We had to trust that the sun and light would break through the fog; that some how and some way, despite all appearances to the contrary, Ruth Anne would find her way back to herself and to our home.
The forecast called for a dense fog advisory for most of the day, but during our morning miles, the sun miraculously broke through the fog:
We celebrated Ruth Anne's journey of healing and how far she's come. She has amazing goals ahead of finishing her Masters Certificate and o ththen degree at Boston College, running the LA Marathon and getting back to work part time. It's so vital that we celebrate every step we take toward our goals and not wait until we cross a finish line. Ruth Anne started Occupational Therapy last Tuesday. She is so excited to be partnering again with her therapist who supp on for next Sunday's Half Marathon while Tom and I get in our miles. I was a bit anxious about the distance although I reminded myself that it was only a half mile farther than September's 5 mile runs...that is unless Tom McManus is calculating the miles - smile please!
As the weather turns cooler, we prefer to sleep in on Saturdays but with rain in the forecast for late morning, we were up and out the door early. I had a bit of pre-run jitters realizing that there are 3 months left until race day. I know each training run takes me one step closer to the starting line. I know the body achieves what the mind believes and that new sensations signal strength and building fitness! Yet this is my first in person event since the pandemic. I am going the 10K distance for the first time since 2018. This is also the first time that I am not partnering with a massage therapist or chiropractor but relying on exquisite self-care and the mind/body connection.
We started out at an easy pace. "Tom this is for distance, not pace right?" "That's right. The pace will come as you've seen with your previous training runs." But my nerves started to get the best of me thinking about the 2 and a half hour cutoff time. It's really quite silly since my pace has been way under what's needed to make the cutoff. We've been training on hills and I can feel how my fitness is building. Last Saturday I had a PR for a 5K with Ruth Anne.
Tom suggested I let go of my focus on the pace, run from the inside out and enjoy the beautiful start to Autumn. There was a lovely formation of geese and swans in the Reservoir with golden leaves gracing the perimeter of the trail that goes around the Reservoir.
After two laps around the Reservoir, Tom 'calculated' what we needed to do to get in the extra .5 miles. When we realized he didn't get the math quite right, I used the extra distance for a cool down. We had done close to 6 miles. For those of you who might not be runners, a 10K is 6.2 miles. At the end of the day, I had close to 15,000 steps for the day! I remember when I thought 6,500 steps was a big accomplishment for me.
We celebrated my farthest run since 2018 with a hearty lunch and a long hot shower. The rain held off until later in the afternoon. I took a nap with a heating pad and visualized recovery from the run with the mantra, "My body recovers with ease." I made sure to thank every part of my body for giving me a fabulous 5.5 (+) miler on Saturday.
Look out Bermuda Triangle Challenge Weekend - I'm comin' for you! {This is the countdown clock as of 10/9 at 10:45am.} That's a lot of mystical and magical number 3's and my moniker as runnergirl1953. What a wonderful sign and affirmation as I move ever closer to the starting line celebrating the journey!
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.
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.
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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.
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