1 00:00:02,499 --> 00:00:05,062 You're listening to the running around Charlotte podcast 2 00:00:05,276 --> 00:00:07,180 presented by the Health Charlotte Marathon. 3 00:00:07,673 --> 00:00:09,903 1 day 5 events with a race day 4 00:00:09,903 --> 00:00:12,531 distance for every goal and pace. Find out 5 00:00:12,531 --> 00:00:15,239 more or register at run charlotte dot com. 6 00:00:16,767 --> 00:00:18,677 The running around Charlotte Podcast is brought to 7 00:00:18,677 --> 00:00:21,382 you by our partners at Nova Health Orthopedic. 8 00:00:21,939 --> 00:00:23,690 Runners like you are always on the move. 9 00:00:24,023 --> 00:00:26,171 Twisted ankles and broken bones can't wait, and 10 00:00:26,171 --> 00:00:28,559 neither should you. Nova Health offers walk in 11 00:00:28,559 --> 00:00:30,946 appointments and same day care at select orthopedic 12 00:00:30,946 --> 00:00:32,776 clinics to help you get back on pace. 13 00:00:33,348 --> 00:00:36,054 Visit nova health dot org slash ortho now 14 00:00:36,054 --> 00:00:36,771 to learn more. 15 00:00:37,646 --> 00:00:39,238 Now, here are your hosts for the running 16 00:00:39,238 --> 00:00:40,193 around Charlotte podcast, 17 00:00:40,750 --> 00:00:42,581 Tim Rhodes and Dc case. 18 00:00:46,017 --> 00:00:48,643 Welcome to the running around Charlotte Podcast presented 19 00:00:48,643 --> 00:00:51,680 by Nova Health ortho Pe and sports medicine. 20 00:00:52,157 --> 00:00:54,224 Today, we have an incredible guest who em 21 00:00:54,224 --> 00:00:55,916 embark the spirit of perseverance 22 00:00:56,688 --> 00:00:59,604 and the power of the human heart, quite 23 00:00:59,804 --> 00:01:02,432 literally the human heart derek Lin, a man 24 00:01:02,432 --> 00:01:04,980 who ran a hundred and 14 marathons with 25 00:01:04,980 --> 00:01:06,095 his original heart, 26 00:01:07,051 --> 00:01:09,936 received a heart transplant in... 23, and now 27 00:01:09,936 --> 00:01:12,251 dreams of running another marathon with his new 28 00:01:12,251 --> 00:01:14,646 heart. Derek Story is 1 of courage, 29 00:01:15,444 --> 00:01:16,743 determination and the miraculous 30 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:18,749 intersection of medical science 31 00:01:19,121 --> 00:01:20,469 and the human spirit. 32 00:01:21,024 --> 00:01:22,689 Derek, welcome to the show. How are you 33 00:01:22,689 --> 00:01:24,512 doing today? I appreciate it. I feel good. 34 00:01:24,671 --> 00:01:26,377 Feel good today. She'll go 35 00:01:26,913 --> 00:01:28,210 good, man. That's always 36 00:01:28,587 --> 00:01:29,384 here. That's. 37 00:01:30,818 --> 00:01:31,376 Beer j. 38 00:01:32,013 --> 00:01:32,173 I, 39 00:01:33,144 --> 00:01:35,385 personally have not heard your story. So I'm 40 00:01:35,465 --> 00:01:37,465 I'm like most of the listeners here. 41 00:01:38,344 --> 00:01:40,104 Let's start from the beginning. Can you take 42 00:01:40,104 --> 00:01:43,147 us through the moment you first realized something 43 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:44,522 was wrong with your heart 44 00:01:45,136 --> 00:01:47,045 despite being such an accomplished athlete. 45 00:01:48,574 --> 00:01:50,491 03/03/2018, 46 00:01:51,210 --> 00:01:52,909 finished a 20 mile run and 47 00:01:54,326 --> 00:01:55,125 you know, dizzy, 48 00:01:55,938 --> 00:01:57,762 slur speech stuff like that, and I brought 49 00:01:57,762 --> 00:01:59,214 myself into the, and 50 00:02:00,221 --> 00:02:01,489 That was it. I didn't realize I was 51 00:02:01,489 --> 00:02:03,075 already in heart failure. I was still racing 52 00:02:03,075 --> 00:02:05,004 and I I did Boss in a couple 53 00:02:05,004 --> 00:02:07,084 years earlier and whatnot, and, you know, getting 54 00:02:07,084 --> 00:02:08,844 slower, you know, getting so, but I thought 55 00:02:08,844 --> 00:02:10,844 with age, Yeah. You know, trade us, you 56 00:02:10,844 --> 00:02:11,084 know all them. 57 00:02:12,055 --> 00:02:13,564 It was it was heart failure, and I 58 00:02:13,564 --> 00:02:14,596 was already at that point. 59 00:02:15,390 --> 00:02:17,535 Just say it was heart function about 23 60 00:02:17,535 --> 00:02:17,773 percent. 61 00:02:18,567 --> 00:02:18,726 What? 62 00:02:19,934 --> 00:02:21,290 I I didn't I didn't notice. 63 00:02:22,088 --> 00:02:23,604 I I mean, I guess I... You know 64 00:02:23,604 --> 00:02:25,838 in hindsight I did. Yeah. But you didn't 65 00:02:25,838 --> 00:02:26,716 realize much... 66 00:02:27,530 --> 00:02:28,969 I didn't know what it was. Yeah. It 67 00:02:28,969 --> 00:02:30,889 just test after test just kept showing. 68 00:02:32,169 --> 00:02:34,330 You know, In Idiot and, you know, the 69 00:02:34,330 --> 00:02:36,009 those first few months were tough, you know? 70 00:02:36,169 --> 00:02:37,937 Because I was I was kind of that 71 00:02:37,937 --> 00:02:39,207 guy, you know I was coaching a big 72 00:02:39,207 --> 00:02:41,586 group and, you know, running and and whatnot, 73 00:02:41,745 --> 00:02:42,935 and then all of a sudden, it seemed 74 00:02:42,935 --> 00:02:43,411 like my... 75 00:02:44,379 --> 00:02:45,496 I lost my identity. 76 00:02:47,410 --> 00:02:48,925 You know, I was I was a runner 77 00:02:48,925 --> 00:02:50,839 and next, you know, I I wasn't. You 78 00:02:50,839 --> 00:02:52,435 know, just as quick as I... You just 79 00:02:52,435 --> 00:02:54,164 run 20 miles, and it's a 80 00:02:54,764 --> 00:02:56,944 I it was 21 that morning. Yeah. Probably 81 00:02:57,084 --> 00:02:59,245 a mirror call that you survived that run. 82 00:03:00,844 --> 00:03:03,012 Well, you know what At, you at end 83 00:03:03,012 --> 00:03:05,558 any point I could have died. You know 84 00:03:05,558 --> 00:03:07,069 what? A a couple months later, I got 85 00:03:07,069 --> 00:03:08,501 a pacemaker def, which... 86 00:03:09,152 --> 00:03:11,777 Honestly, in 20 21 and 20 22, went 87 00:03:11,777 --> 00:03:13,232 off. I died twice 88 00:03:13,925 --> 00:03:16,246 once playing basketball probably probably shouldn't have been 89 00:03:16,246 --> 00:03:18,017 doing that. You on and 90 00:03:18,788 --> 00:03:20,694 fully can. And then, on the treadmill in 91 00:03:20,694 --> 00:03:23,474 20 22 we're I basically died running and 92 00:03:23,474 --> 00:03:24,997 it shouldn't you know, fell off the treadmill 93 00:03:24,997 --> 00:03:26,845 mountain and zap me back to life. So 94 00:03:27,456 --> 00:03:29,915 you know, Tough tough deal. That that 20 95 00:03:29,915 --> 00:03:31,977 20... 20 22 fall was a tough 1. 96 00:03:32,468 --> 00:03:34,765 You know, the treadmill. So. I've been but 97 00:03:34,765 --> 00:03:37,063 I not a hurt too. Yeah Not just 98 00:03:37,063 --> 00:03:39,044 like, not nines 9 staples in the back 99 00:03:39,044 --> 00:03:40,250 of the head, all white. 100 00:03:40,965 --> 00:03:42,874 Yeah. Pretty I don't I don't remember any 101 00:03:42,874 --> 00:03:44,066 of that. You know, I just went out 102 00:03:44,066 --> 00:03:46,213 on the treadmill and, you know, woke up 103 00:03:46,213 --> 00:03:47,485 and a, you know, pool of blood, but... 104 00:03:47,900 --> 00:03:49,500 I have pictures if you wanna a stone. 