Coming Home: Every Day is a Celebration of Life

 The title of the first book in my Trilogy of Transformation is "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility."

When I wrote it, I had no idea it would be the first of 3 books about my journey of transformation as a most unlikely runner after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006. During these past 18 years of my healing journey, I have realized that coming home is not a once and done event. As I wrote about in my previous blog post, "Hard Days are the Best!", I was on the struggle bus during a 3.5 mile run last week.

On Saturday, Tom asked me where I'd like to run. We decided that South Boston would be a much needed change from our typical runs on Heartbreak Hill or around the Reservoirs near our home. We parked at Castle Island and opted to run along Day Boulevard. The weather was perfect; 66 and cloudy with no wind. The sights as always are a feast for the eyes; the briny air intoxicating. Seagulls and other birds provided the soundtrack for our run. I felt fantastic as I pushed my pace building a solid base for the 2026 Hyannis 10K. I did negative splits feeling that I could have easily gone another 2.7 miles. I came home again. I came home to my body feeling ease and grace. I came home to my soul as I felt that expansive connection to Source I always feel when I am at the ocean. I came home to my mind and my absolute unwavering belief that I can and will go the distance of a 10K in Hyannis again. There is no time limit since the 10K, half and full marathon all share the same finish line. The race director, Paulie Collyer has welcomed me to his races since my first Hyannis Half Marathon in 2009 that was an important training run for 2009 Boston. 

I continue to be in awe of the fact that before the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, at the age of 53, I was a stranger to athletics; running was a sport foreign to me except for occasionally, once a year in April when Tom and I would go out to watch the Boston Marathon. I've read many books about running, runners and the metaphor of running to life. Two of my favorite quotes are from George Sheehan:

Saturday's run was one of those magical runs where everything came together. I was mindful of fueling, hydration and pacing, running from the inside out as I like to say. It had been awhile since I experienced the exhilaration and unbridled joy of a longer run. I am imprinting the memory of how I felt before, during and after the run to continue to fuel this training cycle. While I have a regular attitude of gratitude practice, giving thanks for even the hard runs, my heart overflowed with gratitude as I came home to myself with Saturday's 3.5 mile training run.

In my bio I say, "Every day is a celebration of life for 71 year old Mary who refused to take the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome sitting down." I don't wait for birthdays or anniversaries to celebrate life. At the end of every day, I share what I'm grateful for with Tom. Every week on Wednesdays, I write down my win(s) for the week and put them in a jar that I will read on New Year's Eve. 

Next Sunday I celebrate the 18th anniversary of when I leapt into the unknown leaving behind my award-winning social work career at the VA to "heal my life". At the time I had no idea what that meant. In retrospect, I needed to come home to myself after years of giving to others and finding a path to healing the once devastating effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma. At the age of 71, I keep coming home to myself sharing my journey of what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary.

From my heart to yours--

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to learn how poetry, optimism, gratitude and the mind/body connection helped me to transform my life. After having been told in December 2006 that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I went on to cross the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and have many adventures as runnergirl 1953. Be sure to visit the recently updated News and Events Page for links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Bookshop  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Be sure to visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.