Maniac questionnaire

Name: Keith Almeida

Maniac #1015
 
State you live in: Connecticut

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 14

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

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? The New Jersey Marathon in 2004. I took it easy for 18 miles and then ran as fast as I could. It was great fun!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? I’ve been running since graduating from college in 1974.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I saw guys with the singlet running in several marathons. I knew I would be running slower in Vermont this year to help my son get a PR and I thought this would be a good time to try and join.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? The Humboldt Redwoods Marathon. I’ve never seen trees that big, it would be very cool.

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? . Steve Perrotti, my best friend died 6 years ago at 42 of a heart attack.

What was you most memorable marathon and why? My first Boston. I felt so high and at the time it was a PR.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Key Bank Vermont City Marathon. After running Boston I ran Vermont the next month and ran a PR. The people are friendly and the course is really mostly flat.

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

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 some of them do think I’m crazy. They say things like “how far was that marathon” and it’s a nice hobbie”.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? 10

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Boston

Where do you keep your finisher medals? In my bedroom

 Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear some. Some I run in and some I wear to church. I have them hanging up in my basement.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? My long runs go from Enfield CT through  Longmeadow MA to Somers CT and back to Enfield. I would love to have a marathon run a similar course.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Black

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Pre race whole pasta. Post race pizza and beer.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Chocolate Gu and Endurance Gatorade.

Which race would you never run again and why? The Rock N’ Roll Phoenix Marathon because they screwed up my time.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? My second Boston. My legs felt like bricks foe the last 8 miles.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? I run 6 days a week. 40-50 miles on average. I only cross train when I have to if I don’t feel I can run. I love to run and would run everyday 10 miles or more if I could.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? No, not at present.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Brooks Adrenaline GTS 7 for both training and races. I also like Asics 2130’s but I have found they are too soft for me at the end of a marathon.

What are your short-term running goals? To run a sub 3:30 again.

What are your long-term running goals? To run more than 25 marathons.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Garden and do things with my grandkids.

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