Maniac questionnaire

12/5/2006

Name: Bill Powers

Maniac #: 323

State you live in: Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 14/0

What was the first race you ever ran? 1999 Blackberry 5K Fun Run in Bremerton, WA

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Portland Marathon 2003 started out as fun but ended being much more tiring than I anticipated.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Running since 1996. I used to play on a soccer team but got an “ACL” tear in 1992 playing in an old Astroturf stadium. Doctor recommended taking up running in lieu of reconstructive surgery due to my age, 49, at the time. After rehab and denial ran their course, I focused on running.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Two women I run with are maniacs. They both encouraged me to become a maniac. Stephanie Day who is my daughter and maniac #273. Also Shelleena Bunker who is part of our YMCA run group and maniac #161.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Right now I would be happy running the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. I planned on running the 2006 10^th Anniversary of the bombing but my wife wanted an equal vacation monetarily; I couldn’t afford both of them.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I would like to run a complete marathon together with my daughter at race pace. We have started out together several times but one of us always falls behind, generally me.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Boston, but I made two huge mistakes when I ran the Boston Marathon. I gave blood 12 days before the race. There went all my oxygen! I learned my lesson about giving blood while preparing for a marathon. Also, I didn’t use sunshade lotion and I got sunburned.

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

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Seattle-to-Boston

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? Yes indeed. The “SPOF” has come into play several times.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I would run one each month with one or two ultras, either in January and/or February.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? I like the 2004 Seattle Marathon finishers medal. It is an ornate bell shape in three colors.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? Hanging on a rod on the wall in the living room above the television.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Yes, I wear them all. I rotate them so they all get worn equally (depending on weather conditions).

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? A road and trail run in the Olympic National Park starting on the road up to Olympic Hot Springs then up and over Appleton Pass then down to Soleduck Hot Springs and the road leading out of Olympic National Park. A 3,160 feet climb to 5,000 feet then back down 3,320 feet. It would have to be run in August or September when the area is dry.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Maniac Yellow

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre-race is fettuccine Alfredo & Post-race favorite is pepperoni pizza & Hefeweizen ale.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? GU Espresso Love Energy Gel & Gatorade Lemon-Lime Endurance Formula sport Drink

Which race would you never run again and why? The OLD Las Vegas Marathon route was tough. The wind got to be too much. It worked on physically & MENTALLY.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? The qualifier for a marathon maniac was challenging, however, I am sure an ultra will top this. I was surprised how much slower I was in the second race, just 14 days after the first race of the two.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I run every other day. I have found that at my age, 64, I recover faster if I have a day off. Generally 20 miles when no long runs, 40 miles with long runs, and sometimes, over 50. I cross train twice a week. I have found that the extra upper body strength helps when I accidentally fall.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Short runs are generally with our YMCA run group. Long runs are either alone or with my daughter, also a maniac.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Saucony Hurricane 7 for both. They last about 450 miles.

What are your short-term running goals? Short-term goal is to run in 12 states or more.

What are your long-term running goals? Long-term is to keep healthy and injury free.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Family functions, we have eight grown children and six grand children.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head): Main Maniac, although Wonder Woman looks pretty good!