This Week in Training: Zest and Enthusiasm

Several years ago, I was given the nickname, "The Empress of Enthusiasm." My zest and enthusiasm for life began to wane as I experienced a progression of debilitating symptoms that was diagnosed as Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. But in February of 2007, as I discovered the gift of poetry in my heart and soul, the spark was lit as my pen became my divining rod for healing. This week's theme in our training for Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K is Zest and Enthusiasm. It was -6 degrees when we woke up on Saturday, so we waited for the day to "warm up." When all was said and done, it was 4 fabulous freezing fun-filled miles in 11 degrees with beautiful sunshine and blue sky. The first few minutes of the run were very challenging for me as my body worked hard to acclimate to the bitter cold headwind. I embraced the challenge and knew I would find my rhythm. I felt the anticipation of toeing the starting line in Hyannis and being a part of my favorite weekend happening in 4 weeks.

I am so grateful we had our training plan front loaded with 5, 6 and even one 7.2 mile runs knowing how New England winters can quickly turn harsh. Beacon Street was filled with those training for Boston. Tedy's Team was setting up a water stop. They told us that their Team got a later start and were cutting their miles short given the condition of the roads and sidewalks. Tom and I were swept up in the energy of another training cycle for the Boston Marathon and gave a lot of cheers and high-fives. While we had to wait for the light to change in Cleveland Circle, we did a line dance to stay warm. Dodging cars, runners, navigating over snow packed sidewalks and feeling grateful for stretches of dry ground made for a joy filled run. I loved feeling the contrast of sweating at the end of the run with the frosty air.

On Monday, Tom and I got in another before breakfast rigorous strength training session as our training cycle is winding down. We have a little less than a month to go until we head to Hyannis to enjoy our favorite race weekend of all time! During this training cycle, I've been reflecting on this incredible journey since December 2006 when I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. Given all the lemons that life threw my way, nobody would have judged me for wanting to take the diagnosis sitting down. But in February of 2007, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance as I often did throughout my challenges.

I was astounded when the poem, "Running the Race" flowed out of me followed by an anthology of poems that inspired me to heal mind, body and soul. I ran my first Half Marathon race at the 2009 Hyannis Marathon Weekend on the Road to Boston. It was my introduction to running greats Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter, and the amazing running community. I am forever grateful to Paul Collyer for welcoming me and all abilities to Hyannis as he continues to do to this day!

On Tuesday's run, it felt like 36 degrees -- yes please and thank you. I love it when the feels like is warmer than the actual temperature. Tom and I had a great runchie. What a difference from a week ago when we couldn't even get out to do a run and "cross trained" with snow removal. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sun was deliciously warm.

At this point in our training cycle, we are harnessing the power of our imagination to visualize race day; especially coming into the finisher's chute after a fabulous time out on the course. We are savoring the anticipation of race weekend while feeling gratitude flow from our hearts in the gift of present moments. Every day is a celebration of life, especially when the polar vortex temporarily released its icy grip, celebrating healing and aging strong.

When the weather forecast called for a chance of snow and the coldest temperatures of the season this weekend, I asked Tom if we could swap out our usual 2-3 mile easy run on Thursdays for our 4 mile run planned for Saturday. His boss is so amazing, supportive and encouraging and told Tom it would be no problem.

We simulated race day. We started at around 10:15 - gun time in Hyannis is 10:00am, wearing the shoes we plan to wear on race day. We did our fueling and hydration plan noting how we would fuel for the last 2 miles. There was a strong headwind when we started out. Tom teased me and asked why we swapped days - to avoid the cold? But once the wind died down, we soaked in the warm sunshine. We ran the same route we had on Saturday without needing to dodge cars and runners. Knowing where the turnaround would be gave us a mental boost as did the 'warmer temperatures'. It was 26 degrees as compared to 11 degrees on Saturday. It was a solid 4 miles fueled by gratitude as we age strong, by joy, being together unplugged and celebrating the gift of my healing.

Tom had to stop to check his Slack before the hill leading up from the Reservoir since he was on call. When I have to stand still in the cold, my right knee has a tendency to lock for a moment before I continue moving BUT on Thursday's run, I used conscious movement harnessing the power of the mind/body connection. I visualized smooth mechanics in my right knee releasing the trauma it had endured when I was a child. I also let go of memories of having been in a cast from hip to ankle on my right leg when I was 11 to treat a torn meniscus. It was caused by overuse after polio. I did a happy dance in my heart with Tom when I let him know the freedom I felt in my leg after 3.2 miles.

 

Three weeks from today we head to Hyannis for race weekend. We'll top off the tank of the training cycle with a 2 miler on Saturday and two 5K's for the next two Saturdays. 

I hope to see many of you at the Expo where I'll be sharing my incredibly inspiring journey as a most unlikely runner. My zest for life now as a 72 year old and enthusiasm for what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary is infectious.  Here is the link to register and to the event website  Bill Rodgers returns as the special guest for Race Weekend. 

 

See you in Hyannis!

 

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.