The Long Run

One Man's Attempt to Regain his Athletic Career-and His Life-by Running the New York City Marathon

By: Matthew Long, Charles Butler

Narrated by: Matthew Del Negro

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

On the morning of December 22, 2005, New York City firefighter Matt Long was cycling to work when he was struck by and sucked under a 20-ton bus making an illegal turn. The injuries he sustained pushed him within inches of death. Miraculously, after five months in the hospital and more than 40 operations, Matt was able to start his recovery.

In addition to his physical injuries, Matt found the psychological consequences of the accident nearly as hard to process. In the 18 months before the accident, he had competed in more than 20 premier athletic events and had qualified for running's most prestigious race, the Boston Marathon. After the accident, one doctor told him he'd be lucky if he could even walk without a cane.

The Long Run is the emotional and incredibly honest story of Matt's determination to fight through fear, despair, loneliness, and intense physical and psychological pain to regain the life he once had. It chronicles Matt's road to recovery as he teaches himself to walk again and, a mere three years later, to run in the 2008 New York City Marathon.

©2010 Matthew Long (P)2010 Random House Audio

It'll make you cringe at times (in a good way)

When the author details what he went through - the accident, the surgeries, and so on - your gut will clench up and you'll audibly gasp. Very much enjoyed this book. Well balanced and the use of a New Yorker to narrate worked very well, you can really hear Matt Long's own voice come through narrator Del Negro.

Hope

I love how Matthew honorstly tell us how his selfeworth dignity manhood gets abselutely crushed and hes humiliated all day everu day... And doesnt handel that great at all... U Till he takes Ownership of hes shattered life and reclame a more than worthy life with great achievements and gives Hope to everybody.. No matter hove cruel the situation.. Way to go Matth!!

Worth the time to listen

Would you listen to The Long Run again? Why?

Yes it is about real people and real life. Motivativating, inspiring, and attention gabbing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Has to be Matty Long and his fortitude and never say never mentality....even in the face of outstanding odds. The man had a 5% chance of living let alone what he has accomplished.

Which character – as performed by Matthew Del Negro – was your favorite?

Again Matty Long

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The tough love his mother and father showed when Matt needed it the most, and then Matt telling his mother it was for her!

Any additional comments?

If you run or thinking of running a must read .... Motivation for me as a new runner at the right time. I relate to real people and real events and that is this book!

Love Love Love

Absolutely Loved it.

The narration really brought life to the story. I could feel the emotions.

Inspiring

What an Amazing story! So inspiring for anyone! The narrator was really good also. I listed to this book on a long round trip car ride and it made the ride pleasant.

Only 1/2 way through and loving it

I wasn't sure how I'd like this book, being an avid marathon runner and ironman it's heart wrenching to hear what happened to Mathew Long. His story is amazing. Athlete or not this is a must read book. It has the right mix of life stories and focus on the athlete. I listen to it on my commute to and from work and have to watch the tears (always good tears though).

Inspirational!

I listend to this while I was running, and going through a minor injury. This book will make you laugh, cry, and understand what it takes to push through your minor tweaks. If a man can get ran over by a bus, and then run a marathon, what can YOU do?!!

Outstanding

Great book, inpowerment and motivational. Show how small are our regular problems and how we can achieve greatness if we really want and chase, focus and dedicate ourselves to achieve it.

Just couldnt put it down

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, great encouragement for those long roads in front you. I personally found the story extremely engrossing. Very enjoyable story with real characters, brought to life with in a way that grips you.

Must read for any FF or athlete

Matt Long's tale of recovery is a must read for any athlete, firefighter, or anyone struggling to recover from an injury. If you ever need motivation to keep moving forward, this is it. The narrator was wonderful as well.