Hard Days Are the Best!

 

 

 

 

A week ago Saturday, I knew that I needed to get out on the Newton Hills in preparation for my target race of the year, the 45th Annual Bill Rodgers Somerville 5K Run and Walk.  I was sleep deprived because Tom was recovering from surgery to repair the wrist he fractured right before the finish line of the Cape Cod Half Marathon. I was tired because there was so much more to do with Tom's limitations as he recovered from surgery. There's also the stress factor of having a loved one undergo and recuperate from surgery no matter how "minor" it was. When Ruth Anne and I parked the car and got on our water belts, I told her I wasn't sure what kind of a pace I would be able to do. I'd been doing a lot of speed work on my shorter runs and pacing my 5K's to mentally and physically prepare for race day. I had not done a lot of preparation specifically on hills, although there are hills surrounding our house.

We started out at an easy pace and even an easy pace felt hard. I had to shake off the fatigue and stress and get my mental game in gear. It was a beautiful day.

We stopped at the Johnny Kelly statue to take a selfie. The day warmed up quickly and I was very comfortable in a t-shirt. Quite a treat for a late October day in Boston. I focused on gratitude and how blessed I am to be able to be out on the roads regardless of the pace. I accepted all that my body would give me letting go of any expectations. While I was on the 'struggle bus' on the Johnny Kelly Hill, I put one foot in front of the other not stopping.

I was utterly surprised and delighted to see that I had done negative splits and was only 2 minutes over my goal pace for my race. 

The following Monday, Ruth Anne and I headed to South Boston for our 2 miles. It was a brisk and windy yet beautiful day by the water. Ruth Anne needed to get to the bathroom. Despite Saturday's challenging run, we pushed the pace to avoid what we runners affectionately call a "code brown." We had a lovely conversation with the staff at the Curley Center talking about our L Street Running Club. Ruth Anne suggested we take it easy on the way back since our 'mission' was accomplished. I told her I felt absolutely wonderful and wanted to do another mile of speed work back to the car. We had a strong headwind but I felt a sense of unbridled joy and freedom. I suggested to Ruth Anne that running on the hills on Saturday made running on flat ground seem so much easier despite it being our first hat run of the season.

 

 

I was reminded of a poem I wrote that is shared in my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" and a quote from JFK:

Set Yourself Free

Running in tandem with waves
as seagulls soar
seeing Divine's creations
sun sparkles
sprinkling white caps dotting deep blue
steady breath  
scent of briny air
sounds of water lapping shore
surrounded by beauty.

Stress dissolves
each footstep bids farewell to troubles
joy bubbles from the depths
Divine Love
heart overflows
refreshment for mind and body.

Once shackled
unbridled from unfathomable past
wounds healed
wind whispers
“Run my child
set yourself free”
I am found.

 “All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came.” ~John F. Kennedy

This past Saturday, I knew I needed to dial the pace way back and enjoy an easy 5K. We did an out and back on Beacon Street because there was a strong headwind and white caps on the Reservoir. I could feel my battery running on low and know how important it is to honor what my body tells me. Coaches tell us that it's vital to balance hard with easy runs especially when training for a goal race.

Tom had a great post-op visit yesterday! Everything is healing well. He can shower on his own again and resume activities and chores that Ruth Anne and I were doing. There's still no heavy lifting but what a burden was lifted knowing he is on the mend! 

I debated whether or not to take an extra rest day. I am a member of David R. Hamilton, Ph.D.'s Personal Development Club. Because we spent the morning at Tom's appointment, I wasn't sure whether or not I would be able to make it back in time for the live session. The recording is posted the next day but it's always uplifting and inspiring to join the live session. I told Ruth Anne that I was going to see if I could push my pace and make it back in time for the session. She agreed to pace me. It was a grey day but I felt happiness and lightness now that Tom is on the road to recovery. We always make sure we take time to notice nature's beauty and splendor in every season even though we wanted to get back in under 40 minutes. Remember that for someone who is supposed to be in a wheelchair, I go pretty fast!

