March is National Optimism Month

 A 53 year old woman diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome shouldn't be able to run and should have prepared to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair, but she didn't know any better and went on to run the 2009 Boston Marathon having many wonderful adventures as runnergirl 1953.

These are very challenging times to feel optimism yet these are the very times when we need to fuel optimism and hope combined with intentional action to help create change. 

Let me begin by saying that optimism is not denial of reality. I love what Simon Sinek said about optimism during the 2020 pandemic. Optimism isn't blind positivity. It's about an undying belief that the future is bright and we can all get there by working together and putting in the work to make it real.

It is a challenge to look for the good these days; negativity is drawn to us like a magnet seemingly at every turn. Yet when we look for the good, we are able to find the good that is happening around us.

 

During the many many challenges I have faced in my life, I have discovered that worry and focusing on the negative outcomes, drained me of my energy. It did not change the outcome although one could argue that the focus on negativity made negative outcomes more likely and robbed me of the strength I needed to face the challenges should they arise. 

And what if -- just what if the tide turns and despite all appearances to the contrary, situations we once thought were impossible suddenly become infinite possibilities. That's what happened to me time and again in my healing journey.

 

 

 

 

 

Research has repeatedly shown there are health benefits to optimism. 

Here are a few detailed by the Mayo Clinic:
    increased life span
    decreased depression
    better cardiovascular health and decreased risk of cardiac disease
    reduced risk of death from cancer, respiratory conditions and infections
    greater resistance to illness
    better psychological and physical well-being.

Today marks the two year anniversary of when Bill Burke started The Optimism Institute and Blue Sky Podcast.  It's amazing how I discovered the Blue Sky Podcast right when I needed a boost to fuel my optimism last November. I had seen a post from Lee Woodruff about her being a guest on the Blue Sky podcast.  Her journey after her husband, Bob Woodruff, suffered life threatening injuries while covering the war in Iraq as an ABC News correspondent, is sure to boost your optimism. Recently, Bill hosted Sal Khan, and Leslie and Richard Strauss who are education innovators. 

There are so many inspiring conversations in previous episodes. I encourage you to scroll through and see which ones resonate with you. The episode with Marko Cheseto gave me goosebumps and brought me to tears as he shares his journey from tragedy to triumph after a double amputation. I am so excited to cheer him on in Boston this year for the marathon.

In his A Bit of Blue Sky podcast out today, Bill shares that this is probably the most difficult time to be optimistic yet by being a part of this community, hearing inspiring stories and stories of people who are the change makers fueled by a sense of optimism and hope, we can stay steady and remain optimistic.

My favorite piece of advice that Bill offers time and again, "Don't let the news cycle control you!"

I have a list of healing resources on my website that continue to fuel my journey in the wake of the once devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. I do hope you will join me in celebrating National Optimism Month and make it a year round celebration.

Please enjoy my poem, "Optimism Is a Way of Being" that I wrote shortly after the results of the 2024 election. I was feeling devastated and shocked by the results after having poured our time, talent and treasure into Kamala Harris' campaign. As I had after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I turned to writing poetry to help uplift me:

From my heart to yours

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.

My books are available on Bookshop that share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary. Be sure to visit my Author Page on Amazon   My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

 

Hope and Possibilities

 

 

18 years ago I sat in a leg brace using a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility. I'd been diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline as I aged. At this time of year, with Boston Marathon training in high gear and the anniversary of when I started writing poetry, I tend to wax nostalgic.

In February of 2007, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance facing a grim and uncertain future. What happened next was miraculous. I discovered the gift of poetry in my soul. The first poem I wrote, "Running the Race" foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run. Writing poetry opened the portal to healing by firing up my imagination harnessing the power of the mind/body connection! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By taking certainty out of the equation of the prognosis, everything became possible!

I first learned about Bernie Siegel, MD's work in the 1980's. I was in the hospital for a staph infection in my right shoulder. I was blessed with an earth angel of a nurse, Beth Jordan, who told me that I needed to heal not only the infection in my shoulder, but my life. She brought in cassette tapes of his lecture, Love, Medicine and Miracles. When Bernie (as he likes to be called) came to speak with his wife Bobbie at Harvard, Tom and I went to hear him and I was blessed to meet him after his talk. Throughout the years, he has become my "chosen dad" and a "rebirthing coach".  After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I revisited his Forum and his work harnessing the power of the mind/body connection and renewing my commitment to healing my life from the once devastating effects of paralytic polio and childhood trauma. 

