Maniac questionnaire

12/28/2006

Name: Cliff Richards

Maniac #: 410

State you live in: Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?: 24 (as of 12/28/06)

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance): My first race was my first high school XC race -- Tahoma vs. Mt. Si in 1976. I was 15 years old, and did OK in the race (i.e., I didn't throw up), but came close to passing out after crossing the finish line. After a couple more races I had less trouble staying conscious.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? : The 1976 Seattle Marathon. I was still 15, and had been running for about 8 months. A couple of XC buddies and I thought we were in pretty good shape after a successful season, and we had 3 weeks to get in a couple of long (15-17 miles) runs. We really wanted a marathon shirt to wear around school. My time was about 3:37. I haven't experienced that level of exhaustion since (and don't want to). I earned that shirt.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?: 30 years. My parents were both runners, and were pretty good. Running didn't seem to require a great deal of coordination. It was another 21 years before I finally beat my dad's marathon PR.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?: Many of my running buddies are maniacs, and I wanted to be cool, like them.

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

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?: Socrates. He invented the practice of philosophical dialogue. It could make for an interesting and illuminating conversation during a long run.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?: My first, the '76 Seattle Marathon. I was so naive. The '01 Portland Marathon was also memorable. That's where I got my PR, and I was on a "marathon high" for the next week!

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?: Three of my friends had magical and amazingly fast races at the '06 Newport Marathon. I won't have personal experience with it until the '07 race, but based on what happened last year, I would have to recommend Newport.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?: Portland (not very far), but I'm doing Boston in April!

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 seem sane and underachieving compared to my sister-in-law, Van (Pigtails), so my little bit of craziness is considered quite balanced in my family! I once overheard one particularly unfit friend say to another, "So, what's this obsession of Cliff's with running?" If anyone asks me how my "jogging" is going, I just answer, "fine."

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?: 5-8 would still be plenty. Of course, they may be in places like Rome, Berlin, and New York more often.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?: The Pigtails Flat Ass 50K, 12/23/06. It was directed by my sister-in-law, Van Phan, and she hand-made finishers medals out of Christmas ornaments. She had to make them in the dark due to being out of power for 3 days shortly before the race. She ran her 52^nd marathon/ultra of 2006 that day. The medal is special, it represents her achievement, and I get to hang it on my tree every Christmas from now on.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?: The most recent 12 months of medals are on a hook next to my desk in my office, the rest are in a box on my workbench in my basement. The exception is the Pigtails Flat Ass 50K Christmas ornament medal, which is hanging on my tree right now, and will be carefully packed with other Christmas tree ornaments the rest of the year.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?: I save the tech shirts for running, and sometimes wear the others around on weekends. I have a dresser full of race shirts. The oldest with a date on it is from 1982.

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

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?: Black is dark and menacing, which fits my personality. J On the other hand, yellow is bright, like every Marathon Maniac I've met. Tough choice, but yellow wins.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?: Pre-race: Larabar, a small cup of coffee, and a large bottle of Gatorade Endurance. Post-race: More Gatorade Endurance, chocolate chip cookies, bananas, good beer and food at a brewpub with friends.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?: Gu, and Gatorade Endurance.

Which race would you never run again and why?: There's only one. It was an awful course, badly organized, and poorly supplied, but others seem to like it. My opinion may be influenced by the fact that I cramped up at about 18 miles, and had to walk-jog the rest of the way. Considering that, I'll withhold the name.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?: I was under prepared, and under experienced. That took more guts to finish than any race since then. '06 Tri-Cities was challenging, because it got a little breezy at times.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?: 50-70 miles, including 8 with Mel Preedy, Phil Kriss, Mary Hanna, Steve Israel, and (often) Dick Decker on Wednesdays at lunch, and 14 (or more) with the Cedar River Runners on Saturday mornings. Usually, I run at lunchtime, and I try for one tempo run, and one hill-seeking run a week. In the summer, when the Tahoma Jr High track isn't in use by PE classes, I try to use it once a week for intervals. I swim for an hour or so 3-4 mornings a week.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?: I often run with various "members" of the Cedar River Runners, but at least half of the time I run alone, which I enjoy too.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?: Running shoes, of course! More specifically, I train in Asics Gel-Nimbus, and usually race in Asics DS Racers.

What are your short-term running goals?: Stay healthy, enjoy running, and go under 2:45.

What are your long-term running goals?: Stay healthy, enjoy running, go under 2:43, get some of my speed back and go to XC Nationals next year, keep running and racing until I'm young and wise like Mel Preedy and Bob Dolphin.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?: I get to be the physical therapist for my running buddies. That can be lots of fun!

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head): The Flash (probably even faster than Superman J).