The Joy of Fundraising

 

  

Five years ago this month, I sat with Ruth Anne as she talked with Erin Foley, Occupational Therapist in the outpatient therapy center gym at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, MA. Erin went through activities of daily living and independent activities of living to see where Ruth Anne's strengths were and what she needed help with. Ruth Anne had several years of untreated infections that led to severe neuropsychiatric issues and impairment in executive functioning. With care and compassion, Ruth Anne set forth treatment goals with Erin so she could find her strength and get back to her life. One of those goals was to run the Boston Marathon as part of the Race for Rehab team. There was a lot of work to be done to lay the foundation for Ruth Anne to achieve that goal. 

Ruth Anne went to work to achieve the goals of getting her driver's license back, managing finances and medications, using her computer and phone independently, experience the joy of cooking, getting back to school for a Master's Degree and volunteering to be of service to the community with the ultimate goal of getting back to work. One of the most touching moments in her work with Erin was when Erin bought smoothie ingredients from Trader Joe's with her own money to take her to the OT kitchen to make a smoothie from Shalane Flanagan's Run Fast Eat Slow cookbook. 

Over the course of several years, Ruth Anne reached her goals one by one under Erin's support and guidance.

On June 30th, Ruth Anne had an onset of terrifying and debilitating neurological symptoms that lasted for a month. We were so very fortunate to have a correct diagnosis made of Functional Neurological Disorder with referrals to Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. We were in uncharted territory with the FND diagnosis but the team at Spaulding had extensive knowledge of the diagnosis. They provided patient education and evidence-based treatment protocols. Four months of intensive outpatient therapy appointments with ongoing home exercise programs, led to a full recovery and a remission of symptoms! It was now time for Ruth Anne to get ready to check off that goal from 2019; to run the Boston Marathon as part of the Race for Rehab team.

Even before she was accepted to the Team, Ruth Anne starting putting out feelers to get gifts for a thank you gift giveaway and priming the pump with potential donors. It was pure joy to see Ruth Anne in action to achieve her dream.

She was accepted to the team! Her outpatient providers were ecstatic and said that if she needs any extra sessions on her road to Boston (and as she finishes her Masters Certificate at Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College) to reach out to them.

 

While the fundraising goal of $7500 and training for the Boston Marathon through the winter months  can be rather daunting, there is so much joy, passion and purpose in this journey.

It's a joy to reconnect with people who I haven't connected with in awhile to share Ruth Anne's journey. Even if they don't donate, it's wonderful to reflect on our friendship and how much their friendship has meant to us. The joy is intensified when they respond to my emails or social media messages "Oh my goodness. I had no idea. Of course we'll donate," and other similar words of support, love and encouragement.

 

It's a joy to see the tote board rise and to put donors' names on the Wheel of Names for the Thank You Gift Giveaway for Ruth Anne's Race for Rehab. Every time Ruth Anne yells out, "New donation" and I ask "Who is it from?" we feel ripples of joy reverberate throughout our home. Often times she'll say, "Oh my God. I'm so grateful." Today we had a 'chance' encounter at the Deli Market at Star Market. We started up a conversation about running and power walking. Ruth Anne was inspired to let her know about her Race for Rehab run. She asked if Ruth Anne worked at Spaulding. "No I'm a patient there." This woman went on to say what an incredible place they are and have taken such good care of family members. She asked if she went to Charlestown and Ruth Anne said "yes." She gave her business card with the QR Code to her fundraising page. As we parted ways I said, "You'll be amazed by her incredible story."

A few hours later Ruth Anne checked her fundraising page and saw a $25 donation from Kate at the Star Market Deli Counter. "What an incredible story. Thank you for sharing with me at the deli counter." 

There is so much joy for giver and receiver in this fundraising journey!

I am so impressed with the incredible gift giveaway Ruth Anne conceptualized and put together. Feelings of joy bubbled up within me every time an author or business said yes to a donation!

Here is what is in store for the gift giveaways:

   
12/5 $15 gift card to Eight Cousins Bookstore and a copy of Elf Twisty by Jo Twist

$15 gift card to Eight Cousins Books and a Trilogy of Children's books by Dave McGillivray

12/12 Jacqueline Hansen's book, "A Long Time Coming" and $50 gift card to Marathon Sports
12/19 Johanna Garton's book "All in Stride" and Patrick Leber's book "Why Run When You Can Drive and Smoke at the Same Time"
12/26 *** Special Holiday Gift Giveaway *** A pair of Red Sox tickets to the 5/7 game against the Rangers behind home plate valued at $500 and a Trader Joe's gift basket
1/2 Bernie Siegel's Book "365 Prescriptions for the Soul" and a gift certificate to Party Favors
1/10 Special Edition at 5pm A $50 gift card to Marathon Sports 