It''s been an incredible journey that continues today. As our daughter Ruth Anne trains for the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab, a full circle moment from 16 years ago when we ran the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab:

 Tom and I are doing our miles on the Newton Hills and being support crew for Ruth Anne. As I 'run' into runners I know from social media and/or in real life, I feel the awe of being a part of this incredible community. I had been a stranger to athletics until my mid-50's. 

Last Saturday, we 'ran' into the "Bearded Runner" who I 'met' through the On The Runs Podcast. He loves to take selfies while he trains for Boston. He also gives great hugs and high fives:

Tom and I did our 5K and coordinated a 'water stop' with Ruth Anne after we finished. She had 'only' a 10 miler to do last Saturday. 

As we enjoyed our post-race fueling, my heart overflowed with gratitude for my journey. 18 years ago, in early February, I experienced the dark night of my mind, body and soul in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. In mid-February in the midst of a very cold, dark day, a light shined through the darkness as I penned my first poem, "Running the Race." Little did I know at the time that it would foreshadow my 2009 Boston Marathon run. Little did I know that 18 years later, I would be celebrated as a most unlikely runner connected to the most amazing village I could ever hope for. 

I chose the title, "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibilities" for my memoir after running the Boston Marathon. I truly had no idea that it would set the tone for my healing journey and writing a Trilogy of Transformation, two books during the pandemic and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior." 

I found hope in the seemingly impossible diagnosis and prognosis of Post-Polio Syndrome much as we all find hope in the depth of winter knowing Spring always comes. In the midst of the darkness that is happening in Washington these days, I still have hope and know that infinite possibilities await. It's going to take a lot of hard work as did my emerging from the dark night of my mind, body and soul becoming a most unlikely runner, but I have faith and optimism to light the way.

From my heart to yours

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.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

A Phenomenal 5K

 

Tom and I were support crew for Ruth Anne's 15 miles on the road to the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab on Friday. She had a recovery run scheduled for Saturday and we were going to do a 5K together but her body needed more recovery time. She encouraged me to go ahead and get in my 5K and she would be support crew with Tom. It was cold and there was a lot of ice to navigate but what a thrill to be celebrating 18 years of healing in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome at 71 years old.                                              

The hills were alive as they will be from now until Marathon Monday. There were solo runners, clusters of 'qualified' runners and charity teams. The rhythm of runners' feet inspired my own running cadence. 

As I passed the Johnny Kelley statue, there was ice that was going to be too difficult to navigate. As I looked out onto Comm. Ave., I heard, "Hey you." It was our dear friend Amanda who is running Boston once again for Camp Shriver. 

"Stay there, I'm coming out to the street."

I'm still in awe of the amazing people I've been blessed to meet throughout these past 17 years.

Amanda gives the best hugs. She told me to congratulate Ruth Anne on her 15 miler and said recovery is so important. (Amanda is a physical therapist). Two questions asked and answered on the Hills in February is "How far you going today?" and "How is fundraising going?" Amanda did 17 miles and she is almost to her fundraising goal.

We took a selfie:

Amanda spotted two of her running friends. "Oh I'm just over here taking a selfie." She introduced me and let her friends know she would share my story with them when they got back. We took a group selfie. There is no such thing as strangers when it comes to the running community. After meeting in person, we connect on social media as the village grows and grows. 

After feeling the warmth from fellow runners, I went on my way. I cut back into the carriage road. For the last mile of my run, I was treated to dry ground and no hill. Tom and Ruth Anne gave me high fives. I usually need to do an out and back run since we have to get back to our car. Doing a point to point run on the Boston Marathon course was exhilarating. I recalled that day in April of 2009, when we went from Hopkinton to Boston representing Spaulding Rehab and ultimately raising $10,535 for the hospital where I took the first steps on my healing journey!

 So what made Saturday's run a phenomenal 5K? 

Seeing Amanda and realizing how the running community continues to embrace my journey warms my heart and soul. Being out in the elements, when once I experienced cold intolerance due to symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome,  and pushing my pace, reminded me of the body's tremendous capacity to heal. It was the first solo run I'd done in awhile where I did not need to be support crew for Ruth Anne. I LOVE being support crew for Ruth Anne on her road to the Boston Marathon, but it was phenomenal to have Tom and Ruth Anne be support crew for me. Every step is a gift and every mile is a blessing that I never take for granted but some days, the blessing and gift gets amped up to phenomenal as it did this past Saturday. 

