Maniac questionnaire

Name Antoinette Smith

Maniac # 579

State you live in IL

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?

4 marathons

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

My first race was the Chicago Big 10K or the Wacky Snacky 5K. My memory is terrible.

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 Chicago Marathon in 2005. I had fun up until the finish and then I was in agony and wound up laid out on a sidewalk in tears. I’ve learned to compose myself much better these days.

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

I’ve been running on and off since my Junior year in high school (1995), but I’ve only been consistent since 2002.

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

It had to be the yellow singlets! Plus, I post on an online board where Mr. S Lopez posts a lot and that’s how I initially learned of the Maniacs.

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

This is a hard one. Maybe the Jamaica Marathon or anything in Spain.

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

One of my brothers; I think it would be a cool bonding experience.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

Madison. My friends showed up with signs and t-shirts with my name and photo on them. I had no idea they were coming. It was the best!

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

Chicago Marathon. The flattest one I’ve run so far.

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

300 miles or whatever the distance from Chicago to Florida is.

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?

I always get the “Oh, I could never do that.” But, nope, most people are just in awe of my excellence. Ha.

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

12

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

ING Georgia. It spins!

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

They hang off of an ornate bookcase type thingy.

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

I wear most of my cotton race shirts for lounging about and I run in the tech fabric ones. Whatever I’m not wearing is donated to the Salvation Army.

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

I would have a Chicago Marathon that showcased the south side of the city.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Black. Always bet on black.

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

Not really a favorite, but easily digestible: A Powerbar about an hour before the start with water, of course. Post-race anything goes. I’ll start off with whatever the race has so kindly provided and follow it up a couple hours later with any meal that goes with beer (Negra Modelo being one of my faves).

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

Clif Bloks are chewy and fun. I will take whatever sport drink it handed to me.

Which race would you never run again and why?

Maybe not the ING Georgia Marathon. It was all hills and the aid stations were severely lacking (missing, not enough volunteers, etc); however, it was the first year, so maybe one day.

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

The Country Music Marathon was the toughest. I felt fatigued in the days prior to the race and that came right back around mile 3. I’ve never felt so miserable during a marathon.

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

Well, I just spent most of the past winter following a 40 mile/week max marathon training program, after that I was just doing some maintenance runs for the 4 weeks between each of my marathons. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be group leading a novice marathon group and I hope to start getting in some trail runs, so we shall see. I do some light weight training at the gym about twice a week.

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

No.

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

I train and race in Saucony Stabil 6s.

What are your short-term running goals?

To be a good pacer for my training group while preparing to attempt to break the 5 hour ceiling at the Grand Rapids Marathon in October and getting some trail experience for a trail marathon in IN in December.

What are your long-term running goals?

To run in all 50 states and in just as many international marathons and to qualify for Boston at some point in my life.

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

I write a blog on MySpace, http://blog.myspace.com/nettiedgreat, and volunteer for the Chicago Area Runners Association, and I enjoy the occasional or not so occasional party/movie/bar.

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

Wolverine!