The Long Run by Matt Long - I picked this book up on a leisurly Saturday evening spent sitting in Borders. I'd read about Matt, and his forthcoming book, in Runners World in October, and was astounded with his story. When I saw it on the display at the bookstore, I thought I'd skim it for a bit. I had no intentions of spending my money on it, as book money seems to be quite the commodity these days, and I've become much more selective with my purchases. I knew the story. End of story. Oh how very wrong I was. Needless to say, I ended up purchasing the book and encouraged my friend Sue (who would be running the New York City Marathon in just a few weeks) to read it also. What followed was a wonderful trip through my own running memories by revisiting both the city and the sport I love the most through the words of an incredibly inspiring and amazing man. Matt's story begins with a race. Not just any race, but the New York City marathon on a crisp November morning. Intent on qualifying for the Boston Marathon, the Holy Grail of all running endeavors, Matt takes us through the fastest 26.2 miles of his life in the first chapters of the book. Scorching his goal and achieving his goal, we are introduced to a man who seemingly knows no limits...a man to whom the word "can't" seems foreign. But, oh how quickly life can play a cruel melody where once a symphony had been heard. Fast forward just barely a month and Matt's life comes crashing down, quite literally, as he is hit by a commuter bus while riding his bike to work one snowy December morning. Pinned under the bus, Matt had to be physically cut from his bike in order to save his life. What transpires in the weeks, months, and years therafter is a journey to hell and back which Matt is forced to traverse with the help of his friends and families. The obvious emotional upheavel of the experience compounded by the loss of his atheletic lifestyle and his failure to get to run his own Boston Marathon take its toll on Matt, eventually forcing him into a downward spiral. However, athletes are strong of body AND of mind, and Matt overcomes his obstacles, one by one, to again beat the odds by conquering his fear and physcial limitations to toe-up to the start line of the NYC Marathon one more time. Another first step on an amazing journey that is different than before but oh so much more meaningful!
The man is even more amazing in person, and even invited us for a drink to his bar Third and Long! (and we went!)
