Two Dimes, a Butterfly and Dogged Determination

 

"Mary McManus - A Life of Determination" was the title of a Brookline Tab article from October 2021 as we emerged from the pandemic. The article coincided with World Polio Day that year and offered my unique perspective on the pandemic as a polio survivor. Journalist Susie Davidson wrote, "At the age of 53, McManus was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease, and was told to prepare to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. But she is both scrappy and determined."

After contracting paralytic polio at the tender age of 5 1/2 years old it took strength, will and sheer determination to be able to walk again. I was blessed with my physical therapist, Miss Holly,  but there had to be something within me that was greater than the circumstances I faced with not only recovering from paralytic polio but enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members. 

 

 

 Determination was the theme for this past week's training on the Road to the 2026  Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K. Six miles was on the training plan for Saturday; the longest mileage since I ran the Gone for a Run Virtual Series 10K on 5/4/2024. Tom and I are building a solid foundation for the 3/1/2026 race with our stretch goal being a half marathon next year. We never know what a New England winter may bring and want to make sure we get in solid training runs before we face the possibility of severe weather.

Saturday was another phenomenal weather day with bright sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures. As we were doing an out and back route along Carson Beach in South Boston, I spotted a dime half buried on the side of the road. 'How could you possibly spot that?" Tom asked me. "I just happened to see it," I said. "I know it's a sign that I am meant to do this." 

As if there were any doubt that I was on the right path training to go the distance again, we spotted a butterfly on our way back to our car. Tom was able to take this photo as the butterfly lighted on the bush.

My mental training is just as important as my physical training. I break down the 10K into 2 mile chunks celebrating each mile with its challenges and joys.

 

One of my anchor memories came up on Facebook last week from when I was at Mile 10 in the 2016 Bermuda Half Marathon. In December of 2014, I sustained a serious knee injury and was told that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years; to stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. I went on to run 3 Bermuda Half Marathons and the 2016 Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K.

You can caption this photo sheer determination!

 

I experienced exhilaration and exhaustion when we finished our 6 miles. I stretched, refreshed with an orange and hydrated as sweat and tears of gratitude mingled together. Tom and I refueled at Stoked Pizza and went home for an hour and a half nap.

 

Sunday was our rest and recovery day. I still felt the afterglow of having gone the distance of 6 miles again. Monday morning I was refreshed and ready for a before breakfast run. It was another glorious morning. We were treated to a spectacular sunrise AND I found another dime! In case you weren't aware, dimes have a special significance for me as a polio survivor. FDR's image is on the head of a dime. He spear headed the March of Dimes campaign that helped to fund the research for the polio vaccine. Polio is close to being eradicated worldwide.

 

What an amazing way to start a new day and a new week as we settled into Tom's vacation week in the afternoon. 

 

Tuesday was our strength training day. What a luxury to sleep in a bit later and take extra time with stretching and our strength training routine throwing dancing into the mix. Wednesday was our rest and recovery day which became a cleaning and decluttering day as we get the house and closets ready for Fall and Winter.

 

We wrapped up this week in the training cycle with the first real taste of Autumn weather on Thursday's morning miles. We embraced the chill in the air taking notice of the vibrant blues of water and sky. The bright green leaves have paled and we anticipate when in short order the vivid reds and oranges will take center stage. It was wonderful to once again sleep in a bit later since Tom is on vacation yet we wanted to stick to our before breakfast morning miles. I was moved to take this first photo of a lamp post pointing toward the setting moon.

Another week of training on the Road to the Hyannis 10K is in the books. My dogged determination to continue to defy the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and the grim prognosis offered by Western Medicine is fueled by the beautiful signs of two dimes and a butterfly. 

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to learn how poetry, optimism, gratitude and the mind/body connection helped me to transform my life. After having been told in December 2006 that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I went on to cross the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and have many adventures as runnergirl 1953. Be sure to visit the recently updated News and Events Page for links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

I was recently the guest on The Optimism Institute Blue Sky Podcast. 
"Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartner, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon." Here is the link to the Episode Website. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube.

 

Looking for great books to curl up with this Fall? My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Amazon.  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Amazon Author Page for book descriptions and rave reviews.

 

 

 

 

 

The Heart of a Champion

 

As Tom and I got ready for last Saturday's 5.5 miler on the Road to the Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K, I wondered to myself, "What is stoking the flames of this training cycle? After all, I'll be 72 on Christmas Day and have absolutely nothing to prove. Why am I doing this and where does my motivation come from?" 

