Name David “Bart” Bartholomew Maniac # 843 How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 36 and counting. What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) a 5K in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? On September 18, 2004 I ran the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan Utah. I had a wonderful time and was hooked for life!! I think “fun” when used to describe running over 26 miles is questionable…It might be better described as”the best of times and the worst of times”. How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? For most of my life I was a smoker and over-eater, running was the last thing on my mind. In August 2002 I had a near fatal heart attack and subsequent open heart, triple bypass, surgery. My Doctor told me to change my life style or net time I might not be so lucky!! I began walking, which lead to jogging, which lead to running. I was blessed to find a wonderful new passion at 46, one that I never dreamed of and certainly had never imagined. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I have seen Marathon Maniacs shirts being worn by some very wonderful runners at several races around the country. There is an instant brotherhood that is created when you run side by side with someone, struggle through the miles and share the smiles. I learned about Marathon Maniacs while on the run. Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? No doubt about it…Boston. I have been trying to qualify from the very beginning. Someday I WILL run it!! If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? My Dad…I would love to share it with him…to have him know that I had made it to this place in my life….to have me be proud of my accomplishments. When he died I had not yet begun this running adventure. What was you most memorable marathon and why? Like all firsts, I think my first is most memorable. The excitement, the unknown, the newness of the whole experience... I still smile when I remember the days leading up to the race and the wide eyed thrill of really being part of it. I never imagined myself as a Marathoner. If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? California International because of it’s net elevation loss and low alitutude. What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? London England…I think it may be 5000 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. My friends and co-workers are in total awe that I can run “that far”…I am sure they wonder about my sanity. My wife constantly tells me that I am over-training and that I am obsessed with running….I think she may be right about my obsession. I guess I like being in the minority...being someone who stands out and does something most “normal” people can’t or don’t. It is kind-of a singular distinction and I love it!!! If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I think one or two a month is good for me….so that’s 12 to 24 depending on how this old body of mine holds up. From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Big Sir in Monterrey, California. It is hand made and each one is individual. Where do you keep your finisher medals? Some are hanging on the wall next to my framed bibs…some are on a display frame that my wife made me for Christmas. Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Yes, I wear most of them….some I train/run in and some I wear to work. I think that I use most of them at some time or another. I do save my first Marathon finisher’s shirt as special…it has never been worn. If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Nothing comes to mind…I think they already have marathons in most every part of the world. Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? I have a yellow one right now…I have not seen the black ones yet so I will have to reserve judgement until I do. What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? My pre race meal is always one slice of wheat bread with peanut butter, a banana, and a bottle of Gatorade. My post race meal is just about anything I can get me hands on!!! What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? I prefer Gel- chocolate flavor and Gatorade- lemon/lime. Which race would you never run again and why? I really can’t think of any that I wouldn’t run again….they all have good things about them. I think I will wait until I have completed all fifty States before I consider repeating most of them. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? So far I would have to say that Lake Tahoe was the most challenging. I think it was a combination of the altitude (6000-7000 ft) and the hills (mountains) that made it most challenging. This last year it had snowed the night before the race so the ice and snow on the roads added another dimension to the challenge!!! What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? Depending on where I am in my training schedule, my typical week varies from 50 to 80 miles. I try to run at least an hour a day, six days a week for my health…I almost always take Mondays off and go to the gym for resistance/core training. Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I don’t have a training partner…sometimes I wish I did. I would love to have someone who runs a little faster than I do to push me sometimes. What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I race and train in Asics. Right now I have a pair of Kayano 14s and DS trainers broken in. What are your short-term running goals? To get to the starting line of my next marathon, (a double in Missouri and Tennessee), in good health and uninjured. What are your long-term running goals? To run until I am a very old man. I may not be fast but I would love to continue to be out there with my brothers and sisters. I find an incredible inner peace when I run…a place where I belong. I know it is good for my body and it keeps my heart healthy. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I love nature in all it’s forms. I love to walk in the woods with my dog Shadow. I am currently working on remodeling our home…sometimes this is fun and sometimes it is challenging. Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) I have always liked Underdog…a rather unlikely hero. “Not plane, nor bird, nor even frog….i |