Name: Chris Plominski

Maniac #845
 
State you live in: Pennsylvania

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 15 / 1 (50K)

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) As a junior in H.S. I ran an 800m and I was sucking in wind afterwards. I always did like the 1600m and 3200m better.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? My first marathon was the 2000 Steamtown Marathon which I completed in 3:52. The halfway point of the course is my home town. So it was only fitting to run a marathon literally in my own back year. This was also my inaugural race outside of high school trace and cross country. 

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I’ve been running for over 12 years. It started off as being the first one to finish running a half mile warm up for baseball. Then later on in high school, coaches started to learn about my speed and endurance and the rest is history. 

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I was running with a group of runners from the Ambler Area Running Club and someone had mentioned a couple of members belonged to the Marathon maniacs and I should check it out.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? That’s a hard one. For what distance.. a 26.2 or an ultra? I’ve always wanted to do an international race. So I guess the Dubai Marathon since I have a friend there who could be my person tour guide.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I would want to run with Forrest Gump. How did he have the energy to run across the US that many times?

What was you most memorable marathon and why? All 16 have been memorable in their own ways, but the top award goes to the Erie Marathon at Presque Isle. The course is two half marathon loops on an extremely flat course. I ran a Boston qualifier achieving a negative split. This was done while enduring a monsoon like weather on the banks of Lake Erie. The metals afterwards were awesome as well. Finisher metals were wooden blocks with the isle light tower burned into them. The age group awards were wooden miniatures of the lighthouse with your name and gun time engraved.
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? This did happen and I told them to try the Harrisburg Marathon in October. It’s relatively flat, usually great conditions and great scenery along the banks of the Susquehanna River. Apparently, I was right because they got a B.Q. time on that course.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? To this point, traveling from Philly to Boston has been the farthest trek. Although, I’m signed up for the 2009 Goofy Challenge in Florida for next January.

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? When I tell people I’m an avid runner, the first question is usually: how far do you run a week? Then they laugh and say they could never do that. Along the way, I have inspired several people to try running. Some still continue today, others have had to give it up for personal reasons.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I could see myself doing 15 - 20 a year. I don’t know if my body could handle any more at this fitness level.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Without a doubt Erie Marathon.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? I’ve encased my 2 Boston finisher metals. The more recent ones, I have hanging up at work. A few of the more unique designed ones adorn my living room.

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? When the shirt is offered at registration, I quick take a look at it. If I like it or think I could use it as a gift for someone else, I’ll take it. Otherwise, I’ll tell the person to give it to some other deserving runner.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Lately, I’ve been having dreams about running a race in a mall. Does anyone know if there is a marathon that is run inside a mall?  If not, I say start one in the Mall of America. 

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yellow, can pick it out easier.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre-race meal MUST be New England clam chowder, steak, potatoes, and veggies (4 of my top 5 fastest marathons were run after eating this meal).  Afterwards, I’m luckily to keep down a banana for several hours. 

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? PowerGel almost any flavor, wash it down with some good old Gatorade.

Which race would you never run again and why? The Philadelphia Marathon, even though it’s in my current backyard. I ran it in 2005 and did not like how it was organized and the lack of crowd participation. I ran it again in 2007 after new organizers took over. Even worse second time around.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? I don’t think I will ever forget my first Ultra (50K). I ran my first ultra on what was possibly the worst day of 2007, the same day as the Chicago Marathon. Fortunately for me, the race was partly shaded with trees. But running dirt trails for 31 miles in the heat and humidity of central PA will get to anyone.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I use the philosophy of few miles and a lot of heavy cross training. Average week, I run 35-40 miles spread out over 3-4 days. Cross training of mountain biking, hiking, swimming and weights fill the remaining days. Some times, 2 a days are used to get a 24 hour period of activity (day off).

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Tuesday and some Saturdays, I run with a couple of different running groups, Ambler Area Running Club and the Shawmont groups. 

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I use several different shoes depending on the type of run (sprints, long distance or race) and surface (packed dirt, gravel, road). I don’t stick with one brand or style for long.

What are your short-term running goals? Try to up the amount of marathons/ultras this year to 6.

What are your long-term running goals? I want to run a sub 3 hour marathon (P.R. 3:07). After that is training for more ultras and eventually some Ironmans.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I like being outdoors, so hiking biking and swimming would be other activities I would do.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) I would go with Batman. He had so many great gadgets for all kinds of situations.