Living Out Loud

On June 28, 2012, I performed CPR on runner who had collapsed post-race and who remained clinically dead for 18 very long minutes. Medics arrived, shocks delivered, runner loaded into an ambulance and driven away…


I remember his face: death adds an unfriendly twenty years to a person, without remorse. I remember his race. He had run a strong race that evening, confident and with a solid stride. I didn’t know his name.

Later that night, I found out he was undergoing emergency cardiac surgery and that his name is George Rimiller; it turns out, he is the chief of dispatch at the fire department on Ft. Wainwright (a nearby army post). I tossed and turned that night, wondering if it was even possible for someone to survive the events that had just occurred.

The following morning, as I biked to my workout, then on to work, all I could think about was the faint possibility that this runner might live. When I received word that he had survived the surgery and regained consciousness in the ICU, I started shaking uncontrollably.

That evening, on the way to my soccer game, I stopped by the ICU. I was only hoping to check in with the nurses, hear first-hand that George was alive. The nurses were having none of it. They took me directly to his room.

When I stepped through the doorway and saw George awake, alert and sitting upright in a chair… my own level of consciousness shifted- it was surreal. One of his doctors snapped this picture of us, that afternoon. I think it says it all.



 

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Five and a half weeks later, on August 4, 2012, Jeff and I ran a half-marathon with George. In fact, he finished out his running/race season without missing a single race.



Jeff, Ti & George
(photo courtesy of Stephanie Allen, Elite Urban Fitness)


* * *



Friday, February 15, 2013

The American Heart Association chose to highlight George’s story at the local Go Red For Women event here in Fairbanks, AK. A local bank, Denali State Bank,  honored the first responders and the medics with an award for the actions taken on the afternoon of June 28th.



University Fire Department, Ti, George, John
(photo courtesy: Trish Muntean)



Photo courtesy: Tanya Clayton, Denali State Bank

I had the honor of standing beside George, of standing shoulder to shoulder with a group of folks who were in the right place at the right time with the right preparedness.

John Mayer, Ti Conkle, George Rimiller
(photo courtesy: Trish Muntean)

If it weren’t for the fact that George committed to making huge changes in his life in the years leading up to this, he wouldn’t be standing here today. Not only had he changed his lifestyle and eating habits, but he had lost over 100 pounds and taken up running in the three years prior to this cardiac event.

Had he not made these changes, he wouldn’t have been competing at a race, wouldn’t have been resuscitated, wouldn’t have lived to see another day or run another race.

John Mayer, Ti Conkle, George Rimiller
(photo courtesy: Trish Muntean)

In the days, weeks and months since June 28, 2012, George has become a good friend and part of my family. As he persevered through months of cardiac rehab, he continually amazed me by showing up to watch my soccer games after he had run his treadmill-miles at the hospital nearby.

In honor of George’s commitment to running, my husband, daughter and I are committing to racing the Running Club North’s Flint Hills series this summer. Together. With George.

It’s a small way of honoring someone who is larger than life, not only because he lived, but also because of the quality of life he continually chooses.

* * *

 

You’ve taken a few valuable moments of your time to read these words, to share the experiences and (hopefully) a renewed perspective on life. Friends. Making every day count.

Here’s a challenge for you (yes, YOU):

Contact your local Red Cross or AHA chapter and schedule your CPR class/CPR refresher. Just do it.

Thinking about your next (or first) race for 2013? Take a moment to think about George the next time you run. Or race. Or walk instead of driving. Or bike to work.

Last, but not least…

Leave a little note in the comments. Say hello to George. Living doesn’t get easier, especially AFTER the crowds have gone home and the party is over… we all need friends, support, encouragement.