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January 9, 2006 UPDATE – LOOK WHAT GOD CAN DO!
We did it! We finished the Walt Disney World Marathon in 6:41:59. That is not an impressive time except when you consider the fact that just nine months earlier I was one breath from death and very sick, it’s quite impressive what God can do. When I returned from Denver, I made the declaration that we were going to complete the Disney Marathon in January and everyone thought it was too big of a dream since I was on oxygen at the time, there was a PICC line in my arm for IV antibiotics, my muscles had shrunk down to nothing it seemed from the side effects of the medication and time in ICU and I was very sick. Nevertheless, God blessed us to make progress and significant signs of improvement in steps along the way to the culmination of finishing the marathon.
The celebration began earlier in the week as we went to pick up our race packets at the Expo. It was good to see friends from the Track Shack, meet people and share my ONE BREATH FROM DEATH – LOOK WHAT GOD CAN DO story.
I was asked to lead the prayer services proceeding the half and full marathons on Saturday and Sunday mornings and was rewarded with a room in the Animal Kingdom Lodge since I was required to be present at the race site at 4:15 each morning. While checking into the Animal Kingdom Lodge on Friday, Jan and I shared our story of celebration with the people checking us in. The registration specialist asked us to wait as he walked to the back to see if he could work some magic. He did! He upgraded our room so we could have a view of the Savanna, including the Giraffes and the baby Giraffe. What a great blessing!
Both prayer services were well attended as God blessed us with a good time of preparation.
We prepared for Sunday’s race and standing in the corrals for the long period of time waiting for the start of the race by dressing as warmly as possible with clothes and trash bags that could be tossed prior to the race or during the race as we warmed up. (Tossed items are donated to the homeless shelter.) God has blessed me with two very good friends who joined Jan and me at the race prep area, Bruce Penn and Dick Feibelman.
The race began in the spirit of celebration with fireworks, loud music, and a genuine Walt Disney World touch of glamour. Bruce, Jan, and I ran together as there seemed to be the help of God upon us from the beginning. It took 2:45 before we began to move and it took 6:45 to get to the starting line but it was fun. Once we began to run, it was amazing how good I felt. I ran over twice as far and much faster than I ever had in this comeback. Once I did stop to walk and let my oxygen saturation level catch up, I was back to running again. We felt the hand of God upon us as we made our way through the first few miles of the course.
As we entered the Magic Kingdom we were really excited to see our friends Ron, Kim, and Seth Proctor along with Kelly Allen. What a great surprise!
Unfortunately, Bruce began to feel pain in his leg about mile 10. We tried everything to find a way for him to keep going but the pain only worsened so he told Jan and me to go on. He would continue walking as fast as he could and running whenever possible but the pain increased and he finally gave into medical personnel who pulled him from the course on mile 18.
Once Jan and I left Bruce, we soon had to overcome pains of our own. Jan’s knees began to bother her in a big way. She could not walk as fast as she had and running time became shortened so our pace slowed but we worked our way through the second half of the course - mile by mile. Jan says we should tell everyone that our time would have been much faster but she was holding me back. I reminded her that she stayed with me without complaint throughout my sickness, one breath from death experience, and my recovery so we’re in this accomplishment together.
Our friend, Dan Hardaway met us at mile 19 to encourage us and run a mile with us. It was so great to see him wearing his ONE BREATH FROM DEATH - LOOK WHAT GOD CAN DO team shirt and to have him tell how he'd be asking people to pray for us and talking to people about my comeback from one breath from death. Our spirits were lifted as we ran with Dan.
As we approached the last one hundred meters of the course, it became very emotional. The crowd was cheering, the announcer was talking about our story, and we were looking at each other thanking God for the moment of celebration.
Later in the evening, many of us gathered for a celebration of God’s goodness. It was a joy to have friends join in our celebration. Among those joining us were Bob & Susan Butterfield. This was Mr. Butterfield’s first marathon and I believe he’s hooked!
With a marathon behind us, we plan on participating in other races and are hoping for a slot in the 2006 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, HI. What better way to show God’s great hand upon us? The story of one breath from death to The Ironman World Championship –look what God can do!
Thank you for praying for us and for the many words of encouragement we have received along the way. It’s been a great celebration and we are looking forward to more.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
For more on the Disney Marathon - pictures, etc. - see www.powerbreak.org