Thursday, August 28, 2008

22 Yr. Dream Realized

22 yrs. ago one of things that persuaded me to have a heart transplant was the fact that another heart transplant was very physically active and doing triathlons. Since that time I have had many opportunities (e.g. speak to people considering transplantation as well as transplant recipients) to not only speak to the fact that heart transplants are capable of doing the same physical activities as any other person but also demonstrate that fact. Now 22 yrs. post transplant I have met one of the ultimate test of physical endurance proving that there is no physical task to difficult that the transplanted heart cannot achieve. On August 24, 2008 I became the first Heart Transplant to complete an Ironman proving and setting an example for all those to follow that there are no limits to the level of physical activity a heart transplant can achieve.
The following is my account of the days leading up to the Ironman and the day of the event (Aug. 24, 2008)
After two weeks of tapering down in preparation we were finally on the road to hopefully realize a 22yr. old dream in the making. Much work over the past year had gone into preparation for this event from raising awareness of the goal, through various media interviews and speaking engagements, to be the first Heart Transplant to complete an Ironman, to acquiring financial support through sponsorships, and most importantly training.
Earlier in the week I had been contacted by TSN, who were the official media broadcasting group of the Penticton Ironman, who were interested in doing a special segment on me when I arrived in Penticton. Little did I know what that meant in terms of coverage of a Heart Transplant Ironman story line. Wed. August 21st the BC Transplantation program sent out a news release that was picked up by multiple media groups who then contacted me for interviews over the phone and upon my arrival in Penticton. Of those groups were three new papers (The Province, Metro News in Vancouver, Penticton Harold) and two television stations (TSN and BHCTV).

Thursday (Aug. 21, 08)
Upon arrival (Thursday) in Penticton we checked into the Orchard Pines Bed and Breakfast in Summer Land just outside of Penticton which would serve as home base for the three days we would be there. It was great to have our own private sweet where the entire family could stay.
When we arrived in Summerland we got settled in and headed to the grocery store. While at the checkout a couple in the line behind us placed a copy of the Province New paper on the counter and on the cover was a picture of a guy that looked strikingly familiar. There I was, the cover story of the Province news paper that would be circulated throughout the entire Province of British Columbia.
At 5:00 PM we had an appointment with TSN for a photo shoot which included my parents and 2 younger children (i.e. Darcy and Dylan) since Colleen and Donny would not be arriving till Sat. afternoon. I thought that they would simply interview me while shooting the video but what they were actually looking to do was more of a movie that they could edit and broadcast on TSN later in Sept. They also wanted to take clips for the Friday evening athlete’s dinner. As it was it took 2 hrs. to do the shoot with a number of retakes. I determined that I could never be an actor.
While at the lake where TSN took the shoot I met a couple of ladies that were walking their dogs. When I shared with them that I was a heart transplant recipient doing the Ironman in order to raise organ donor awareness they were very supportive and informed me that they were organ donors.

Friday (Aug. 22, 08)
Early Friday morning I went for a 45 to 1:00 swim where the Ironman swim would take place. Upon entering the water my first reaction was “this is really frigid”. At an average temperature of 32 degrees celcius over the summer I thought the lake would be a lot warmer. The first 200 meters of the swim felt like my face was going to freeze but as I got warmed up, other than a few chills with the water running into the back of my wetsuit I was fine. The cold water would most certainly cause cramps in my calves during the swim event of the Ironman.
I had intentions of driving out to Oseyoos to ride Richter and Yellowhead Lake passes however I ran out of time in that BHCTV had called and wanted to set up an interview around the noon hr. and had an interview with the Penticton Harold at 1:00 PM. The interview with BCHTV was held at the package pick-up location. After picking up the package and a change in race numbers so TSN could easily track me I then headed to the interview with the Penticton Harold.
Friday evening was the Athletes Dinner where we were given VIP passes which allowed us to avoid the 3 block line-ups, pick up our food upon entry of the Penticton Convention Center and sit at a reserved table. I was also interviewed by the MC of the dinner following the video that TSN had put together and played.

Saturday (Aug. 23, 08)
I was up early again on Saturday morning and headed out to Oseyoos to ride Richter Pass. There were three relatively steep hills but easily ridden In low gear so I wasn’t that concerned. I did find that the speedometer and cadence was not registering on the Polar unit and couldn’t get it working while on the ride so figured I would look at it when I got home. I then rode back down to Oseyoos for the van and drove the rest of bike route, although not the loop, back to Penticton. I had hoped to have enough time to also ride the Yellowhead Lake pass but ran out of time since I needed to get back to Penticton to check my bike in to transition and catch our golf round that I had booked for 12:00 PM.
When I got back to the Bed &Breakfast to pick up the boys for golf I was still not able to get the speedometer and cadence to register so I ended up removing the entire unit from the bike. It was extremely frustrating and put me on edge for the rest of the day. The rest of the evening was somewhat relaxing although I did spend some time getting my bags together for transition and writing emails. For supper I did a bit of Carbo load with a serving of tortellini. I was able to sleep well that night despite the worry that I might forget something I would need for the race.
Before going to bed that evening my son, Dr. Darcy Kroening, do some Kinesiology taping of my neck , shoulders, and IT band in preparation for the race. He did a great job using the Kinesiology instruction book that my Chiropractor, Dr. Lindford from Brentwood Chiropractic in Sherwood Park Alberta had lent me.

