NYC Firefighter Hit By Bus, Completes Triathlon

Matthew Long, a New York firefighter, was riding his bike early one morning in 2005 when a bus made an illegal turn and hit him.  Well, “hit” is an understatement since he was literally run over and dragged under the bus.  He damaged his pelvis and leg to the extent where he needed titanium screws to put it all back together.  To make matters worse, the seat from his bike impaled him, affecting his rectum, bladder, urethra, and even his intestines.  Matt’s injuries were so severe that doctors only gave him a 1% chance for surviving.  Ironically, his doctors said that his fitness level (he was already in very good shape) enabled him to recover where most other people would’ not have made it.

He did more than survive, though.  After 40 surgeries and several months in the hospital, he was finally released.  Despite a brief bout with depression, he persevered and trained to participate in a marathon, then the Lake Placid Ironman competition.  Like something from a movie, Long had run out of gas halfway through the last leg of the running portion of the triathlon.  But, he found an extra gear and finished the race with only 3 seconds to spare.  Although he was already an athlete prior to his accident, his story (like Ruth Frith) is one of inspiration, determination, and perseverance.  Based on the severity of his injuries, Matt Long had a 1% chance for survival.  For most of us, our biggest obstacle for exercising is merely finding the time.  That excuse just seem doesn’t cut it anymore, huh?

Source:

HBO Real Sports

Fanhouse

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