Maniac questionnaire

Name Jennifer Beck

Maniac #190

State you live in Mason, Ohio

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 13 marathons

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) 5k in 7^th grade

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? 1998 Honolulu Marathon – 1^st time in Hawaii, so I had a blast!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? When I got cut from the 7^th grade volleyball team, I turned to cross country. That was 20 years ago and I have been running since.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I am trying to get into the 50 states club. When browsing their site, I came across the maniacs link and was very intrigued!!

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

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? David Letterman – I love him!!!!

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Honolulu – it was Hawaii!!!

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

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

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? “Why?!” “You’re getting too old to be doing that to your body” (I’m only 32 :-) “Your knees won’t last much longer” “You know you don’t have to run a marathon in order to get away for the weekend”

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? 12

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Air Force (but I have a feeling that when I get the Goofy medal, it will move up as favorite)

Where do you keep your finisher medals? My “26.2 Wall of Fame” – I have each of my medals framed with my picture and race name/date

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear every one of them – except Louisville because it’s too big – so I gave it to my husband

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Mason, Ohio. If I had one in my own town, I wouldn’t have to get babysitters and could have my whole family watch for once.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? YELLOW

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre-race…definitely pasta. Post-race…can’t think about food, so I force myself to eat pretzels and Gatorade

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Gu or Power Gels and Gatorade

Which race would you never run again and why? I’ve liked them all, but if I had to choose, it would be Knoxville because I ran with the flu and have bad memories (nothing against the race though)

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Seattle! It was so cold and rainy. My hands were so numb that I had to ask spectators to open my gels.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I’m lucky to get in 20 miles – I have a hard time finding free time since I have 3-year-old twins. I will sometimes walk to cross-train.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Just my MP3 player and me

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Loyal to Saucony!

What are your short-term running goals? Complete Charlotte, NC in December; Disney’s Goofy run in January.

What are your long-term running goals? I hope to get pregnant around February ’06, so I will have to take off a year, but will be back to marathons shortly after.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I play with my girls! I also enjoy doing anything creative with photos.

What is your favorite Beatle song? “We All Shine On” (I know it’s not technically the Beatles, but they were kind of before my time)