When Passion & Persistence Meet

 

It took the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006 to ignite having a dream for my life. Passion was set aflame in February of 2007 after I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. A spigot was turned on in my soul as poetry poured out of me. Once I made the commitment to leave my award winning career as a VA social worker to heal my life (having no idea what that meant at the time) and follow my new found bliss as a poet. I was a Communications Major at Boston University and rekindled my passion for writing. As I journaled about "A Day in the Life Of" as I prepared to leave my career, I dreamed about being on Oprah and becoming a NY Times Bestselling Author talking about how I transformed my life by taking a leap of faith reinventing myself.

In February of 2008, my soul gave birth to a new dream; to run the 2009 Boston Marathon! My passion to raise money for Spaulding Rehab and to defy the diagnosis and prognosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and persistence fueled my training on the road to Boston. I never missed a training session. When the weather prevented us from running outdoors, we ran the track at Boston University. On April 20, 2009, my dream of crossing the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon became reality!

Receiving my medal from a BAA volunteer! We raised $10,535 for Spaulding Rehab and I was a woman transformed!

My bucket list item to run in Bermuda got derailed by my nephew's death by suicide on 3/4/2011 and a serious knee injury in December of 2014. But at my comeback race from the knee injury and feeling a fire in my belly again after being across the street from the Boston Marathon bombings, I met the Bermuda Marathon Weekend Race Directors at the July 2015 Finish at the 50 Race Expo. With passion and persistence, my dream to run in Bermuda became a three time reality in 2016, 2017 and 2018!

Passion and persistence have been the theme for my training cycle on the road to the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. I set weekly goals for running and strength training. I had to modify some goals being mindful of how my body responded to work outs. There were days when I was sore and hurting.  I wanted to take an unscheduled rest day but I knew persistence and consistency are key when pursuing a dream along with remembering my why.

It's time now for me to stay persistent and consistent while reeling in my pace. The weather this week has been balmy for New England in late November/early December. I did my two weekday runs of two miles each in glorious sunshine; one around the 'small rezzie'

 

 and one around the 'large rezzie' capturing sunbeams and orbs in my photos:

I felt a need to do tempo runs. Despite a grey damp day for Saturday's 5K, I felt sunshine in my heart and soul. 

 The training cycle is winding down. I just need to reel in my pace and focus more on my mental training. With Tom and Ruth Anne training for the Los Angeles Marathon, my runs are solo runs. I love the solitude as I enjoy nature. Gratitude overflows that temperatures are mild and there is no snow or ice on the ground. I pushed the pace at mile 2. During my last mile, I took time to reflect on what caused me to push myself. The only thing I can possibly gain at this point in training is risk for an injury with more speed work. I talked to my tender child who desperately tried to catch up to peers while wearing an ankle to hip leg brace using crutches to compensate for the muscles and nerves compromised by the polio virus. Tom will be with me on race day and help with my pacing to ensure a safe and happy run. Over the next few weeks I am going to get myself in the zone and trust my training! After Saturday's miles, I took a hot shower, reminded myself that my body recovers with ease from training runs and meditated with a heating pad.

I released the tension around race day, visualizing staying loose and went through my affirmations focusing on strength

When I first set out to heal my life in May of 2007 with passion in my heart and soul and the seeds of persistence planted by my incredible physical therapist, I've been blessed to see dreams become reality. As I check off training runs, and put the finishing touches on my mental and physical training, my dream of conquering the Bermuda Hills on January 13th, 2024 is coming into view. 

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.