North Belle Vernon's Mary Kreis is a runner and cancer survivor

Mary Kreis of North Belle Vernon has tested herself on obstacle courses and marathon courses.

But the greatest test she faced in her life was battling cancer while pregnant with her daughter.

She named her daughter Viva, which means “long live” in Italian, and believes her birth was not only a celebration of life, but that she had the power to overcome any obstacle.

Kreis came to the Valley a decade ago to accept a teaching position at California University of Pennsylvania. She is an associate professor in sports management.

But she doesn't just teach it, she lives it. Kreis is a distance runner who has completed seven marathons this year alone. She is planning on competing in the New York City Marathon Sunday. She completed the Boston Marathon in April.

Kreis has completed more than 40 marathons, 20 ultra marathons, and three full ironmen competitions.

Military training

A native of Virginia, she was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

She entered the Army ROTC program in 1988 while a freshman at the University of Virginia.

At age 19, she attended Airborne School.

The following summer, she attended master fitness training school.

“That set the course for my life,” Kreis said. “I got interested in exercise and sports management.”

The following summer, she attended special assault school, learning to repel from helicopters.

Upon graduation from the University of Virginia, she was commissioned a second lieutenant in the medical services corps, serving at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and later Fort Bragg, N.C.

Her active duty service with the medical air corps spanned 1992 to 1996.

While still in the Army, Kreis continued her education, earning a master's degree in educational leadership at the University of Texas in San Antonio and a doctorate in higher education and sports administration from the University of Miami.

After active duty, Kreis joined the Army Reserves, serving until receiving a medical release in 2006.

While in the reserves, Kreis traveled the world competing in the Military Pentathlon.

The pentathlon is a competition combining five athletic events.

The military pentathlon involved a land obstacle course, water obstacle course and swimming obstacle course, all completed in Army fatigues, a rifle and pistol shoot and orientation – using maps to plot a course.

The event spans three days and 12 miles.

The competitors are also tested on military law and first aid.

Only reservists can compete on the three-member teams.

“You're only as fast as your slowest member,” Kreis said. “It's all about team work, helping each other out.”

Life changing moment

She was biking across country to honor veterans when she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter.

During her first week teaching at Cal U she learned she had melanoma cancer.

Doctors removed the melanoma tumor and later her lymph nodes. But she went through the treatment with the uncertainty of how it would affect her unborn daughter. Viva, though, faced no complications.

Today, she is a fourth grade student at Rostraver Elementary Center, following in her mother's footsteps.

This weekend, Viva will compete in her fifth 5K, “Joggin' for Froggin'” in Pittsburgh, a race that will benefit the Navy SEALS.

For Kreis, she still has the desire to keep pushing herself and finding new challenges.

Although released from the Reserves eight years ago, Kreis talked to a national Guard recruiter recently.

“I miss that challenge, I miss that camaraderie,” Kreis said.

Chris Buckley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-684-2642 or cbuckley@tribweb.com.