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KR teacher-coach included in book about heart attack survivors

Heart surgery, hard work gives runner a second chance at life

Kenton Ridge High School teacher and track coach Don Monroe has been featured in a nationally publicized book on recovering from a heart attack.

Barbara J. Perenic Kenton Ridge High School teacher and track coach Don Monroe has been featured in a nationally publicized book on recovering from a heart attack. "I got this second chance so to speak and I'd like to take advantage of it if I can," he said. "We're all going to get older but we can still enjoy life. You might not be able to run as fast as you used to, but you can still run." Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer Updated 4:40 PM Wednesday, April 7, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Don Monroe appeared the least likely candidate for the bypass surgery he underwent in 2000. A runner since fifth-grade, the Kenton Ridge High School teacher and cross country coach would log dozens of miles a week, running with his students.

That is why New York surgeon Marc Wallack and his wife, FOX News anchor Jamie Colby, thought Monroe would be a perfect candidate to be included in their book, “Back to Life after a Heart Crisis.”

The book, released in February, chronicles Wallack’s comeback from quadruple bypass surgery. When they heard about Monroe’s story they asked if they could include it in their book.

”His story was so much like Marc’s,” Colby said. “He’s not only recovered, but he’s returned to be very active — running with his students.”

Both Monroe and Wallack, vice president of the surgery department at New York Medical College, had to face a new-found vulnerability when surgery took them off the running track and into rehab with people decades older and less healthy. For Wallack, who was training for his fifth New York City Marathon before his surgery, it was a hard pill to swallow, Colby said.

“Depression is not uncommon,” she said.

The irony was not lost on Monroe, but he also knew heart disease was in his family and was grateful that he was able to run as long as he did.

“I had two uncles that passed away before they were 40,” said Monroe, 59.

He also knew that running prepared him for the hard road to recovery.

”I was used to doing the things I was going to have to do to recover,” he said. “A lot of people in rehab hadn’t been athletic. They’d be walking on the treadmill and I’d be running.”

He has also changed his diet, which he admits was not as healthy as it could have been.

Today Monroe hardly lets a day go by without lacing up his shoes for a run.

“I got this second chance, so to speak, and I’d like to take advantage of it if I can,” he said. “We’re all going to get older but we can still enjoy life. You might not be able to run as fast as you used to, but you can still run.”

More information: “Back to Life after a Heart Crisis" on the web.

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