After a Run...

 
 

Another week in the training cycle for the 45th Annual Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K is in the books. Last Saturday, we decided to switch up the location for our fabulous 4 miler. Despite getting up early, it was a hot run along the banks of Boston's Charles River. There were throngs of runners and cyclists along the path that hugs the Charles with kayakers and crew teams out on the water. We hadn't done a river run in several years. Going over the Mass. Ave. Bridge reminded me of an anchor memory in my running career. The Tufts 10K for women was my first 10K race in October of 2008. In 2014, I ran a PR at the race finishing strong despite having had serious pre-race jitters. The race name changed and there is now a time limit for the course but it was great to revisit those memories as Tom and I paused to take photos of our beautiful City.

Fortunately there were water fountains available for us to fill our water bottles. Everyone's faces and bodies were shimmering with sweat. The water fountains were like the office water cooler where everyone splashed water on themselves as we gathered briefly chatting about how far we were going and asking what races (if any) we were training for. Despite running hot, everyone was running happy as smiles were exchanged as we passed runners going in opposite directions.

 

I hadn't slept well on Friday night. When we got back to the car with the a/c on high, rehydrating with water from our cooler and refueling with a banana and pretzels, I thought about the poem I wrote, "After a Run." It set the tone for the next two training runs this week. There's no escaping stress and challenges in life but after a run I feel energized and strengthened to tap into my reservoir of resilience and strength. Spending time with Tom unplugged, connecting with Source, feeling the energy of the water and connection with other like minded souls who enjoy exercise brings clarity and serenity. That time of moving, conversation and appreciating being in the present moment while reflecting on and celebrating joys from the past fuels our gratitude and optimistic way of being. After Saturday's run I felt cleansed from the inside out. I emptied myself of worries and sorrow and loved the feeling of being hungry as we drove home. Tom prepared pita pouches with eggs, ham and spinach which we devoured. After a run, I appreciate how delicious food tastes and have a deep appreciation for all my body gives me; all I want to give back to my body as a statement of love and appreciation. 

 

Sunday was our rest and recovery day with a leisurely breakfast in our yard. Meditation time, afternoon naps and prepping for the week ahead were the order of the day.

 

Rise.Shine.Run. with a Monday morning 6am alarm. 

 

Many years ago I was blessed to know Kathy, a wonderful woman living with cancer who I met through Bernie Siegel's Forum. When she was in hospice care, she told me that whenever I saw a turkey, she was stopping by to say hello. Check out what we saw on someone's lawn as we were heading to the Reservoir:

 

Feeling the connection to something greater than myself is one of the great treasures that the gift of running has brought into my life. We took it nice and easy as I'd been pushing the pace on our shorter runs and on Saturday, we increase the mileage to 4.5.

 

This morning's training run continued with the theme of gratitude since, after all, it is thankful Thursday. I felt joy bubble up from the depths of my soul this morning. Tom and I celebrated my healing and we celebrated all that we've done as a couple to arrive at this moment in our lives. We each came from dysfunctional families where we never knew how it felt to be free or run free. My situation was compounded by having contracted paralytic polio at age 5. Freedom is a spiritual, physical and emotional gift that neither one of us takes for granted. Tom grew up in Spain when it was under Franco's rule. I love the metaphor of sweat being a font of joy and freedom. We know that Labor Day will be here before we know it; we focus on living fully in the present moment appreciating summer's splendor:

 

After a run. breakfast tasted so delicious as sweat continued to trickle down the small of my back. We have a simple breakfast of cereal or oatmeal. I have toast and OJ. Tom fills his cereal bowl with fruit and has coffee. 

 

After a Run

After a run troubles melt away 
a once tight chest filled with dread and fear
opens 
overflowing with joy and gratitude.

Thoughts tossed and turned
restless night
greatest feat 
first step 
crossing front door threshold

Exhaustion exhumed
vibrancy returns
hitting my stride
connection to Source
bathed in sunlight
beads of sweat 
a font of joy and freedom

After a run 
troubles melt away as sweat pours from pores
all that remains 
sweetness of summertime
a reminder
born to run
free! 

 

Tomorrow is a rest and recovery day as we get ready to up our mileage on Saturday to 4.5 miles. We will figure out where to run based on the weather and where Spirit leads us. My joy and gratitude for this training cycle continues to grow as I celebrate 18 years of healing since I took a leap of faith, leaving behind my award-winning social work career to set out on a quest to heal 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.