Ruth Anne opened the door to check the weather. "Mom...come here..look at this!"
"Let me grab my phone," I said after I saw what caused her to gasp.
"You won't be able to do it justice."
I did a pretty good job capturing the fiery glow of the dawn as the sun was low in the sky casting a masterpiece of pink and blue hues. We agreed that it was an incredible gift to be able to see a stunning sunrise despite needing to get up early on a Saturday morning.
This time of year can often pose a challenge with what to wear. Without rain or wind in the forecast and moderate temperatures for this time of year, we were able to select outfits that perfectly suited us for the day.
I orchestrated the organization of water, fuel and fuel belts, and post-run fueling. We packed up the car at 7:45 having gone to the bathroom and arrived at Heartbreak Hill Running Company right on time for Tom and Ruth Anne to meet up with the group. I went on my way for a solo 4 miler.
The day was overcast. The trees were past peak foliage. I wondered if there would be anything to photograph on my run. As always, the Newton Hills never disappoint.
As I passed the Johnny Kelley statue, I remembered the magical encounter we had meeting Johnny's nephew Tommy and his wife Dottie. We went to Puerto Rico to get a respite from the brutal winter cold of 2009 while training for Boston. Ruth Anne 'just happened' to be sitting next to Dottie and Tommy on the return flight. We became instant friends. We have a beautifully handwritten letter from Dottie dictated by Tommy who lives with Parkinson's Disease and a framed photo of Johnny Kelley's Boston Marathon years that now graces our living room.
Tom, Ruth Anne and I briefly exchanged texts checking in with one another. Runners and walkers passing by exchanged pleasantries and smiles. For the majority of my run, however, I was with my thoughts visualizing my day out on the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K course. I made it so real that I cried when I thought about coming into the Stadium. My Bermuda friends were there to cheer me into the finish as the clock read 2:10. I feel all the feels and goosebumps as I write this.
I stretched, hydrated and refueled when I got the finish line - ahem our car - and waited for Tom and Ruth Anne to finish their 8 miles. We hugged and celebrated while sharing how incredibly sore we felt; the sign of a great training run. We chatted with other Heartbreakers who finished up their runs. We shared our next races and the excitement of upcoming races whatever the distance and whatever the pace.
It was the first long Saturday run that we were up and out the door by 7:45. We had the rest of the day to shower, stretch, refuel with a wonderful homemade brunch, read and relax. I spent time on social media making sure I had my friends and niece in my NYC Marathon app to be able to track them all on Sunday. I felt that deep sense of accomplishment that comes with a solid training run and relished being part of the remarkable running community. It was a luxury to be in sweats by mid-morning feeling that delicious ache that comes after a good run. What a blessing to rise, shine and run! Running is definitely life with the volume turned up!
From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary
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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