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

Matthew Long · Charles Butler

Oct 2010 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Matthew Del Negro

About this audiobook

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.

About the author

MATT LONG is a 17-year veteran of the FDNY and a New York City bar and restaurant owner. A finisher of multiple marathons and two Ironmans, he gives motivational talks to athletes and corporate executives. Since 2008, Long has been a spokesperson for the New York Blood Center. His foundation, I Will, provides training and funding to athletes recovering from traumatic injuries.

CHARLES BUTLER is an editor at Runner’s World whose writing has appeared in the New York Times, SmartMoney, and Fortune, among other publications. Butler teaches journalism at Lehigh University.