Maniac questionnaire

November 15, 2005

Maniac # 38

State you live in Nebraska

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 173/36

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) 1986 Los Angeles Marathon

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Los Angeles Marathon 1986. I hit the wall at mile 18. My feet felt like they had lead boots on. At mile 22 felt much better, but still sore. At mile 24 I said to myself, "Tom what are you doing here. I will never do this again."

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I started running in `1978. I was training in Shogun Karate. I had trouble with my breathing. I lived only a couple of blocks from the beach so my instructor suggested that I try running on the beach.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? It sounded like it would be fun. Being a 50-stater I am usually faster than the rest of them. Maniac's seem to be a younger crowd and more to my speed. Although I am 57 I do not feel like it at all. Being a Maniac seems to help me want to keep my times competitive and remain a runner rather than a run/walker like so many my age.

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

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Dick Beardsley, I got to meet him through a friend at the Omaha marathon this year. I respect his competitiveness and putting so much into his running. Going through drugs and hardships then coming out on top. I might be able to keep up with him for a couple of miles anyway.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? I have two of them. First was the 2004 Lake Tahoe Marathon. After running two marathons in two days this third one (a tough course) in threes days I was able to run a 3:52 and come in first in my AG. Being able to run the entire marathon under a 9 minute pace and going up some very challenging hills made it very memorable to me.

Number two is the next day at Bizz Johnson, when I actually beat you guys finally.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Northern Central Trail in Sparks, Maryland

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? I drove 1900 miles to run the Newport Marathon in Newport, Oregon, in two days. Then ran Columbia Gorge also in Oregon the next day.

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? All of them even my running friends. They can not believe anyone can drive to a marathon run it on little sleep then drive home afterwards. This is something I do a lot of. It is not uncommon for me to do this after driving 1000+ miles.

My brothers and sisters (I have 7 of them) think I will be out running (I run in the country mostly by myself nearly 100% of the time) and I will have a heart attack and die.

Some call me legs of steel. You are on a different level than other runners. I am in awe of you. You are unbelieveable. If you are a Maniac, you must be the head Maniac. I get amazed looks and questions at each marathon I go to.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I would drive from marathon to marathon and become a marathon bum. I would enjoy myself. I would like to run 100+ marathons in one year some day. I would probably run somewhere between 40 and 50 in a normal year.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? I ran the Snowflake 50k in 2003. It was its final year. That they called it the Final Snowflake. The medal is made out of glass and is 4 inches in diameter.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? I have a cord board that I have about 40 or 50 of them displayed on and some more on a table with some of my awards and trophies. The rest are in a couple of boxes under my this table.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Most of the white ones I give away. I actually wear the rest of them. The long sleeve ones come in real hand in the colder months.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? I would put on near where I live. Running on the country roads through some small towns and along river on a trail. There are a lot of trees along this river and wild animals too. This would let runners see what average Nebraska is like. So many of them just see Lincoln and Omaha, but not the small town or rural Nebraska, which makes up most of the state.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Maniac Yellow, I do not like running in Black at all.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? A Bagel and a Banana or two. Since I will need some sugar, I like a couple of cookies to go along with an orange and a banana. I would like to have something Italian once my stomach can handle it. Baked Mostaccioli or Penne are my favorites.

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

Power Gel by Power Bar (Vanilla) and Gatorade (Mango)

Which race would you never run again and why?

Sheraton Hyannis Marathon. I ran this one in 2001. It had snowed the night before and it was cold out. Since I ran the day before and the weather conditions I finished well over 4 hours. After five hours all the volunteers left with the clock and even the finish line. You could not even tell where to finish. There were still many runners out there and a several of them were friends of mine. I stayed there with my watch to direct them to the finish and give them a time. Inside there was nothing not even water. There were just tables and chairs. The weather can not be helped. They did say ahead of time that there was a 5 hour limit, but the weather was terrible and you would expect someone to be around, since so many runners were still out there. Would if someone got hurt.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? The first time that I ran a 50miler and then a marathon the next day. In 2002 at age 54 I ran the Rockin "K" 50miler, which in a normal year has a 50% drop out rate. It was in a 40 mph wind. I had a PR of 9:47. What motivated me was my 7.5 hour drive to Fayetteville, AR, to run the Hogeye marathon, which is a very hilly marathon. I arrived about half an hour before the start. It was raining with a 30mph wind. After 3 hours the rain turned to sleet. I finished with a 4:45 and became very close to not completing this one. Then I did something really stupid. I drove the 7 hours back home while I was tired and sore.

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

I run around 25+ marathons a year now (26 this year and 33 last year). When I am running a marathon that week, I will run 50-55 miles. When I am not running a marathon, I run 65-70 miles. I run almost nothing but tempo runs. I try to keep it below 8 minute miles as much as I can.

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

I mainly just run by myself now. I used to run with my Husky/Golden Retrieve, Kayoh, until she passed away last December.

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

New Balance 880's (training). New Balance 833's when running.

What are your short-term running goals?

I want to run a sub 4:00 marathon in each state, since I turned 50 years old. I am at 36 states now. I plan on finishing in 2007 probably at Humpy's in Anchorage, Alaska.

I want to run 100 sub 4:00 marathons since I turned 50 years old and before I am 60. I have 64 now with a little over two years to go (Feb. 10th, 2008).

What are your long-term running goals?

I would like to run a marathon at age 100 and not come in last.

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

I love working on my farm making as nice as possible. I love sitting around a campfire with friends on my farm. I have about 14 outside cats now. They come by and I like to talk to them. They seem not to mind, but it is better talking to a dog that loves you.

Star Wars or Star Trek? Darth Vader or Captain Kirk?

Star Trek and Captain Kirk