CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Capt. Rick Mueller runs. And when he's done running he runs some more. Sometimes he runs all day.
The 437th Mission Support Group executive officer's next big race could take him more than 20 hours to complete -- a 100-miler. Capt. Mueller is an ultrarunner, a runner who competes in events longer than a 26.2 mile marathon.
However, he wasn't always into fitness and running.
As an enlisted Airman, he wasn't allowed to attend Airman Leadership School because he was overweight. Shortly after his ALS rejection, he deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, in 1998. While there, he started running. He ran so much he lost 70 pounds in four months. His squadron had to buy him new uniforms because his old ones didn't fit.
Since that time Captain Mueller has been running.
Four years ago, he trained for and completed the Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, with a time of 3:58:58 and he became addicted to long-distance running, he said.
Now he uses marathons as training runs for longer events.
Captain Mueller has run 18 marathons and more than 25 half marathons. He's also competed in two sprint triathlons, three 50k runs and three 50-mile runs. He's scheduled to run his first 100-mile race Feb. 3 and his second 100-mile race Feb. 24.
"I love the feeling of completing something very challenging that most people couldn't do," said Captain Mueller.
He said his toughest race to date was his first 50-miler, the Bull Run Run, a 50-mile trek on the Bull Run trail in Northern Virginia, which includes river crossings, mountainous trails and rugged terrain. He finished the race in 12 and a half hours.
Captain Mueller may change his mind about his toughest race after he takes on his next biggest challenge: The Rocky Raccoon 100-mile trail run in Huntsville, Texas.
"I just hope I can do it in less than 24 hours," he said. "I am having doubts, but my wife believes I am ready so I must be."
Although Captain Mueller has run many different kinds of long distance events he favors running in the wilderness rather than on pavement. "I prefer the trails," he said, "they're easier on the knees."
Captain Mueller hasn't done all this without help.
"My wife makes a lot of sacrifices for me," he said, whose wife, 1st Lt. Heather Mueller, 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron material management flight commander, often gives up her weekends to accompany Captain Mueller to his races and to drive him home.
"I'm usually the road crew and provide pre- and post-race support," said Lieutenant Mueller. "I try to get him as ready as possible to make it all the way to the finish line -- whether it's 13.1 miles away or 100. When it's all over, I provide food, drink, comfort items and get him back to a hotel room or our home."
Lieutenant Mueller isn't there for logistical support alone.
"My wife gets me through the tough spots," he said. "Just thinking of her smile at the finish line can keep me moving."
Captain Mueller, who used to smoke two packs of cigarettes a day, says he does some sort of long distance running every weekend; usually a marathon, but if there are no races he'll spend a few hours on an elliptical machine or running the hiking trails near Lake Moultrie.
After his two 100-mile races in February will he throw in the towel? Not likely.
"It truly is addictive to see how far you can go," he said.