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Wesley Keller
McCall Idaho
34
Running Experience:
Advanced
Why should we pick you to go to the North Pole?:
It’s -20 F degrees, the wind is howling like lost souls, the gentle artic light washes out the already white landscape, and I am smiling like a man who just stepped off a flight to Jamaica. There are individuals who live for the challenge, live for the struggle of something amazing and unique, and I am one of them. I am a solid runner who will get this race completed and enjoy the obstacles Mother Nature throws my way. More importantly I can write, I can convey this once in a lifetime opportunity so that others may share in this icy adventure from the comfort of their outstretched recliner with the heat set on 70°. Currently I am training for a marathon and would be in the physical shape needed to run the North Pole Marathon if the opportunity should present itself. I feel that I can connect with the runners who will be reading these blogs because they are a reflection of myself, above average runners looking to get m
ore out of their running. Establishing a connection with the reader is empowering because it makes you feel that it could have been you running over that frozen landscape. If chosen I will approach this experience as the eyes and ears of the reader and convey a glimpse of this amazing race and the surreal landscape. As a scientist I will be able to incorporate issues of global warming and insights into the North Pole’s unique ecological features. As a runner I will share my training and race experiences in a way that is enlightening and entertaining.
"It’s -20 F degrees, the wind is howling like lost souls, the gentle artic light washes out the already white landscape, and I am smiling like a man who just stepped off a flight to Jamaica." |
Offer some evidence that you can complete a marathon in harsh, sub-zero conditions at the North Pole:
I live in the winter wonderland of McCall, Idaho, a beautiful place as long as you love ice and snow, which fortunately I do. Training for marathons here is not for the weak of heart. My morning runs last week took place in a temperature range of -4° through -15°. I have grown accustomed to hearing the crunch of ice crystals under my feet while running. As a life long skier, I have learned that cold temperatures are like Alaskan mosquitoes; the second you stop you suffer, but through constant motion and proper clothing the cold can be repelled. As a biologist I have lived and worked in some cold environments, from the base of the Grand Tetons in the winter to fishing boats on the Bering Sea. I have willingly camped in snow caves and backpacked in areas as far north as the Artic Circle. With my previous cold weather experience I would approach the North Pole with a game plan of respect and proper planning but not fear.
Tell us about your cold-weather race experience:
The race that comes to mind is a NCAA regional race in Michigan competing in a full-blown blizzard with negative temperatures. Due to NCAA regulations all uniforms had to be identical. Since we did not have the foresight as a team to have matching long sleeved shirts we wore the standard uniform, paper-thin nylon tank top and shorts. To help me get through the race I thought back to my hairy ancestors of 10,000 years ago and realized that if they could get through an ice age I could certainly finish one race. Most of my cold-weather race experience has been while cross-country skate skiing but the lessons have been learned. While my daily cold weather training cannot be called “race” experience, it is nonetheless cold weather running experience
Tell us about your marathon experience, including times, results, etc.:
I have run two marathons over the last year: Boise City of Trees Marathon 2005, 4:04 84th overall and the 2006 Portland Marathon 3:48 1309 overall. I have run two 30K's (Payette Lake Run in McCall, ID) 2005 2:38 41st overall and 2006 2:30 33rd overall. I have run 5 half marathons. I have won a twelve-hour team adventure race in the swamps of Florida. I ran x-country in high school and college. Chances are I won’t win this marathon but as a life long runner I know how to endure discomfort to get the job done and will finish with the rest of the pack.
What do you expect your North Pole Marathon time to be?:
7.5 hours
Can you write well? Explain:
My writing skills are my greatest attribute in this competition for the North Pole marathon. There may be stronger runners than me applying for this competition but if they can’t convey this experience through blogs then it is one race benefiting one person. While obtaining my Master’s Degree in Marine Biology I entered in several university wide writing contests and managed to win them much to the chagrin of the English Majors. I will weave together my scientific background along with my creative writing skills to discuss issues like climate change, training strategies, and the spontaneous adventures bound to happen on the way to the North Pole. My readers will be both informed and entertained.
