Countdown to Bermuda!

 

With the 17th anniversary of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, and celebrating my 70th birthday on Christmas, I've been reflecting on the miracle of my life. It was a miracle that I made it through my childhood and adolescence becoming high school valedictorian. It was a miracle that I received scholarships to Boston University not knowing how I would pay for school after my father's suicide when I was 17 years old. It was a miracle that I found my way to the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. I didn't know how I was going to pay for my last semester when miraculously, Paula Lyons came on Channel 5 evening news with a new program for student loans. That money enabled me to finish my last semester and graduate as a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society.

For the past 17 years, I've experienced the miracle of healing in my life after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. There were inevitable setbacks with the most recent one in 2021/2022. Yet it's a miracle that on January 13th, I'll be toeing the starting line of the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K feeling strong and grateful being the embodiment of strength, resilience, determination with a powerful message of healing, hope and infinite possibilities.

One of my friends posted this photo on Facebook with the caption, the first four words you see will be your mantra for 2024:

 

My words are: Strength Purpose Miracle and Gratitude

I have needed a lot of strength (and resilience) to navigate through challenging circumstances with Ruth Anne's health while training for my first event since 2018! I am garnering all of that strength and taking it with me into 2024. I was so blessed to share my purpose and passion as a most unlikely runner overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds in the On the Runs podcast, in Boston University Alumni Class Notes, was selected as a 2024 Boston Run Show Ambassador, featured in Mike Reilly's Stories From the Finish Line presented by Curad Performance Series, was a guest on the AdaptX podcast and a contributing author to the 2023 eBook "Creating Inclusive and Accessible Road Races" by AdaptX, and Ruth Anne and I were featured in the Boston College News as Pillars of Strength and Community. I am excited for continuing to share my purpose in the coming year knowing that doors will open as they did in expected and unexpected ways in 2023.

I will continue to look at life through the lens of everything being a miracle and giving thanks for all wondrous happenings in my life. When there are challenging circumstances, I'll focus on faith, grace and most important of all - GRATITUDE!

For the end of 2023 and for every day in 2024, I am writing at least two things I am grateful for every day and putting the post-its in a gratitude jar!

I am feeling all the feels of New Year's Eve and the anticipation of travel for a race weekend. There are so many emotions swirling around inside my heart and soul. I focus on feeling steady and focus on equanimity anticipating our Bermuda adventure. I leave behind the traumatic memories of 2023 and see Team McManus as healthy, whole and healing. I'm excited for travels to Hyannis and Los Angeles for race weekends (and being support crew),  and New York City to see Barry Manilow. 

Yesterday, I was blessed with an easy two miles. It was muddy, rainy and cool yet nature is always nourishing whatever the weather may be.

I was able to capture the geese landing on the Reservoir:

Those were my final miles of 2023. Unlike last year, there will be no New Year's Day Virtual 5K. I am keeping it all in the tank for Race Day in Bermuda. I will channel my energy into reading through the program for Race Weekend, our information from Marathon Travel and checking and rechecking our packing list. I'll go for gentle walks and savor the moments of anticipation. Mental training will take center stage! I will review my journal that has the visualization for race weekend and how I see race day in my mind's eye. 

The Bermuda Triangle Challenge countdown clock is at 11 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes with the seconds quickly ticking by. There are 10 hours left to 2023. I am spending these final moments of 2023 in quiet contemplation feeling grateful for the soul lessons and wisdom garnered this year. I am grateful for the beautiful sunrises we saw on early morning training runs and glorious sunsets when we'd take contemplative walks during the summer. I feel thrilled and exhilarated to be off of the sidelines as I embrace a new decade of life. My heart is open to possibilities. My soul is excited for new adventures. It's time to close the book on 2023 and weave together a magnificent tapestry of life in 2024 with strength, purpose, miracles and gratitude.

 

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 with links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

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!

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.