Maniac questionnaire

Name Doug Shanks

Maniac #  906

State you live in – usually my own wee world. Originally Scotland but have been living in beautiful Oregon since 1995.

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? As of today (5/8/08) – 79 marathons and 1 official ultra. I have done a few more 50k runs that don’t count as either they weren’t timed, or didn’t include a race entry fee.

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Glasgow Marathon (Scotland 1985)

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? See above. If you’re going to start running, you may as well start with a marathon, right?  My training consisted of deciding to do the race based on a bet in a pub and 2 weeks of training with a long run of 6 miles. Like a lot of decisions in my life, it fell into the “it seemed like a good idea at the time” category. The race was in my home town and I hit the wall at about mile 9. I still kept running for the next 15 miles but, to this day, I still have no idea as to where the race went. Talk about tunnel vision. During the race, I was tempted to chew my own legs off to have an excuse to not continue. After I was done, I was hooked. 

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? See above again. :) September 1985. Come to think of it, I never did get the money I was due for winning that bet.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? At $25, it’s cheaper than therapy.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Comrades marathon 2009. Anyone else interested in going to South Africa?

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I wish I’d been able to run with Dean Karnazes when the did his 50 in 50. Laurent Jalabert has always been one of my heroes too.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Boston 2004. I was running it with my girlfriend. She was pissed when I made her stop at the Newton fire station by her family…  until I went down on one knee.  

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Newport, Oregon. Fast, flat, scenic and always has perfect weather. The Rogue brewery 100 yards from the finish helps too. 

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? From Portland, it would have to be either Berlin or the Marathon du Medoc near Bordeaux.  Living in the Pacific NW, we’re a long way from most places… 

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? Initially they thought I was crazy. Now they just automatically assume that if I’m going out of town, it’s for a marathon.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? If I were going for quantity, I’d do one a week. If I were going for quality, one every two weeks. That seems to work pretty well for me.   

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? The old Silver State marathon near Reno. The medal was minted at the old Carson City mint. Apparently they are a collectors item now. Not that I’d ever sell mine.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? They are hanging from a towel rail in my home office. I sometimes wonder how much time and money I have invested in them. I guess it’s better than blowing it all on cocaine and strippers…  

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear the dri fit ones these days. Most of the cotton ones get used to clean my bikes. I sold my car and ride my bicycle everywhere these days. Well not to out of state marathons…

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? 1). In the Steens Mountain area of Eastern Oregon, there’s an amazing canyon created by the Blitzen river. I’d make everyone run up the canyon to the top of the mountain and then back down again. If that wasn’t 26.2 miles well, then I’d make them run back up again.  2). Start in Fort William (Scotland) and run up Ben Nevis and then back down.  Trail races are way more fun than tarmac. Anything involving a river crossing makes it even better.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?  I got the yellow one but black looks faster. Yellow looks deceptively slow.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? I always have a beer the night before a race for good luck. Breakfast is normally a gallon of coffee, yoghurt and a bagel.  Post race usually involves whatever I have an urge for. Burritos have been a common theme recently.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Raspberry Hammer Gel. Pure liquid yummieness. If you mix it with Espresso Hammer gel, it goes well with toast too. Grape flavour cytomax is the perfect drink for me.

Which race would you never run again and why? Las Vegas. I did it in 2007 and although I pr’d, the course was boring (after mile 4), there were no spectators, badly posted mile markers, crap food. I could go on. I’m sure they have worked out their teething problems but, it doesn’t help their case that it’s in Vegas which I don’t like anyway…. J    

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Living at sea level, Pikes Peak in Colorado was a toughie. I knew I was in trouble when the day before the race, I took the cog railway to the 14000 foot summit and almost passed out with altitude sickness. Fortunately the race took a bit longer to get to the top so I had time to ‘adjust.’ Towards the top, I’d lift one of my legs to take a step and then I’d forget why I lifted it up and would put it back down again. Apart from that, it turned out to be one of my favourite races and I’d do it every week if I could.  

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? On a non marathon week, I run 20 – 30 miles. One long run, one hilly one and one tempo one. Cross training? Am I allowed to admit I am also a cat 2 bike racer… I probably ride 200 – 250 miles a week. I’ve found the secret is to not sleep. It’s over rated anyway. 

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I usually run with friends from work. They range in abilities from a 2:40 marathon guy to a 15 minute per mile guy. They are all loads of fun to spend time with. Fun is more important than going fast anyway. 

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I used to work for company that “swooshes” so I used their shoes. Now that I don’t, I like the 3 stripes guys…  More for aesthetics than any kind of foot benefits. I’m lucky in that I can practically run in any shoe I want…apart from crocs. I have tried them … 

What are your short-term running goals? 1).  I was hoping to run 12 marathons in 12 new states over the next 12 months but I think work might get in the way of that. 2). Go the distance in sub 3. Maybe Portland 2008? Who knows. 3). Introduce more friends to running. I’ve managed to get a few friends addicted already. Some of my more fun marathons recently have been pacing my newbie friends through 26.2. It is amazing to watch their faces as they cross the finish line.   

What are your long-term running goals? 1). I already have purchased the gorilla suit I’m going to wear for my 100th marathon. I’d like to make it Portland. 2). Finish off the 50 states… 21 to go.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I love to race bicycles, like to drink Australian Shiraz, do some home improvement stuff and generally have a laugh. I did Ironman Canada in 2007 “for a laugh”. The cycling and running were fun but as I swim like a dead dog with no legs, the swimming part wasn’t exactly a joy. I do remember kissing the ground once I got out of the lake. 

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) I haven’t really got one. Anyone that kicks the baddies a$$, and doesn’t have a big ego because of it is alright in my eyes.