Maniac Questionnaire

March 1, 2006

2006 Goofy’s Challenge

Name Bekkie Wright

Maniac #244

State you live in Connecticut

Your age 43

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 53 Marathons + 1 Ultra

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Fairfield (CT) Half Marathon 1993

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

Chicago Marathon 1993 -- 17 degrees & snowing, headwind both ways on Lakeshore Drive … you bet I had fun!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Runner since I was a kid. Fitness runner in college for soccer. Marathon runner because my college roommate did it before I did.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Became a maniac by accident. Never intended to do 12 marathons a year, but ended up pacing a few friends at marathons and ran a few more than I’d planned.

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

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? George Sheehan … philosopher king of running. Also, Bill Rogers & Jeff Galloway are great guys, and if they’d only slow down to my pace I’m sure we’d have a great run.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Boston’s 100th. ‘nuf said.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Baystate Marathon (Lowell, MA)

What was the furthest you've ever traveled for a race? Honolulu, Hawaii (but I’m going to Norway in June).

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? All non-running friends think I’m crazy … all running friend know I’m crazy. Comments are more about my choice of outfits for the marathon distance than the number of races.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? 15-20

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Boston’s 100th.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? Tie rack in my hallway.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don't wear? Wear my cotton race T-shirts to work every day … and my technical shirts for running workouts & yoga class.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Both

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre-Race: Spaghetti Marinara from Olive Garden with lots of breadsticks. Post-Race: Grilled Cheese sandwich, Fries & Chocolate Milkshake, or Wendy’s Chicken Sandwich, Baked Potato & a Frosty

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Chocolate Power Gel, Lemon-Lime Gatorade

Which race would you never run again and why? Honolulu Marathon. 5 AM Start … (2 hours of running in the dark) … too many people. Not enough people English speaking runners to chat with along the way.

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

So, far …the Goofy’s Challenge at Disney in January 2006 and PT Cruiser Challenge in Tampa in February 2006 … but I’ve got 2 marathons planned for the same day on the Summer Solstice in Norway in June.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? Typical training week is only about 20-25 miles of running. 2 Days of Yoga & 2 Days of Swimming with my Masters Group. Trying to figure out how to squeeze in Biking so I can do an Ironman.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I have a few regular training partners from my local running club the Silk City Striders, but I picked up a new lifetime training partner at a Marathon in Vermont last October.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Train & race in Nike Air Pegasus or Zoom Milers.

What are your short-term running goals? Stay injury free in 2006.

What are your long-term running goals? Finish all 50 States by the time I’m 50.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Unicycling & Juggling.