Maniac questionnaire

September 18, 2006

Name: Art Jacobson

Maniac #: 351

State you live in: Minnesota

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 14 marathons and 0 ultra’s.

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) In my adult life (I was sprinter in high school), it was a 1 mile run that I did when I was 45 years old.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? The first marathon I ran was actually the last leg of an Iron distance triathlon. I did the UltraMax triathlon (swim 2.4 miles, bike 122 miles, run 26.2 miles) in 2002 at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Given that the heat index reached 113 that day, I was pretty much miserable all day. I essentially walked the entire marathon. But……I finished!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I started running in 2000 at the age of 45 at the behest of my daughters (both high school runners). My family history was loaded with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc. Two of my older sisters had multiple heart attacks and one lost her leg to diabetes. At 5’9” tall and 250 pounds, I was headed down the same road. My first step to a healthier lifestyle was to run that 1 mile run on July 4^th. I didn’t die and I didn’t come in last. Subsequently I lost 80 pounds and took up the sport of triathlon which now has me hooked. I met my significant other in 2003 and she was on a quest for running a marathon in every state. So, I joined her and we now pursue that goal together (although she only has 10 states left and I have 36 to go!).

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I have seen some Maniacs at the races I have done lately. They always look like they are having fun. I am colorblind, but the brightest color in the world to me is yellow. So, the real reason I joined is because I really wanted the yellow hat!

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Ironman World Championship triathlon in Kona, HI. I doubt I will ever qualify though.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? My Mom. It’s been 10 years since she passed and I miss her.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? The Napa Valley Marathon. “Come to sunny California!” they said. “It’s all downhill!” they said. Race time was 40 degrees with a pelting rain. The point-to-point marathon, on a hilly course which was only a net downhill, was ran directly into a 25 mph headwind. So of course, I PR’d by 20 minutes. I just wanted to get to the finish line so I could get warm and dry. A very memorable day.

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 Chicago and Milwaukee are good places for that, although I have done neither one.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? I think Minnesota to California is farther than Minnesota to Maine, so I’d have to say California.

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? Even my triathlete friends think I am a crazy for running as many marathons as I do. We are on track to run either 9 or 10 marathons in 2006. My family doesn’t say too much about it.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? If my body would hold up, I’d love to do a marathon every week or at least every other week.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Little Rock, Arkansas. We were cautioned not to try and take it through airport security … it’s that big.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? In a shoebox.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I only wear the ones that strike my fancy as really nice. And those are never the all cotton ones. I keep a few shirts around for working in the yard and on home projects. The rest go to my significant other’s sister for her sons.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? You know, I think there alr4eady IS a marathon pretty much everwhere in the world! Perhaps something that included running across the Millau Viaduct in France (the world’s highest suspension bridge) would be fun and unique.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yellow all the way!!!

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

Pre-race: oatmeal, bagel, coffee, banana and an apple.

Post-race: pretty much anything that doesn’t move, but especially pizza.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? I use Hammer Gel and generally drink Gatorade Endurance formula.

Which race would you never run again and why? Actually, I can’t think of one. I would do them all over again.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? In November 2003, I finished Ironman Florida and then 3 weeks later completed the Philadelphia Marathon. I though that was pretty challenging. But then in 2005 I completed Ironman Wisconsin in outrageously hot conditions and then finished the Twin Cites Marathon only 2 weeks later (also very hot).

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I cross train all the time because of being a triathlete. I swim once or twice a week, I bike once or twice a week and I run once or twice a week. For whatever reason though, it seems the LESS I run before a marathon, the more likely I am to set a new PR when I run it.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? My significant other! We do most of our training and racing together, She is an Ironman triathlete too, so we are a great match.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I only wear Saucony Hurricanes (currently Hurricane 8) as they fit me perfectly and I always need the cushioning and the stability.

What are your short-term running goals? We are members of the 50 States marathon Club, so I am working on a marathon in every state.

What are your long-term running goals? We have talked about doing a marathon on every continent. Not quite sure if we can afford Antarctica though.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I compete in triathlons of all distances. We also love the travel aspects of marathoning and we always build in time to see some of the local sights when we travel to a new state.

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

Well, the Main Maniac is pretty cool, but I gotta admit Wonder Woman is HOT!