Keith Hilpp

In his early thirties and twenty-five pounds overweight, Keith Hilpp began to find hiking in the mountains, his favorite leisure activity, to be a struggle. Fifteen mile hikes through the mountains were a breeze to him just a few years before, but years of raising kids and sitting at a computer screen at work were beginning to take its toll.

Keith vowed to turn over a new leaf. It started with walking at lunch and then progressed over to cardio workouts at the Family Y. Running had been an activity he had done off and on (more off than on) since high school track (he was a pole vaulter), but nothing ever serious or long-term. He ran a few 5K’s in college and even won third place in his age class one time at a race he entered at the spur of the moment on vacation. Thus, the seed was planted in college but not yet ready to grow.

Once Keith vowed to get in shape, he started running at the short track at the Family Y, steadfastly maintaining a training journal of his times and distance. Over the course of two years, those times marched steadily down. But the routine grew monotonous, so gradually the running took to the outdoors. Short runs grew to longer runs, and the progress continues. Keith however still considers himself a novice but enthusiastic runner. He hopes one day to complete a marathon.

The by-product of two and a half years of fitness has been the return of hiking. Those fifteen milers are a breeze again, as is chasing after his three kids Aaron, Jacob, and Kaelin. Keith’s love of running has rubbed off on his wife Vicki, who is now hitting the pavement almost as much as Keith and just finished her first 5K.

Keith is a forester who grew up in Kentucky and moved to Hattiesburg three years ago. He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, hiking, swimming, cycling and rooting on his Kentucky Wildcats. He finished his first half-marathon in December 2005.