Day 2 at the Expo as Unicorn Magic Continued!

 

Ruth Anne suggested that we head in town early than we had originally planned on Saturday morning. After a full afternoon at the Expo on Friday, Ruth Anne had said that she would take a pass on Saturday's Expo and I would go in by myself for a few hours to visit with friends and see more of the Expo. I was pleasantly surprised that she wanted to spend the day together and to also have what we affectionately call "ladies lunch." 

Boylston Street was already blocked off to traffic which meant that Tom would have to drop us off on Comm. Ave. since there were barricades to access Boylston Street. After he dropped us off we debated for a moment about which way to go. As we came around on Boylston Street heading to lunch, we saw a long line wondering if we were going to be able to get lunch at Sweetgreens. We couldn't tell where the line was coming from. We were undaunted since we were on Boston Marathon Weekend time meaning letting Spirit guide us to where we were meant to be. As we passed the long line which was for a book signing at Marathon Sports with Kathrine Switzer launching All in Stride by Johanna Garten and Elvin Kibet who 'just happened' to be having their photos taken with Kathrine but Erika Hamel from the On the Runs Podcast and her brf (best running friend) Rachel Wilkinson. Erika said that they had been waiting in line for an hour and what a coincidence that they got to the front of the line just as we arrived. We originally planned to meet up at the Expo.

 

We had never been to Cava, the restaurant next door to Sweetgreens. We decided to give it a try. There were no tables available but a kind young man said he was waiting for his friend in the Marathon Sports line. He got up and gave us his table with two chairs in the sunshine. Our dear friend Candice was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I brought 3 of my books to give her at the Expo that would inspire her healing. We put them out on the table while we went in to order. My book, "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" was on top.

While enjoying the incredible energy of all that is Boston Marathon weekend, soaking up the sun and savoring our lunch, Ruth Anne and I talked about the synchronicity of meeting up with Erika and Rachel. Ruth Anne went inside to get more napkins.

"Excuse me," a woman stopped at our table, "are you a runner?" I was wearing my 2009 Boston Marathon jacket. 

"I am."

"Are you running this year?"

"I'm not. Do you have someone running?"

By then, Ruth Anne returned to the table. This lovely woman told us that her daughter was running her first Boston Marathon. 

"Any tips?" she asked. After we told her daughter suggestions for the day, her mom asked, "And what about for spectators?" 

As we were giving suggestions, her daughter looked at my book on the table. 

"Into the Light!" she exclaimed. "I read that." My first thought was "I wonder if she has the right book," but went on to say, "Well I'm Mary McManus the author."

"You're Mary?" she exclaimed with delight. Breanna is a social worker and "Into the Light" was on her suggested readings list at the University of Toronto Graduate School of Social Work! She told me she absolutely loved it. It was part of a course to address the mental health needs of adolescents during the pandemic. She is now in private practice in Canada! 

Her dad suggested we take a photo together:

Breanna qualified for Boston. Her mom proudly showed off a photo they had of her on a poster to cheer her on during Marathon Monday. I gave them my business card and said they can text or call if they have any questions about Monday's logistics.

Isn't it amazing how seemingly inconsequential decisions lead to monumental coincidence.

Still in awe of the synchronicity and magic of the Unicorn that was clearly in the air, we headed to the Expo. I stopped to take a few photos pausing to remember and honor the memory of those whose lives were lost and devastated by the events of 4/15/13.

There was a VERY long line to enter the Expo. Ruth Anne said, "Excuse me. Do you mind if we go ahead?" They were charity runners with Steppin' Strong, a charity that began shortly after 4/15/13. We thanked them for their kindness. There was a long line snaking through the Hynes Convention Center with what must have been thousands of runners and spectators.

"Hey mom. I think I spotted Matt Durkin." Sure enough, he was a few rows over from us and we caught up to each other as the line wound around. Once we were ready to enter the Expo, Ruth Anne suggested we wait at the side of the line for bib pick up so she could chat a bit and get that all important selfie. Matt is a member of our L Street Running Club and a dear friend who moved to New York to work for Concern Worldwide.

 

They are each BIG Beyonce fans. They took the selfie while saying, "Beyonce!"

 

 

We walked through the Expo hoping to see Candice at her booth Race Day Rangers. When I sent her a message, she said she'd been there earlier but was gone for the day. We'd done a lot of walking and headed over to the Marathon Live Stage to have a seat and wait for Dave McGillivray's talk. We were treated to an amazing panel with Joan Benoit Samuelson, running legend and Boston Champion; Dr. Beth McQuiston, neuroscientist, licensed physician, registered dietician, and Abbott medical director; Cyndi Gonzalez, Executive Director, Girls on the Run Boston; Moderated by Reilly Dillon, marathoner, and Abbott content specialist. My favorite takeaways from Joanie were, "Every setback has a blessing," and "Everyone should have the opportunity to run out of the tunnel into the light." (referencing her epic barrier breaking 1984 Olympic Marathon run)

Although I have heard Dave McGillivray speak on many occasions, his presentation was absolutely riveting and inspiring. 

 

I sent a message to John Breen of Ashworth Awards who I met at Dave's book launch "Dream Big" several years ago. He has been incredibly supportive of Ruth Anne's fundraising efforts and wanted to meet up at the Expo. We had just missed each other on Friday. He came over to hear Dave speak and we caught up for a few minutes. 

We were hoping to stay for the next panel of Meet the US Pros but the crowd had grown exponentially and the noise level was cranked up. Ruth Anne and I texted our friend Jared to let him know we left. He said it was packed and he was getting ready to leave. We wished him God speed on Monday.

Sunday was a laundry and catch up day at home resting up before the jewel in the crown of Marathon Weekend: the running of the 128th Boston Marathon.

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 interview with the amazing On the Runs podcast team of Erika Hamel and Eric Knuuttunen is Episode 56. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon

***COMING MAY 25, 2024***  "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" Book Release Party 6/3  7-8pm at Livite Brookline in Washington Square