From Vision to Reality

 

Ever since I began my journey to health and wellness after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, I held to a vision of what I wanted life to look like for me. During the time I was preparing to leave behind my award winning VA social work career, I had a pad of yellow legal paper and would spend 30 minutes a day visualizing a day in my life after the VA. I smile to think back on what I had written such as being on Oprah and a NY Times Bestselling Author. One consistent theme was visualizing myself  healthy and free in my body. 

The very first poem I wrote, "Running the Race," foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run. I had a vision I would be a motivational speaker and author sharing my powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities that has become a reality. Visit my News and Events Page to learn more.

I harnessed the power of visualization and the power of the mind/body connection throughout these past 16 years to make my visions and dreams a reality.

When my daughter Ruth Anne implored me to do the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K walk as Team McManus with Tom,  I had my doubts. I hesitated to register as I was still emerging from the side effects of the 2nd COVID vaccine. She told me she would help me train and we recalled all of the successful events I participated in through the years.

I was turning 70 on Christmas. I had not trained for an endurance event since we trained for the 2018 Bernuda Half Marathon. There are always ways to find excuses and say why something might not be a good idea but once I signed on, I knew how vital it was train my mind as well as my body! 

Yesterday was my 5th 4 mile training run. As I check off the weeks on my training plan, I feel more and more confident that I am going to have an incredible race day.

We got up early on Saturday morning. The weather forecast called for high humidity and high temps and severe thunderstorms later in the day. It was warm and humid when we set out for our 4 miles. Tom said, "Shall we go up the hill again to add to the miles from around the Reservoir?" 

"Absolutely I said!"

I felt strong and confident taking the hill with relative ease despite the heat and humidity. We were grateful for the cloud cover around the Reservoir.

We took a few moments to savor the beauty of the sky reflecting on the still waters of the Reservoir creating a beautiful masterpiece and enjoying the ducks and heron on the water:

Practicing on the downhills is just as important as practicing on the up hills. We needed to add miles to the once around the Rezzie and I was thoroughly pleased with how I easily navigated the downhill. I felt strong to the finish and was thrilled when Garmin told me that I had a new personal record of fastest 5K. It was also my fastest 4 miler by 5 minutes. I am so grateful my daughter insisted that I switch from Nike+ to Garmin for its accuracy and more complete information.

This morning was another early morning run to beat the heat of mid-day. It was dry and cool when we headed out. I felt inspired to pick up the pace and Garmin told me I had another new personal record of my fastest mile!

I am thoroughly enjoying the training mind, body and soul. Having a goal sends wonderful healing messages to my body that yes I can go the distance again and each training run reinforces the transformation from vision to reality.

4.5 miles is on tap for Saturday. I am ready!

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** 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.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon 

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On the Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56  

 Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel to enhance your podcast listening experience!

Getting Stronger

If you read Julie Silver's book about Post-Polio Syndrome written in 2002, you'll read a cautionary tale about what happens to many people who have contracted paralytic polio. You'll read about progression of symptoms, needing to conserve energy, and accepting disability. You won't read about getting stronger. You won't read about running a race. You will read about adaptive equipment, falls prevention and you certainly won't receive a message of healing, hope and possibility.

Reading Dr. Silver's book and seeking out care at the Spaulding Rehab International Rehab Center for Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome was a place for me to begin my healing journey but I quickly learned that I could not stay in that framework of Western Medicine if I were to heal my life. 

In 2021/2022, I hit a wall in my healing and running journey. I am fairly sure it was a reaction to the 2nd COVID vaccine despite my best efforts at harnessing the power of the mind/body connection to ward off any untoward side effects. 

Fast forward to today when I am training for the 2024 Bermuda 10K. 

The temperatures were cooler than they'd been for the past several weeks and there was cloud cover. I told Tom and Ruth Anne that I needed to include a steep hill in our neighborhood in our four mile training run on Saturday. As we ascended the hill, I was in awe of how I was able to navigate it with relative ease. I recalled the words from Deena Kastor's book, "Let Your Mind Run," "Your job is to be stronger than the hill." In addition to the physical training I've been doing, I have been doing a lot of mental training reviewing the notes I took while reading Deena's book.

