As Tom and I got ready for last Saturday's 5.5 miler on the Road to the Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K, I wondered to myself, "What is stoking the flames of this training cycle? After all, I'll be 72 on Christmas Day and have absolutely nothing to prove. Why am I doing this and where does my motivation come from?"
Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, the author of the captivating book, 'Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist' posted a prompt on Instagram asking us to consider who was our Ms. Ames; one of Lin's most influential mentors. I shared my Joe Stetz story. I had contracted paralytic polio at age 5. My first day camp experience was horrible. Fortunately, my rehab medicine doctor, Dr. Moskowitz, suggested my parents send me to Badger Day Camp known for their philosophy of inclusion and premier swimming program. They even held an end of year Olympics. The first year I went was wonderful. The counselors were supportive and emphasized my strengths rather than my limitations. I sat out the end of year Olympics. Towards the end of my second summer at Badger, my swimming counselor, Joe Stetz, with the dark hair, wide smile and soulful brown eyes, standing at the far left of the Olympic contenders in the above photo, asked me to compete in the end of year Olympics. I thought he must have been talking to someone else. He wanted me to compete in of all strokes - the Butterfly! There were only two other campers willing to compete in the Butterfly. They needed at least 3 campers to compete or there would be no event. I was guaranteed a place on the podium.
Joe kept his promise that he would work with me one on one supporting me as I overcame my fears and physical limitations. On the day of the Olympics, he reminded me to swim my own race at my own pace. "Don't look at the other swimmers. It doesn't matter that you might finish last, you are a champion by stepping up to the starting block and finding the courage to overcome your challenges." When I finished long after the other two competitors, he extended a hand to me as I got out of the pool. He walked me to the podium and proudly looked on as I received my Bronze 3rd place plaque. His words and actions stayed with me during these past 61 years. When I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006, I once again felt his presence. Despite 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 took on the 2009 Boston Marathon. Whenever I faced a setback, I called upon what Joe instilled in me to have a strong come back. You can learn more about Joe and his extraordinary life in my blog post, "A Penny From Heaven."
This week's training cycle theme has been the heart of a champion.
Saturday was a spectacular end of September day. Seeing the seagulls glide effortlessly as they landed on the water reminded me of how free I felt in the water and freedom I feel when I am out on a training run. I knew there was a race happening in South Boston on Saturday and suggested Tom bypass the probable road closure. Instead, we ended up taking a detour dictated by the road closure. "I wish you would have listened to me," I said. "I wish you'd listen to me," Tom said as he pulled into a parking space.
"Watch this," he said. It's always a great idea to mix up training run routes. We enjoyed the new route that eventually took us back along the beaches.
The new route finished in an uphill like the finisher's chute in Hyannis. We visualized how we would feel coming into the finish line. I stretched at the car. As we build the miles, I can feel the pain that accompanies any training cycle. As I told my personal trainer when I first set out on this journey to health and wellness, I'd rather experience pain on the side of health and wellness rather than the pain of atrophy, decline and disuse.
After our Sunday rest and recovery day, we woke up on Monday to our 6am alarm that now goes off in the dark. After meditation, we put on our water belts and head out the door. What a gift to see the dawn of a new day. What joy to rise, shine and run and be kissed by the light of the new day's sun. The cadence of Dr. Seuss is imprinted in my heart and soul thanks to Miss Holly, my physical therapist who tenderly ministered to me after I contracted paralytic polio. She'd have me recite Dr. Seuss in tandem with her to distract me from the pain of coaxing muscles and nerves back to health; a healer ahead of her time.
Tuesday was strength training day for this champion and Tom, my life and training partner. We set the alarm for 6:30, meditated and cranked up the playlist. Cooler air means open windows and no a/c but we still worked up a good sweat.
Wednesday was another rest and recovery day that included a lot of stretching and rolling out with foot roller and ball. I savor these new yet very familiar sensations in my body as we build a solid foundation.
Thursday was the first taste of October and Fall. Capris and layering for tops were perfect. I felt a powerful connection to Source seeing the sun rise and the dawn of a new day. My heart overflowed with gratitude for this sacred time with Tom, unplugged, out in nature knowing how fortunate we are to be doing this.
The magical magnificent morning miles were exhilarating. We even did negative splits. Hot oatmeal, toast, a banana and cold OJ tasted so delicious as we wrapped up another week in our training cycle. I am feeling strong, resilient, blessed and grateful, and determined to go the distance having the best time with my heart of a champion leading me each mile along the way.
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.
Looking for great books to curl up with this Fall? 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.
