Gate-to-Gate winner has Olympic dreams

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A construction paper cut-out of the Olympic rings adorned her room in high school. A dream put aside in college, is now a driving force for 2nd Lt. Ilea Eskildsen as she begins her quest to compete at the highest level as a distance runner. 

Lieutenant Eskildsen, a scientist with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, jump-started her former Olympic dream back in December after entering a 5K "Jingle Bell" run and winning. The win ignited the spark she had for running since age four.  With the help of family and friends, she quickly began training for her next victory. 

Her first place finish in the women's division at Eglin's recent Gate-to-Gate run  fueled her motivation for running even more.

"My mother used to take me running around the block," said the 23-year-old Phoenix native about her childhood. "I've always enjoyed it from the beginning." 

She began competing early with local track teams and ran her way through middle and high school. Her cross-country team won two straight state championships, where she finished third and fifth overall. 

During her early training, she discovered a quote from a copy of "Runner's World" that still motivates her - "effort is like toothpaste - you can always squeeze out a little more." 

She was recruited by the Air Force Academy for her track skills, but once at the academy, running took a backseat to falling ... out of airplanes. She joined the Air Force Academy "Wings of Blue" skydiving team and during her college years completed close to 750 jumps. 

But for the runner within Lieutenant Eskildsen, the two activities held similarities. 

"There's a feeling you reach when the whole run comes together and everything is in sync with your body," she said smiling. "It feels like you're flying." 

She came to Eglin after graduation and earning her master's degree. After only two months at her first duty station, she rediscovered her passion to run. 

Now she trains six days a week, except on Mondays and alternates strenuous and light workouts. 

To stay motivated she said that during her workouts she visualizes herself doing well in competition. 

Staying motivated will be important in the coming months as she plans to run in the National Championships for 5K in September. 

As of now, her best 5K certified time is 18 minutes, 26 seconds. Her goal for the championships is 17:34, which she has come close to at practice. The Olympic time is 15:28. 

And although the goal seems far in both time and limits, the lieutenant said she has right tools to go the distance. 

I've got the drive, encouragement and the dream," she said. "I'm dedicated to doing the best I can."