This Week in Training: This is 7-2!

When I looked at the long-range forecast for Christmas Day and compared it to last Saturday's forecast, I knew that I would celebrate turning 72 a bit early with 7.2 miles. It was a glorious day with wall to wall sunshine. Friday was in the 50's with wind and rain. We were concerned that as the temperatures fell along with a forecast for sleet falling overnight, that we would be unable to do our two Reservoir run. I had my mental game prepared for the two Reservoir run and had to make a shift Friday night with an out and back on Beacon Street while also putting out a powerful intention that, for my longest run since the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon, we would be able to do the run we originally planned.

 

When we got up Saturday morning, the streets were miraculously down to bare pavement. Except for doing a brief weather check, I was off all devices before our run. I mindfully ate my breakfast. I had packed our fuel belt and running backpack the night before and filled our water bottles. With a fiery determination in my heart and soul, we headed out the door to the Route 9 Reservoir for 3 times around. Fortunately, the path was dry and clear. I had the run chunked into 4 miles - a stop at our home for an aid station - and the final 3.2 miles with once around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The run went exactly as I had visualized it including the celebration photo that Tom took as we were heading into the final stretch.

 

I 'just happened' to capture 6 geese a laying in a photo and smiled when I realized what I'd done. I felt strong and confident throughout the 7.2 miles. At a bit over the 6 mile mark, I felt a little dizzy realizing that I had not taken my Gu Waffle at mile 6. Once I had a half of the waffle, I was ready to finish strong. We refueled at Johnny's Luncheonette in Newton Center. I was craving, of all things, their lox, egg and onion scramble with a toasted bagel. Tom enjoyed their eggs benedict hold the hollandaise sauce.  

 

This quote from Kristin Armstrong captures the essence of how we were feeling as we relished our post-race meal! After peeling off our sweaty clothes and getting changed into sweats, we took a 2 hour nap. As I drifted off to sleep, I meditated on how my body recovers with ease and feeling overwhelming gratitude for how well my body served me to go the longest distance I'd gone in years!

 

 

 

 Sunday was a rest and light chore day. Tom's vacation would begin after he finished work on Tuesday and we were already in vacation mode feeling satisfied and accomplished with our long run. We were grateful that Monday was a strength training day since arctic temperatures returned to Boston.

Even though Western Medicine told me, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, that if I used it I would lose it, based on their limited understanding of what happens in the wake of paralytic polio, I knew I needed to get moving. My subconscious lit the way when I started writing poetry in February of 2007 after getting still and asking for Divine Guidance. The first poem I wrote foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run. I am, as we all are, born to run or at the very least move! During our joyful and playful strength training workout, I could feel strength building on the strength from Saturday's long run. 

                                                                                              I woke up at 4am on Tuesday. I meditated and fell into a deep sleep. When the alarm went off at 6am, as I shook my head to clear the fog from a dream I was having, I thought about how wonderful the cold air would feel on my face as Tom and I got in our morning miles especially after Saturday's triumphant run.  Neighbors' Christmas lights brought smiles to our faces and hearts. We were treated to a sky layered with pink, blue and gray hues at the Reservoir. Compared to recent early morning miles, when the temperatures were in the teens, it felt relatively mild. There was no wind or precipitation although it did feel like snow was in the air which was forecast for later in the day.     

What a treat to be able to sleep in, have breakfast and go on a mid-morning run on my birthday on Thursday. I felt overwhelming gratitude for the gift of the year past and excitement for what the next year will bring. I reflected on how grateful I am for Tom being the best training and life partner anybody could possibly hope for.  I am forever grateful to him for telling me it was a no-brainer in 2007 to leave behind my award-winning social work career to heal my life from the once devastating effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma. It's been an amazing 19 years of healing filled with adventures, trials, tribulations and triumphs. I am so excited to celebrate Tom's 74th birthday and our 48th wedding anniversary (49 of being together) in Hyannis. 

