Maniac questionnaire

Name Bill Gaghan

Maniac #752

State you live in Connecticut

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 25 Marathons completed so far

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) It was our local Thanksgiving Day run. The Manchester Road Race is a unique 4.748 mile loop.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? The first Marathon I ever ran was the 2001 Greater Hartford Marathon. I really had no idea what I was doing before that for training, but I still managed to come in at a respectable time. I still remember having to walk down the stairs backwards after that race!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I started running on September 1st, 1997. I was way overweight and wanted to lose the extra weight I had put in since I had gotten married. Since then, running has turned into (nearly) a daily habit. If I don’t run, I don’t feel normal. My wife is also a marathon runner, and our 3 young kids run shorter races. Being runners was our “hook” and we were cast on Season 8 of the CBS television show “The Amazing Race”. We ended up coming in 6^th place, which was mid-pack!

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Some that know me would say that I’ve been a maniac of one sort or another for a long, long time now. I’ve chatted with quite a few members at marathons and decided that this was just the type of group I’d like to be a part of! Plus, I’m a fan of the singlet . . .  

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Very difficult question, but I guess I would have to pick The Comrades Marathon in South Africa.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I would love to run (I’m assuming in this hypothetical dream I get magical powers that let me run sub 5 minute miles!) with Steve Prefontaine because he motivates me; I would love to run with Dick Beardsley because he has a great personality, tells a great story and is just a great human being; and I would love to run with Bill Rogers and Amby Burfoot because they are from Connecticut (like me) and they have made great contributions to our sport for many years.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? I have to pick the 2004 Vermont City Marathon because that was the race where I first qualified for the Boston Marathon. Everything came together that day for me; training, great course and perfect running weather!

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? I would suggest either the Steamtown Marathon in Pennsylvania or the Pacific Crest Marathon in Oregon.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Coming from Connecticut, the farthest I’ve flown for a Marathon was either San Diego or Portland Maine. However, I happened to be Auckland New Zealand a few years ago for business and stumbled across the ‘Round the Bays Rcae. This was an 8.4 km race – I have no idea how many people were there, but my Bib number was 88958 . . . . I suspect there were people still crossing the start line when the finishers were done!

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? Having them think I’m crazy if half the fun! I hear the usual comments where they ask if I’m worried about my knees or other random body part. I also hear the comment that they don’t even like to drive 26 miles and they can’t imagine running that far – never mind doing it over and over - for fun!

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I think between 24 and 30 marathons a year would be enough to keep me happy.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? I have lots of favorites, but I will pick my first Boston Marathon medal. I had a bad race that day because of the temperature, but it still was an emotional finish that I won’t ever forget.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? I hang them on a couple curtain rods in my home office.

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I do wear them from time to time. I have dreams of having my wife make one of those quilts with the marathon shirts when I have enough.

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

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Maniac Yellow for now, but I hope to convince my wife that I need one of each.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre race is any sort of pasta with chicken; post race has to be pizza and beer!

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? When I take it, I prefer Hammer Gel, but I’ve gotten away from that for some reason that last couple of years. I’ll take any flavor that’s fruity, but avoid the chocolate during a race. I like Accelerade Orange for a drink.

Which race would you never run again and why? The easy answer is to pick any race where they made me run in high temps and high humidity – I HATE THAT – I can pick the 2003 Marine Corps, the 2006 Grandma’s, the 2007 Country Music or the 2007 Rocket City race! Having said that, each of these were great races otherwise and I’ve learned something from each of them.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? My 11-best running friends and I have run the Reach the Beach Relay Race in New Hampshire the past 3 years and it’s become quite possibly become the race event I most look forward to each year. It’s a 200+ mile route that starts in the mountains and works its way to the beach; each runner does 3 legs in rotation. I highly recommend this race for anyone that wants to make some real good memories.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I average about 40 miles per week over the year. One of the reasons I like running back-to-back marathons is that it lets me stay in a continuous taper period. Generally I run about 9 days out of 10. I have many plans for bike riding, swimming, hiking, yoga and general stretching, but I have not been diligent in actually acting on these plans. Someday . . .

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I run with a great bunch of guys at lunchtime during the week and a similar group during the weekend long runs. Paul Dickie, Tim Carson, Ken Jardin, Rich Luth, Dave Daley and Pat Reavey are a great group of guys to run with and they keep me motivated. We’ve solved most problems of the world over and over during our runs; if only someone was taking notes!

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I’ve been running in Asics Kayano’s for many years. I’ve like some models better than others, but they are very friendly to my feet.

What are your short-term running goals? Stay healthy, still trying to lose those last few pounds.

What are your long-term running goals? Circumnavigate the earth (25000 miles running); complete my 50 states and DC marathon quest; and one day if the opportunity ever presents itself, I would like to run trans-con across the United States.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I spend time with my beautiful wife Tammy who is also pursuing a marathon in each of the 50 states, and my 3 kids, Billy, Carissa and Kelley.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) It would have to be Superman. Flying would rock!