Lukas Verzbicas has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. This morning, Verzbicas competed in the 2012 Orland Park Turkey Trot in his hometown of Orland Park, IL.

Earlier this week, Verzbicas posted on his twitter account that he was going to run the 2.5 mile race. "Run" is an incredible word to use for someone who was told that he may never be able to walk again.



This August, Verzbicas lost control of his bike during an interval working in Colorado Springs and crashed into a barrier on the course. He suffered several injuries including a broken thorax, two broken vertebrae, a broken clavicle, and a partially collapsed lung.

Verzbicas never faltered during his rehab. After three weeks, he was running with minimal back and neck support. In September, he was jogging on an Alter-G treadmill. By October, his orthopedic surgeon called his recovery a "medical miracle."

This morning, four months after his life-threatening accident, Verzbicas returned to competition. He took third in in the 2012 Orland Park Turkey Trot with his time of 13:33.2.

5:25 mile pace for 2.5 miles is far from 3:59.71 (mile) and 8:29.46 (2-mile), but it's the truest of miracles after being told by the trauma surgeon that he should consider a wheelchair or crutches.

It'll be a long road back for Verzbicas, who is looking to return to competition this spring. He's not just taking baby steps - he's making giant leaps.

Faith, family, and especially health, are some of the things we should all be thankful for this Thanksgiving.