Imagination is Everything!

 

Did you know that the runner within me was born in my imagination? Sounds impossible right? How could a runner be born in one's imagination? I had never run a day in my life until I was over 50 years old. Running and physical activities were nowhere to be found on my bingo card of life. I contracted paralytic polio at the age of 5 and endured years of abuse at the hands of family members. I was in survival mode for most of my life. But then a most miraculous thing happened. My life came to a screeching halt with the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair!

In February of 2007 I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. I just knew I needed help from Source to guide me through that dark night of my mind, body and soul! I was told I needed to quit my award-winning social work career if there were any hope of stabilizing the symptoms where they were. 25 years of a career. Three years shy of retirement. I was in chronic pain. I clutched the banister to walk up stairs. I experienced chronic fatigue. I needed to go back in a toe up leg brace, use a cane and at times, a wheelchair for mobility!

So how is it possible that the poem, "Running the Race" flowed out of me on a dark, cold February day when I faced a grim prognosis and had to make incredibly difficult decisions about my future. Would I even have a future?

Why was running a race even on my radar when I had never run a day in my life? Oh sure I watched the Boston Marathon and one year, after reconstruction leg surgery quipped, "No I don't think I'll be running this year" as I hobbled around on crutches. (Be careful what you say out loud to the Universe. You never know where it may lead!) There was something deep in my soul; in my unconscious that was preparing the way for me for my second act!

Poetry, initially in the cadence of Dr. Seuss, poured out of me. Gratitude for the challenges, forgiveness for those who abused me, metaphors for healing the past and poems about visualizing myself happy, free, dancing in the rain, and running were the themes in my poetry. I worked first in physical therapy and then with a personal trainer who believed in the body's tremendous capacity to heal. This winning combination inspired my mind, body and soul to catapult from survival mode into an expanded mode of thriving. 

I continue to harness the power of my imagination as I continue to move forward in my health and wellness journey after a major setback in 2021/2022. I begin and end my day with meditation/visualizations and take time in the afternoon for rest and harnessing the power of my imagination for healing, for upcoming races and/or events in the future. Once I came to believe in the power of my imagination to heal, my practice of harnessing the mind/body connection gained momentum. The combination of imagination and inspired action,  with a powerful intention to achieve my goals while partnering with Source and professionals to guide has enabled me to become the most unlikely runner I am today!

I updated my website's News and Events page. Be inspired by my recent appearance on Women's Running Stories. Check back often for upcoming events! On 9/28 I will be at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp in Providence RI for "Running With Health Challenges as Septuagenerians: Still Moving and Finishing Strong". When I was training for the Bermuda Marathon Triangle Challenge 10K, I imagined meeting up with a few back of the pack runners and we'd get each other to the finish line. 

From "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior":

I took that first hill with relative ease putting one foot in front of the other. Spectators joked that we had a police escort. There were no other walkers that we could see in front of us and few spectators lined the course. I was in the zone determined to finish and get my bling.

We caught up with an older woman somewhere before mile 1.

"I just knew that we were going to find another walker that we would team up with."  

We talked about being back of the packers and how we get celebrated when we cross the finish line. Tom and I shared our Marathon Sports 5 Miler experience when we were celebrated with air horns and cheers as though I had broken the finisher's tape even though I was the last runner to finish.

"Look there's mile 1 up ahead. We did a good pace. We're gonna do this," Marlene said.

"Absolutely."

We shared our stories and noted Bermuda's beautiful farm land.

"Look there's mile 2," Marlene called out. She said that she had to go to the bathroom.

We asked the volunteers where the porta-potties were. They weren't sure but said there was a restaurant down the road we could try.
"I'll try to run up and catch up with you," Marlene said.

"Oh no. It's runner's code. Besides, it's a good idea for me to stop and hydrate and refuel.”

I took off my jacket as the winds subsided and the humidity was high.

"I hope they let me use it," Marlene said.

 "If they don't, they'll have to answer to me," said Tom.

Success! "I'm not going to drink anymore water because I don't know where the next porta-potty is."

"Oh no Marlene. It is humid. We have to hydrate."

"Oh okay," she said.

We soldiered on together pausing to hydrate at times and to have a moment to reset as we tackled the elevation.

 If you are in the Rhode Island area, please join us on 9/28 for what is sure to be an incredibly inspiring and motivating event about what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary. Imagination IS everything!

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  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.