Maniac questionnaire

Dean Schuster

Maniac #540

State you live in

South Carolina. Even if I live there 70 years, I’ll always be known as a Yankee.

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?

I’ve done six Marathons and one ultra as of June 2007. (Give me time)

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

The Irmo Dam Run 10k: I Thought I was going to cough up a lung.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?

The Disney Marathon in 2005: I started running 5 months earlier on a whim. I was really not ready to compete and finished in 4:50. The last 6 miles were abject torture, but for some reason, when I finished, I knew I was hooked.

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

I’ve been running since the summer of 2004. I heard some friends were going to run a marathon and I wanted in. It was a “life-list” sort of thing. I only intended on running one. Now I’m defined as a runner.

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

The freakazoid head-sitting cat.

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

The North Pole Marathon. I entered a contest recently and lost out. But I’ll get there, contest or no.

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

Bono. I truly admire him, and I’m a bloody cynic.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

The Nipmuck Trail Marathon in Connecticut. Nasty hills, big rocks, and technical trail. Delightful misery. Great, great race. Y’all need to run it.

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

The Kiawah Island Marathon. Flat as a pancake. No, it’s flatter than that. It’s also easy for you to have a support team. They can follow you on a bike, etc.

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

800 miles. I will break this record when I go to the North Pole or Antarctica some day.

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, they think I am crazy and feel I’ll destroy my knees before 60. But that will be 2030. I’m hoping for easy access to artificial knees by then.

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

Easily one a week.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Nipmuck Trail Marathon: You get a hunk of Birch tree with trail marker paint on it. It’s perfect. Second would be the Disney Marathon ‘Mickey” medal. It’s really quite nice and something every marathoner should have.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

Sock drawer

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

Most race shirts are really, really ugly. So some day, I will have a really, really ugly quilt to keep me warm.

I have strong opinions on the subject:

http://zerotoboston.com/2007/01/10/running-shirts-a-hierarchy/

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

We all like to run races in beautiful, popular or exclusive settings. I’d like to set up a marathon that runs through a poverty-stricken area. Seriously. This doesn’t have to be a place like the Dominican Republic. It can just as easily be extreme rural South Carolina.

A race in a location like this would bring our own immense material advantages to painfully clear light. I dare you to feel like you’re suffering at mile 23 as you pass people who so clearly lack the basics that we take for granted. All proceeds would go to creating educational opportunities for the children of the area.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Yellow. Not much of a contest is it.

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

Pre-race: 4 hours before the race I eat 1.5-2grams of carbs per pound of body weight (Thanks McMillian). This is the only time I ever willingly ingest food of the “PowerBar” variety.

Post Race: Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies – chilled of course.

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

Gel: Mixed Berry Goo. I hate the stuff. Almost always hits my gag reflex. But I choke it down for the cause.

Drink: Gatorade Riptide Rush

Which race would you never run again and why?

So far, I’ve enjoyed every race I’ve tried. Cue inspirational music.

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

That would be when I did the Black Mountain Marathon one week after the Myrtle Beach Marathon; my first back-to-back. I loved it, but it’s rough starting a marathon with aching quads, especially one that goes decided uphill from the starting gun.

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

I run between 50 and 60 miles per week. In serious training, I can push that range to the high 60s. I also play basketball (an ENTIRELY different kind of workout).

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

I’ve had the good fortune of finding a lot of similarly dedicated, crazy runners in my area. I’ve never been at a lack for training company. When I started up, established runners offered me excellent help and advice.

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

I need cushioned shoe, so I’ve been running in Asics Gel Nimbus for the road. On the trails, I prefer the Brooks Cascadia series. Great shoe.

What are your short-term running goals?

The qualify for the Boston Marathon with a sub 3:15.

What are your long-term running goals?

To live until 95 with a heart of an ox.

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

I love to write about running at my blog, www.zerotoboston.com. I also play basketball and read a great deal.

Mostly, I enjoy hanging out with my kids. I’d do that all day if I could.

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

I was always partial to the Green lantern, but would love him even more with a spastic cat perched on his cranium.