Maniac questionnaire
Name Susan Harumi Glesne
Maniac # 766
State you live in Washington
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 23 official/2 unofficial
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Berry Dairy Days 1998
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Las Vegas Marathon in 1999. Ran with my husband, Reed. Didn’t hurt until we stopped and it only got worse for the next two days. Then, on our flight home we decided to sign up for the Portland Marathon.
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I jogged/ran through high school for exercise, then quit for almost 20 years. I started running again because I couldn’t get to an aerobics class while visiting Alaska. Then I remembered that endorphin rush.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? People say I’m crazy -- is that the same as being a maniac? I love to run and I plan to run many, many more marathons for many, many more years.
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Great Wall Marathon!
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I always love running with Reed because he pushes me. I will always run with anyone who wants to finish a marathon. And definitely would like to do one with both of my sons and daughter-in-law. My ultimate goal is to get local Special Olympic athletes to run marathons and half marathons. The Gran Pacifico Marathon in Mazatlan was the first race I’d been in where disabled athletes participated along with everyone else.
What was your most memorable marathon and why? Always the first one because it was new. But every one of them is memorable because I am still amazed each time I finish one.
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? For a PR, Skagit Flats, although it’s never worked for me. But my favorite race is still the North Olympic Discovery Marathon on the Olympic Peninsula.
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Mazatlan for a half marathon and Duluth, Minnesota for a marathon.
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? When I forwarded the article about my goal for 2008 in the local paper last week, my dad just said he didn’t know where I got these genes because it certainly wasn’t from him or my mom. My brothers finally think I am as tough as them.
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I would definitely run as many as my body will let me.
From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? The half marathon medal from Seattle when I ran with my son in 2005.
Where do you keep your finisher medals? In my walk-in closet. Some day I’ll figure out how to display them.
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? If it’s a regular t-shirt, I get an extra-large and give them to my sons. I usually keep the technical shirts. NODM has had the best ones so far, especially the one from 2003.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Well...we already have our unofficial one here in Mount Vernon, Washington. It’s our own Last Chance Marathon at the end of the year.
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Maniac Black
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre-race: homemade oatmeal, Boost, banana. Post race: Always a regular Pepsi. And once I’m rested, red meat!
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? e-Gel - Mountain Rush. I’ve tried almost every kind and this is the best tasting one.
Which race would you never run again and why? Maybe Tucson. But I could probably be talked into it again if I could train to run downhill for four hours.
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? It should be Ironman Canada but wasn’t. By the time I get to the run, I know I’m doing what I love best, so I am always smiling those last five hours. I think it was the runs I did in 2003 when I didn’t know I had asthma. My next goal is to complete an ultra.
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I’ve been doing various distance triathlons for the last three years so I balance running with biking and swimming. I try to average at least 40 miles of running each week. I also lift weights, do aerobics, and dance.
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I love to train alone but my most consistent partner for the past ten years has been Reed and my core group of “wild friends”. They make running fun.
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I switch them around but mostly choose any Asics model that has good cushioning. I have an addiction to shoes. Any kind.
What are your short-term running goals? Run one marathon/marathon distance each month in 2008. It’s also my own fund raiser for Special Olympics.
What are your long-term running goals? Work up to ultra-marathons and eventually participate as a relay team in Ultraman in Penticton. Then maybe doing the whole three-day event. May be awhile.
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Work for the National Park Service. And cook and eat. Alot.
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) Main Maniac because I can’t relate to the other two at all.