Maniac questionnaire

12/06/2006

 

Name   Mark C. Cook

 

Maniac #407

 

State you live in            Washington

 

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?             5

 

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)            Dawg Dash (3.75 miles) 1988

 

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?            Portland Marathon 1992    I had a good day

 

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?            I have been a runner since 1987.  My 9th grade health teacher showed a movie on the healthy benefits of running and I wanted to do it.

 

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?     I wanted to run a marathon.  When I found out there was a smaller marathon three weeks before, I ran that one as a warm up for the big race I wanted to do.  After I finished the second marathon, there was another marathon four weeks after and I thought I would try it.  All three were awesome.  PRs every time. 

 

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

 

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

 

What was you most memorable marathon and why?            Whidbey Island 2002.  Running across the Deception Pass Bridge was awesome.

 

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?            None of the marathons I have run…

 

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?            250 miles one way

 

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, “your knees are going to give out.”  “you are too big to run as much as you do.”

 

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?            Capital City Marathon 2002

 

Where do you keep your finisher medals?            My Desk Drawer

 

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?  Yes, Give them away

 

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

 

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?  Black

 

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?  Red Robin the night before, Red Robin for lunch after

 

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?  Gu, Gatorade

 

Which race would you never run again and why?  Can’t think of any

 

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?  Whidbey Marathon 2005—I didn’t train as much as I had before

 

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? 30 to 40 miles, 6-7 days a week, no cross training

 

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?  No

 

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?  Brooks Adrenaline 5 or 6.  I wish I was fast enough to race in a different shoe.

 

What are your short-term running goals?  1500 miles/year, run healthy

 

What are your long-term running goals?  Qualify for and compete in the Boston Marathon

 

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?  I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, doing youth ministry

 

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

Wolverine