Two Dimes, a Butterfly and Dogged Determination

 

"Mary McManus - A Life of Determination" was the title of a Brookline Tab article from October 2021 as we emerged from the pandemic. The article coincided with World Polio Day that year and offered my unique perspective on the pandemic as a polio survivor. Journalist Susie Davidson wrote, "At the age of 53, McManus was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease, and was told to prepare to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. But she is both scrappy and determined."

After contracting paralytic polio at the tender age of 5 1/2 years old it took strength, will and sheer determination to be able to walk again. I was blessed with my physical therapist, Miss Holly,  but there had to be something within me that was greater than the circumstances I faced with not only recovering from paralytic polio but enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members. 

 

 

 Determination was the theme for this past week's training on the Road to the 2026  Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K. Six miles was on the training plan for Saturday; the longest mileage since I ran the Gone for a Run Virtual Series 10K on 5/4/2024. Tom and I are building a solid foundation for the 3/1/2026 race with our stretch goal being a half marathon next year. We never know what a New England winter may bring and want to make sure we get in solid training runs before we face the possibility of severe weather.

Saturday was another phenomenal weather day with bright sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures. As we were doing an out and back route along Carson Beach in South Boston, I spotted a dime half buried on the side of the road. 'How could you possibly spot that?" Tom asked me. "I just happened to see it," I said. "I know it's a sign that I am meant to do this." 

As if there were any doubt that I was on the right path training to go the distance again, we spotted a butterfly on our way back to our car. Tom was able to take this photo as the butterfly lighted on the bush.

My mental training is just as important as my physical training. I break down the 10K into 2 mile chunks celebrating each mile with its challenges and joys.

 

One of my anchor memories came up on Facebook last week from when I was at Mile 10 in the 2016 Bermuda Half Marathon. In December of 2014, I sustained a serious knee injury and was told that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years; to stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. I went on to run 3 Bermuda Half Marathons and the 2016 Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K.

You can caption this photo sheer determination!

 

I experienced exhilaration and exhaustion when we finished our 6 miles. I stretched, refreshed with an orange and hydrated as sweat and tears of gratitude mingled together. Tom and I refueled at Stoked Pizza and went home for an hour and a half nap.

 

Sunday was our rest and recovery day. I still felt the afterglow of having gone the distance of 6 miles again. Monday morning I was refreshed and ready for a before breakfast run. It was another glorious morning. We were treated to a spectacular sunrise AND I found another dime! In case you weren't aware, dimes have a special significance for me as a polio survivor. FDR's image is on the head of a dime. He spear headed the March of Dimes campaign that helped to fund the research for the polio vaccine. Polio is close to being eradicated worldwide.

 

What an amazing way to start a new day and a new week as we settled into Tom's vacation week in the afternoon. 

 

Tuesday was our strength training day. What a luxury to sleep in a bit later and take extra time with stretching and our strength training routine throwing dancing into the mix. Wednesday was our rest and recovery day which became a cleaning and decluttering day as we get the house and closets ready for Fall and Winter.

 

We wrapped up this week in the training cycle with the first real taste of Autumn weather on Thursday's morning miles. We embraced the chill in the air taking notice of the vibrant blues of water and sky. The bright green leaves have paled and we anticipate when in short order the vivid reds and oranges will take center stage. It was wonderful to once again sleep in a bit later since Tom is on vacation yet we wanted to stick to our before breakfast morning miles. I was moved to take this first photo of a lamp post pointing toward the setting moon.

Another week of training on the Road to the Hyannis 10K is in the books. My dogged determination to continue to defy the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and the grim prognosis offered by Western Medicine is fueled by the beautiful signs of two dimes and a butterfly. 

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.

 

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.