Marathon Training Team Q&A: Max Hepp-Buchanan
Welcome to the latest in an occasional series on Sports Backers staff members participating in the Marathon Training Team, which leads up to the Anthem Richmond Marathon on November 14, 2015. Get to know Max Hepp-Buchanan, Director of Bike Walk RVA, Seattle native, and huge fan of listening to Macklemore while running.
How is training going so far?
It’s going well. I’ve done all of the runs, but it’s getting to the point where I think it’s about to get really hard.
Is this your first marathon?
Yep. I hadn’t even done a 10k until this past March, when I ran the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k.
What Training Team are you on?
The Blue Bandits
So being a first timer, how is the Training Team helping you prepare?
It’s great to see familiar faces at the groups runs on Saturday and know that I can chat and vent with people who are going through the same thing I’m going through.The nutrition clinic was really helpful because I never knew what I should be eating before, during, and after runs.
As far as running goes, I’ve been traveling recently and had to miss the last few group runs, which means I’ve done the last few long runs by myself, which is really hard. It gets a little lonely.
What were you eating before, and how has that changed?
Mostly beer. And sandwiches. I’m eating a lot of carbs now, but less so in liquid form. I was eating about three meals a day before, and now I’m eating all of the time (Editor’s note: he had just finished eating some barbecue and was still holding the plate in his hand).
You are originally from Seattle and recently visited there. Did you do any running while out there?
I did my first solo long run in Seattle on a new rails-to-trails path. Compared to Richmond it was way less humid and a lot cooler in the morning. I noticed I didn’t have as much sweat accumulating on my bald head as I do here in Richmond.
Max (right) and Macklemore
Did you meet any celebrities while in Seattle?
Yeah, I met Macklemore at a gas station on Broadway. He was filling up his 1970s Cadillac. I wanted to tell him how many training runs his music has gotten me through so far, but I decided not to be that guy. He was really nice and I got a picture taken with him.
Talk about your recent 14-mile solo run experience.
I got home from vacation two weeks ago on a Friday night and was still on west coast time. I slept through my Blue Bandits group run on Saturday morning, worked at the Anthem Moonlight Ride that night, and accidentally slept through the Pink Team group run the next day. So I decided to do my 14-mile run on the Virginia Capital Trail, seven miles out and seven miles back, and was running by 8am on Sunday. The Capital Trail was awesome and it looks really good; there’s a little bit of uphill leaving the city and not much shade, but there was also a port-a-john at mile 4 for a quick pit stop. The Trail is really great, but the run was more challenging because I was by myself, so I listened to the final few episodes of the ‘Serial’ podcast, and once that ended I listened to some mid-90s ska songs and sang them out loud for the last few miles.
I ran out of water and didn’t have any gel packets, so I’d say I had my first experience ‘bonking’ because I got back to Shiplock Park and laid on the bricks for a while. On the way home I went to Starbucks and got a mocha frappucino, which I haven’t ordered in about 10 years, and it was the best thing I have ever had.
So are you recovered now?
Almost.
Since it’s your first marathon, how do you plan to celebrate once you finish?
Get back on my bicycle. That’s about as far as I’ve gotten at this point.
Rapid Fire:
Favorite Place to run: Seminary Avenue on the Northside in Richmond.
Favorite thing about the Anthem Richmond Marathon: The encouragement that the training team offers to participants!
Favorite music to listen to while running: Macklemore
Best piece of advice from the training team coach: A reminder to pace yourself on the long runs and not go all out, especially when it’s hot.
Favorite post-run food: A chicken burrito from Chicken Fiesta
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