105 00:03:50,299 --> 00:03:52,060 I put him in the show. Actually, I 106 00:03:52,060 --> 00:03:53,280 do, but I won't share 107 00:03:53,659 --> 00:03:56,633 don't share those pictures. Oh, my. So and 108 00:03:56,633 --> 00:03:57,671 this is 1 of things... It's like I 109 00:03:57,830 --> 00:03:59,506 I... This is our first time meeting, and, 110 00:03:59,985 --> 00:04:02,299 obviously, Have read about your story, and I 111 00:04:02,299 --> 00:04:02,538 was say, 112 00:04:04,305 --> 00:04:05,969 did he not... I mean, are you 1 113 00:04:05,969 --> 00:04:07,474 of those guys? Who's was, like, man, I'm 114 00:04:07,474 --> 00:04:09,059 not going to the doctor. I'm I'm cool. 115 00:04:09,218 --> 00:04:11,374 I'm a runner. I'm not cool. Like, the 116 00:04:11,374 --> 00:04:13,532 funds, but cool, like, I'm good. I don't 117 00:04:13,532 --> 00:04:15,050 need to go to the doctor because I'm 118 00:04:15,050 --> 00:04:17,627 keeping my own health up, or did your 119 00:04:18,006 --> 00:04:20,898 physician your, you know, Gp just miss all 120 00:04:20,898 --> 00:04:22,336 this and all of a sudden, holy crap. 121 00:04:22,496 --> 00:04:24,654 There it is. III 122 00:04:24,654 --> 00:04:26,571 bet I went honestly, I I bet I 123 00:04:26,571 --> 00:04:27,930 went 25 years without. 124 00:04:28,582 --> 00:04:29,853 I I just never had a reason to 125 00:04:29,853 --> 00:04:31,283 go. I just see. I'm a runner. I'm 126 00:04:31,283 --> 00:04:33,586 healthy. I'm running well. You know, those number 127 00:04:33,586 --> 00:04:34,380 of years. Right. I just... 128 00:04:35,333 --> 00:04:37,819 Everything's great. Feel great and running well. So 129 00:04:38,687 --> 00:04:40,123 And I just I just never went In. 130 00:04:40,203 --> 00:04:41,559 And maybe they would have caught something. Maybe 131 00:04:41,559 --> 00:04:42,595 they wouldn't... Know if I would've have probably 132 00:04:42,595 --> 00:04:44,669 had have done a a stress test or 133 00:04:44,669 --> 00:04:45,626 something for them to. 134 00:04:46,264 --> 00:04:47,881 You know, caught something, but 135 00:04:48,352 --> 00:04:50,976 you know, I'm, They... You know, it had 136 00:04:51,055 --> 00:04:53,361 I not gone in that March of 20 137 00:04:53,361 --> 00:04:55,110 18. You're right. I probably would have... 138 00:04:56,239 --> 00:04:57,617 Just chalk up to 139 00:04:57,995 --> 00:04:59,670 getting fat out of shape old, you know, 140 00:04:59,750 --> 00:05:01,506 whatever it was and something would happened. And... 141 00:05:01,825 --> 00:05:03,341 Oh, that derek. He was such a nice 142 00:05:03,341 --> 00:05:05,345 boy. You know, kinda thing for me. 143 00:05:06,695 --> 00:05:07,410 You know? So... 144 00:05:08,204 --> 00:05:09,555 So what what what do they tell you? 145 00:05:09,714 --> 00:05:11,461 They're like, alright. You you got heart failure. 146 00:05:11,699 --> 00:05:12,914 You're gonna put in a 147 00:05:13,685 --> 00:05:14,519 kinda pacemaker 148 00:05:14,898 --> 00:05:15,877 and a def, 149 00:05:16,736 --> 00:05:17,236 and 150 00:05:18,014 --> 00:05:18,514 and, 151 00:05:19,053 --> 00:05:21,210 I would assume at that point. They also 152 00:05:21,210 --> 00:05:22,982 told you dude, you... You're gonna have to 153 00:05:22,982 --> 00:05:24,978 have a heart transplant. So we're gonna put 154 00:05:24,978 --> 00:05:26,116 you on a list 155 00:05:26,574 --> 00:05:27,074 and 156 00:05:28,490 --> 00:05:30,406 see what happens. I mean, that... That's just 157 00:05:30,406 --> 00:05:33,205 really waiting list. Right? It waiting is the 158 00:05:33,205 --> 00:05:33,840 operative word. 159 00:05:34,793 --> 00:05:36,936 So interesting in that because I was so 160 00:05:36,936 --> 00:05:38,975 fit. I wasn't put on the list. List 161 00:05:39,094 --> 00:05:40,999 So the heart to say was at 20 162 00:05:40,999 --> 00:05:42,904 percent or whatever. But my V 2 Max 163 00:05:42,904 --> 00:05:44,016 was still in the forties. 164 00:05:44,810 --> 00:05:46,556 So there's numbers, you know, they have multi 165 00:05:46,556 --> 00:05:47,747 these sets of numbers that have to... 166 00:05:48,557 --> 00:05:50,068 You know, be bad. I guess, before he 167 00:05:50,068 --> 00:05:51,523 can be on a list, and I wasn't 168 00:05:51,898 --> 00:05:53,330 bad enough wasn't sick enough. 169 00:05:54,125 --> 00:05:55,637 I was still getting around fine. You know, 170 00:05:55,876 --> 00:05:57,562 I still living life, you know the way 171 00:05:57,562 --> 00:05:59,393 it wasn't and stuff. And so I wasn't 172 00:05:59,393 --> 00:06:00,588 put on the list until, 173 00:06:01,225 --> 00:06:02,658 March of 20 23. 174 00:06:03,136 --> 00:06:05,069 Wow. So I lived all those years 175 00:06:05,859 --> 00:06:07,376 just watching myself decline, 176 00:06:08,094 --> 00:06:09,531 you know, and not running much, you know 177 00:06:09,611 --> 00:06:10,809 I try to race every now and then, 178 00:06:10,888 --> 00:06:12,485 which... I mean, Had to keep my heart 179 00:06:12,485 --> 00:06:14,321 rate under 01:40 or 01:50. So It's was 180 00:06:14,321 --> 00:06:16,747 hard to you know, hard to raise, but, 181 00:06:16,883 --> 00:06:18,712 you know, it's just hard hard to not 182 00:06:18,712 --> 00:06:21,120 to. You know, it did not race. And, 183 00:06:21,495 --> 00:06:22,528 you know, and once I was put on 184 00:06:22,528 --> 00:06:22,926 the list, 185 00:06:23,498 --> 00:06:25,093 last March, I was placed at at a 186 00:06:25,093 --> 00:06:27,166 level 6, which is the lowest and by 187 00:06:27,325 --> 00:06:28,862 June, I was a 4 and 188 00:06:29,717 --> 00:06:31,152 October, they kept me. And at that point, 189 00:06:31,312 --> 00:06:33,903 I had a heart function of 6. Good 190 00:06:34,042 --> 00:06:34,442 grief. 191 00:06:35,321 --> 00:06:36,680 Yeah. So I don't know how... 192 00:06:38,677 --> 00:06:39,956 And and I gotta be honest. I didn't 193 00:06:39,956 --> 00:06:41,575 feel bad. I mean, I was still 194 00:06:42,125 --> 00:06:44,503 playing basketball. He good. Wow, I was a 195 00:06:44,503 --> 00:06:46,327 shit. I run around the treadmill. But I 196 00:06:46,327 --> 00:06:48,229 was still. I... I still get on the 197 00:06:48,229 --> 00:06:49,046 treadmill and 198 00:06:49,514 --> 00:06:51,194 walk, maybe a little jogging and stuff, just 199 00:06:51,194 --> 00:06:53,754 watching my heart rate. Yeah. But, yeah. They 200 00:06:53,754 --> 00:06:55,274 yeah, they brought me in for just a 201 00:06:55,274 --> 00:06:56,334 routine test on 202 00:06:57,209 --> 00:06:59,287 October seventeenth. Last fall, and they just kept 203 00:06:59,287 --> 00:07:01,284 me, you know, and they I installed some 204 00:07:01,284 --> 00:07:03,921 crazy pump, which kept me in the Icu 205 00:07:03,921 --> 00:07:06,254 until I found a heart. So Yeah. Yeah. 206 00:07:07,293 --> 00:07:09,211 Just a just a crazy story. It's been 207 00:07:09,211 --> 00:07:09,950 a crazy 208 00:07:10,489 --> 00:07:13,046 crazy life and of all the things I 209 00:07:13,046 --> 00:07:14,085 thought that would happen to me. 210 00:07:14,979 --> 00:07:16,255 Would be the last thing. It be the 211 00:07:16,255 --> 00:07:18,568 heart because I took such good care. You 212 00:07:18,568 --> 00:07:20,242 know, I thought of of my body and 213 00:07:20,242 --> 00:07:21,699 stuff, and I just caught a virus 214 00:07:22,475 --> 00:07:24,012 at some point could have been 215 00:07:24,959 --> 00:07:27,257 10:15 years ago, who knows? Yeah. I'm just 216 00:07:27,257 --> 00:07:30,586 8 away and so... I'm... I... I've always 217 00:07:30,586 --> 00:07:31,086 personally 218 00:07:32,269 --> 00:07:35,006 fascinated by transplant stories 219 00:07:35,784 --> 00:07:36,284 because 220 00:07:36,903 --> 00:07:39,871 the sad thing is, someone has to pass 221 