1/16 Dave McGillivray's book "The Last Pick"

1/23 A signature Black Dog coffee mug and coffee
1/30 A $50 gift card to Legal Seafoods   
2/6  Luxury Hair Products from HC Studio valued at $45
2/13 Just in time for Valentine's Day, a $25 gift card to Ghelfi's Ice Cream and Candies of Cape Cod
2/20 A $50 gift card to Livite Brookline
2/27 A $50 gift card to Livite  Brookline
3/6 A pair of tickets to see "The Shark is Broken" in April at the North Shore Music Theater
3/13 A pair of tickets to see "The Shark is Broken" in April at the North Shore Music Theater
3/20 Hilary Topper's Book, "From Couch Potato to Endurance Athlete" and a $50 gift card to Marathon Sports
3/27 Matt Landry's book "Keep Moving Forward" and a $25 gift card to Heartbreak Hill
4/3 Patrick Leber's book "Why Drive When You Can Drive at the Same Time and a $50 Heartbreak Hill gift card
4/10 A $50 gift card to Tresca's North End Restaurant   
4/17 An autographed copy of Bill Rodgers "Marathon Man" and a $20 gift card to Newtonville Books

Today Ruth Anne hit the halfway point of her initial fundraising goal of $7500. Her ultimate goal is $10,000 to give back to the Hospital and network of rehabilitation facilities that helped her find her strength and get her life back. To feel the joy of giver and receiver, visit Ruth Anne's fundraising page and make a donation of any amount! Next Tuesday is #givingtuesday when we get to practice radical generosity as a global community. It's a perfect time to donate!

 

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, where you can find my incredibly inspirational story and upcoming events.

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.

What Gives Me Hope!

 

In the wake of last week's election, what gives me hope? I have trust that we can meet any moment when we harness all the power within us as individuals and collectively. 

I saw this post on Reasons to be Cheerful Instagram page: We believe the collective impact of practical problem-solving is greater than any one person’s power. That why our election coverage hits a little different, and why, a few weeks ago, we asked you to answer an open-ended question:

No matter who wins, ___________________. Visit their Instagram page to read a beautiful poem that is the compilation of responses. 

After the election they posted,  Yes, it matters who wins.
But maybe what matters even more is how millions of people, on any given day, choose to live, work, fight and advocate for positive change. Maybe the cumulative effect of countless individuals, striving to improve the world around them, is larger than any decision made from behind a big wooden desk.

What gives me hope is what my friend Eliza posted on Facebook:

Although the outcome of the election was clearly not as many of us hoped for, Kamala Harris started a powerful movement in a very short time that I believe will gain momentum in the coming weeks, months and years to come. I have hope not based on how many seats are red or blue in Congress but by the outpouring of amazing energy at her rallies and rallies on her behalf all across the Nation. I have hope because of the people around me who are hopeful and optimistic despite all appearances right now; people who refuse to relinquish dreams and a vision for what's possible.

Science has proven time and again that we are powerful creators. I know this from my own journey. Just because something has not manifested in the now does not mean that it will not happen or that something even greater may emerge as a result of what got set in motion during the few months leading up to election day.

What gives me hope is this quote from Margaret Mead:

 Back in September, I saw a post from Lee Woodruff. She was a guest on the Optimism Institute's Blue Sky podcast. I was drawn to it like a magnet although I didn't seem to have the time to get to listening to it and reaching out to the podcast about being a guest until two weeks ago. Everything in Divine Timing. I listened to Lee's interview. I followed Blue Sky on Instagram and it was just what I needed to get through pre and post-election stress. 

I listened to Bill's latest episode and heard his guest share her definition of optimism. Yesterday morning I woke up at 5:30am with a knot in my stomach. A rather common occurrence since last Wednesday. I began my meditation as I do every morning in the quiet hours usually before anyone else gets up to clear my energy and set my intention for the day. I was so surprised when a poem flowed through me:

Optimism is a Way of Being

Optimism a way of being
buoyed by hope
beam from the lighthouse
quells fears
piercing darkness of current appearances
life raft keeping us afloat in troubled waters
Worrying makes us weary
sapping strength
din drowns out possibilities
What ifs what ifs
swirling thoughts in a riptide of doom
What if the tide turns
Tethered together
joining hands and hearts
like minded travelers
Inner compass to guide
Journey together
weathering storms
anchored in truth
drawing strength
Right is might
riding waves of uncertainty
Unwavering in love
swells of kindness and care
holding on to each other
navigating our way until the rainbow appears 

It was inspired by Simon Sinek’s quote  “Optimism is different than positive - and it's definitely not naive. Optimism is the belief that the future is positive, that there's a light at the end of the tunnel and we're heading there, together.”

