Maniac questionnaire

 

Name John Mason

 

Maniac # 623

 

State you live in            Indiana

 

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 10 / 1

 

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

 

5k Santa Claus Lafayette IN YMCA fundraiser December 2005.  I had only run a couple of months and decided to see if I could break 30 minutes, which I did.  It was cold and snowy but I had a blast.  Of course, the funny thing now, looking back, is that it takes a 5k at a very minimum to even begin to feel warmed up and ready to run now-adays.

 

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

Tybee Marathon, GA – February 2007.  I had a lot of fun that day!  I signed up like most I've done so far the Wednesday before the race.  I had spent 3 months changing the way I ran and felt ready.  I credit these changes for being able to run pretty much as many as I want to without getting injured.

 

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

 

I started running Oct 2005 as a way to get into better shape for skiing.  I found out I really liked running and hardly ski anymore :)

 

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

 

I only found out there was an actual club on my 11th Marathon/Ultra in 6 months.  Thus I was already a Maniac before I found out there was a club for such 'insane' people as myself.

 

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

 

I don't know much about all the choices out there, but someday I'd like to qualify and run Boston.  I'd also love to do the London marathon someday.  But, I've actually enjoyed my trail marathons and ultras most compared to the big roadie events.  So who knows, If I do them ever, they may well not be my favorites.  I'm a sucker for the ones with great scenery and don't really care if there are crowds.

 

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

This question is too hard.  I'll think about it.

What was you most memorable marathon and why?

Run with the Devil was the most memorable.  I met a great running buddy.  This race had the highest DNF of any race I've been in.  It started at noon when it was 116 in the shade.  It was one of the most physically challenging runs I've ever done due to the heat.  There were 3 races going on, a 50mile ultra that started at 6am or 8am (runners choice), and ½ that started at 1pm and the marathon that started at noon.  We came upon a 50 miler 2 miles from the end just after he had had a 20 min break at the last stop 1 mile earlier and he could not go on.  He did not finish.  That was sad and very memorable but spoke to just how tough it was out there.

 

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

Fargo and Tybee were my fastest, but I can think of things about both of those that might slow someone down compared to others I've read about.

 

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

However far San Diego is from Lafayette, IN.  But in my quest for 50 states in 2 years, this will be replaced by Hawaii and Alaska at some point.

 

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?

Oh, usually I hear 'your crazy'.  The funny thing is that I hear that most from the two running clubs I run with in Indy and Lafayette.  Most my family and friends already knew I was crazy and they seem impressed actually.  It also helps that the family and friends have seen me lose a fair amount of weight since I started running whereas the running clubs never saw me 'bigger'.

 

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

Oh, 52ish.

 

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal?

I liked my custom made glass Rattlesnake Ultra 'coaster' the best.  Not strictly a medal which made it the most different which is probably why I like it.

 

Where do you keep your finisher medals?

They hang off the wall mirror behind the dresser.  (and you have to hang them evenly so the mirror doesn't tip too much)

 

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

I'm still only in my 6th month of doing this.  I wear my short sleeve shirts all the time.  I'm not much of a long sleeve t-shirt fellow, so I don't know what I'm going to do with those yet.  At the moment they are accumulating in a closest I've set aside for the purpose of storing the unused shirts.

 

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

 

 

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black?

I like the look of the black better, but I picked the yellow since singlets are worn when it's warm, why wear black?

 

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

I'm pretty bad about pre and post.  I just eat normal.  Ok, I do avoid meals with lots of cheese like Mexican before a race.  After a race anything goes.

 

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

For gels I like Powerbar's brand, but I've switched to sports beans since you can munch on them at anytime without needing water right away.  Sport drinks I like regular gateraid or poweraid.  (I hate hate hate heed)

 

Which race would you never run again and why?

San Diego Marathon had lots of tipped concrete from running on closed interstates as they rounded the bay.  I'll take a savage trail run any day over that.  (and have in fact)

 

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

The Run with the Devil was the most challenging because of having to balance effort with water intake.  Unlike other marathons on that one the challenge was simply not to get sick.

 

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

I will normally do a long run on Saturday or Sunday and that just happens to normally be  an ultra or marathon.  During the week I'll run with the club in Indy on Tuesday and my club here on Wednesday and back down in Indy on Thursday.  Then I take Friday off as a taper before the weekend Marathon.  I'll normally do intervals as fast as 5:30 pace on Wednesdays.  I try to get 4 to 6 ¼ mile ones in.  If I for some reason have a 2 week break I'll add a tempo run.  If I am local on Saturday I usually run a local 10 mile trail run along the Wabash river.  I prefer the trail running as a more all body workout than road running.

 

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

I have no official training partner.  I do have people I've met that I greatly enjoy running with on Marathons and Ultras that are not from my area.  I did have a friend locally I ran a lot with, but being a college town you get to know someone and then they finish up and move out of the area.

 

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

I have a number of shoes I'll train in that I do not race in.  I'll train in a light puma h-street or a Nike Katana II which are about 8 oz.  I use these to work on form and make sure I'm not heel striking.  These shoes will instantly let you know if you heel strike.  I run my distance races in a Nike Air Triax and the trails with an Asics 2100 trail shoe.

 

What are your short-term running goals?

I'd like to complete 26 marathons or Ultras in 26 different states by my 12 month Marathon aniversary.

 

What are your long-term running goals?

I'd like to finish my 50 states in under 2 years.  I'd like to qualify and run Boston.  I'd like to do the 7 continents.

 

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

I ski, take fine art panoramics, I bike.

 

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

I've always been partial to Superman as he was the first Superhero back in the day I was reading comic books.