It was a thrill to have Ruth Anne out in front pacing me at a 17/18/19 minute mile and I dug deep to catch up with her. I can almost taste how wonderful it is going to feel to race the 5K on 12/15 and to feel the joy of Team McManus crossing the finish line together. Hard days are the best because when you push through them, you know you can get through anything!

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.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

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.

 

The Joy of October Miles!

 

There can often be a sense of melancholy as summer ends in New England but it quickly turns to joy as the heat and humidity yield to cooler air and Autumn splendor. It's a gradual process of green leaves losing their bright green colors before they burst aflame with red, orange and yellow. Although the sun rises later and sets earlier, we are treated to sunshine lighting up Mother Nature's spectacular show. This year it has been unseasonably warm through October. We've been able to enjoy going outside in t shirts and shorts or capris while being treated to the annual Autumnal feast for the eyes. Just as I savor the transition from winter to Spring then summer, I savored this year's transition from Summer to Autumn.

I celebrate 18 years of healing in the wake of the once devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. I remember when it was a challenge for me to walk short distances. I often felt as though I was watching life having my nose pressed upon a window pane yearning to live life to the full but not quite knowing how. It's amazing how a life changing diagnosis, one that said I would spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, catapulted me into a whole new world. It began with getting still and discovering the gift of poetry in my soul. My first poem,  "Running the Race" foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run. Every step is a gift and every mile is a blessing especially as I get to experience Mother Nature up close and personal.

Enjoy these photos captured on magnificent miles at the Cleveland Circle Reservoir, the Route 9 Reservoir, and peaking on Heartbreak Hill on Saturday.

 

The angle of the sun shines the spotlight on the leaves as they tumble and fall in a dance of joyful letting go. There is so much for us to learn from Mother Nature. 

It was a challenging run. I had not trained on the Newton Hills in recent months. Sleep has been disrupted this week  after Tom's surgery to repair a wrist fracture that happened when he tripped and fell right before the finish line of the Cape Cod Half Marathon. It's always stressful when a loved one undergoes surgery. I wasn't sure what pace I'd be able to do. With the vibrant colors of Autumn and the sun warming us up as we conquered the hills, I was able to do negative splits and be just a hair over my goal of running under a 1 hour 5K. Remember for someone who was supposed to be in a wheelchair, I go pretty fast! 

The weather is going to turn cooler as we head into the winter months. That's the beauty of nature though. The trees lose their leaves so more light can shine through. October has been a fabulous month for miles filled with joy as we made the transition from summer to Autumn. I'm excited for a new season!

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.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

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.

Rest Is Not a Four Letter Word!

 

I often joke I am a recovering Type A personality. Many polio survivors became Type A personalities as a way to cope with the challenges of overcoming the initial polio virus. To complicate my recovery from polio, I endured years of abuse at the hands of family members. My wake up call to transform the Type A personality habits came in the form of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. As one who typically could not sit still and was always "busy", it was a big challenge to learn how to rest and pace myself. 

Coincidentally, I found my way to the sport of running. The runner within me was born in my imagination. I wrote the poem, "Running the Race" in February of 2007. That poem foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run! Any runner will tell you that one of the most challenging parts of training is rest days, and taper madness is real. Yet rest, both on the roads and in life is vital for recovery. We often think of rest as a waste of time or label ourselves as lazy. I don't know about you, but when I feel stressed, it is a challenge to let go of trying to control things; to rest and trust with meditation and prayer, visualizing positive outcomes being grateful for the blessings in my life. Resting in a state of grace and gratitude is one of the best ways I know to recharge and have the strength I need to meet whatever the challenge may be.

As an older runner and one who has had challenges to my neuromuscular system, I know what happens if I don't honor my rest days. I become vulnerable to injuries and mental burnout. I lose the joy of running and the health benefits it brings to me mind, body and soul. There are many different kinds of rest days depending on what any individual needs.  There are times when a total rest day is needed; times when an unscheduled rest day needs to be taken. Other times, a gentle walk or an added day of strength training feels good for a rest day. The more active kind of rest days always seem to be easier but the days when we need to honor what our bodies and minds are telling us; to take a total time out are somehow harder to navigate.

