Maniac questionnaire

Name Michael Lacombe                    

Maniac #722

State you live in: Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 49/5

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)

5.2 miles Leominster MA City Hall to Fitchburg City Hall

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?

Marlboro MA Marathon in 1974 5 loop course...I had a wonderful time once the gun went off and I stopped shaking.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?

I have been running since January 1, 1973.  I needed something to do to stay in shape for the exercise class I attended at the Y.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?

I decided to become a Maniac for a couple of reasons (1) because of the challenge of getting into the club and the discipline it takes to meet the entry criteria.  (2) because my my friends Heidi Hubler, Laurie Dent, and Steve Ellis became Maniacs, they were an inspiration to stay the course and to make the grade.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?

Some day I would like to run the Honolulu Marathon

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?

I would like to run a marathon with Bill Rodgers.  I grew up and began my running career in Massachusetts and have run in races that Bill Rodgers was entered and have met him, but it would be nice to be able to have him run my pace for a marathon.  Bill Rodgers won the first 2 Boston Marathons I ran ('75 & '79).

What was you most memorable marathon and why?  My most memorable marathon was the Original Marathon in Athens, Greece.  I was an original goal I made when I began running and in 1980, my wife and I took a vacation to Athens to run the marathon.  It was thrill to run on the original course and finish in the Olympic Stadium (the old one).  The weather was hot and conditions were harsh, but entering the Stadium and circling the track and crossing the finish line was awesome!  Another part of the ambiance of the experience was in the tunnel within the Stadium on the side of the walls were pipes with water running out of them and people showering (men and women) using them...co-ed showers were not for this marathoner.  I chose to ride the crowed bus back to the hotel to take a warm private shower and have a cold adult beverage to relax.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?

If it were a marathon, I would suggest Skagit Flats Marathon.  The course is flat as a pancake, the scenery is wonderful and the organization and support is great.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?

3000 miles to run Boston in 1979

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?

Yes, I have those friends who think there is something wrong with me for running as much as I do.  The mayor of our city would ask me each Saturday as I came into the Health Club after my long run, “How far did you run today Michael?” I would say “15 miles.”  And every time he would reply “Wow! I get tired driving that far!”

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?

I would probably run 12....going to wild places.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

I ran a marathon in Adana Turkey in 1981 and I finished 4^th and received an engraved copper VW hub cap as a trophy.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

When I first bring the finisher medal home, I may hang it on a big clip on the refrigerator until Wendy, my wife realizes it is there and she puts in our closet...I string them on some racks in the closet.  If I am feeling particularly playful, I will hang the medal on the Wendy's side of the bed on the bed post.  It usually does not stay there too long.

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I usually only wear my race shirts for sporty casual at least for the first year, then I can sweat in them.  I wear most of them to work out.  Some I store in boxes in the closet and every now and then go through them for old time sake.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?  Maniac Black

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?

Pre Race Meal: Cinnamon Bagel, Vanilla Latte and Gatorade.  Post Race Meal – Gatorade and Ivars Clam Chowder.

What is your energy gel of choice?

Banana Hammer Gel.  Sport drink of choice – Gatorade.

Which race would you never run again and why?

I do not think there is a race I would never run again except if they moved the Seattle Marathon back to Seward Park pre 1980.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?

The most challenging race I ever ran was my first ultra -  Chuckanut 50K in 2000.  It rained pig and chickens from the very beginning.  My running friends and I were taking turns leading our group which helped pass the time, but the rain and shoe-sucking mud was getting unbearable.  As we made our way out and up of the mud filled trench like trail leading to Chin Scraper, I was beginning to feel some relief.  It was coming up to be my turn at the front of our group and we took the turn and I looked up and there was Chin Scraper....I said Oh S...T!  I can't do this someone else lead.  I did make it to the top eventually.  I did finish with tear filled eyes and a great sense of accomplishment!

What is a typical training week like for you? 4-6 days of running. How many miles do you run? 35 – 40 miles. Any cross training?  Swimming, Weights, Biking, Yoga and Pilates.

Do you have a training partner? Yes, a group of training partners. If so, who is it?  Heidi and Brady Hubler, Laurie Dent, Kathryn Briggs, Chris McNabb, Steve Ellis, Colvin Holm, Kurt Reidinger and Christine Snell. 

What kind of shoes do you train in? Brooks Trance 5 Brooks Burn 2.  Do you race in a different shoe? Yes, ½ marathon or below Brooks RT Racer, Brooks Trail Shoe for trail, Trance for road marathons.

What are your short-term running goals?  To stay healthy enough to stay in shape to be able to run a marathon when ever the one comes along.

What are your long-term running goals?  Keep on Keepin' on....Reach the 100 marathon level.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?  Read, listen to quiet music, spend quiet time with my family.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head).  Given the choices, I think the Main Maniac...the picture says it all...and Maniacs do it all.