Maniac questionnaire

Name – Nic Plemel

Maniac # 932
 
State you live in – Washington!

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?
10 Marathons, 17 Ultras

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)
I ran a 5K while in basic training at Ft. Benning, GA (if we signed up it got us out of weapons cleaning) but I have no clue what it was called.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Seattle Marathon 2007 – I had fun, but I’ve had a lot more fun since…

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
I’ve been a willing runner since 2005, prior to that I ran in the army (2000-2004) when made to, I didn’t hate it, but it was something I just choose to do…

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
While running Seattle ’07 I saw plenty of Maniac singlets which later lead me to the web site; a few months later, at Pigtail’s Run ’08 I ran a lap with Guy Yogi (MM # 28), he inspired my confidence, plus I loved the small race atmosphere!

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
The Barkley Marathons (I know that’s stupid, but I can’t help it)

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
My recently deceased buddy Stever – I was fairly confident that once he was healthy he would run one with me, unfortunately he never got healthy L

What was you most memorable marathon and why?
They’re *almost* all memorable for various reasons – I know that’s kind of a cop out, but oh well…

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?
The Green River Marathon – mostly flat with a great atmosphere

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
From WA to MN
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?
Yep, most think it’s crazy. The best comment I’ve heard so far it ‘If I ate pizza I’d want to lay down on a couch and watch TV, no go run (another) 50 miles’

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
Running one a week would be pretty cool, with a double or triple thrown in on occasion for good measure… though I’d definitely prefer doing that with Ultras over marathons.

From what race did you receive your favorite finisher’s medal?
STORMY 100 belt buckle

Where do you keep your finisher medals?
They hang on a book shelf in my home office.

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
I wear *almost* all of them, a few of the cotton ones have been relegated to ‘early morning, walk the dog’ wear.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
If I could just close off streets willy-nilly, I’d put on an ultra that shows off allthe best parts of Seattle – though I prefer trails, I love this city and it’s neighborhoods!

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
YELLOW!

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre race (as in night before) - not too greasy pizza and a beer / Post race – BREAKFAST! (Biscuits and Gravy –or- Eggs Benedict –or- Chicken Fried Steak –or- Huevos Rancheros –or – All of it!)

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
Usually “Just Plain” Gu, though I’m trying Hammer Gel right now.
I recently used Clip 2 for the drink and was very happy with the results.

Which race would you never run again and why?
Any Bob Green Marathon – I’ll explain in private if you really want to know…

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
White River 50 2009 – my legs cramped up all over about 8 miles in the rest of the race was a suffer fest but turned out to be great training for my 100 miler 2 weeks later!

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
I’m off and on, I try to run 5 days a week taking Mondays and Fridays off, but I have weeks where I run only one day, on average I’d say I run 50 miles a week (when I don’t have a race).
I occasionally will cross train by ‘spinning’ in my garage, but I prefer not to.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
Nope, not usually.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
Various models of Brooks – Adrenaline and Trance for the streets, Cascadias for the trails.

What are your short-term running goals?
I’m fairly certain I’m not running to my potential, I’d like to train better, both in terms of quality and quantity, and, as a result, race better.

What are your long-term running goals?
Just to keep on keeping on – I’d love to be doing this well into old age.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Spend time with my wife and dog, hike, camp, visit as many breweries as possible, keep up on my favorite baseball, football, and hockey teams, etc. etc. so on and so forth…

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head), non Maniac Beauty?
Main Maniac – he’s rockin’ that Gene Simons tongue!