Often times, the Universe will push us to rest when we get ill or injured. One of the reasons I am writing this post is to remind all of us to not wait until we reach that point but to give ourselves permission to rest when we need it and NOT FEEL GUILTY!

 

Here's the paradox. We often feel and think that we have to 'push through' to get something done or go beyond when our body says stop. Now there are times when we can go a little farther or if there's a deadline looming, to keep going until it's done. But most times, when we take that break or give ourselves an extra rest day, we become more focused, more creative and, on the roads, are able to come back even stronger after rest AND before we end up injured or ill.

Ben Crosby who I met through the On the Runs Podcast (and be sure to listen to his Episode 126 by following this link) posted his struggles about rest on his Instagram page @a_better_ben   He is in comeback mode after having surgery this past summer. He shared how he couldn't finish his 10 miler as planned and realized he needed to take unscheduled rest days. Yesterday he posted the joy of a sunrise run and being able to do 10 miles!

David R. Hamilton PhD's latest book, "The Joy of Actually Giving a F***" has excellent advice on self-care. He talks about how we cannot give from an empty cup. He talks about the various ways we can take care of our physical and mental well-being that goes beyond the often thought of spa day when it comes to self-care. When we deliberately carve out time to do what brings us joy, we are practicing self-care. He underscores the need for exquisite self-compassion and self-love which ties in to giving ourselves the grace to rest and take care of ourselves when we need to. 

During these past 18 years, in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I have learned about patience, pacing, trusting the process, having faith that when I let go of control I am actually gaining control over myself and that rest is NOT a four letter word. It is a vital part of being able to perform at our best.

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.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

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.

"Life's Tough. That's Why We Run!"

Bill Rodgers once said to me, "Life's tough. That's why we run. When we can handle the challenges on the road, we can handle the challenges in life." 

It's been a very challenging year for Team McManus and these past several months have been extremely challenging with Ruth Anne recovering from Functional Neurological Disorder. When she first experienced symptoms, we were told she had an excellent prognosis but it would take a lot of hard work. She's finishing up a series of appointments with physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy at Spaulding Rehab Hospital outpatient therapy center. The recovery has been miraculous and she continues to work hard in her home exercise program. Prior to having a diagnosis we were not sure what was happening to her or what the prognosis would be. She would lose the ability to speak and walk and experience severe weakness and numbness. When I saw the list of therapy appointments, I reminded myself that we are marathoners. We were going to take this one mile/appointment at a time. We were going to dig deep to get through this marathon of healing. Ruth Anne has 3 speech therapy appointments left and has completed her PT and OT treatments. The retraining of her brain's software continues with the exercises brilliantly prescribed by her PT and Speech Therapist. We know how fortunate we are that she was diagnosed so quickly and therapy began within a few weeks of the onset of symptoms.

Tom and Ruth Anne had an unusual training cycle for the Cape Cod Hyannis Half Maratthon last weekend. Yet they nailed their pace and time. Tom, however, tripped and fell a few feet before the finish line. He got up, got his medal and got evaluated by the medical team. On Sunday he went to Urgent Care and was told he had a hair line wrist fracture; use splint, ice and ibuprofen and see the orthopedist. Last Wednesday was an extraordinarily long day as Tom needed a CAT scan to further evaluate the need for cast vs. surgery. We thought it would be a quick in and out appointment to confirm it was healing and no further intervention  was needed. But just like a race doesn't always go as predicted, we took deep breaths to get through the miles of that day. And in the midst of Tom's wrist fracture, there was an issue with a change in Ruth Anne's health insurance. Her PCP was no longer going to accept her insurance.

I asked one of my close friends in a text, "how do we do all this?" She was jugging work and upcoming surgery for her older mom who had fractured her arm in July and now needed surgical repair. After a few moment's reflection I responded,  "Aah it;s because we are marathoners!" She totally agreed that because we tackle challenges on the road, we are physically and emotionally prepared to tackle challenges in life.

Ruth Anne's insurance situation is resolved after several phone calls and back and forth emails. Tom's surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday. It's an 8 week recovery period but he will have a 100% recovery with no residuals after the surgery heals.

