Maniac questionnaire

11/30/2006

Name

Adrienne A. Stipe

Maniac #

403

State you live in

Texas

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?

16

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)

A 5-mile race in San Antonio in 1983.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?

Dallas White Rock Marathon. 2000. Fun in a twisted sort of way, but then again, I seem to like pain.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?

On and off for 25 years. Because I could.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?

I’ve always been a little psycho. My training partner, “the Fat Bastard”, took me to a new level. He was trying to get 42 marathons before turning 42. So right after I did Ironman Florida in 2005 (which included a marathon and so much more). We did 4 marathons in 4 months. He got his 42 marathons. I entered a new world of insanity.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?

I’d like to do the Great Wall and Antarctica, but can’t afford to right now.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?

I’m a loner, so I’ll just stick with myself.

What was your most memorable marathon and why?

My first Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon (White Sands Missile Range, NM). We got to meet real World War II survivors of Bataan before the race. As one of them shook my hand, he told me he had made 70 miles. Somehow what I was doing just seemed wimpy. I was bawling before the race started. I forgot to start my watch and didn’t look at my time even once. It was a hard race in deep sand. Right up my alley..

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 have heard that St. George is the one for that. The old Austin course would have been good (one way / mostly downhill into town).

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?

From Texas to Portland, Oregon for Hood to Coast.

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?

Definitely. My dad tells me I only have so many miles in my legs, and I’m using them up. I just laugh, because I just don’t believe such nonsense.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?

6 would be a good number. My body was always the issue before, but now that I know how to fix myself (massage and ART). I used to run 2 a year, but I have pushed it further.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Walt Disney World Marathon. Nothing better than a giant Mickey head metal.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

On on big hook in my extra bedroom.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?

I wear some of them. I don’t wear short sleeve t-shirts. I throw them in a pile in my closet. Someday I will have a quilt made out of them.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?

From my house. Just roll out of bed and go.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Black.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?

Italian (pizza or pasta) the night before. Banana/bagel right before the race. A big, greasy cheeseburger after.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?

Banana/peach Carboom, tri-berry Gu, tropical fruit Powergel. I drink Cytomax, Gatorade, and just plain water.

Which race would you never run again and why?

Alcatraz Challenge. Hated the swim from Alcatraz, but loved the run over the Golden Gate Bridge.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?

The Pikes Peak Double (13.1 mile ascent on the first day, 26.2 mile ascent/descent the second day). The first day kicks your ass, then you go back for more. The descent kills your legs after they are already beaten up. Much harder than the full Ironman I did.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?

2 6-mile runs on the weekdays. 10-20 mile long run on the weekend. I usually only run 20-32 miles a week. I do a lot of cycling. I swim when I can make myself do it. I also sometimes throw in climbing on the treadmill or staircase. I do some weight lifting. I usually work out 6-7 days a week.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?

Sometimes. If I have a partner, it’s my husband or “the Fat Bastard”.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?

Asics Gel-Kayano for training and racing (same pair).

What are your short-term running goals?

I’m planning on doing Dallas, Houston, and Austin in the next 3 months. Pikes Peak Marathon in August, of course. I’ll be training for Ironman Florida all next year.

What are your long-term running goals?

I think I’ll try to move up 3 maniac levels and do the Sunmart 50K/Dallas White Rock Marathon in one weekend next December.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?

Watch my boys play football, watch football and basketball, watch movies, read, travel, go to heavy metal concerts, hang with my hubby and boys.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)

I’ve always liked “the Tick”.