From my heart to yours

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.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

 

Only Those Who Risk Going Too Far...

 

 

 

 

 

This May 25th marks 18 years since I took a leap of faith leaving behind my award-winning social work career to heal my life after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline as I aged. I refused to take the diagnosis sitting down. In February of 2007, I got still, asked for Divine Guidance and discovered the gift of poetry in my soul. Writing poetry opened the portal to heal, harnessing my imagination and firing up the power of the mind/body connection.

My life transformed through the sport of running despite all appearances to the contrary. Here I am celebrating 18 years of healing and aging strong.

Throughout my journey, I have risked going too far. I write about it in my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior." I continue to risk going too far as I get ready to go the distance of a half marathon again this year.

A week ago Sunday, Ruth Anne had a 3 mile recovery run for her training for the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital. 

Because of the recent snow and ice, we took to the Newton Hills. We had to turn around at one point because the carriage road was covered with ice and snow. There is a HUGE hill just past where we park our car. We could have done repeated out and backs but instead, I risked going too far and took charge by charging up the hill! Might I also add that we miscalculated the mileage and ended up doing 3.2 miles. 

What a thrill and sense of accomplishment pushing myself out on the hills in the cold, snow and ice. Whenever I am out on the Hills, I recall the anchor memory of training for and then running the 2009 Boston Marathon!

Another snowstorm was in the forecast for last Sunday. We were all set to go around the BU indoor track but I had this deep yearning to be outside in the elements. I remembered one particular training run on the road to the 2009 Boston Marathon when it was snowing hard. There was no ice so it was safe to run albeit it was quite the challenge. BUT there was a sense of unbridled joy and freedom. I felt as though I was dancing with the snowflakes.

Our street had been plowed so we had a stretch of dry ground to get in what I thought was going to be 3 miles. Ruth Anne suggested that, since we were already outside, and she had 4 miles on her training plan, why not do 4 miles?

Rather than going up and down our street, Ruth Anne suggested we run on the hills that were clear. Sure, why not add in a bit more adventure and see just what this body would give me. It gave me 4 fabulous miles in the snow with hills!

 

The smiles and the rosy cheeks express the joy and exhilaration of pushing myself to see just how far I could go. I am celebrating 18 years of healing in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and seeing what this body can do at 71 years young! 

Isn't it a miracle that at 71, I am still testing myself and risking going too far especially after a setback in 2021/2022 when I thought I would have to return to the sidelines. But, as one of my favorite quotes says:

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page with links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements, where you can find my incredibly inspirational story and upcoming events.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

Falmouth Is Our Happy Place!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ruth Anne reached out to Julianna Coughlin, host of the Runnah podcast. Julianna and I have been social media friends for years. This past summer, Tom and Ruth Anne met her in person at the Cape Cod Marathon Weekend. Julianna gave Ruth Anne an enthusiastic response to having her as a guest on her podcast to talk about her Boston Marathon journey, her running journey and fundraising for Spaulding Rehabilitation. She extended the invitation to include having me as a guest since our journeys are intertwined. When she asked if we could come to Falmouth to record the episode, I jumped at the opportunity. We decided to make it a girls' mid-week mini vacation. We made a reservation at the Falmouth Inn; our go to place for decades. One of our dear friends introduced us to Falmouth and his friends in the Sea and Surf Anglers Club. They would compete in fishing tournaments against the Blue Waters Anglers Club of Bermuda. They began the international fishing tournaments because Black men were not allowed to compete in international fishing tournaments.

We left in the morning on Wednesday to have plenty of time to relax before recording the podcast at Falmouth Community Television. There is a sense of joy and deep exhale of relaxation when we crossover the Bridge.

Our first stop was to see the breathtaking views of Nantucket Sound along Falmouth Heights Beach.

 

We went to Main Street for lunch. Devine Pizza was closed for vacation. We went to Maison Vilatte and had exquisite sandwiches, French Onion Soup that was THE best French Onion Soup I have ever enjoyed and Ruth Anne had a hot cocoa.

 

 

 

We freshened up and easily found our way to Falmouth Community Television. 

Julianna was an incredible host and helped us to feel at ease during the interview. The mic and camera melted into the background as we had a free and easy conversation among 3 runnah friends. After the recording, we sat and chatted with Julianna before we headed to the Falmouth Inn to check in.

