This May 25th marks 18 years since I took a leap of faith leaving behind my award-winning social work career to heal my life after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline as I aged. I refused to take the diagnosis sitting down. In February of 2007, I got still, asked for Divine Guidance and discovered the gift of poetry in my soul. Writing poetry opened the portal to heal, harnessing my imagination and firing up the power of the mind/body connection.
My life transformed through the sport of running despite all appearances to the contrary. Here I am celebrating 18 years of healing and aging strong.
Throughout my journey, I have risked going too far. I write about it in my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior." I continue to risk going too far as I get ready to go the distance of a half marathon again this year.
A week ago Sunday, Ruth Anne had a 3 mile recovery run for her training for the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital.
Because of the recent snow and ice, we took to the Newton Hills. We had to turn around at one point because the carriage road was covered with ice and snow. There is a HUGE hill just past where we park our car. We could have done repeated out and backs but instead, I risked going too far and took charge by charging up the hill! Might I also add that we miscalculated the mileage and ended up doing 3.2 miles.
What a thrill and sense of accomplishment pushing myself out on the hills in the cold, snow and ice. Whenever I am out on the Hills, I recall the anchor memory of training for and then running the 2009 Boston Marathon!
Another snowstorm was in the forecast for last Sunday. We were all set to go around the BU indoor track but I had this deep yearning to be outside in the elements. I remembered one particular training run on the road to the 2009 Boston Marathon when it was snowing hard. There was no ice so it was safe to run albeit it was quite the challenge. BUT there was a sense of unbridled joy and freedom. I felt as though I was dancing with the snowflakes.
Our street had been plowed so we had a stretch of dry ground to get in what I thought was going to be 3 miles. Ruth Anne suggested that, since we were already outside, and she had 4 miles on her training plan, why not do 4 miles?
Rather than going up and down our street, Ruth Anne suggested we run on the hills that were clear. Sure, why not add in a bit more adventure and see just what this body would give me. It gave me 4 fabulous miles in the snow with hills!
The smiles and the rosy cheeks express the joy and exhilaration of pushing myself to see just how far I could go. I am celebrating 18 years of healing in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and seeing what this body can do at 71 years young!
Isn't it a miracle that at 71, I am still testing myself and risking going too far especially after a setback in 2021/2022 when I thought I would have to return to the sidelines. But, as one of my favorite quotes says:
From my heart to yours
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.
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.
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