Maniac questionnaire

4/7/2007

Name:

Tammy Massie

Maniac #:

395

State you live in:

Maryland

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?

I have run 17 marathons and 3 ultra marathons (three 50+ milers and one 50 km)

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance)

In elementary school I ran several 100 meter or shorter races. They are just a blur as I mostly likely finished last (since I am slow and without a bear to inspire me, I am unmotivated as a runner)

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

I ran the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon. I had an awesome time, the weather was beautiful, I met lots of nice people and was hooked from that very first marathon. Now it is just pacing myself so I can repeat the marathons I like and try new ones on occasion.

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

I have been a “runner” since I was very young (perhaps as little as 6 or 7 years old). Mostly I ran to keep up with my sister and my family who had considerable longer legs than I did at the time. Since I was young and small I figured they were trying to get rid of me, so I was just a few strides away from being abandoned if I did not stick with them.

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

After 20+ marathons, I was seeing lots of Maniacs (and even frequently seemed to run with various maniacs). Since I seem to fit right in, I figured I would join. Also, the “cat claws”, made me even more confident I am a maniac as I am guardian to 3 cats.

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

I would like to run Badwater. It would be an awesome event to participate in. If this question is related to realistic goals, I would like to run the marathon that goes through Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It would be a blast to be in beer country during Oktoberfest running through three lovely countries.

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

I would like to run with my sister. She is a lot faster then I am, so I have no expectation that I would ever be able to keep up with her. And she says I run too slowly so she would not join me at the back of the pack. During our marathon together we could hang out, take pictures and enjoy the experience (so hopefully this marathon had a fun theme—maybe Disney Marathon-at Disney World or perhaps Niagara Ultra-along the Niagara River to the Falls)

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

I really enjoyed Disney 2007 because parts of the marathon my husband ran with me. He ran all the road sections but during the theme park sections we jogged together. We chatted, got lots of pictures and had a fun time. In 2008 we will be doing this again.

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

Hmm… Course-wise I think Marine Corps Marathon has potential. The course is fairly flat and spectators are great. However, because of the 30,000 runners it can be quite crowded. Thus I would recommend the Richmond Marathon because the course is still pretty flat, there are many spectators and the number of runners is not so large as to create bottlenecks.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race?

I think both the Niagara Ultra near Niagara Falls Canada and the Disney Marathon are about equal distance from our home. To get to the Niagara Ultra (Canada) you need a passport, so it feels further.

I will be going to Washington State this coming fall so I can run Skagit Flats while my husband climbs Mt Rainier, Adams, Hood or some other psychotic mountain that could explode at any second…

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?

Most of my non-running family believe I am a few cards shy of a deck. The word insane, crazy, psychotic, “more money then brains” (relating to sending in the entrance fee’s for numerous marathons). Luckily my husband is supportive and has even started running marathons recently.

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

If my body would hold up I would run about 104 (2 each weekend). If there were some races during the week, I would also do those.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Niagara Ultra gave personalized finishers key rings to all finishers. I do not use it but it is hung prominently on our key holder at our front door.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

Finishers medals are originally hung by our front door next to our dogs leash. Then after the stack gets to high, they go into a bag which sits in my sock drawer (I wear socks most days so I do a glimpse of them each day)

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

Not regularly, but the Friday after a marathon, I take full advantage of “Casual Friday” and wear my T-shirt. After this wearing they sit in a pile waiting to become a quilt.

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

I believe Richmond VA has a River Walk (or at least will in the near future) that starts in the City and ends at Maymont Park. My Marathon would start in downtown Richmond, go to Maymont park, then continue to University of Richmond. For the majority of the course, it would go along the James River. This marathon would run by the place I got engaged to my wonderful husband (University of Richmond Lake), and by the place we got married (Maymont’s Italian Garden). At the Gardens there would be an official who could marry people who wanted to get married in a beautiful setting.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Maniac Yellow (but I wish there was Maniac Pink because both clash somewhat with my Marathon girl pink skirt!)

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

Pre-race—assuming this means breakfast: a banana, a snickers marathon bar and diet Mountain Dew (the unofficial beverage of champions).

