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.