At the 2020 Houston Marathon in January, Puzey was on pace for a personal best and to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials when tripped in a pothole late in the race, suffering meniscus and hamstring tears. He might not fit the typical image of a pro runner, but he’s not gonna let it hold him back. He also has been able to sit and even stand and do leg extensions. The water, the well, the river, the bank, the pendulum-none of it matters here. Your hand on the back of my head, gently scratching. Specifically, Tommy Rivers was diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary NK T-Cell Lymphoma, a very rare and aggressive form of Lymphoma. "One thing that makes people love him and want to support him is because even if they've never met him, they've felt loved by him. Because of this amazing support from around the world iFit is donating $106,517 to the Puzey family to help them during this challenging time. The latest episode of Shelter in Shape is running or biking four miles because that's exactly what Tommy would want us to do. The only regret he would have is that was his last shot in this Olympic window. This, here, is all I ever wanted. Flagstaff elite runner Tommy RiversPuzey, a two-time Rock 'n' Roll Arizona marathon champion, was transferred to a hospital in Scottsdale on Thursday with hopes of helping his recovery from a life-threatening respiratory condition. It’s just you, me, your hand, my head. For updates on Tommy’s health, follow @kimpuzey, @jacobpuzey and @steph_outside on Instagram. Your fingers tremble but persist. We hope that doctors can soon figure out what he is fighting so that he can find a path to total health and recovery. The Running Community Rallies Around Tommy Rivers Puzey During His Hospitalization The beloved Flagstaff, Arizona-based runner and physical therapist is fighting cancer. Puzey of Flagstaff has been in a Scottsdale hospital since July 23, at first in an induced coma and on a ventilator to assist his breathing. "He's alive and he's fighting and the volume of cancer has significantly diminished through these bouts of chemo. Tommy has been off the ventilator for more than 24 hours. In less than a week, more than 5,000 people donated more than $250,000 to a GoFundMe account on his behalf. Let’s all rage with Rivs today! I rest my forehead on your knee that is all bone. Once he is strong enough, the plan is for his oldest sibling Katie Hendricksonto be a donor for the bone marrow transplant. Follow him on Twitter @jeffmetcalfe. He’s dedicated his life to his love of endurance races, specializing in exercise physiology, health, wellness, nutrition, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. You are too tired to brush your teeth. On Friday, he confirmed via social media that Tommy has cancer in his lungs, which will require chemotherapy treatment. He’s lovingly known as “Puzey” or “Tommy Rivs” on social media . Flagstaff elite runner in life-threatening crisis, transferred to Scottsdale hospital, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The elite marathoner and ultrarunner has been placed on a ventilator due to severe respiratory issues. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. There is no poetry, just a stark precipice of feeling that is sometimes best left as it is. Dr. Tommy Puzey’s Recovery Recipe. "He knew he was in 2:14/2:15 shape at Houston. Running community bands together to support seriously ill Tommy Rivers Puzey . Your weak hand on my head, tears streaming as I face away from you, my teeth clenching the insides of my cheeks as I try to keep it together. Thank you to the expert medical team for getting him to this point! Follow him on Twitter @jeffmetcalfe. That has been the case over the past few weeks as close friends and many who have never met Rivs showed up with an outpouring of support after he landed in the ICU.. Scratch, scratch, scratch, then rest. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. He has been receiving chemotherapy treatment forprimary pulmonary NK/T-cell lymphoma. Coach Tommy Rivers Puzey, DPT, LMT. His road racing successes including Rock 'n' Roll Arizona titles in 2016 and 2017 and finishing 16th at the 2017 Boston Marathon in 2:18.20. He needs to pass certain benchmarks in order to be deemed ready for that. sDPT NAU H&M, Altra Running, Swiftwick, EPIC Bar, BioAstin-Hawaiian Astaxanthin MORE: Flagstaff elite runner in life-threatening crisis, transferred to Scottsdale hospital. And then, there it is. Tommy works as a physical therapist in addition to his running career. And we are now launching the Team Rivs Running Trucker Hat that was designed by Rivs and his friend Derek Friday. His wife and brother regularly are posting updates on his condition and inspirational messages particuarly via Instagram to encourage his recovery. Elite distance runner Tommy Puzey is off life support and preparing for a bone marrow transplant required due to his rare form of lung cancer. Puzey is an internationally known trail runner who obtained a doctorate in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2017. tommy rivers puzey Big heart, big philanthropist, big family— Rivers is a father, a husband, a son, a brother, and a friend to so many across the globe. Tommy Rivs is based in Flagstaff, Arizona, which has become the American hub for ultra-running. "It's been inspiring and humbling and at the same time not at all surprising," Jacob said. Tommy Rivers Puzey, 35, known as “Tommy Rivs” on social media, has been in the fight for his life since July, when he fell ill midway through a long run in the Grand Canyon. He’s a bearded, tatted, muscular man, who dares to lead at elite races around the world, which seems audacious and presumptuous, and is extremely entertaining. ", In early June, Puzey had a major medical scare while running in the Grand Canyon with friend Derrick Lytle, unsure if he would survive. When someone has impacted a community