Local NCO swaps cigarettes for running shoes

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lauren Padden
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  A crowd of Turkish nationals cheer in the background as thirst, exhaustion and sore muscles plague Staff Sgt. Larry Marsh, 728th Air Mobility Squadron, while he pushes to complete his objective: finish the 26.2-mile Istanbul Intercontinental Eurasia Marathon, his first foot race of this distance.

With the finish line in sight and a cool breeze at his back, Sergeant Marsh was in disbelief as he thought to himself, "I'm actually going to finish this thing."

Three years ago the idea of running a marathon never crossed his mind, but when his one-year-old daughter would stare at him through the window while he smoked a cigarette outside, he knew it was time for a lifestyle change - it was time to quit smoking.

Since the completion of his marathon last summer, Sergeant Marsh has continued on his smoke-free journey - three years as of Aug. 2 - and has raised his physical fitness score from 75.1 to 100.

The New Albany, Ind., native tried to squash his eight-year nicotine addiction several times, but was unsuccessful until he realized he needed help to quit. So, while stationed at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Sergeant Marsh attended a smoking cessation course during the summer of 2005. This was his first step toward kicking the habit.

The class covered the dangers and long-term effects of smoking with graphic demonstrations and videos.

"The videos would scare even the most courageous smokers," said Sergeant Marsh.

Videos weren't the only anti-smoking aides - the support of others in the class who wanted to quit made the process more bearable, he said.

"We were all there with the same purpose," said Sergeant Marsh. "We all had our different reasons for why we wanted to quit, but sharing those reasons helped more than I initially thought. I remember covering different thing we wanted to do with our time besides smoking and that is how fitness came about."

Sergeant Marsh didn't need much convincing at the time to change his fitness regimen as the Air Force had switched from the bike test to the 1.5 mile run. He also avoided fad diets, controlled his portion sizes and reduced the number of times he ate fast food.

Besides eating healthy, he leads squadron physical training twice a week, is a member of the Incirlik Running Club and runs every other night.

Sergeant Marsh's steps toward better health and physical fitness have been noticed by others.

"Sergeant Marsh is an impressive individual and a total team player," said Lt. Col. John Storey, 39th Mission Support Group deputy commander and running club member. "After he finishes running with the Incirlik Running Club Wednesday mornings, he leads his squadron's PT. On Saturdays, he'll run eight to 10 miles with the club and always waits around cheering everyone on until we are all finished."

Sergeant Marsh also participates in the Trotters and Striders Club at the Fitness Center.

This club presents each member with a T-shirt after running 500 miles and a lightweight jacket after 1,000 miles, each of which Sergeant Marsh earned in a year.

Racking up all those miles came easy for the avid runner due to his participation in the Incirlik half marathon, almost every on-base five and 10k race and the Istanbul Intercontinental Eurasia Marathon.

Sergeant Marsh's "addiction" to running has enabled him to shed 50 pounds in the last three years.

Not smoking and losing weight took serious motivation to get Sergeant Marsh where he is today.

"My motivation is my kids," said Sergeant Marsh. "My girls have been to several of my races and are excited to see their daddy finish. I came home with a medal and they honestly thought daddy had won the race."

Sergeant Marsh has some advice for those wanting to improve their health.

"If you are serious about quitting, don't go it alone. There are avenues to help you successfully quit," he said. "If you are serious about losing weight, consider the Incirlik Running Club or find ways to challenge yourself more than the normal regimen you are accustomed to and you will achieve your weight loss goals."

Sergeant Marsh is currently training for the Rome City Marathon in Rome, Italy, scheduled in March.