Name Matt Jenkins Maniac #857 How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 8 Marathons & my first Ultra coming up in a few weeks What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) The Dam Run to Irmo (5K) What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? I ran the Louisville Marathon in 2003. I crashed pretty hard at the end and vomited just before the finish line, but it was an amazing feeling to finish and earn that first medal. How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I started running when I joined the Marine Corps, and continued just to stay in shape. Somehow I got addicted. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Juan “The Wildman” Posada told me about it told me about it while we were running the Red Rock Canyon Marathon. Juan was definitely an interesting person, and I enjoyed talking to him for that mile or two before he sped ahead. Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Athens Marathon in Greece If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I’m a big fan of meeting random people during marathons and learning a little about them. I’d like to run with a group of friendly and interesting strangers, if that makes any sense. What was you most memorable marathon and why? I ran with my fiancé when she ran her first marathon, and it was really nice to see her so happy. That was definitely my favorite 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? I’ve never run it, but I’m hoping for a PR at The Steamtown Marathon. I ran my current PR in Charlotte at the Thunder Road Marathon. What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? I drove 550 miles to run the Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathon in Georgia. I hit a tree and ended up totaling my truck about a mile into the drive, so I had to rent a car to get there. I left around 4 pm, and got to my hotel around 4 am after getting lost in Atlanta. I took a two-hour nap, and ended up finishing under 4 hours and winning 3rd place in my age group (3rd out of 4). I had to be back at work the next day, so I hopped back in my rental car and drove 550 miles back to Virginia. I wouldn’t go to those lengths again though. It was pretty intense. Do any of your non-running friends or family members think that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are some of their comments to you? Oh yeah. My fiancé called me Marathon Matt when we were first dating and she had forgotten my last name. A lot of people seriously questioned my sanity after the marathon in Georgia. I’ve always said there are crazier people out there, and now I can use this group as proof of that. If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I’d like to be able to do 50 in a year, but I think a more realistic answer would be closer to 20. From what race did you receive your favorite finisher’s medal? The Lost Dutchman Marathon in Arizona is a pretty good-sized medal, and it’s shaped like the state of Arizona. Race organizers posted a picture of it on the race website, and it was the selling point for me. Where do you keep your finisher medals? Wrapped in my Pacific Crest Trail bandana, but I’d like to display them in a case once I have a more solid collection. Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I only wear them to race expos. Right now, they’re in a box with my bib numbers and medals. If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? I’d put one on my old running route in Gladstone, VA. There are some pretty insane hills and it’s in the middle of nowhere, but I fell in love with the country roads. Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Linguini with clams and shrimp and a glass of wine before the race, and Myoplex and Gatorade after the race What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? GU and Gatorade Which race would you never run again and why? The Red Rock Canyon Marathon in Vegas was surprisingly difficult for me because of the hills and winds. I’m glad I finished, but can’t imagine doing it again. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? I ran 5 marathons in 4 months in 5 states while I worked at a Wilderness School for at-risk youth. I only had 48 hours off per week, so I only trained once a week, and had 48 hours to get to my race, run the race, and get back in time for work. What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I still just run once or twice a week. I read an article in runner’s world about Mike Wedemeyer. He said he runs, then leaves it alone for a while, then comes back to it after a while. I took it to heart, and it seems to be working for me and my IT band. I jump rope every now and then to shock my calves. Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Garmin and my fiancé What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I race in a cheap pair of Asics, and used to race in the Air Zoom Miler until it was discontinued. I train in the Air Pegasus and Asics GEL-Nimbus 9. What are your short-term running goals? I’d like to run 2 or 3 50Ks this year, and I’d like to do at least 5 more states. What are your long-term running goals? Run one in each state and run the Western States. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Obsessing about the Boston Red Sox, playing baseball in any form, movies, spending time with friends and family Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) I know it’s not one of the choices, but I’m a big fan of Wolverine. |