Maniac questionnaire
Name JJ Jessee
Maniac # 911
State you live in: Virginia (should have been State of Franklin)
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 2 marathons both the Va. Creeper Trail, and 2 Horton ultras.
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) O.W. Link Memorial 10k 2006 It’s a small rail trail race at Green Cove, Va.
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?
Va. Creeper Trail 2007. Yes I had fun, but it was painful too. I get those two mixed up sometimes.
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I started training Jan 2006. I had tried running a little a year earlier, but got an SF. Why? Improve health.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
Well, there were some Maniacs that whipped my B-hind in the VRAA Kickrunners.com competiton last Jan. That has been a burr in my psychological saddle. But I’ll get over it, eventually. Really. I will, eventually.
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
Reykyajavik Marathon or an ultra in Iceland. Big Sur looks good too. Locally, Hellgate 100k

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
I don’t want to be running with any deceased people. J
Gosh, I could never narrow a list even to a few. I have so many online friends and local runners that I cherish, and the list keeps getting longer.
What was you most memorable marathon and why?
Promise Land 50k. Beautiful and Tough.
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 ran a good PR course, But I HIGHLY recommend Holiday Lake as a first 50k,
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
5hrs Holiday Lake, Appomattox, Va
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
"JJ!!!"
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
About 8-10, is the maximum my current fitness would take.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
Terrapin Mt HM. Good design, hard Half.
Where do you keep your finisher medals? On the wall in the bathroom.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
The tech ones I train in. I have my first cotton one for a keepsake. The other cotton ones I have donated to the patients at the state mental hospital where my wife worked. (no kidding, they considered them a real treat)
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
From Taylor’s Valley, Va on the Va Creeper Trail to Creek Junction, Then the AT to Grayson Highlands S.P. Point to Point, 100 person max.
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
Black, basic Black
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre-race, banana /and or bagel.
Post race. Anything
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
For 911 situations, ClifShot Double Espresso gel.
Drink, Succeed Clip2
If you can get em down and keep em down they won’t let you down.
Which race would you never run again and why?
Never, ran one I wouldn’t do again.
But I’ve had some painful 5Ks that give me pause.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
Promise Land by itself is challenging, ~8000’ gain/loss, but a few weeks earlier I ran the Terrapin Half (PL’s cousin) and the next day started the Va Creeper Trail M sore. That may have been harder. I took the second day easy and survived.
I’m not really a racer, just a survivor.
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
Monday-- rest
Tuesday --4-6 easy,
Wednesday-- Med Long hills or tempo
Thursday --4-6 easy
Friday rest/XT
Saturday and Sunday-- Long or Med long
40-60miles
XT has been a weak area. I BRICK one day on the weekend a lot.
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
A young lady, Beth, down the street and I trail run on the weekends sometimes.
The online running communities at KR and RA have been excellent partners in my training
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
I’m really liking Montrail Streaks, they survived Promise Land.
Salamon XA Comps, Okay too
Thinking about the new Inov8s
FiveFinger KSOs may be my ultimate "shoe"
What are your short-term running goals?
To get my feet and core stronger.
To finish the Lynchburg Ultra Series with the Mt Masochist 50M this fall
I’m taking a week to run and camp in the Redwoods this August at Parairie Creek S.P. (Fern Canyon, Oh yeah)
Fastpack some this summer,
Orienteering
Meet my online buds and run with them.
What are your long-term running goals?
Horton Slam, (Beast….. maybe)
Barkley Fun Run (or at least one loop)
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Eat
Kayak flatwater,
and Jus’ Ramblin’ (jjjessee.blogspot.com)
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)
Obscure, but Platinum (Platina) from Metal Men. She was HAWT