Sunday (Aug. 24, 08)
4:15 AM Sunday morning Colleen and I were up. My morning pre-race meal consisted of a banana, a piece of toast, and water.
I had mixed up and froze the Perpetuum carb. load drink that would hopefully carry me through the ride. I find that it is easier to ingest fluid than to eat solid foods or gels when doing any sort of distance rides. I did however cut up some power bars and threw in a couple gel packs.
On arrival at the event I checked in the two special needs bags which had certain food items for ½ way through the ride and run. I then got my number markings and proceeded to transition to inflate my bike tires and put my transition bags in place. When doing a final check of the transition bags I realized that I had not put in my race number and strap which was in Colleen’s car and she had left. I had to think quickly so I found a volunteer who would let me use their cell for a long distance call and gave Colleen a call. Fortunately she had her cell on and raced back to the transition to give me the numbers and strap.
The Swim (3.8 km)
6:45 AM the cannon went off for the 30 + Professional Triathletes who would do the swim in 45 - 60 min. the ride in 4 ½ - 5 hrs. and the run in 2 ½ - 3 hrs.
At 7:00 AM the cannon went off a second time signaling the race start for the 2000 + triathletes. I was given a white cap to swim with, of which there were only three among the triathletes, signifying that I was someone to be kept an eye on by the kayakers and volunteers manning the telescopes. With over 2000 triathletes entering the water at the same time and all headed to the first buoy, it was difficult to find a lane to swim without people running over me or hitting me. On top of that, for the first 200 meters I was fighting with my goggles trying to fit them so water would not run in. Once my goggles were in place it was time to settle in with my swim stroke. Easier said than done. I seemed like I was trying to find a lane to swim while at the same time staying out of peoples way throughout the entire race. The water was somewhat choppy in places which resulted in a few gulps of water. I reached shore about 90 minutes (right on my projected time) since the start feeling bloated from drinking half the lake and chilled. It was about 15 minutes from the time I left the water to time I grabbed my bike and left transition. I was not in any particular hurry maybe because I wasn’t looking forward to what I thought would be a 6 ½ - 7 hr. ride or maybe simply because I knew it was going to be a long day and felt that 15 min. would not matter that much. Just out of transition I stopped to pray with my family and my Dad prayed that the Lord would give me strength for the ride.
The Dreaded 180 km (110 mile) ride
It took a number of kilometers into the ride before the sickness to the stomach subsided and the chills were gone. Just outside of town I heard a motor cycle behind me which came up beside me and slowed. It was the TSN camera crew that was shooting video of the race. They stayed with me for about 10 km to get footage of me and then were off to do filming of other triathletes. I didn’t see them again for the rest of the race.
On the way south to Oseyoos there was a head-wind making my speed slower than usual. Since I didn’t have a speedometer I could only estimate that my average speed was around 28 km/hr. Richter pass was not that difficult. I had put a number of the green organ donation wrist bands on my bike to give out to the bystanders on the road and was looking for children I could give them to. When I came up to the top of the second climb on Richter pass there was a group of people with a girl of about 6 standing there. Although I was not quite at the top of the hill and really just wanted to get to the top I felt a prompt in my spirit (Holy Spirit) to stop and give her a wrist band. Getting off my bike I asked the little girl if I could give her the wrist band to which she turned to her mother for approval and her mother said to go ahead and take it. The girl’s father then came over and asked what the band was for so I told him it was to promote organ donations. He then asked what my name was and I told him it was Dwight to which he then excitedly asked what my last name was. When I told him my last name he told me that his father had told him about a man who had had a heart transplant and was running in the race. His father was a leader for a boy’s club (Christian Service Brigade) I was in when I was 10 or so. His father asked that he say hi if he should run into me even though the son had said that that would be a slim to none chance. I told him that our meeting was planned by God. A number of pictures were taken of the two of us for his father and I proceeded on my way.
I don’t know the exact distance to Oseyoos and over Ricther Pass but it seemed that the next leg of the trip to the halfway point took forever. Besides that what I thought would be the wind at my back turned and was now coming head on. Maybe some weather expert can explain to me some day why it seems that no matter what direction you may be riding you are always riding into the wind.
I don’t know what time it was when I finally reached the half way point and my special needs bag. I was too afraid to look at my watch. I had drank a full bottle of Perpetuum and I really wasn’t feeling like eating anything from the bag with my stomach the way it was but I stopped anyway and drank down a bottle of Boost, ate a couple of crackers and piece of meat from the Lunchable snack pack, and a chocolate bar (O Henry) that I only ate half of.
It wasn’t until the second half of the race on the way up to Yellowhead Lake that I ran into my family as well as my Ken and Mark. It was great to see them. What was amazing was that my brother, sister in-law and their family were also there and had somehow, not by chance, run into Colleen and my folks on the bike route coming up from their vacation in Washington. From that point on I felt a renewed sense of purpose and energy. I climbed Yellowhead Lake pass and from there it was all downhill into Penticton.
I believe my time for the ride was about 7 ½ hrs. which was just brutal. I can’t believe I sat on the bike that long and most notably that my neck was not killing me. I am sure it had to do with the Kinesiology taping that Dr. Darcy had done and thanks to Dr. Lindford.
The final 42 Km (Would my knees hold up?)
That was the question. Would the ride have such an impact on my hip flexors that I would not be able to run?
Transition was much quicker this time even though I was still not in that much of a hurry. Again when I came out of transition my family was waiting for me and I asked my father again to pray for me. We gathered together in prayer and I was off again.
It didn’t take long for me to find my legs. Coach Ken had worked into my training sufficient bike to run exercises so that there was some muscle memory to help me get into the run quickly. About 2 Km into the run I met a man by the name of Michael who was running at about the same pace and we struck up a conversation. I was hoping that we would be able to run together and encourage each other but a few km later Michael had to stop for bathroom break and although I waited a couple minutes and then proceeded quite slowly, periodically looking back, I didn’t see him again. I hope he was ok.
At about the 3 or 4 km point I heard what sounded like a skateboard coming up behind me and lo and behold there was Ken on roller blades and Mark on a bike. I couldn’t believe it. These two guys were crazy and committed enough to my success that they were going to be there for me through the entire marathon. Of course they couldn’t stay with me the entire time since I could be disqualified but what they would do is skate and bike on ahead to each mile indicator or aid station and wait for me. They would accompany me for a bit and then go on to the next station. They continued to encourage me which kept me pumped right through to the finish with Mark telling everyone at the aid stations that I was coming so they could cheer me on.
About 7-9 km from the halfway point my knees started to give me trouble so I began walking the hills; both up and down. The down side of the hills were the toughest on the knees. At the halfway point Colleen, my brother Dale, and I think it was Darcy, was there to encourage. I tried to eat something again from my special needs bag but really couldn’t stomach anything other than ½ a bottle of boost. The rest I left. I should have given at least the Lunchable to Darcy. From the half on I determined that I would set markers on the road to run and walk to. As I each kilometer and mile passed Ken and Mark continued to meet and cheer me on until about the 35 km point where they then took off to the finish line to wait for me. When I reached Penticton there was a call stations for announcing each of the triathletes coming through. I think this was then relayed to the Finish line announcer so they new which triathletes of note were coming in.
For the rest of the race it was run a couple blocks and walk a block until I reached Main Street where Greg McFadden (Production Manager for TSN) tracked me down on the motorcycle with a camera and took footage of me as I made my way to the finish line.
The emotion I felt as I approached the finish line and heard the announcer tell the crowd that I was coming was beyond description. It was the most exciting and exhilarating feeling I have ever had. Twice that of the feeling I had when I finished my first ½ Ironman. The people were clapping and screaming while the announcer called out my name and then said those long awaited words; “YOU ARE AN IRONMAN”. After I crossed the finish line I was asked if I was ok to do an interview so they took me back out to the front of the finish line, which they never do, and the race caller came down and interviewed me in front of the cameras while feeding live to the jumbotron. I will never forget seeing Mark there along the fence by the finish line cheering and hollering when I came out for the interview. I went over and he gave me a huge hug. After the interview I went back through the finish line area and met my family. Mark in his excitement jumped the fence and hugged me again. Once I had a chance to orient myself I was going to go get my transition bags and bike but suddenly became faint. I remember Ken and Mark calling for a catcher to take me to the medi tent. Once in the medi-tent I was attended to by the physician and a number of nurses. When they found out that I was the Heart Transplant everyone had been talking about they took extra care and attention to make sure that I was being taken care of. I was given 2 liters of fluid along with some nausea medication. I was very concerned about Colleen and wanted to make sure that she was ok and knew what was going on. When they finally let Colleen in to see me she was weeping bitterly and as we hugged she shared with me that she was afraid that I was dying. After 1 ½ hrs. I was finally given permission to go. A kindly Security guard for the transition area had helped Colleen collect my transition bags and bike so everything was there for us to take to the car.
It has been 3 days now since the Ironman which is still fresh in my mind and an experience that as Ken said will be etched in my mind forever.

