Getting High on Life

Gay Agenda

By Cory Syverson
Contributing Writer

The experience of participating in a race is unlike any other. It doesn’t matter if it is your first race or forty-seventh, the nerves are the same. Gathered at the start, everyone you see is there with one common goal: reaching the finish line. Along the way, you are encouraged by the collective pounding of sneakers on the pavement all around you. People along the edges of the route are there to cheer on their friends and family, as well as complete strangers. The feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a race, of any length, is an unparalleled high.

Not long ago, the only high I knew was found in a bottle, bag, or pill form. My addition to drugs and alcohol impacted all of my decisions. I was the most important person in my life and that was the way I chose to keep it. I was ashamed to admit that I had a problem and found it easier to flee instead of face what my life had become. As I neared rock bottom, pawned off my valuables and hit the road for a party that I thought could make it all better. The weekend came and went, as did the drugs and alcohol that I had gotten in exchange for the only things I had left. On my way back to Fargo, I thought about how much I missed my family. I wanted to be a brother and a son that would make everyone proud. I had grown tired of being the partier and found myself looking for the person I once was, without the influence of substance. I knew I could not do it alone. That evening, I finally found the strength to reach out. I called a friend who took me to meeting where I met individuals that understood the low that I had reached and more importantly, the journey that I was about to start.

With the help of these people, a twelve step program, focus, and determination, I am proud to say that I will be celebrating my third year of sobriety this August. Living a healthy lifestyle and building positive relationships with individuals is where I find my new high. As part of the recovery process, I started working out. Fitness became my outlet when my emotions ran rampant. After attending fitness classes, I was inspired to begin training to become an instructor myself. I now have the opportunity to teach group fitness and help individuals reach their goals. Along with fitness classes, I began to train to run my first race. I started with 5k lengths to get comfortable with distance and gradually increased to a 10k. I ran my first half marathon in 2009 and my first full marathon a year later. I have continued to train and run in races and marathons to reach my ultimate goal of qualifying for and completing the Boston Marathon.

The sense of belonging and joy that I feel on race day is something that I want to share with as many people as I can, most importantly the GLBT community and their supporters. As I did, we all have to start somewhere. The first step is simply that, a step. Before you know it your steps will quicken and you’ll find yourself in a place that once seemed unobtainable. Anxious to lace up your shoes and take part in a 5k?

Please join me in the first annual Fargo-Moorhead Pride 5k Fun Run/Walk, scheduled on July 14th, 2011. The race begins at 7:00 PM at Dike East in Fargo. All races are more fun when there are fans there to cheer on the walkers and runners.  Pack up the family and bring some friends to cheer on the inaugural run/walk.

The purpose of this race is to engage our community members and supporters in a positive activity and to promote healthy living. Please bring your Pride spirit and competitive edge to the race!

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IF YOU GO:
What – FM Pride 5K Fun Run/Walk
When – 7:00PM, Thursday, July 14
Where – Dike East - Fargo
Who – Anyone interested in showing their Pride by walking or running
To register: http://tiny.cc/PRIDERUN