After a rest with meditation, we headed to Shipwrecked for dinner. The stars shined brightly above the Sound and the sound of the ocean was medicine for our soul.

Thursday morning we woke up at 7am without an alarm. We decided to go on a pre-breakfast run!

There was a strong headwind and the temperature was 27 degrees but it didn't matter with the spectacular views and the joy of running together in our happy place. We went back to the Falmouth Inn fueling with our oatmeal at the continental breakfast, and headed back in town to Maison Vilatte for croissants and tea.

 

We checked out of the hotel and went back to the Beach. We took a long drive winding along the beach, windows open to breathe in the sea air and feel the fresh cold air on our faces.

 

We went back to Shipwrecked for lunch. Ruth Anne checked her email and received a message from the manager of the Black Dog. They had generously donated a mug and coffee to her thankful Thursday gift giveaways and were delighted to make another donation for her Spring Fling Gift Giveaway.

After a delicious lunch at Shipwrecked:

 

we headed in town to collect Ruth Anne's gift giveaway gifts at the Black Dog and thank Scott Ghelfi for his donation of a $25. He gave her a sample of their signature almond bark:

 Such an amazing 48 hours in Falmouth which continues to be our happy place. We can't wait to return.

Julianna edited the Runnah Podcast and it dropped one week after we recorded it!

Here is the link to watch it and subscribe on YouTube.

Be sure to subscribe to Runnah pod on your favorite podcast platform. Here is the link to Spotify and Apple.

We are deeply grateful to Julianna for being the hostess with the mostess; for her mad podcast interviewing skill, editing, content creation and the gift of her friendship.

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page with links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements, where you can find my incredibly inspirational story and upcoming events.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

 

Feels Like 7 Degrees

The polar vertex came to Boston last week. During the 2020 pandemic we would have no choice but to run outdoors. Our old cranky treadmill conked out early on in the pandemic. It was also an invitation to injury as we all tend to run way faster when we'd go on the 'mill. Last week, when we knew it was going to feel like 7 degrees, we checked the calendar for the BU Fit Rec Center where we ran many many training miles for the 2009 Boston Marathon. But I only had 2 miles on tap for my run and Ruth Anne had only 4 miles for her training run on the road to the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab. We calculated how many times we'd need to go around the track to get in our miles. Surely it was nothing like the day we ran 119 times around the track to get in our 17 miles in 2009!

We had our gym bag packed and were ready to head out to the BU Fit Rec Center. We opened the front door and as we were blasted with the polar vertex, we put down our gym bag and went upstairs to layer up to get our miles in outdoors. We saw that our friend Candice had been out earlier that day to get in her miles. She is such an inspiration; this was not the first run that she inspired. (See "Finishing Unfinished Business")

We embraced the blast of cold air feeling invigorated and exhilarated by our decision to run outdoors instead of being in the stuffy track. We felt incredibly free and deeply blessed knowing that every step is a gift and every mile is a blessing. We even stopped to take pictures to express our joy and gratitude celebrating beauty even in the midst of winter conquering the Newton Hills:

After the run, Ruth Anne and I talked about where we felt the cold. Ruth Anne felt it on her face;  I felt it on my feet despite having put vaseline on my feet before I put on my socks. Yet we also talked about the power of the mind to both acknowledge and minimize the discomfort; how the joy and blessing of being out in the elements, whatever the weather, overrode any discomfort.

It's been 18 years since I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. One of the hallmark symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome was cold intolerance. The initial polio virus caused my body's thermostat to have difficulty regulating my temperature in either extremes of heat or cold. With meditation and visualization, harnessing the  power of the mind/body connection, I was able to reset the thermostat and build tolerance for weather extremes. Running was just the therapy I needed to heal from the late effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma.

We've still got a bit of winter weather ahead of us. Unless it's not safe to go outside, we will be getting in the miles, embracing the elements and feeling incredibly grateful that even when it feels like 7 degrees there is much joy to be experienced in moving outdoors.

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page with links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements, where you can find my incredibly inspirational story and upcoming events.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

For the 2nd year, Mary is an Ambassador for The Boston Run Show happening 3-1 and 3-2 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.  Use FREE Ticket Code MMCMANUS It's colocated with The Boston Outdoor Expo this year and is sure to be a jam packed weekend of inspiration and interactive exhibits. It's FREE and fun for the entire family!