Maniac questionnaire
Name Tony Recker
Maniac #927
State you live in TN
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 35
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)
Probably a 2 mile cross country race in high school. There may have been some kid races earlier than that but I have no clue as to the distance.
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 Tucson Marathon in December 1999. I made a new year’s resolution to run a marathon before 2000 and despite a slight set back in training to recover from cancer surgery, I made my goal. I also finished the race with my future wife, though I didn’t know that at the time! And despite all odds, I actually hit my target time of 3:45!
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I started running as a high school sport and kept at it for 40+ years. Many of those years were more for maintaining a fitness level. I didn’t get back into regular racing until 1997 or so.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
After my first marathon, I thought I would never run a marathon again. Then I started dating my wife and signed up for a second, then a third. We decided together that it might be nice to try to run a marathon in every state. Then we decided that we should run marathons more frequently and stop worrying about down time and then building back up again. Of course that meant not running PR marathons anymore.
In 2006 we scheduled the OBX Inaugural marathon in November. My wife was involved with the local Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Inaugural marathon the following weekend. When a slot opened up, I asked the race director if I could fill it in, even though I hadn’t submitted a registration. He put my name on the list, I paid my registration fees and there I was, scheduled to run two marathons a week apart!
Last year I did 5 marathons and fell behind the count of marathons Diana has done. Now I have to run every one she does just to keep up! I have done 4 so far this year and have 3 more scheduled!
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
There are so many awesome races out there I hate to pick one out above the rest. Diana would like to do the Dublin marathon and I would like to do the Berlin Marathon. I think the Dublin may be more interesting because it isn’t as large as the Berlin marathon. I prefer races that are not a huge crowd.
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
I have had the opportunity to run a marathon with the love of my life when Diana and I ran most of the Atlanta ING marathon together. As far as running a marathon with a “legend”, I think I would like to run a marathon with Dick Beardsley. I have had the opportunity to hear him speak, join him for dinner, and meet him in a booth at an expo. He remembers people and is open about talking and chatting about life and the small things in life that make life interesting.
What was you most memorable marathon and why? While I have run 35 marathons and every one has some highlight that I can recall. So to list the most memorable, I am going to say the Duke City Marathon in 2000. Diana answered my question at the end of the race with a “yes”. The question “I just ran 26.2 miles to ask you to marry me, will you?”
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 would suggest the Twin Cities Marathon. That is where both Diana and I have our PR’s in two different years. It has a limit so the course does not get too crowded, it is not too flat so you get worn out with the same stride for 26.2 miles, but it is not so hilly that you get tired.
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
I would guess that Nashville to San Francisco is the farthest for me to go to a race (so far).
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 – the usual – “I don’t even drive that far in a day” or “you ran 20 miles for training?”
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? One every 3 to 4 weeks – maybe 15?
From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?
The Flying Monkey – It’s wood and it is a replica of a flying monkey!
Where do you keep your finisher medals?
Diana and I have decorated our TV room with race awards. The marathon medals are hanging on a coat rack in that room – It’s time for another coat rack!
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
Yes, as they get slightly used they get donated to Good Will.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
I prefer pasta the night before and bread with peanut butter for breakfast before a marathon. Mexican is the post race meal!!!
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
I don’t use gels anymore, occasionally shot blocks. I start out with Powerade in my bottle and fill with gatorade or what ever the drink of choice is at the water stops. I do not add a drink if I have never tried it before.
Which race would you never run again and why?
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
I rotate through 3 different shoes during a week. I have one pair that I use for marathons and long runs, I have a lightweight pair that I use for short races and interval training, and a third pair that I use for middle distances, though I could use it for long races if I’m towards the end of the life of another pair.
What are your short-term running goals?
What are your long-term running goals?
All 50 States
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)