Maniac questionnaire

Name Tiffany Phelps

Maniac # 546

State you live in Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 3

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) The Rhody Run in Port Townsend.

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

First marathon: Vancouver, B.C.

Year Run: 2005

The first 18 miles were awesome. It’s a beautiful course, which took us through Stanley Park. I was running with a friend, and she really saved me, when I hit the wall about mile 18. After the park, the race follows an out-and-back course, and watching the people running the opposite direction deflated my confidence and I became so nervous that I would not be able to finish. This was not fun, but we powered through and I felt so proud at the finish.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?

Twenty years of running! I started running with my father as part of a diet and exercise program prescribed for him by the Navy. We started running the summer I turned 15 and I have been running ever since.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you?

Lots of people inspired me. I belong to RunChuckit running group, and I absolutely love the experience. Janet, in the group, is a maniac and she is an excellent resource for details on pretty much any course in the U.S. My friend, Wilson, also inspires me. He trained and ran an ultra this Spring. We broke up his 42 mile training run in to two sections, and I ran the second 22 mile split with him. He was graceful and beautiful every step of the way.

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

I want to qualify for Boston!

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?

Winston Churchill—he saved the civilized world from destruction and he’d be so funny.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

Paris. It was memorable for all the wrong reasons though. Yes, it was beautiful (it was Paris!), but race day was unbelievably hot, crowded and (unfortunately) dirty.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?

Vienna. The course is totally flat, well marked, well supported, and not too crowded.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? To Vienna from Seattle (so 3500 miles-ish).

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?

People think I am insane (I refer them to the maniac website to demonstrate that I am not alone and relatively speaking I am not even running that much!). I ran two marathons on vacations and there are lots of comments about that.

I’ve been told that I’m driving up health care costs, because of my PT. That I won’t be able to walk when I am forty. Why would you do that to your feet? Etc.

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

Five. (This is if my feet could handle it). I would like to do two in the Spring two in the Fall, and a training one over the summer.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Paris had an awesome medal with a Paris city sky line on it.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

In our extra room right by my running stuff, so I stay motivated.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear?

If they are performance fabrics, I wear them. If they are cotton (with the exception of the Paris marathon shirt, which is just too cool to give up), I usually give them to the Goodwill.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?

In Cologne, Germany. They have this amazing running trail along the Rhine river, which goes forever.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Both. I love clothes.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal?

They are the same. Pasta (the little spaghetti, olive oil, parmesan and something green mixed in like spinach, arugala or green beans).

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice?

Chocolate Gu. I mix my sports drinks. I use GU2O, water and Gatorade.

Which race would you never run again and why?

Paris. It was too crowded and they did NOT have enough bathrooms. There were two port-a-potties at the start for 37,000 runners. Ewww…

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

At this point, every race is challenging for me!

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?

I run 30-40 miles a week (but I’m trying to raise that number for my next marathon). I do speed work on Tuesdays and long runs on Sunday. When I am training for a race, I take Sundays off. Cross-training?? What’s that?

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it?

At one point, I belonged to three running groups. I run with a group, Run Chuckit, on Tuesdays and Saturday. I really only see friends any more who are runners.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe?

Asics Gel Kayano. Nope.

What are your short-term running goals?

Get my ½ time under 1:50. Enjoy shorter races this summer. I’m also working with a group of runners (from Team in Training) who join our running group every Summer/Fall to train for the Seattle Marathon. I have never led a group, and I am responsible for the 9 min/mile pace. I hope I do a good job!

What are your long-term running goals?

Run a 4 hour marathon (well, 3:59) and stay uninjured as much as possible.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons?

Sleeping and eating takes up a substantial portion of time. I love to travel too, which is what makes running so fun. It is the perfect traveling sport.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)

None of the above. My favorite Super Hero is my mom.