"As I set foot on the finish mat, I couldn't control it any longer..... and the tears just gushed out. (I hope no one saw.)  I did it ! Me.....I did it !"

Later, he said, "I knew this would be an important race for me, but I had no idea just how big a deal this would turn out to be. The media response to my ( our ) participation in this race, has been overwhelming to say say the least

On his blog he summed the experience up best:  "I'm grateful for being given an opportunity to take part in this race. It was truly a dream come true and an experience I will never forget. I hope that other people with lung disease will see by my example, that anything is possible if you try hard enough."

I added the bold for emphasis.  After writing this post, I'm going to have a hard time accepting from any asthmatic the words "I can't."  If Breathin' Stephen, the Hardluck asthmatic, can trek 26 miles in 7.5 hours despite the obstacles he faces, any asthmatic can do it.

(To read more of Stephen's experience and check out pictures click here).