I also thought of the above quote how things don't get easier, we get stronger.

There are also many cautionary tales about aging; combine that with the messages I once received from the Post-Polio Clinic and if I listened to those messages, you'd find me sitting on my porch in a rocking chair and using a wheelchair for mobility. Instead I am out the door three times a week to get in miles and one day a week doing strength training to complement my running. {I did find that an extra rest day on Sunday is vital to my training at this time.}A great reference for countering the myths of aging is Counter Clockwise written by Ellen Langer. I am mindful about my thoughts and beliefs as I train feeling strength coursing through me regardless of how I may actually be feeling. Deena Kastor quotes David Thoreau: "We must think over and over again the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."

"The fatigue was there but I didn't claim it" is one of my favorite quotes from Deena's book. I claim my strength and allow the pain and fatigue to fade into the background. It's vital to both be in my body yet beyond my body to take in the amazing sights and sounds of nature as I did during this morning's early morning run:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It takes but a few moments to capture these magical moments and fuel my connection to Source knowing that every day in every way I am getting stronger and stronger as I train for the Bermuda 10K and continue to heal my life in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** 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.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon 

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series https://tinyurl.com/bdzhtebj to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On the Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56 https://tinyurl.com/yckuej6v  Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheRuns to enhance your podcast listening experience!

Two Pennies and a Dime!

 Despite getting up and out of the door early for Saturday's four mile run, the heat and humidity was intense as we ran around the Route 9 Reservoir. We slowed our pace, made sure we hydrated and fueled but by mile 3, I hit a wall. A big wall! My thoughts were "How will I ever be able to do another 3.2 miles in Bermuda. I am running on relatively flat ground. Bermuda has hills on the 10K Course." I quickly reeled in those thoughts along with all the fears that reared up about not finishing before the finish line closed and told myself to be in the mile I was in. When we finished the four miles, I thought "See it's only another 2.2 miles. You've got this and look at your pace. Even in the heat and humidity, you were well under the pace you need to finish before the finish line closes." 

While Tom and Ruth Anne finished their training run on the road to Half Marathon #3 for Ruth Anne's fundraiser for Victory Programs, I reflected on the Virtual First Run 5K on January 1st. During my training, I focused on maintaining regular running and strength training workouts, rekindling my joy of running and preparing for a 5K. I took the week off before I did the Virtual 5K focusing on strength training and on 'race day', I nailed a pace I had not seen in a very long time. I loved challenging myself as the only competitor and was thrilled to see the results on the race's website. I finished several places ahead of the last runner. 

Saturday's date was July 15th. It was the birthday of our dear friend, Herb Simmons who introduced us to Bermuda and the 7 month anniversary of when our cat Jamie had crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. On our way to lunch at Joe Pace and Sons, we found a 2023 penny. Tom, Ruth Anne and I all agreed that it was a sign that 2023 is the year of Team McManus. As we got closer to the restaurant, there was another penny dated 2006, the year Ruth Anne graduated from High School. Commencement - new beginnings - and celebrating where we are today!

Our friend Joe who we knew from when we went to Joe Pace and Sons in the North End when I worked at the VA,  took time to lovingly prepare our sandwiches. We sat outside, seeing the water of Boston Harbor and savoring every bite of our well earned sandwiches. We took recovery naps when we got home as I continued to transform any fear or doubts into imagining the magic of race weekend giving thanks for the signs from Herb and Jamie reminding me to tap into Source and all I have been able to create in my life.

Set alarm - Rise early - run - repeat! 

High humidity and warm temperatures were once again on tap for Monday. After a meditation, we grabbed our water bottles from the fridge that we freeze and defrost in the fridge overnight, and headed out the door for magical morning miles at the Cleveland Circle Reservoir.