 

On our run, I shared my memory of sitting at a round table in a cramped conference room with the physiatrist, OT, PT and Speech Therapist letting me know the results of their findings that were consistent with Post-Polio Syndrome and what the future held for me. It was grim to say the least. One of the therapists slid a thick binder across the table to me that held information about adapting my Cape home or finding a ranch, durable medical equipment, support groups and resources to manage life as a polio survivor with Post-Polio Syndrome. Tom chimed in with how I used to use weighted utensils to eat and had a tub chair, cane and toe-up leg brace. We used PeaPod or Tom would do the groceries. But then we remembered the day we put all of the adaptive equipment on the curb in front of our house with a "FREE" sign!

 

What a wonderful way to wrap up an incredibly successful week of training. Training for the Hyannis 10K was not on my bingo card a year ago nor was training with this kind of passion, purpose, consistency and joy on the horizon for me. I am so grateful for this training cycle that began around the time of my half birthday in June! This is 72!

 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.

My Trilogy of Transformation chronicles my journey from having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair with the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards to a woman transformed through the sport of running. Take a journey into a world of healing, hope and possibilities with my 7 books, available on Amazon. My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club and Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reading for Every Runner. You will be inspired by my strength, courage, resilience, determination and overcoming the inevitable setbacks that come with a journey to health and wellness. 

 

 

 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.

 

Reach out to me at maryamcmanus@gmail.com if you'd like me to speak to your organization or group to inspire them with what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary; how one finds strength, resilience and determination in the face of seemingly impossible odds.

 

 

                                                                                  
 

 

 

 

This Week in Training: The Greater The Obstacle

 

I've known challenges and obstacles since contracting paralytic polio at the tender age of 5 1/2 years old in one of the last polio epidemics in the United States. I lived in Westchester, NY and was fortunate that one of the leading experts in rehab medicine, Dr. Eugene Moskowitz dedicated his practice to helping those affected by polio. He had Miss Holly, a physical therapist ahead of her time in his practice. As I began to walk again without crutches and a heavy metal leg brace, my father became alcoholic. My mother had been addicted to prescription pain medication for years. I relied on my father and paternal grandfather for care. Imagine my terror when he became abusive with nightly drunken rages until he ended his life when I was 17 years old, one month before I would begin my freshman year at Boston University.

I persevered through it all eventually getting an MSW from Boston College and having an award-winning social work career at the Boston VA Outpatient Clinic. Eventually the years of dissociating mind from body to survive polio and trauma caught up with me. For ten years I became more and more debilitated until in December of 2006 I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome. 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. Rather than succumb to the diagnosis, I refused to take the diagnosis sitting down. 

I continue to challenge myself to see just what this body can do despite or maybe because of all the obstacles I have faced and continue to overcome in my life. 

This week in training was a taper week. The weather for my birthday on December 25th is looking iffy. Tom and I decided we would give myself an early birthday gift and do my 7.2 mile birthday run for 72 years next Saturday.

Saturday was a bright sunny cold December day. Last week, during our early morning training run, we saw two swans on the ice on the Reservoir. They weren't moving and we thought they had succumbed to the cold. As we approached the Reservoir, Tom spotted the two swans swimming in a part of the Reservoir that was unfrozen! I learned from Google that swans are able to maintain their body heat by putting their heads underneath their wings. They are able to adapt to the cold. Seeing them added to the joy of our fabulous 5K. They were too far out into the water to get a picture of them. The sun peeked through the clouds reminding us that gray skies can be transformed into a moment.

 

There was a flock of migratory birds that swam under a patch of ice and emerged into the open yet unfrozen water. Tom and I marveled at Mother Nature. The lush green trees and beautiful flowers of Spring and summer yield to a delightful kind of magic if one looks beyond the barren trees and the need to layer up before heading out the door.

As I get ready to turn the page to a new year of life, this quote from George Bernard Shaw resonated with me as Tom and I had a solid 45 minute strength training woorkout on Monday.

We love to crank up the playlist experiencing joy as we move, stretch and strengthen mind, body and soul preparing to take on the Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K on 3/1. Tom will turn 74 on 3/2. Although we only 'need' to go the distance of 6.2 miles for the 10K, he is by my side stride for stride to go the extra mile for my birthday. I'd like to add my take on the quote "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it," to the greater the joy and gratitude in overcoming it.