00:07:39,871 --> 00:07:41,323 away in order for you 222 00:07:41,696 --> 00:07:44,475 to survive. Right? And so... Correct. Like, do 223 00:07:44,475 --> 00:07:47,149 you do you have a connection to the 224 00:07:47,348 --> 00:07:48,087 the person 225 00:07:49,495 --> 00:07:51,960 that donated the heart and have you met 226 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:53,948 the family or there's just no. It was 227 00:07:53,948 --> 00:07:55,793 just... That'll be up to them. Yeah. Okay. 228 00:07:56,032 --> 00:07:57,788 So it's it's up to the donor family 229 00:07:57,788 --> 00:07:59,942 too. And and we're... You know, my wife 230 00:07:59,942 --> 00:08:01,776 and our out there on social media. So 231 00:08:01,776 --> 00:08:01,936 if... 232 00:08:03,227 --> 00:08:04,983 They can contact us. Anybody can contact us 233 00:08:04,983 --> 00:08:06,179 at any point, you know, And we do 234 00:08:06,179 --> 00:08:07,695 a lot of talks and stuff like that 235 00:08:07,695 --> 00:08:09,291 about the story and whatnot. Sure. 236 00:08:10,023 --> 00:08:11,458 I man, and I hope they do. We 237 00:08:11,458 --> 00:08:13,053 were at a race. I did A5K. 238 00:08:14,089 --> 00:08:15,524 Yeah. Wanted to call it Run. You know 239 00:08:15,683 --> 00:08:17,278 Gotta just a kind of a a walk 240 00:08:17,278 --> 00:08:18,568 kind of thing a few months. Ago and 241 00:08:18,568 --> 00:08:19,764 we were able was to donate life race. 242 00:08:20,082 --> 00:08:22,075 Yeah. And there was a woman there with... 243 00:08:22,234 --> 00:08:24,147 And we only talked with her She license 244 00:08:24,147 --> 00:08:25,980 donate life, license plates on her car to 245 00:08:25,980 --> 00:08:27,754 go whatever. And then these are my parents. 246 00:08:28,074 --> 00:08:29,995 She introduced her parents whatever. And these are 247 00:08:29,995 --> 00:08:30,495 my 248 00:08:30,795 --> 00:08:32,075 my donor parents. 249 00:08:32,634 --> 00:08:34,794 So she traveled to races with her parents. 250 00:08:34,969 --> 00:08:37,198 And her daughter's parent. Wow. Oh my gosh. 251 00:08:37,357 --> 00:08:39,665 That it's like, the. Like, the coolest thing, 252 00:08:39,824 --> 00:08:41,496 you know, and just... You know, I think 253 00:08:41,496 --> 00:08:42,553 that's just something that 254 00:08:43,023 --> 00:08:45,509 you know, everybody, you know, every recipient wishes 255 00:08:45,723 --> 00:08:47,471 you know, they'd have. But a, you know, 256 00:08:47,550 --> 00:08:49,695 in in reality, I think it's less than 257 00:08:49,695 --> 00:08:50,830 30 percent of 258 00:08:51,458 --> 00:08:54,012 of donors contact, the recipients, you know? So 259 00:08:54,012 --> 00:08:54,411 it's not... 260 00:08:55,129 --> 00:08:56,485 Yeah. IIIA 261 00:08:56,485 --> 00:08:58,081 number that I I thought that number would 262 00:08:58,081 --> 00:09:00,007 be. Would be higher. I I would have 263 00:09:00,007 --> 00:09:01,439 as well if somebody and said what do 264 00:09:01,439 --> 00:09:02,951 you think odds? I would've have said, probably 265 00:09:02,951 --> 00:09:04,622 like 70 because it's like, I would wanna 266 00:09:04,622 --> 00:09:07,029 see here that, you know, carry on like, 267 00:09:07,190 --> 00:09:09,450 I see the good that came from whatever 268 00:09:10,070 --> 00:09:11,990 situation rail. Because I... And I think it 269 00:09:11,990 --> 00:09:13,350 was received either you or your wife, 270 00:09:14,070 --> 00:09:15,050 mentioned in that article 271 00:09:15,523 --> 00:09:16,800 that I read or 1 of them I 272 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:17,439 read that said, 273 00:09:19,354 --> 00:09:20,630 it's generally somebody young. 274 00:09:21,588 --> 00:09:25,352 Right? That's that's right, donor. And there's Right 275 00:09:25,352 --> 00:09:28,383 generally, you know, not a positive story that 276 00:09:28,383 --> 00:09:30,856 resulted in this donation, but this is a 277 00:09:30,856 --> 00:09:33,742 spin to make it so. And Yeah. I 278 00:09:33,742 --> 00:09:36,053 think that's probably incredible for, you know, somebody 279 00:09:36,053 --> 00:09:37,726 to be able to close that loop. But 280 00:09:37,726 --> 00:09:39,320 now, you... You say you're on... 281 00:09:41,089 --> 00:09:42,845 The other thing that struck me was, and 282 00:09:43,004 --> 00:09:44,760 I believe this... You you quote in the 283 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:45,398 in the article said, 284 00:09:46,914 --> 00:09:48,511 those first couple of weeks were really ugly. 285 00:09:49,163 --> 00:09:49,663 After. 286 00:09:50,753 --> 00:09:52,184 You know what This funny. You're you know? 287 00:09:52,342 --> 00:09:53,455 So why I had the surgery, it wasn't 288 00:09:53,455 --> 00:09:55,545 so bad. I was in Icu just say 289 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:57,350 6 days or 7 days or whatever they 290 00:09:57,350 --> 00:09:59,037 moved me to when And when they move 291 00:09:59,037 --> 00:10:00,474 to that, like, I don't know what they 292 00:10:00,474 --> 00:10:01,990 call it, like, a step, like, a step 293 00:10:01,990 --> 00:10:03,586 down room from ice icu. Step down you 294 00:10:03,586 --> 00:10:05,182 unit. I just wanna go home. I just 295 00:10:05,182 --> 00:10:07,425 wanted to... You know? So I pushed hard 296 00:10:07,425 --> 00:10:08,776 and I think I was the hospital for... 297 00:10:09,490 --> 00:10:11,238 I don't, Let's say 11 days or whatever. 298 00:10:11,397 --> 00:10:13,065 Yeah. I should have stay a few more 299 00:10:13,065 --> 00:10:15,210 days, because those was first couple weeks at 300 00:10:15,210 --> 00:10:16,417 the house for judge. 301 00:10:16,973 --> 00:10:18,960 They were all. They were awful. They were 302 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:20,550 just sitting, you know, sleeping in the chair. 303 00:10:20,708 --> 00:10:22,854 I couldn't walk up and downstairs, and, you 304 00:10:22,854 --> 00:10:24,937 know, they don't they don't sew you anymore. 305 00:10:25,096 --> 00:10:26,527 You know, they don't... Whatever. So it's just 306 00:10:26,527 --> 00:10:28,674 glued together. So she had be really careful 307 00:10:28,674 --> 00:10:29,174 on 308 00:10:29,628 --> 00:10:31,378 how you move and stuff, and it was 309 00:10:31,378 --> 00:10:32,809 it was a tough deal. Yeah. You know, 310 00:10:32,889 --> 00:10:34,655 on that. But day by day, you know, 311 00:10:34,735 --> 00:10:35,235 it's, 312 00:10:36,248 --> 00:10:38,319 walking more steps and, you know, next thing 313 00:10:38,319 --> 00:10:39,456 you know I'm out there walking 314 00:10:40,071 --> 00:10:42,722 5 miles and biking and stuff. So 315 00:10:43,111 --> 00:10:44,381 So, you know, and, you know, now it's 316 00:10:44,381 --> 00:10:46,760 at that point where, like, yesterday, I ran 317 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,426 walked for, you'll say an hour and a 318 00:10:48,426 --> 00:10:48,823 half, and... 319 00:10:49,949 --> 00:10:51,459 I I feel great. You know, and you 320 00:10:51,459 --> 00:10:53,129 don't think about the heart transplant until you 321 00:10:53,129 --> 00:10:54,400 go home and take that shirt off and 322 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:55,196 you're like, oh my. 323 00:10:56,944 --> 00:10:58,852 Scarred in their scars. Everyone not just here, 324 00:10:59,011 --> 00:11:01,098 but Here and here and, you know, drainage 325 00:11:01,098 --> 00:11:03,570 cars and stuff, so... Oh, man. Wow. So 326 00:11:03,570 --> 00:11:05,904 go... Yeah. Go back to. What story. Just 327 00:11:06,041 --> 00:11:08,689 go back to when you were waiting. What 328 00:11:08,689 --> 00:11:10,846 what was that? Like? What was... Like, did 329 00:11:10,846 --> 00:11:13,983 you... Were you in fear? Were you 330 00:11:14,682 --> 00:11:17,411 confident? Were you... Like, hey, if this is 331 00:11:17,411 --> 00:11:19,505 it, this is it. You know, like, what 332 00:11:19,643 --> 00:11:22,034 what kind of... Everybody handles it differently. I 333 00:11:22,034 --> 00:11:23,629 guess, I'm just curious as to how Right. 