Debt of Gratitude
To Ken, my coach and friend for the past 4 yrs., I would and could never have done it without your program and professional coaching. When I doubted my ability you believe in me and did not take my excuses seriously. Know that our meeting and subsequent coach/athlete and resulting friendship was not an accident.

To Mark; Ph.D. Professor, CIHR New Investigator and the one who knows the physiology of my heart and body better than any person alive. You were the reason for all this. The day I met you and was selected for your exercise study was the day that I somehow knew that you were the man that would be able to prove that I was capable of doing anything physically that any person with a non-transplanted heart could do. You were there for me from the start four years ago and you stayed with me right to the finish. As with Ken, our meeting and resulting friendship was not an accident.

To my family, children and dear wife; you showed me the patience, love and time I needed to train and prepare. You recognized how important this was for me and made the sacrifice to make it happen. You upheld me in prayer and encouraged me along the way. Colleen, you have fulfilled your vow of taking care of me in sickness and in health. Without you I would not be here today. I love you dearly and owe you my very life. My boys; I am so proud of you. You demonstrated the character of true humility and servitude during this time and have and are growing up to be men of God which is my only prayer for you. Mom and Dad; I know I have put you through a lot over these 22 yrs. I am sorry for that. Know how much it meant to me to have you there with me to experience this as well as how much I covet your prayers.

To all those that have had an active role in keeping me healthy and moving forward I thank you.
To the Post Transplant Clinic staff most notably Ilene Burton, Dr. Burton, Dr. Tymchuk; Dr. Lee; the technicians; you have always been available and taken care of me for the past 21 yrs. To Dr. Lindford and Janelle at Brentwood Chiropractic you have kept me on my feet so I could swim, bike and run.

To the various Transplant Organizations (GoodHearts; Canadian Transplant Association; Capital Health HOPE Program; BC Transplantation) thank you for your support both financially and through the giving of your time and resources.

To my co-workers at Computronix and Computronix. You have been most supportive of my mission and the time it has taken to accomplish that mission. You have walked along side and encouraged me along the way. A special thanks to Dave Neumann, Brad Werstiuk, Dan Boonstra, and Christian Obando who have literally run along side of me. You have been true companions along the way.

To Andrew Yskes for the great work he did in designing my slogan and sponsor ship logos for my tri-gear and t-shirts.

Finally to all those that have carried my burden and lightened my load by praying for me and encouraging me. St. Paul said in the Bible “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). You’re prayers gave strength to my arms and legs in the swim, strength to my legs and neck on the ride, strength to my knees on the run, and the mental strength to finish.

If I have missed anyone, and I am sure I have, please forgive me.

Final word
I pray that my story and life has been an inspiration to those that have read and seen it and that you have all expressed a desire to be organ donors and give the gift of life. More importantly I pray that those whose lives I have touched have seen my faith in Jesus Christ and have been moved to experience that same faith by which I have and am living my life.
God Bless as you seek Him.

HEART TRANSPLANT IRONMAN (Dwight Kroening)

One Transplanted Heart
One SPIRIT and One Goal
Ironman 2008

Monday, August 18, 2008

Six Days

Since the Sylvan Lake 1/2 life has been very busy.
Although the week of Aug. 10th was supposed to be a tapper down period I was busier than ever. Not so much with training but in preparation for a weekend canoe trip.
I had hoped to do some extra leg and neck strengthening exercises but didn't even have enough time to get in all the training that had been scheduled. Over the next couple of days I will be trying to get in the swims that I missed over the weekend. This evening I did a 50 min. ride and 2100 meters in a 25 meter pool so there was a lot of turning. I didn't track my time but felt that my pace was a little faster than race pace. I was a little fatigued toward the end so the last 400 meters were a little slow. I am still finding that my neck is getting tight and sore both on the ride and in the swim. I will really have to focus on relaxing the shoulders. Paddling 120km over 2 days probably didn't help the shoulders and neck either. My shoulders are still a little sore.

Something that has been really encouraging and exciting is that TSN will be doing and interview and filming me prior to and during the triathlon. I was also asked if my family and I would come to the Athletes dinner on Friday evening and sit in the VIP section. I don't know what the program is like for the Athletes dinner but I am hoping that I will be given the opportunity to share my story and the great need for everyone to sign a donor card or register on a organ donor registry as well as tell their family their wishes. The Penticton Western News will be running an article on me as well.

As one of my sponsors, a couple of representatives from Astellas Pharmaceutical will be in town tomorrow and have invited me to dinner.

We will be leaving Edmonton for Penticton Wed. afternoon staying in Golden for the evening and carrying on the rest of the way on Thurs.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Tapering Down (14 Days and Counting)

New Media Articles posted in the Transplant Information Links.

Following the Sylvan Lake 1/2 Triathlon on July 26th was one more week of full training. It was important that I do at least one longer ride of 5 plus hours.

On Monday, Aug. 4th I rode a total of 5.5 hrs. and a distance of 135 km. The first 5 hrs. I rode 125 km but 15 min. of the ride I spent fixing a flat. If I take this time as my benchmark for the Ironman I should be able to complete the 180km in 6 hrs.

It has been a difficult 2 weeks since the Sylvan Lake 1/2 in that I have been having trouble with my IT band, knees, and neck. I have also been getting headaches for the past week and a half.
It is said that you "can't live with them and you can't live without them". No, I am not talking about my wife. In this case, I am talking about the anti-rejection drugs that I take. The side effects of one (e.g. headaches along with joint and muscle pain) has been particularly difficult to deal with. For the past couple of days the pain I have been experiencing has tappered off so I am feeling somewhat more optimistic. Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 11 - 12) I will be having my 22nd annual checkup at which point I will discuss with the transplant coordinator and cardiologist if there are any other options or ways of mitigating the side-effects of this drug that so dramatically inhibbit my training and performance.

In the mean time I have been doing some research and reading on how to mitigate the issues I have had with my neck and knees. I have also been going on a regular basis to the Brentwood Chiropractic clinic in Sherwood Park where Jannelle and Dr. Linford have been treating me with deep tissue massage, adjustments, and graston on the knees.

The next couple of weeks prior to the event is called the tappering down period which is the much needed time for my body to recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
I am still anxious about the event itself knowing that it will require great determination and will, even though my coach (Ken Riess) has assured me that I am well prepared and has every confidence that I will be able to complete the full Ironman. My biggest concern will be the knees during the run.

