Oct 26, 2008 11:00 pm US/Eastern
Firefighter Faced Death, Now Faces NYC Marathon
Matthew Long, Struck By Bus In 2005, Hopes To Conquer Storied Race
How many people have said they want to run the New York City Marathon, only to put it off for another year?
Here's the story of a firefighter who is now ready to run the race after facing death just three years ago.
He almost didn't make it.
Riding his bike to work because of the transit strike in 2005, New York City Firefighter Matthew Long was hit.
A bus chartered by Bear Stearns to transport its employees during the strike struck him in East Harlem. He broke multiple bones and suffered massive internal injuries.
"I feel lucky to be alive," Long said.
"More than a dozen surgeries and intense physical therapy later, Matthew Long is back
"They put me back together the best they could," Long said of his surgeons.
He's on his feet now, but he has bigger plans than just a stroll in the park.
"I just want to be an athlete, crossing that finish line," Long said.
That finish line comes next weekend, in the form of the NYC Marathon.
"I'm like a 42-year-old living in an 82-year-old body," Long said.
But Long has proven time and time again that he can do just about anything, and he has his family to back him up every step of the way.
Long has a message for his family about his decision to run in the marathon, and his mother in particular.
"Mom, it may hurt but I'm back and all your prayers have been answered," Long said. "She'll like that – [I've] got to stay in Mom's good graces."
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