Maniac questionnaire

October 22^nd 2006

Name Ken Briggs

Maniac # 365

State you live in Confusion! (Washington)

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 7/3 so far

What was the first race you ever ran? 880 Yds. 1965

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Spokane/2003/ it was a blast!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Ran track until 1971, then took a 30 year break…started again at 50. I run now to keep the weight and stress down.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? MM Michael Wakabayashi recruited me. Not sure I should be involved with any club that would have me as a member!

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Pike’s Peak, just for the injury factor.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Sigmund Freud…only he would know why.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? The first one I did (on my own) just to be sure I could do it. I ended up going over 30 miles, as I got lost!

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Hmmm, the 5k on the track at the Half Fast Ultimate Runner in Spokane, then just do it in the other 4 races!

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 300 miles

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? My friends and family have always thought I was crazy; running is just one more obsession on the list.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? 25 probably.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? They give medals?

Where do you keep your finisher medals? On a pipe in my shop

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I usually opt out of shirts when I can; but I wear the Spokane Marathon sweatshirts around the house.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? I would love to run an Ultra on the Centennial Trail from Nine Mile Falls to Coeur d’ Alene (60 miles)

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yeller’

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre race: Oat Bran cereal with flax seed banana, strawberries and soymilk Post Race: Beer

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Gels? Yuk…I eat fig bars Gatorade Blue

Which race would you never run again and why? Haven’t found one yet

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Ultimate Runner because it is HOT on the track in August!

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I run 3-5 days with an average of 40 miles per week (83 is my highest ever). I do yoga and some resistance 2-3 days. No speed work, just races.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I run with a great group on Saturdays and Sundays. We have as many as 30 runners and walkers. The worse the weather, the more that show up!

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Brooks Adrenaline and Asics 2110 for training and long races, Brooks ASR for trails and Brooks racing flats for races up to 10k

What are your short-term running goals? 4 marathons and 3 ultras in 2007

What are your long-term running goals? To be running when I’m 80

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Playing/teaching bagpipe, gardening with my wife, cooking, building stained glass lampshades

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) Actually, the Flash is my all-time favorite