334 00:11:23,788 --> 00:11:24,586 How you dealt with it? 335 00:11:25,399 --> 00:11:27,320 You know, I had been told for 6 336 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:29,480 years, this was the journey. So when it 337 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:29,960 was time, 338 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:32,519 it just, you know, didn't bother me at 339 00:11:32,519 --> 00:11:33,799 all. I just I knew this was the 340 00:11:33,799 --> 00:11:34,460 end of 341 00:11:34,774 --> 00:11:36,126 you know, this journey and the start of 342 00:11:36,126 --> 00:11:37,899 another 1. And Even we had 343 00:11:38,274 --> 00:11:39,785 10 days before transfer, we had like a 344 00:11:39,785 --> 00:11:41,375 dry run, You know, where that came in. 345 00:11:41,534 --> 00:11:42,727 You're supposed to have a heart that morning, 346 00:11:43,697 --> 00:11:44,333 didn't happen, 347 00:11:45,288 --> 00:11:47,436 which III could see how some people would 348 00:11:47,436 --> 00:11:47,936 be 349 00:11:48,868 --> 00:11:49,186 devastated, 350 00:11:50,555 --> 00:11:51,915 I don't know. I had been waiting so 351 00:11:51,915 --> 00:11:52,875 long. It was just a... 352 00:11:54,315 --> 00:11:56,075 There's another day. You know, so just, you 353 00:11:56,075 --> 00:11:57,514 know, 6 days later. We got the call 354 00:11:57,514 --> 00:11:59,355 again, and, you know, that's the heart that 355 00:11:59,355 --> 00:12:02,484 stuck. So Yeah. Yeah. So 6 years of 356 00:12:02,484 --> 00:12:04,719 waiting, and this finally happens. 357 00:12:05,198 --> 00:12:06,634 And, like you said, this is the start 358 00:12:06,634 --> 00:12:08,491 of a new story, and 359 00:12:08,963 --> 00:12:11,111 I... I'm just making the leap, you probably 360 00:12:11,111 --> 00:12:13,417 weren't making the speakers round when you were 361 00:12:13,417 --> 00:12:13,736 waiting, 362 00:12:14,292 --> 00:12:15,088 but right, 363 00:12:15,899 --> 00:12:18,445 now that this has happened, and you're on 364 00:12:18,445 --> 00:12:19,719 the on the road, 365 00:12:20,753 --> 00:12:21,253 literally. 366 00:12:21,947 --> 00:12:24,255 Is right to to or to, you know, 367 00:12:24,573 --> 00:12:24,971 hopefully, 368 00:12:25,384 --> 00:12:26,899 you know, back in the in the marathon 369 00:12:26,899 --> 00:12:27,058 scene, 370 00:12:28,892 --> 00:12:31,045 and you're you're talking to other people about 371 00:12:31,045 --> 00:12:32,719 your story about this process, 372 00:12:33,118 --> 00:12:35,288 and I, just gonna make the leap. This 373 00:12:35,288 --> 00:12:37,285 is also about training, you know what? 374 00:12:38,803 --> 00:12:40,640 Consider, you know, donating, 375 00:12:41,933 --> 00:12:43,790 But a hundred percent, you know, it's 376 00:12:44,647 --> 00:12:46,003 I wouldn't be here. And there's so many 377 00:12:46,003 --> 00:12:46,982 people we've met 378 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:49,835 at at different races donate life races or, 379 00:12:50,169 --> 00:12:51,767 or, you know, Cream City 5 k in 380 00:12:52,007 --> 00:12:53,685 Milwaukee is just a wonderful race for for 381 00:12:53,765 --> 00:12:56,981 Donate life, and there's hundreds and hundreds of 382 00:12:57,041 --> 00:12:57,541 athletes 383 00:12:58,333 --> 00:13:00,802 you know, that our transplant recipient understand it 384 00:13:00,802 --> 00:13:02,179 wouldn't be possible without, 385 00:13:02,635 --> 00:13:03,989 you know, sorry to say that, you know, 386 00:13:04,148 --> 00:13:06,379 somebody's loved 1 had Yeah. Had passed, You 387 00:13:06,379 --> 00:13:08,466 know, so it's you know, we go, you 388 00:13:08,466 --> 00:13:10,459 know, every day, we we think, you know, 389 00:13:10,618 --> 00:13:11,575 just be thankful that. 390 00:13:12,532 --> 00:13:12,771 You know. 391 00:13:13,648 --> 00:13:15,482 Yeah. My my situation is completely different because 392 00:13:15,562 --> 00:13:17,565 I was, I was fit when I went 393 00:13:17,565 --> 00:13:19,337 in, you know, when I was 394 00:13:20,347 --> 00:13:22,890 Icu for me wasn't bad because I could 395 00:13:22,970 --> 00:13:24,575 I could still walk. Had my little pump 396 00:13:24,575 --> 00:13:25,767 with me and I'd, you know, walked the 397 00:13:25,767 --> 00:13:27,515 hallways and stuff. And, you know, I could 398 00:13:27,515 --> 00:13:29,582 work at my little desk where right I 399 00:13:29,582 --> 00:13:31,171 could stand up and work. So it wasn't... 400 00:13:31,410 --> 00:13:31,465 I 401 00:13:32,460 --> 00:13:34,131 for me it wasn't horrible, but, you know, 402 00:13:34,370 --> 00:13:35,882 seeing some of those people that's a tough 403 00:13:35,882 --> 00:13:38,134 deal, tough deal, you know, and, 404 00:13:38,827 --> 00:13:40,837 you know, you know. So... You know, and, 405 00:13:40,917 --> 00:13:42,275 you know, as we talk about, you know, 406 00:13:42,435 --> 00:13:44,113 I after transplant you know right? Because I'm 407 00:13:44,113 --> 00:13:45,631 a runner here have that mindset of, 408 00:13:46,604 --> 00:13:47,881 you know, I'm Derek Lin. You know, I 409 00:13:47,881 --> 00:13:49,159 can and that's at Mantra use. You know 410 00:13:49,238 --> 00:13:50,516 I'm derek at Lin. I can do anything 411 00:13:50,516 --> 00:13:52,511 because I've kinda done a lot. You know, 412 00:13:52,671 --> 00:13:55,145 Since you I. Honestly, and I just thought, 413 00:13:55,719 --> 00:13:56,916 because I was in good shape going in. 414 00:13:57,075 --> 00:13:58,511 You know it was only, you know, 3 415 00:13:58,511 --> 00:14:00,265 months. When and I just thought, I would 416 00:14:00,265 --> 00:14:02,738 come out. I'd recover, and I'd run. And 417 00:14:02,898 --> 00:14:04,572 I'd run I'd run fast, and I bought 418 00:14:04,572 --> 00:14:05,392 out don't wanna 419 00:14:05,783 --> 00:14:06,181 Yeah. No. 420 00:14:07,454 --> 00:14:10,079 This there's no nowhere close. 421 00:14:10,715 --> 00:14:12,306 What it's been. You know, so I picked 422 00:14:12,306 --> 00:14:12,600 up 423 00:14:13,118 --> 00:14:15,112 type 2 diabetes, which is, you know, Med 424 00:14:15,112 --> 00:14:17,026 related, which has gone now, but neuropathy in 425 00:14:17,026 --> 00:14:19,259 the feet, which is super painful when the 426 00:14:19,259 --> 00:14:21,333 boy. That's kinda still there. Like, wear boots 427 00:14:21,333 --> 00:14:22,585 and stuff for it. But 428 00:14:23,024 --> 00:14:24,705 you know, and so the the running piece, 429 00:14:25,184 --> 00:14:27,024 I I honestly thought I'd come out and 430 00:14:27,024 --> 00:14:28,945 just go and run 10 miles, you know, 431 00:14:29,105 --> 00:14:29,425 and just... 432 00:14:30,465 --> 00:14:30,965 But 433 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:33,120 it hasn't been that way, you know, But 434 00:14:33,279 --> 00:14:34,480 I still have lofty goals, 435 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:35,620 but 436 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:36,899 we'll see if, 437 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:38,579 you know, also 438 00:14:39,613 --> 00:14:41,611 that was a humbling experience. I I will 439 00:14:41,611 --> 00:14:42,830 not block against 440 00:14:43,368 --> 00:14:43,608 goals. 