Maniac questionnaire

June 9, 2006

Name

Josh Liebman

Maniac #

309

State you live in

Florida

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?

26

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

I believe it was the FootWorks Twilight 5K in South Miami with my father. I placed 2^nd, 2^nd to last in my age group.

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

Nashville Country Music in ’01, the week before I graduated from the MBA program at Florida. Epic Day.

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

Just a few years, and not sure of the initial motivation, but I am sure why I run now. I coach for TNT and founded the Miami Feet running club, and through these channels I can influence other’s lives in a positive way.

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

I have founded and run numerous non for profits and can empathize with the challenge, so I wanted to support the club. That and I LOVE the marathon community.

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

This is a trick question, because I have not run it yet. Austin was my favorite, and Chicago my second. Truthfully I want to run every marathon I have yet to run.

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

I know Dean Karnazes and have run with him, and given the opportunity would love to share the ground with him again.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

The marathons I coach for TNT are the most memorable, because I help a 100 people set PR’s, being that it is their first marathon.

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

Austin or Miami, I am from Miami.

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

Dublin, Ireland and Alaska.

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?

We have all heard them all, but I welcome it.

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

As many as I could.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Good question. I am from Miami and they have an interesting medal.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

Display.

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

I give them away. The homeless in my area must look like athletes.

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

I might plan a marathon for the Raven, www.miamiravenrun.com. He is the longest streak runner in the world, having run every day, 8 miles a day, in the same place for over 31 years and 5 months.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Not sure I follow, but Yellow.

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

Pre-race, Pasta and Beer. Post-race-everything and Beer.

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

I use the energy gels for my hair. It is more important to look good than feel good. Beer is my drink of choice.

Which race would you never run again and why?

Disney and W Palm are my least favorites. Disney is a production and W Palm is poorly organized.

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

I ran 5 in 5 weeks or in 36 days, but honestly was not that challenging.

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

I do not run that often, just a couple of times a week.

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

I run with NikeTown on Tuesdays and coach for TNT on Saturdays.

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

Asics are my favorite, but I run in everything.

What are your short-term running goals?

50 Miler

What are your long-term running goals?

50 States

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

Travel, Gator Games, Work, Boat

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

I am drawn to marathons because of the real life heroes, the human interest stories.

Thank you for your time and reading to this point.

Have a Fun Run,

Josh