We make sure to express our gratitude for the blessing of a new day and the gift of running in our lives. I always feel light with a before breakfast run as I feel the light blessing a new day and a new week.

As we headed home, I saw what looked like a dime in the street. Making sure there were no cars, I went over and sure enough, there was a dime!

I felt goosebumps to reflect on the significance of a dime beyond it validating my new goal of the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K in January. FDR, a polio survivor, and champion of the March of Dimes campaign to fund research for polio is on the dime. Citizens sent dimes to the White House to support his campaign to end polio. Jonas Salk became a March of Dimes grantee and his vaccine ultimately led to the eradication of polio in the US. 

This is the 2nd time we have found a dime and two cents since I made the commitment to train for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K:

We found the first dime and two pennies in Falmouth in May. Herb also introduced us to the beauty and joy of Falmouth and Martha's Vineyard shortly after I had reconstructive leg surgery in 1992. Herb made his transition on July 10, 2010 (more 10's) and although he left the physical realm, he continues to let me know he is with me blessing every step of my journey on the road to the Bermuda 10K along with other angels who have woven together my beautiful tapestry of life. 

I look forward to relatively cooler runs with a renewed sense of optimism and faith on the road to the Bermuda 10K!

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** 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.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon 

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series  to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On the Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56  Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheRuns to enhance your podcast listening experience!
 

Early Morning Miles

When the weather prediction calls for high heat and humidity, the training plan calls for a 5:45am wake up. We were met with a blast of warm, moist air when we opened the door; a sharp contrast to the air conditioning that blasted through our home. We know to not complain about the heat and humidity because all too soon, the vibrant verdant leaves will change and fall and we will need to layer up. What a joy to put on a singlet and shorts and head out the door to greet the new day!

Despite doing a dynamic warm up before our run, I felt sore and stiff. I reminded myself of all that I have read in Deena Kastor's "Let Your Mind Run" and all that I have learned about the mind/body connection during these past 16 years of my healing journey. I spoke lovingly to my body expressing gratitude for all it has given me since I started running in 2008. I reminded myself to stay loose and focus on feeling loose. I knew that if I could create the reality and experience that I wanted for my early morning miles. I knew that I didn't need to push the pace and could relax and enjoy the beauty of the morning.

Tom and Ruth Anne went on to finish their miles while I did a turnaround to finish my miles. As I started going up the hill to our house, I could feel myself quicken my pace. I felt that inner push of needing to make sure I made it to the finish line before it closed; I realized a part of me didn't want to be what they call dfl or dead f***last. I remembered that the last time I pushed my pace that came from worrying about the time limit on race day, I was close to an injury.

I slowed down and reminded myself of the time I ran my first 5 mile road race on a hot July evening at the Marathon Sports 5 Miler.

From "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance":

After my first road race, The Corrib Pub Run 5K, we signed up for the Marathon Sports 5 Miler in July of 2008. It was hot. It was an evening race. I had just begun my running career.

 

Our first 5 mile race was the Marathon Sports 5 miler. It was a hot, steamy evening in July. We got lost on the way to the race. Tempers were running as hot as the thermometer because I was so anxious about running my first five mile race. My energy tended to wane by the evening as I was continuing to deal with the late effects of polio. We finally arrived and walked around trying to enjoy the pre-race festivities. As everyone took their place at the start, I could see that this was a serious, competitive running crowd; quite a contrast to my first race ever, the Corrib Pub Run 5K in June.

 

Runners went out fast and Tom and I were in the back of the pack with a few other people. Even they took off. I experienced my first (of many) marathon training meltdowns. I cried as I shared with Tom all the memories of having kids take off and leave me behind that were bubbling to the surface. I was sweating and tired and hot. I couldn’t tell where my tears ended and sweat began. I told Tom I had no business training for the Boston Marathon. He was amazing and he told me that I couldn’t quit. We would make it through this race and we would make it through every training run. He believed in me when I did not believe in myself. I did know, however, that if I didn’t finish that race, I would never make it to the starting line of the Boston Marathon. Alison, Brookline Marathon Sports store manager who was named our mother hen during Boston Marathon training, gave me water and a high five out on the course. She was worried about me in the heat and wanted to make sure I was okay.

