Marathon Maniacs News Letter – March / April 2007

March Highlights

· 34 new members for the month of March (520 total members)

· Mary "mph" Hanna wins the Yakima River Canyon marathon, the site of the Marathon Maniacs second reunion.

Snickers: Phil Min, Jeff Veneble, David Livingston Big Island: Larry Macon, Shaka, Minh Dang, Cowboy Jeff, Les Omura

*****IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*****

If you find a discrepancy or are missing any information that should be in the scorecard (number of marathons/ultras, total count and states/countries/provinces run, please contact Marc (maniac #9 at marc@marathonmaniacs.com). Or you can e-mail Chris or Steve. They will be more than happy to make the corrections. Also, if it's your Maniac anniversary date, please help Main Maniac out by renewing your membership. Dues collected help pay for website fees and maintenance, cat food, purchasing of additional Maniac wear and…future surprises. Keep your Maniac Seniority Number!

And please contact Tony only if it involves website stuff. He is working full time in trying to make the Parker Paint Tacoma City Marathon a huge success. In fact if you're not doing anything special on Mother's Day, why not drop on by and either run or volunteer for the Tacoma City Marathon. YOU CAN DO IT!

He's back…Nelson Petersen (KIBO Productions) interviewing the Prez at Napa "srLopez" and Milos Kostic

The Marathon Maniacs…at the Races

March 3

Invest in Youth "Fund" Run: Tony (*tc) Covarrubias, Robert Hester, Genia "tiptoes" Kacey, Shawn Lawson, Stan Nakashima, Stacy "Possum" Otter, Van "pigtails" Phan, Diana "sLuG" Robinson, Karen "Sushi" Wiggins, Guy Yogi, Jen Yogi

Pittsfield Snowshoe Marathon: Laura Bleakley

Seneca Creek Greenway Trail 50km: Dane Rauschenburg

Snickers Marathon: Dave Bell, Cowboy Jeff Bishton, Angela Ivory, David Livingston, Phil Min, Jeff Veneble

March 4

Alpharetta Marathon: Dave Bell, Angela Ivory, Amy Osborne, Jeff Veneble

B & A Trail Marathon: Bill Doernbach, Shaun Hamill, Art Jacobsen, Jesse Leitner, Tammy Massie, Arnat Vale

Caumsett State Park 50km: Frank Colella, El Hamersly, Dean Hutchinson, Patrick Shields

City of Los Angeles Marathon: Brad Bleiweis, Andre Boulais, Pamela Brulotte, Diva Burns, Sable Cantus, Lori "Heinselman" Craig, David Dassey, Ed Ellis, Bob English, Gary Geuss, Eddie Hahn, Tom Hosner, Ed Invik, Andy Kumeda, Michael Larkin, Robert Moreno, Dana Mosell, Satiro Oliveira, Les Omura, Quicksilver - Runner, Debbra Jacobs-Robinson, Charles Sayles, Seng-Lai Tan, Darwin "runninguy" Weimer

El Paso Marathon: Ruben Contreras

Napa Valley Marathon: Todd Baxter, Jon Burg, Sue Fauerbach, Milos Kostic, Robert "srlopez" Lopez, Gay Renouf, Fiona Wright, Wayne Wright, Prez Steven Yee

Napa Valley Marathoners Fiona and Wayne Wright, Sue Fauerbach Debbra Jacobs-Robinson at LA Marathon

Little Rock Marathon: Dave "Fat Man Anderson, Janet Burgess, Jim Collins, Kim "Goofy Gal" Danahy, Andrew Edwards, Boonsom Hartman, Claude Hicks Jr., Robin Hudson, Chester Kalb, Todd King, Ron Knecht, Craig MacBean, John Richeson, Michael Shilling

Montana de Oro Trail Run: Rob Cowan

Richmond Marathon (British Columbia): David Englund

Sarasota Marathon The Grouper: Harry Hoffman, Tom Karpowich, Don "The Rev" Kienz, Josh Leibman. The race summary from marathonguide.com

Mike Aldrink, 30 of Durham NC, was the winner of the 2007 Sarasota Marathon in 2:33:34 after finishing third in 2006. Aldrink, who had four first place finishes in 2006, added the Sarasota win as his second for 2007 after a win at the Tybee Marathon in February. Gary Allen, race director of the Mount Desert Island Marathon, ran his first marathon as a GrandMasters runner (50+) and finished as runner-up in 2:52:13, improving on his fourth place finish of 2006. Russell Acker, 36 of Lakewood Ranch FL, was third in 2:58:06.

