Maniac questionnaire

June 7, 2006

Name Marilou Russell

Maniac # 285

State you live in Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 3

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) I think it was the Capital City Lakefair 10K in the early 80’s. I wasn’t really a runner back then, only putting in a few miles here and there as cross-training for bicycle road racing. I don’t know my time because I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a clock at the finish line. I just assumed first one to cross the line was the winner. I had absolutely no concept of age group awards.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? 2006 Lost Dutchman in Apache Junction, Arizona. Absolutely had a blast and couldn’t wait to do it again.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I started running in 1979 as cross-training for my competitive cycling.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I saw some of those yellow singlets at my first marathon. They were so cool that I looked up the site when I got home. “Some day” I thought, “maybe I can be a maniac, too.”

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Comrades is top on my wish list.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? I’d like to run with Oprah. She is an inspiration to many and I’d like to spend those hours discovering what really makes her tick.

What was your most memorable marathon and why? 2006 Capital City. I ran it only because it was in my home town along my favorite cycling route. I expected to walk a lot and finish slow, but I actually PR’d.

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 don’t have enough experience to answer this one, everything I have run so far has been hilly.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 1,000 miles

Do any of your non-running friends or family members think that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are some of their comments to you? They gave up on me a long time ago. Now they simply smile and nod with a blank look on their face.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? At least 24.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Vancouver B.C. Lovely design and not gaudy.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? Hanging on the frames of my race photos in my bedroom.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear my tech shirts, the others pile up in my closet.

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

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? I’m all about yellow.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre race, pasta early in the afternoon. Post race Beer and a burger.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? I like pure honey instead of gel, although I get along OK with Carboom. I don’t like sports drinks but manage to choke down whatever is offered.

Which race would you never run again and why? Not enough experience to answer this one. Ask me again in a year.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Again, not enough experience.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I average 40 miles per week… 6 days running, one day lounging around. I weight train two days per week, walk whenever I can and cycle 1-2 days per week in the summer.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I either run alone, with my boyfriend or with my dog, Tater.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I wear Nike AST’s but am currently shopping for another shoe.

What are your short-term running goals? Finish the year with 8 marathons

What are your long-term running goals? Continue running for the rest of my life. Work my way up to ultras.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I love to play the role of “hero support” at my boyfriend’s softball games. Sitting around the ballpark in the sunshine is a great way to recover from a long run. I also paint and show dogs.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) I’ve always liked Cat woman, although technically she’s a villain.