The Magic in the Miles

We had the day all planned for Ruth Anne to get in her last 20 mile long run on the road to the LA Marathon and for me to do a solo 4 mile run --- or so we thought!

Tom's back was still bothering him a bit and he didn't want to risk Ruth Anne's dress rehearsal getting disrupted with her worrying about him. The original plan was for me to drive them out to Paper Fiesta in Natick and they would run back to our house for 10 miles. Ruth Anne would continue on her way to finish her 10 miles. She had the eye of the tiger and with her runner's back pack all ready to go, she said she would do an out and back route.

 

Tom and I went out the door for our 4 miler planning to go around the Reservoir and finish up in the neighborhood. As we felt the cold headwind, we changed our plan to do an out and back route along Beacon Street. The anticipation of Spring with opening day at Fenway Park and the Boston Marathon is always a magical time in Boston. Yesterday's magic gave me goosebumps as I experienced how blessed I am to be a part of the running community for the past 16 years.

We passed a car that had just pulled into a parking space with runners getting out their gear. What makes the sport of running the greatest sport, as Bill Rodgers loves to say, is the camaraderie and community among runners. It doesn't matter how fast you go, or what distance you run. The elite runners embrace runners of all abilities and love hearing inspirational stories. In what other sport can you greet a total stranger on the street and ask "You training for Boston?" "Did you qualify or are you a charity runner?" and then go on to share your own inspirational story wishing the runners a wonderful training cycle. We experienced that magic with several other runners we 'met' along the route. One of my favorite moments was when a runner said, "Looking good" as he passed by. "You too," we said.

The Colonial Road Runners from the South Shore  had a water stop for their runners training for the Boston Marathon. I knew two of their members and we laughed at what a small world it is when it comes to the running community.

Tom and I reminisced about our 2009 Boston Marathon and how, 15 years later, we still experience the magic of the count down to Marathon Monday. Our excitement this year is amplified by Ruth Anne finishing up her training cycle for the 2024 LA Marathon!

We took pictures at the iconic Cleveland Circle clock and finished strong despite the cold air and head wind.

While enjoying the humming of muscles after a great workout and post run bananas and a cup of coffee for Tom, Ruth Anne called to say that she needed to do a point to point run to simulate Marathon day. Without missing a beat, we gathered up water, Gu waffles and a thermos for Tom's coffee and headed out to meet Ruth Anne along the Boston Marathon course. It was the Superhero long run for the Charity Runners. The sense of community was powerful and palpable. If only we could bottle the magic of unity that happens among the running community, our world would be a much more peaceful place.

Ruth Anne stayed in touch with us giving us updates on where she was and we caught up with her as she steadily, with great strength and determination made her way. We refilled her water bottles and gave high fives. As we drove by the Framingham Train Station, Tom and I remembered when Ruth Anne's Environmental Science Teacher, Mr. Mitchell cheered us on. He was tall and we could see him and feel his presence cheering for us. Shortly after we passed the train station, Ruth Anne texted us that she was at the train station where Mr. Mitchell met us on Marathon Monday. Talk about magic!

When we got to Ashland, right before a big hill, there were no sidewalks. Rulth Anne agreed that it was the perfect turn around point for both safety reasons and because there is a turnaround in the LA Marathon. We told her we'd be like the lead truck following her as she finished her last long run before March 17th!

 What a phenomenal run! Ruth Anne practiced her fueling and hydration, was mindful of her pace especially as she started out and finished strong with negative splits. Although she ran alone, she felt the energy of those training for Boston and other Spring marathons. She had dedicated her miles to those running their marathons of healing and recovery at Victory Programs as she winds down her recent fundraising campaign which includes a phenomenal gift giveaway. There's still time to donate.

We celebrated with lunch and relished seeing Ruth Anne glowing with a sense of accomplishment. It was the longest run she had done since 4/20/2009. Although my marathon days may be behind me, I feel the vicarious thrill of seeing others go the distance. And I still experience the thrill, now that I am off the sidelines of the magic in the miles.

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.

This Pain is Good Pain!

From the soon to be released, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From the Heart of a Warrior":

"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."

In 2021 into 2022, I experienced a lot of pain after the 2nd COVID booster shot. It was nerve pain, muscle spasms and pins and needles down my legs. The pain interrupted my sleep many nights despite my best efforts harnessing the power of the mind/body connection. I curtailed my training regimen and decided that my participation in event days was behind me. I was deeply grateful for all my body had given me and how mind and soul were nourished and healed through the transformational sport of running. 

At the end of 2022, I realized that I had not come that far to stop being a part of the sport I came to love shortly after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. I know that even when runners are sidelined, we are still a part of the sport but it doesn't feel the same when I am not a part of events challenging myself.

I picked myself up, dusted myself off and set a shiny new goal for myself with the Bermuda Triangle Challenge Weekend 10K. Even though I cramped up at mile 3.06 and could not cross the finish line as I had visualized so many times in my mental preparation for race day and was in quite a bit of pain, it was a really good pain. I loved pushing my body to its absolute limit and a little beyond before I 'called it.' It was my first and I hope my only DNF. It's a blessing because now I have unfinished business to finish this year.

Early on in my journey, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I made a conscious decision that since I was going to experience pain, I'd choose the pain of healing, health and fitness rather than the pain of atrophy and decline. Did you know that atrophy causes pain?  But thanks to neuroplasticity and the body's tremendous capacity to heal, muscles and nerves can be regenerated.

When I am out on my training runs, I transcend pain and discomfort by savoring the sensations around me. We are so blessed to live near two Reservoirs, and Jamaica Pond. South Boston is only a 20 minute drive away. I LOVE this time of year as the trees are pregnant with possibilities and anticipation of Spring fills the air.

On Tuesday, Ruth Anne and I basked in the almost warm sunshine while doing a brisk tempo run letting the gentle waves lapping against the shore be the soundtrack for our run.

After Ruth Anne pushed me with the pace, we stretched at the car. We watched the swooping seagulls while hydrating and refueling with a banana. I let myself enjoy the humming of my body giving thanks for all it gives me.

Whenever those niggles of pain come up either during or in the wake of a good run, I smile and remind myself, "Oh yeah this pain is good pain!"

 

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.