as much as runner Tommy Rivers Puzey (aka “Rivs”), people rally to help a friend and role model. We are sending all our love and healing wishes to Tommy Rivers Puzey, a valued TRF member and huge contributor to the Flagstaff running community. Puzey is widly admired in the running community for his work ethic, personality and intellect. By all accounts he's a really good guy. Elite distance runner Tommy Puzey is off life support and preparing for a bone marrow transplant required due to his rare form of lung cancer. Olympic Trails Qualifier in Marathon. sDPT NAU H&M, Altra Running, Swiftwick, EPIC Bar, BioAstin-Hawaiian Astaxanthin 5,420 talking about this. 11, 2018. Tommy Rivers Puzey, who grew up in Hermiston before making a name for himself in the long-distance running world, is in an intensive care unit in Scottsdale, Arizona, being treated for an aggressive form of cancer known as Primary Pulmonary NK T-Cell Lymphoma. "Because the case is so unique, it really is we're going to try this with the chemo then we'll go back and assess how much cancer is still there. Still everything I could ever want. There you are. 6,276 talking about this. "The way we were raised is wastefulness is an unpardonable sin. "He's still not out of the woods, but he's making progress. He's on the path to recovery, but that doesn't mean it's not going to be an always present fear.". After several weeks of testing and a lung biopsy, doctors discovered the presence of cancer. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. At the 2020 Houston Marathon in January, Puzey was on pace for a personal best and to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials when he tripped in a pothole late in the race, suffering meniscus and hamstring tears. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. His lungs and oxygen levels have been improving. Everything that ever happens is right now. 0:50 Flagstaff elite runner Tommy Rivers Puzey, a two-time Rock 'n' Roll Arizona marathon champion, was transferred to a hospital in Scottsdale on Thursday with … Rivers Puzey approaches the finish line of the Boston Marathon, April 17, 2017. After being transferred to Scottsdale, he was receivingextracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) on a machine that replaces the heart and lungs function. A post shared by Steph (@steph_outside) on Oct 4, 2020 at 7:52am PDT. Rivs, as he’s known by his friends, has spent his life helping others, now he’s fighting for his life. Tommy Rivs is in the ICU right now with an undiagnosed lung-related illness. Tommy and Stephanie are parents of three daughters. "It speaks to the incredible humanity that exists in the running community and to the impact he has add on individuals. There is no yesterday. More than $600,000 has been raised for Puzey through a GoFundMe account. He is no longer in need of life support! Even while in the hospital in Flagstaff, Puzey posted several Instagram videos explaining his situation and reflecting on his love for his family and others. Puzey is an internationally known trail runner who obtained a doctorate in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2017. "They oxygenate the blood (on ECMO) rather than trying to pump it straight into the lungs. You apologize for your weakness and it brings me to my knees. "I'm hopeful he comes out of this and will wake up, and I know there will be gratitude because gratitude is his default. You are pale and thin but still so beautiful. THE BLUES High stress training blocks or hard races, whether marathon or beyond, have the ability to deplete our systems of neurotransmitters and other hormones that we rely on for emotional wellbeing. Jacob Puzey said transferring his younger brother to Shea Medical Center will allow him to receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on a machine that replaces the heart and lungs function. Exposed in its nakedness. First, thank you for being here. Tommy Rivers is an ultrarunner, iFit Trainer, endurance coach, and all-around athlete from Flagstaff, Arizona. You scratched my head today. All rights reserved. You don't waste your talents and opportunities. I have sores on the insides of my mouth to prove it. Not a display of strength but a notion of presence. He never felt better in his life. Puzey, who turned 36 on Aug. 22 andwas in anintensive care unit for more than 90 days, now is in the bone marrow wing. He is aware of what is going on and what needs to happen. The fact that Tommy “Rivs” Puzey doesn’t belong is why people love him. Puzey of … Are you a sports fan? I turn on The Office and pull my chair next to your bed. In late September, Puzey was taken off ECMO and a few days later off the ventilator. Tommy Rivers and his beautiful family have been a shinin… John Peel needs your support for Rest up, Tommy, we'll see you soon He was knocking on the door of his full potential.". ", MORE:Thomas Puzey wins second consecutive Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon. But I also know he will feel embarrassed to be the one in need, and I'm OK with that. "Life is a fragile thing. © 2021 www.azcentral.com. Today is all there is for you. running coach (eng, span, port), iFit instructor . There are risks, but it didn't seem like the ventilator was doing enough. Not then, but now. First place finisher Thomas Puzey looks back moments after crossing the finish line during the 2018 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on the Strip in Las Vegas, Sunday,Nov. He will transition from the ICU to the bone marrow transplant wing of the hospital where he will prepare for a bone marrow transplant. Stay strong.” It’s harder than you think. Stay in the know. TransRockies Run Run 6 Champion. The workout is called "Run 4 Rivs." There is nothing more on either side of this space. He also won the Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 2018 and 2019. It’s harder than I thought. On Monday, August 3, 2020, we