441 00:14:45,525 --> 00:14:47,530 What's that? I'm not gonna bet against you 442 00:14:47,530 --> 00:14:49,755 and your goals. I'll I'll love Yeah. I'll 443 00:14:49,755 --> 00:14:51,504 bet on you, not against you. 444 00:14:52,378 --> 00:14:54,384 Yeah. So, you know, there's... There's certain piece 445 00:14:54,384 --> 00:14:55,902 like we're doing a marathon. We're doing a 446 00:14:55,902 --> 00:14:56,402 monumental 447 00:14:56,780 --> 00:14:59,417 marathon in Indianapolis in November. Yeah. You know, 448 00:14:59,497 --> 00:15:01,669 it's... It'll be slow, but probably can't be 449 00:15:01,669 --> 00:15:03,990 as bad as 20 15 New York, so 450 00:15:03,990 --> 00:15:05,350 which was pretty painful, But 451 00:15:06,230 --> 00:15:08,309 but we'll get that done, And I... There 452 00:15:08,309 --> 00:15:09,565 is... And I 453 00:15:10,162 --> 00:15:11,937 the nearest we can tell there's been 454 00:15:12,393 --> 00:15:13,451 there's been numerous 455 00:15:13,907 --> 00:15:16,856 heart transplant recipients who have run Boston. 456 00:15:17,509 --> 00:15:18,946 But they've all run on a charity slot. 457 00:15:19,105 --> 00:15:20,962 So nobody has qualified Boston 458 00:15:21,660 --> 00:15:23,895 you know, being a heart transplant transplant on 459 00:15:23,895 --> 00:15:24,214 recipient. 460 00:15:25,651 --> 00:15:28,057 I just... There I know. So let me... 461 00:15:28,216 --> 00:15:29,650 Let me shorten that up for both of 462 00:15:29,650 --> 00:15:31,505 our list real quick. So 463 00:15:32,519 --> 00:15:34,988 on your race calendar for 20 24 is... 464 00:15:35,307 --> 00:15:35,546 Yep. 465 00:15:36,279 --> 00:15:36,440 Indy? 466 00:15:37,639 --> 00:15:38,440 Yep. Marathon. 467 00:15:38,839 --> 00:15:40,539 And are you telling me 468 00:15:41,399 --> 00:15:43,799 that you're attempting to qualify for Boston? No. 469 00:15:43,959 --> 00:15:45,734 No. Not at the end. My. Not in 470 00:15:45,814 --> 00:15:48,450 India. But I but I could until September 471 00:15:48,450 --> 00:15:50,527 fifteenth of of next year, I... I'd like 472 00:15:50,527 --> 00:15:52,045 to qualify for 20 26. 473 00:15:52,934 --> 00:15:54,997 Yep to sung somewhere. You know, just 474 00:15:55,712 --> 00:15:57,219 it's good. And who knows Explain Who knows? 475 00:15:57,378 --> 00:15:58,807 Who knows? I mean, it just nasty. Now 476 00:15:58,886 --> 00:16:00,924 You know, what is your what is your 477 00:16:01,124 --> 00:16:04,395 your care team saying about this? And what 478 00:16:04,395 --> 00:16:05,911 is your wife saying about this? 479 00:16:07,267 --> 00:16:09,196 There's there's 2 different. Oh, yeah. I know. 480 00:16:09,435 --> 00:16:11,746 That's why I made make ask question like 481 00:16:11,746 --> 00:16:11,905 that. 482 00:16:13,020 --> 00:16:14,933 Yeah. You know, care team is fine. I 483 00:16:14,933 --> 00:16:15,592 mean, there's 484 00:16:16,220 --> 00:16:17,807 I... You know, I'm I'm free reign right 485 00:16:17,807 --> 00:16:19,101 now. I can kinda do 486 00:16:20,585 --> 00:16:22,648 what whatever I can do, you know, and 487 00:16:22,648 --> 00:16:24,180 it's, you know, meds have been 488 00:16:24,489 --> 00:16:27,047 you know, continue to drop. I've obviously recover 489 00:16:27,047 --> 00:16:27,526 real well. 490 00:16:28,725 --> 00:16:30,004 Get when I'm back to doing a lot 491 00:16:30,004 --> 00:16:31,202 of the stuff. I mean, I can bite 492 00:16:31,202 --> 00:16:32,880 for hours. I can hike for hours. It's 493 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:34,652 just the running piece, Yeah. You know, with 494 00:16:34,652 --> 00:16:36,647 the neuropathy that that gets to me. Sure. 495 00:16:37,445 --> 00:16:39,041 You know what, and my wife is real 496 00:16:39,041 --> 00:16:39,280 supportive. 497 00:16:39,919 --> 00:16:41,849 She's actually doing indy with us. So we 498 00:16:41,849 --> 00:16:42,328 have a group, 499 00:16:43,207 --> 00:16:44,566 you know, going a 30 or 40 of 500 00:16:44,566 --> 00:16:46,883 us going to Indy. That's sure 1 of 501 00:16:46,883 --> 00:16:48,640 them. Yeah. So... And then... 502 00:16:50,090 --> 00:16:51,603 Where where we decide to run next year? 503 00:16:51,762 --> 00:16:53,195 I don't know. We are doing Key west 504 00:16:53,195 --> 00:16:55,423 half or the big packer challenge. Yeah. That 505 00:16:55,503 --> 00:16:57,197 Key west in January. So 506 00:16:58,628 --> 00:16:59,607 yeah. I 507 00:17:00,386 --> 00:17:00,886 will 508 00:17:01,425 --> 00:17:04,542 that's that's fantastic. Now who is this team 509 00:17:04,542 --> 00:17:06,953 is running with you? Oh, just you know, 510 00:17:07,112 --> 00:17:09,020 over the years, I've had, you know, I 511 00:17:09,020 --> 00:17:10,372 coached for years. So I've just got a, 512 00:17:10,531 --> 00:17:12,757 right, a lot of running friends. Okay. I 513 00:17:12,757 --> 00:17:13,870 mean I... Ran a number of a couple 514 00:17:13,870 --> 00:17:15,556 of them from Charlotte. That are coming to 515 00:17:15,556 --> 00:17:17,309 run, you know, some friends that Have coached 516 00:17:17,309 --> 00:17:19,641 out of out of Charlotte stuff. So 517 00:17:20,973 --> 00:17:23,001 that should be should be on. That is 518 00:17:23,137 --> 00:17:25,444 fantastic. And are you are you are you 519 00:17:25,444 --> 00:17:27,376 working with the coach? Are you 520 00:17:28,228 --> 00:17:30,398 are you fun doing your own thing, how 521 00:17:30,398 --> 00:17:32,795 are how are you in managing this, getting 522 00:17:32,795 --> 00:17:33,194 ready for, 523 00:17:33,913 --> 00:17:34,413 for 524 00:17:35,032 --> 00:17:36,710 November or October and India is this year. 525 00:17:37,443 --> 00:17:39,668 I I do whatever I can every day. 526 00:17:40,224 --> 00:17:41,893 So, you know, there's certain days yesterday went 527 00:17:41,893 --> 00:17:43,561 out and I could handle 2 miles. That's 528 00:17:43,561 --> 00:17:44,117 all I could do. 529 00:17:44,848 --> 00:17:46,279 Day before I was out for 2 hours. 530 00:17:46,438 --> 00:17:47,495 You know, it's just, 531 00:17:48,903 --> 00:17:50,653 you know, probably doing too much there, You 532 00:17:50,653 --> 00:17:52,402 know, Take a little rest day yesterday and 533 00:17:52,402 --> 00:17:54,095 you, back at it today. So 534 00:17:55,363 --> 00:17:58,875 you it's incredible, man. Absolutely incredible sin. 535 00:17:59,593 --> 00:18:01,589 And it's a crazy story. Do you have... 536 00:18:01,908 --> 00:18:03,286 Are there any other 537 00:18:04,638 --> 00:18:06,316 and and I know everybody's journey is different. 538 00:18:06,476 --> 00:18:09,133 Is there anybody else that is, 539 00:18:09,672 --> 00:18:10,870 you know, either, you know, 540 00:18:11,684 --> 00:18:13,602 ahead of you or behind you or, you 541 00:18:13,602 --> 00:18:13,682 know, 542 00:18:14,801 --> 00:18:17,678 And shoulder to shoulder peer that you are 543 00:18:17,678 --> 00:18:19,596 making this journey with, Are you blazing this 544 00:18:19,596 --> 00:18:20,475 trail all by yourself? 