For five years, Michael Keebler has worked to run a marathon in under two hours and thirty minutes.
The Montague resident completed his third Boston Marathon and seventh overall on Monday at the 129th annual race.
“I’m running just to see how fast I can go to try and hit my personal best,” Keebler said. He noted that regardless of his performance, the energy of Boston is what inspires him to keep going.
“Boston is really a one-of-a-kind experience, the crowd support that you have along the course is like nothing I’ve seen at any other marathon,” he added “Of course, the course itself is so unique, the levels and the weather are so unpredictable, everybody’s so pumped, we’ve got a great day today, but you just never know what you’re going to get.”
Keebler elaborated on how unique the course is, referencing the many flat and downhill portions, aside from Heartbreak Hill and Newton Hills. As such, he focused most of his preparation on the downhill areas of the courses he trained on.
Keebler said there are famous spots along the course that motivate him, including the Scream Tunnel at Wellesley College and Heartbreak Hill in Newton. He used to work for Heartbreak Hill Running Company, which makes it all the more special for him.
“Obviously, it’s a big highlight when you hit the halfway point, which is near the Wellesley Scream Tunnel,” he added. “Also, when I see [Heartbreak Hill Running Company], I always get super hyped [up]. They have all photographers taking pictures for social media, all my friends from the store will be there.”
Keebler offered insight he got from his coach: The real race begins in Cleveland Circle.
“The race begins with the last 10K. It’s a 10K race with a 20-mile warm-up,” said Keebler. “If you can get to the last 10K and still have something in the tank, that’s when you can just really go all in and just leave it all out on the course.”
He cited his past experience as to why those last couple of miles really impact his journey.
“I had this feeling last year of this kinship with everybody else that I’m running with, but also the spectators as well because it’s everybody’s day out there,” said Keebler. “Whether you’re spectating or you’re running or you’re volunteering, like it’s a special day for everyone. It’s these good vibes that we’re all sharing.”
Keebler described the moment he came through Kenmore as an “out-of-body experience.”
“These people are cheering for me—I’m not just running, I’m the guy in the race that they’re clapping for, and having a good experience being out at the marathon for,” he said. “They’re getting some kind of energy from seeing me running by, and we’re all feeding off each other.”
Keebler said being a local ties him to this experience even further, and the energy of everyone feeding off each other is what pushes him.
“The race itself is the celebration of all the hard work that you’ve done,” said Keebler. “I’ve been training for months, that’s what I’m thinking about now, and when I’m out there on the course, when it gets tough. But I’m also thinking to myself, this is my time, this is what I trained for.”
Keebler finished the marathon just shy of his goal, finishing the race in 2:34:10. Keebler told The Beacon it’s not always about his goal, but it’s about the experience.
