your short-term running goals?
To qualify for Boston

What are your long-term running goals?
To do more ultra marathons.   To run marathons for the Zen of running versus time.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Hang with my kids.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty?
My husband.  He’s able to handle multiple deadlines, coach 3 hockey games a week with a single whistle, and make me feel invincible.