A week ago Saturday, I knew that I needed to get out on the Newton Hills in preparation for my target race of the year, the 45th Annual Bill Rodgers Somerville 5K Run and Walk. I was sleep deprived because Tom was recovering from surgery to repair the wrist he fractured right before the finish line of the Cape Cod Half Marathon. I was tired because there was so much more to do with Tom's limitations as he recovered from surgery. There's also the stress factor of having a loved one undergo and recuperate from surgery no matter how "minor" it was. When Ruth Anne and I parked the car and got on our water belts, I told her I wasn't sure what kind of a pace I would be able to do. I'd been doing a lot of speed work on my shorter runs and pacing my 5K's to mentally and physically prepare for race day. I had not done a lot of preparation specifically on hills, although there are hills surrounding our house.
We started out at an easy pace and even an easy pace felt hard. I had to shake off the fatigue and stress and get my mental game in gear. It was a beautiful day.
We stopped at the Johnny Kelly statue to take a selfie. The day warmed up quickly and I was very comfortable in a t-shirt. Quite a treat for a late October day in Boston. I focused on gratitude and how blessed I am to be able to be out on the roads regardless of the pace. I accepted all that my body would give me letting go of any expectations. While I was on the 'struggle bus' on the Johnny Kelly Hill, I put one foot in front of the other not stopping.
I was utterly surprised and delighted to see that I had done negative splits and was only 2 minutes over my goal pace for my race.
The following Monday, Ruth Anne and I headed to South Boston for our 2 miles. It was a brisk and windy yet beautiful day by the water. Ruth Anne needed to get to the bathroom. Despite Saturday's challenging run, we pushed the pace to avoid what we runners affectionately call a "code brown." We had a lovely conversation with the staff at the Curley Center talking about our L Street Running Club. Ruth Anne suggested we take it easy on the way back since our 'mission' was accomplished. I told her I felt absolutely wonderful and wanted to do another mile of speed work back to the car. We had a strong headwind but I felt a sense of unbridled joy and freedom. I suggested to Ruth Anne that running on the hills on Saturday made running on flat ground seem so much easier despite it being our first hat run of the season.
I was reminded of a poem I wrote that is shared in my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" and a quote from JFK:
Set Yourself Free
Running in tandem with waves
as seagulls soar
seeing Divine's creations
sun sparkles
sprinkling white caps dotting deep blue
steady breath
scent of briny air
sounds of water lapping shore
surrounded by beauty.
Stress dissolves
each footstep bids farewell to troubles
joy bubbles from the depths
Divine Love
heart overflows
refreshment for mind and body.
Once shackled
unbridled from unfathomable past
wounds healed
wind whispers
“Run my child
set yourself free”
I am found.
“All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came.” ~John F. Kennedy
This past Saturday, I knew I needed to dial the pace way back and enjoy an easy 5K. We did an out and back on Beacon Street because there was a strong headwind and white caps on the Reservoir. I could feel my battery running on low and know how important it is to honor what my body tells me. Coaches tell us that it's vital to balance hard with easy runs especially when training for a goal race.
Tom had a great post-op visit yesterday! Everything is healing well. He can shower on his own again and resume activities and chores that Ruth Anne and I were doing. There's still no heavy lifting but what a burden was lifted knowing he is on the mend!
I debated whether or not to take an extra rest day. I am a member of David R. Hamilton, Ph.D.'s Personal Development Club. Because we spent the morning at Tom's appointment, I wasn't sure whether or not I would be able to make it back in time for the live session. The recording is posted the next day but it's always uplifting and inspiring to join the live session. I told Ruth Anne that I was going to see if I could push my pace and make it back in time for the session. She agreed to pace me. It was a grey day but I felt happiness and lightness now that Tom is on the road to recovery. We always make sure we take time to notice nature's beauty and splendor in every season even though we wanted to get back in under 40 minutes. Remember that for someone who is supposed to be in a wheelchair, I go pretty fast!
It was a thrill to have Ruth Anne out in front pacing me at a 17/18/19 minute mile and I dug deep to catch up with her. I can almost taste how wonderful it is going to feel to race the 5K on 12/15 and to feel the joy of Team McManus crossing the finish line together. Hard days are the best because when you push through them, you know you can get through anything!
In health and wellness,
Mary
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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.
