This Week in Training: Follow Your Dreams!

 

 

Today, on December 5, 1988, I began my career at the Boston VA Outpatient Clinic. On December 6, 2006, when I was at the height of my award-winning career, I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards. 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. But what's a social worker to do when she's been told that she needed to leave behind her career to try to stabilize the debilitating symptoms. 

In February of 2007, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. The runner within me was born in my imagination as the poem, "Running the Race" flowed out of me. It foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run. Throughout this incredible journey from wheelchair to the finish line of the Boston Marathon and beyond, I've harnessed the power of my imagination to visualize healing when needed, and to imagine crossing the finish lines of different races. The 2016 Bermuda Half Marathon was my comeback race after a very serious knee injury in December of 2014 when I'd been told to stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. On the Bermuda Race Weekend website, there were photos of Ed Christopher, the Town Crier with finishers and their medals. As we trained for the race, I held fast to that vision. Here are Tom and me with the manifestation of the vision.

As Tom and I set out on our 5 miler last Saturday, counting down to my 7.2 miler on my 72nd birthday on December 25th, I reflected on how, since February of 2007, I've been following my dreams. My first dream after leaving the VA, was to be a NY Times Bestselling Author and be on Oprah. That dream, much to my surprise, quickly morphed into running the 2009 Boston Marathon. 

It was 5.1 fabulous frosty morning miles as we went from once around the Route 9 Reservoir to once around the Cleveland Circle Reservoir and back to the 'finish line' of our car. We held hands high imagining what it's going to be like in Hyannis on 3/1. We felt such unbridled joy and a sense of accomplishment with Saturday's run after a busy week of Thanksgiving preparation and hosting. We braved a cold headwind knowing that training is not only for the body but the mental toughness as well. Our hearts were warmed as we bumped into two of our neighbors and their families exchanging Thanksgiving greetings and wishing each other a healthy, happy, peaceful and joy filled holiday season. It was a special and sacred time together out on the road.

 

We embraced the warmth of the sunshine despite the cold temperatures and took time to enjoy Nature's beauty. 

On Sunday's rest day, I played around with our playlist for Monday's strength training workout. It was just the boost we needed as winter's weather begins to settle into Boston. I selected this quote to kick off a new day and a new week reminding myself of the importance of ditching the fear and slaying the dragons of doubt. Even those of us with the most positive of attitudes have moments when we need to remember our why and recharge our passion and persistence. 

Despite waking up at 4am on Tuesday and meditating until the alarm went off at 6am, there were no excuses to skip an early morning run. We used to do lunchtime runs in winter but we are going to keep the same schedule as long as it is safe to do so. I reminded myself of the quote, "When passion and persistence meet, dreams become a reality." 

We were blessed to see a heron again. The heron spirit animal symbolizes patience, self-determination, and stillness, representing the wisdom of waiting for the right moment and the ability to find balance. It also signifies divine communication, grace, and self-reliance, encouraging individuals to trust their own wisdom and pursue their unique path. Seeing a heron can be a message to slow down, observe your surroundings, and find serenity in life. Thank you Universe for the reminder! It was a December sky. The weather forecast called for a storm watch. We could feel that the first snowfall was on the way. We hoped it would not interfere with our training plan.

On Thursday morning we woke up to black ice. Our bodies are accustomed to early morning miles but it just wasn't safe. Fortunately, Tom did not have any meetings that would interfere with a "runchie." I did my best to fuel and get mentally prepared to run much later than I am accustomed to. I was grateful that the day had warmed up and the black ice was gone. 

Despite the still very cold temperatures and the gray day, we experienced joy and laughter having silly conversations. At one point, we had to stop our run because I was laughing so hard I lost my equilibrium. Our time together out on the roads, unplugged, connected in conversation out in Nature is such a special sacred time together. Early on in my healing journey, I struggled with cold intolerance but I visualized regulating my thermostat and now, I am able to embrace the elements and appreciate the wonder and awe that every season brings. I no longer feel as though my nose is pressed against the window pane watching life pass me by. I could barely walk and had to hug the staircase in our home in order to walk up the stairs. I know what a gift it is to be able to follow my dreams of being a most unlikely runner sharing a powerful message of healing, hope and possibility. I appreciate everything and take nothing for granted. I mean it with my heart and soul when I say every step is a gift and every mile is a blessing. 

It was a strong and solid finish to another week in the training cycle on the Road to Hyannis and counting down to 7.2 on 12/25. When those gremlins of doubt creep in -- can I really do this again? Can I go the farthest I've gone since the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon, I remind myself of this Jason Kiddard quote. Of course I can and will doing the mental and physical preparation to follow my dreams of once again going the distance.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 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.