 

Despite finishing dead last, members of the Marathon Sports family who knew the story of Team McManus, had air horns and a truck on the field honking and blowing and cheering us on to the finish. I knew training for Boston was not going to be easy, but I knew I had what it was going to take to make it happen.

 

As I opened the door to our beautiful home, I stretched and said thank you to my body for all it gives me. I loved feeling the sweat continuing to pour down my back while I got breakfast ready. Cold orange juice, toast and oatmeal with a banana tastes like a gourmet meal after a run. Our morning miles set the tone for a wonderful day. I felt energized and accomplished having more miles deposited in the Bank of Bermuda on the road to the Bermuda 10K. When the pipe burst outside of our house in the late afternoon, and we were told that the water would be shut off, I was able to mobilize to fill pots and water bottles and do the dishes that were in our dishwasher. We debated about what to do about dinner knowing that we are in training and grabbing a pizza on paper plates would not give us the fueling we need. We chose to go to Golden Temple, a restaurant that serves healthy Chinese food with a calm ambiance. The manager warmly greeted us and we explained that a pipe burst outside our house so we just had to come to Golden Temple to have dinner. The waiters treat us like family.

 

We fell into a deep sleep despite the sounds of jack hammering on the street outside our windows. Running is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the day when we start the day with early morning miles.

 

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

 

Visit my ***NEW*** 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.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon 

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On the Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56  Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel to enhance your podcast listening experience!

Felt Like 87 Degrees!

  

Having an event to train for means no excuses for going on a run especially when it felt like 87 degrees with the heat and humidity. We set the alarm for an early Saturday morning run on the road to the Bermuda 10K. One of the hallmark symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome was having difficulty regulating body temperature. The body's thermostat was adversely affected by the initial polio virus and I would have difficulty getting warm in winter or cooling off in summer. It's so easy to feel the fear rise up and that my body would not be able to rise to the occasion of a training run in summer after a 6 year hiatus from training for an endurance event.

Re-reading Deena Kastor's book, "Let Your Mind Run" (link to book review blog after I read her book the first time) has been a wonderful tool in my training. I recalled her saying to herself to not think about the heat but rather to take in the surroundings and focus on hydration and fueling. Our mind is an incredible training partner when we harness its power to transform the conditions we are experiencing. Deena is going to be the guest speaker and Ambassador for Bermuda Triangle Challenge Race Weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I reminded myself that every training run is a new starting line releasing the fear that my left leg might experience calf pain or muscle spasms again. I honored Friday as a rest day. I made sure that I hydrated and fueled well along with mental preparation for four miles. I visualized how I wanted the training run to go. Ruth Anne and I took time on Friday to go over the course map and reviewed the photos from when she ran the Bermuda 10K in 2020 with Tom. 

Ruth Anne and I marveled at how much healthier we look and feel now compared to when we visited Bermuda in 2020. Ruth Anne was still in the early stages of her recovery from PANDAS which is well described in this article from Boston College. She is tapering off the last of her medications that had caused weight gain and a whole host of untoward side effects including fatigue. It's a blessing we can do early morning runs especially with the summer heat. I am shedding the weight of the stress of Ruth Anne's illness and Team McManus has a renewed commitment to health and wellness. Tom has switched to decaf coffee. We have improved our nutrition and forego the after dinner summer ice cream in service of our training goals. We DO however enjoy FlavaNaturals for healthy desserts.

At the end of our 4 miler, I pushed a bit as we visualized entering the Stadium and crossing the finish line. It was a solid run from start to finish. 

How wonderful to open the door and have a blast of air conditioned air meet the sweat soaked skin and clothes. We relished our lunch and savored the success of another training run that takes me one step closer to the starting line of the Bermuda 10K and Ruth Anne and Tom closer to Half Marathon #3 at Bay State for Victory Programs. Here is the link to her fundraising page.  Please consider a donation to take her across the finish line of her $10,000 fundraising goal and support this incredible cause that helps to save lives of Boston's most vulnerable populations.