On the transplant awareness promotion side, the printing of the tri-gear and t-shirts has been completed. I really like the way they turned out. There are a couple other things that need to be done.
  1. Transplant ribbon stickers that I can stick to my wet suit, riding shorts, and helmet.
  2. Awareness items that can be passed out to the spectators.
  3. Opportunity to share my story and promote organ donor awareness at one of the Ironman events.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sponsor Support

I would like to thank those that have sponsored and supported me to-date.
It has been very encouraging to have so many that feel that this is a worthy cause in getting the message out of the need for organ donations.
Special thanks goes to the following companies and organizations.

Financial Supporters:

  • Astellas
  • Goran consulting
  • Computronix
  • Canadian Transplant Association
  • Velocity Cycle and Jamis Bikes Canada
  • Subaru City
  • Dr. Burton
  • Brentwood Chiropractic

Donor Awareness Support:

  • HOPE Program (Capital Health)
  • British Columbia Transplantation
  • GoodHearts Mentoring Foundation

If there are other parties interested in supporting me either financially or in terms of raising donor awareness please feel free to contact me.

Confidence Fading

Based on my performance this past weekend due to the difficulty I was having with my neck and knees, my confidence and belief has been shaken in respect to my ability to complete an Ironman.
2 weeks ago I competed in the Heart of the Rockies Olympic distance triathlon and was pleased with the results in comparison to last years and had no issues on the ride or run. However, my performance in the Sylvan Lake 1/2 Ironman this past weekend was not nearly so stelar. I had serious problems with a stiff neck on the ride and IT related knee issues on the run that resulted in a much longer tri-time than what I had set as a goal (e.g. 6:38 hrs. vrs. 6:00).
I realize that the course was much more difficult than the Great White North tri course that I ran a couple years ago in 6:23 but then I hadn't been training as hard as I have been over the past 8 months. It's not so much the time that concerns me as the reason for the time. 1/2 way into the ride (45km) my neck was so sore that I had to contantly sit up and try to stretch and relax the shoulders and neck. 6km into the run my left knee started getting sore and through out the rest of the run I had to take additional walk breaks to ensure that the knee would hold up through the entire run which really impacted my time.
Unless there is something I can do to deal with these two issues I have very little confidence or faith that I would be able to complete the ride and run distances of an Ironman.
Does this mean that I am giving up or won't make the attempt; certainly not. I just have to be more determined to find a solution.
One positive thing I can take away from the Sylvan Lake 1/2 is that my recovery was almost immediate (e.g quads were not sore and the only discomfort experienced the day after has been a bit of soreness in the knees). I can't say what it was exactly that I did nutrition wise to cause this result since I was trying different things (e.g a new product called Monavie given to me by the husband of another heart transplant to try and taking in extra nutrition such as a power bar and Hammer Heed during the run).

Sunday, July 6, 2008

HBC Run for Canada (10 km)

July 1st, cities across Canada participated in the HBC Run for Canada in finanical support of our Canadian Olympians. I ran the race with a friend and fellow triathlete and one who had completed the Ironman multiple times. We ran the 10 km in 57 minutes. The course was up and down through the river valley in Edmonton which made the run a difficult and challenging one. Time wise Not to make any excuses but I believe I could have run it in less than 55 min. if I had not still been feeling fatigued from the heavy week of training before and if I had not stopped at each of the 3 water stations which added an additional 3 minutes to my time. In the end it was good to have supported our Canadian Olympiads in this way.

R & R: a Much Needed Rest

Well not exactly rest and relaxation but a break none the less with 2 days off and reduced training times. Until this last week I was feeling constantly fatigued partly due to the number of hrs. of training and partly due to the fact that I was not taking care of myself (e.g. getting enough sleep, proper nutrition, and liquids). I was beginning to wonder if I could keep up with the amount of training Ken was scheduling for me and began to even doubt my ability to complete a 1/2 Ironman let alone a full Ironman. My ride and run times were slowing and mymajor muscle groups (e.g. legs, back, shoulders) were sore every day. Even mentally I was feeling weak. I should not have doubted that Ken new just when I would need a rest week. As a result, in my ride and run today, I felt renewed energy and strength. I expect that this week will be the start of another cycle of building toward the times I need to be at in preparation for the Ironman.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Sponsorship and Donor Awareness Activities

On June 19, 08 I met with the Edmonton Donor Awareness Group made up of representatives from the various transplant organizations in the city (e.g. HOPE Program; Alberta Kidney Foundation; Canadian Transplant Association; Lung Support Program; and GoodHearts Mentoring Foundation) to share and brain storm how they could support me in this Trek to the Ironman. There were a number of good suggestions from contacts for sponsorship and media to ideas for gaining attention and support prior to and during the Ironman. Since the meeting I have contacted the BC Transplant group who have responded quite enthusiastically to working with me and will be putting me in contact with a number of media groups when I am in Penticton. There were also a number of suggestions for companies, organizations, and individuals that would be likely candidates for sponsorship. I have 2 sponsors currently (Subaru City and Goran Consulting Services) and have verbal commitment from one other (Computronix). Velocity Cycle is working with the Jamis bike representative to get me a triathlon bike at manufacturer price but unfortunately this isn't looking like it will pan out. The various transplant organizations in the Edmonton area have been particularly helpful in supporting my efforts by offering organ donation awareness promotional items as give aways at the event.
I am working with a friend that will be putting together a graphic that I can put on my tri-gear and bike and would like to have some t-shirts promoting organ and tissue donations in relation to the Ironman for people that will be at the event supporting me. Time is growing short and there is much to do.

On June 21st I organized an activity for the Canadian Transplant Association annual picnic called "Just Tri" as promotion of my "Trek to the Ironman". It was a great success although we didn't get as much participation as was anticipated. there 42 in all that participated as teams in the 3 activities that represented the 3 events of a triathlon. The swim was represented by a water relay, the ride event was represented by a Safeway buggy cart race around the parking lot, and the run event was represented by a 3-legged obstacle course. Everyone, participants and spectators alike had a blast and I was able to share the reason why I am training and anticipating completing the Ironman.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Now the Work Begins

After the Woody's RV Marathon and the resulting pain I experienced in my legs over the last 6 miles of the run I was determined to figure out what I needed to do so I would not have to go through that again; and stopping running or reducing the distance was not an option. For a week I researched the medical and physiological reasons for why I experienced such pain in my legs. Was it because I was ill prepared (e.g. insufficient or inefficient training), was it transplant related (e.g. due to long term effects of the immunosuppressants), was it nutrient related (e.g. lack of water and/or electrolytes). My fear was that if the fatigue and pain in the legs was due to physiological issue (e.g. osteoperosis) resulting from long term effects of the drugs, no training or diet in the world could prepare me for running 24 miles or 42 km.
The following were the answers I found to my questions:
1. What I experienced was common to all runners whether they have had a transplant or not. Coach Ken Riess was not surprised at all that I had such an issue with my quads and that it would take a number of days before I could walk, let alone run, without pain.
Ken Riess also directed me to a blog/website of a man in the UK that was running not just marathons but

ultra-marathons. I emailed the gentleman and asked if he experienced the same issues with his legs when
running long distances. He responded back that he did and that as far as he was concerned, the issues I was
having were typical of all runners and not uniquely related to Heart transplants.
2. Training along with proper nutrition and hydration would prepare me for running marathon distances.
3. If a marathon can be run outside the context of an Ironman than it can be run in the context of an Ironman
according to Ken Riess.
4. Adjustment to my running style would help to diminish the sore quads and knees. I ran across a website when Googling lactic acid build up in the legs when exercising. The site was Danny Dreyers website on Chi Running. I was so intrigued and desparate to try anything that would help my legs that I ordered the book and have begun applying the technique. I believe that the technique is effective in what I have learned and applied so far even though I have not gone through the entire program yet.