 

In the coming days, weeks months and if need be years, you will find me harping on hope as I wrote about in this poem from Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the Pandemic:

Harping on Hope

Symphony of positivity
playful joyful
Harping on hope
harbingers of hope
seek and you will find

Darkness and despair disperse
divisions derisions cease
Tuning to Universe’s harmony
vibrations of Love
Lovely images dancing
seeing with Third Eye
Foretelling vibrant scenes
a world healed

Rejoicing
uplifting voices
Joining as One
We rise!

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, where you can find my incredibly inspirational story and upcoming events.

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.

When Worry Seems to Take Hold....

 

 

In the wake of Tuesday's elections results, the what if's are taking center stage on many social media posts and in the news that feeds the worries in many people's thoughts and hearts. I am a worrier by nature that stems from childhood trauma. This election cycle has been a trigger so I really have to double down on using what's in my toolbox.

Worrying puts us into survival mode. Worried thoughts can feed upon themselves and release stress hormones that can then produce more worried thoughts. It drains our energy and leaves us less prepared to handle adverse situations. Did you know that there is a 90-second rule? I HIGHLY recommend this article from April 26, 2020, that explains that a circuit of reaction lasts for only 90 seconds. After that, it is our paying attention to that thought that keeps the reaction going. It's not always easy to break the cycle but what a wonderful feeling of freedom lies in being able to do so. 

"Life’s curve balls will slam you at lightning speed from all angles, from time to time, throwing you off your path. The question is, “What are you going to do about it?” This is a question many of us never stop to think about. If you want to thrive in this world, the 90-second rule offers a mindful way to override your hardwired survival reflex of reaction and cope with life's unexpected events—no matter how dire the circumstances—in a calmer, healthier, more mature way." In truth, no good ever comes from imagining worst case scenarios. It only adds energy to a negative outcome.

There is also a reference to Victor Frankl who was a Holocaust survivor. I came to know his work when I worked as a social worker and was working to heal my own PTSD. “When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves... Everything can be taken from a human but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”  

Mark Twain was a genius when it came to quotes about worries:

And speaking of imagination:

By the same token, we can use our imagination to create something we DO want. Even if the outcome we want is not apparent, while we are imagining a positive outcome we are producing feel good chemicals. The mind cannot distinguish real from imaginary and react whether the situation is in our thoughts or happening in 'real time.'

I have unsubscribed from all news sources. I am unfollowing (but not unfriending)  friends who are posting about their concerns sharing the latest hair raising news and have blocked or pulled back from people who are not like-minded or like-hearted individuals. I meditate 3 times a day - sometimes more, exercise, am mindful about my nutrition, listen to podcasts that are uplifting and inspiring and think to myself, "What's the best that can happen?"

I know many might 'fight' me and say that I'm being naive. Look at what happened before. I look to how I can live in the present moment. If things that happened before happen again 'or worse' as many people predict, then I will not have spent all this time drained and in a state of dread. And, as Simon Sinek said, "Optimism is different than positive and it's definitely not naive. Optimism is a belief that the future is positive, that there's a light at the end of the tunnel and we're heading there together."

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, where you can find my incredibly inspirational story and upcoming events.

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.

In The Face of Adversity...What's in my Toolbox?

 

We agreed that this year, unlike in 2016, we would go to bed early and wait for any election results in the morning. Everything seemed so different from 2016 once Kamala Harris became the nominee. Even her campaign manager was confident that there was a clear path to victory. She had the money, a brilliantly executed campaign, throngs of supporters at her rallies, backing from members of the Republican Party and his own staff from when he was 45 organizing to vote for Kamala. It was quite a shock when Tom, Ruth Anne and I checked my email to see the Globe headline that he was on the cusp to become the 47th President. We all felt gutted, shocked, angry, frustrated and confused. It was incomprehensible a) that he was allowed to run for office and b) anyone would vote for a felon among all the many labels he and his followers carry. Fear and racing thoughts took hold until we all took a collective breath and moved forward with our day. 

We connected with like-hearted individuals in social media and in real time. We were blessed with "chance meetings" in the neighborhood with two neighbors who we've known for years. We shared a laugh, tears, anger and hugs. Ruth Anne also visited a dear friend whose daughter is critically ill in the hospital. They made it a political free zone. 

On Wednesday evening, Ruth Anne received notification that her dream of the past 5 years to run the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab had come true. She has been accepted to the Race for Rehab Team. She is well enough to take on the challenges of running Boston and fund raising. She wants to give back to the place that has done so much to help her find her strength and fully recover from her incredible challenges of the past 5 years. The outpouring of love and support on Facebook for her announcement touched our hearts and souls. On Thursday, we kept very busy with chores, fund raising and continued connections with like-hearted friends and family. We had morning miles with a mission as we mailed off Ruth Anne's contract with Spaulding.

