Maniac questionnaire

Name-Rob Hester

Maniac #97

State you live in- Bonney Lake, Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? I have run 13 marathons and 15 ultra marathons.

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) I remember running a 5k with my father when I was 11 years old at South Seattle Community College. I ran it in under 21 minutes, but some kid stepped in front of me at the end of the race and beat me out for 1^st in my age group, (12 and under).

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

I ran the Portland Marathon in 2002 and had the greatest experience of my life. It was the most agonizing as well, but after that I was hooked. I knew I could run faster.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I started running in January of 2002 because I remember walking up the stairs in my house thinking how difficult it was and how lame I must be. I could only run ¼ of a mile before I thought I was going to die, but I slowly worked my way up to running a whopping 4 miles without stopping at which point I thought it was time to sign up for the Portland Marathon and really challenge myself.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I remember being passed in the Capital City marathon in 2004 by the Prez and Jen Yogi thinking why do I have a feeling that this will not be the last time they pass me in a race. It was my first back-to-back weekend of marathoning and I felt good about it. I thought what’s next. Then I checked out the website and thought to myself that this is where I belonged.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? That needs only a one-word response, BADWATER.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Jesus Christ, so that he could explain the days of his life to me.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? The first marathon has been the most memorable by far. There was so much pain, and uncertainty, and just an overwhelming feeling that I had just accomplished the greatest feat known to man. Ever since then I have been searching for that same feeling and now I am about to run my first 100 miler. I hope I find that feeling, or else the next step is a 48-hour race.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Boston! I think if you are going to run a PR there should be no asterisk next to the time because it was an easy course. Pick the hardest race you can find and train as hard as you can.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Bend, Oregon. I know, pretty lame.

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? The majority of my friends and family think that I am crazy for running so much, but I think they are somewhat intrigued as well. All the usual comments come up like, “I don’t like to drive that far”.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? If I had no financial pressure, or spousal issues I would run 113 marathons a year. That would be 2 a week plus Boston, plus Quadzilla.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Do not pay attention too much to the medals.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? I keep all my medals in a shoebox.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear my race t-shirts until they get too dirty, and I plan on giving the extras to my mother to make me my first quilt that I will proudly sleep with every night, or at least the nights my wife sends me to the couch because I have been out running too many marathons.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? I would have to choose somewhere in Africa where you have to make your way across the savannah avoiding all predators in order to finish.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? There is only room for Maniac Yellow in my closet.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? My favorite pre-race meal is usually some kind of pasta, no meat, followed by a post-race meal of burgers and beer.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? I am a sucker for Chocolate GU and blue Gatorade, or PowerAde.

Which race would you never run again and why? I would like to say the Capitol Peak 50ish miler, but I probably will try to revenge the course next year and run with a machete.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? So far the most challenging has been the Chuckanut 50K and Pacific Rim 50K in the same day. It was the most difficult because it was my first back to back, as well as the driving distance between races, and the weather in the 2^nd 50K made it a test of survival rather than time.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? A typical training week is in the 60-mile range with high mileage around 80. I usually run 5-7 days a week and lately have not done any cross training, but I usually life weights 2-3 days per week as well.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I have one main training partner, Jamal, who is much faster than me, but we both like to run as much as possible. I also run with the Y-run club in Puyallup and maniac #153 Eric Barnes.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? I only wear Brooks, but I wear about 4 different models. I wear the Adrenaline GTS, Burn, Cascadias, Adrenalin ASR, and also the Trespass. I guess that’s 5.

What are your short-term running goals? My immediate goal is to finish my first 100 miler.

What are your long-term running goals? Only time will reveal that secret.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I enjoy spending time with my family. I have 4 children and the most understanding wife in the world that I neglect way too often. I also enjoy wakeboarding and drinking coffee with the Y-run club. There is also a little known secret that I enjoy googling people to find out their fastest race times. google.com

What is your favorite Beatle song? That’s easy, Rocky Raccoon!