Maniac questionnaire Name Benjamin Chan, a.k.a. Chan! or Ben Maniac #369 State you live in Oregon How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 19/2 as of 01/30/2009 What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Vancouver Sun Run 10K in 2001 What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Portland Marathon 2004; it was supposed to be my first and last marathon and my main goal was to beat Oprah's and P. Diddy's times and my secondary goal was to come in under 4 hours, which I did at 3:58. The next day I couldn't walk up or down stairs but I was already planning on running another! How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Since 2001 when I started training for the Vancouver Sun Run 10K. Before that I thought running was for schmucks. I mean, why would anyone want to run and end up at the same place you started, what was the point of that? Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Seeing a bunch of yellow singlets at the Royal Victoria Marathon in 2005 planted the seed Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Hmm... Comrades? Great Wall Marathon? If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Terry Fox. Whenever I'm feeling the pain of running I think of Terry Fox and realize what I'm doing at that moment pales in comparison to what he did. What was your most memorable marathon and why? Chicago 2006... it qualified me for 4 stars, but more importantly, I met my future wife there; can't remember much of the marathon itself though If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Eugene or Columbus What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Columbus, Ohio 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? Yes, they mostly ask if I get injured If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? At least 12 From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Columbus, because it's HUGE! Where do you keep your finisher medals? In a shoe box, along with my bibs. Sometimes I put them all on to make my wife laugh. Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Yes, the ones that fit have become a staple in my wardrobe; the ones that don't become pajama tops If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Somewhere in Central America... just because you don't really hear about marathons in that part of the world, plus I think it would be really cool to run from one ancient Mayan city to another. Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yellow! What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Oatmeal and banana for pre and Popeye's Fried Chicken for post What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Hammer gel (vanilla) and water Which race would you never run again and why? OC Marathon... boring course; when you think of Orange County, California you think of beaches, not industrial parks and concrete "river" beds What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Sisters Poker Run 2008... I got sick the week before (and had to bag Chicago which was supposed to be a training run), came back from a 10-day trip overseas, and hadn't been running for 3 weeks prior; I totally wasn't ready What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I'll max out at about 50 miles/week during a training cycle; a "typical" week is 1 long run, 1 tempo run or hill repeats, and 1-2 2X 4-6 milers (run commuting); cross-training is weights, core strengthening, and hiking/walking Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Nope, I'm a loner; don't even use an iPod What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Brooks Defyance or Ghost for roads and Cascadia for dirt; I don't get blisters with Brooks so they're my brand What are your short-term running goals? Keep running and having fun What are your long-term running goals? Keep running and having fun Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Cooking (and eating), reading, birding Who is your favorite Beatle and what is your favorite Beatle song? Any but Mountain Pine Beetles, those guys are the worst
|