Maniac questionnaire

Name Craig Holcomb

Maniac #144

State you live in Ohio

Your age 38

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?

3 previous marathons…going for 50 marathons in 50 states in 05.

As of 7/18/05 – 29 lifetime, 26 in 2005.

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)

Cross country 5k and track in high school.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Columbus, OH in 2000. I always wanted to run a marathon and through the years kept putting it off. I decided to do something special for the millennium so began training after the New Year and kept at it. I had a blast! The course was flat and fast, weather perfect, spectator support awesome. Plus I’m a huge OSU buckeye fan, so running past Ohio stadium still gives me the chills! The first one is always a special one.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?

I started running in high school in both cross country and track, mainly to keep in shape for wrestling. I have run off and on through the years, but let my career and hectic work schedule take over and experienced long periods of no running. I began running again in 2000 to get back in shape, help keep my sanity, relieve stress, etc. Now, it is one of the most important things in my life and I can’t go without it.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?

Every runner has a story and I am no exception. Last year was a very difficult year from a career and business standpoint. I was becoming a burned out executive (80 hour work weeks and stress was starting to affect my health), so I decided to take a year off and regroup. I knew I wanted to travel and I also love to run, so I came up with the idea of running a marathon in every state. At first I wondered if it was possible and then if it was ever done. Long story short, I am on a quest to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 05. See Craig Runs 50 A month or so into it, I saw the MM singlet and began talking to folks (including Dick Beardsley at an expo) who introduced me to your club. What a perfect fit!

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

Wow, tough question. There are so many amazing races. After I complete the states I want to run the Canadian provinces and the seven continents… so London, Antarctica, the Great Wall jump out.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?

Wow, even tougher question. I would say my Grandfather. He was such an inspiration to me and my biggest fan growing up. Unfortunately, he was a big smoker in his day and suffered from emphysema, so every breath was a fight. For him to experience the runners high with me would be surreal.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

This seems to change as I continue on my adventure. For now, I’d have to say the Leadville Trail Marathon in CO. What a tremendous challenge…the altitude, the climbs, the weather, the rough and rocky terrain (and the fact that I’m out there running a marathon every weekend). I had never experienced anything quite like this and I consider this one of my biggest accomplishments thus far. I was extremely slow, but I finished!

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?

There are some biggies, like Chicago and Grandmas, that are fast and flat, but the traffic can become a factor. So, I recommend a smaller one. For me, Buffalo provides a terrific course and weather and that’s where I have my PR so far.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?

I have driven across the country several times, so almost 3000 miles from Cleveland, OH to Port Angeles, WA.

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?

Yes!

“Let me get this straight, you actually run 26.2 miles? In one day? Why?”

“So you quit your job, sold your house and bought an RV and you’re going to travel around the country and run a marathon in every state? Why not just drive the RV the additional 26 miles?!”

“I get the traveling part and wanting to see the US, but wouldn’t you rather play golf in every state? Or see a ballgame in every stadium?”

“Is running 50 marathons in 50 states in one year healthy? Is it possible? Do you consider this fun?!”

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?

I would do what I am fortunate enough to do. I am living a dream and experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity!! I thank God every day for it! PS. The finances and obligations are still an issue!

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Funny you should ask that. I just laid them out on the bed the other day, as I reached the half way point (#25) and picked that out. I may be biased, but I really like my hometown medal from the Cleveland marathon. It has a little guitar that spins in the center of it, representing the Rock Hall of Fame.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

In a Nike shoe box! Although, I have a friend who is a wood worker and is building me a display cabinet.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?

Yes. I have a tradition of wearing the race shirt the day after the marathon. I tend to continue to wear my favorites after that. I have them all stacked in their own dresser drawer and I am running out of room!

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

Not sure. Maybe my hometown, a small suburb of Cleveland, OH.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Yellow

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

Prerace - pasta, atlhough I’m starting to get sick of it. Post – I crave a steak or a big, juicy hamburger and of course a nice cold beer.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?

Gu. Vanilla bean, expresso love. Gatorade

Which race would you never run again and why?

Valley of the Sun Marathon in Mesa, AZ. It was the most unorganized and poorly staffed race I have ever been to. The race officials over slept, they bussed you out in the middle of the dessert at 4:00 am, it was pitch black and the bus drivers didn’t know where to go, the race started 45 minutes late, the aid stations were unmanned and/or not set-up, etc. I experienced dehydration.

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

Most challenging…Leadville Trail marathon. See above.

Second most…my first double weekend. I ran Bayshore in MI on Sat. and ran Lakeshore in Chicago on Monday (with an extra mile!).

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?

40-60 miles a week, which includes the marathon on the weekend and mostly recovery and LSD miles during the week. Since I started this quest, I no longer do speed work. I’m a pacer, not a racer!

Cross training includes biking, hiking, swimming and a little weight training.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?

Since I am traveling so much, it’s whoever I can find. And as much as possible, my dog Tonka!

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?

I’m a Nike nut. I alternate several pairs including Max Moto, Pegasus, Triax, Zoom miler. Train and race in the same.

What are your short-term running goals?

Complete my quest of 50 this year.

What are your long-term running goals?

Qualify for Boston. Run in other countries. Continue doing what I love.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?

Swim, hike, bike, sight see, look up old friends and family and read.

What is your favorite Beatle song?

Twist and shout.