Maniac questionnaire

4/9/2007

Name Peter Klein

Maniac # 486

State you live in - Wisconsin and Arizona

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 34 Marathons and counting

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) The first actual race I ran was the Chicago Marathon in 1988. I started out crazy….

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? See above – and yes, I got totally hooked, the weather, course, logistics, friends, pace, finish time were absolutely perfect

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I started jogging in my late teens, but only got serious in my late 20’s when I did my first marathon. I started running primarily for weight control, but it became a way of life such that I know I’ll never be able to voluntarily stop.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I used to do one marathon a year, until I met a colleage named Steve Lind, who did several in a month and sometimes two in a weekend, with finishing time seconds apart. He removed the “multiple race fear” from my consciousness and encouraged me to stretch myself.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? There are so many! I would like to run the Florence, Italy Marathon and also I’ve heard of one in the Arctic Circle that sounded amazing.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? That’s a hard one to answer, there are so many amazing people who are inspirational in many ways.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? The inaugural Lakeshore Marathon in Chicago in 2002. The weather conditions were wild, with 35 mile per hour winds off the lake, 39 degrees and rain. Huge waves crashing over the course from Lake Michigan in spots, mile markers that blew away, flooded course with a foot of mud in places…..I had an absolute blast, the energy of the day was incredible.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Chicago would be good, but it’s so crowded, so I would actually endorse the Grand Rapids Marathon, the course was very amazing and the small inclines would not trim down your time very much.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? California, from Illinois for the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego

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?

I get a lot of amazing support from my friends and family, because they know I love doing the races

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

Two per weekend or 104 per year, easily……

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

The Lost Dutchman Marathon in Apache Junction, AZ….and I actually gave it away to a friend I had dedicated the race to…..she was really touched and it was the right thing to do.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? The most recent one gets hung around the wall phone in the kitchen, then they are all relegated to a box on a bookshelf in my spare room.

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

I wear many of the favorites and give them away by the handful. I’m saving some of the best for a second quilt

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? A trail Marathon in the Catalina Mountains in Tucson

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Mania Black, for sure

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

Pre-race – night before, is Sushi and a lot of it – in the morning a sports bar of some sort and green Tea. Post race – the biggest Steak Burrito with cheese and Avocado I can find – with lots of hot salsa.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Ninxia Red Juice Packets from Young Living Oils is the current choice (better than any Gels, it’s like rocket fuel) Classic Green Gatorade is my Sport drink

Which race would you never run again and why?

The Las Vegas Marathon….I know they’ve changed the course, but it was so windy and desolate I wondered why I flew all the way out there.

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

I did five in nine weeks in 2005, including three in three straight Sundays, and the reason was because….I wanted to, and they were there! I’ll do it again as soon as my schedule permits, if not more! Going for the next level!

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I actually do a LOT of cross training, going to 3-4 Spin Classes every week, and only running 3 times or so a week. I make sure I work out at least an hour a day 6-7 days a week. I really don’t do a lot of high mileage, my long runs are 7-10 miles, and I will use half marathon races as training runs. I’m always able to be around 4 hours to 4:15 no matter what and adding too many long runs just takes a lot of the fun out of it

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? When I moved to Wisconsin and Arizona, I lost most of my training partners….I’d probably do more long runs if I had one.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Adidas Cushion Response is my all-around show

What are your short-term running goals? At least 6, preferably 12 marathons this year.

What are your long-term running goals? All 50 states and all the Canadian Provinces

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? I recently completed a certification program in Shamanic Astrology and I am becoming a practitioner, doing readings for clients. I do a lot of volunteer work. Most of my life is fun, no matter what, I have a lot of time and freedom at the ripe age of 46

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

Oh, main Maniac of course…..