545 00:18:21,287 --> 00:18:23,514 You know, they're been at in via Facebook, 546 00:18:23,673 --> 00:18:25,128 You know, there's groups of 547 00:18:25,901 --> 00:18:27,969 you know, cardiac athletes, you know, kind of 548 00:18:27,969 --> 00:18:29,163 thing. And you have met up with a 549 00:18:29,163 --> 00:18:31,007 guy, and I might have got his last 550 00:18:31,007 --> 00:18:32,359 name wrong Dan, Lei, 551 00:18:33,473 --> 00:18:34,609 also heart transplant 552 00:18:35,064 --> 00:18:35,382 recipient. 553 00:18:37,147 --> 00:18:38,204 Ran his first marathon, 554 00:18:38,579 --> 00:18:39,932 you know, 5 years ago, you know, a 555 00:18:39,932 --> 00:18:42,558 couple years after after transplant stuff, and, 556 00:18:43,593 --> 00:18:45,923 in him and I have these parallels where 557 00:18:46,233 --> 00:18:48,454 He's from Ohio and his first marathon was 558 00:18:48,454 --> 00:18:51,627 95 Columbus. That was my first marathon over 559 00:18:51,627 --> 00:18:52,182 3 hours. 560 00:18:52,658 --> 00:18:53,689 We ran it the together way we finished 561 00:18:53,689 --> 00:18:55,616 within, like, 20... We didn't know each other 562 00:18:55,616 --> 00:18:57,611 for Yeah. You know, 30 years later, whatever 563 00:18:57,611 --> 00:18:59,446 put these parallels in his birthday the same 564 00:18:59,446 --> 00:19:02,021 day or blah blah blah blah. And he's 565 00:19:02,254 --> 00:19:04,398 you know, same disease, what have you. But 566 00:19:05,748 --> 00:19:07,494 you know, I'm not sure what he's done 567 00:19:07,494 --> 00:19:10,274 beyond Columbus since then. Yeah since it's transplant, 568 00:19:10,432 --> 00:19:12,915 but, yeah, Just, So other people have done 569 00:19:12,915 --> 00:19:14,771 it. Okay. I... I'm not sure 570 00:19:15,308 --> 00:19:17,462 running fast. And and maybe that's not... 571 00:19:18,179 --> 00:19:19,775 Maybe that's nothing I can do anymore. I 572 00:19:19,775 --> 00:19:20,971 don't know, but I'm... Yeah. 573 00:19:22,263 --> 00:19:22,763 Just 574 00:19:23,221 --> 00:19:25,295 not betting against me. No. No. No. Heck. 575 00:19:25,375 --> 00:19:27,371 No. Not a scientist. I'm gonna find yeah. 576 00:19:27,690 --> 00:19:29,525 Just stop say. I know I I still... 577 00:19:29,765 --> 00:19:31,765 I've always had this desire to race, you 578 00:19:31,765 --> 00:19:33,377 know, back in the day, we would race 579 00:19:34,226 --> 00:19:36,449 40 50 times a years as many race 580 00:19:36,449 --> 00:19:38,196 we could find, and I still have that 581 00:19:38,196 --> 00:19:40,460 fire. Always you know, a chance of me 582 00:19:41,633 --> 00:19:43,942 running 14 35, because I'm guessing those days 583 00:19:43,942 --> 00:19:45,796 are probably done, you know, But 584 00:19:46,968 --> 00:19:48,417 most, you know Yeah. Get older, he just... 585 00:19:48,576 --> 00:19:49,932 You know, you slow down, you go longer. 586 00:19:50,171 --> 00:19:51,787 You know what's this else 587 00:19:52,244 --> 00:19:54,396 be an ultra guy coming You know you 588 00:19:54,396 --> 00:19:55,990 have the ultra... Have the ultra guy shirt 589 00:19:55,990 --> 00:19:57,442 on. You know, 1 there. 590 00:19:59,358 --> 00:20:01,354 Oh, man, you do, bro, you do crazy. 591 00:20:01,594 --> 00:20:04,946 But absolutely. And and I assume that when 592 00:20:04,946 --> 00:20:06,874 you go out now, you that you're not... 593 00:20:07,192 --> 00:20:10,452 Or maybe you are, are you running riding 594 00:20:10,452 --> 00:20:12,519 whatever solo or are you taking people with 595 00:20:12,519 --> 00:20:14,666 you or how does that work? Yeah. Most 596 00:20:14,666 --> 00:20:15,621 mostly lender by myself. 597 00:20:16,432 --> 00:20:18,346 You know, just... I have no problem. You 598 00:20:18,346 --> 00:20:20,020 know, I ride with friends and stuff like 599 00:20:20,020 --> 00:20:22,093 that. But, you know, I wanna work do 600 00:20:22,093 --> 00:20:24,405 a workout. I I wanna do my workout. 601 00:20:24,898 --> 00:20:26,412 You know, what have you. So... But, you 602 00:20:26,412 --> 00:20:28,404 know, this this sport has given me so 603 00:20:28,404 --> 00:20:29,917 much over the years and it's been because 604 00:20:29,917 --> 00:20:30,417 of 605 00:20:30,953 --> 00:20:32,865 partners, you know, work workout partners or whatnot, 606 00:20:33,025 --> 00:20:34,003 and I've had a 607 00:20:34,394 --> 00:20:36,225 you know, like most people just these great 608 00:20:36,225 --> 00:20:38,215 groups whether... You know I lived in Minnesota 609 00:20:38,215 --> 00:20:40,284 for 25 years and these maze and groups, 610 00:20:40,603 --> 00:20:43,401 runners and riders and, you you know, traveling 611 00:20:43,401 --> 00:20:45,228 the races together as, you know, as most 612 00:20:45,228 --> 00:20:47,373 people do. And, you know, And it's... Honestly, 613 00:20:47,611 --> 00:20:48,485 those 6 years were... 614 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:50,709 I I missed... I still have those friends, 615 00:20:50,868 --> 00:20:52,115 but it just missed that 616 00:20:53,033 --> 00:20:54,950 Saturday morning long runs. And, you know, a 617 00:20:55,030 --> 00:20:56,628 Wednesday night time for, you know, stuff like 618 00:20:56,628 --> 00:20:58,625 that. So, you know, it's for you? 619 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:00,880 Can't wait to get back. And I and 620 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:02,080 I love being at there. You know, we, 621 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:03,680 my wife and I went a little 622 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:06,160 you know, events management company. So we direct 623 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:06,960 10 different for races. 624 00:21:07,454 --> 00:21:10,008 You know, and small, you, between 600 and 625 00:21:10,008 --> 00:21:12,243 a thousand people in it. We started that 626 00:21:12,243 --> 00:21:14,000 because it it feels like, home when I'm 627 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:16,568 there. Just feels... It's like my people you 628 00:21:16,568 --> 00:21:18,236 know, and I'm being it start and finish 629 00:21:18,236 --> 00:21:20,620 fine. That's where That's where I enjoy being. 630 00:21:21,017 --> 00:21:22,765 You know? So so that's where we are. 631 00:21:22,924 --> 00:21:24,849 We've a race, Thursday, and I'm super excited 632 00:21:24,849 --> 00:21:26,681 you just to be, you know, at the... 633 00:21:27,398 --> 00:21:29,788 That's the race Man that is great. Yeah. 634 00:21:30,107 --> 00:21:32,984 And And then after that, so in in 635 00:21:32,984 --> 00:21:34,358 between now and 636 00:21:35,448 --> 00:21:36,084 in Indy, 637 00:21:36,958 --> 00:21:37,991 what does it look like for him? 638 00:21:40,471 --> 00:21:42,141 I'm doing a 50 k in 639 00:21:43,254 --> 00:21:45,559 in August for peak here in in upper 640 00:21:45,559 --> 00:21:47,229 michigan. And so it it's, you know, it's 641 00:21:47,229 --> 00:21:48,000 more about just 642 00:21:48,517 --> 00:21:50,111 making the cutoff, You know, So it'd be 643 00:21:50,111 --> 00:21:52,660 a lot of fast hiking, jogging downhill and 644 00:21:52,660 --> 00:21:53,558 stuff. And, 645 00:21:53,935 --> 00:21:55,449 you know, So I'll make the cutoff and 646 00:21:55,449 --> 00:21:56,962 stuff, but it's a race we signed up 647 00:21:56,962 --> 00:21:57,462 for 648 00:21:58,173 --> 00:22:00,085 right after transplant where I was feeling. Oh, 649 00:22:00,324 --> 00:22:02,236 I'm gonna be just rocking this, You know, 650 00:22:02,714 --> 00:22:03,511 oh gosh. 651 00:22:06,299 --> 00:22:07,906 I'll finish it. Oh, no problem Finish Obviously, 652 00:22:08,065 --> 00:22:09,413 you know and I'll make the cutoff and 653 00:22:09,413 --> 00:22:10,602 stuff, but it's not gonna be a... 654 00:22:11,791 --> 00:22:12,901 You know... I'm not gonna be on the 655 00:22:12,901 --> 00:22:14,669 podium is what I'm hearing. But I have 656 00:22:14,724 --> 00:22:16,429 not be nothing. Podium. Wow 657 00:22:16,801 --> 00:22:18,150 I think the only 60 year old guy 658 00:22:18,150 --> 00:22:18,784 there. I don't know. 659 00:22:19,815 --> 00:22:20,315 He 660 00:22:21,005 --> 00:22:21,481 1A3. 