Post-race—A Ben and Jerry’s waffle cone sundae with Chocolate Fudge Brownie Frozen Yogurt. If I am still hungry, Giordano’s deep dish spinach pizza.

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

I am not a fan of energy gel’s as they make me gag. I do LOVE Snicker’s Marathon Bars. I may be an addict…. My favorite sports drink is cool blue Gatorade.

Which race would you never run again and why?

I am not sure if I would ever run the Charlottesville Marathon again because last year when I ran it in 2006, they ran out of water pretty early on at the first few aid stations and at the last few aid stations they did not have any sports drinks for the back (and even middle) of the packers. It was about 85 degree’s so it was not a good marathon to be worried about being dehydrated. Also there was a scarcity of porta potties and not even many tree’s to scurry off into for those who might be able to use the “open air toilets”. Hopefully the race directors will provide more water and ensure ALL participants have all amenities during race in the future.

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

Having just come of it (yesterday), I would say the Umstead 100 miler was the HARDEST thing I have ever done. It took me nearly all 30 hours to complete and both the distance and lack of sleep Saturday night was tough. The organizers, support crews and everyone was very nice but they can’t take away the excruciating pain in your feet, legs and pretty much everywhere else. Also at about 2 a.m. it is hard because it is dark, one has been awake for 20+ hours and no one really should be up at that time.

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

My training weeks vary depending on where the week is in relation to any marathon/ultra. During marathon/ultra weeks I really take it easy. From about 3 days prior to a race to 2-3 days after I really do not run at all. I am willing to bike, hike or walk but no running. Weeks I have no long races, I tend to run long one weekend day and moderately long on Tuesday when I can flex from home. Two or three other days I will jog small to medium distances and typically I take at least 2 days off from running. I do a lot of hiking with my husband and dog. We also kayak, swim, and just go for walks during nice weather.

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

My husband runs with me on occasion. I convinced him to run the Richmond Marathon in 2006 and the Disney Marathon this past January (both of which he has signed up for next year). He is considering signing up for Marine Corps which would turn him into a Bronze Maniac—and perhaps he is also considering doing the JFK 50 miler. If he decides not to do either of these extra races, he is hoping that considering that we have 3 cats that at some point the Maniacs will lower their standards and perhaps he can become a “Fools Gold” (or maybe “Paper”) maniac.

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

Asics Gel Kayano—I love the Asics Gel Kayano X model and the Asics Gel Kayano XII model.

What are your short-term running goals?

To run as many marathons as my body will allow in 2007.

What are your long-term running goals?

To run Vermont 100 miler within the 36 hour time limit.

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

I hang out with my husband, Bernese Mountain Dog, Gilligan, Three ragdoll cats: Zaboomafoo, Sagwa, and Powder Puff Girl (and clearly watch a lot of children’s TV shows as all out pets are named after TV show—even though we have no children). On weekends we do a fair amount of hiking in the Washington DC area including Shenandoah National Park Mountains (we like White Oak Canyon a lot—especially if we can make it to Skylands where they have the best blackberry cobbler and blackberry ice cream). We hike at Harpers Ferry and like boating and tubing on the Potomac River. Finally we also like to travel. We have hiked extensively at the White Mountains of New Hampshire, we really like hiking to all the falls at the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and my husband climbs Mountains (he is a peak bagger and thus is trying to climb to the high point in all states including: Mt. Rainier (WA), Mt Hood (OR), Mt. Whitney (CA), Mt. Washington (NH), Mt Marcy (NY), Mt. Mansfield (VT) as well as several others…typically while I am running a marathon in the same state)

Who is your favorite Super Hero?

The Main Maniac (with cat on head), because it looks like my husband sleeping since one of our cats typically sleeps right at the top of his head “kneading it” on occasion which elicits shrieks of displeasure since our cat has claws.

Actually, all the other runners, and ultra-runners that have ever encouraged others while mid-race to go the distance are my favorite superhero’s. I know I ALWAYS appreciate enthusiastic cheering and words of encouragement and support whenever I run (and of course I try to do the same for others:-).