Maniac questionnaire

July 13, 2006

Name: Dane Rauschenberg

Maniac # 329

State you live in Virginia

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 39 /2

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Would have had to have been at the Hershey Track and Field Games when I was about 8 or so in Titusville, PA. I think it was 100 meters.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Harrisburg Marathon. November 11, 2001. Not at all. Horrible time and when I finished I found out my grandmother had passes away during the night.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I am a swimmer who realized that it is easier to find the road open then the pool. J But I started running in law school to lose some bulk I had put on in college as a rugby player.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I figured planning on running 52 consectuive weekly marathons put me in this class. L’Arche mobile, thje organization I am running for this year (www.fiddy2.org) is my inspiration. Plus my father, who has been crippled for 30 years and never complains about not being able to walk makes me get up and run every day.

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

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? My grandparents for obvious reasons.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Phoenix Rock and Roll in early 2005 as I dropped 10 minutes surprisingly to qualify for Boston

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Phoenix RnR or Presque Isle in Erie.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? In 3 weeks it will be Alaska. Until then it will be Washington.

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? They use the word crazy but they know not to when I am around. Crazy is being fat and lazy and wasting your life away.

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

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Legg Mason First Light Marathon as it is put on by, and benefits L’Arche Mobile.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? On a shelf I bought specifically for this year. Where they collect dust/

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? No. I send them home to my mom as she loves to garden in them.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? On the trail that starts outside my backdoor.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? The mixed singlet for me, please.

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

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Vanilla Bean Gu. Propel.

Which race would you never run again and why? Leadville. There are just as many challenging races out there and I would rather challenge myself on new courses. I have a long list of things to do and a short life.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Leadville again. Crests at 13,000 feet. 10,000 feet of ascension during the race and it was my 26^th marathon of the year.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I have no idea what typical is. I have been planning for and running Fiddy2 just slightly less long than I have been running marathons. But I would say 40-50 miles. I boxed amateur in law school so now I hit the heavy bag to keep in shape and swim when I can.

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

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? One of the lucky few who can throw just about anything on. Have worn 5 different shoes this year. (Including forgetting shoes before a race and having to wear brand new shoes of a brand I had never worn before. Ran a 3:22 in Little Rock that day)

What are your short-term running goals? To complete this marathon this week.

What are your long-term running goals? To finish Fidy2, get ready for 2007 which will include the run across Panama, The Hustle up the Hancock, the 6 day Self Transcendence race and others.

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

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