Maniac questionnaire

January 22, 2007

Name David Spooner

Maniac # 446

State you live in Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 12 marathons

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

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Seattle Marathon 2004. I didn’t have very much fun. After about 19 miles I felt so bad, I said to myself I will never do this again. After I got home I changed my mind.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? For about 4 years. I started running to get in better shape for me and my family. I was over weight and not very healthy. I wanted to run a mile and that was the start. I decided to run a marathon and people thought I was crazy. As of now I have lost 125 lbs. People that haven’t seen me for a long time don’t even recognize me. I tell them I am on the marathon diet.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? My wife tells me I am a Maniac. I think like a maniac, not an average runner. I wanted to wear one of those cool yellow singlets.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Boston, I need to shave of five more minutes to get to 3:15. I hope to accomplish this in 2007.

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

What was you most memorable marathon and why? The 2005 Yakima River Canyon. This was my second marathon. I had lots of fun and Shaved off 20 minutes from my first marathon. I was definitely hooked after this.

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 would suggest the Yakima River Canyon. Its mostly a down hill grade except for the two hill climbs. The two times I have ran this I got my pr both times.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 2,600 miles to Hawaii. The 2006 Honolulu Marathon

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 hear sone funny comments like: You do that on purpose . The best one is your going to kill yourself. You are going to wear your heart out. I am sure I will live longer overweight, high blood pressure, and bad cholestrol .

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I would run 53 marathons

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? The 2006 disney world marathon. The mickey mouse medal was a favorite of mine and my kids

Where do you keep your finisher medals? In a drawer

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear them to work a lot. I were the tech shirts running

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Any were warm, I am a sun worshiper

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Black

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Spaghetti, After a marathon is about the only time I eat Fast food. French Fries.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Gu and powerade

Which race would you never run again and why? I don’t have one

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? In December 2006 I ran three marathons. I was a little sore.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? About 40 miles. Push ups and sit ups every day except long run day

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? No, I don’t like to depend or wait on anyone.

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

What are your short-term running goals? Making it to Boston

What are your long-term running goals? Run as many marathons as I can. Run in all states. Run some ultral

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I like to golf.

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

Main Maniac (with cat on head)