Our Life on the Run: A Story of Running 50 Marathons in 50 States; A Family Quest
By Marlin Keesler
Our Life Publishing, Streamwood, IL, $14.95USD, soft cover (245p)ISBN: 0-9776223-1-2
Marlin Keesler appears to be a typical father—he juggles his stressful airline job, wife, and two kids, with his own goals and dreams. This is difficult enough, but when the dream is to run marathons in all fifty states and Washington, D.C., achieving any balance seems nearly impossible. How do you train for successful races and not ignore family obligations? How can you work a Saturday morning shift, compete in an out of state Sunday marathon, and then work a Sunday evening shift? While Marlin does not make the task look easy, he does, with the help of his devoted wife, Jeanne, strike an amazing balance with his family, work and running.
Written in an easygoing, first-person narrative, the book begins with Marlin registering for his first marathon, in Hawaii, in 1994. Shortly thereafter, the Keeslers, with their two children, move from Hawaii to Chicago where Marlin continues to unenthusiastically compete in marathons. The idea of becoming a “50 stater” overtakes him while racing in Texas during January of 1999. He overhears some runners talking and inspiration strikes.
With seemingly little thought, this becomes his new driving force as a marathoner. Jeanne is incredibly supportive, booking rental cars and hotels, packing bags and planning family vacations around each marathon. Jeanne and Marlin make each trip an incredible educational experience for their children, both of who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Each chapter is broken into two parts. The first section describes the geographical location of the race and the condition of the Keesler family at that point. Sometimes the family cannot attend, but usually all are present, including the dog. There are often side trips and tourist attractions, like the journey to Universal Studios in Florida and the bobsled ride in Utah. Despite the importance of the marathon, Marlin always devotes time and energy to his kids. The second section of each chapter is a description of the race, including the terrain, scenery, and his finish time. The reader cheers Marlin on as he races toward his goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon and cringes every time his legs tighten or grow heavy. Through rainstorms and calls of nature, the reader is with Marlin every painstaking mile.
Added to the aches and pains of races are the common aggravations of family vacations—wrong turns, bad weather, tired children. More often than not, Marlin rises above and treats his family with a patience that must aid him in the last miles of each marathon. Dedication to his family is far more evident—and admirable—than his devotion to the sport. Curiously, Marlin reveals that he does not really enjoy running, but the reader is quite sure he would run to the ends of the earth for his family. Quick peeks into Marlin’s background help explain that dedication: His joy when showing his children a farm in Kentucky resembling his childhood home is tempered by painful memories of a broken family.
Marathon runners need strength and determination to compete. Through warm personal anecdotes, grueling race descriptions, and an obvious love for his family, Marlin Keesler’s words and actions demonstrate that he has copious amounts of all these things.
Our Life on the Run is an inspirational story for runners and families everywhere.