No matter how challenging life may seem at times, I know that my endurance and resilience was born when I discovered the most unlikely runner within me rising after the once devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome.

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.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

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.

 

The Vicarious Thrill of Cape Cod Marathon Race Weekend!

As Kara Goucher once said, "When it comes to running, participation and spectating go hand in hand. Watching the world's best compete, fires you up to achieve your own feats of greatness." I may  not have been watching the world's greatest competing at the Cape Cod Half Marathon, but I was tracking Tom and Ruth Anne as they set out on their quest to finish the Half Marathon in 3 hours or less. I chose to stay home with our newly adopted cat MoMo. We didn't feel comfortable leaving him home along after only 3 months of his being in his furever home.

Ruth Anne and Tom texted me photos from bib pick up and their pre-race dinner at The Flying Bridge along with photos from lunch with our beloved cousin Kathy. She has been on her own marathon of healing. She was in a rehab facility for recovery from complications from a heart attack. She worked so hard in PT to make sure she would be out in time to have lunch. I followed Cape Cod Marathon on social media and the excitement was palpable. On Saturday morning I set my alarm along for 6am so I could join Tom and Ruth Anne as they prepared for race day. I had butterflies and #allthefeels of pre-race jitters. We all took time for meditation to 'get in the zone'. I had exchanged messages with the social media coordinator with whom I have been friends through the years. We had lost touch in recent years. It was a joy to reconnect with her. I asked her about the strict 3 hour time limit and she assured me that she would be there past the 3 hour mark calling the runners in. She knew about what Ruth Anne had to overcome with her journey with Functional Neurological Disorder since July. She has had her own health challenges and her compassion and kindness transcended cyberspace.

I got ready for my Saturday morning 5K. I was planning an easy loop around the big Reservoir at Cleveland Circle. As I checked the tracker for Tom and Ruth Anne, I got fired up. There was no way I could do an easy pace while they were out there giving it their all. I am training for the 45th Bill Rodgers Somerville Jingle Bell 5K happening on December 15th. My goal (and remember that for someone who was supposed to be in a wheelchair I run pretty fast) is to do it in under an hour. There are a lot of hills and who knows what the weather will be but I have every confidence I can meet or exceed my goal.  I've already conquered the distance of the 10K again in May and did a 4 miler last month. It's a matter now of working on speed. I've been doing two speed workouts during the week so I do try to keep my pace easy on Saturdays. I was too fired up to not see what this body could do while Tom, Ruth Anne and many of my friends were out on the Cape Cod Half Marathon course.

It was a glorious day here on Saturday. I started out with short sleeves and a pull over but after a mile I was in short sleeves. I had to pause for a water stop and to savor the beauty of nature in all of her glory:

I was disciplined and focused on my miles feeling the connection to those running in Cape Cod. It was windy with white caps on the Reservoir. Ruth Anne sent me a video of a view along the course and it was very windy on the Cape with white caps on Nantucket Bay. I pushed myself and was delighted with negative splits and and a 19:48 pace. My total time was 1:01. I visualized my December race during my run while checking in to see how Tom and Ruth Anne were progressing along the course.

I refueled and debated about whether or not to watch the live feed from the finish line. As the tracker told me they were getting close, something nudged me to go to the YouTube channel. It's always a thrill to hear the race announcer beckon runners to the finish line with great enthusiasm. I could see Ruth Anne and Tom heading toward the finish line when oh no....Tom tripped and fell. Thank goodness I was watching the finish line because I got an alert on my phone from Garmin connect that Tom had an incident followed by a text and an email since I was his emergency contact. With the help of the medical team he got up and crossed the finish line. The only thing that was hurting was his wrist and a bruised ego. Ruth Anne got their medals and they were able to relish their epic Half Marathon with a time of 3:01 which was exactly their goal pace.

We all shared an incredible runners' high together in the evening via Face Time. We shared that feeling of the shift in mind, body and soul that happens after an all out effort, being with our runner family in real life and on line. Tom and Ruth Anne exchanged shout outs with runner friends who passed on the out and back route.

