Photo By Sgt. Cody Barber | Lt. Col. Edward Keller competes in the Skopje Marathon, May 11, with a smile on his...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Most people can’t say they have ran a single marathon in their lives but for one Multinational Battle Group-East Soldier, he can say he has ran 133.
To call Lt. Col. Edward Keller, MNBG-E Effects Cell officer-in-charge, an avid runner is an understatement; he finished his most recent marathon in Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, during his current deployment to Kosovo.
The 52-year old Keller joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1983, following his father’s footsteps who served in the military in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He has childhood memories of meeting with his father at a bus stop, having to run alongside his dad to keep up with, which he says could have been an influence to his running ability.
Keller ran his first marathon, the Dallas White Rock Marathon, Dec. 4, 1982, one week before his 21st birthday.
“In my junior year of college, I was looking at Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at North Eastern University, in Tahlequah Oklahoma,” the Topeka, Kan., native said. “As a function of preparing for basic training and officer candidate school, I started running long distances, which led to the completion of my first marathon.”
He continued running marathons well into his military career, participating in the first ever marathon course in Iraq during combat operations and completing another two while he was there.
Stride after stride, Keller pushes his body to the limit during every marathon and says that he compels himself to keep his eyes “on the ball.”
“Life is a journey and keeping yourself fit, challenging yourself and taking your body and soul to the limit is what a marathon is about,” said Keller. “It’s what life is about.”
Running a marathon for him is a way to challenge not only himself, but also the people around him. Keller’s personal best for completing a marathon is 2 hours, 55 minutes.
“It has been my standard to not expect subordinates to have to stay fit if I am not maintaining a high level of fitness,” said Keller. “The marathon is a indicator and a challenge to colleagues to join me in the efforts to train and then complete a marathon.”
His father is one of the reasons Keller still runs and after most marathons he would call his father in Topeka to show him the medal for completing a marathon.
“After finishing the Skopje Marathon, I video-called him and showed him the finisher’s medal and he said it was, ‘the highlight of his day’,” Keller added. “I routinely call my dad to let him know how I have done on several of the marathons.”
His father isn’t the only reason he runs, however. His wife, Jennifer, is a constant motivator that pushes him through every gait.
“While I am running I think of my wife and the smile on her face I would see at the finish line,” said Keller.
Jennifer has always admired her husband’s commitment to running and for her it’s always a thrill to watch him cross the finish line.
“It’s always such a relief when I finally see him after having no contact all day,” said Jennifer. “I am very proud of him and support his pursuit of more marathon medals as part of a healthy lifestyle.”
When he isn’t running in a marathon or on active duty, Keller works as a detective for the Topeka Police Department where he has put his ability to run long distances to good use. For the last 18 years, he has helped raise money for the Special Olympics in the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
In past years, he served at the National Guard Bureau, where one of his tasks was to serve as the National Guard marathon coordinator for both Kansas and Oklahoma, preparing teams for the National Guard Bureau’s qualifier marathon.
He plans to keep on running as long as he can and his commitment to his family, the Topeka police department and Army National Guard are what motivates him to continue competing.
“They provide me with the strength and dedication to put the running shoes on, head to the starting line and demonstrate my commitment each time to succeed in what a lot of people consider a herculean task of running 26.2 miles,” said Keller. “I consider myself fortunate to be healthy enough to compete.”
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.31.2014 04:04 |
| Story ID: | 137814 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 133 Marathons and counting, by SGT Cody Barber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT