Maniac questionnaire

February 13, 2007

 

Name Rick Karampatsos (TheRrrick)

 

Maniac #461

 

State you live in FL

 

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?  44 / 0

 

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) High School X-Country (1963)

 

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Philadelphia Marathon / 2001 / Had fun for the 1st 22 miles!!!

 

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Ran for 2 years in high school – was in a bad accident and did not run (compete) again until 2001….I stated to run because it gave a great feeling of freedom!

 

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Wayne Wright( # 172) convinced me that it was a fun club to join and I wanted to know more runners in our country.

 

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Athens Marathon would fulfill a dream of mine.

 

If you could run a marathon / ultra, accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, whom would you choose and why? A man (Ironman Ed Frye) who I use to train with when I lived back in NC / I respect him as a runner and a person.

 

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Houston, TX – I ran a PR and still felt great at the finish line (even went for a victory run after the race!)

 

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? For a marathon, it might be the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, AL.

 

What was the furthest you have ever traveled for a race? I drove a little over 13 hours to run a marathon in Benton AR.

 

Do any of your non-running friends or family members think that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are some of their comments to you? Most of my family and a number of my friends think I’m crazy. They remind me of the accidents that I have had and how beat up my body has been over the years.

 

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? I would do 50 different state marathons in one year!

 

From what race did you receive your favorite finisher’s medal? Walt Disney marathon in 2004.

 

Where do you keep your finisher medals? In my study at home.

 

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? YES! Gave most of my non-marathon ones to the Salvation Army and to some old girl friends.

 

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Haverhill, MA (where I grew up)

 

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? M- Yellow

 

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre > oatmeal, bagel and a Slim Fast drink / Post > pizza!

 

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? No gel favorite / Gatorade

 

Which race would you never run again and why? Arkansas Marathon (Benton, AK) ---The pain is not worth it! The roads are old, steep and slanted!

 

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you have ever done and why? Virginia Creeper Marathon in VA! It was snowing very hard - I traveled to it and woke up with it snowing – only shorts and singlet to run with! COLD – Could barely see and it was a trail run!

 

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? A lot of cross training (streets / hills / treadmill / elliptical / pool) –ave. 50 miles

 

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Not since I moved to Temple Terrace, FL.

 

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? No favorite; New Balance, Brooks and Nike.

 

What are your short-term running goals? To do the last 10 states this year.

 

What are your long-term running goals? I want to do bi and triathlons; a 100 mile ultra.

 

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Write articles and books – church activities – trips with my wife Bonnie!