TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

I don't remember when I officially met Klaus Benamy-Hackel. But I know for sure I became aware of him when I came in third behind him in my age group at the 2009 Bakersfield Triathlon.

It's not that I have a competition compulsion... well, maybe I do.

The first-place finisher was way too fast. But Klaus only finished about 15 minutes ahead of me. He was my motivation to train and to improve my performance.

Since then I've learned a lot more about Klaus. He was born in Germany, spent a lot of time living in Israel and retired in 2006 as an airline executive. Not a typical Kern County story.

As far as I knew Klaus was always a runner and triathlete. I saw him at the Kern Wheelmen bike club meetings or out on the road on his bike. If we talked, I'd learn about a triathlon or marathon he was planning to do.

Last year Klaus ran marathons in Ghana, Japan, Germany, Rio de Janeiro and Arizona -- five marathons on five continents. This year he will be 62, but 2012 will be only slightly less ambitious than 2011.

He plans on cycling the Solvang double century (200 miles -- yes, all in one day). He will compete in a full ironman distance triathlon (that's 140.6 miles of swimming, biking and running -- yes, all in one day). And of course, what would a year of events be without at least competing in the Bakersfield Unofficial Marathon Run?

Like I said, as far as I knew, Klaus was always a runner and triathlete.

But as I talked with him I discovered that assumption was wrong. He wasn't involved with youth sports as a kid. He was busy with his career as an adult and wasn't physically active.

But when he retired he finally had the opportunity to ask himself, "What can I do with the rest of my life that will benefit me?" Getting fit seemed like a logical answer and an invaluable goal.

Klaus told me he saw runners and walkers all over his neighborhood. So at 56 he decided running looked like fun. As he tells it, running wasn't fun. It was miserable!

At first he couldn't even jog a half mile. He would have to walk a little and run a little. And walk a little more.

But the challenge of a simple goal kept him working to improve his endurance. Klaus never hired a coach but he read lots of books. He was able to use the experience of others to improve his performance.

Soon he could run a half mile; then a full mile. Now an easy recreational run covers a four-mile loop through the neighborhoods and orchards of northwest Bakersfield. Fifteen marathons later, running is fun.

Klaus reminisced with me about the exhilaration of the mass start of Ironman Florida. Two thousand athletes rush like a wave off the white sands of Panama City Beach and churn the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Thrilling!

Or picture 30,000 runners amassed for the Tokyo Marathon in the shadow of the landmark Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. Klaus ran along with the surge of humanity among the sights of ancient and modern Tokyo. Breathtaking!

So what is there for us in his achievement?

Bakersfield is not known for its healthy lifestyle and Klaus was not known as an athlete. Yet he has made an astonishing transition into a very active and competitive lifestyle. Not only that, he continues to travel the world in the simple pursuit of improving his quality of life.

The primary lesson we all should take away is that one's health should be respected and valued. Klaus changed his attitude after 56 years of indifference. You may have waited even longer. But if your doctor gives the OK, you can get started today. Who knows how far it will lead?

Secondarily, we may not all swim, bike and run. But we can all find a passionate answer to the question he asked himself: What can I do to improve the quality of the rest of my life?

What can you do with a life characterized by strength of character and clarity of mind? How would it affect your family and our community if you could take on every opportunity for personal fulfillment and public service?

What could you do with the energy of expectation that precedes the starting gun of every challenge?

Without doubt, Klaus had achieved much as an executive and businessman. Yet he had to ask himself what more he could do.

Certainly we all have had some measure of success in our own endeavors. But isn't there more that could be done? The example Klaus Benamy-Hackel has given us is that dedication to a vision can lead to achievements we never dared to dream -- right here in Bakersfield.

Ric Llewellyn is one of three community columnists whose work appears here every Saturday. These are the opinions of Llewellyn, not necessarily The Californian. You can email him at llewellyn.californian@gmail.com. Next week: Heather Ijames.