Martin Schouw will be running a marathon to raise money for the Trinity Men’s Recovery House on Nov. 16.
Having already raised just over $1,000, the 56-year-old is hoping to raise as much as he possibly can to give back to his community, something he tries to do as often as possible.
He said the Trinity House, which says its mantra is “helping men who want to help themselves,” is an organization near and dear to him, as he himself had addiction struggles he had to overcome.
“Trinity house is such a needed thing, I did it on my own, but I’ve been lucky,” he said.
Schouw’s Nov. 16 run will commence in the morning, with some friends joining him for the final leg of the course and a barbecue following his race. Schouw said the running community’s support has continued to motivate him as he continues to push his physical limits through running.
After years of alcohol and cocaine abuse, he said one day he woke up and was sick of looking at himself, inspiring a change in habits. He said he hasn’t “looked back since.”
Running has been a key component of Schouw’s seven years of sobriety, having organized a variety of athletics-based fundraisers. Schouw even tackled the 144-kilometre run between Prince Rupert and Terrace, almost losing his leg in the process.
“Running is a mental game, it’s about fighting that quitting brain,” he said. “You just have to want it bad enough.”
However, Schouw has pushed through his injury problems and ignored the advice of doctors, continuing to run daily. His friend Ernie Westgaurd said he will double the distance Schouw runs on his bicycle, even though Westgaurd has some long-term injuries himself, losing a foot and a hand in a childhood train accident.
“We both just want to prove to the younger generation that anything is possible if you want it,” Schouw said.
Supporting the Trinity House is important to Westgaurd as well, who wants to help those who might need some extra help.
“I wanted to give back, I know what it feels like to be hopeless,” he said. “We just want to help those guys at the Trinity House out.”