Even Tom's visit to Urgent Care on Sunday that indicated he has a hairline fracture of his wrist could not dampen the joy of what we all accomplished together. It was a thrilling weekend that extended into Sunday. The festivities of Cape Cod Marathon weekend continued with the 5K and full marathon. I tracked friends and a family member running in Chicago. As Bill Rodgers loves to say:

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.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

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.

Sore. The Most Satisfying Pain!

18 years ago I received the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. I was told it is a progressive neuromuscular disease and to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. There was a possibility of needing a feeding tube because the left side of my esophagus was sluggish and I was aspirating food into my lungs. My breathing was compromised. I declined the recommendation for a sleep apnea machine. After intensive outpatient rehab with physical therapist Allison, who did not believe I was destined to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I hired a personal trainer who subscribed to Henry Ford's philosophy of "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right!"

After my first training session with my personal trainer, I had muscles that I did not know existed in my body. I made a conscious decision that if I were going to be in pain, I would rather hurt on the side of healing and wellness than the pain of atrophy. In truth, they both cause pain!

After 6 months of working with Janine, she asked me what my next goals were. "I want to feel free in my body. I want to diversify my workouts. I want to come out of my leg brace...maybe take a dance class since I took ballet before I contracted polio..." She wrote down my new health and fitness goals. She had her hand on the door knob and had already gathered up her things when I said...

 

Talk about sore!!! Learning how to run and train for a marathon at 53 years old is no easy feat but what moments of satisfaction I experienced as I built endurance and mental toughness on the road to the 2009 Boston Marathon.

 

 

 

 

 

I continue to experience soreness as I continue to challenge myself on the roads and in my strength training workouts. At 71 years old, and as one who had been diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, I know how vital it is to keep moving forward in my health and wellness journey. I listen closely to my body to ensure I do not cross that delicate line from soreness to pain that could lead to an injury. I do, however, relish the most satisfying pain of being sore.  

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.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

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.

Every Season Has a Reason

When I was in the fourth grade, we put on the play, "Every Season Has a Reason." Isn't it funny how that stayed with me all these years? Of course as a fourth grader, I could not possibly grasp the depth of the play's meaning. Here in New England, as the seasons change, I deeply appreciate the change in seasons. For years, I was unable to experience the glory and beauty of nature up close and personal due to severely limited mobility. After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a whole new opened before me. I found a portal to healing through writing poetry. As my heart and soul expressed gratitude, love, joy and forgiveness and my imagination was ignited to see myself running free, whole and healed, my life was transformed.

Whatever the weather, whatever the season, I am blessed to experience being up close and personal with Mother Nature.

Ruth Anne and I laugh about how we either under dress as when we ran in torrential downpours and wind in South Boston or overdress as we did the other day when we needed to peel off jackets and layers. It's so much easier to just throw on a t-shirt or singlet and shorts but what a joy to embrace the change in  seasons. We have often said we cannot imagine living anywhere else but New England.

On the First Full Day of Fall, given Tom and Ruth Anne's training schedule for  the Cape Cod Half Marathon, I did a solo run. It was overcast skies and I could sense the change coming as yellow replaced the fading green color of the leaves.

I remember the days when I would bemoan the change in seasons. As a polio survivor, I experienced cold intolerance. With limited mobility that eventually manifested as Post-Polio Syndrome, I experienced depression and anxiety with ice and snow fearing a fall.

Soaking in the beauty despite the grey skies filled my heart with gratitude and unbridled joy.

Just as I savored the weather slowly changing over from Winter to Spring, I now savor the slow transition from Autumn to Winter. I enjoy the vivid fall colors of flowers and the soon to be burst of colors from the trees. Just as summer has its unique scents and flavors, so does Autumn. We baked pumpkin bread and made a hearty vegan stew that replaces the sight and smell of food on the grill. It will soon be time for all things apple and the sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season. 

I am loving the season of my 70's as I garner all the wisdom I've gained during these past 18 years since setting out on a quest to heal my life. I know that every season of my life had a reason. Do you know what the best season is? The season we are living in right now being mindful to be living in the present moment!

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.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

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.