How does one find strength, resilience and determination against all odds? I've never had it easy. At the age of 5, I contracted paralytic polio in one of the last polio epidemics. My mom was addicted to prescription pain medication; my father was alcoholic and my maternal grandmother was mentally ill. My father ended his life a month before I was heading off to Boston University to begin my freshman year. I felt a powerful spiritual presence as I lay paralyzed from the polio virus and knew that no matter the challenge, I'd be able to make it through.
Has it been easy? Of course not but it's these very challenges throughout my life that has made me the woman I am today overflowing with gratitude, joy, an appreciation for this precious life I live and tickled with delight that, instead of being in a wheelchair as was predicted for me in December of 2006, I am on the Road to the Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K with my sights set on the half marathon distance for next year.
Tom and I wrapped up another week in our training cycle this morning with rain and fog. We've been blessed with incredible weather these past several weeks, albeit some sweat fests with heat and humidity loving glorious sunrises on our early morning runs. This morning, Tom and I focused on the beauty of the mist and fog, the cleansing rain, the scent of the sweet clean air noticing how the leaves are beginning to change color. Our hearts overflowed with gratitude for our time together unplugged out in nature feeling deep appreciation for our good health.
Tom had to work last Saturday. Rather than change the days of our training schedule, we decided to make it a reduced mileage week and do a 5K. It was a fabulous 5K with summer still hanging in there. As we kicked off a new week of training, I reflected on how what I am doing is against all odds; how from the time I was 5, I was going against all odds.
In gym class, where I was always the last pick and given the nickname "Easy Out Alper" (my maiden name), the outfield moved in as they always did during kick ball when I came to the plate. On this particular day, I somehow connected with the ball but since no one was in the outfield to play it, I hit a home run! Against all odds, I competed in the end of summer Olympics at Badger Day Camp thanks to my amazing swimming counselor Joe Stetz. He helped me believe I could defy the odds of childhood paralytic polio and proudly take my place on the podium. He taught me that it didn't matter that there were only 2 other competitors. I had the courage to compete in the butterfly stroke under his guidance.
My heart overflowed with gratitude seeing these spectacular scenes in nature, as I reflected on how debilitated I was in 2006 barely able to climb the stairs in my house having difficulty swallowing and breathing, to the unbridled joy I feel being out in nature and training for the 10K distance again. Forever the optimist, I am focused on two things. Enjoying the journey to the starting line and seeing Tom and I cross that finish line as we had in 2016.
Talk about against all odds. In December of 2014, I had a very serious left knee injury. My left leg was more severely affected by the polio virus. The MRI indicated that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years. The gastroc muscle was atrophied from polio and there was a whole host of other issues in the joint. I should stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. I was blessed to meet a chiropractor/healer who believed in the power of the mind/body connection and introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. Together we built on the healing I'd already done after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. We revamped my strength training program. Dr. Ryan incorporated chiropractic care into my training plan. He was also a certified personal trainer! I went on to run the Bermuda Half Marathon in January 2016 followed by the Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K in February of 2016. I ran the Bermuda Half Marathon in 2017 and 2018.
Sunday was our rest and recovery day. We got to be in the room where it happened seeing "Hamilton" on the big screen. It was everything and more than we could have imagined.
Monday morning the alarm went off at 6:00am to start a new day, a new week and the last week of summer. It will be one of the last days of being treated to a spectacular sunrise:
The light on the trees with their fading green leaves was a clear signal that Fall is on its way. But you know what? I am really excited for the change in seasons this year. There's still a lot of time to enjoy runs without layers of clothing and being on firm ground. I am thrilled and excited that the training cycle through the winter months will culminate with my goal race in Hyannis and seeing what this body can do as I go for the distance of the half marathon again next year.
In February of 2007 I got still and asked for Divine Guidance after having been given that devastating diagnosis and grim prognosis. I tapped into my imagination visualizing a future very different than the one Western Medicine predicted for me. I discovered the gift of poetry in my soul that fired up the power of the mind/body connection. I made the shift from feeling like a victim of my past to rekindling the optimist within me knowing somewhere deep inside me that, against all odds, I would not only survive but thrive in the wake of polio and trauma.
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.
"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.
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