"I'm sorry I didn 't get that." - Preparing for My Victory Lap

 

It's called taper madness for a reason! 

There's a poetic arc to a training cycle. Even before I registered for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K, I wrestled with whether or not I wanted to or could go the distance again after a setback in 2021/2022. Once I committed to the goal, I was focused on building miles, working on pace, becoming acquainted with all of the sensations that go with pushing my body and training my mind to embrace this new goal. It's just a little more than a month to go before I toe the starting line. I know that it is vital to taper and allow my body to heal all the 'niggles' that occurred during the training. It takes conscious effort to trust the training and go into a relaxed taper mode. 

As the body shifts from a doing to being mode, many thoughts arise filled with doubts focusing on the aches and pains once more questioning if I can really do this as I did at the start of training. As Tom and I were getting ready to start the day on Monday, I said, "You know there are times when I could really just go and have a relaxing vacation. Neither Tom nor I had our phones open and our laptops were downstairs.  Siri said, "I'm sorry I didn't get that." Even my wonderful husband who tends to be on the skeptical side of things said 'whoa.'

Yes - whoa. The Universe was speaking to me through Siri's voice. I felt a stirring in my soul that this is meant to be. 

Early on in my healing journey, I said that I know there's going to be pain. I'd rather hurt on the side of progress, health and wellness than allow the pain of decline secondary to disuse and atrophy to prevail. As my personal trainer Janine and I walked back to the Mandarin Oriental Boston Hotel after crossing the 2009 Boston Marathon finish line, she asked me how I was feeling. Every marathoner experiences pain but my pain had an extra layer given my history of paralytic polio and trauma, I told Janine that if I were to focus on the pain I experienced during training, I would not have made it to the starting line." "I knew there was a lot you weren't telling me," Janine said.

The Universe has orchestrated wondrous happenings to accompany this taper time. On Wednesday, despite freezing temperatures, I had a photo shoot with a Boston University photographer. The editor of Bostonia, the alumni magazine, interviewed me for a piece they are doing about accomplishments of older alumni. The shoot included action shots of me running and portraits of me wearing my Boston Marathon jacket and medal. I felt the Divine surge through me as I experienced the miracle of healing of the past 17 years. I felt the muscle memory of training for the Boston Marathon through a bitter cold New England winter. We did the photo shoot where I had a photo shoot for the Brookline Tab in May of 2008 as I first set out on my Boston Marathon journey. Talk about a full circle moment!

Later that afternoon, I had a Zoom call as an Ambassador for The Boston Run Show.  I sent in my journey as a most unlikely runner and was selected to be an Ambassador for the Boston Run Show happening January 27-January 28. As Ambassadors, we promote the show in our social media outlets and have VIP access to the event. During the call, the organizers said that they needed Ambassadors to assist with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Meet and Greets for the guest speakers. I connected with David Whelan, an incredibly inspirational runner who is going to be a guest speaker. He is an amputee after experiencing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. He crossed the finish line of the Indian Wells 70.3 Ironman! He uses his pain as fuel to reach his goals!

Bermuda Triangle Challenge posted the medals for Race Weekend on their social media pages. I visualized how I am going to feel after crossing the finish line of the 10K and wearing the medal for the rest of the weekend.

It's been four years since I've experienced taper time. I'm remembering the motivation and inspiration from when I trained for Boston. During a challenging training run, Janine asked me if I had ever heard of Wilma Rudolph. She told me to go home and google her. She was an American sprinter who overcame childhood polio and went on to become a world-record-holding Olympic champion and international sports icon in track and field following her successes in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. 

Just as Siri "didn't get that" when I said that sometimes I'd like to go and have a relaxing vacation, I shall prepare for my victory lap visualizing only success, enjoy reeling in the distance and pace, and celebrating 17 years of healing and entering a new decade of life ablaze with determination and a new found strength from taking on the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K.

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.

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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.