March 6

Fin del Mundo Marathon: Richard "Road Kill" Haase, Deo Jaravata

March 10

Carl Touchstone Memorial: Tim Chesko, Andrew Edwards, Angela Ivory

Lower Potomac River Marathon: Corrine Austerman, Robert Britain, Lauri "The Kid" Fauerbach Adams, Claude Hicks Jr., Jesse Leitner, Daniel Lieb, Tammy Massie, Claudia Wolfe

Debbra Jacobs-Robinson and Dianna Susler BEFORE

DURING and AFTER the Catalina Marathon

March 17

Catalina Marathon: Diva Burns, Ann Eckels, Ed Ellis, Eddie Hahn, Deo Jaravata, Jon "Coconutboy" Mahoney, David Malone, Quicksilver - Runner, Debbra Jacobs-Robinson, Dianna Susler

Crown King Scramble 50km: Lori "Heinselman" Craig

Prickly Pear 50 km: Johnny Spriggs

Salida to Turret Marathon: Keith "Kip" Panzer, Amy Yanni

Pacific Rim One Day: Ruth Balf, Tony (*tc) Covarrubias, Steve "El Pinguino" Frederickson, Bret Fat-Boyee Henry, Shawn Lawson, King Arthur Martineau, Stacy "Possum" Otter, Diana "sLuG" Robinson, Rick "Pole" Smith

" Chucka-nutters"

Heidi Hubler The "steaming" Maniacs Olga Varlamova and Annie Thiessen Little Leslie's very first ultra

Chuckanut 50km: Ram Aringunrum, Eric Barnes, Linda Barton, Ken Blauvelt, Barb Blumenthal, Darby Chick, Tony (*tc) Covarrubias, Laurie Dent - Cleveland, Richard "Road Kill" Haase, Heidi Hubler, Robert Jacobsen, Mary Latta, Kurt Lauer, Shawn Lawson, Jeff Loen, Tim Lofton, Robert "srlopez" Lopez, King Arthur Martineau, Sean Meissner, Kate Merrill, Little Leslie Miller, Don Mukai, Jessica Mullen, Richard Nelly, Pete "Hippo" Nicholson, Monte Pascual, Van "pigtails" Phan, Wendy Scott, Terry Sentinella, Steve Stoyles, Lisa Stranc Bliss, aNnIe Thiessen, Joseph Tompkins, Maniac #3 tp!, Olga Varlamova, Kearn "Sushi" Wiggins, Prez Steven Yee, Guy Yogi

Mary Latta Lisa Stranc-Bliss and husband David Jeff Loen Monte Pascual

March 18

Big Island Marathon: Cowboy Jeff Bishton, Minh Dang, Harry Hoffman, Johnny "Shaka" Landeza, Larry Macon, Les Omura

Rome Marathon: Jon Burg, Richard Ervais

Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon: Philip DeYoung, Steve Grady, Jones "Rusty" Ramsey, Johnny Spriggs

Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon: Jacqueline Bordol, Bill Doernbach, David Hunt, David Reid, Dr. Ashis Roy, Charles Sayles, Lisa Spence, Darwin "runninguy" Weimer, Keith Whited, Gayle Zorrilla

March 24

Ellerbe Springs Marathon: Daniel Lieb

HAT Run 50km: Jesse Leitner

National Marathon: Dave Bell, Shaun Hamill, Dean Hutchinson, Angela Ivory, Cheri Pompeo, Henry Reuden, Arnat Vale, Dick Vogt, Keith Whited, Claudia Wolfe

Keith Whited at the Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon Greg Weglowski and sons Quicksilver at Bataan

March 25

Bataan Memorial Death March: Jim Baudhuin, Cowboy Jeff Bishton, Gayle Boulais, Jim Collins, Robert "srlopez" Lopez, Quicksilver - Runner, Ken Saveth, Adrienne Stipe, Dianna Susler, Daniel Uhlenhake. Quicksilver - Runner's brief race report: "I enjoyed meeting the Bataan Death March veterans, and found the ceremony honoring all veterans past and present deeply moving. I dressed for the desert this time, and as a result blended in with the military folks. Everyone at the event was very accommodating, including the many military support staff and their families at the aid stations. Jim Collins #346 passed me by. Stevie Ray Lopez #111 ran on wings so he was nowhere to be found. It was my first time to run at this altitude (4000 ft), so running heavy while sky-high was an interesting experience. The temperature never got desert-hot, so it was a great run altogether. "
ING Atlanta Marathon: Dave "Fat Man" Anderson, Lauri "The Kid" Fauerbach Adams, Robin Hudson, Russ Johnson, Chester Kalb, Tom Karpowich, Ron Knecht, Boonsom Hartman, Rick Korecki, Craig MacBean, Henry Rueden, Terry Sentinella, Ron Westbury