I feel as though I am running faster and more comfortably using the Chi method of running but I don't see as marked an improvement in my times as I would expect.

Over the past 3 weeks my workout times have been steadily increasing . From what was 1 - 1.25 hrs. on week nights and 4 hrs. on the weekend to what is now 1.5 - 2 hrs. on week nights and 6 - 6.5 hrs. on weekends. I expect that even that will be increasing.

Two weeks ago I did a 3 hr. ride and a 1 hr. run without any real pain or stiffness. I made sure that I took in an appropriate amount of energy drink and protein (Access Bar) which, now that I think about it, really helped.
Last week Thurs. I did a 1:50 run and experience more pain and post training stiffness than I did following the 3 hr. ride and 1 hr. run. The only thing that was different, other than the distance and time on the run, was that I may not have hydrated myself well enough and did not eat an Access Bar. Since that run the inside of my right knee has been sore and my legs have been stiff following every subsequent run that I have done.
Tomorrow is expected to be an easy day (e.g. 1 hr. swim and 1 hr. ride) while Sunday will be a long brick (e.g. 3 hr. ride and 1.5 hr. run). I will be sure to hydrate properly, take in electrolytes and protein during the ride, and apply the Chi Running method. If the leg soreness and recovery time is minimal than I beleive I will have found the answer to running long distance pain and injury free.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Eat; Sleep; Work; and Work Out

Seems like all I am doing these days when I am not getting paid to work, eating, or sleeping, I am working out. Coach Ken Riess has been increasing my times to 1:30 a night on the week nights and 2-3 hrs. on Saturdays and Sundays. Lately I have been having a lot of trouble with my lower back that works its way down into the IT band and down my legs, in particular my right leg. When it gets bad I have a hard time sleeping at night cause the back and legs are so tight. I am hoping that the deep tissue massage I am scheduled for tomorrow will do something to relieve the tension and soreness. If it does I will schedule one every week.

I am also having trouble with my little toe. Sounds stupid that such a little thing could cause such discomfort but it does. It is a result of the new shoes that I have been trying to break in and the fact that they are not wide enough at the toe. I think I need to amputate the toe so it doesn't keep getting in the way.

Also had some problems with my watch heart rate monitor. The display on the watch for my heart rate seemed to freeze at 134 bpm. I didn't realize how much I depended on the heart rate display until I was without it. I was finally able to get it to work yesterday during my run. Once I got the heart rate to display the increase in heart rate as I increased the exercise intensity, I was suprised to find how hard I had to work to get my heart rate up past 150 bpm. I had to pretty much sprint for 5 minutes to get my heart rate up to 148 - 151. I sure hope that the reason for why I havm to work, seemingly twice as hard, to get my heart rate up is because I am in better shape. I must admit that I felt pretty good running at the pace (an estimated 7.5 miles/hr) I was and not feeling all that fatigued. Now if only my legs weren't giving me so much trouble.

Please note the new link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwSY01hQths) on the right side of the blog (Transplant Information Links). The video is taken from one of the TV stations that interviewed me a couple months ago after learning that I was training for the Ironman.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Big Race

A mere 42 Kilometers and for my American family and friends 26 miles.
Shouldn't be that difficult. After all, that's a major part of what I have been training for; the most feared part of an Ironman; the Marathon. Not to mention the fact that I had run 10 miles in 1.5 hrs. so I should be able to do 26 miles in at least 3:45.

Race Day:
A balmy overcast 22 degrees celcius, well hydrated with water and energy drink, and armed with enough power gel packs to last me for 4 hrs., I was ready.
10 km in and 55 min. later I was feeling great.
20 km and 1:54 later I was on pace to break my 1/2 Maratnon best and feeling strong.
22 km; what was that twing in my back. Nothing to worry about.
24 km starting to feel the legs a bit but no concerns. Back is fine.
26 km quad muscles are starting to hurt but still optimistic.
28 km after that last down hill starting to wonder if the legs are going to hold up. Starting to walk at water stations.
30 km and 3:05 into race. Decision point; do I have even a hope of beating 4 hrs. with my legs in the condition they are in. Not a chance. Just finish the race.
32 km got to walk. Those hills are brutal.
Just 10 more km. If I can just keep my body in front of me my legs should follow.
8 km; 6 km. What's that I hear behind me. Sounds like a lot of cheering and singing.
I'm dying here and those I passed 10 km back are now passing me. The singing is getting closer.
Don't tell me their going to catch me to. And who is this Bill guy anyway. So what if this is his 10oth Marathon. I'm a Heart Transplant. Shouldn't that warrant some credit?
5 km I'm really thinking I may have to walk the rest of the way.
That's just great, Bill and his gang are passing me. What do you mean are you ok? Of couse I'm not ok. And how can they be singing.
I've got to try and stay with them. 1 more km and the biggest hill to climb. There's no way I'm going to run.
1/2 a km and all down hill. I think I can make it now regardless of how much my legs hurt.
Across the finish line in 4:15. Not exactly what I had envisioned.