 

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, the author of the captivating book, 'Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist' posted a prompt on Instagram asking us to consider who was our Ms. Ames; one of Lin's most influential mentors. I shared my Joe Stetz story.  I had contracted paralytic polio at age 5. My first day camp experience was horrible. Fortunately, my rehab medicine doctor, Dr. Moskowitz, suggested my parents send me to Badger Day Camp known for their philosophy of inclusion and premier swimming program. They even held an end of year Olympics. The first year I went was wonderful. The counselors were supportive and emphasized my strengths rather than my limitations. I sat out the end of year Olympics. Towards the end of my second summer at Badger, my swimming counselor, Joe Stetz, with the dark hair, wide smile and soulful brown eyes, standing at the far left of the Olympic contenders in the above photo, asked me to compete in the end of year Olympics. I thought he must have been talking to someone else. He wanted me to compete in of all strokes - the Butterfly! There were only two other campers willing to compete in the Butterfly. They needed at least 3 campers to compete or there would be no event. I was guaranteed a place on the podium. 

 

Joe kept his promise that he would work with me one on one supporting me as I overcame my fears and physical limitations. On the day of the Olympics, he reminded me to swim my own race at my own pace. "Don't look at the other swimmers. It doesn't matter that you might finish last, you are a champion by stepping up to the starting block and finding the courage to overcome your challenges." When I finished long after the other two competitors, he extended a hand to me as I got out of the pool. He walked me to the podium and proudly looked on as I received my Bronze 3rd place plaque.  His words and actions stayed with me during these past 61 years. When I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006, I once again felt his presence. Despite having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged, I took on the 2009 Boston Marathon. Whenever I faced a setback, I called upon what Joe instilled in me to have a strong come back. You can learn more about Joe and his extraordinary life in my blog post, "A Penny From Heaven."

 

This week's training cycle theme has been the heart of a champion.

 

Saturday was a spectacular end of September day. Seeing the seagulls glide effortlessly as they landed on the water reminded me of how free I felt in the water and freedom I feel when I am out on a training run. I knew there was a race happening in South Boston on Saturday and suggested Tom bypass the probable road closure. Instead, we ended up taking a detour dictated by the road closure. "I wish you would have listened to me," I said. "I wish you'd listen to me," Tom said as he pulled into a parking space.

"Watch this," he said. It's always a great idea to mix up training run routes. We enjoyed the new route that eventually took us back along the beaches.

 

The new route finished in an uphill like the finisher's chute in Hyannis. We visualized how we would feel coming into the finish line. I stretched at the car. As we build the miles, I can feel the pain that accompanies any training cycle. As I told my personal trainer when I first set out on this journey to health and wellness, I'd rather experience pain on the side of health and wellness rather than the pain of atrophy, decline and disuse. 

 

After our Sunday rest and recovery day, we woke up on Monday to our 6am alarm that now goes off in the dark. After meditation, we put on our water belts and head out the door. What a gift to see the dawn of a new day. What joy to rise, shine and run and be kissed by the light of the new day's sun. The cadence of Dr. Seuss is imprinted in my heart and soul thanks to Miss Holly, my physical therapist who tenderly ministered to me after I contracted paralytic polio. She'd have me recite Dr. Seuss in tandem with her to distract me from the pain of coaxing muscles and nerves back to health; a healer ahead of her time.

 

Tuesday was strength training day for this champion and Tom, my life and training partner. We set the alarm for 6:30, meditated and cranked up the playlist. Cooler air means open windows and no a/c but we still worked up a good sweat. 

 

 Wednesday was another rest and recovery day that included a lot of stretching and rolling out with foot roller and ball. I savor these new yet very familiar sensations in my body as we build a solid foundation.

 

Thursday was the first taste of October and Fall. Capris and layering for tops were perfect. I felt a powerful connection to Source seeing the sun rise and the dawn of a new day. My heart overflowed with gratitude for this sacred time with Tom, unplugged, out in nature knowing how fortunate we are to be doing this.

 

The magical magnificent morning miles were exhilarating. We even did negative splits. Hot oatmeal, toast, a banana and cold OJ tasted so delicious as we wrapped up another week in our training cycle. I am feeling strong, resilient, blessed and grateful, and determined to go the distance having the best time with my heart of a champion leading me each mile along the way.

 

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to learn how poetry, optimism, gratitude and the mind/body connection helped me to transform my life. After having been told in December 2006 that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I went on to cross the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and have many adventures as runnergirl 1953. Be sure to visit the recently updated News and Events Page for links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

I was recently the guest on The Optimism Institute Blue Sky Podcast. 
"Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartner, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon." Here is the link to the Episode Website. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube.

 

Looking for great books to curl up with this Fall? My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Amazon.  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Amazon Author Page for book descriptions and rave reviews.

 

 

 

Come Out And Play!

 

As a child who contracted paralytic polio at age 5 and then endured years of abuse at the hands of family members, my physical capabilities were quite limited. I was in an ankle to hip metal leg brace and was on crutches for a year. While I had a dynamic duo of a physiatrist and physical therapist team, running free in my body was something I never knew until I was 54 years old. As a child, I never knew the unbridled joy of splashing in puddles and having mud covered feet soaked to the skin. 