661 00:22:22,433 --> 00:22:24,200 Tim's boy. Yeah Podium at the Tim's point, 662 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:26,200 not betting against you, man. That is for 663 00:22:26,200 --> 00:22:27,079 sure of chow. 664 00:22:27,879 --> 00:22:29,879 2 1 out of 3. So is your 665 00:22:29,879 --> 00:22:31,319 wife running this 50 k with you? 666 00:22:33,008 --> 00:22:34,679 She's registered. Yeah. I think she's gonna end 667 00:22:34,679 --> 00:22:36,906 up being a a support or crew. Okay. 668 00:22:37,145 --> 00:22:38,418 Right for so like, 669 00:22:39,309 --> 00:22:42,349 Yeah. I know. Yeah. Just... You know, because 670 00:22:42,509 --> 00:22:43,710 I'm so used to back in the day. 671 00:22:43,869 --> 00:22:45,150 We would just sign it for everything. Let 672 00:22:45,150 --> 00:22:47,002 me just... I hey. There's a k this 673 00:22:47,081 --> 00:22:48,833 Saturday in Marathon on Sunday. Let's doing both 674 00:22:48,833 --> 00:22:51,780 affairs how I just had this mentality still, 675 00:22:51,939 --> 00:22:53,293 and I think a lot of athletes that 676 00:22:53,293 --> 00:22:54,748 they get to be my age either 677 00:22:55,460 --> 00:22:57,619 lose that desire to compete, you know, to 678 00:22:57,619 --> 00:22:58,339 toe the line. 679 00:22:59,299 --> 00:23:01,220 I I still have that. You know? And 680 00:23:01,220 --> 00:23:02,200 it's whether it's 681 00:23:02,512 --> 00:23:04,495 A mountain bike race, whether it's an ultra, 682 00:23:04,813 --> 00:23:06,320 mile mile on the track. I can't wait 683 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:07,510 to do a mile on the track. You 684 00:23:07,510 --> 00:23:08,406 know? I'm just 685 00:23:09,909 --> 00:23:11,667 just love race. And I love you and 686 00:23:11,827 --> 00:23:13,345 I get out there and bumping elbows and 687 00:23:13,345 --> 00:23:14,085 just see 688 00:23:14,944 --> 00:23:17,261 who's gonna win, you know, Interested not afraid 689 00:23:17,261 --> 00:23:19,666 to not afraid to find out So Oh, 690 00:23:19,824 --> 00:23:22,043 my gosh. And you, like, he's said, your 691 00:23:22,043 --> 00:23:23,944 care team is all on board with this 692 00:23:24,023 --> 00:23:25,870 And absolutely. And 693 00:23:27,295 --> 00:23:28,752 I I have high confidence 694 00:23:29,288 --> 00:23:31,521 in all of that. I'm my, I'm like, 695 00:23:31,681 --> 00:23:33,913 oh, my. God I is incredible. Dairy, it's 696 00:23:33,913 --> 00:23:36,962 like, III think like, reading this this story 697 00:23:36,962 --> 00:23:38,960 is not nearly the same as talking like, 698 00:23:39,360 --> 00:23:40,079 now I get it. 699 00:23:41,198 --> 00:23:43,435 After talking now I get it. Now I 700 00:23:43,435 --> 00:23:45,384 get it. Funny. I think athletes 701 00:23:45,759 --> 00:23:47,429 understand. You know, when it's it's nice that 702 00:23:47,429 --> 00:23:49,337 we had this care team now not necessarily 703 00:23:49,337 --> 00:23:52,359 runners Yeah. Completely understood what I want to 704 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:53,075 do Yeah. 705 00:23:54,044 --> 00:23:55,556 And they they were wonderful. We had the 706 00:23:55,556 --> 00:23:57,385 best care best hospital. I mean it was 707 00:23:57,385 --> 00:23:59,772 just just amazing. You know, we've done a 708 00:23:59,772 --> 00:24:01,682 lot of work with them with with Donate 709 00:24:01,682 --> 00:24:03,009 life and whatnot. And and 710 00:24:03,766 --> 00:24:05,439 yeah. It's pretty cool. And what does that 711 00:24:05,439 --> 00:24:07,032 look like? You know, your... I mean, you 712 00:24:07,032 --> 00:24:09,582 have some sort of commitment or contract or 713 00:24:09,582 --> 00:24:11,892 whatever with donate life where they're like, hey, 714 00:24:12,051 --> 00:24:14,214 man. Can you come out and talk to 715 00:24:14,214 --> 00:24:16,203 folks at these events and you're like, yeah, 716 00:24:16,362 --> 00:24:17,953 Are you show up places and go hey 717 00:24:18,112 --> 00:24:18,907 Ps and by the way. 718 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:20,279 How does that work? 719 00:24:21,319 --> 00:24:23,240 Yeah. No. They just... When they ask, I 720 00:24:23,399 --> 00:24:24,599 I have yet to turn them down. 721 00:24:25,319 --> 00:24:26,599 You know a, way I spoke at a... 722 00:24:27,014 --> 00:24:29,249 Donate life flag raising about 6 weeks ago. 723 00:24:29,488 --> 00:24:31,563 I spoke at the hospital to a group 724 00:24:31,563 --> 00:24:33,159 of new Icu nurses, 725 00:24:34,197 --> 00:24:34,676 my my... 726 00:24:35,329 --> 00:24:36,923 Experience being in the Icu for a couple 727 00:24:36,923 --> 00:24:38,996 months good and bad and whatnot. And Yeah. 728 00:24:39,793 --> 00:24:41,467 You know, there's... We get calls all the 729 00:24:41,467 --> 00:24:43,402 time, and, you know, there's talks of, 730 00:24:44,191 --> 00:24:46,338 you know, possibly a book, you know, down 731 00:24:46,338 --> 00:24:48,725 the road and stuff, because it's even before 732 00:24:48,725 --> 00:24:50,100 transplant, you know, it was a 733 00:24:50,729 --> 00:24:53,043 it was crazy life. You know, just you 734 00:24:53,043 --> 00:24:55,277 know, running, running kinda dictated life for a 735 00:24:55,277 --> 00:24:57,990 long time, you know, and good and bad. 736 00:24:59,675 --> 00:25:00,231 You know what just this... 737 00:25:01,663 --> 00:25:02,696 You know, do I go to work or 738 00:25:02,696 --> 00:25:04,047 do I do this run? You a bunch 739 00:25:04,047 --> 00:25:04,206 of. 740 00:25:05,319 --> 00:25:06,528 We should have gone to work That's all 741 00:25:06,608 --> 00:25:08,044 Oh, yeah Yeah Know. I have some Hook 742 00:25:08,044 --> 00:25:10,219 run stories and they never end well. Oh 743 00:25:10,436 --> 00:25:11,575 Yeah. It's like. 744 00:25:12,111 --> 00:25:12,611 So 745 00:25:12,989 --> 00:25:14,983 it's like... And then just this this whole 746 00:25:14,983 --> 00:25:15,722 story of 747 00:25:16,829 --> 00:25:18,259 like, I... You, I shouldn't say, 748 00:25:18,973 --> 00:25:21,118 I shouldn't have gotten, you know, part failure. 749 00:25:21,356 --> 00:25:23,500 Yeah. You know, It's just... That I did 750 00:25:23,500 --> 00:25:25,168 and how we handled this journey and whatnot, 751 00:25:25,327 --> 00:25:27,089 and you know, people thought we were the 752 00:25:27,089 --> 00:25:28,995 most positive people over the last 5 years 753 00:25:28,995 --> 00:25:31,059 and we probably were, but they didn't see 754 00:25:31,059 --> 00:25:31,956 us that first 755 00:25:32,330 --> 00:25:34,656 6 months after diagnosis. You know, was 756 00:25:35,284 --> 00:25:37,042 was tough tough time. Yeah. You know, when 757 00:25:37,202 --> 00:25:39,120 I, you know, that identity loss and whatnot. 