Post Race Recovery
Despite attempts to keep moving, rehydrating and eating so as to keep the legs from siezing up it was to no avail not to mention the nauseau. Over the next three days just the simple act of walking would prove to be a challenge.
Within three days the strength to my legs returned although not to the point where I could run but at least to where I could get on the bike again.
The past few days have been a time of reflection and self analysis to determine if I should continue the trek to the Ironman. Could I even imagine finishing a Marathon run after a 180 km ride. Ken (personal trainer) does not seem at all concerned about my conditioning and seemed to imply that the way my legs felt after the Marathon was quite normal and could expect the same results in running the last leg of an Ironman. Not sure if that is comforting or not.
It always amazes me how an experience so quickly becomes a past memory that is soon forgotten once the pain has gone. So I choose to press on knowing that the toughest part of the journey is still ahead.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Do or Die

It's been a couple weeks since I updated my blog. Nothing to exciting to report since the Saint Albert 10 Mile road race. Coach Ken has been increasing my exercise times so I am putting in, on the average, 1:15 per week day either on the bike or the run. He has reduced the run and bike times over the past couple weekends to 1 hr. along with a swim time of 1 hr. (2200 meters). He has however put in an extra run on Mondays which was my day off. You know the saying "Ours is not to question why. Ours is but to do or die."
Last weekend I was allowed to take it a little easier in preparation for a VO2 test that I had today (Monday, May 12). Dr. Mark Haykowski, the Dr. that has been doing all the research on fitness and the transplanted heart, along with coach Ken Riess, wanted to get a accurate reading on where my fitness capacity is at so they have something to compare my VO2 race ready capacity that they will again take just prior to the Ironman. I have really appreciated all they have done for me to ready me for the big event. The test was done at the UofA Hospital in the Cardiac Clinic. Dr. Tymchuck (post transplant cardiologist) was also present in the event that something untoward would happen. If you have never had the privilege of having a VO2 test you are missing something. In layman's terms, a VO2 test determines how far you can push yourself physically before you collapse from complete exhaustion. I wished I had remembered to bring a video camera to capture this wonderful experience.
Going into the test I was somewhat tentative since I had not been feeling well that morning (headache). However, I was determined to do the test and push myself to the breaking point. As a matter of fact I made it very clear that regardless of when I felt I needed to quite they would not let me quit. They would keep me going. For 8 minutes (increments of 2 minutes each) the worked me up from a walk to 7.5 miles/hr. Then in two minute increments for a total of 4 minutes the treadmill was elevated from an incline of 2 to 4 followed by 3 one minute intervals with an incline at each minute mark. A minute and thirty seconds before I actually finished I felt like I couldn't go any further but Ken kept pushing. By the last minute Mark actually had to place his hand on my back to keep me from slipping off the treadmill. In my mind I wanted to keep going but my legs would not let me. In the end my V02 was a disappointing 55 mil/liter of O2 used. I was told that that level was in keeping with elite athletes and that I had not been training (e.g. intervals) to increase my VO2 but was training for endurance. I am still believing that I will reach the infamous 60 mil plateau before the Ironman.
This Sunday I will be running in my first full marathon (26 miles or 42km). I am hoping that I will be able to complete it in under 4 hrs. I understand that the course is difficult in that it is not flat which will be an additional challenge. I also understand that the fastest time posted for a marathon by a heart transplant from Ireland is 3:59. It would be nice to get parts of the run on video but I will likely be doing this one on my own. I will let you know about all the grueling details and time in my next posting.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Those Crazy Canooks

After two weeks of vacationing in Orlando Florida (Disney World and standing in lines for 30 - 60 mins. for a 2.5 minute ride) we returned to a week of + 15 degree celcius weather. It was good to get out on the road for runs and rides.

The 2nd week back the weather took a change for the worse.
On April 16th I took a bike ride outside at -5 degrees celcius. It took 15 minutes to thaw my frozen toes. You ask me why I would ride in -5 degree weather. I blame it on my coach who told me that from now on all training is to be outside. Unfortunately we were not thinking that we were in for another couple weeks of winter with 2 feet of snow and -10 to -20 degree celcius temperatures.

On April 20th, 2008, in -10 degree celcius weather and a windchill factor of -15 degrees celcius, I ran in the St. Albert 10 Mile Road Race with my coach Ken Riess and friend Dan Boonstra. I was one of the 450 plus participants that completed the run in conditions of soft and slippery footing and did it in 1:30. Other than the chills and a sore achiles tendon the day after, I sufffered no adverse side effects.
It was an exhilarating experience and encouraging to see that I could complete a distance race in less than favorable conditions and post a good time to boot.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Oh the Agony but without the defeat.

For those who are old enough to remember there was a program on television called the Wide World of Sports that had a saying "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat". Well I experienced the agony but it was not due to defeat. It has been a while since I have felt the agony of a saddle sore butt, sore feet, and legs.

On Tuesday I received a call from a writer (Nick Lees) for the Edmonton Journal asking me if I would be interested in doing an interview for an article he wanted write on me. Nick interviewed me for 1.5 hrs. and took down a lot of information. The interview and resulting story was a little different than other interviews and stories in that Nick wanted less of the facts surrounding the transplant and life after and more of the feelings and emotions that I experienced in the process. Nick also interviewed Colleen and included some of her thoughts in the article. (View Link under menu item Transplant Information Links "Recipient puts heart to ultimate test")

This past week (April 8-13) has been my first week back from vacation and the first week with weather that was conducive to getting out on the road for riding and running. It was also the week that I think my coach figured it was now time to push my limits and see what this old man's body could do by increasing the time on the bike and run.
My exercise schedule looked something like this:
- Thursday: 1 hr. bike (BT: Criss-cross threshold. Flat course. Warm-up and then
ride 20 minutes in heart rate 4-5a zones. Criss-cross from low 4 to high 5a zone
every 1-2 minutes. 85-100 rpm.)
- Friday: 1 hr. run with a number of 20 sec. pickups. (I was quite sore the next
day)
- Saturday: 1 hr. swim and 2 hr. bike ride (My butt was incredibly sore)
- Sunday: 1:45 hr. run (difficulty walking due to sore feet and legs)

There has been a new discovery by Dr. Mark Haykowski at the University of Alberta that correlates cardiac function with muscle use efficiency in Heart Transplants. When I was in an exercise program for one of Marks research studies I would often mention that I felt like I had plenty of cardiac endurance but my legs seemed to tire. Recent study results by Dr. Mark has shown that the ability of the transplanted heart to provide the necessary blood flow to the large muscle groups (e.g. leg quads) is restricted which explains why my legs tire before I am out of breath. This causes some concern for me in that I don't know how my body will respond to excessive exercise times (e.g. an Ironman of 14+ hrs.).
I have also realized that standing long periods of time (e.g. as when standing in lines for hrs. at Disney World)and sitting on a hard narrow surface (e.g. bike seat) that there is a lot of pain due to the pressure on the bones. I believe that there must be a weakening of the bones although I have not had a bone density scan recently to determine if that is indeed the case.

I guess we will see if my body and bones adjust to the longer rides and runs. If not I will simply have to find a way to deal with the pain.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Back at it

Today I have been recovering to some degree although I did do the prescribed workout of 1 hr. on the bike with 4/3 minute intervals at zone 3 heart rate (140 - 145 bpm).
I think I exceed the heart rate target but didn't have the monitor belt on. For some reason my legs were quite tired which may have been due to the faster than normal 1/2hr. run I did on Thurs. evening.

I am looking forward to a restful night and maybe even sleeping later in the morning (e.g. 7:00 AM).

Then it's to the pool.

Media Blitz

The week of Mar. 2nd was a busy week with Thursday (Mar. 6, 2008) being the busiest day.
A month prior I had been asked by Ken Riess (Coach/professional fitness trainer) if I would do a presentation for a function the Professional Fitness Trainer program was having for their graduating students, practicum hosts, and prospective employers. I agree and a week prior to the event began developing my presentation.

