It's All So Possible!

 

I could fill a blog with motivational quotes about possibilities but then I wouldn't have any space to share this week in our training cycle on the Road to the 45th Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K. But first, let me ask you a question. Did you know the runner within me was born in my imagination? In December of 2006 I was given the once devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome,  a progressive neuromuscular disease. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged possibly needing a feeding tube. I was also told that I should leave my award-winning social work career; the stress and strain of my work would accelerate the worsening of symptoms.

In February of 2007, knowing I was at a crossroads in my life, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. I prayed as I so often had when facing other challenges in my life, drawing from the spiritual strength I experienced when I contracted paralytic polio. I had an out of body experience and felt the presence of my guardian angel. I chose to return to my body with the promise from this Being that no matter what happened, I'd make it through. As I sat at my dining room table with printouts spread out from the 'new age' but really ancient wisdom, the poem "Running the Race" flowed out of me. It foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run! Poetry flowed out of me as though a spigot had been turned on in my soul. My pen became my divining rod for healing. My imagination stoked the flames of the power of the mind/body connection. 

Saturday was an unexpected hot and humid day. Temperature when we finished, despite what we thought was an early start, was 84 degrees with 71% humidity. There was a sea breeze in Southie with some shade, but everyone running on Saturday was melting with sweat. I knew this was going to be my longest run of 5.5 miles in this training cycle and longest run since 5/4 of last year when I ran the Gone for a Run Virtual 10K. I've had to move the line of my thinking from limitations to expansive possibilities; that I can and will go the distance of a 10K and then a half marathon next year. I allowed the expansiveness of the ocean to fuel my mental toughness. 

I love this quote from Paula Radcliffe:

 I was fully present in the mile we were in leaning into the discomfort of the weather conditions. I am savoring every moment of this training cycle. I was grateful I remembered to bring pretzels in my fuel belt and to pack an extra Gu waffle 'just in case.'  

We ran by a table with trophies on it. I had to pause for a moment. "Did I win?" I asked of no one in particular. Tom asked what was going on. "It's our annual horseshoe tournament," was the reply. Tom turned to me and said, "Only in Southie." On our way back, we could see that this group was very serious about their horseshoes. They had trophies for first, second and third place! Wow! 

As we passed two women with bouquets of helium balloons I asked, "Where's the party? Are we invited?" They ignored us but two women walking their dogs laughed with me.

In the midst of pouring sweat, needing to adjust our pace and stopping at the newly renovated Curley Center to make a pit stop and fill up our water, I felt this surge of gratitude flow through me. We paused for a moment in the air conditioned comfort of the Curley Center knowing that no matter what, we were going to finish our 5.5 miles. I realized how I beat the odds of having to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair!

Here are scenes from Saturday's fabulously fantastic 5.5 miler in challenging weather conditions:

You can see how hazy it was despite having turned the page on the calendar to September. During my recovery, I used the visualization of having Normatec boots on my legs along with the mantra, "My body recovers with ease." Tom and I took a long afternoon nap in our air conditioned room. I felt sore and satisfied. 

Kristin Armstrong's quote captures how I felt after Saturday's long run:

Sunday was our rest day to ensure our bodies fully recovered from Saturday's miles and to get ready for a Monday morning run. Tom's work schedule required us to do a runchie which was a delightful change. For those not in the know, a runchie is a run over lunch. Fortunately, the more seasonable temperatures prevailed. At this time of year it is such a challenge to not over or under dress. By mid-run, I peeled off my jacket and was comfortable in my shorts and t-shirt. 

We were blessed with another glorious September day with hints that Autumn is on its way.

 

 

 

 

Just look at those rich blue hues painted by the Master Artist. The Reservoir was a canvas that captured late summer beauty in all her glory. What a gift to have such a great running route from our home.

Tuesday was our strength training day; 45 minutes of a rigorous workout that, 18 years ago would have been impossible for me to do. 

Wednesday was a wonderful rest day. Tom and I cooked Turkey Bacon, spinach and tomato sandwiches for lunch. We always take time after lunch to do what we call a "scrubbing"; we do a guided meditation from Dr. David Hamilton. Wednesdays are when a new episode of The Optimism Institute Blue Sky podcast drops. If you aren't familiar with it, I highly recommend that you subscribe so you don't miss another episode. Bill Burke's guests are uplifting and inspiring as we all work together to meet the moments of these challenging times. I was his guest on Episode 99. Feeding ourselves well mind, body and soul and being diligent about rest days are a vital part of the training plan.

Thursday morning marked the 24th anniversary of 9/11. Tom and I dedicated our miles to all those whose lives were lost and those whose lives were tragically altered on that day 24 years ago. You can read my reflections that I wrote in a blog 11 years ago "A Day of Remembrance-My Hope For Today". My words are as true today as they were then. It was a glorious gift of a morning to wrap up another week of our training cycle.

 

As I looked up and saw the moon, my first thought was that of unity. We are all one under the moon and I said a prayer for healing and unity in our world. I wrote "Under the Moon" during the pandemic. It's included in "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic." 

Under the Moon

Under the moon
We are all One
under the light of the full moon 
wintry barren branches frame its beauty

She beams inviting us to look up

Divisions must cease
who is right or wrong
transform these wayward passions
Come with compassion 

In darkness and silence Source reigns 
reign in conflicts 
listen closely to heart’s promptings
 
Prompting us to be light

Not right
foolishly clinging 
digging in

Reach out

Building bridges
a time to heal
judgments fade into the fog
truth comes into view

A world made whole and new
Under the full moon
Where we are all One.

My second thought as I gazed for a moment on the setting moon was how impossible it seemed at first blush when humans contemplated going into outer space and having a human walk on the moon. Yet now space travel is common place. What once was only a glimmer in someone's imagination, is now all so possible. Coincidentally, the guest on this week's Blue Sky podcast is a retired NASA Astronaut, Nicole Stott.

What once was a glimmer in my imagination of winning a 10K race despite being in a toe-up leg brace, using a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility AND having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair never having run a day in my life has now come into being.

As the words to the song "Impossible" from Cinderella say:

But the world is full of zanies and fools
Who don’t believe in sensible rules
And won’t believe what sensible people say,
And because these daft and dewy- eyed dopes
Keep building up impossible hopes,
Impossible things are happ’ning every day!

 

Going the distance of the 10K and then half marathon again? After Saturday's 5.5 miler I feel in every fiber of my being that it's all so possible! 

 

 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.