Airman selected for triathlon team

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  While growing up in Minnesota, Mitch Kieffer played a lot of the same sports that attract young men; football, basketball and rugby. The one activity he didn't enjoy was running which, at first glance, is odd considering his recent selection to the 2009 Air Force's Triathlon Team. Now, for the second year, Kieffer will join the team to compete in the Armed Forces Triathlon May 30 in Point Mugu, Calif. 

Kieffer, a second lieutenant and analytical scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Munitions Directorate, readily admits he was "anti-endurance" in both high school and college. But a personal commitment to the terminally ill mother of a friend changed that. After shying away from anything that required running more than sixty yards, he signed up for an Ironman Competition (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run) and used that event to raise money for the family. 

"She was losing her battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, and I wanted to do something for them," he said. 

Six months of serious training 15 to 30 hours a week got the lieutenant hooked. 

"Before starting this endeavor, I never ran more than six miles and hated the mile run; I hadn't biked since I was ten years old when it was cool to ride a bike and I never swam more than 200 yards at one time," he said. "The training became part of my life and I started to realize I had to compete." 

St. Thomas University recruited Kieffer to play football, and the Air Force paid for his degree which led to his transition to the military. He now juggles his career and training with the support of his division chief, Col. John Williams. 

"The commitment to fitness that I have witnessed in many of the young officers in the research lab is nothing short of incredible. They aren't satisfied with just working out three times a week, they work out every day and Lieutenant Kieffer is a perfect example," Colonel Williams said. "His primary focus is improving his fitness and not just passing the PT test. He builds his training routine to improve his times on marathons, triathlons or whatever the racing event may be for that weekend." 

Kieffer continues to train hard, sometimes starting at 4:30 a.m. He trains twice a day, working a schedule that changes based on weather, pool openings and his job. He said seeing how far he can push himself keeps him motivated. 

"I've always been real big on fitness and hard work. I love to test my body and challenge my mind at the same time; I say 'yes, I can do it,' it's mind over matter." 

Last year Kieffer moved up from an alternate slot to compete on the triathlon team after one of his teammates deployed. The team earned a silver medal . This year, he will also coach the team which requires handling logistics like pre-race meetings while working out himself. He said there is a definite advantage to have a core group of returning athletes to train with, although it doesn't ease the pain of having to swim in the Pacific Ocean that registers an average 52-degree temperature. 

"I guess swimming is my least favorite event because I'm not a born swimmer; technique is so huge, triathletes who grew up swimming have such an advantage," he said. "I thrive on the bike because I love to push it hard so that's where I power through. I like to run as well and know the race is nearing an end--it gets pretty darn painful at that time." 

Kieffer credits pride as motivation to keep competing and knows his hard work gives his confidence a boost. Colonel Williams thinks his motivation is a critical element to Kieffer's success whether on the track, in the pool, on the bike or in the office. 

"I believe Lieutenant Kieffer embodies the type of young officer we want in our Air Force---one who is driven to excel in all areas of officership including fitness," he said. "I am confident he will represent the Air Force and Team Eglin well in the competition."