 

 

Despite the frigid temperatures in the forecast for Tuesday morning, Tom and I knew that we wanted to stay true to our early morning run schedule. "The cold never bothered me anyway," iykyk but that's not quite true. As I've mentioned in previous posts, one of the hallmark symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome is cold intolerance. Through visualization and meditation, I 'fixed' my thermostat so that the cold doesn't bother me especially when I get my mindset in the right place firing up my overwhelming gratitude that I can do this. We had laid out all of our clothes Monday night to minimize the time it would take us to get out the front door. We were treated to a glorious masterpiece on the canvas of the early morning sky by the Master Artist:

My breath caught as I looked up when we turned the corner onto Beacon Street. The path around the Reservoir was snow covered. We got in our magnificent morning miles heading down Beacon Street admiring the beauty of the Reservoir from across the street.

There were heart wrenching tragedies in the past few days. I am grateful that I did not allow the tragedies I endured in my life to harden my heart or dim my Spirit. Tuesday's morning's miles were invigorating as the frosty air and Mother Nature awakened all of our senses. I am deeply grateful for the gift of running in our lives that nourishes and sustains us reminding us of the Source of all that brings light into even the darkest of times.

When we walked into our warm home expressing gratitude for the gift of early morning miles, heat and electricity, Tom and I exchanged high-fives. We did it! One step closer to the starting line in Hyannis and time to taper for Saturday's 7.2 miles.

My training takes much more effort than someone who has not had assaults to their nervous system by the polio virus and enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members. I embrace the effort, the persistence and perseverance it takes to pursue and achieve my dreams and goals while healing mind, body and soul along the way.  As the training cycle progresses I need more rest. I’m making more demands on my body than I’ve made since 2018 when I trained for the Bermuda Half Marathon. Since I had that success, I know I can do this because "it''s only 7.2 miles and then a 10K" ... for now. I do need to continue to transform old beliefs and flashbacks to the polio/trauma body. One of my favorite techniques to use is conscious movement, a term I learned when reading Dr. Norman Doidge's book, "The Brain's Way of Healing." I didn't realize there was a name for what I was instinctively doing until I read the book. Conscious movement is bringing mindfulness to how one holds their posture and how they move. Rather than fall into old habits of movement or habits that took hold due to illness or injury, it's a way to rewire the connections between muscles and nerves using thought and movement. In some instances, Dr. Doidge used music to help promote miraculous healing and recovery. I remind myself that I am healed and embody myself as a powerful thriver knowing that the greater the obstacle, the more glory there is in the overcoming of it.

The weather looks good for Saturday. These next few rest days are being used to meditate, visualize, celebrate all the training we've done thus far, release any niggles of doubt, and do the necessary preparations to go the longest distance I've gone since training for the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon. What a great way to celebrate 19 years of healing, getting ready to celebrate and commemorate my birthday and celebrate all the obstacles I have overcome.

 

 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.

My Trilogy of Transformation chronicles my journey from having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair with the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards to a woman transformed through the sport of running. Take a journey into a world of healing, hope and possibilities with my 7 books, available on Amazon. My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club and Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reading for Every Runner. You will be inspired by my strength, courage, resilience, determination and overcoming the inevitable setbacks that come with a journey to health and wellness. 

 

 

 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.

 

Reach out to me at maryamcmanus@gmail.com if you'd like me to speak to your organization or group to inspire them with what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary; how one finds strength, resilience and determination in the face of seemingly impossible odds.

 

 

 

This Week in Training: The Greatest Sport!

 

 

"How is it that I am so fortunate to call you a friend when you are one of the greatest American runners of all time? I mean in any other sport you'd probably be surrounded by security and I'd be lucky if I got to get an autograph from you."

"That's why we're the greatest sport!" Bill Rodgers said to me at the start of the 2016 Hyannis 10K. 

This week's training plan included a Thursday bye day to meet up with Bill Rodgers at the bib pick up for the Somerville Jingle Bell run happening on 12/14. He graciously invited me to share his table at Marathon Sports to sell and sign copies of my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Runner." He wrote a review for my book AND has it included in the Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reading for Every Runner."  I knew that I needed to pace the day especially since we are at a critical time in our training cycle for Hyannis.

