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

Perseverance at its best!

If you could sum up The Long Run in three words, what would they be?

Pushed beyond all reasonable limits this man survived and thrived when others would have quit.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matt because of the strength he showed. Yes he had his self-pity moments, but who wouldn't in his situation.

What about Matthew Del Negro’s performance did you like?

He's an athlete with a character of fun!

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

The injuries he sustained and survived! Oh my gosh!!!

Any additional comments?

When someone is feeling weak, share this book.

Moving

If you’re training for any endurance event/sport or in recovery I can’t adequately communicate how inspirational this story is. It’s simply amazing.

Inspiring

Well writing, very inspiring and motivating. Love this book. If you need a message to inspire you to keep fighting and never give up, this is your book.

Most inspirational book I've ever read. Period.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Long Run to be better than the print version?

I thought Matthew Del Negro was an excellent narrator. In fact, I'd say he was absolutely perfect to read this story, accent and all. This was one of the times, listening was more powerful than reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matt Long...my new hero.

What about Matthew Del Negro’s performance did you like?

Next to Scott Brick, Del Negro is my favorite narrator. His voice is very natural. You never felt he was reading, but telling the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh and cry. Moments of great sadness, and moments of overwhelming joy.

Any additional comments?

Everybody who thinks they can't, they're too old, too overweight, too injured, to sick...etc. to push yourself and get healthy needs this book. They NEED this book.

This Guy Is Incredible

Any additional comments?

The Long Run was a great listen. The narrator sounded like he could have authored the story - a rough New Yorker with some soft spots on the inside. I guess this enhanced the listen, but sometimes it was kind of distracting. Moments when it was especially distracting included anytime the author talked about his childhood and how his parents made it work with very little at times. The narrator makes the story sound exaggerated at times and the story really speaks for itself.
This book was uplifting and heartbreaking and then uplifting again. I've never, so badly, wanted the best for a complete stranger. Long seems like the kind of guy everyone loves, and there are moments in his story where you really empathize with not only his physical struggle to recovery, but the emotional, and social recovery too.
My only complaint with the story was that the author gets a little political, and I don't much agree with his politics. It could be frustrating when he would lay it on thick, but any political side comments were at least short.
I listened to this book while training for a marathon and it really inspired me to push myself and be thankful for the body and abilities I have. That's probably my biggest takeaway from the read - our bodies are amazing and we should be taking advantage of that every day.
Great listen for any one athlete. Or anyone that wants to be one.

New to Running

Would you consider the audio edition of The Long Run to be better than the print version?

This book is very inspiring.

What did you like best about this story?

I know of his family and have spent time with his father, This book kept me wanting to listen and run more. I enjoyed the narrators take on his accent and found it endearing. His story is truelly awe inspiring. The ups and downs paint a great picture.

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

The book was emotional at times, but it doesn't stick to a low point for any length of time.

Any additional comments?

Great read for anyone who likes to be inspired, who needs to be reminded of how blessed they are. Would be good for a younger person too.

Amazing... Inspirational, awe-inspiring

If you could sum up The Long Run in three words, what would they be?

Heart-warming. Tough. Real.

What did you like best about this story?

I tell you what, I had about an hour and a half left in Matt's story, about him trying to run again and regain *him*, and as his story continued I logged onto my Amazon account, and I ordered another hard copy - but not for me. I ordered it for a couple I used to work with, where the husband had beaten cancer and had to learn to walk again, to train his muscles and deal with the issues that came with his nerves and just being able to live again. Not just trying to gain some semblance of who he was before, but trying to grow even after all of the difficulties and adjust to who he is in the present. And while this was an amazing story, I think THAT is what stood out to me the most - connecting his journey to people I care about, as opposed to not being able to relate any part of it to my own life.

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

Matt, for sure

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. Of course there were things like work that got in the way ;) But while running errands, during my commute, and while working out? Definitely got it in.

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book, absolutely awe-inspiring. I've owned a hard copy of the book for a while (see: almost 3 years), but I finally decided to listen to it on audible - after having it for probably a year. I don't know why I finally got around to it, but I don't regret it for a minute. As a (really slow) runner, and a human being, you appreciate Matt's struggles. You cheer for him, you empathize with him, and at times you want to cry with him. While his exact struggles may not be easy to relate to, there are a number of moments in his story that you find yourself connect to, in some way, shape, or form - one of the big ones for me, I mean the REALLY big ones, was him talking about the impact of 9/11 on his life and the lives of those he loves. And it all serves to give you a big picture of what he "lost", but also what he gained.

Inspirational

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

It is an inspirational story and nothing like I thought it would be. I thought it would be more exercise and diet based but I was pleasantly surprised with this vivid description of how will power is more important than 100 doctor estimations of recovery.

What did you like best about this story?

The narrarator was AWESOME! I have listened to many audiobooks and some were ruined not by the content but by the annoying narration.

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

Matt Long

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

some parts made me laugh and some made me cry so is the rollercoaster tale of recovery after such tragedy. I think the parts where he recalls 9/11 were the most difficult

Mind blowing story!

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

Yes. It really is an inspiration story - raw - but still a painted picture you'll love.

What about Matthew Del Negro’s performance did you like?

There was some type of change in the narration toward the end - slight change in tone - and I realized it was someone else's voice. It happened several times, almost as if words had been skipped and they went back and added them in with a voice as close as they could get. Regardless, I still enjoyed it.

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

His journey! Wow! Kicking his brother out of the apartment.....

Any additional comments?

There are flashbacks throughout, not hard to follow at all, but if you like linear story-telling, this won't be for you.

Incredibly inspiring story

I met Matt Long at a race expo in Philadelphia and bought his book. It took me years to get to it but it was worth the wait. This is a gut wrenching, powerful story about courage, survival and determination. Matt’s inspiring story needs to be heard by as many people as possible.