Tell us about your media experience:
I work with video equipment on a daily basis, but filming Chinook salmon spawning might be a stretch to the title “media experience”. I am well versed in the technicalities of audio, video and computer equipment and have enough of an artist’s eye to bring some aesthetic beauty to the project.
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The YourRunning.com North Pole Marathon Entry Giveaway Contest is sponsored in part by:
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.thumbnail.JPG "Kissing the Hardrock")
Erika says:
When I heard about this contest, I immediately thought of Wes and emailed him the application information for several reasons. 1) Wes displays an ideal balance of the mental willpower and physical endurance necessary to complete this marathon. 2) Wes is an amazing writer and I know he possesses the ability to make this amazing experience come alive for readers. 3) Over the years that I've known Wes, he never ceases to amaze me. Whether he's taking a solo trip to the dessert for a lengthy physical and emotional retreat or kayaking the rivers near his hometown of McCall, Idaho, he is constantly challenging himself both physically and mentally. Wes displays the determination and self-confidence necessary to overcome any obstacles that may present themselves during his training or during the marathon.
My running coach tells me, "it is that ability to reach down" that is required of us in order to truly push ourselves to the next level. Wes has that ability, the ability to reach down within himself, pushing through the harsh conditions and blistering cold in order to accomplish this goal, not only for himself, but for all of the runners/readers out there who will be running the race right along with him.
P.S. - I must include that Wes's marathon times would have been much faster if he had run alone instead of running with me so that I could complete my first marathon and later an attempt to help me qualify for Boston. Thanks, Wes!
Dr. C.M. Pomory says:
As the person who guided Wes through his master's degree, I can vouch for his background in marine biology, his interest in environmental awareness, and his ability to write. We also spent time exploring rivers and estuaries in the local area and Wes has extensive outdoor skills. I can think of few people who would be better at combining athletic ability and the ability to highlight the environmental issues of the Polar regions and bringing those to others by recounting his own experience. Good luck to Wes on this one!
C.M. Pomory, Ph.D.
Anonymous says:
I have been going down the list reading everyone's entry. Finally someone who can write. All the others talk about books they have written but their entries are awfull. This is the first entry I have read that is entertaining and well written. As of yet this is the guy I am hoping makes it to the N. Pole.
Charles says:
Wes is one tough dude through ANY environment condition, and he can handle ANYthing!!!
Dr. T.A. Thom says:
Although potentially crazy, Wes Keller is no beginner when it comes to endurance events. He is smart enough to be successful in cold-weather endurance challenges like the North Pole Marathon. Like many of the listed candidates hoping to win a spot on the starting line, Wes is physically capable of completing the North Pole Marathon. What sets him apart is his background in both freshwater and marine science, and his enthusiasm for teaching. His field experience and education ensure the significance of running a whole marathon on water will not be overlooked! I have no doubt Wes will be able reach a broad audience with his renditions of actually running the marathon, as well as pre and post marathon events – Wes could even make treadmill running exciting! His trained field savvy eye will see minute details in the tundra landscape. He will be able to expertly link what he sees in the Artic region with current global issues in marine conservation potentially lost on the average runner. Any potential educational opportunity will be capitalized on (the real reason why Wes estimated a 7.5 hour marathon time). Don’t be surprised to see Wes taking photos, video and trying to figure out how to take some ice cores and transport them back to the lab for some type of interactive educational program.
Dr. A.W. Bidwell says:
Wes has proven himself to be an outstanding athlete, scientist, writer, teacher, photographer, outdoorsman, and student in various weather conditions and climates. The mental power he has developed through travel, athletic competition, school, and work should provide plenty of fuel for his run to the Pole.
Lori Bane says:
As Wes's friend and teammate in the adventure race in Florida, I can vouch for his competitive drive, physical stamina, and ability to push through a competition no matter what sticky situations arise. Wes would be the perfect competitor and reporter for this adventure! Good luck, Wes!
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