Maniac questionnaire Name Mary Lenari Maniac #969 How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 49 Marathons What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Bradenton River 5k, 1998 What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Rock n Roll San Diego 1999. I cried, I laughed, I started to plan the next one. How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Accidentally began running by taking a Boot Camp class in 1996. I was 49. The only slower people dropped out, and I couldn’t run two blocks! A year after my first 5k I got up enough nerve to do a 10k, and then I was ready. First marathon at 52. Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I AM a maniac, and I run Marathons. It seemed like a perfect fit. And I realized that I could qualify having accomplished what feels miniscule compared to the stats of the greats! Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Marathon du Medoc. It’s a party, isn’t it? If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Katherine Switzer—my idol--she made it happen for us. What was you most memorable marathon and why? My first Marine Corps. There were no corrals and thousands of runners were hanging out on the hill with music blasting. The howitzer fired, the course was literally monumental, and the Marine at the Finish putting the medal around my neck saying, “Congratulations Ma’am”! I still get shivers! If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Gasparilla or Myrtle Beach. What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 3,217 miles. 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? They’re getting used to it. Most don’t understand why I’m not injured. My mother says, “I wish I could do that!”. If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? Enough to get up to Iridium Level – 19-25. After that, who knows? From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Flying Pig. Where do you keep your finisher medals? On the walls in my office & current year in the kitchen. Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Yes. I’m a personal trainer and my clients love to see the shirts. Give the ones I don’t wear to my husband—he wears them. If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Hmmmm… Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Black. What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pasta with meat. Cheeseburger and onion rings. What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? GU, Ultima Replenisher. Which race would you never run again and why? None—I love them all. What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? The year of the inaugural Ky. Derby, the second half was pouring, freezing rain. If my BFF, Nancy, hadn’t been with me, it would have been unbearable. What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? Long run, tempo run, 2 spinning days, 1 stairmaster & rowing day. Yes, I’m a slacker! Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Long run is a whole group, tempo runs with Dave for over 2 years. What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Saucony and Pearl Izumi for both. What are your short-term running goals? Add another running day and take 13 min. off my PR. What are your long-term running goals? 25 MCM’s and be the oldest woman to finish a marathon. Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Plan my race calendar, watch movies, read running books, and spend time with my husband, son & 7 cats. Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) |