More Marathon: Dawn Boling, Amy Yanni. From marathonguide.com. In the fourth running of the marathon designed to celebrate women over 40, Susan Loken three-peated as winner of the 2007 More Marathon following her success in 2006 and 2005. Loken, the reigning U.S. women's masters marathon champion Susan Loken completed the 5-loop Central Park course in 2:47:52. Local masters running Gordon Bakoulis, 46 of New York, finished second in 3:11:24. Peggy Nelson-Panzer, 45 of Aurora CO, who won the 2006 Moab Marathon, finished third in 3:16:55

Paula and Steve Boone at the Ocean Drive Marathon Expo Shaun "Big Belly" Hamill

Ocean Drive Marathon: Dave Bell, Paula Boone, Steve Boone, Robert Britain, Lora Ecklund, Sue Fauerbach, Michael Goolkasian, Shaun Hamill, Angela Ivory, Brian "Action" Jackson, Art Jacobsen, Satiro Oliveira, Don Pattison, Cheri Pompeo, Emma Riconda, Anne Scarrazzo, Jay Seashore, Gregg Walchli, Keith Wright, Prez Steven Yee

Age Group winner Emma Riconda Keith Wright Gregg Walchli and Cheri Pompeo Don Pattison and Robert Britain

March 31

Lake Hodges 50km: David Campbell, Natalia Norman

Olathe Marathon: Robert Bens, Lauri "The Kid" Fauerbach Adams, Bret "Fat-Boyee" Henry, Angela Ivory, Keith "Kip" Panzer, Gail "Detour" Phillips, Karl Rysted, Barefoot Rick Roeber, Rick "Pole" Smith, Johnny Spriggs, Dennis Spurlock. From marathonguide.com. In the Women's field, Karen Watkins, 25 of Overland Park KS, who usually competes in Half-marathons, made the switch to the full marathon anf was victorious in 3:27:37. Amy Yanni, 52 of Rapid City SD, who won the 2007 Desert Classic and Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathons and the 2006 Blue Springs Trail Marathon, finished second in 3:29:17. Christine Fanslau, 43 of Underwood IA, finished third in 3:37:47.
Trailbreaker Marathon: Gary Engstrom, Steve Monk. The women's rce summary from marathonguide.com In the Women's field, Rebecca Eder, 26 of Wauwatosa WI, was the winner in 3:30:07. Cindy Lewandowski, 44 of Sartell MN, who won the 2005 Fargo Marathon and was runner-up of the 2007 Lost Dutchman and 2006 Mt. Rushmore Marathons, finished second in 3:30:20. Nicole Mills, 32 of Chicago IL, the winner of the 2006 Katrina Relief Marathon was third in 3:53:25.
Umstead 100 miler: Jesse Leitner, Tammy Massie, Chris Wile

