Cancer Nearly Took His Life. But the New York Marathon Awaited.
The New York Times
Almost a year ago to the day, the elite runner Tommy Rivers Puzey learned to sit up in a bed again. On Sunday, he attempted the New York City Marathon.
Almost a year ago to the day, Tommy Rivers Puzey, a professional runner who has won or placed in big city marathons and other endurance events, learned to sit up in bed again.
Over the course of a few weeks, he trained his body to slowly swing his legs over the side of the bed. Eventually he was able to walk from one end of the room to the next, despite exhaustion from the effort lasting two to three days.
On Sunday, Puzey, 37, entered the New York City Marathon. He knew he would be far off his best time for such a race, but it didn’t matter. Like the majority of participants, it was enough to be there, even better to finish. Unlike most, he almost didn’t make it to the race in the first place because he had nearly died.
