Maniac questionnaire
February 21, 2006
Name Todd Byers
Maniac # 210
State you live in: California
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? About 195 / A few
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Other than track in High School, the Miller Genuine Draft 5K while in college. They had a keg at the end!
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? 1986 Emerald City Marathon. Yep, it was a nice time!
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I ran track in High School then in college at West (by God) Virginia University I ran to the refrigerator until the beer was gone. Started distance running when I moved to Seattle in 1985 because I was bored.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Jon Gissberg is the catalyst who got me involved with the Maniacs (and signed me up – thank you, Jon!!), though I have many friends who are crazy enough to be members too.
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? I cannot think of one, so I must have already run it.
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Wow, I gotta think about this one. May I answer later?
What was you most memorable marathon and why? Same answer as above.
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Depends on the distance.
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? About 12500 miles, one way.
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? No, not really. Though one woman (with whom I was going out – what a train wreck!) commented to me: “Is that all you do – run *&^%$%^ marathons??”. Obviously she enjoyed the benefits of an endurance athlete but not the running aspect!!
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I do enough of them as it is even with my current financial status. I have no person obligations so that is not an issue.
From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Hard to say, but the First Air Force Marathon medal is amongst the coolest.
Where do you keep your finisher medals? The first 100 of them are framed in Seattle (where I used to live) and the next 100 or so are on a bulletin board in my home in California.
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I may on race day after the event. The ones I have no intention of wearing I donate to charity.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? I don’t really know. Perhaps my hometown of Berkeley Springs, Wes (by God) Virginia because then I could stay nearby in my family home!
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Maniac Yellow.
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Before: anything as long as it is a buffet. After: used to be the Works burger at Denny’s, nowadays some sort of fast food or anything else as long as it is a buffet. Can’t you tell that from my photo??
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? None and None.
Which race would you never run again and why? There are none that I will never run again. Aren’t you supposed to never say never??
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? The most challenging race I have ever done is the Mosquito Marathon due to the extreme terrain conditions. To this date, that is my only marathon DNF (did not finish).
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I run once or twice during the week then once on the week-end. Total about 20 miles a week.
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? No. But if any (ladies) are interested, let me know!!
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? These days I do nearly all of my training and racing with no shoes (barefooted). Along with the other Running Barefoot members, I use the money saved from shoes to apply to events!
What are your short-term running goals? I am currently the Coach for the Long Beach Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. So my short-term goals are to help them with their goals of completing THEIR events. I will also continue to do Event Production work (such as Race Direction) which I enjoy very much.
What are your long-term running goals? Same as above.
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Sailing, horseback riding, skydiving, racquetball, tennis, golf, scuba diving, crafts, bicycling, swimming (when I have to do it for a triathlon). All of the standard stuff that all guys seem to put on their Match.com profiles.
Who is your favorite "James Bond?" Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan. Pierce Brosnan. I think cuz I liked the Z3 he drove. Even if he decided to trade in his Aston Martin.