More Maniacs at the Ocean Drive Marathon

Larry Macon's good side! Brian "Action" Jackson Dave Bell Art Jacobsen

Yakima River Canyon Marathon: Herb Allen, Bill "Hotrod" Barmore, Eric Barnes, Michelle Barnes, Steve Barrick, Linda Barton, David Bates, Dave Bell,Ken Blauvelt, Barb Blumenthal, Jim Boyd, Ken Briggs, Christina Bruce, Jennifer Bruce, Tim Bruce, Pamela Brulotte, Shelleena Bunker, Janet Burgess, May Cheng, Amanda Cohn, Anna Conner, Ruben Contreras, Claudia Cooper, Rob Cowan, Patch Dahl, Stephanie "Crash" Day, Mark Dix, Bob & Lenore Dolphin, Christel Elliot, Sue Fauerbach, Earl Fenstermacher, Judy Fisher, Marc Frommer, Eric Gierke, David "Maine-iac" Goodrich, Debby Graham, Nathan Greene, Richard "Road Kill" Haase, Jeff Hagen, Steve Hamling, Mary "mph" Hanna, Al Harman, Christie Hayes, Claude Hicks Jr., Bobbie Howard, Robert Jacobsen, Eric Jensen, David Jones, Genia "Tiptoes" Kacey, Chester Kalb, Bruce Katter, Phil "Uncle Philly" Kriss, Kurt Lauer, Tim "pumped2run" Lawson, Jeff Loen, Robert "srlopez" Lopez, Jon "Coconutboy" Mahoney, Sherry Mahoney, Sean Meissner, Cyndie Merten, Little Leslie Miller, Alan Morton, Janice Moyer, Jessica Mullen, David "ricochet" Murray, David Nemoto, Pete "Hippo" Nicholson, Hajime Nishi, Gary Otheim, Stacy "PoSSuM" Otter, Lesa Overfeld, Monte Pascual, Brian Pendleton, Blaine Phillips, Cheri Pompeo, Bill Powers, Mel Preedy, Kay Reynolds, Cliff "quack quack" Richards, Fenny Roberts, Diana "sLuG" Robinson, Tom Rogers, Henry Reuden, Marilou Russell, Charles Sayles, Raymond Scharenbrock, Jim Scheer, Terry Sentinella, Peggy Shashy, Michael Shiach, Michele Smith-Harden, David Spooner, David Stout, Steve Supkoff, Gunhild Swanson, Jack Swanson, Seng Lai-Tan, aNnIe Thiessen, Barefoot Todd, Maniac #3 tp!, Michael Wakabaashi, Ed Walsh, Steve "marathonfreak" Walters, CJ "Hollywood" Warren, Steve White, Karen "Sushi" Wiggins, Troy "Industrial Bellybutton" Windsor, Cynthia "Draggon" Witman, Prez Steven Yee, Guy Yogi

A special edition of the Yakima River Canyon Marathon / Reunion will be written, with snapshots of some of your favorite Marathon Maniacs…coming soon to a website near you!!!

Noteworthy Accomplishments / Promotions / Omissions / Maniac Stuff:

Ø Titanium (10 star) Maniac: We have a new one next month!

Ø Ruthenium (5 star) Maniac: Jim Collins (13 marathons in 13 states in one year)

Ø Iridium (4 star) Maniac: Jeff Veneble, Shaun Hamill (2 in 2 days)

Ø Silver Maniacs (2 star): David Hunt (6 in 5 months), Jane Herzog, Robert English, Sable Cantus, Todd Baxter, Jessica Mullen and Michelle Barnes (6 marathons in 6 months)

Ø 100 marathon mark: Sean Meissner (Chuckanut 50km)

Ø 50 marathon mark: Terry Sentinella, Jim "Fat Bastard" Baudhuin (Bataan Death March Marathon)

Maniacs with their Mates at the Ocean Drive Marathon

Anne Scarazzo Satiro Oliveira

New Members for the Month of March

3/02 - Arnat Vale #487 (Elkridge, Maryland): Arnat was referred to the Maniac group from a fellow MM member from Maryland. His current streak of 6 marathons in 6 months, which also happens to be the number of total marathons he's run (3 states), qualifies him for 2 star Silver status.

3/04 - Robert Moreno #488 (Tustin, California): Proving that no injury is great enough to prevent joining the Maniac circle, Robert just finished the Los Angeles Marathon with a sore ITB starting at mile 4. What provided inspiration during the race was seeing and meeting other Maniacs. Coupled with his 2 other marathon completions (3 in 3 months), Robert is a Bronze Maniac.

3/04 - Randy Thierman #489 (Charlotte, North Carolina): In late 2006, Randy twice ran back to back marathons (New Hampshire and Maine, Breakers and Mystic) to qualify as a 4-star Iridium member in the Insane Asylum. He ran in 9 states in 2006 could have done a lot more had it not been for a broken shoulder suffered during a skiing accident. His lifetime total includes 13 marathons and 1 ultra (in 12 states) and says that he is now "starting his mid-life crisis"!

Arnat (487) Vale Johnny "Shaka" (490) Landeza "Slow Twin" Bill (493) Zulas

3/05 - Johnny "Shaka" Landeza #490 (Aiea, Hawaii): "Shaka" took his catchy Maniac nickname by virtue of having 95% of his pictures taken with the shaka sign. His Maniac friends include Les Omura, Dan Marvin and Amanda and Grace Preble. So he figured he needed to jump on the Maniac bandwagon. Back in 2004 he completed the Big Island Marathon and the Maui Run to the Sun on consecutive weekends to qualify for Bronze induction into the Maniacs. His lifetime totals are 27 marathons and 1 ultra, all of which have been run in Hawaii. He's looking forward to his first mainland marathon in April…some small event called the Boston Marathon.

