I love this story from "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance" from when I ran the Hyannis 10K in 2016:
"In the distance a figure came toward us. The expanse of ocean was to our left and this beautiful woman came up on our right. She stopped me to give me a hug. She whispered in my ear," Run with all your heart." I felt she was my fairy godmother and I was Cinderella being told, "You will go to the ball." It was Jacqueline! You see growing up as a survivor of paralytic polio I was always the outcast. When it came to gym I was "easy out Alper” and those words were seared into me. I was bullied and teased and struggled with my identity as a runner when I first started running. It’s time to leave that part of me behind and to allow the manifestation of running unencumbered and free to fully come into being.
After Jaqi's hug I felt something ignite within me."
I became a most unlikely runner as one who was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006 and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. My last epic running adventure was in Bermuda in 2018 as I crossed the finish line of the Bermuda Half Marathon; my third half marathon in as many years. In 2014, I sustained a serious injury to my left knee. I was told to prepare for a total knee replacement and stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. Harnessing the power of the mind/body connection and partnering with a chiropractor/healer, I was able to get back on the roads and experience the thrill of running in Bermuda which was on my bucket list for years. I even did the Hyannis 10K after the Bermuda Half Marathon in 2016!
In April of 2021, I received the 2nd COVID vaccine. Despite my best efforts with hydration, bringing a crystal with me to the injection, proper nutrition, meditation and focusing on the healing and freedom that would come with the 2nd vaccine, I had a lot of physical symptoms that seemed to progress over time and eventually led to me having to curtail running and strength training. There was also a lot of stress happening in our lives at that time that may have contributed to experiencing more physical challenges. Regardless of the cause, I made modifications to my workouts and runs and increased meditation with focusing on healing. But truth be told, I wasn't sure what I was healing and became content with a scaled back training and running schedule.
At the time, I believed that my participation in running events was over. I was grateful for all my body gave me and would enjoy the sport from the sidelines. I did begin to use what I now know is called conscious movement to shift out of patterns such as getting 'stuck' on the stairs or having difficulty getting up from a chair. Little by little I realized there were neuromuscular connections that needed to be rewired again as I had done after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome.
Ruth Anne was adamant that I still had more events to participate in. She told me how much she missed running with me and having me be part of Team McManus during races. She wanted to find a balance between her training and finding an event we could do together hence training began on the road to the Bermuda Triangle Challenge as Team McManus.
My heart aches that Ruth Anne continues to be in the hospital recovering from a flare of PANS but I know she will be back with us very soon. Oh what a reunion it will be! In the meantime, I owe it to myself and to her to put in the best training cycle I possibly can.
Tom and I set the alarm for 6:30 am on Saturday wanting to have plenty of time to meditate, stretch, go to the bathroom (other runners will note how vital that part of the pre-run routine is) and mentally and physically prepare for my longest run since I ran the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon.
On last week's run, we did 4.7 miles so I knew I just had a little bit farther to go to make it to 5 miles. I was in awe of how far I've come since that set back after the 2nd vaccine. Having this goal has sent powerful healing messages to my body.
It was another beautiful end of summer's day as we ran twice around the Reservoir adding on the extra distance at the end of our run. We live on a street with a very long hill. We continued on the full length of the hill to the top visualizing how amazing it is going to feel to cross the finish line of the 10K in 4 months.
At times, I had to dial back the pace to make sure I had plenty in the tank to finish strong. Tom and I decided that on this run, we wanted to focus on being in the present moment, releasing our worries, doubts and fears about Ruth Anne to the Universe. I shared with Tom the mantras I use; how journaling, staying connected with friends and allowing the Universe to speak to me with quotes is keeping me in the vibration of love, light and out of the vortex of darkness that we've experienced over the past several weeks. Tom went on to run another 4 miles maintaining his training for the Bay State Half Marathon, Half Marathon #3 for Victory Programs. I cheer him on with ice water as he goes around the small Reservoir while I refuel. We continue to imagine that epic moment when they cross the finish line with arms thrust high in the air closing out a wildly successful fundraising campaign for Victory Programs. Ruth Anne's dedication to helping others with housing, healing, hope and substance use recovery has been phenomenal. Between all of her campaigns, she raised over $20,000!
I was dripping with sweat and felt incredibly satisfied with the fabulous five miles on the road to the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. I thought of Ruth Anne with every footstep and every mile feeling so grateful she encouraged me to set this goal. We sent her healing energy and imagined her with us, supporting and encouraging me, and seeing the joy and freedom in her eyes. I know that every day in every way she is healing, feeling stronger and so eager to return to her life on and off the roads as she felt a couple of weeks ago. I know that the energy and exhilaration I experienced from my fabulous 5 miles are beaming positive ripples of energy to help her in her healing process. I feel in every fiber of my being that we are going to have a phenomenal race day at the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 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!
Be sure to download and subscribe to the AdaptX podcast. Here's the link to my wonderful conversation with host Brendan Aylward sharing my journey of transformation and healing in the wake of polio, Post- Polio syndrome and trauma.
No comments:
Post a Comment