Maniac questionnaire

Name Mark D. Seaburg

Maniac # 789
 
State you live in
Minnesota, near Minneapolis

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?
So far (January 2008), 50 marathons and four 50K ultras

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)
Crazy Legs 10K, Madison, Wisconsin, during college

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?
The Madison Marathon 1981. My longest run before that had been 15 miles. By mile 20 I was hurting bad! But I finished in less than 4 hours.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I started running in college. Because it took less time than cycling.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
I’ve seen you Maniacs with your yellow shirts at the races. I’ve met (and run behind) Chuck Engle, Dane Rauschenberg, and Sam Thompson. You guys are tough.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
They’re all great for some reason. Any time I can run and be given water and support along the course I am grateful. My big dream is to run the Western States 100M someday. That may not be possible. But you’ve got to have a dream. Otherwise how are you going to have a dream come true?

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
Already done. I ran the San Francisco Marathon (much of the way) with Dean Karnazes. He is a one-man inspiration machine.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?
The Twin Cities Marathon is always my favorite, and memorable. I have a nearly two-decade streak going. I captain a team from work. The crowd support we receive is tremendous. You can’t beat the hometown race.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?
A PR race would be cool, flat, and fast. There are many of those around the US. My favorite is the Houston Marathon.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
Paris. Magnifique!

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?
No. They are all very supportive.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
Once a week would be great. Do you have funding for that? ;-)

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
The Twin Cities Marathon. You can’t beat the hometown race.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?
In a shoebox.

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
Sometimes. The rest go to the Goodwill.

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

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
Yellow. Because I get too hot. But the black looks cool.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre: a bowl of cereal and a Frappuccino. Post: anything will do.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
Gel: raspberry cream PowerGel. Goes down smooth. Drink: anything will do.

Which race would you never run again and why?
I would run them all again. See above. Whenever someone will support me along the way, I am grateful.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
This past year’s Twin Cities Marathon was a challenge. It was too hot. Even worse though was the Afton Trail 50K I ran last summer. 92 degrees and about the same amount of humidity. Brutal.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
40-50 miles per week. More during peak training months. I do little cross training. I am just a runner.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
Yes I do. My faithful black lab Lucy. In fact she’s ready to head out right now. I better finish this quickly.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
Road: Mizuno Alchemy. Trail: The North Face Arnuva 100s, and the Gore-Tex version in the winter.

What are your short-term running goals?
I need to go right now because my dog is waiting impatiently.

What are your long-term running goals?
I hope to continue injury free for decades to come. God willing.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Sit on the couch and veg out. A guy’s got to have some down time!

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)
Karno, the Ultramarathon Man, of course.