3/06 - John Hall #491 (Tuscon, Arizona): Having just found out about the Marathon Maniacs, John submitted his application and is now a proud Bronze member of the Insane Asylum. Having run marathons starting in 1997, last year was John's worst, having broken his ankle while cross training (softball) and spraining his other ankle while doing the tough Jay Mountain Marathon. John's lifetime totals include 30 marathon completions in 13 states and 2 countries.

3/09 - Kevin Rainey #492 (Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts): Succumbing to peer pressure from another Marathon Maniac, Kevin recently completed the 3 in 2 month requirement needed for Bronze induction (GAC Fat Ass 50km, Cape Cod Ultra Fat Ass 50km and the Hyannis Marathon). He also completed 2 other marathons in 2006 (Sugarloaf and Mt. Desert Island).

3/10 - Bill Zulas #493 (Clearwater, Florida): "Slow Twin" Bill met a couple of Maniacs last year at the Gasparilla Classic Expo Booth and must've made an impression on him to pursue a streak to qualify for Maniacdom. He recently completed his 3 in 3 month streak (Disney World, Gasparilla and Sarasota) to earn him Bronze status. He has also completed 7 additional marathons in 3 states. While Bill has been running 5k's for over 20 years now, he began marathoning in 2004, proving that its never too late to make the jump.

Gay Renouf Tammy Massie (Awakening Statue) Ram Aringurum (with Maniac Linda Barton)

3/12 - Gay Renouf #494 (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada): Gay doesn't let any kind of event stand in her way of finishing. Her illustrious marathon/ultra career included the 125km Canadian Death Race, Ironman Canada, Javelina Jundred 100 miler and Then the Vulture Eats 1 day stage race (consisting of a 10km, 400m, 100m, 1600m and the marathon). Late last year she completed the Vulture and the day after did the Fossil 50km Trail Ultra to qualify for 4-star Iridum status. She has run marathons in 9 states and 9 Canadian provinces. And being from Regina, she knows (and everyone knows) Maniac 113 Milos Kostic.

3/12 - Tammy Massie #495 (Gaithersburg, Maryland): Tammy had a banner year in 2006, having done marathons and ultras in 13 states. This qualifies her for Gold level in the Insane Asylum. She insists that one of her favorite "running styles" is being in the horizontal mode, as she likes taking lots of breaks during marathons.

3/12 - Ram Aringurum #496 (Sammamish, Washington): Ram recently completed the mudfest at the Chuckanut 50km, but his Maniac streak occurred in January where he ran the Disney World Marathon and the Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass ultra for his 2 in 3 week Maniac qualifier.

3/14 - Sherry Mahoney #497 (Vernon, British Columbia, Canada): Recently wed to Maniac "Coconutboy" Jon Mahoney in Hawaii, Sherry this past January recorded back to back marathons (Hemet and Carlsbad) to qualify for 4-star Iridium status. She ran 18 marathons in 2006 and has 24 lifetime marathons (in 5 states and 3 countries) to her credit.

Sherry Mahoney (with hubby CoconutBoy) Merita Trohimovich Ann Eckels Dean Kayler

3/14 - Karen Carpenter #498 (Houston, Texas): Karen just discovered the Marathon Maniac website and was thrilled to have qualified for Bronze level back in early 2006 (Dallas White Rock, Houston and Austin). She just started running a few years ago and claims not to be as obsessed as some of us but give it some time…it can't be helped!

3/15 - Pedro Infante #499 (Dupont, Washington): The Main Maniacs have seen Pedro at most of the local marathons and we knew that he had qualified long ago for Maniacdom. With his 10 marathon completions in 2006, Pedro is now a full-fledged Silver Maniac. He has run 20 lifetime marathons in 4 states.

3/16 - Merita Trihomovich #500 (Gig Harbor, Washington): The bearer of lucky number 500, Merita joins the Maniacs as a Bronze member by having completed the Pigtails Ultra, Western Washington Fat Ass 50km and the Pigtails Lake Youngs Ultra earlier this year. She is one Maniac who has run more ultras than marathons.

3/16 - Laurel van Zanten #501 (South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada): To qualify for Bronze Membership in the Insane Asylum, Laurel ran Skagit Flats, Kelowna and the New York City Marathons in monthly succession. Having run her first marathon in 2004 in Vancouver, Laurel has 10 lifetime marathons to her credit.

