Maniac questionnaire

November 13, 2006

Name Christie Hayes

Maniac # 317

State you live in Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 9 marathons and picking up speed

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) probably some track meet in elementary school – I remember blowing away the competition in the 440 – that was the “long distance” event in the third grade

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 Seafair in 2006. I had a great time, I could have kept going, I was so excited. I never dreamed of running a marathon and I finished under 4 hours and felt great. It was more than I could have hoped for.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I have run off and on for the last 20 years. I started running cross country and track in seventh grade. But how I got started was a fluke. The cross country coach came and spoke to my sixth grade class to recruit for next year (his wife was the teacher). I signed up not knowing that it involved running, but because nobody else signed up and I felt sorry for him. Once I got in it I met some great friends and found out I was actually pretty good at it. I ran through high school and parts of college. I took a break for a while when I had kids, but picked it up again when my son was 3 weeks old. We knew he was the last one and I wanted to get back in shape!

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I ran Seafair with several Maniacs and I thought they were all CRAZY! Who would ever do such a thing? But everyone is so friendly and encouraging. It’s great to cheer each other on. It is inspiring to see so many maniacs out there doing it and having fun doing it.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Boston, again. I’m sentimental.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I’ll pick my kids – their little now, but in 15 or 20 years who knows, they might be pulling their old mom along the trail.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Boston in 2006, it’s the best. The fans were incredible, my family was there, the weather was perfect and the hills were way easier than I had imagined them. If they had had a bus to take you back to the start and run it again – I would have been on it. It was THE perfect marathon.

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 hear Newport is great. If you have a crystal ball that predicts the weather, Tri-Cities would also be a good choice.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Boston, but I’m going to Miami in 2007.

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? My friends think it’s great. I’ve convinced several of them to start running and a couple have now done marathons. My family is a whole other story. Most of them feel that I could be compromising my health or more specifically my joints. My grandfather keeps asking about “side effects”. My mom used to be the most worried. But after she went to see me run Boston she’s started training and will run the Miami Marathon, cool – huh?

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I would run 30-40, not one every weekend but fairly close to it.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Boston or Portland 2006

Where do you keep your finisher medals? My husband frames them, they hang next to the treadmill I don’t use.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear some of them, others are my kid’s pajamas (they think it’s cool).

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Auburn, AL – it’s God’s country and we would have Toomer’s Lemonade at the finish line.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yellow

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? The night before, anything. The morning of toast, coffee, maybe some sort of breakfast bar. Post race, whatever is on the way home. I’m not picky and I like to eat.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Who needs gels when you can munch on Jelly Belly Sports Beans. I have to say Amino Vital on the sports drink.

Which race would you never run again and why? I haven’t come across any yet. Even Tri-Cities with the 40 mph wind was nuts, but I PRed and qualified for Boston on it the year before, so you just never know.

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

I split a marathon with my friend Hope when we first started running together. I was in horrible shoes, hadn’t trained properly, terrible knee pain. And there was wind. I just kept thinking X number of miles until I cross the finish line and I will NEVER run again. Running 3 marathons in 15 days was cake compared to that run.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? There is no typical in my training week, except for a long run in the early morning on the weekend. Cross training – try chasing an active toddler around all day – you’ll get in shape.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Yes, Hope Fox – she’s the best J

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I have 5 pairs right now I rotate through. Mostly Brooks.

What are your short-term running goals? To run an ultra in 2007

What are your long-term running goals? To run a minimum of 5 a year and I’ll hit 100 before I turn 50. Of course my real goal is to beat that goal.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Well, I like to spend time with my kids, ages 6, 4, and 2 and husband. I also am the coordinator of a Mothers of Preschooler group, teach Sunday School, quilt and have a vegetable garden. And yes, all of those things are fun.

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

Superman, he’s the best. Faster than a speeding bullet, right? My dad used to wake me up in the middle of the night and we would sneak downstairs and watch old Superman reruns. My mom never knew. Until now.