Maniac questionnaire
12/7/07
Name
Thomas “T.O.” Okazaki
Maniac #
408
Texas “The Lone Star State”
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?
29 marathons / 7 ultra marathons and counting……..
What was the first
race you ever ran? (Any distance)
Bay To Breakers in “The City By The Bay”, San Francisco, CA
What was the first
marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?
Dallas White Rock Marathon in 2002. Yes I did. It’s always exciting to take on the challenge of new distance or an event; the journey into uncharted waters. I remember how tired I was feeling that day, the leg cramps and the grind of finishing off the last 10K with only one good leg. The finish line never looked so good! I couldn’t help but get a little emotional the last mile, knowing just how lucky I was to be experiencing that moment.
How long have you
been a runner and why did you start running?
Since 1972. I was inspired by the Summer Olympics that year and the great running legends of Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter and Steve Prefontaine.
Why did you decide to
become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?
Mr. Sam Thompson! I first learned of the Marathon Maniacs from him, when he was still living in Texas, at a mutual friend’s birthday party, Mr. Marty Metzger. We also both belong to the Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers (RAW) and while keeping race results for the club, I was able to keep up with his amazing running adventures and decided, then, that I wanted to join.
Of all the races out
there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
Boy, that’s a tough one. There are so many. I would like to do the Hood-To-Coast 197 mile Relay Race solo or a double Death Valley Badwater Run.
If you could run a
marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you
choose and why?
I already have. I ran with follow Maniac, Sam Thompson during his 50 in 50 in 50 tour when he ran the Wellstone’s Dallas White Marathon course this past summer. This young man is one class act.
Also right up there are ultra runners deluxe, Mr. Scott Eppleman and Miss Letha Cruthirds(A Grand Slammer 100 miler), both from the great state of Texas.
What was you most
memorable marathon and why?
The 30th Annual Marine Corps Marathon in 2005. It was my very first trip to the nation’s capital and I got to see all famous tourist attractions the city had to offer, especially, all the memorials dedicated to honor the men and women of our arm forces who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms and keep our country safe.
If someone asked you
to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you
suggest?
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. I hear St. George, Utah is a fast along with the one in Tuscon, AZ in December. The Motorola/Freescale Austin Marathon used to be the local favorite of choice, here in Texas, but they are currently redesigning their course. Both the Houston Marathon and the Wellstone’s Dallas White Rock Marathons are also strong choices. A real sleeper is the San Antonio Marathon. Their new course is flat and fast.
What was the furthest
you’ve ever traveled for a race?
From Dallas, TX to Washington D.C. to do the Marine Corps Marathon in 2005.
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?
Yes, all the time. Some have said that they were afraid for me and have offered to give me my last rites. Others have commented, “You actually spend how much to run how far?”
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year?
I would definitely go for the Titaniuum Level and do 52 marathons or more. I would just love to see all those stars spinning around above my name in the MM Insane Asylum. J
Oh yeah, baby!!!
From what race did
you receive your favorite finishers medal?
The Austin “Motorola/Freescale” series, but the one from the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon would be right up there also.
Where do you keep
your finisher medals?
Most of them are still currently packed away in a box. I just recently moved this past year and started a new career, so I still haven’t gotten around to getting everything unpacked and moved in yet
.
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you
do with the ones you don’t wear?
Occasionally. I like to keep a low profile. Most of my friends think I’m crazy anyway. I just want to be treated like the rest of the gang. The ones I don’t want, I end up packing them up in a box and giving them away. The really ugly ones I just use for cleaning stuff around the house.
If you could put on a
marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
How about on the moon? Is there a place on the world that doesn’t have a marathon yet?
Maniac Yellow, or
Maniac Black?
Men In Black, of course!! J Black and red together are my favorite racing colors.
What is your favorite
pre race meal? Post race meal?
Italian food such as pasta and spaghetti. After the race I like to treat myself to a grilled chicken sandwich, an old fashion banana split and a glass of water at a Brahms Ice Crčam Restaurant.
What is your energy
gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?
Hammer gel and Perpeteum. When I do long ultras of 50 miles or more, I enjoy eating Oreo cookies and drinking colas and chocolate flavor Boost Plus.
Which race would you
never run again and why?
The Dallas Big D Marathon. It’s been hot and humid there the past 3 years and the course is very hilly, with not much crowd support. Ouch!!! Not good, kemo sabe!!
What was the most
challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
Doing 4 marathons in 9 days. I did the Rockledge Rumble 50K near Dallas and the San Antonio Marathon back-to-back on weekend and then on the following weekend, did the Oklahoma Marathon and the Inaugural Route 66 Marathon on consecutive days up in Tulsa, OK.
The logistics of getting to each event and having the shorter recovery time to refuel, rest and getting your legs ready to run again, after running so far so soon.
What is a typical
training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
I usually try and train six days a week. I try to average at least over 50 miles per a week and sometime get as high as 80 to 90. I enjoy lifting weights and swimming year around.
When the weather gets warmer, I like to go ride my heavy mountain bike on hilly courses. In the summer I enjoy doing half ironmans and going on century tours on my road bike.
Do you have a
training partner? If so, who is it?
Currently, not one set training partner. I do however like to run with different members of my running club, the Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers (RAW) and the North Texas Trail Runners (NTTR) here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex area.
What kind of shoes do
you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?
I train on the roads in Mizuno Wave Creations and race in them for marathons, although, I maybe switching soon to racing in Mizuno Wave Riders, for distance events.
In shorter road races I like to go with lighter racing flats from Nike.
On the trails I currently train and race in Montrail Hardrocks.
What are your short-term running goals?
I will be running the Sunmart 50miler and the Wellstone’s Dallas White Rock Marathon back-to-back on the same weekend this month. In January, 2007, I will be doing the Goofy Challenge in Disney World followed by the Houston Marathon the following weekend. Then in February, I will be attempting to run my first 100 mile trail run at Rocky Raccoon in Huntsville, TX followed by the Austin Marathon and Cowtown Marathons in the same month. Will cap this all off with the Inaugural Eugene Marathon in Oregon in late April.
What are your
long-term running goals?
Do the Tahoe Triple, run Big Sur, New York City, Pikes Peak and the Western States 100. Qualify for Boston and do an Ironman. The skies the limit!
Assuming you have
time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?
I am very active with my local running club, the Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers(RAW), keeping up with friends, going to the movies, travel, reading, and following different sports.
Who is your favorite
Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)
Wow! That’s tough! I have so many. How about a top 3? Spiderman, The Wolverine and Captain America.