Magic, Miracles and Mindfulness In The Miles!

 

Last Saturday, Tom and I opted to sleep in a little later and do an out the door run. We parked at the Cleveland Circle Reservoir using our car for a water stop for our last 5 miler in this part of our training cycle. After once around the Reservoir, we had our water stop and headed down Beacon Street along the Boston Marathon course. I could feel the magic in this training cycle and in my running shoes. Having the goal of a 10K with a stretch goal of another half marathon fuels my feeling of transformation in the wake of polio and trauma. Beacon Street offered rolling hills and plenty of places to stop for a bathroom. The miles were filled with memories of training for the 2009 Boston Marathon. Conquering the hills as we headed back to our car was at once exhilarating and challenging. During this training cycle, I am more focused and determined than I have ever been in recent years. I bring mindfulness to each training run paying exquisite attention to pace, fueling, hydration and effort. My meditation sessions are a sacred time that I prioritize using them for visualization and healing any of the inevitable niggles that accompany a rigorous training cycle. 

 

Our loop around the Reservoir was filled with magical moments that reminded us of the miracles in nature:

Just look at those orbs, brilliant sunshine and sweet turtles that remind us all of this miracle we call life. When we got to our car, I took a few minutes to stretch and hydrate. It made a big difference in my recovery and something I will incorporate into my after run mindfulness practice.

 

We treated ourselves to a healthy yet hefty brunch at Johnny D's in Newton before coming home to take our afternoon rest after a mindful stretching session.

 

Sunday was our rest day; a vital part of any training plan. By Monday morning, we were ready to lace up our running shoes that have magic in them and head out the door. The neighborhood was uncharacteristically quiet as though everyone was sleeping in for the last unofficial day of summer. Even though it was a holiday, we still wanted to get an early start to the day savoring early morning before breakfast runs. The sky was overcast. There was a sense of mystery and magic as we had the Reservoir to ourselves; it was the calm before the rhythm shifted from the lazy days of summer to back to school. I noticed the layers of blue that could only be painted by the Master Artist.

 

As we navigated the hills to and from our home, I felt the benefits of those Beacon Street hills we did on Saturday.

 

Tuesday was our strength training day. A quote from Jillian Michaels inspired the workout:

                                                                                                    With every run and every workout, I remember my WHY. I am celebrating this miracle of healing after having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. I feel joy and gratitude deep in my heart and soul that at 71 years old I crank up my playlist and work out with my bestie of almost 49 years. We have a 45 minute workout and continue to challenge ourselves with reps and increased difficulty.

Wednesdays are for rest and recovery!

 

Today's morning run was the jewel in the crown of this week's training. The magic and majesty of the dawn of a new day filled our hearts with love and gratitude. In contrast to Monday morning, cars were careening down the road. Runners were getting in their before work, drop the kids off or get to class runs. The energy of a new season had arrived. The colors at the Reservoir are slowly transforming from summer to Autumn. 

             

 Tomorrow is a feel good Friday rest day when I get everything ready for Tom and me to take on a 5.5 mile training run on Saturday morning. Each week there are new adventures and learning how to best take care of this magical miraculous body during this training cycle. Magic, miracles and mindfulness are sure to be infused into our runs, strength training workouts and recovery days.

 

 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 Amazon.  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 Amazon Author Page for book descriptions and rave reviews.