On Saturday, Tom and I had a fabulous 5.5 mile run feeling so grateful for where we live. We did an out the door run to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, once around and to the Route 9 Reservoir back home plus a little extra in the neighborhood to get to 5.5 miles. We are training for health and well-being in our 70's. We experience joy, gratitude and the sacred time of being unplugged seeing the beauty, mystery and awe that comes with the change of seasons. The reservoirs are beginning to freeze over. We enjoyed seeing snowflakes fall at the end of our run. Before the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, as one who survived paralytic polio and endured years of abuse at the hands of family members, feeling free and joyful outdoors was foreign to me. It's never too late to have a happy childhood as Tom Robbins said. 

As I was looking through the photos I took on yesterday's 5.5 miler on the Road to the Hyannis 10K, I was reminded of my poem, "Courage."

Courage   

The fear of ice and snow and slush embedded in my soul
a training run in winter - the path to Being whole.
A winter scene - Jamaica Pond - a feast for eyes' delight
to witness nature's splendor and behold this glorious sight.

A leaf - a tiny dancer - skating free without a sound
God's breath directs her movements as She guides her twirling 'round.
Families of ducks decide to walk or take a dip
a comedy of errors into icy water slip.

Branches now bejeweled though bare bend with loving Grace
sparkling diamonds' anchor water's surface hold in place.
God's hand a glove of glistening snow hugs rocks along the wall
their heads peek out reminding me I'm answering God's call.

A scene I'd never witness if I let my fear take hold
courage triumphed, steppin' out with footsteps sure and bold.
Knowing that the pain subsides and Spirit can prevail
the Marathon is beckoning - through those miles I shall sail. 

Saturday's run was one of my favorite training runs that broke through the doubt of can I really do this again? Well yeah I am doing it again. 

On December 25th, I'll be running 7.2 miles to celebrate my 72nd birthday. It will be the longest distance I've gone since the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon. I already feel the cheers and love surrounding from my village who embraced my journey ever since I bought my first pair of running shoes in February of 2008 and the wonderful new friends I've been blessed to meet along the way. 

Before breakfast Monday morning strength training sessions are the best way I know to start a new day and a new week with Tom. It's a great complement to our training runs. For someone who was supposed to be in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged, I'm doing great!  One of our favorite songs on our playlist is, "No Time At All" from Pippin. It's a celebration of life and living life because soon spring will turn to fall in just no time at all. With every training run and workout, I express gratitude to my body for all I am able to do. Working out is a joy and celebration of the body's tremendous capacity to heal.
 

 

 What made Tuesday morning's magnificent miles in 10 degree weather so special? I'm grateful for every run but being able to get up at 6am and go out in frosty air is a sweet victory for me. One of the hallmark symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome is cold intolerance. The initial polio virus adversely affected my body's ability to respond to extreme temperatures. Through visualization, I was able to rewire my thermostat. Beginning in February of 2008, as I trained for the 2009 Boston Marathon during a brutal New England winter, I was able to experience the joy of being outdoors in Winter. That experience inspired the poem, "Courage." I was also 'warned' that if I went out in Winter, I should bring a cane with an ice gripper. I was at risk for a fractured hip if I fell. I did have several falls during training runs, but none in winter and I am still in one piece!

I love that I can get out with Tom and share the sacred early morning time together. We run without headphones and the only time I take out my phone is to capture the beauty of nature that I had missed out on for many years. 

I first met Bill Rodgers at the 2009 Hyannis Marathon Weekend.

I shared my story with him at the Pre-Race pasta dinner having no idea that it would be the start of a beautiful friendship. 

