Let's See What This Body Can Do!

As Tom and I did last Saturday's 5 miler around Jamaica Pond, I reflected on a phrase my personal trainer used during my 2009 Boston Marathon training. Many of our training runs happened around Jamaica Pond. When pushing me with speed work or when it would be time tosl increase mileage, she'd say, "Let's see what this body can do." One of her favorite quotes was from Henry Ford. "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."

I could have easily stayed with the distance of a 5K. On 5/4/24, I did the distance of a 10K after a DNF at the Bermuda Marathon Weekend 10K. One of my running anchor memories though, is running 3 consecutive Bermuda Half Marathons in 2016, 2017 and 2018 after a serious knee injury in December of 2014. The MRI indicated that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years. I was advised to stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. Oh well! 

Saturday's run was hotter than predicted. The week had been stressful at Tom's work and ongoing family stress. We had not slept well Friday night but when the alarm went off at 6:30am, we meditated and psyched ourselves up for the longest run of this training cycle. We were blessed to find a parking spot at the Pond. We always fill up our drinking water bottles with ice. The water fountain at the Pond was warm. How fortunate that we were able to fill up our fueling water bottles with ice water that we kept in the cooler. I always pack pretzels for post-run refueling and salt replacement. Given the higher heat and humidity, I used a handful to get me through the rest of the miles. We enjoyed the natural beauty surrounding us and drew energy from the 200+ runners doing the weekly Park Run.

 

After twice around, we opted for a mile out and back to get us to 5 miles only we reversed our direction. On the way back, Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" was blaring from a stereo system beyond the trees out on the Jamaicaway. It put me in the mood to have a strong finish celebrating that I am once again able to go the distance. I experienced nerve pain down my right leg as we were coming toward the end of our run. I harnessed the power of my mind to have a chat with my leg thanking it for all the miles it has, and continues to give me. It is so easy to doubt and wonder if, at almost 72 years old and all that the medical community has told me about my 'condition' that I'll be able to go not only the distance of a 10K again in Hyannis but go beyond that goal and go the distance of a half marathon again. 

 

Tom and I reviewed our run to both celebrate 5 miles and see what we could do differently next time as we slowly build mileage. The hand tremors  that can happen when I'm tired or after taxing my body were particularly intense at lunch. I was nauseous and it took longer than usual to recover despite the mantra, "My body recovers with ease." I did not have my 2nd Gu Waffle for fueling. We also were not mindful of our pace! And that is why they are called training runs! We took an hour and a half meditation/nap on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. I've been listening to the newly released soundtrack of "Just in Time." It's a soundtrack from my youth. Watching videos of dancing scenes from the show fire up my mirror neurons from before contracting paralytic polio when I loved to dance ballet. By Monday morning, I was ready for morning miles.

We know that summer is fading fast. We appreciated the lush foliage knowing that soon the vibrant green fades into the oranges, yellow and reds of Autumn. 

 

We had a rigorous strength training session on Tuesday morning. What a gift to trade the air conditioning for breezes through an open window. Tom and I cranked up the playlist (that now includes the "Just In Time" soundtrack) and completely changed around the order of our workout. It was exhilarating and energizing!

 

Thursday morning was the pick of the week for weather, running and joy. Since summer will soon be over, I paused to take more photos than usual AND on the way home, found a 2007 dime! 2007 is the year I took a leap of faith leaving behind my award-winning social work career to heal my life. Dimes signify a 10K. They have special symbolism for polio with FDR's likeness on the dime and his March of Dimes campaign to fund research that ultimately led to the Salk vaccine to end polio in the US and in most countries around the world. 

 

Another week in the training cycle on the Road to the Hyannis 10K is in the books. Tomorrow is going to be another warm day. We will implement what we learned from last Saturday's run and continue to build a solid base for race day while enjoying every step and every mile along the way.

 

Let's see what this body can do!

 

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.