758 00:25:39,679 --> 00:25:40,159 Yeah. So... 759 00:25:40,878 --> 00:25:42,156 Yeah It's so good now though, and I 760 00:25:42,156 --> 00:25:43,809 was... I think that's what helped me 761 00:25:44,565 --> 00:25:46,155 in Icu or it, you, and, you know, 762 00:25:46,234 --> 00:25:48,086 and transplant what? Not It was just 763 00:25:48,460 --> 00:25:49,732 get this shit done. You on? 764 00:25:50,686 --> 00:25:53,560 Hey hill, man. Get through it. Absolutely. Yeah. 765 00:25:53,957 --> 00:25:56,021 Like you said, the next the next chapter. 766 00:25:56,259 --> 00:25:56,577 Right? Yeah. 767 00:25:57,689 --> 00:25:59,673 Which clearly You don't wanna to be written. 768 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:01,678 Yeah. I... 769 00:26:02,556 --> 00:26:04,232 And and I'd On... I'd like to think 770 00:26:04,392 --> 00:26:06,068 I'd be able to race again. I really 771 00:26:06,068 --> 00:26:06,568 hope, 772 00:26:06,946 --> 00:26:08,782 you know, and run hard what what what 773 00:26:08,782 --> 00:26:10,868 that means. I don't know. You know, but, 774 00:26:10,947 --> 00:26:13,092 you know, right now, it's it's not today. 775 00:26:13,489 --> 00:26:15,395 You know it's not this weekend, You know. 776 00:26:15,633 --> 00:26:17,380 So... It's part of the journey though. I 777 00:26:17,380 --> 00:26:19,287 mean, you've talked about journey. And it is... 778 00:26:19,699 --> 00:26:21,211 It's part of the journey as the comeback. 779 00:26:21,371 --> 00:26:21,450 But, 780 00:26:22,326 --> 00:26:24,555 man, we really appreciate your time today. 781 00:26:25,829 --> 00:26:28,707 Absolutely sharing your story. I'd I absolutely love 782 00:26:28,707 --> 00:26:30,451 it. I'm very grateful for 783 00:26:31,878 --> 00:26:32,513 for you 784 00:26:33,147 --> 00:26:35,392 being willing to take the time, and and 785 00:26:35,940 --> 00:26:38,119 Let us see you kinda transparent, 786 00:26:38,420 --> 00:26:38,579 and, 787 00:26:39,700 --> 00:26:42,200 absolutely. III really do hope that 788 00:26:43,154 --> 00:26:45,474 there's a day that you get to to 789 00:26:45,474 --> 00:26:45,974 meet 790 00:26:46,434 --> 00:26:47,474 the donors family. 791 00:26:48,275 --> 00:26:50,674 That'd be wonderful. Yeah. So... Yeah. Just... You 792 00:26:50,674 --> 00:26:52,035 know, my wife and I would be. 793 00:26:53,007 --> 00:26:54,837 It it'd be amazing. Yeah. It really would 794 00:26:54,837 --> 00:26:57,702 be. So maybe even more important than the 795 00:26:57,702 --> 00:26:59,930 running piece I think would be Yeah. That 796 00:26:59,930 --> 00:27:01,601 introduction and, you know, even to be able 797 00:27:01,601 --> 00:27:01,974 to 798 00:27:02,733 --> 00:27:04,010 you know, hang on to the chest there 799 00:27:04,010 --> 00:27:06,324 and just here. Yeah. You know, hear that 800 00:27:06,324 --> 00:27:08,799 thing beat and stuff, and, you know, it's 801 00:27:08,799 --> 00:27:10,475 her. Yeah that'd be wonderful be wonderful. 802 00:27:10,967 --> 00:27:12,637 Yeah. Hard to not get emotional with that. 803 00:27:12,875 --> 00:27:13,670 Yeah, man. Sure. 804 00:27:14,385 --> 00:27:16,611 No kidding. Yeah. Derek. Thank you so much. 805 00:27:17,565 --> 00:27:18,065 Absolutely 806 00:27:18,996 --> 00:27:19,553 your progress. 807 00:27:20,524 --> 00:27:23,161 Absolutely. Please. I appreciate it. And maybe next 808 00:27:23,161 --> 00:27:25,078 year you come to Charlotte instead of going 809 00:27:25,318 --> 00:27:25,637 Indianapolis. 810 00:27:26,596 --> 00:27:27,475 Absolutely. Well that's. 811 00:27:28,366 --> 00:27:29,161 If I'm invited. 812 00:27:30,909 --> 00:27:32,657 Come on down. I'm sitting self invited. 813 00:27:33,293 --> 00:27:35,534 Wonderful. Hey, guys. I really appreciate it. Thank 814 00:27:35,534 --> 00:27:37,768 you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Hey. 815 00:27:37,928 --> 00:27:38,646 I gotta ask you. 816 00:27:39,444 --> 00:27:42,557 Yeah. Please. You're from upper peninsula now. Up? 817 00:27:43,035 --> 00:27:45,444 Yep. Well, we have a house in Milwaukee 818 00:27:45,444 --> 00:27:46,801 then a house up in Market, so I 819 00:27:46,801 --> 00:27:48,636 spent my summers. I'm in Market right now, 820 00:27:48,876 --> 00:27:50,711 actually. Okay. I spent 821 00:27:51,842 --> 00:27:54,387 much of my childhood in Marina, Wisconsin. So 822 00:27:55,580 --> 00:27:57,410 nice. I could throw a rock and hit 823 00:27:57,410 --> 00:28:00,779 nominee, Michigan. Yeah for my backyard. So there 824 00:28:00,779 --> 00:28:01,019 was 825 00:28:01,819 --> 00:28:02,480 we lived 826 00:28:03,579 --> 00:28:05,579 over the fence in our backyard where the 827 00:28:05,579 --> 00:28:07,875 train tracks coming down from the upper peninsula 828 00:28:08,470 --> 00:28:11,484 and the ore cars carrying all these little 829 00:28:11,484 --> 00:28:12,992 iron ore pellets, and 830 00:28:13,627 --> 00:28:15,928 they're just, you know, hauling down, hauling down, 831 00:28:16,086 --> 00:28:17,688 and is just, you know, we would go 832 00:28:17,688 --> 00:28:18,481 in in 833 00:28:19,195 --> 00:28:20,861 on the railroad tracks and we would hop 834 00:28:20,861 --> 00:28:21,336 the trains. 835 00:28:22,844 --> 00:28:24,843 Did a ride for a while. That's if 836 00:28:24,923 --> 00:28:26,358 I ever caught my kids doing that, I 837 00:28:26,358 --> 00:28:28,111 don't kill them bring ring. Somebody's in that. 838 00:28:28,351 --> 00:28:30,104 Yeah Like like to people Yeah. And, you 839 00:28:30,104 --> 00:28:31,459 know, and meredith that, we, you know we 840 00:28:31,459 --> 00:28:32,988 we drive 2 Marina for week. You know, 841 00:28:33,147 --> 00:28:34,973 back and forth whatever. And, you know, Mary 842 00:28:34,973 --> 00:28:36,561 had, I don't know last time you were 843 00:28:36,561 --> 00:28:38,308 here, if it's been a number of years, 844 00:28:38,547 --> 00:28:40,452 or since you've been here been a while. 845 00:28:40,770 --> 00:28:42,462 You well, actually, 5 years. 846 00:28:43,501 --> 00:28:45,599 5 years. Okay. Yeah. So it is 847 00:28:46,377 --> 00:28:47,895 it is a just a row pot shops. 848 00:28:48,309 --> 00:28:51,020 It is just pot. It's legal here. It's 849 00:28:51,020 --> 00:28:53,731 legal here in Michigan. So it's just want 850 00:28:53,731 --> 00:28:55,325 in that whole strip where used to be 851 00:28:55,325 --> 00:28:57,571 like Kfc down there with Perkins whenever it 852 00:28:57,571 --> 00:28:59,875 is just 1 right after another just and 853 00:28:59,875 --> 00:29:01,702 their lines of cars at each I like, 854 00:29:01,941 --> 00:29:04,800 what? Yeah. Just... But there's Marina now. So 855 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:07,678 Mary city. There you go. Welcome. Alright, My 856 00:29:07,678 --> 00:29:07,837 friend. 857 00:29:08,792 --> 00:29:10,701 Hey Appreciate it, guys. Thanks again, Derek. Thanks 858 00:29:10,701 --> 00:29:12,530 you. Thank you. Appreciate it. 859 00:29:15,325 --> 00:29:17,549 The running around Charlotte Podcast is presented by 860 00:29:17,549 --> 00:29:20,329 the Nova Health Charlotte Marathon. Running around Charlotte 861 00:29:20,329 --> 00:29:22,410 is produced in partnership with Well run media 862 00:29:22,410 --> 00:29:25,114 and marketing. New episodes are available every week. 863 00:29:25,670 --> 00:29:26,942 Anywhere you listen to podcast.