What I didn't realize was that whenever something special was going on at NAIT their Public Relations department would send out an announcement to the media. Before I new it a barrage of media requests (3 Television stations, 1 radio station, and a local city newspaper) were being made to interview me. Over the course of the day I had an early morning live television interview, 3 television interviews and a radio interview on the NAIT campus in the afternoon prior to the presentation, and a newspaper interview following the presentation. it was a great opportunity for me to share the reason (e.g. need for everyone to sign a organ donor card and let their next of kin know) for this Heart Transplants Trek to the Ironman. How much of the actual information shared during the interview was actually shown I do not know. I do trust however that they included the names of individuals and the transplant programs that have been so supportive of me.

The presentation went great, was well received, and resulted in a request from one of the guests to see if I would be willing to speak at a retreat for respiratory and ultrasound technicians. I also received a call from Dr. Mark Haykowski to see if I would consider speaking at a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada function.

Collapse and Recovery

The first full week of exercise resulted in near total collapse. Maybe there were still traces of the new blood pressure medication in my system or maybe it was simply the fact that I was not used putting in the kind of time that Ken had scheduled for the week.
I was doing fine after 4 days (Tues. - Friday) of 1 hr. plus training. Then came the swim on Saturday morning (2100 m). Although I felt that my blood pressure was high during the swim and that my neck and shoulders were really tense, I felt fine after the swim, at least until about 6 hrs. later when I finally had time to sit down and relax. It was then that had this general feeling of muscle fatigue similar to what I had felt prior to the heart transplant. The only way I can describe it so others can get a sense of what it feels like is when you are sitting in cramped quarters for a long time and you have no place to stretch your legs.
This feeling of unrest and general unwellness lasted right through till Tuesday just in time to start another week of exercise.
It has been two weeks now and I have not had any other bouts. However, I have not been back in the swimming pool as of yet but plan to do the swim (2200 m) again tomorrow.
I'll let you know how it turns out.

Road to Recovery

Following that nasty respiratory flu I had in Jan./Feb. 2008, I continued to have respiratory issues till the end of Feb. I also had a couple weeks where my blood pressure had become quite high (156/95). I thought that maybe it was the fact that the new eye drops I was using was made up of cyclosporin but one of my cardiologists didn't think that such small traces of the drug would have that kind of impact. I was prescribed an additional blood pressure drug that I started taking each evening. I was warned about the side effects (e.g. dryness of the mouth along with a dry cough for a small percentage of the population). Wouldn't you know it, I experienced both side effects and would wake up in the night either coughing or needing a drink of water. I must say though that the drug did the job and my blood pressure dropped to a point that was lower than it had ever been since the transplant. Problem was that because of the lower blood pressure I didn't have the same level of energy I had before.
I had to make a decision, should I stop taking the additional blood pressure pill and just see if my blood pressure would stay within an acceptable range, or should I keep taking the pill and see if my body would adjust to the drug (e.g. enough energy to train). I decided it would be better to ask forgiveness than permission so I dropped the pill but made sure that I monitored my blood pressure each morning. The result was that the pressures were within reason and even lower than what they had been, on the average, before taking the pill. My energy levels started coming back and I was able to get back into a regular training regimen again.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Training Progress Jan./Feb. 2008

Training over the past couple months has been a real challenge.
For most of January I was either coming down with a flu virus that hit my family and coworkers, or was fighting through the virus.
Wed. Jan. 23rd I finally admitted that I had the flu with symptoms of fatigue and aches and pains throughout my entire body. As it was, I only stayed home from work on the Thursday and even then worked from home since I had to prepare for a trip out to Surrey on Sunday, January 27th to deliver training. Over the next 3 days I continued putting in overtime to prepare for the training all the while struggling with the respiratory flu virus that had hit me. By the time Sunday rolled around I was still not feeling well but flew out to Surrey anyway. It wasn't until Monday morning that the aches and pains started to subside and by the last day of training that I started feeling like I could start getting back into exercising.

On return from the Surrey training, my coach (Ken Riess) was kind enough to slowly work me back into an exercise regimen. It took about two weeks, after a number of massages that my wife forced me into, before I felt that my body was adjusting to the demands of additional exercise load.
This past week (Feb. 18 - 22) I have finally been able to complete the exercise times that have been scheduled.
My training schedule for the week included:
- Tuesday:Bike 1:30
- Wednesday:Run 1:00
- Thursday:Bike 1:15
- Friday:Run 1:20 (40 minutes at 144bmp)
- Saturday:Bike 1:15 & Swim 1:00
- Sunday:Run 1:30

There have been a number of new and exciting opportunities for me to share my Trek to the Ironman. I was approached by Sheryl Hansen from Nait (Technical College) to be the keynote speaker for a couple events they are hosting. One for graduates from the Personal Trainer program and one for their inservice in May. I also met with the Public Relations director for the Mazenkowski Heart Institute in Edmonton and shared my story with her and to let her know that if they needed a special interest story to help raise awareness of the institute and heart work/research the institute will be doing, I would be available.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Trek to the Ironman


My trek to the Ironman started in 2004 when I was asked to participate in a research study conducted by Dr. Mark Haykowski at the University of Alberta. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of exercise on the transplanted heart. The theory was that there is some reinervation of the transplanted heart (i.e. a transplants heart rate x-number of years post transplant responds the same as a non-transplanted heart does with exercise). When asked to participate I agreed on the condition that one of the Graduate students (Ken Riess triathlete) would train me to run a triathlon following the study. Going into the study my VO2 was tested at 46 or 47 mil/kg/min. On completion of the 16 week exercise program there was proof that there was some reinervation of the transplanted Heart. My VO2 max had incresed 30% to 59 mil/kg/min. It was at this point that I began to believe that I could some day become the first Heart Transplant to complete an Ironman.
In 2004 I rode the bike leg (90 km) of the Great White North 1/2 Ironman. I also ran a 1/2 marathon.
In 2005 I completed a sprint triathlon, and olympic distance triathlon.
In 2006 I completed a sprint triathlon, olympic distance triathlon, and 1/2 Ironman.
In 2007 I completed a sprint triathlon and an olympic distance triathlon but got sick just before the Chinook 1/2 Ironman that I was registered for and was not prepared to participate.
In August 2007 I took a trip to Penticton British Columbia Canada Suburu Canada Ironman where I registered for the 2008 Ironman.
It is at this point that I decided to publicize my trek to the Ironman not for my own benefit but to raise awareness of the need for Organ and Tissue donations.

My Story

What stories inspire men to dream and more importantly inspire them to achieve their own dreams? Are the stories that attract and inspire men so exceptional and so far beyond the grasp of human ability that men can only dream without the hope of ever achieving?

