Maniac questionnaire Name Charles Oatman Maniac # 791 How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 34 marathons, 0 ultras What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) The mile in grade 9 at age 13 What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Ottawa, Ontario, 2002, it was a cold day and I got hypothermia, went into shock, it was horrible How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? 47 years, my brother was two years older than me and started running in grade 9 and I wanted to be just like him, so I trained with him even though there were no races in school I attended. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I finished the Seattle Marathon in 2007 being proud to have run 34 marathons in 5 years, and after the race, I was unknowingly walking with a Maniac after the race and his phenomenal story inspired me to join (it was his second race that weekend). Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Great Wall of China. If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Kathrine Switzer because it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Paula Radcliff comes a close second. What was you most memorable marathon and why? New York City because it is New York City and because I spent an hour after the race passed out in the medical tent. If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Houston What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 3,000 miles 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. “Are you finished with this obsession yet?” “What ever compels you to do that?” “Now how far is this marathon?” “Do you think you will win it?” If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? More than 50. From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Boston Where do you keep your finisher medals? Hanging on a crowded rack in my front hall. Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear the stylish ones, and I keep every single one in drawers and in my closets. If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Somewhere flat on an ocean, say California. The waves are truly inspirational when running. Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Black What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pasta pre race, Starbuck’s Latte and Tim Horton’s apple fritter post race. What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Carb Boom, Gatorade Which race would you never run again and why? I’d run them all again in a heartbeat. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Two races in two days was most challenging, I qualified for Boston at hilly Akron and tried to do it again on flat Toronto Waterfront the next day and hit the wall at mile 13. What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? Total of 35-40 miles, one tempo, one hill or interval, one long, usually 22 to 24 miles. Some easy runs in between or cross training instead. Always some core strength workouts in addition to above. Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? No. Always run alone. What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Only use Asics Gel Kyano for training and racing. What are your short-term running goals? Break the 3:30 marathon in 2008 What are your long-term running goals? Break the 3 hour marathon in my lifetime. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Mountain bike, roller blade, try to find a partner who understands my passion. Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) |