Maniac questionnaire

 

Name Paul Ahnberg

 

Maniac # 711

 

State you live in Florida

 

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 15 marathons 0 ultras

 

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) 600 yd in elementary school.

 

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Tallahassee 2002 on the old Killearn course.  That was an awesome day and reward for a lot of disciplined training.  Got a Boston Qualifier right out of the gate.

 

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I began running in 7th grade in Los Gatos, California in 1971.  My brother Jon was a pretty good high school runner – 4:24 miler and 9:39 two miler…and I wanted to be like him.  Never was as good a runner as he was, though.

 

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I liked the idea…it seemed crazy to me…and I wanted to be a part of a group of crazy folks.  Then my girlfriend Peggy Shashy (Maniac #275) announced on the Monkey Chatter board this year that I’d be a new Maniac when I finished the Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon this year.  So I had no choice but to finish and become a Maniac!

 

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Right now, the Ultimate XC 50K in Moab, Utah.

 

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I’d run it with my maternal grandfather.  He died when I was very young and I never knew him.  He was a very adventurous fellow according to my mother – he was a Chief Engineer on a merchant ship and traveled the world - and I’d like to hear some of his stories.

 

What was you most memorable marathon and why? They’re all memorable but if I had to choose one I’d say the Wineglass Marathon.  A small, well-organized marathon in the Finger Lakes region of New York.  I liked the mostly rural course and I loved the glass medal and split of champagne given to the finishers.  The hiking beforehand, visits to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Corning Glass Museum, and time spent with my girlfriend Peggy were special.  A very close second would be the Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon.  Incredibly friendly runners, RD, and volunteers to go with an absolutely gorgeous and challenging course.

 

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?  Towpath Marathon in the Cleveland/Akron area.

 

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? About 2250 miles.  Stinson Beach Marathon in California.

 

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?  Not crazy exactly…well maybe they do.  An old co-worker used to pray for me.  But they’re probably secretly impressed.  My brother Bruce is impressed anyway.

 

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? As many as my legs could handle…at least one a month.

 

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?  Wineglass Marathon.

 

Where do you keep your finisher medals? In a box at the moment.  They’ll be displayed on a coat rack when I move into my new house.

 

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I do but usually not during races.  I’ve stockpiled all of my shirts.  It’s really time to donate ones I don’t wear or something.

 

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Somewhere up in the Rockies.  I’d have a series, Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall so that you’d get the feel of the land and seasons.

 

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?  Yellow.

 

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?  Pre race is something light like salmon to go with a nice glass or two of wine.  Post race we’ve been going to Waffle House for a traditional egg breakfast.

 

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? The gels don’t make much difference – any type is fine as long as it doesn’t have caffeine.  I like Powerbars and Gatorade cut 50/50 with water.

 

Which race would you never run again and why? Disney.  It’s not that great a marathon, it’s expensive, and I’ve run it twice, the second time for the Goofy in 2006.

 

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?  Toughest race to-date has been the Stinson Beach Marathon.  It starts on the beach and then climbs out 1500 ft over the first 3-miles up the side of Mt Tamalpias.  Even had a ladder at one point.  A lot of other climbs, too.

 

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? Right now not much.  I’ve been through injury after injury and am in need of recovery.  When I’m running well I’m running 5-days per week and averaging 30 to 35 miles per week.

 

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Just me.  Sometimes I’ll run with Peggy and on some Sundays I’ll run with the Bradenton Runner’s Club out on Anna Maria Island.

 

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I’ve worn New Balance for years…training and racing.

 

What are your short-term running goals? To recover from my nagging injuries.

 

What are your long-term running goals? To return to my pre-2006 level and stay there.

 

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I like to hike and bird watch.  I work a lot though and don’t have much time.

 

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) No kidding I always had a thing for Flash from the Justice League of America.  Close second was Sgt Fury and his Howling Commandos.