Maniac questionnaire

November 13, 2005

Name Andrea Hill

Maniac # 194

State you live in Ohio

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 6 Marathons, 0 Ultras…yet!

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Women on the Run 5K, 2001

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Columbus Marathon, 2004. Had an absolute blast! Beat my goal (to BQ) by a few minutes. I was hooked!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I’ve flirted with running forever.
In elementary school, I joined the “running club” until I found out they ran before school (7am). That was too early for me. (At that time, my motivation was lacking!)
My junior high school wanted to be known for its track team, so they had all sorts of perks to joining. One of them was that you didn’t have to run during gym class, since you were running after school. I joined. I was a ‘distance’ runner, which at that time meant I ran the 2K. When the city finals came around, they surprised us all with a 3K course that none of us were prepared for. I busted out a 9^th place overall and promptly hung up my running shoes. (that was in ’92 or so)
I rejoined the running world in 2001, I’m almost embarrassed to say, in an attempt to share an interest with my significant other. I quite enjoyed it, but was injured training for my first marathon in 2002. I took nearly a year and a half off. When I decided to start up again in 2004, the significant other was long gone, and it was now something I was doing for me. I haven’t looked back since!

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
To meet more people who could be bad influences on me J Most people I know think I’m crazy for doing ONE marathon, let alone three in three weeks!

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
There are so many!! Probably something out in Tibet or something.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
Not sure…

What was your most memorable marathon and why?

A three-way tie: Columbus 2004 (my first), Boston (b/c it’s Boston) or Steamtown (outstanding course and organization, and I ran my best race. Not from a PR standpoint, but just how I approached it).

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?

Steamtown in Scranton, PA. You just need to be prepared for the downhills.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?
Ran the Hood to Coast relay in Oregon this past August.

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. My favourite comments are from the sedentary smokers, who tell me its bad for me.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
12-24

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Detroit. As a Canadian that now lives in the US, I love their logo with the American and Canadian flag on it. They even have a nice ribbon! But dang that thing is heavy!

Where do you keep your finisher medals?
I have a shelf with hooks on it by my desk – trophies and plaques on top, medals hanging below. I’m as proud of those as I am of my diplomas framed on the wall next to them.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?
I wear some of them. Other ones become pajamas.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
I think they already have them most places!!

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?
I’ve ordered yellow..

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?
Pre-race: Toasted bagel with PB and honey, and coffee. Post-race: anything I can get my hands on.

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

GU – triberry. Gatorade – mango

Which race would you never run again and why?
I don’t like to say never, but I don’t see myself running Detroit again. The organization left some things to be desired, and I didn’t like the finish (a steep descent into Ford Field, where there were no refreshments for finishers)

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
I did two trail runs in Hocking Hills in September, a 10K and a 20K back to back. I’d say it was challenging just b/c I had to monitor my own progress to make sure I wasn’t overdoing it. It was difficult to hold back on the first race, knowing there was another to follow.

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

This fall I tried using a training plan by Pete Pfitzinger, it was 12 weeks long and maxed out at 55 mpw. I think the average was about 42. It had a few recovery runs, a speed day, a midweek long run and a long run on the weekends. It was a fabulous plan. I used to do strength training and some cross-training, but I’ve slacked at that lately.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?
I have a training group I run with on Saturdays. The level of the runners varies, but overall we’re quite a strong group. We often travel to races together, and put in teams at the Hood to Coast and Reach the Beach relays. Most of us will be in Boston in the spring. I really appreciate having the group and attribute qualifying for Boston in my first marathon to training with them.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
Sauconys. I don’t have trainers vs. racing shoes, although I’m considering investing in some trail shoes.

What are your short-term running goals?

Short-term = 2006/2007? Run a 3:20 marathon. Complete my first ultra. Run the Endurrun (endurrun.com) Run a 1:34 half marathon to earn guaranteed entry into the NYCM.

What are your long-term running goals?

50 marathons in 50 states, of course! Run London and Prague. A 3:10 would be nice so I could say I could run Boston even if I were male..

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
Ha… it’s not fun, but I’m going to school in the evenings to get my masters in computer science..

Star Wars or Star Trek? Darth Vader or Captain Kirk?

No.