Maniac questionnaire
Name
Charles Garcia
Maniac
#1968
State you live in
The Great State of Texas
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?
3 marathons/4 ultra marathons as of 11/18/09
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)
After a decade of a sedimentary life: 2008 10k Turkey Trot
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?
2009 USA Fit Marathon at Terry Hershey Park, Houston, TX. I couldn’t walk for a week but couldn’t stop smiling either.
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I “became” a runner in November 2008. I’m in financial services. Could it have had something to do with October 2008 being the worst month for financial markets in recorded history?
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
I knew it was serious when I began planning family trips around the race calendars. My wife has now caught the condition and we see little hope for our children avoiding infection. It is better to just accept the stigma and bond with our own kind.
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
Western States…
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
David Goggins, US Navy Seal/ultra endurance athlete. His story was the wakeup call that started this tour.
What was you most memorable marathon and why?
2009 Surfside Beach Marathon, Surfside, Texas. 100% sand marathon that became a mud race when the day-long thunderstorm broke open at mile 7. It was brutal. I hated every second and loved every step.
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?
Any marathon being held at Terry Hershey Park in Houston, Texas. It is incredibly flat and races are typically limited under 500 due to width of sections in the path. Then again- anything in Houston- come learn the definition of FLAT!
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
6 hours. Not exactly a continental jump because right now we combine races with family trips.
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?
Of course.
“You know, running is really bad for your knees.”- says the very over-nourished family member.
“The human body wasn’t really built for distance running.” –says the family member who never paid attention in history class.
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
52+, I would use races to see the world.
From what race did you receive your favorite finisher’s medal?
USA Fit Marathon at Terry Hershey Park. Despite being a cool design, it was my first.
Where do you keep your finisher medals?
Tossed in a basket on top of a computer armoire. To me, the medal represents the finish- but I really have no finish. Running is not an event it is a lifestyle. I prefer to collect the bibs; they were part of the journey.
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
I use them as lounge shirts but I will occasionally wear an ultra shirt out if I think it will cause people to be concerned about my stability. They are begging to cause space issues in the closet.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
Through a series of vineyards. I can’t think of a more perfectly contrasted mix of suffering and serenity.
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
Maniac Black
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre-Race: Baked ziti covered in cheese. Post-Race: Mexican food
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
Gel: chia seed based gel; still working on the details. Drink: watered down Gatorade
Which race would you never run again and why?
I’m not inspired to run the same race twice. I enjoy the diversity of the races. If I had to choose a non-repeat it would be San Antonio Rock & Roll for the logistical headache they put us all through.
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
I’m in it right now. A 50k followed the next week by a marathon, two weeks off and then my first 12-hour timed ultra. The question is knowing how to recover quickly enough. The challenge is I don’t have the answer!
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
No real structure at this point. I try to log 10-15 miles a day with a long 15+ run on weekends. 40-60 miles per week. Haven’t consistently incorporated cross training yet.
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
No, I’m a solo runner.
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
Trail runs: Nike Pegasus; Road runs: Brooks Ghost
Experimenting with barefoot running to combat heel issues; so far so good.
What are your short-term running goals?
Cross the 50-mile mark during an upcoming 12-hour race.
What are your long-term running goals?
100+ milers. It’s a bit scary but I actually find myself day dreaming during runs about Western States, Badwater and McNaughton.
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
That’s funny. I’m a business owner, husband and father of three. I run because it’s cheaper than therapy.
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty?
Wolverine; I think runners can relate to doing something and not giving a rat’s ass about the peanut gallery commentary others feel obligated to provide. “Hey- it’s not pretty but it’s what I do. Now get outta my way.”
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