Maniac questionnaire

Name: Ashley Kuhlmann

Maniac #: 761
 
State you live in: Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 6 marathons / no ultras although according to my Garmin I run over 26.2 miles every race.

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance): It would most likely be racing one of my siblings across our backyard. The first real race would be the 800 meters in fifth grade.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? North Olympic Discovery Marathon in 2006, I had an amazing time and loved every minute of it, I could not wait to run another.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I did not start walking till really late when I was a toddler so the joke is that I run a lot now to make up for all that lost walking. I started running track in middle school and then did cross country in high school and fell in love with longer distance running and have been running since.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I had the privilege to meet the #1 at the Tacoma Marathon expo and he told me that I could do it. Then I ran with a group of maniacs during the race and they sucked me into the insane asylum.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Boston Marathon, the Great Wall Marathon, The Dublin Marathon, the Loch Ness Marathon, and the Antarctica Marathon.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
I don’t know, one of the great things about marathons is all of the new people that you meet during them, so I enjoy starting out with no partners and then see who I get stuck with in those last miles when you need someone there to push you.

I really enjoy running marathons with my dad because although I am faster than him I usually see him at some point during the race and it is nice to have someone to share the marathon with , because those who don’t run marathons just do not understand.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? The North Olympic Discovery Marathon because it was my first, and the Tacoma City Marathon because of the maniacs I got to run with and it was the first marathon shared with my dad.

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 think any race can be a PR if the conditions are right, most of it is in the head. If you are able to control the negative thoughts and pains there is no stopping you.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
150 miles. I am still young and have many more miles to travel.

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? You are crazy, you are insane, that cannot be good for you, I cannot believe that you run that far, how far is a marathon, WHY?

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.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
Tacoma City Marathon

Where do you keep your finisher medals?
 On display in my bedroom

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
Yes. So far I wear all of them, but when I don’t I would like to make a quilt or pillows with them if they are not tech shirts.

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

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
Depends on my mood.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre- salmon, salad, maybe a yam
Post- cereal and fruit

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
Gu, no sports drink for me, just water

Which race would you never run again and why?
I would run them all again

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
2 in 1 week. It made me a maniac.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? 40- 50 miles a week and some weight lifting.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
 Sometime I have friends that run with me, but most of them do not run as far as I do. I have run with my dad but I am too fast for him.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Brooks Adrenaline 7

What are your short-term running goals? Not re-injure myself and make it to Boston.

What are your long-term running goals?
Run a marathon on every continent

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Do crosswords, plan my next marathon, knit, hike, read, dream of traveling

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)
Main Maniac- no competition