Even though we would have loved to go and sit on the beach on a hot summer's day, we are in serious training mode. Even though it felt like 87 degrees, we deposited another 4 miles on the road to the 2024 Bermuda 10K!

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** website at  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.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities that make great summer beach reads are available on Amazon 

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series  to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On the Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56   Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel to enhance your podcast listening experience!

On the Road to Bermuda 10K - The Body Achieves What the Mind Believes

 

After last Saturday's four miler and with the new sensations that come with training for an event after a 5 year hiatus, I asked myself the question, "Can this almost 70 year old body go the distance again?" I wasn't sleeping well Wednesday night awakened by nerve pain and muscle spasms. Even before the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome, I knew about the power of the mind/body connection with Dr. Bernie Siegel. I'd gotten pregnant with twins, dissolved a breast tumor, stopped an adverse reaction to anesthesia with the help of an amazing anesthesiologist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and knew the power that the mind has in healing one's life through stories that Bernie shared in his lectures and books.

The nerve pain and muscle spasms began two years ago, the night after I received the 2nd COVID vaccine in 2021. The sensations have come and gone during the past two years. When I first started training for the 10K, they had stopped completely but something 'got tripped' after last Saturday's four miler. 

When I first set out on my healing quest after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I came up with an image that God is my Master Electrician helping me to rewire the 'damage' from childhood polio and trauma. My story is shared in Dr. David Hamilton's Book, "The Tenth Edition of How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body."

 

 

In the synopsis of my journey, David shared how I was able to harness the power of visualization to heal a left knee injury in December 2014, going on to run 3 Bermuda Half Marathons despite warnings from the medical community to stop running and prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years.

The fantastic part about setting the goal of the Bermuda 10K is that I am rededicating myself to my healing journey. I know I can completely resolve the nerve pain and muscle spasms harnessing the power of my mind and upping my self-care game. When I did not have an event to train for, I was focused on being support crew for Tom and Ruth Anne and was not as focused on self-care. I now take my rest days very seriously; fortunately Ruth Anne and Tom are totally on board with this. They are so excited to have me join them out on the course.

 

When I don't sleep well, I use the time to meditate and feel my connection to the Divine. Yesterday morning, the alarm went off at 6:15 am and I was so excited for early morning miles. With the meditation in the wee small hours of the morning (cue the music from "Sleepless in Seattle") fears dissolved and were replaced with a deep stirring in my soul that I've got this. I've got nothing to prove in terms of time but instead am going to give my best effort during training runs. I remembered how, when training for the 2009 Boston Marathon, I would lie awake at times experiencing what I called phantom pain (ie traumatic memories) from childhood paralytic polio and trauma. When I went for a run, the pain dissolved into the ethers of the Universe. 

 

The plan was for Tom and Ruth Anne to run 3 miles together and I would do my two miles at an easy pace. Ruth Anne thought we were all running together so she didn't bring her garmin or 'prepare' for 3 miles. Tom suggested that Ruth Anne and I stay together and he would do his miles solo since he needed to get in a really good training run.

The morning light was magnificent and we felt bathed and blessed by the Divine. The day was quickly heating up with humidity; we were so glad we had set the alarm for 6:15. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Ruth Anne feeling good in my body. As if right on cue, we spotted a shiny penny on the hill heading home:

 We ended up with a negative split which happened without feeling the pressure of having to achieve a certain time. Tom met up with us for the final portion of his run and we cooled down together.

I love how breakfast of Heritage Flakes with banana, orange juice and toast tastes after a satisfying run. The endorphins were kickin' and I allowed myself to be bathed, mind, body and soul in a renewed belief that the body achieves what the mind believes.

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** 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.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon 

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On the Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56   Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheRuns to enhance your podcast listening experience!