Meet Danny, Team Sally/Distance Crew Alumni Member
On a recent rainy Saturday morning, Alumni Member Danny showed up to the MiMS Distance Crew meeting spot with a smile, but also some uncertainty. A recent injury was causing some nerves - he was training with his team for the Twin Cities Marathon, would he be able to complete the mileage? Completing a marathon had been his dream for a year, ever since completing the City of Lakes Half Marathon with his Team Sally teammates in 2021. Now that dream was close to being realized, if he could just be smart about his training and keep himself healthy. But being smart about his health is a pretty new practice for Danny. In fact, up until last spring Danny had been a daily drug or alcohol user for 10 years - since he was 17 years old.
“At school, I was mostly under the influence or getting high. When I did stay sober for a 3-4 day stretch, that was always followed by increased alcohol use. By 2018, I was homeless - drinking everyday, and shooting meth to cope with being on the streets in the Minnesota winter. One day I missed the shot - meaning that I went to use the IV but didn’t actually get the substance in my vein - and developed an abscess and infection in my arm. I had to have emergency surgery, and the surgeon who operated on me told me that I was lucky I didn’t have to have my arm amputated. It was in this moment, for the first time, that I admitted that I needed help.
I entered a treatment program and ended up at the Salvation Army for aftercare, but my mind wasn’t ready and I immediately fell back off [the wagon]. Six months later I had my second major hospitalization - I was depressed and tried to kill myself by injecting bleach with an IV. I was in the ICU for 5 days, and was committed by the State of Minnesota to inpatient treatment. But my mind still wasn’t ready. I left Minnesota and went back home to Maryland. I actually got closer to my Mom during this time, but she ultimately told me to leave if I was going to continue using. After nearly drinking myself to death, I decided again that I needed help - that’s when I called the Salvation Army again and moved back to Minnesota last spring.
This spring I decided to join the MiMS Distance Crew and train for 26.2 I knew that it was a crazy long race, but how long didn’t hit me until [my training partner] and I were talking earlier this season about my race pace and the 4 hour range. FOUR hours of running…that’s a lot! But I know that I can do it. I told myself that I would listen and follow the plan this time, and so far the best part about being on this team is the positivity, the support, and the coaching and advice from everyone.
As I think about marathon race day, I’m most looking forward to getting it done, to finishing 26.2 miles. Finishing this race will prove to myself that with a goal and with the right support system, I can do things that I once felt were impossible. I’ve recently reconnected with my Mom, and she’s been telling everyone around her office about my marathon training. She’s proud of me. We’ve found a peace between us that didn’t exist for most of my adult life.
This past week, I graduated from the Salvation Army program for a second time. This time I feel excited and like my mind is ready. I never thought I’d ever change and rid myself of this monkey on my back and be free of the depression that held me close for so long - but there is help for these troubles if we reach out and get vulnerable, there is hope.”
On October 2nd, 2022 Danny will celebrate 234 days sober by completing 26.2 miles at the Twin Cities Marathon - WOO!
Soon after I arrived at ‘the Sally’ I heard about Mile in My Shoes and I joined as soon as the team started. I joined for the opportunity to be around people outside of the guys in the program, for a positive community. The running was secondary. MiMS gave me a lifeline to feel like a normal person and find a new passion as well as a healthier lifestyle and a group of dear friends. MiMS is about so much more than the running to me - it’s about a place to grow and laugh with other people.
I graduated from the Salvation Army program last fall, but pretty quickly relapsed. Fortunately, it didn’t take me as long this time to realize that this life wasn’t worth it anymore. I went right back into the program. I had continued to run throughout my relapse knowing how important it had become in my recovery, but learned it has to be in combination with other good habits to keep me sober.
I’ve accepted where I’m at, and know that association with people who don’t get me back into old habits is critical to my recovery. I’ve been told my whole life that I don’t listen, but that’s not true. I just don’t always act on it. I’ve learned that I need a plan and a goal and a support system to hold me accountable. I recently completed my GED, and my goal is to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. I’m learning to listen to my Sponsor and my support group, including my teammates at MiMS, to do the best thing for me right now.