Name: Ernest (Ernie) Chen

Maniac # 767

State you live in: Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 13

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) 5k

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

San Diego Rock and Roll

1999

Yes, for the first 20 miles.  After the race I swore I would never run another marathon.

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

On and off for about 10 years.  Ran my first marathon because some friends conned me into it.

Picked it up more in 2002 to lose weight (I was travelling a lot, hit the 200+ mark and decided I needed to change my life).

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

Saw Maniac�s encouraging each other at races and felt it would be a great goal.

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

For now, Boston, when I qualify.

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

My wife.  This would mean she is up to the task and we can run future marathon�s together.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

First one.  San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon 1999, because it was the first and I vowed never to run another 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?

Portland, Victoria

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

California (from Seattle).  Hope to run the Taroko International Marathon in Taiwan this year or next.

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?

Yes, my parents like the fact that I�ve lost 50 lbs, but they don�t want me to pass out and die one day on a long run.  My wife likes it because I tend to be in a good mood after a good long run.

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

One a week.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Vancouver Marathon (Salmon shaped medal)

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

In the office hanging on the wall (and now some sitting on a chest of drawers)

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don�t wear?

Yes, technical fabric shirts during training runs, T-shirts at other times.  The ones I don�t wear sit in the closet for now.

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

Yosemite.  Maybe a Half Dome Marathon

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Yellow

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

Prerace: A bagel, a banana and a muffin

Post Race: Fruit right after race, then Chengdu Chinese Buffet

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?

Gummy Bears, Gatorade

Which race would you never run again and why?

Can�t think of one.

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

Los Angeles Marathon 2007: Bonked bad on a hot day, lost 11 lbs of water weight..took over 6 hours but eventually finished.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?

Train 6 days a week�midweek elliptical or short run.  Weekend long run.

Off Training: 25 miles/week,  On Training: 35 miles/week

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?  No

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?  Asics or Brooks, No, I use the same shoes for a race.

What are your short-term running goals?

Now that I�ve qualified for the Maniac�s, next short term goals is to either run a 50K Ultra or qualify for Boston.

What are your long-term running goals?

Stay healthy and lose 10-20 more lbs.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?

Vancouver, BC Food Runs

Getting good deals at Fry�s Electronics

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)

Don�t have a favorite Super Hero, but anyone on the Maniac list with more than a few stars above their name qualify.

Thanks,

ernie