Maniac questionnaire

Maniac # 1, but I’m trying to get Chris or Tony to take over that number. They essentially do all of the work and deserve to be top dog.

State you live in: Washington

Your age: 46

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? As of the end of September 2005, 140 marathons and 3 ultras.

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance): The Bar-S Stampede 10Km. It was one of the most miserable race experiences I’ve ever had. I can’t remember when it was run, but I was an intern at the Cudahy Bar-S Meat Company at that time and they sponsored this race so a few of the employees and I just signed up for it. I was not running then, but thinking I was young and in shape, I went all out in that first mile and quickly bonked thereafter. Runner after runner passed me and I think I ended up 5 places from being the last finisher. At least the hot dogs at the end of the race helped soothe my bruised ego.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? The Tacoma Marathon in October 1983, just 6 months after I started running. It was both a fun and scary experience…not knowing if I could actually complete 26.2 miles. But it was a successful run as I finished in 3:03.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? 22 Years. What started me running was a Seattle Mariners Fun Run event back in 1983.It was a race from the Northgate Shopping Mall to the Kingdome (8.2 miles via the I-5 express lanes), and included with the entry fee was 4 tickets to the matinee game. Well, signing up for the race was cheaper than buying 4 separate tickets so I figured just sign up for the race, not run it and attend the game. I ended up running it, didn’t suffer as much as I thought I would and was hooked. And back in those days, we used to run races every weekend (though much shorter than marathons). I would see Glenn Tachiyama (#10) and David Jones (#56) at practically every one of these races.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Chris and Tony let me join the club. Back in the club’s infancy, Chris and I had gone down to San Diego for the Rock and Roll Marathon, and Tony was left home without a marathon to run. His addiction got the best of him. He quickly calls up the race director of the Newport Marathon (its been filled for months) and asks if there was an open spot for him. The rest is history. Now that’s dedication and to me, the defining moment of Maniacism!

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Tough choice, but the Two Oceans Marathon, Jungfrau Marathon and the Angkor Wat Marathon are ones I’d like to do.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Tony P. and Chris W., as they are so much faster than me!

What was you most memorable marathon and why? So many to choose from…Twin Cities because it was my PR, the Great Wall because of the cultural aspect of it, Oklahoma City for what the marathon memorializes, Napa because of the wine, White River 50 because it was so tough…the list is endless.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? A couple of marathons come to mind. Newport in Oregon would be a good choice. My PR was attained at Twin Cities, which is flat and fast and scenic. And one of the marathons that lose some elevation, such as Pocatello or Top of Utah.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? The Great Wall Marathon in China

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? They think I’m truly nuts. My mom says “go get married, and start a family” so I wouldn’t have to be lonely and run so many of these damn things!

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? If I can afford to do 52 this year, then let’s shoot for the moon. A double each weekend of the year would equal 104 marathons/ultras!

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Again, too many to choose from but ones that rank at the top are the Two Bear, Run with the Horses, and any of the Rock and Roll Marathons.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? In a shoebox, but my goal is to one day put them on display.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I like to wear the t-shirt the day I finish that particular race. I’ve kept every single race t-shirt (over 800) and someday would like to use some of them in a T-shirt quilt.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Mt. Rainer National Park

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Has to be Yellow

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? It really doesn’t matter. I’ve eaten pasta, steak, Chinese food, teriyaki, McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. the day before a race. Any kind of food would do for a post race meal, especially buffets.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? GU (plain flavor), but Hammer Gel comes in a close second. Powerade or Gatorade works for me.

Which race would you never run again and why? A really difficult question to answer, as all marathons in some way or another have their defining moments. But the Gateway to the Pacific Marathon comes to mind. It was hot, boring and I bonked badly… it was not a pleasant experience.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? I’d have to say the Great Wall Marathon in China. It was hot, hilly and humid…it kicked my butt! I cramped up badly due to lack of salt in my body. The race volunteers wanted me to drop out (I was stuck on one of the sentry towers for about an hour) but I made it through, though in a PW of 6:20. I hope to go back some time in the near future for some redemption.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? With running a marathon(s) each weekend, I don’t run very much during the week, maybe 10-15 miles tops, either because I need to rest or are too sore from the previous marathon. I try to swim each morning for 30 – 45 minutes, and after work I run some “junk” miles, cross train on an exercise bike/Precor machine/stairclimber and try to lift weights 4 times a week.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I basically run alone. During the late spring/summer months, I run with the Bonney Lake Fleet Feet gang and we trail run through the WSU Forest Thursday evenings.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? For training I wear Nike Air Structure Triax and for racing Nike Zoom Elite.

What are your short-term running goals? To either beat Tony P’s fastest marathon this year or run a 100 miler so all of us can witness him in a Pink Tutu eating Dim Sum! And not to have the slowest marathon time in 2005 between the Main Maniacs.

What are your long-term running goals? To run as many marathons/ultras as my body will allow me, and to run enough of them so neither Tony nor Chris passes me up in the overall race count. If I keep running 50+ marathons a year, maybe I can pass up Norm Frank (900 marathons) in about 20 years! Complete the 50 states circuit in 2 years, run in all of the Canadian provinces and some day run on all 7 continents. Least of all, break 3 hours again.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? There is no free time, its marathons/ultras or bust!

What is your favorite Beatle song? A toss up between If I Fell and Till There was You