Maniac questionnaire

Name Carole “Forever Bronze” Higa

Maniac #605

State you live in: Hawaii

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 8 marathons (as of Jul7 2007)

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) I think it was the Diet Pepsi 10K.

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

1997- Honolulu Marathon. Did I have fun? Well, I never thought we would actually do it, (it was only a $2 registration fee), trained about 2 miles a week…took two bathroom breaks, and watched people twice my age on geta pass me. I took a mere

7 hours and 13 minutes to finish. Yes, I would say, I had fun. I took a 7 year break before my next marathon. Cut that one down by 3 hours! The next one got me Boston bound. I’m having fun now!

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

I ran with my husband back in 1984—more to keep him company. Really got into it in 2003, when I found out that I actually was pretty good at it. My doctor encouraged me to run to get some poundage off. By 2005 I became totally addicted to it.

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

Maniac friends inspired me. One maniac in particular, by the name of Les Omura, inspired us all. He is kind of the unofficial head of our Looney bin.

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

The Great Wall Marathon

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

Besides running with my husband? I guess I would choose my mother. She died many years ago, but honestly, she would have NEVER run a marathon. I think I would like to walk it with her. Talk with her. She died when I was in college. We never had that quality time of just talking and sharing things. What better way to talk when forced to walk with someone for 26.2 miles?

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

Boston. It was such an honor and a privilege to qualify. I didn’t realize how prestigious that run was. I thought it was just a marathon with a lot of hype.

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

My marathon experience is very limited. I PRed at the Honolulu Marathon, but would not suggest that one to PR. That person needs to ask someone with more running experience.

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

Boston

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?

Family…surprised that I’m doing this so late in life. Friends are more impressed, I think. Many will ask how long a marathon is, how often/far I train. I always receive positive comments. My running friends have more of the “crazy comments”. Non runners always ask me “how long is ‘this’ marathon?”

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

Realistically, my body can only handle so many—even for a maniac. I think 12 would be all my body could handle in a year. When I become a more seasoned maniac…who knows?

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

Boston! No question about that one.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

My husband built me my “shrine”.

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

Yes, but just the local races. I wear my Boston shirt on special occasions. It’s too hot to wear that shirt in Hawaii.

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

No clue. Haven’t traveled the world enough yet.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

Yellow

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

Pre race: banana, Fig Newtons, peanut butter/jelly sandwich, Tylenol and a gel

Post race: whatever I can get

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

GU, but I take anything. Sports Drink: Amino Vital—or whatever they provide.

Which race would you never run again and why?

I enjoyed all my runs. Kona was very challenging, but I would gladly do it again. Never met a marathon that I didn’t like.

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

The Kona Marathon was definitely the most challenging. It was 2 weeks off of the NODM, and a half marathon. My legs were weak, tired, worn…but it got me into Maniac status. No complaints there.

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

Sorry—I don’t keep a log. But I am out there on the road pretty much daily. Some runs are as short as 3 miles, some as long as 7. If I get really lucky, I get a long training run on weekends. No cross training, but I do like to ride the stationary bike and listen to my MP3.

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

Either it’s my husband, my Runners Hi pals—most times it’s my trusty MP3.

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

Asics. All kinds of Asics.—Just got an Asics Nimbus for running. (but I do run races in training shoes, too).

What are your short-term running goals?

Just keep on running.

What are your long-term running goals?

Just keep on running.

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

Can I count running shorter runs? 10K-30Ks? Oh, I am a mother, too. I like to think I’m having fun doing that. Not sure that my kids think the same, though.

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

I’ll choose the Main Maniac. I don’t think Superman and Wonder Woman run marathons. In fact, Superman cheats. He flies.