Maniac questionnaire
Name Rick Haase
Maniac #115
State you live in Washington
Your age 59
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 89 marathons, 11 ultras
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) a 10k in Kirkland
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? The Seattle Marathon 1978 Yes, excited to have finished.
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Ran track and cross country in high school in 60’s. Got serious again in 1978 to get in shape and to run a marathon.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I’m not usually a joiner but the Maniacs sounded like a good group
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? A long list. Any race that’s fun and interesting.
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Steve Allen, although he wasn’t a runner, he could discuss any topic and also be funny.
What was you most memorable marathon and why? The Governors Cup Marathon in Helena, Montana, qualified for Boston. The Portland Marathon, my PR. Kilimanjaro Marathon,the scenery and the heat.
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Portland
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Africa
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? Oh yeah! That can’t be good for you. I get tired driving that far.
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? At least 26, that way the training in between runs would be minimal.
From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Kilimanjaro
Where do you keep your finisher medals? On a couple of hooks near my front door.
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?I do wear my race t-shirts for my work as a landscaper. The rest fill half a closet.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Machu Pichu or the Great Wall of China. Some one has been reading my mind.
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yellow
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pasta the evening before, my homemade smoothie the morning before. Hamburger and fries after.
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? GU and Gatorade
Which race would you never run again and why? Las Vegas.At one of the most visually interesting cities in the world they drive you out into the desert and have you run back into town. Boring!
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? All the ultras and marathons leading up to the Kettle Moraine 100 mile that I just completed. I wasn’t sure if my body would hold up. I didn’t apply for a race until I’d completed the previous one.
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? 3 or 4, 6 mile loops near my house during the week and a 10 to 15 mile run on Sunday. I’d rather run a marathon or ultra than do a longer training run.
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? Usually Nike, right now Air Structure. I’m trying to find a trail shoe that I have confidence in. Although with no foot problems in the 100 miler in the Air Structure I should just count my blessings.
What are your short-term running goals? Stay healthy.
What are your long-term running goals? Run as many interesting races as I can before I have to use a walker.
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? After working in other peoples gardens all day I like to come home and work in mine.
What is your favorite Beatle song? “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”