Maniac questionnaire
Name: Wendy Mastripolito
Maniac: # 744
State you live in: Pennsylvania
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 3 marathons so far, but give me some time I will catch up!
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance): A local 5K
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? My first marathon was the Frederick Marathon in May 2007. My friends and family all thought I was doing the half marathon because I neglected to mention the fact that I was actually doing the marathon. I didn’t want a lot of fuss; I just wanted to do this for myself. I did well until about mile 17 and then my legs were reduced to a walk run shuffle. I crossed the line hardly being able to stand, and couldn’t wait to try another! I loved it!
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Ran a few years of track and cross country in high school then took a break of like 20+ years.. Been running competitively for a year. This year I have done 62 races total (40 Road Races of various lengths from 5K to 15K, 4 Half Marathons, 3 Marathons (2 of them fifteen days apart), 5 Triathlons/Duathlons, 4 Bike Races, 1 Ultra Triathlon (DNF), 5 Track Meets.
Why did I start running? I had relatively stayed in shape over the years but when I brought up the idea of training for a 5K to my family they laughed stating there was no way a 40+ year old ex smoker, drinker, party girl could do it.. That’s all the incentive I needed. The hardest thing was actually running that first mile in training.. I forgot how hard it was!
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? WELL… I had signed up for 3 marathons within 3 weeks (C&D on 11/4, Harrisburg on 11/11, and Philadelphia on 11/18)..because I couldn’t decide which one to do.. I really wanted to do all three. Everything I read stated after you do a marathon you shouldn’t do another for 3 months or so.. I thought there HAS to be others who have done back to back marathons, so I googled around and found the Maniac site.. There are TONS of us “crazies” out there… I didn’t get to do all three marathons in a row but I did do 2 of them in three weeks. When I crossed the line at that 2nd one the first thing I thought of (AND THIS IS NO LIE).. I qualified as a Marathon Maniac… of course I was oxygen deprived at this point and wasn’t thinking clearly.
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? WOW,..that is hard question.. I am not sure.. too many choices..!
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Sister Madonna Buder. She is a 77 year old Roman Catholic nun from Spokane, Washington who started running at age 49, and has the freedom to choose her own ministry and lifestyle. During her sporting career, she has worked hard at also raising money for various charities. She is quoted as saying "I train religiously”. She has completed over 200 triathlons including thirteen Ironman Triathlons. Why would I want to run a marathon/ultra with her? Because she is an inspiration to me, her spirit and her determination is beyond words.
What was you most memorable marathon and why? The C&D Marathon in Delaware on November 4th. I had signed up to do this marathon because the course would take us along the C&D Canal. I remember spending many summer days in my youth watching ships on the canal with my grandparents. So not only did this marathon hold special memories for me, it would be the first marathon I actually ran the entire distance and felt really good. And as a bonus, I was thrilled to win the first female masters & the first female 40-44 age group awards. There were only a handful of runners in this marathon but heck I will take the wins when I can!
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Right now I would have to say Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach. I only ran the half marathon but I saw the remaining parts of the full course and its flat.. flatter than a pancake and the weather is usually a perfect 40 degrees or so.. I ran my best half marathon time there. I hope to go back and run the marathon.
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? I would have to say 6 hours. I drive to all my races and back, and well after a marathon it’s a bit hard to drive any further than that!
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? Absolutely, they think I am on the crazy train. It’s hard to be able to talk with most of my family and my non running friends and make them understand how wonderful it is to run and run long!
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? OH heck.. if I didn’t have to work full time and had money I would do them every week.. I like and look forward to my long runs each week.. of course I say that now .. I would probably need to take a month off each year in order to recover.
From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? So far it is the C&D Marathon.. it was a tiny medal shaped like a lighthouse.. no bigger than a key chain but I like it.
Where do you keep your finisher medals? In a cabinet.. it’s cool.. they are displayed
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I have over 50+ race shirts.. I wear certain ones all the time either to bed or to work out in, others just sit on the shelf, I should probably donate them.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? I would love to put on a marathon in my home town. How cool would that be. Good old Glenmoore PA
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? I like the Maniac Black.
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? I eat a lot.. it could be anything.
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Vanilla Gels and Lemon Lime Gateraid.
Which race would you never run again and why? I haven’t encountered that yet.
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? If you are talking about running races I would say this combination: I did a 5K race the day before the C&D Marathon, then 15 days later, I did a 10K race the day before the Philly Marathon. I probably would have done the Harrisburg Marathon in-between if I wasn’t having some hamstring issues.
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I train for triathlons too so I usually run about 40 miles a week, swim a couple times a week, and bike a couple times a week Depends. I consider a lot of my training “play” so it’s easy to get a swim in and then a bike or run in.
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I can’t seem to find any one crazy enough to want to do all the training I do, so I do most of it solo.
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I train and race in my Brooks. I do have Asics that I race in for the shorter distances but the Brooks are the one for me for the Marathons. I actually purchased 2 extra pair for later.
What are your short-term running goals? To improve my times across the board, to better myself physically and mentally.
What are your long-term running goals? To win a Maniac award! Oh and to eventually qualify for Boston and Ironman Hawaii.
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I snow shoe race, kayak, orienteer, mountain bike, and will be throwing the Javelin competitively in Spring 2008. I bike race for the WCCC/Iron Hill Cycling Club..I run track for the Philadelphia Masters Club, I am a member of the Philadelphia Triathlon Club, and the DVOA (DE Valley Orienteering Assoc).
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head): Wonder Woman.. go figure.
Any last words for your fellow runners? Live your life to the fullest… don't let anyone ever tell you that you cant ...because you can.. And have fun!!! I live by this statement by Mahatma Ghandi “My Life is my Message”.