3/16 - Dean Peterson #502 (Appleton, Wisconsin): Way back in 2001, Dean had his best Maniac streak when he completed marathons in 16 states, making him a 6-star Osmium Maniac member. By finishing the Med City Marathon in 2006, Dean completed the 50-state and DC circuit.

3/21 - Ann Eckels #503 (La Crescenta, California): Ann just recently completed 2 marathons (Los Angeles and Catalina Island) to qualify for Bronze membership in the Insane Asylum. Ann loves music just as much as she enjoys running and would probably participate in more marathons but the fact that she regularly teaches violin, viola and cello to private students during the weekends and performs in a local church orchestra makes it awfully difficult. She also has five kids to raise, ranging from ages 14 to 23, but hopefully her fiancee, Maniac #344 David Campbell can lend a hand periodically.

David Hamilton (with Maniac Corinne Austerman) Tom Hosner Steve Stoyles

3/21 - Dean Kayler #504 (Renton, Washington): Another one of those fast runners from the famed Maple Valley Runners, Dean recently completed the Seattle Marathon, Pigtails FlatAss 50km and the Rock and Roll Arizona to qualify for Bronze Maniac induction. He has run 7 other marathons and like his fellow Maple Valley members, will be joining the entourage in going to Boston for the "Big Showdown".

3/21 - David Hamilton #505 (Seattle, Washington): David qualified for Bronze membership a few weeks ago (completing the Orlando Xtreme, Valentine and Lower Potomac Marathons) but held off joining until #505 was available, simply because he wanted to be 100 numbers higher than his girlfriend Maniac #405 (Corrine Austerman). He has 8 lifetime marathons and ultras (5 states) to his credit.

3/22 - Tom Hosner #506 (Trabuco Canyon, California): Tom's marathoning days go way back to 1990 with his first marathon at Long Beach. His best marathon streak occurred in 2006 with twice managing marathons on back to back days (Delaware Trails/Frederick and the Pocatello/Grand Teton Trail Marathons) thus earning him 4-star Iridium status. He, like most of the rest of us, regularly schedules his vacations around marathons. He is very close to the coveted 100 marathon/ultra completion mark.

3/23 - Sheila Lawless-Burke #507 (Warren, Rhode Island): Poor Sheila. Her family and friends just don't understand her marathon addiction. But we do and you've come to the right place, the Inane Asylum, where once again you will feel sane again. Last year Sheila ran back to back marathons (Martian and Glass City) to earn her 4-star Iridium status. She's run marathons in 21 states and 2 continents.

Nancy Agosta with Maniacs Kurt, Amy and the Prez Lora Eklund Tom Craven

3/24 - Brian Lauzon #508 (Peterborough, Ontario, Canada): Brian's claim to Maniac fame is that last year he completed the always tough Tahoe Triple, earning him the 5-star Ruthenium level in the Insane Asylum. His first marathon was recorded back in 1986 (Manitoba), took a well-deserved break and then returned to the marathon scene in 2000. A friend of Maniac 312 (Gene Jochen), Brian unfortunately hasn't run a marathon this year due to injuries, but hopes to bounce back in time for a 50 miler on Memorial Day weekend.

3/27 - Nancy Agosta #509 (Omaha, Nebraska): The Main Maniacs first met Nancy back in 2003 during the Boston Marathon festivities, where we all had a jolly good time downing the brew at Boston's oldest pub establishment, the Warren (no, not Chris Warren) Tavern. At long last she's entered into the world of the Insane, with her 2 marathons in 2 weeks, with 20 lifetime marathons in 14 states. If you ever run in the Omaha Marathon, you can spot Nancy helping out the race director, in full evening gown apparel!

3/27 - Steve Stoyles #510 (Puyallup, Washington): Steve specifically asked to have his Maniac number be 510 because…he's 5'10" tall! A member of the Puyallup running club gang, Steve qualified for 3 star Gold level membership by having run 4 marathons/ultras in 5 weeks (Pigtails and Last Chance Marathons, followed by the Western Washington and Capitol Peak Fat Ass Ultras). His lifetime totals include 16 ultras and 10 marathons.

3/27 - Lora Eklund #511 (Phoenix, Arizona): If the name sounds familiar, you are correct. A bit of a Maniac snafu last January entered her in the Insane Asylum prematurely. She's back now, and still at the impressive 5-star Ruthenium level, by having run in 14 states in one year.

