Name John Lum Young Maniac #816 How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 14 marathons What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Marathon What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon. 1994. I think so. The thrill of finishing erased all discomfort. How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Five years ago when I joined T&T Road Runners Club with the goal of running a sub 4 hr marathon. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Always believed that running literature suggesting one marathon per year was no good. Glad to meet you folks. Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Many, but I will name two: Great Wall of China Marathon and Two Oceans in South Africa. If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? My dad, 75 yrs old, because in his youth he had great speed, endurance and stamina. I look forward to running sometime with my son (currently 14 yrs old) when he understands that 26.2 ml is “small thing”. What was you most memorable marathon and why? Boston 2007. I was in my best shape. Though it was freezing and wet I survived the conditions and had a decent, enjoyable run. If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Marathon of the Palm Beaches, Florida. It is perfectly flat, no breeze with a most scenic first half. What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? From Trinidad & Tobago to Boston. 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? Maybe, but they respect my hobby. Don’t recall, so the comments are likely not important. If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? 52 From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Reggae Marathon, Jamaica. Where do you keep your finisher medals? In an airtight plastic bag at the bottom of my drawer. (Hope to have it displayed someday.) Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Yes. Give to friends. If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Tobago. Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yellow. What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre race - fried dasheen (a ground provision). Post race - any of the foods I will give up when training resumes. What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? E-gel and Power Bar Recovery Drink. Which race would you never run again and why? No comment, I said that about a marathon once and I ran it again. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Two marathons in 2 days in 2 countries (with Maniac #804) because of the logistics involved with international flight connections, collection of race packets etc turned out to be more stressful than the runs. What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? Four to five days about 30 – 40 mls plus some cycling. Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? My buddies at the T&T Road Runners Club. For the “crazy” stuff, Alfred “Maniac #804” Patrick. What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Any shoe on sale. Yes. What are your short-term running goals? To qualify for Boston 2009 What are your long-term running goals? To run the world, 26.2 mls at a time, as long as I can. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Cycle and observe nature. Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) |