Just For The Health Of It!

 

In May of 2007, at my last physical therapy session with Allison LaMarre-Poole, she handed me my home exercise program. She said, "You're going to keep doing these right? You don't ever want to go back to where you were do you?" She was referencing my deconditioned state when I was first referred to her in January of 2007. Fortunately she did not subscribe to the if you use it, you will lose it as was true of most providers treating polio survivors. She believed in the body's tremendous capacity to heal. Her words have stayed with me all these years.

 

After working with Allison, I hired a personal trainer in October. When I first got moving with Janine, I had the lofty goal of running the 2009 Boston Marathon. I had to take time off from running after the marathon and spent several months in physical therapy before returning to the roads. I kept moving forward hearing Allison's words echo in my ears. After a serious knee injury in December of 2014 and having been told to stop running or cap my distance at a 5K preparing for a total knee replacement in a few years, I went on to run 3 Bermuda Half Marathons in 2016, 2017 and 2018. I took time off from racing but continued on my health and fitness journey with cross training, lots of swimming and still getting out on the roads to get in my miles. 

 

I had a major setback in 2021 after an adverse reaction to the 2nd COVID vaccine but soldiered on as best as I could dealing with neuromuscular symptoms that limited my running and workouts. By 2023, I was ready for my comeback.  For my 70th birthday I trained for the Bermuda Marathon Weekend 10K. Despite a DNF in Bermuda,  on 5/4/24, I conquered the distance again. Since June of last year, Tom and I embarked on a rigorous training cycle for the Hyannis 10K. I felt unbridled joy and exhilaration when I ran 7.2 miles for my 72nd birthday. The last several weeks of training were in bitter cold, snow and ice. To avoid a major snowstorm, we did two, 4 mile runs in less than a week. I embraced taper time. The Blizzard of 2026 cancelled Hyannis but Tom and I did our own race at the 5K distance given the terrible road conditions.

 

Once again, it's time to strength train and run just for the health of it. Tom and I are playing around with our training schedule based on weather and what our bodies are letting us know what we need. On Monday, we had so much fun with our strength training work out. 

 

As I get ready to celebrate 19 years since I took that leap of faith leaving behind my award-winning social work career at the VA, Tom and I reflected on those early days of my journey. It was everything shared in this quote from Kellie MacPherson.

 

Tuesday and Wednesday were rest days with lots of foam rolling, stretching and taking breaks from sitting to breathe in fresh air and walk around. With Spring in the air, Tom and I decided to get out for a runchie on Thursday. Before we went out, I set the intention that my right knee is healed and I was going to enjoy the time we spent unplugged out in Nature soaking up serenity and eagerly anticipating Spring. I used visualization and conscious movement before, during and after our runchie miles. 

 

The sun melted the bit of chill in the air. I love the childlike joy of rediscovering Springtime especially after the winter we had. 

 

Every day in every way my body is recovering from our recent training cycle and the joy of running has returned as the pain and strain diminishes. After our trip to NYC on April 21st, Tom and I will do a virtual 3.2 for 32 to honor the memories of those who died at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. That's the only goal we have on the calendar for now. And for now, we are working out and running just for the health of it. I celebrating 20 years of healing in December of 2006. I will never go back to where I was as we age strong enjoying life one mile at a time.

 

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.