3/28 - Gary "The Red Rabbit" Marr #512 (Kapolei, Hawaii): Aloha! Another new member from the islands, "Red Rabbit" recently completed the Big Island and the tough Maui Run to the Sun ultra to earn him 1-star Bronze level status. All of his marathons have been on the island, except for his lone entry mainland (sort of?) back in 2002 at the Mayors Midnight Sun Marathon in Alaska.

3/28 - Patty Powell #513 (Henryetta, Oklahoma): Patty recently completed the Ellerbe Springs and ING Georgia Marathon on back to back days to qualify for 4-star Iridium Maniac status. Out of her 19 lifetime marathons, she's run them in 17 states.

Brian Starkey Jon Burg

3/28 - Ruth Morley #514 (Nashville, Tennessee): Ruth is totally obsessed with running marathons and ultras as she feels there's not enough time to get in all of the races that she wants to do! In fact, don't we all have that problem? Way back in 2001, she completed the Indianapolis and Columbus Marathons on back to back days to qualify for 4-star Iridium status. Her other impressive streak was in 2005 when she did 4 countries in 7 weeks, all in Europe. She's currently living in Evian, France and needed an outlet such as the Marathon maniacs in order to build up a running community for herself, as she gets tired of running alone all of the time.

3/29 - Tom Craven #515 (Honolulu, Hawaii): Any runner crazy enough to have completed the Tahoe Triple deserves to be a Maniac, which Tom has done and thus joining the ranks of 5-star Ruthenium level in Maniacdom. Not only does he do marathons (38 total), he doesn't mind throwing in an ultra or two (16 total). Another new member whom Maniac Les Omura has recruited…is there any Hawaiian runner that Les doesn't know??

3/29 - Brian Starkey #516 (Edgewood, Washington): Chalk up this new member to CJ "Hollywood" Warren, as he is a fellow Boeing employee. Brian recently was spotted in Maniac yellow at the Yakima Canyon Marathon. His streak of 3 marathons in 3 months included the Portland, Seattle and the Christmas Marathons in 2006. So Brian, welcome to the world of Bronze!

3/31 - Jorge Rivera #517 (Gulfport, Mississippi): Jorge is new to distance running but has improved a lot over the past few months. Starting with half marathons, he quickly graduated to marathons and 50km ultras. He recently completed the Mississippi 50km trail ultra and the Bataan Memorial Death March to qualify for Bronze membership in the Insane Asylum.

3/31 - Kenneth Hart #518 (Baltimore, Maryland): For someone who doesn't have a long marathon history (he took up running 18 months ago), Ken is already in the rarified air of 8-star Platinum…simply amazing! He did that by running in 23 states in one year. After his inaugural marathon (Air Force), he was hooked and hasn't taken time to even rest. So far he has 28 marathon completions and probably more now since this newsletter has come out. The credit for recruiting Kenneth (and Maniac #519 below) goes to good friend and Coloradoan Maniac Dave Bell.

3/31 - Amy Murphy #519 (Severna Park, Maryland): Amy just happens to be the fiancee of Maniac #518 (Kenneth Hart) and is almost as Maniacal as him. She qualified as a 4-star Iridium Maniac by completing 2 marathons in 2 days, as well as running marathon in 9 states in one year.

3/31 - Jon Burg #520 (San Francisco, California): Another veteran of the Tahoe Triple, which by now you all know, earns Jon the coveted 5-star Ruthenium level. He has 28 lifetime marathons to his credit, in 6 states.

Rhetorical Revelations and W(Rites)…from the Rambunctious Rev

One more in the winter series on What-It-Is-Like to be Normal….err, Struggle, as a MarathonManiac. The famous MarathonManiac Interview at times might sound like: (The Rev is injured and out of commission at this moment…)

Mini-Maniac Questionnaire

Name: Mini-Maniac # 1

Maniac #: Too embarrassed to be found out, so won’t say…

State you live in: Not Washington. No more hints.

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run?

Zero: pay attention here. I’ve finished 26.2 miles 35+ times, hence I snuck into your club. But run the whole thing? Man, my target is to make it to that second set of Gatorade tables, then play the mental game “Aw Shucks, That warn’t Nothin’”, until it becomes Somthin’. From there, grit teeth until finish line. Best event: once I was happy all the way to mile 21. Once.

Ultras? Sounds like toothpaste. Chris, Tony, Diana, Annie and Olga have all told me about the joys of Ultras. They seem like cheerful folks, so maybe it would be fun to try. But the idea is based on absolutely no personal reality whatsoever.

