Just Imagine - Poetry in Motion

 

 

 

December marks 19 years since I received the life changing diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease according to Western Medicine. The prognosis of preparing to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expecting an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged was based on what was happening with other people who had contracted paralytic polio as I had when they were younger. 

I read the book about Post-Polio Syndrome and what my future would be including possibly needing a feeding tube since I had a sluggish esophagus that would only get worse. Rather than embrace and embody it, I got still in February of 2007 and asked for Divine Guidance.

My heart overflows with gratitude that I followed the promptings of my heart and soul as poetry flowed out of me imagining a future very different than the one portrayed for me by Western Medicine. 

Last Friday night I had a dream of Tom and me running the 2026 Hyannis 10K. I had all the feels of race day. I was disappointed that the Race Director forgot to take a photo of us coming into the finisher's chute but in the dream, I could feel that moment imprinted on my heart as I did in 2016.

As we set out for our Saturday run at Carson Beach, we had originally planned for a 5K after last week's 6 miler but Tom and I agreed that a 4 miler would help us to keep the momentum of the training cycle. 

During this training cycle, I have been embodying how I felt as a lithe ballerina before polio and trauma left their imprint on my body, heart and soul. 

After polio and enduring trauma, I felt anything but graceful but running ignited a sense of grace. I keep an inward gaze of believing that I am poetry in motion; not in the way the Kenyans or elite runners run but embodying both strength and grace in my unique way.

Once the sun came out on Saturday's run, we were treated to a taste of summer-like warmth. The waves lapping against the shore provided the soundtrack for our run. Unlike the past several weeks, there was not a lot of activity happening along our running route. It's almost as though the Universe knew we needed a quiet run as we wrapped up Tom's vacation week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did not keep a close eye on our pace as we said, "Well we are only doing 4 miles today." It was a joyful run that seemed to fly by.

 

Monday morning we woke up to a Nor'easter with wind and rain pelting the windows. We decided to switch our run and strength training days. We discovered the benefits of a Monday strength training session and will make this a part of our training plan going forward.  

 
It was still a dark and stormy morning when our alarm went off at 6am with rain pelting the windows but the wind was much less fierce than on Monday. Tom had suggested a few weeks ago that we buy ponchos for this training cycle. Brilliant idea Tom!

We discovered that having done strength training in between runs increased our strength and our legs felt fresher. I was so grateful for fun-filled muddy magical mystical Monday morning miles. Gratitude overflows with every step and every mile on the Road to Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K. As a child who contracted paralytic polio and then endured years of abuse at the hands of family members, I never knew the unbridled joy of running free in the rain or experiencing and embracing the change of seasons. My joy overflowed as we said good morning and smiled as we passed several other runners braving the elements. Some did not outwardly share my enthusiasm and joy but I may have ignited a spark of joy within them.

 

We discover the beauty in every season whatever the weather

 

As we slid out of the rain-soaked ponchos and gingerly removed the mud caked shoes from our feet, we smiled feeling particularly bada**. We don't know of many septuagenarians who get up at the crack of dawn for a run in the rain. 

When I opened our bedroom window shade on Thursday morning after our 6am alarm went off I said to Tom, "I think that's a planet in the sky." It looked like a dazzling gem set in the middle of the pre-dawn sky. Poor Tom had to listen to me saying, "It's still there" after we meditated and as we were getting dressed. I was in awe of seeing what I knew must have been a planet. When I googled what planets would be visible from our location in the Eastern sky, sure enough, it was Saturn! The synchronicity of seeing a planet and feeling awe is also awesome since yesterday, Dr. David R. Hamilton wrote his weekly Better You, Backed by Science blog about "How Awe Rewires the Brain." I knew we were going to have a great run to wrap up another week in our training cycle. I get goosebumps all over when I see the dawn of a new day! 

This photo does not do Saturn justice but I wanted to capture the awe I experienced at seeing another planet. Be sure to read David's article to fully tap into the experience of awe.                      

19 years ago, as I sat in a toe-up leg brace using a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility waiting for test results to determine why I was experiencing such debilitating symptoms, I could never have imagined the incredible experiences I have had since I became a most unlikely runner in February of 2008. But in February of 2007, after getting still and asking for Divine Guidance, my imagination was unleashed to create the gift of my beautiful life.

Tomorrow is rest and recovery before we launch a new week in the training cycle on Saturday with another 6 miler. I wonder what wondrous adventures this next week will bring! 

 

 

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** 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.

 

Looking for great books to get cozy 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.