Maniac questionnaire

December 15, 2005

Name: Michael Shilling

Maniac # 211

State you live in NJ

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 16 marathons

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) West Windsor 5K

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? New York in 1994, fun…hmmmm…I did for 13 miles, but I was hooked! Actually, it was a lifetime experience!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I was a 100 meter and 200 meter sprinter in high school, hated to run anything over a mile! I started distance running when I was 33 primarily to lose weight.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I answered most all of the questions that were asked about “Are you addicted to running marathons?” with a resounding “YES”! Then I looked at the criteria and thought, this is nuts!! Then I realized I qualified at the Bronze level and I’m thinkin’ I must be nuts or a maniac, one of the two! Primarily, what inspired me are all of the maniacs and their marathon accomplishments. I love to find motivation anywhere I can!

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Boston because it requires qualification!

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? This is very tough. Although it would not have happened because neither were runners, it would be my Mom or Dad. If I had children, it would be my children.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Ocean Drive in NJ because it was my first sub-4 marathon and it took me 10 years and 9 marathons to get there.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Grandma’s in Duluth although it appears that there are faster courses out there.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 2500 miles to San Diego for America’s Finest City Half-marathon. For the marathon, Las Vegas…

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? Besides everyone? My friend told me today that we would run but he hasn’t found a way to keep his beer from spilling. Many people ask how far a marathon is. Some people say that they don’t even like driving 26 miles or ask me if anyone is chasing me. I ran to a friends for a Labor day party (13 miles) and he told me never to run to his house again!

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

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? All are special but I do like the 2005 Baltimore’s medal and Baltimore’s shirts are absolutely the best with Under Armour’s sponsorship.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? Hanging on a metal globe.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear some of them. Sometimes I wear them to the race the following year. I never run in them because of them being cotton (except for the most excellent Under armour shirts from the Baltimore marathon)

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? St. John, USVI. It would be quite tough and quite beautiful. See 8 TUFF Miles.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Black

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre-race morning is pop tarts, banana and coffee. Pre-race evening is traditionally pasta. Post race is steak, potatoes and beer.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Gu Chocolate and Gatorade.

Which race would you never run again and why? The OLD Las Vegas Marathon.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? NYC in 2003 two weeks after the Baltimore marathon. It started with a side stitch and then continued with some severe lower back pains from mile 18 on. I walked nearly the last 8 miles but I have never DNFed. It was as ugly as it gets. In a good challenging way, I ran 3 marathons in 100 days and broke 4 hours in each. I know to most maniacs, this isn’t much but it was to me.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I run an average of 40 miles usually some tempo, hills and a medium to long run. I don’t cross train but do some basic strength training.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Nope, just me…

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I wear Saucony Trigon Grid 2 but will probably be switching since the Trigon 3’s don’t seem to be the same. I do have racing flats but usually only wear them for shorter races 5 and 10K’s.

What are your short-term running goals? Stay healthy and injury free but in general to continue to focus on breaking 4 hours in every marathon I run and finding a way to legitimately get to Boston.

What are your long-term running goals? I want to run 25 consecutive Baltimore Marathons (I ran the inaugural and one of 59 to run all five years so far). I want to run all 50 states. I also want to finish the NYC marathon in 5 consecutive decades (my 30’s, 40’s 50’s, 60’s and 70’s). I want to run at least one 50K and one 50 miler. It sounds like a Christmas list!

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I maintain a running website Runners Thoughts and a blog related to my running. I also am into listening to music and visiting St. John in the Virgin Islands.

Who is your favorite "Desperate Housewife?" ? My wife! She has to put up with my addiction to running and marathons…the smelly clothes, dripping sweat on the kitchen floor, multiple pairs of running shoes laying around, magazines everywhere (including marathon and beyond), long runs on Saturday mornings, etc. How much more desperate can you get?