So Much More Than a 10K!

 

 

During my morning meditation a few days ago, thoughts of Joe Stetz came to mind. He was my camp counselor at Badger Day Camp when I was 10 years old. Despite my recovering from paralytic polio, he encouraged me to participate in the end of camp Olympics in, of all strokes, the butterfly stroke. There were only two other campers willing to compete in the butterfly. I was guaranteed a place on the podium regardless of my time. I was terrified to jump off the starting block and had difficulty with being able to propriocept a turn at the wall. Joe told me he would work with me one on one. He was true to his word. On race day, he told me to not look to my left or my right but to swim my own race at my pace. He was there to greet me when I touched the wall at the finish and extended a hand to me to escort me to the podium to receive my third place plaque. The other swimmers finished way ahead of me but none of that mattered. Joe instilled in me what it means to have the heart of a champion. He taught me how to conquer fear and rise above physical limitations. He taught me how to find courage to do what I thought was impossible for me to do.

I saw Joe's Death Notice in the Boston Globe in December of 2004 and gasped to learn that we had worked at St. Elizabeth's Hospital at the same time! I worked as a geriatric social worker and he worked as a cardiothoracic surgeon. He had given up the chance to compete in the Olympics to go to medical school. He died in a single car accident shortly after retirement. In 2019, as I stood at the starting line of the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K as a spectator for Tom, I struck up a conversation with the woman standing next to me. Talk about synchronicity! This woman who was doing medical spectating for the course worked at St. Elizabeth's Hospital for 36 years as a nurse in the CCU and ICU. Of course she knew Joe Stetz! We talked about what an incredibly special man and physician he was. It was believed that he suffered a heart attack or stroke while driving. She said what a tragedy it was because he was looking forward to retirement riding his horses and spending time with his daughter and grandchildren. 

 

And in that moment of the starting line of the 2019 Bermuda Marathon Weekend 10K, I connected with a part of my past where the seeds for possibility in my life, despite polio and trauma were planted. I reconnected with the man whose Spirit helped me stare down the challenge of Post-Polio Syndrome and take on running the 2009 Boston Marathon; who inspired me to never ever give up whatever the challenge. After a serious knee injury in December of 2014, after being told I should never have taken up running to begin with and should hang up my running shoes, I went on to run 3 consecutive Bermuda Half Marathons. The Universe and Joe's beautiful Spirit brought me to that moment in 2019 standing face to face and heart to heart with Lynn Landry, RN sharing in the glow of a man who changed lives by his very presence for the time he walked this Earth.

Thursday was a cold day. I went for solo miles and experienced such invigorating yet easy miles on the road to the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. I felt the joy of being out on the course and visualizing the finish into the Stadium. I cried and felt goosebumps seeing my Bermuda friends cheering me into the finish. I even dared myself to imagine my friends coming out on the course to accompany me to a strong finish. My steps were mindful. I connected to Source and feel how important it is for me to shine my light and share my powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities.

 

When I toe the starting line in just a few weeks, the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K is so much more than a 10K for me. It's a celebration of what's possible, 17 years of healing after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome,  turning 70 on Christmas Day and what it means to age strong. In all likelihood, depending on who decides to participate in the 10K Walk, I will be one of the last finishers. I will leave nothing out on the course yet we will be mindful with pace .I will feel Joe Stetz's presence with me every step of the way.

On Saturday, Tom and Ruth Anne joined me for my two miles. It was another gift of a gorgeous December day with temperatures in the 50's. We decided to go to the small Reservoir on Route 9. Tom made sure I kept my pace way down which of course made my anxiety go way up. Tom was quick to point out my taper madness that manifested in questions like, "Is this what the hill is like in Bermuda? Does it stop at the lights or is it the continuation to the corner of Route 9." Ruth Anne and Tom chimed in, "Relax ma/Mary - you've got this!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I know and I feel in every fiber of my being that I've got this. I'm allowing myself to feel the excitement that goes with anticipating an event I have not done in 6 years, traveling on a plane for the first time in 4 years. As Helen Keller once said, "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." Here's to my next adventure happening in:

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.