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Sep 25, 2006 12:02 pm US/Central
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Man Training For First Wheelchair Marathon
Paralyzed Athlete Already Plays Basketball, Softball And Hockey
by Jim Mullen
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
When he first became paralyzed more than 25 years ago, Hector Bruno thought his life was over.
Today, he is training for his first marathon -- with the help of a fantastic mentor.
They're quite a team and CBS 2's disabilities reporter Jim Mullen recently caught up with them.
Hector Bruno knows being an athlete takes discipline, strength and a great mentor. He's been training for his first wheelchair marathon with the help of James Lilly.
"James is a hard trainer," Bruno told CBS 2 with a laugh. "He always pushes you; doesn't like to give up and he's a good friend, a very good friend."
They met last year through a mutual friend. Lilly, an accomplished wheelchair athlete, immediately saw promise in Bruno.
"Just by looking at his energy and his body, I just said, 'You know what, I think you'd be real good at wheelchair racing," Lilly said.
Hector already was great at softball, basketball and hockey. But getting in shape for a marathon was another story.
"I do a lot of cardio, a lot of upper body strength," Bruno said. He uses a customized racing chair and "runs" by pedaling with his arms.
"It's like freedom. You are one with the racing chair," Bruno said. But his best tool is his attitude.
"When I was first paralyzed, it was the hardest time that I have had in my life. I mean, one day you are walking and then all of a sudden, they tell you you'll never walk again. For a while I was very suicidal," Bruno said. "Then I said to myself, why am I feeling sorry for myself for? There is always someone who is worse off."
From that moment on, Bruno has known he'll be a winner, no matter what.
"I am going to finish the marathon. I don't care if I am last or whatever. Bottom line, I'm going to finish the marathon," Bruno said.
Lilly said that he has hopes for Bruno beyond his first race
"Hector is a sports animal. He is doing basketball, he is doing sled hockey and he is doing all these things. I really am hoping after this first marathon he will be hooked and where he will tell me all he wants to do is race now," Lilly said.
We'll let you know how hector does in the LaSalle Bank Chicago marathon. CBS 2 is a proud media partner. The race is Sunday, Oct. 22.
Bruno and Lilly have more in common than sports. They were both paralyzed after being shot many years ago and they both are dedicated to proving that life doesn't end just because you're disabled.
And Jim Mullen doesn't think Bruno will finish in last; he said Bruno and Lilly are both world-class athletes.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)