It has been said that exceptional men are simply common men that find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Every day men all over the world (e.g. military personnel) find themselves in situations where they must either perform beyond their physical, emotional, and mental abilities, or die. Few men willing put themselves in situations where death, for the purpose of proving themselves extraordinary, is imminent.

What makes this story different than all the other stories of human will, faith, desire, determination, perseverance, strength, survival etc.
Why would anyone want to read my story? Is it any different than a 100,000 other stories of men that have overcome the odds in order to achieve their dreams. Maybe what makes a story unique and inspiring is not so much what was done in the face of overwhelming odds but the why and how any man, finding themselves in the same set of circumstances, has the potential within them self of achieving the same success.

It is my hope and prayer that my story will inspire people to not only dream but more importantly make their dreams a reality. It is faith in action that results in greater faith and action.


What did I do to deserve this?

I must have done something terribly wrong to deserve what happened to me on August 4, 1986 and which I have now had to live with for the past 21 yrs.
What did I do to deserve such a fate?
Was I abusive to my body?
Was I abusive to my wife?
Was I an evil man that God decided to punish?

A better question might be why not me?
I was no different than any other North American male. You will have to forgive me for labeling males in the same category of what I would describe as the typical North American male. I was egocentric in that all I wanted to do was enjoy life even if it meant taking time away from my wife of 3 yrs. so I could do those things that would provide the most excitement and self fulfillment in life. Week nights I was either, catching up on work, playing community league sports, or watching sports. Weekends, I was either, water skiing, playing football, camping, or playing golf. There was very little time for much else. Of course where I could I included my wife (Colleen) and those students I taught. Although I was not a partier in that I did not smoke or drink, I had an addiction to busyness and sport. Unless someone, or something, was to slow me down my life as a husband and future father was headed toward disaster. Then it happened.


What Happened?

In April of 1986 I came down with what I thought to be the flu. I had all the flu symptoms plus a few besides (e.g. aches, pains, nausea, migraines, fatigue to the point where I didn’t have enough energy to brush my teeth, lack of appetite, constant thirst). Common flu symptoms right? What I couldn’t figure out was why it was taking so long to get rid of this flu bug. Besides that when I laid down at night to sleep I felt as though I was suffocating and ended up having to sleep sitting up. After a couple weeks of nagging from Colleen I had finally had enough and went to the doctor. A doctor’s examination proved Dr. Dwight’s prognosis, as suggested to Colleen, was right, there was nothing wrong. However, the doctor did say that if I had difficulty sleeping that the evening I was to come in the next day for a chest x-ray and further tests. Wouldn’t you know it I ended up in the doctor’s office the next day. Upon further examination Colleen and I were called in for a private consultation with the doctor where he shared that there was something wrong with my heart. My response was “either fix it or just tell me what I need to take or do to fix it”. After all I was a fit and active 26 yr. old with a belief that all problems have solutions. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite that simple.

After being admitted to the Hospital and having two cardiologists provide their diagnosis of the situation I was given the news that no person wants to ever hear; your condition is terminal and there is nothing that can be done to reverse it. You will not live beyond your 28th birthday. If you have ever felt total hopelessness where you suddenly realized that there is nothing humanly possible that can be done; that was the feeling I felt for two days. If you have never had a sense of real hopelessness, I liken it to being dropped off, by your parents, at a camp where you don’t know anyone and the resulting feeling of loneliness that is felt in the pit of your stomach.

After a couple of days I had come to terms with the fact that I had a very short time to live and was ready to make the best of it. Knowing and sensing that there were hundreds of people praying for me throughout North America resulted in a peace that could only be described as the hand of God. My faith was still in tact believing that whether God wanted to take me or spare my life was ok with me. Then one morning the Cardiologists paid me another visit where they suggested that I consider a treatment that could result in adding years to my life. How many years they could not tell me. When I heard their suggestion I thought they were crazy. Why would I consider such a ludicrous option. Their suggestion was something that only happened in science fiction and horror movies. The cardiologists still encouraged me to consider the option and take a trip down to Tucson Az. where, at the Tucson Medical Center Hospital, they were performing, what in my opinion, was experimental research on human subjects. Who could imagine, 21 yrs. ago, that doctors were actually taking out a live people’s hearts and putting in dead people’s hearts. In any case since we were living in Phoenix at the time we would make the trip and meet with the people that were performing these “experimental” procedures.

When we met with the transplant team coordinator I made it clear from the start that I had no intention of agreeing to such a procedure unless they could prove to me that I would have every opportunity to live a normal live. Of course normal to me was the ability to do all that I had ever done before the transplant. They assured me that I would and showed me pictures of a transplant recipient that was doing triathlons. It seemed us that we were being given a lot of attention but didn’t give it much thought at the time. We were introduced to the head transplant surgeon (world renown Dr. Copeland) and other transplant recipients that were doing well. We were strongly encouraged to consider the option of a heart transplant and at least go through the “work-up” to determine if I would qualify as a candidate. We went back to Phoenix still believing that transplantation was not an option and that we would simply trust God to work things out. Over the next week after discussions with Colleen and continued deterioration of my health Colleen checked with the insurance carrier for her group plan and miraculously found that they had just determined transplantation to be clinical and would cover the entire down payment and transplantation costs. This was confirmation to us that we should go ahead with the work-up. The results of the work-up were, on the positive side, that I was a good candidate however the bad news was that it was estimated that my condition was more serious than first thought and had only 2 months to live.

To make a longer story shorter, with lots of patience, faith and prayer I received the call that a heart had been donated and was given new life 4 days short of 2 months on August 4th, 1986. Over the past 21 yrs. there have been many challenges as well as blessings. Colleen and I have 3 healthy boys, which we were told was a real miracle since there were issues around the effects of the medications on our ability to have children. All three boys have grown to be fine young men with whom I enjoy many outdoor and sporting activities. Colleen has been a tower of strength through all this and continues to show great patience and love for me during those times when I am moody and irritable. For the past 3 yrs. I have been training and running triathlons with a life goal to be the first Heart transplant to complete the Ironman which I hope to be realized August 24th, 2008.

Why the longevity?

What do I attribute my longevity as a Heart Transplant to:
· A faithful, loving God and family
· The transplant team of the University of Alberta that has taken care of me for 20 out of the 21 years post transplant.
· Dr. Mark Haykowski friend and researcher of the effects of exercise on the transplanted heart.
· Ken Riess friend and triathlon coach who inspires me to push the limits of a Heart Transplants physical fitness.
· GoodHearts Mentoring Foundation members that inspire me, in spite of the physical challenges they face, through their perseverance, determination, and desire to live healthy and productive lives.
· The organizations that promote donor awareness and support my efforts in becoming an Ironman.
Without these people in my life I would not be alive today let alone training and believing that I have the ability to complete an Ironman.


Final Questions

Two final question remain to be answered.

What motivates me to keep pressing on?

Does a Heart Transplant recipient have the ability to meet the requirements of both a physically and psychologically demanding exercise program in preparation for and completion of an Ironman event?