I used visualization to create a beautiful Bermuda Triangle Challenge Weekend. While the 10K's outcome was not as I had visualized it, the weekend overflowed with joy, happiness, reunions, fun and the fantastic feeling of knowing that I am off the sidelines. What a blessing to be a part of a Race Weekend reconnecting with fabulous friends -- and myself!
The limo arrived 15 minutes early at 5:45 am. He popped the trunk of the shiny black sedan. He was dressed exactly as I imagined. We met him halfway up the walkway and he effortlessly whisked our luggage into the trunk. Our Bermuda Race Weekend vacation was off to a wonderful start. We had one snow storm the week before Race Weekend followed by warm rain that melted all the snow. I was grateful to be on dry ground with moderate temperatures.Traffic was light on the way to Logan International Airport. With Jet Blue Extra fare we had priority at security. We had plenty of time to have a leisurely breakfast at Davio's in Terminal C. It was quite the contrast to the usual hustle and bustle at Legal Seafood where you sit elbow to elbow with other travelers. We had a booth and impeccable service. Our usual breakfast consists of cereal and oatmeal. What a contrast to our vacation breakfast of eggs, fruit and toast.
As we walked to our gate, I spotted this painting of The Cat in the Hat.
I thought to myself, "It's a sign!" Of all the sights to see at Terminal C, there was a larger than life Cat in the Hat to greet me, reminding me of my earth angel physical therapist Miss Holly who coaxed my withered muscles and nerves back to health after contracting paralytic polio. The cadence of Dr. Seuss came back to me after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and helped me to harness the power of the mind/body connection to transform my life!
Our flight was on time! While we waited to board Jet Blue Flight 203 nonstop to Bermuda, I checked the weather for the hundredth time for race day and the weekend. The forecast called for rain all weekend! As passengers arrived in the waiting area, Tom and I played our game of “runner or not.” We asked and answered the question, “You running this weekend.” The excitement was building before we leave the ground. The flight was smooth. I listened to my On the Road to Bermuda playlist feeling confidence in my training. I reviewed my affirmations and notes from Deena Kastor’s book. As we began our descent into Bermuda, my heart overflowed with gratitude. Bermuda is even more beautiful than I remembered. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. The new airport was magnificent. We had to get our bearings as we were accustomed to landing on the tarmac, walking down the stairs breathing in the fragrant Bermuda air, getting our luggage and passing through customs. I enjoyed being able to roll my carry on that had all of our running gear (just in case our luggage was lost) off of the airplane. As we got our passport stamped while presenting our arrival card, I heard what I’ve waited to hear for four long years, “Welcome to Bermuda!”
We double checked each of the signs just outside baggage claim. No Marathon Tours and Travel car. We contacted our Tour Operator and apparently the van driver did not have the list of the names only a head count. Three people got on the wrong van and took our spot and the spot of another runner. It would be at least 30 minutes before he was able to pick us up. Oh well, we were on Island time. Sun peeked through the clouds as I rolled up my long sleeve shirt. I took deep breaths of the fragrant air. When our ride arrived, he told us he had to wait for another flight. Tom and I took a cab, forgetting about the mix up and taking in the magnificent vistas en route to our hotel. We arrived at the Hamilton Princess Hotel where two doormen effortlessly open the heavy wooden doors welcoming us to Bermuda and Race Weekend. Our room was ready! The view from our balcony overlooking a canal took my breath away.
We changed out of our Boston winter clothes. Our original plan was to have a light bite for lunch and go to the Pickled Onion for a 6:00pm reservation but opted instead for an early dinner. But first, souvenir shopping at our favorite store, Flying Colours Bermuda.
The flowers were in bloom as we strolled down Front Street: 
Tom bought a new hat after we texted Ruth Anne for his approval! We bought gifts for our neighbors who were watching the house and bringing in the mail.
I'd forgotten how steep the stairs were to the Pickled Onion. We were greeted by the bartender.
"We have a dinner reservation for 6 but we'd like to eat now if that's okay. We also need to cancel our reservation for tomorrow night. I'm going to need to rest before race day."
"I'll take care of that for you."
"So you're not going to have dinner with us tomorrow huh?"
Our dear friend and manager Samantha Maguire seemed to appear out of nowhere on the balcony.
"Oh my God Sam! It's so good to see you."
We reminisced about our first meeting in 2016, how she lovingly prepared ice packs for me after the half marathon and got caught up on life during the past 4 years.
"I noticed they changed the menu," I said.
"What did you used to get?" Sam asked.
"The salmon with a glaze, jasmine rice and string beans but it's okay, I'll have the bowtie pasta."
"Well we don't have string beans but we have squash...."
"Mary loves squash," Tom interrupted.
"We have basmati rice and I think the chef can fix the salmon with a glaze."
"Are you taking our order?" I asked Sam with surprise in my voice.
"Sure I can."
After she placed our order, she came out to say goodbye since it was time for her to go home. If our transportation had arrived on time, we would have missed Sam! She understood that I needed to rest on Friday evening but asked if we could come for dinner on Saturday. She wanted to see us before we left on Monday. Even though we had the pre-race pasta dinner scheduled on Saturday, when the manager of a restaurant has the chef fix a meal off of the menu, you say yes of course we will be here. "And I'll bring my bling." We said goodbye with warm hugs. Dinner was perfection!
I said to Tom as we walked hand in hand back to the Princess, "You know Tom I do have to hold a space for the possibility that I might not be able to finish on Saturday. I know I've done all the training and will leave nothing out on the roads but it will also be okay to see Sam on Saturday with or without the bling."
"Absolutely," Tom said. "But it will be your victory lap!"
"It sure will be," I said.
My heart overflowed with gratitude for safe and smooth travels, a reunion with one of my favorite people in Bermuda, and excited for Friday's adventure in Paradise.
To be continued...
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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