challenged the iFit community to participate in an iFit workout that features Tommy Rivers Puzey. Puzey still resisted going to the hospital, in part for financial reasons, until it became clear to him and his wife Stephanie that there was no alternative. Other fundraising efforts for Puzey include the sale of Run with Rivs shirts, designed by his sister Anna, and Team Rivs hats through his sponsor Craft. Member of Team USA for World 50K Road Championships. Running Resume. “Stay strong for him, Steph. Proceeds from the sales of these products will go to Rivs, Steph and their daughters. Tommy is in an intensive care unit in Arizona, being treated for an aggressive form of cancer known as Primary Pulmonary NK T-Cell Lymphoma. It all happens here. They're doing everything they can to get him to a place where he's healthy enough to handle the transplant. I get out of bed and come to see you. Tommy Puzey went public last week with several Instagram videos that described what he has been dealing with for three weeks while being treated in an intensive-care unit. "He doesn't care what the end result is in terms of who wins the race," said Jacob, also a distance runner and running coach. Jacob Puzey provided an update on Tommy Rivers Puzey’s battle with Primary Pulmonary NK T-Cell Lymphoma (a very rare and aggressive form of Lymphoma) on Tuesday and said his brother remains sedated. I'd rather he and Stephand their kids don't have mountains of bills following them the rest of their lives. Jacob said Tommy is able to communicate verbally through a tracheostomy or by sign language with his wife Stephanie and doctors but that both means are "very taxing." You said you felt weak and frail. "Even with the ventilator, he wasn't able to get enough oxygen into his lungs," Jacob said. He has intentionally chosen to be vulnerable to people who feelthere are parts of them they need to hide, they still feel seen and heard and loved. As some of you may know, almost a month ago, Tommy Rivs was admitted to the ICU with respiratory issues. "There isn't an exact timeline," said Jacob Puzey, Tommy's older brother. #teamrivs #runwithrivs #rageon, A post shared by Jacob Puzey (@jacobpuzey) on Oct 1, 2020 at 11:49am PDT. "Somehow after 12 hours we made it out as the sun rose," he wrote on a social media post. Update: On August 6th, iFit reported that supporters in 81 countries came together and ran a total of 106,517 miles! Tommy Rivers Puzey has loved running ever since he was a little kid. Progress! Thomas Puzey wins second consecutive Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He was leading the charge of the pace group and pulling away. Thank you for your continued love, thoughts, prayers, and support! “Do you remember when squeezing my hand was enough to make me weep?” I ask. His road racing successes including Rock 'n' Roll Arizona titles in 2016 and 2017 and finishing 16th at the 2017 Boston Marathon in 2:18.20. We are elated! Here we are, together. Endurance Athlete and Coach @tommy_rivs. 272.9k Followers, 919 Following, 1,020 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from tommy_rivs ☠️ (@tommy_rivs) We first came out with the Run with Rivs Tess which was designed by Riv’s little sister, Anna. I get sick less often and recovery faster if I do get sick. Ben Snider-McGrath July 20, 2020 A few weeks ago, American runner Tommy Rivers Puzey, brother to Jacob Puzey (who now lives in Canmore, Alta. It’s no secret that Tommy Rivers Puzey is the true definition of an athlete. He also won the Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 2018 and 2019. But no, you don’t. Puzey, 35, was hospitalized in Flagstaff for more than three weeks and for a week has been in an induced coma and on a ventilator to assist his breathing. The couple has three young daughters. The campaigns and the GoFundMe have raised over $500,000 for Rivers Puzey’s family. Scratch, scratch, scratch, then rest. You called at 7am saying you’d had a rough night. Top 3 at XTERRA World Trail Running Championships. We are grateful! Speaking from his hospital bed while wearing a supplemental oxygen tube in this nose, Puzey struggled amid coughing to tell his story in the candid selfie videos. He's pleased at the progress he's making and as much as he can, he's part of the process. Be grateful for each new day and hold tight all the good things this world has to offer.". Puzey has qualified for the Boston Marathon a number of times—so many, in fact, that he wasn’t sure which of his recent top finishes was actually the time that got him the coveted Boston race bib. He’s alive & fighting like hell! Reach the reporter at jeff.metcalfe@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8053. You are comforting me. Raw beauty that is the present. Puzey's medical crisis began in June during arun in the Grand Canyon with symptoms that he first attributed todehydration and heat stroke then later pneumonia. "They've tested for bacteria, viral, fungul, all sorts of things," Jacob said. Got a treadmill that came with iFit software last November, and Tommy's one of the online trainers in that ecosystem that got me running consistently again. As a professional endurance athlete and coach, he specializes in exercise physiology, health and wellness, nutrition, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. "He has already exceeded what was the worst case scenario," Jacob said. "He realized it was more in his lungs so it felt like pneumonia," which Tommy had when he was a child, Jacob said. He and our family fully trust his medical team.". Maybe they are the same thing. Jacob Puzey said his brother has not tested positive for coronavirus and believed the issues in the Grand Canyon were due to dehydration and heat stroke. Endurance Athlete and Coach @tommy_rivs. The accomplished ultrarunner struggled with extreme respiratory discomfort and was coughing and urinating blood. 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