Todd Turbett

Todd Turbett
Resides in: Landis Store
Years running: 2 ½

Bio: 45 years old, father of 4 children: Beka (15), Tyler (13), Natalie (12), and Marley (10). I started running to help with life’s stresses. It took about 1 year to like it and I encourage anyone to not only give it a try but to hang in there until it becomes fun.

What do you enjoy most about running?
A lot of answers here but I would have to single out above all the friendships I have made, especially those on the trails. There is nothing like working your way through the woods, jumping over downed trees, splashing through small streams, climbing and sliding your way up and down snow covered hills, feeling the burn in your legs and lungs and having friends to talk about many things before, during and after the run.

What is your biggest running accomplishment and why?
In August of 2008 I started running and set a goal of a half marathon for November of 2008. I did not train that much but come race day I knew I had to give everything I had to come in under 2 hours. I finished around 1:52 and told myself I would never do anything this stupid again. My, oh my, how wrong I was. Finishing that race, my first of any distance, was a special day for me.

What is your favorite race distance?
The marathon. In July of 2009 I purchased the movie “Spirit of the Marathon”. I don’t know why but it was time to figure this distance out. I watched it and became so touched by the stories of the runners I immediately signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. Due to some injuries unrelated to running I lost training time and with less than 5 weeks to go before the race put a plan together to get me through it. My only “ long” training run was the Oley 10 miler but had some days where I ran multiple times and it worked. My goal was sub 4:00 and I crossed around 3:55. Again I told myself never anything this stupid again. WRONG!!

Since that first marathon, in just over a year, I completed 5 marathons with a Boston qualifying time at Steamtown Marathon in October 2010 (3:27). Watch the movie if you even think you might want to. It does not matter if you think you can, it all falls in place. Absolute favorite quote from the movie – “When you cross that finish line, no matter how slow or fast, it will change your life forever” – Dick Beardsley .

Do you have any current running goals?
To complete an ultra which should be coming up at a 24 hr. endurance run in July, if not sooner than that. I am also registered with a great bunch of friends for the Pocono Half-Ironman in October 2011. Volunteering this summer with friends at the Lake Placid 2011 Ironman in July with plans to register at that event in order to return in July 2012 to compete (or should I say, just finish).

What have you learned about yourself from running?
To be able to let go of past failures, disappointments, under achievements, and unfulfilled dreams in life. To establish new dreams and be surrounded by those who will help you and encourage you. To learn to believe in myself when I don’t but others do. To know that crossing that finish line has changed my life forever. To let others out there who are new to this that all of this awaits them. That I can get faster. That I can overcome. And that I CAN’T stop. And most importantly to know that life is “GOOD” again.

What is your best race experience?
This would have to be a 5k I ran with all of my kids in April of 2010-the Oley “Fight the Burn” 5k. It was their first race with a pretty tough hill to climb at the end. Beka and Natalie took 1st and 2nd in the 18 and under group, Tyler took 1st in the 18 and under group and Marley finished 4th in the 18 and under group at the age of 9. My baby finished ahead of many 20, 30, 40 and 50 year olds that day. I took 2nd place age group that day but obviously that was not that important. Since then we have done 3 races together and they anxiously await the start of spring so we can do more 5k’s. A couple of my children have pledged to run a marathon with me when they get older. That, too, will be a good day.

Do you have a favorite race?
Even though that day at Steamtown in October was pretty special I would have to go with the Lehigh Valley Half-marathon. This year will be my third time running it and it really lets me gauge how far I have come. I have improved my half marathon time by around 15 minutes and hope to keep chipping away at it. Great small town race, excellent course, really cool ending, fantastic volunteers along the way, excellent bands playing music throughout the course and fabulous food at the end. Lots of friends to run it with this year, too!!