Maniac questionnaire
Name : Richard Stewart
Maniac #581
State you live in: British Columbia, Canada .
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 36 and 6
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance
I think it was the Little Red River Park 5kms in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1985.
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?
The Saskatchewan Marathon in 1988 in Saskatoon.
I was so tired that I needed to use my hands to put my legs into the pant legs of my sweats.
Chafed bloody--( These were pre Bodyglide days) but I was hooked .
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I started while in the Canadian Army in 1973 after a winter of too much beer and pizza.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
I was looking for a new challenge and was running the Grandfather Mountain Marathon in 2006.
I met Brian "Action" Jackson and ran the last 15kms with him. By the time I was finished I knew this club was for me.
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
Boston still sings its siren song but I expect that I will have to qualify when I am somewhat older when the qualifying times are less harsh. (Ok , make that a lot older)
Come to think of it, I would like to be that 95 year old that finishes first in his age group.
If one can't be fast--be colourful !
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
Anyone that doesn't have to ask how long a marathon is and knows that the race bib goes on the front.
What was you most memorable marathon and why?
The Marine Corps Marathon 2007 .
Great course,organization and medal.
I was honoured to run with some of the vets.
My brother-in-law ( a retired Marine Corps major) was training to run it with me but took ill at the last minute.
I ran for him as well.
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?
The California International Marathon in Sacramento.--Dull course though.
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
Prince George , British Columbia , Canada to Washington DC to do the MCM.
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?
All of them . I was told I was crazy to even consider doing 2 marathons in 2 weeks.
I ended up doing 5 in 5 weeks in 2007 ( 2 of those in 2 days) and 12 so far this year.
My doctor recently told me in kidding fashion that he has the power to lock up people who insist on hurting themselves .(At least, I think he was kidding)
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
12 was about right for 2007. My 2008 "to do" list has 18 though.
So many marathons --so little time.
From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
The MCM.along with the finisher picture.
Where do you keep your finisher medals?
I have an Ego Wall in the basement where I hang medals, bibs and finisher pictures.
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
The really lame shirts are trashed before I leave package pickup.
Those less so are used for throwaways for future races.
The best I wear a great deal.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
I have done so. I organized the first Annual Mad Moose Marathon in Prince George .
We have a website too.
madmoosemarathon.ca
Bring your trail shoes. There WILL be mud.
Possibly moose as well.
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
Yellow --but bring back the black version and I will order that one too.
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre race--spaghetti with meat sauce.
After--anything that doesn't move too fast but its usually a triple cheese burger , fries and a strawberry shake.
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
I haven't found an energy gel that doesn't give me a belly ache.
I use Sport beans and prefer Gatorade. Can't abide that repusive Powerade.
Which race would you never run again and why?
Some I have enjoyed more than others but there isn't one I
would not do again.
There are some I would like to do differently.
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
That would be this year when I went out for MM membership.
I did 5 in 5 weeks and a half marathon 6 days after a double--THAT was an interesting bit of self discovery.
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
I don't cross train. Bores me no end.
I'm a lousy swimmer, hate bikes and am a dismal cross country skiier.
My friends continue to suggest lessons --took them- am still a bad skiier/swimmer..
I had an on-line coach for a marathon time goal a couple of years ago.
Riding an exercise bike was a significant part of his regimen.
I thought then and now that this was a waste of time.
I would have better off having a nap.
My training week is about 30-50 miles per week depending on the time of year.
I oddly enjoy speed work (kilometer repeats ) on the track and hill repeats( maximum 10 per session) 800 meters up and 800 down.
I have a 20 mile route I do quite often
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
Any of my running buddies that are around.
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
Asic Kinseis for both.
What are your short-term running goals?
Do 100 marathons
What are your long-term running goals?
Do 200 marathons or 500 or ...( and Boston of course)
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
I love reading history and drinking single malt scotch .
There is also work too, I suppose.
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)
Isn't it us?