Triathlon has new meaning for man after near death experience

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Turkey Dash triathlon has a new meaning for man after a near death experience.

Five years ago, Christian Walsh was hit by a car as he was training for a race.

"I was in a coma for 10 days, I spent some time in a wheelchair with a broken vertebrae in my neck and one in my back," Walsh said.

Someone special was with him every step of the way.

"Teach him to eat again, teach him to walk again and now he's running a 10K and excelling at life, that's pretty amazing," Dr. Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez said. She works at TIRR Memorial Hermann and was there when Walsh learned how to walk again.

Only fitting she was there as they both ran the Katy 10K together on Thanksgiving.

"I was trying to get him motivated to get him going along the course, push him until the end," she said.

There was no doubt that they would cross the finish line together.

"The work is incredibly amazing, I get to help these patients through the most difficult parts of their lives," she added.