One of the early poems I wrote in Spring of 2007 was inspired by a dream I had. I'd been diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. Knowing I was at a crossroads in my life, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance in February of 2007. A portal to healing opened with the discovery of the gift of poetry in my heart and soul. One night I dreamed that I was dancing in the rain as Gene Kelly did in Singing In The Rain without my toe-up leg brace.

 I was splashing in the puddles. I'd been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. The next morning I wrote the poem, "Come Out And Play." Despite being debilitated in the wake of polio and trauma, I felt a surge of hope; that healing was possible harnessing the power of my imagination and the mind/body connection. Of course at the time I had no idea that I would go on to run the 2009 Boston Marathon and have many adventures as a most unlikely runner.

The theme for this week's workouts and runs in our training cycle on the Road to the Hyannis Marathon 10K was play. How amazing that we capped off the week with morning miles in the pouring rain.

Last Saturday was an absolutely glorious day to kick off another week in the training cycle on the Road to Hyannis. Tom and I expressed joy and gratitude as we breathed in the sea air, were captivated by the sound of the surf and delighted in the sharing of smiles of runners passing by. We had lots of company with runners who were participating in the Get Your Rear in Gear race for colon cancer awareness and the U Mass Boston Beacon 5K. There were smiles for miles along the beaches that line the Boston Harbor.
December will mark 19 years since I received the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. It was devastating to be told, at the height of my award-winning social work career at the VA, that I needed to quit my job, be prepared to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. My heart and soul overflow with gratitude that I am training to go the distance of a 10K again with my sights set on the half marathon distance next year.

That run was, far and away to date, my favorite of this training cycle. The weather was spectacular. The head wind gave us a preview of what the change in seasons will bring but the sun kept us comfortably warm; quite a contrast to when we needed the sea breeze to temper the high heat and humidity. Whenever runners gather, especially when running for a cause, there is a sense of unity. The rhythm of feet, the joy and sweat, runners cheering for one another, and a sense of celebration for every pace dissolves divisiveness. Being a part of the running community is a gift I never take for granted.

 

When we stopped at the Curley Center to fill up our water bottles and make a pit stop, we were greeted by Diane who immediately started talking Red Sox baseball since Tom was wearing a Red Sox hat. She warmly welcomed us even though we aren't members of the Curley Center and told us to stop by anytime on our runs. As we left she told us to enjoy the rest of our day and ended with a shout of "Go Sox!"

As we finished our 5.5 miles, I realized how I went from the feeling of two weeks ago, "Let’s just do brunch and skip the run" (which of course we did NOT do) to deep gratitude for the gift of running in my life that was reflected all around me in the joy of the day.

We dressed perfectly for our first run of Autumn on Monday with capris, short sleeve shirt and a pullover top that I've had since we trained for the 2009 Boston Marathon! Yes it still fits!

Joy and gratitude overflowed from my heart feeling the awe of having been diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease to now, at age of 72, to be training for another 10K. Leaves on the trees are slowly changing. We delighted in the morning light as the leaves seemed to be dancing on the trees getting ready to let go. What a gift to see the sun move across the sky and light up the day as we kicked off a new day, a new week and a new season!

 Our home gym was surprisingly warm and humid on Tuesday morning. Tom and I poured sweat during our before breakfast strength training workout. I thought of this quote from Kristin Armstrong as we cranked up our playlist and even threw in a dance when "Just In Time" Broadway's Queen of the Hop came on!

 

Wednesday was a wonderful rest day of doing laundry, stretching, cleaning out paperwork, and organizing photos and notes on my Mac. 

 

Wrapping up the week on Thursday with a run in the rain was a perfect culmination for this week's theme. When I woke up at 5:45, I heard the rain pelting the windows. "Oh no," I thought to myself. "Well at least there is no thunder and lightning. We gotta go." After our meditation and stretching, the rain stopped by 6:30. There was still lots of mud and puddles around the Reservoir. At our turnaround point, the rain began again. The song, "If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops oh what a world it would be." Tom and I laughed as we felt the gravel from the Reservoir's path hit the back of our legs.

There's so much joy in this training cycle on the road to the Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K! Every day is a celebration of life for me especially when I get to experience the childlike joy of going outside to play in the rain.

 

Today is a rest day as Tom and I get ready for another 5.5 miler tomorrow building a solid base of miles going the distance once more.

 

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to learn how poetry, optimism, gratitude and the mind/body connection helped me to transform my life. After having been told in December 2006 that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I went on to cross the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and have many adventures as runnergirl 1953. Be sure to visit the recently updated News and Events Page for links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

I was recently the guest on The Optimism Institute Blue Sky Podcast. 
"Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartner, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon." Here is the link to the Episode Website. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube.

 

My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Amazon.  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Amazon Author Page for book descriptions and rave reviews.