Happy New Year! Two months from today, Tom and I will toe the starting line of the 45th Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K. We will also be getting ready to celebrate his 74th birthday on 3/2 which is also the 49th anniversary of when we met. On 3/4, we celebrate 48 years of marriage. After wrapping up last week's training, I was reflecting on the challenges I've known and overcome since I was only 5 1/2 years old beginning with contracting paralytic polio at age 5 and enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members until my father's death by suicide when I was 17 years old. After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I realized that without those challenges, I would not be the woman I am today. When I discovered the gift of poetry in my soul in February of 2007, I became aware of the gifts wrapped up in the challenges. I often say that out of the rubble of my past, I dug deep to discover the treasure of who I was always meant to be.
Tom and I weren't sure what route we were going to be able to run for last Saturday's 5K after a snow storm on Friday. The sun was shining and the roads were relatively well plowed with salt and sand. Filled with grit, determination and layers of running gear, we set out on our street to see where we could safely run. The temperature felt like 5 degrees at the start of our run and 10 degrees at the end. The Town was just in the process of digging out a path to the Reservoir/Beacon Street. We stayed on back roads that were clear but we had to do hills to find safe streets on which to run. I embraced the discomfort of the cold and the challenge of the hills celebrating how, with the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome I was told to NOT go out in Winter or if I did, I should use a cane with an ice gripper. One fall could mean 'the end' for me since I was presumed to have osteoporosis as a survivor of polio. As an aside, I did have several falls on training runs. Despite landing flat on my pelvis one time, I remained perfectly in tact.
Saturday's run was equal parts discomfort and challenging, and joy, exhilaration and celebration. We had brief exchanges with people shoveling. The storm brought 3 inches of light fluffy snow that seemed to bring out childlike joy and wonder that happens with the first snowfall in Boston when it can be easily cleared away and has kept its pristine white layer on branches and lawns. I reflected on how much of life I would have missed if I would have taken the diagnosis sitting down.
Courage
The fear of ice and snow and slush embedded in my soula 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.
Tom and I relished the warmth of our home as we reversed the process of peeling off layers and getting into warm, dry clothes. To continue my birthday celebration, we went to Legal Seafood for refueling. The holiday decorations made it a festive lunch while the music was from the 60's, 70's and 80's added to the ambiance of our celebration.
Monday's strength training was inspired by this quote from Tommy Lasorda:
Even though Tom was on vacation, we still got up at 7am to get in a before breakfast workout. We took extra time to stretch and challenge ourselves to complement our running. What a treat to have a leisurely breakfast.
On Tuesday, we set the alarm for 8 since Tom was on vacation and we wanted the day to "warm up a bit," but still wanted to get in morning miles. We had breakfast before our run which helped to prepare us to embrace the frigid air. It was a felt like 6 degrees with wind chill morning. We felt particularly badass getting up and out the door to get in our morning miles. One of my cold weather running tricks is to put vaseline on my face and on the bottom of my feet before getting my socks on. Saturday's miles held us in good stead for taking on Tuesday's relatively flat run. We were able to do our miles with an out and back around the Reservoir run. Miraculously, the wind had once again swept away the torrential downpours after the temperatures rose on Monday and then plummeted over night.
Tom and I were psyched to do a New Year's Day run on Thursday, but Mother Nature had other plans. A dusting of snow was what had been in the forecast, but we woke up to a little over an inch of snow. The streets had not been treated. I'd seen a post from Meb Keflezhigi about training in the winter. He said it is always better to be safe than risking a fall. Heading to the gym for an extra strength training session is the wisest choice. A front moved in that brought a snow squall and a wintry mix while we were doing our workout in our home gym and knew we had made the right choice!
We cranked up our playlist, sweat a lot and welcomed in the New Year with a rigorous 45 minute workout followed by a delicious nutritious leisurely breakfast. Tom and I carry our passion, persistence, purpose, commitment and dedication to training and our health and aging strong from 2025 into the New Year.
Garmin even gave me this badge:
This training cycle is giving me the opportunity to heal more deeply than ever before.
Were I just maintaining with 5K's or training only for the 10K rather than challenging myself with repeated 6 milers and that epic 7.2 miles, I would not be experiencing this glorious journey of transformation. Last year was the year of the snake when I shed a lot of old beliefs and relationships. I discovered how to love, value and honor myself in deeper and more meaningful ways. There's much I leave in 2025 and much that I carry forth with me from the lessons and blessings of the year. Out of the challenges of 2025, I've been blessed to grow, look for the weekly wins and feel overwhelming gratitude for the changes I've made. In letting go of people and things that no longer served me, I've been blessed with wonderful new connections and experiences. I leave 2025 much stronger physically, emotionally and spiritually than when it began.
Here's to 2026 and the year of the Horse!
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.
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.