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

10k, but you do use that “run” term glibly. The “longest” race I ever ran? 1 mile, Dude. Yessir. Everything else deteriorates into a jog. I have no clue about the sport you guys are in, really. Nada.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? Did you have fun that day?

Who wrote that: “Did you have fun that day?” Lopez? That your humor, hmmm?

That first one, I chuckled plenty, but it was the same sort of “fun” as jumping into the North Atlantic in February. Nervous going to the race, nervous waiting for the start, nervous when it started, calm (!) for three hundred yards in the second mile, nervous again by the third, re-thought all strategies (“take the long-sleeved shirt off now?....now?....now?....”; “water or Gatorade? Both? Was that too much? I’ve blown it!”…mile 4…); slowed down at seven; started the 50-yard jogs at 15; tightened up painfully at 18; created new methods of moving legs forward at 21; waved off officials at 22. Rough stuff. I had little idea where I was at 23, who I was at 24, if I was at 25. Fun? Engaging; Challenging; Memorable; even Happy and Deeply Rewarding. But “Fun” suggests a lighthearted giggle I can’t quite claim.

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

You keep using that word. I… am…(though not by choice)… Joggerman!, sigh. I started THAT because I THOUGHT I could start RUNNING to get in shape. Net result: jogging has sort of delayed the total victory of Flab City. A little.

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

You did. When I did two marathons in two weeks, I thought I was the Cat’s Pajamas, Cool City. You all were doing the same phenomenal thing, I thought. But you folks amaze me. Mr. Dolphin has done 400 now? 400? A baseball player hits 400 home runs, or a hockey player scores 400 goals, they’re thinking Hall of Fame.

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

After 46 attempts and 42 medals, but never one completely run, I’d have to answer: A Marathon. What IS that like, to Run a Marathon?

First goal: see, there is this seven-mile ultra I’ve found, thought I’d try to RUN it. (Hey, when 3 miles is your distance, seven is your ultra. Trust me.)

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

Probably those girls in the club. They giggle a lot out there. About most anything too.

What was your most memorable marathon and why?

Possibly this last one. Had to walk off the course at 15. Reminded me how impressive the 42 medals were.

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

Man, I wear a t-shirt from the races I don’t finish. I got to the Expo, they gave me a shirt, it’s soft and it’s lovely. (I am a man in dire need of a comeback. But it IS a lovely shirt.)

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

At the top of Greased Mountain. See, we’d sit down, give ourselves a little push, and wheeeeeeeeee!!!

What is your favorite pre race meal?

Jelly doughnut.

Post race meal?

I’m pretty fond of the post-race nap.

Which race would you never run again and why?

Never run again? Shoot, I will never even READ about that Pike’s Peak thing again.

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

You’re not paying attention, are you.

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

Well, I get up, limp into the shower, and lean there a while. Get to work, sit at a desk. After work, I alternate: one day a stationary bike, one day five miles of jog/walk/jog, and three days recovery. Too aggressive?

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

Vicariously, yes. I love to hear from happy people. But nobody runs with me…they can’t keep up. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

What kind of shoes do you train in?

Comfortable ones.

Do you race in a different shoe?

If you ever kick me out, anybody who would join a club with ME as a leader would not only not ask that question, they wouldn’t even understand that question. I’ve been reading though, and I got learned. Them special shoes would about ruin my feet.

What are your short-term running goals?

Yes, that’s right.

What are your long-term running goals?

I thought the following story was hysterical. A friend in the club did 75 miles for the first time, and said, and I quote, “now I feel comfortable with that distance.” What, driving it?

My long-term goal would be to comprehend putting such words into one sentence.

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

I sleep. I’m tired. Aren’t you guys tired? I’m tired.

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

The cat is ugly, but you Mega-Maniacs are my heroes.

Maniac Ongoing Discounts

· $10 off marathons put on by Bob Green (his next one is the Easter Marathon).

· 15% off shoes, apparel at the Balanced Athlete (Kent, Wa); ask for Eric

· 10% off any running shoes, apparel at the Bellevue, Wa Foot Zone store (ask for Jenny)

· discount on BITE sandals (contact Tony at tony@marathonmaniacs.com for details)
More to come in the April / May Newsletter and to the web site soon. The President has written…

NOTHING STOPS THESE TOUGH MANIACS!!!

Arnat Vale Annie Thiessen