Feels Like -- There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather!

Last Thursday, Team McManus went out for a runchie (a run over Tom's lunch hour.) I had to psych myself up to get out the door knowing that the temps were in the 30's and there was a wind advisory. It felt like 17 degrees. The wind chill was fierce but we endured. It was one of those boy these miles sure hurt. I have a goal of another 10K this year either virtual or in person and know how mental training is an integral part of physical training. If we waited for perfect weather or if we waited for perfect circumstances in life, we would never get anything done. I love how running is a metaphor for life.

One of the biggest benefits of the pandemic was that we had to go outside and run. As you all recall, there was no access to gyms. We embraced the great outdoors and loved the sense of adventure that came with finding new running routes. That sense of adventure has stayed with us although I must confess, it is tempting to go indoors when the wind chill stings.

You can see how the wind pulled the water. We debated whether or not we should go down Beacon Street where the buildings may have blocked the wind. With the effort it would have taken for us to change our route and to probably need to endure the head wind anyway, we could finish our run. That's exactly what we did. Tom commented that he didn't know many 70+ year olds who would be outside braving the elements on a day like last Thursday. It's especially amazing for me to be out on a cold day. One of the hallmark symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome is cold intolerance. The 'thermostat' to regulate body temperature was damaged as a result of the initial polio virus. I harnessed the power of the mind/body connection to rewire the circuitry. Training for the Boston Marathon during the bitter New England cold winter of 2008/2009, helped to heal the breach in my nervous system.

I am over the moon excited to be an Ambassador for The Boston Outdoor Expo. One of the speakers on the Inspiration Stage is Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Ranulph Fiennes is a British adventurer and novelist that is best known today for his various exploits around the world. He is especially hailed for being the first man to cross the Antarctica from one side to the other [via the pole] on foot.

 

I learned about The Boston Outdoor Expo from the organizers of The Boston Run Show after having been an Ambassador. My daughter Ruth Anne teased me about the Outdoor Expo pointing out that we are not great outdoors people. I was quick to point out that in fact, as runners, we are great outdoors people. The Expo is going to present us with an incredible opportunity to expand our experiences by learning about new activities and exploring new challenges.

It would have been so easy to head indoors to a track when the wind chill felt like .. last Thursday. Instead we layered up and got in our miles feeling vibrant and invigorated after the run was done. There is a lot of research about how going out in cold weather slows down the aging process and has health benefits far beyond the exercise itself. There really is no such thing as bad weather; only a bad attitude and inappropriate clothing.

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.

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