Maniac questionnaire

Name Allison Eidinger

Maniac # 568

State you live in Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 6 marathons, no ultras (yet)

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Marine Corps Marathon - started with the long ones

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Marine Corps Marathon 2005 - Had the BEST time ever. Nothing was more motivating than seeing all those just back from the Sandbox and knowing no matter how much I was hurting from running that day, they had experienced far worse. Plus, there were some very attractive "volunteers" handing out water and GU.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Since 2003. When my husband was sent to Iraq as part of the initial assault force it was the only healthy way I could keep myself occupied and sane.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? My running partner, Lynn. Although after she egged me on I somehow signed up before she did……

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Athens Marathon - go back to where it all started

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Either Jerry Rice because he is the most amazing athlete ever or The Rock since I would be highly motivated to keep up so I didn't lose my view ;)

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Marine Corps Marathon 2005 - I will never forget running with my best friend and we were SLOW. We were rabbiting with a squad of Marines just back from Iraq (there the same time my husband was) where one of them had lost both legs and one arm in the war. His squad took turns pulling him in his wheelchair the entire 26 miles. Every time they stopped to switch who pulled we passed them and then as soon as they started moving again they passed us. Not only was it inspirational, it was a 26.2 mile reminder of what could have happened to my husband and the camraderie that one can only find in the Armed Services and runners.

Seattle 2006 was a close 2nd but as the most miserable experience of my life and the one and only time I will think it is a good idea to walk a full marathon in the snow/sleet/rain/ice/and back to snow.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Marine Corps - very inspirational, pretty and flat

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? 3,000 miles

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? Definitely. I was trying to run days after foot surgery and only a few weeks after knee surgery. Everyone thinks that if I can barely walk and can't even stand for small periods of time that running for 26.2 miles is probably the dumbest thing I do.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? 100 - easily 2 a week with a week off for Christmas and one for vacation in the summer.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Marine Corps

Where do you keep your finisher medals? In a box in my closet - except for the first one is in a shadow box on the wall

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Wear nearly all of them. Saving the ones I don't so that at some point I can make a quilt from them.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? Nowhere that doesn't already have one - Napa, Monterey, Rome

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Yellow

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre-race: Freschetta Cheese pizza the night before without a doubt. And always Sugar Free Red Bull the morning of the race. If one does not have an oven, can't beat penne with marinara or grilled chicken breast and mashed potatoes. Post-race: Sweet and Sour chicken and either a Bailey's on ice or Bailey's in coffee. If there is no Chinese around, anything really bad for you like Alfredo or Mac & Cheese works. For long training runs, nothing bribes me to finish like a cinnamon crunch bagel with honey walnut cream cheese from Panera Bread and a grande Starbucks latte with whipped cream.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? I don't do gels. Jelly Belly sports beans in lemon-lime or fruit punch. Also eat fruit leathers and on occasion can stomach Clif Shot Blocks. Lemon-lime is the only flavor sports drink I can keep down so usually Gatorade, and diluted with water.

Which race would you never run again and why? Portland Marathon (Oregon). It was one of the ugliest courses I have ever seen and the course map they gave with the locations for food and drinks was inaccurate.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Portland, Marine Corps, Seattle (3 in 2 months) - I didn't really train and had some minor surgery 2 weeks before Seattle so working through that on race day was "fun".

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I am lucky if I get in more than 2 X 30 minute runs during the week. I do most of my long runs on the weekend so if I get in 3 days a week running it's a good week. My mileage typically ranges from 10 miles to 25 miles per week depending on my work schedule. I hit the gym for weightlifting at least 3 days per week if my schedule allows. If I can get away from work I train more reasonably (25-40 miles per week) but that rarely happens despite the best intentions.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? Lynn Mickelsen - friend and neighbor (and fellow Maniac)

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Brooks Adrenalines or Ariels for road races. Train and race in the same shoe but have more than 1 pair to rotate. Have Solomons for trail running.

What are your short-term running goals? Try to stay somewhat in shape and run at least 2-3 marathons per year in new states and race or volunteer at any races close to home.

What are your long-term running goals? At least 1 marathon in all 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico as well as at least 1 marathon on each continent.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Work, work, work, oh and work………with the occasional time for a movie or magazine.

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