Maniac questionnaire

 

Name Kelli Kleeb Staub

 

Maniac # 469

 

State you live in  PA

 

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 25

 

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) A CC scrimmage my senior year of high school (1993). It was about 3 miles, and I remember telling my coach I didn’t think I could finish. I came in 6th.

 

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Pittsburgh 1995! I had a BLAST.

 

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Started running in 7th grade- ran hurdles and other short distances in High School. Started CC in 12th grade, and 5ks and marathons the year after that. I started running because I like competition and races. I keep running to see how far I can go…

 

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I learned about it from Dane (of Fiddy2 fame). I thought, “Hey, I qualify.” Now I have to work on getting off the bronze level… ;)

 

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Boston. But, I refuse to run unless I qualify, and preferably before I hit 35 when they start giving you more time to do so…

 

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Anyone who is running their first marathon. I’ll run with anyone to get them hooked.

 

What was you most memorable marathon and why? I trained and ran with my sister once. We ran what was a PR for me at the time after trying to beat a PR and failing miserably for about 5 years. The weather was beautiful and lots of our friends and family were out to watch us. It was also the last Pittsburgh Marathon  L

 

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

 

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Myrtle Beach , SC. I don’t fly.

 

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? Yes. Most of them say you should only run if being chased. When I told my grandmother I was going to run a marathon, she said, “Honey, you don’t know how FAR that IS.”

 

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? At least 12. Probably 24.

 

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? The Drake Well Marathon. Titusville, PA. Carved and engraved just for me…. Pretty cool!

 

Where do you keep your finisher medals? In a pile in my home gym. I plan to hang them up someday.

 

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Most of them. The rest are in a pile (notice a pattern here?)

 

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? In my neighborhood! South Hills, Pittsburgh.

 

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Black.

 

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre Race- any pizza or pasta. Preferable with a little garlic and olive oil. Post race- A Whopper with McDonald’s fries.

 

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? GU Orange Burst. Propel, or diluted Gatorade.

 

Which race would you never run again and why? Probably the Niagara Falls marathon. Too much of a chance of the weather being cold and miserable, and it is a long drive for me. The particular day I did it it was ok, but I also wasn’t crazy about the logistics of getting to the start, needing a passport, etc.

 

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Athens, OH. It POURED the whole time, I wished I had goggles. It was also cold, and I went out too fast, so I didn’t feel well near the end. Also, it was on an out and back bike path with just about no spectators. It was just a bad day, all around. I hope to go back there – on a nice day it’s probably a good race.

 

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? Usually no more than 30 miles. Sometimes I take several weeks off of running all together and just lift. I also do Tae Kwon Do, Dance, and aerobics.

 

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? No one I actually run with, but my sis Talia and long time friend Maria often race together.

 

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Saucony’s. I race in whatever is available.

 

What are your short-term running goals? Qualify for Boston. Win some local 5k’s, run sub 20:00 for the 5k.

 

What are your long-term running goals? Get faster as I age. Run some ultras. Get a belt buckle from Leadville or somewhere equally cool.

 

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? My job- I’m a Public Defender, and I love it. I also love Tae Kwon do, and hanging out with my 3 year old daughter, Reagan.

 

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) Can’t say I have a preference.