want some inspiration?

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2009-07-31 10:53 AM

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Subject: want some inspiration?
http://www.iwillfoundation.com/mattstory.htmlgoogle

check out this NYC firefigher, Matt Long.  He was an avid triathlete, did NYC marathon in like 3:14 then did the Lake Placid IM in a very competitive time, including the marathon leg in like 3:22.  Then in 2005 during the NYC transit strike a bus ran him over while on his bike. The bus literally ran him over and his bike went thru his torso. The dude should have died, had something like 60 blood transfusions, massive internal injuries,  permanent leg injuries. Lucky to be alive, lucky to be walking, yet he did the 2008 NYC marathon, and last week finished the Lake Placid IM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5k3yo3tRFY

My point? I'm crying about a little leg injury lately, curtailing my training. I saw him finish the Montauk Oly in June and thought to myself, dude you're a wimp, HTFU.

2009-07-31 11:07 AM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
Yeah I have seen some videos about this guy finishing his first marathon post accident and he is incredible.  Didn't know he did Lake Placid, that's incredible thanks for the update!
2009-07-31 11:39 AM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
He was featured in RunnersWorld a few months back. Great article.

Edited by DougRob 2009-07-31 11:39 AM
2009-07-31 12:08 PM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
Does anyone know what, if anything, happened to the president of the union who called the strike? Just curious.
2009-07-31 1:20 PM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?

It was funny because I didn't know Matt Long was doing IMLP, so when I bumped into him in the local tri shop the night before I was totally taken aback.  I talked to him briefly and told him how inspiring I found his story in Runner's World.

Also got to help him out working an aid station and saw him cross the finish line - they played "Iron Man" for him.

Truly awesome.

2009-07-31 2:00 PM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
yeah I admire his determination but he loses cool points for shoving that guy at the finish of the NYC marathon

2009-07-31 2:02 PM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
sublimekid27 - 2009-07-31 11:07 AM Yeah I have seen some videos about this guy finishing his first marathon post accident and he is incredible.  Didn't know he did Lake Placid, that's incredible thanks for the update!


Did you also see him push someone out of his "photo op" at the finish line and then proceed to do push-ups while his entourage stood there?

Yeah, I saw that too- inspiring....
2009-08-05 8:23 AM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?

was he wrong for pushing someone? most definitely.  No one said he's perfect, and like Joe H says, he definitely loses cool points, but big deal- he pushed the guy. If that's the worst thing that ever happens to someone during a race, we're all doing great.

2009-08-05 10:13 AM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
ried0428 - 2009-08-05 8:23 AM

was he wrong for pushing someone? most definitely.  No one said he's perfect, and like Joe H says, he definitely loses cool points, but big deal- he pushed the guy. If that's the worst thing that ever happens to someone during a race, we're all doing great.



What has happened to you in a race? I can never recall being thrown out of the way at the finish line.
2009-08-05 10:20 AM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
my gosh....i'm SOOO tired of reading about the pushing thing....

I'm sure all those complaining have acted as if a camera is on them all their lives....

please....

we have all done things in the heat of the moment we would have done differently if given a second chance.

unfortuantley for Matt, he was caught on tape, and his story is highly publizied.

give the guy a break......
2009-08-05 10:59 AM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
 I'm not looking to start a big fight here, and I admit he was wrong, but it only minutely distracts from his accomplishments considering his injuries.  I've never even seen the marathon video so I can't speak for what he did at the finish line. I've only read that he shoved someone- answer this for me- is the word "thrown" a little strong?

Honestly, you can shove me any time you want rather than some of the things that have happened to me and some of the things I've seen or heard about at races: But the two worst things that have happened to me are:

*had a bridge kicked out of my mouth because I made the unpardonable sin of drafting too close and hitting some dikhead's foot. I nearly choked to death trying to the bridge out of my mouth in deep water.
*here's my winner: at the Phlly Oly my towel was used as toilet paper. Actually that's wrong- it was used as a toilet- someone actually shat in it... I was stationed at the last row and my towel was found 10 feet from the port-a-potty- I guess the line was too long and someone couldn't wait, but I would rather they have thrown the evidence in a trash can.

I've also had various indiscretions done to my my bike and other equipment, sunglasses stepped on, bike knocked over. Not a big deal, I'm healthy enough, thank God, to do triathlons, I try not to get bothered by things I consider fairly minor.

2009-08-05 11:09 AM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?

I still commend the guy for getting back out there and starting over.

I may be mistaken, but I thought I saw somewhere that he only pushed to keep from getting knocked over at the finish line. But that really doesn't matter.

He's supporting an awesome organization, and he himself is an awesome guy.

2009-08-05 5:52 PM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
Very inspiring. From crutches and major leg atrophy one year ago to an Ironman finisher!

Mike Riley spoke at our club meeting last week and told us about the guy at the end of the video who comes in at 16:59:59. He stepped on the timing mat with this left leg- the one with the timing chip. If he had stepped on the mat with the right leg first, his time would have been over 17 hours!



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2009-08-05 6:23 PM
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2009-08-05 6:44 PM
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Subject: RE: want some inspiration?
from that video, i dont consider that a throw out of the way, the guy stopped in front of him and his group as they were trying to cross the finish line, atleast thats what i saw from the video above this post. even then, still its a great story and should be an inspiration to many people
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