Le Thi Kha Ly, a 39-year-old physical education teacher at Tran Khai Nguyen High School in TP HCM and a personal running coach at T-Coaching, was injured on 5/6 when a tree fell on her while she was traveling on Nguyen Luong Bang Street in District 7. The accident left her with injuries to her face and hip.

Le Thi Kha Ly on the 42km route at VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Le Thi Kha Ly on the 42km route at VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Ly had already purchased a ticket to compete in the 42km race at the VnExpress Marathon in Quy Nhon on 15/6, having previously missed the event. After the accident, friends and family advised her to focus on recovery instead of competing. However, the experience gave Ly a new perspective.

"The accident made me think a lot about life and its unpredictability. I realized I can't foresee what will happen tomorrow. So, at 2:13 a.m. on 15/6, I decided to leave the hotel and head to the starting line just as the countdown began," Ly recounted.

Ly said the excitement of the race masked the pain during the run. However, her face swelled up after she crossed the finish line, requiring ice packs. Having previously achieved a sub-3-hour marathon at the National Marathon Championship in March, her time of 3 hours and 18 minutes in Quy Nhon exceeded her expectations, especially given her recent injury and break from training. She had only hoped for a sub-4-hour finish.

"Crossing the finish line was an amazing feeling. I felt lucky to be safe and able to return to my family after the accident, let alone complete a full marathon just 10 days later," Ly shared. She added that her injuries have stabilized, with only lingering pain in her hip and cheekbone.

Kha Ly three weeks after the accident, as she began light training again. Photo: Provided by the subject

Kha Ly three weeks after the accident, as she began light training again. Photo: Provided by the subject

Ly's determination stems from difficult memories of physical education classes. Suffering from asthma, she often couldn't complete running tests. The experience of walking to the finish line while her classmates rested left her feeling self-conscious and often in tears.

"Back then, I got bad grades and thought I would never love sports," she said. Unwilling to give up, Ly began walking over 2 km to school each day. As her health improved, she started running, gradually increasing her distance. By the end of the year, she earned her first grade of 8 in physical education.

This small achievement marked a turning point. A teacher recognized her potential and recruited her for the school team, then for the TP HCM talent team. Ten years later, she became a professional athlete, winning medals in both community and national races.

At the peak of her career, family tragedies forced Ly to stop. Her father became seriously ill, and her brother passed away suddenly. In the following years, the pressures of marriage, pregnancy, and depression left her feeling lost.

"I thought about the worst," Ly shared. During those dark days, she started running again, not for achievement but for self-discovery. Each morning, while the city was still quiet, Ly would put on her shoes and head out. Every kilometer brought her closer to peace. "After a while, I realized running was no longer a sport. It was my life," she said.

This "rebirth" now fuels Ly's passion for coaching. As a physical education teacher and running coach, she has guided hundreds of people in the sport and continues to inspire the community at races. Her time of 3 hours and 18 minutes at the VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon qualified her for an age group award.

"I don't focus on achievements. My dream is to run a full marathon in every province and city in Vietnam. I always tell my friends and students that running saved my life. If I can, I want to share that with as many people as possible," Ly shared.

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