Celebrating Global Running Day!

 

I could fill an entire blog post with running quotes that express my sentiments about a sport that I discovered at the age of 53. Instead, I will share how I celebrated Global Running Day 2025 and take a look back at the highlights of my running career. I got up at 6:30am since the forecast called for heat and humidity in the afternoon. Wednesdays are usually my rest day but I cannot pass up getting in magical morning miles before breakfast to celebrate Global Running Day.

As we approach the summer solstice, the verdant green colors of trees and grass, and vibrant color of the wildflowers are a feast for the eyes. The still waters of the Reservoir, home to ducks and geese, settle my soul into a peaceful rhythm as I run. 

As a child, I never knew the freedom and joy of playing outside. Contracting paralytic polio at age 5, followed by enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members severely limited me. BUT as Tony Robbins said, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood."  With every run, no matter if I'm on the struggle bus or not, there is a place within me fueled by gratitude and joy that I have the ability to move outside.

 I captured the joy of my first race in "Celebrating My Race-iversary." The 2nd road race I ran was the Marathon Sports 5 Miler. It was an evening race. It was hot and we got lost on the way to the start. It was a fast field and I had a lot of "polio" memories surface. Tom would not let me quit. I knew that if I did not make it to that finish line, I would not make it to the start of the Boston Marathon. When I came into the finish, the Marathon Sports staff blew the air horn as though I had broken the finisher's tape.  

The Tufts 10K in October was a celebration of women running. It was my first 10K race that gave me confidence as a new runner. In February of 2009, I had a pinnacle experience meeting Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter and having them welcome me into the fold. I ran my first Half Marathon race and met members of the L Street and Merrimack Valley Striders Club who became like family.

  

My Boston Marathon run is beautifully captured in this piece from Channel 7 News:
 

 

I took some time off to recover from Boston and was back on the roads in June of 2010. I decided to do 5K's and experience the exhilaration and joy of being a part of this community where taunts and jeers that I'd known as a child were transformed into celebrations and cheers!

 

In 2011, my nephew died by suicide. I was devastated. At a time when I should have continued running and allowed myself to be surrounded by the love of running family, I stopped running. You don't know what you don't know! But in 2013, I was at the Mandarin Hotel to celebrate Marathon Monday with the Spaulding Rehab team. Fortunately we evacuated safely but it was a wake up call for me to get back to the sport I loved. In December of 2014, I blew out my left knee but, long story short, I got back on the roads and ran Bermuda Half Marathons 2016, 2017 and 2018 with the Hyannis 10K in 2016.

The medical community said I should  prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years after that knee injury and cap my distance at a 5K. The Universe and I had other plans as I partnered with a chiropractor and doubled down on my mind/body healing.

 

Let's fast forward to today. I am training for the 2026 Hyannis 10K and plan to get back to the Half Marathon Distance next Spring. Every day is a celebration of life for me as my heart overflows with gratitude for the gifts and treasures that running has brought into my life.

 

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.

I was recently the guest on The Optimism Institute Blue Sky Podcast. 
"Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartner, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon." Here is the link to the Episode Website. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube.

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. Visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.