The Meet and Greet and book signing with Bill Rodgers at bib pick-up for the Bill Rodgers Somerville Jingle Bell Run was better than my wildest imaginings. Tom and I got a parking spot across the street from Marathon Sports. Someone was pulling out just as we pulled up. I'd imagined that very parking space! Paulie Collyer is the Race Director for Somerville and Hyannis. I was surprised to see this post on Facebook earlier in the afternoon:

 He gave me the nickname Double M; much better than the "Easy Out Alper" nickname that followed me in gym class. Paulie introduced me to the Marathon Sports staff and made sure we would have a table and chairs. I was chatting with runners who were shopping in the store before Bill arrived sharing my story to inspire them and asking about their running story. One woman just started running this year. She wants to run Boston after successfully completing the BAA Distance Medley and run for Big Brother/Big Sister. She is on their waiting list. Her eyes lit up when she shared that she is a Big Sister and would love to run for her little sister.

There's a lot of talk these days about how we have lost the art of in-person conversations and connections. I struck up a conversation with Nicholas who said how wonderful it is to have in-person conversations. We talked about how the running community is one that fosters connections and conversations while enjoying the health benefits of moving outdoors. I offered that's why we are the greatest sport.

 

Bill and his brother Charlie arrived. We exchanged hugs and Bill set out memories from his scrap book of the very first Jingle Bell Run in 1977! I love hearing Bill reminisce and share running history while offering my own memories of meeting amazing people like Tommy Leonard (who was in one photo) when we were at the Quarterdeck Restaurant in Falmouth.

  

Before the runners arrived for bib pick-up, I presented Bill with his birthday gift; a personalized poem in a frame:

For Bill Rodgers on the Occasion of his 78th Birthday!

December 23, 2025

This year has been filled with celebrations of your legendary Boston Marathon run
whether on the roads or off the roads as a person you are always #1.
What fun we had at Central Perk Coffee schmoozing and sipping Billy’s teas
always time for thumbs up, photos and autographs your fans you always please.

I love how you are unapologetically you with your unique style and flair
however long the line may be you let every person know you care.
You’re a legend, a champion beyond compare to your own self you’re always true
may your next trip around the sun be filled with blessings every moment the whole year through.

While celebrating your 50th anniversary of Boston, such humility and love were a treat to behold
you shared Bob Hall’s pioneering efforts with stories each generation needs to be told.
On center stage throughout the festivities you took your rightful place
that ever present youthful smile you sure do age well with grace.

How blessed am I to call you my friend, my journey as an unlikely runner you take delight
you inspire me to run forever always setting and keeping goals within sight.
As you celebrate your special day from morning until sun is set
may all your wishes and dreams come true – may this be your best birthday yet!

With love and gratitude,
Mary

Tom gets the photo credit for capturing me giving the gift to Bill and how he warmly received my gift:

It was heart warming to see how runners greeted Bill, often saying what an honor it was to meet him. Other runners shared how he inspired them in their running careers. I was inspired when a disabled woman veteran shared with me her running story. Her physical therapist suggested she start walking to help alleviate the pain of her arthritis. She went out and walk/ran a 5K. Now that's a woman after my own heart. She resonated with not only my running story but that I worked as a VA social worker. 

I love how running brings people together and how the sport transcends political affiliation, race, nationality, shape, size or age. Here are photos with our new friends and fans who will be running the Jingle Bell on Sunday. Bill and I also talked about Hyannis Marathon Weekend encouraging runners to join us for another great race experience.

 

 

That's a wrap for another week of training on the Road to Hyannis Marathon Weekend and having my sights set on my 7.2 mile birthday run to celebrate 72 years.  I still pinch myself at times to realize that I am a beloved part of this running community. Whenever runners gather there are instant connections and conversations. A legend like Bill Rodgers makes everyone feel like a legend when we are blessed to be in his presence. When I set out to run the 2009 Boston Marathon in February of 2008, I had no idea that I would be stepping foot into the greatest sport.

 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.

My Trilogy of Transformation chronicles my journey from having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair with the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards to a woman transformed through the sport of running. Take a journey into a world of healing, hope and possibilities with my 7 books, available on Amazon. My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club and Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reading for Every Runner. You will be inspired by my strength, courage, resilience, determination and overcoming the inevitable setbacks that come with a journey to health and wellness. 

 

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.

 

Reach out to me at maryamcmanus@gmail.com if you'd like me to speak to your organization or group to inspire them with what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary; how one finds strength, resilience and determination in the face of seemingly impossible odds.