 

On Friday, after all that busyness on Thursday, we took a lot of time for meditation and prayer. I realized that I needed to reflect on what do I have in my toolbox to navigate this time of adversity and challenge. We poured our time, treasure and talent into the campaign and would do it all over again in a heartbeat but I needed to dig deep into my toolbox to maintain equanimity, and not be swallowed up by fear, anger and disappointment. I have known adversity and trauma since I was 5 years old. After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome at the age of 53, I had to take a deep dive into how to radically improve my physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Perhaps these tools will be helpful to others. Feel free to add comments and share your own.

I started with gratitude. I looked through my Mac and Facebook photos to find gratitude quotes. Writing poetry about gratitude opened the portal to healing after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. In November, I post about 30 days of gratitude. This year I am amplifying those posts and honing in on what I am grateful for. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shortly after I contracted paralytic polio at age 5, I had an out of body experience. That touch of grace enabled me to endure recovery from paralytic polio and abuse at the hands of family members. I knew that the darkness would not prevail. I knew that there was something within me greater than my circumstances. I have faith that we all have the capacity to navigate these challenging times as we did in 2016. Staying connected with like-hearted people as we ride the waves of emotions and feeling a collective sense of determination based in faith and hope is an anchor.

It's sometimes easier to do this which is where my meditation practice comes in. I've been following Dan Harris on Instagram who wrote the book, "10 Percent Happier" and has been offering wonderful words of wisdom on his account. "Action is an antidote to anxiety," and "Don't do anxiety alone" are two gems. He also shares wisdom from the meditation teachers he has studied with through the years. Ruth Anne and I are reading "Make Every Move a Meditation" by Nita Sweeney. I love Divine Timing that we 'just happened' to be reading this book when we need it most. She even references her reaction to seeing yard signs during the 2016 election cycle. I put a time limit on my catastrophic thinking greeting my thoughts with compassion but not allowing the doom and gloom scenario to swallow me up. I am not watching the news and came up with a saying, "No news = less blues." I know that I will find out what information I need to be informed but not inundated.

A quote I heard years ago is, "If you're feeling helpless, help someone."

Did you know that kindness is an antidote to stress? And choosing kindness during these times where there are so many unkind words and actions being spoken is not an easy feat. BUT it is vital for our health and well-being. I am so blessed to be friends with Dr. David Hamilton. His latest book is, "The Joy of Actually Giving a F***."

Not only does he talk about the joy of caring for others but how vital it is to care for ourselves. He addresses those kindness conundrums such as how are we kind in the face of unkindness. It is a perfect time to pick up his book where he uses science to address the health benefits of kindness and why kindness is needed now more than ever. He is also offering a FREE 21-day kindfulness experiment that combines meditation and kindness practices. As I said earlier, I am in awe and so grateful for the Divine Timing of having these books and people coming into my life.

I've been friends with Tom D'Angora on Facebook through our mutual love of Barry Manilow. He played a major role in Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016. We each shared the view that Kamala Harris' short yet extremely effective campaign had such a different feel from 2016. Despite his own feelings of devastation, he became a beacon of light emphasizing the need for self-care and expressing the feelings of his collective village. He suggested that we begin a daily journal of things that make us smile; where can we find the joy and a few moments of respite and relief while we process what happened. We then share on his page. 

And speaking of Divine Timing.. I saw a post from my friend Lee Woodruff that she was a guest on the Optimism Institute's podcast, "Blue Sky." That was back on September 25th. I had on my to do list that I wanted to listen to it and also reach out to the host, Bill Burke to see if my journey would be a good fit to share on his podcast. I finally got to it last week. We connected on LinkedIn and his assistant scheduled a time for us to meet. I follow the Optimism Institute on Instagram and Bill shared Reasons To Be Cheerful Post. I highly recommend following both those accounts and listening to the Blue Sky podcast.

Lee talks about her toolbox of navigating that horrific time in her life after Bob was critically injured in Iraq. She could write a book about resilience. Oh and she has! 

Chocolate - yes chocolate is in my toolbox but not just any chocolate, FlavaNaturals.

Let me close on this longer than usual blog post with two quotes:

and...  “Optimism is different than positive - and it's definitely not naive. Optimism is the belief that the future is positive, that there's a light at the end of the tunnel and we're heading there, together.” ~Simon Sinek

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, where you can find my incredibly inspirational story and upcoming events.

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.

 

 

Chocolate -- FlavaNaturals

Hard Days Are the Best!

 

 

 

 

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

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, where you can find my incredibly inspirational story and upcoming events.

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.