Maniac questionnaire Name Duane Staley Maniac #2008 How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 13 marathons, 2 ultras. What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) 50 yard dash, I was a really fast kid! What was the first marathon you ever ran? Lower Potomac Marathon in Piney Point, MD. How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I’ve been a runner since about age 10. I was a sprinter then, turned to distance running in 2006. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? I met two maniacs Jim Simpson and Clare King at the Mississippi Coast Marathon in November 2009. I asked them how to become a maniac and here I am. Or what inspired you? I had a client in his 70’s who was an experienced marathoner. He showed me some pretty impressive finish times, so I thought “If he can do it, I can do it!” Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Texas Marathon on Jan 1. It’s 4 loops and you get to see all of your friends and family members several times. And Steve and Paula Boone REALLY know how to take care of each runner, even down to the last one crossing the finish line. I did Texas with 6 friends and it was a hoot! If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Napoleon Hill. He has had a tremendous influence on my life and I would just like to pick his brain for 5 hours or so. What was you most memorable marathon and why? The Texas Marathon because of the comraderie of all the runners on the 4 loops. If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Mississippi Coast Marathon in Waveland, MS. What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 700 miles driving. Do any of your non-running friends or family members thing that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are non-running friends? If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? 40 From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Texas Marathon, it’s HUGE, something like 2 pounds! Everything’s BIGGER in Texas! Where do you keep your finisher medals? Hanging on the wall at my office. Do you wear your race t-shirts? Yes, I wear the tech shirts while on training runs or on race day; the cotton tees, I wear when I’m bumming around. If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Rome Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Maniac Yellow of course! What is your favorite pre race meal? Pasta. What is your energy gel of choice? Vanilla Gu Which race would you never run again and why? I wouldn’t run ANY of them again. Oops, I mean I’m a racewalker, so I racewalk these things. But I think my least favorite is probably the Marathon 2 Marathon which I’ve done twice now. The headwind is just brutal on that race! But I would still do it again if I needed to get a race in for whatever reason. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? My most challenging race was the John Evans 50K in Houston in January 2008 that is a USATF event for racewalkers only. It was my first crack at a 50K and the last 5 miles about killed me. My wife was getting more and more worried each time I came around the 2500m loop. But I finished respectably, got no warning cards for disqualification from the judges, so it was a good day, but a challenge. Now, I do the same race every year. What is a typical training week like for you? Wait a minute, you mean you have to train for these marathons? Nobody told me that! Who’s in charge here, I need to speak with the Main Maniac! Do you have a training partner? Usually train alone. If so, who is it? Occasionally, I racewalk with Augie Hirt and Alberto Medina (both world-class racewalkers). What kind of shoes do you train in? Adidas Mana or Adidas Adizero (racing flats). Do you race in a different shoe? Both work well for me, I also use a gel insert inside the shoe. What are your short-term running goals? Short term, do at least 12 marathons in 2010, hopefully closer to 20. What are your long-term running goals? Complete the 50 states by the end of 2012. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Is there anything fun besides doing marathons? Well, my 2 daughters keep me busy with their activities, soccer, horses, etc. Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty? Main Maniac, of course.
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