I'm Now Off the Sidelines - An Accidental 5K!

I'd seen posts from members of our L Street Running Club about The Squirrel Run for years. Last year I was support crew for Tom and Ruth Anne's 5K. I knew we'd be back this year. The original plan was for me to do the 2.5 mile fitness walk, and Tom and Ruth Anne would run the 5K again. When it came time to register, Ruth Anne said we hadn't done any in-person events together in a long time so why not do the 2.5 mile fitness walk together?

Jake Kennedy was the Physical Therapist for our Club. His younger brother Jimmy, aka Squirrel, and father died from ALS. Club members were devastated when Jake was diagnosed in November 2019. The family started the Jake Kennedy ALS Fund which supports the research by Dr. Brown and his team at U Mass. Jake sadly died from ALS in 2020 . His brother Rich, aka Ratt was diagnosed with ALS in 2016 and is alive today, using only canes for mobility thanks to the Angel Fund research happening at UMass. Having been diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, another progressive neuromuscular disease in December of 2006, I know how blessed I am to be able to be healthy and mobile, supporting the research to ultimately find a cure while finding treatment to forestall the progression of symptoms.

We arrived early at Pageant Field to get our bibs and have time for meet ups with our L Street running family. Gun time was 10:00 but when we arrived at 8:45 the festivities were in high gear.

 

 We took a selfie with Paul Falcetta, President of L Street. We exchanged hugs and high fives with members of our L Street running family, shared congratulations from the Boston Marathon and got caught up on what was happening in our lives and the Club.

 

 

 

 

 This year there were 469 runners as compared to the 255 runners from 2024. There were 185 walkers as compared to 115 in 2024. During the pre-race remarks, Ratt expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous turnout, the support of community groups and the Mayor of Quincy. He introduced Dr. Brown as the celebrity to his right.

 

It was an unceremonious start for the walkers after the runners went on their way. I had to ask if the walkers should start and was told, "Just go over the mat." Bag pipes played at the bottom of the hill. I was overcome with emotion. My initial plan for doing this 2.5 mile fitness walk was to take it in stride, relax and enjoy the day. It was the first time I had a bib on for an in-person event since the Bermuda 10K in 2024 when I experienced my first DNF. I did go on to do a Virtual 10K on May 4 of last year. 

Right before gun time, I decided that, since it was "only" 2.5 miles I would play with speed to see what this body could do. 

The first mile had an uphill. I glanced at my pace and it was 20:15. Keep in mind as I share my pace, that, for somebody who was supposed to be in a wheelchair, I go pretty fast. Something stirred in my soul at the 1 mile marker:

I know that I am only in competition with myself but I wanted to push myself for the next 1.5 miles. I asked if there were anyone behind us. I expected the answer to be either no or a few people since I am typically a back of the pack runner. Tom, Ruth Anne and another walker said "There are a lot of people behind us." I couldn't believe it! I was lit thinking that I can do this for one more mile. Ruth Anne was pacing me by going in front of me. She usually has to wait for me to catch up but I was able to kick it. I was totally in the zone rocking 16, 17, 18 and 19 minute/mile paces. 

    

What a thrill to be in the middle of the pack. Tom was kind enough to take photos so I could focus on my effort. It fueled my joy and exhilaration to be off the sidelines again. My mileage was at 1.6. We approached a water stop hosted by teenagers who were part of, I am presuming, the Quincy High football team. Jimmy was an outstanding football player and track athlete at North Quincy High. It was a God send. I put the cotton race t-shirt over my lightweight running shirt. The air was cool before gun time, and I hadn't planned on racing or going for more than 2.5 miles. The air was warm and humid by Wollaston Beach. The boys were enthusiastic; genuinely happy to be serving and cheering on the participants. One of them said to me, "You're doing great! You're halfway there." 

Wait, What? Halfway there? We have less than a mile to go. It got curiouser and curiouser as the turn back to the finish line was nowhere in sight. Thank goodness I dumped the cold water over me at the water stop. As my Garmin turned over to 2.55 miles and I was still keeping a brisk pace, it dawned on me that perhaps we were on course to do the full 5K. We paused for a moment. Ruth Anne asked me if I wanted to call it and just walk it in. Something deep within me said, "No way. This wasn't what I planned but for some reason it's what I am being called to do."

I kept up my pace of 16's, 17's, 18's and 19's and stayed focused. I transcended something within me. I felt a sense of reckless abandon while being very mindful of what was happening in my body. I was leaving nothing out there on a day when I was planning to just take it easy to go out and support a great cause. We finally saw the turn to the hill - yes hill cuz why not? going to the finish line.

It was a dig deep, boy I can't believe I just did that moment. Thank you to Kick to the Finish, LLC Timing Company for capturing the moments getting ready to hit the finish line mat:

Ruth Anne secured the last medal for me letting the person giving out the medals that even though we were signed up as walkers, I did the 5K. Side bar - you see Tom holding a blue bag in the photo. Our car was parked at the bottom of the hill and "for some reason" I thought to throw a bag of pretzels in the bag at the last minute. Tom grabbed the bag so I would be able to ease the nausea and replace the salt lost from the sweat at pushing my body to its limit after we crossed the finish line.

I placed 3/15 in the female 70-80 Age Group. I placed 68/185 'walkers.' My splits were 20:19, 19:20 and 19:21. Chip time was 1:00:33 for an average pace of 19:32. I could have done the 5K run and come in at 456 several runners ahead of the last person to finish. 

 

What a confidence boost for me during this training cycle for the 2026 Hyannis 10K. What an amazing lesson to learn about expectations,  spontaneity, what happens when I dial in to possibilities and run with heart and soul. 

 

I am deeply grateful to my body for all it gave me yesterday. I am incredibly grateful to the Universe for presenting me with this phenomenal opportunity to be off the sidelines and race an accidental 5K. Thank you to Tom and Ruth Anne for being a part of my celebration; celebrating 18 years of healing in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.  God Bless Ratt, Dr. Brown and all who are tirelessly searching for treatment and ultimately a cure; the amazing community of runners, volunteers, police and all who worked together to put on the Squirrel Run XXVII. 

 

After the race we met a few more members of L Street near the finish line and in the parking lot, and Amanda, the winner of the Women's Division who we've been friends with for years. It was a perfect ending to an accidentally perfect kind of day.

 

 

 

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.