A Comeback Training Cycle-Every Mile Infused With Gratitude!

 

Last year at this time, Tom and I were in the middle of a training cycle for the Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K. We peaked our mileage at 7.2 miles to celebrate my 72nd birthday on Christmas Day. It turned out to be a grueling winter for training but we persevered. The Blizzard of 2026 wiped out Race Weekend which was the most minor of inconveniences given how the residents and businesses on Cape Cod were hit with snowmageddon and power outages. I originally thought that after a brief recovery period, we would resume increasing mileage to get back to the half marathon distance. 

Through these past 20 years, I've learned how important it is to balance challenging myself and allowing time for recovery. Tom and I have been focused more on our strength training sessions rather than our runs which for now have been power walks. We still get in a great cardio workout while allowing my body to heal all those niggles from the training cycle. We have also incorporated daily walks over Tom's lunch hour (yes at almost 75 years young he still works). Most important, we are thoroughly enjoying being out in Nature savoring time together unplugged.

During our recent NYC Adventures,  I came to appreciate both my abilities (especially for someone who was told to prepare to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged) and the challenges that I may experience at different times. During our strength training sessions, I am intent on continuing to build strength. I continue to harness the power of the mind/body connection to transcend the once devastating effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma. Conscious movement (see Norman Doidge, MD) continues to serve me well as I continue to move out of once habitual postural patterns. Even though there are no races on the calendar, there is a LOT of work going on behind the scenes during this comeback training cycle. Tom and I are also going to incorporate swimming into our work outs.  

While we may not be building mileage or training for any event, every mile is infused with gratitude and joy. Had I taken the diagnosis and prognosis of Post-Polio Syndrome sitting down, my life would look very different today; that's if I were still alive today. I am deeply grateful for the freedom I feel being out in Nature seeing the change in seasons up close and personal. My life used to feel as though I had my nose pressed upon the window pane of life watching life pass me by given the debilitated state of my body. Polio survivors are told to that if we use it, we lose it. Fortunately, I found my way to the science of neuroplasticity and the healing power of the mind/body connection, reading the healing stories of others to know what is possible despite all appearances to the contrary. My Resources for Well-Being page on my website directs you to resources that cite the research. I've also included What I'm Reading and What I'm Listening to that nourish my sense of well-being. What a gift to share my journey with others whatever the cycle or season.

Enjoy these scenes from our recent morning miles. 

Here are some fun facts about the Meanings of the Turtle Totem:
Patience and Perseverance: Reminds us that slow and steady progress wins out over rushing, encouraging trust in your own timing and pace walking your own path in peace.
Boundaries and Protection: Just as a turtle retreats into its shell for safety, the totem teaches the importance of emotional boundaries and knowing when to withdraw from chaos.
Earth Connection: Deeply tied to the grounding energy of the earth and stability during emotional storms.
Longevity and Wisdom: Represents long life, endurance, and tapping into deep inner knowledge.  

 

While I may not be training for an event, I do enjoy the vicarious thrill of seeing my friends and elite athletes compete. The Boston 10K for Women celebrated 50 years of running. Several of my friends were there when the race began. I had the thrill of cheering them along in cyberspace. Kona Ironman Championship is always inspiring to watch. So many remarkable stories of perseverance and overcoming obstacles. My favorite story from last weekend's racing stories came from Chicago. 

 

"When 24-year-old Ethan Woodhead traveled over 4,000 miles from the island of Guernsey to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, he expected to cross the finish line completely alone. Back home, his worried uncle posted a simple plea on Facebook, asking local Chicagoans to keep an eye out for his nephew. What happened next went completely viral. Hundreds of total strangers lined the 26.2-mile course holding homemade signs and screaming Ethan's name, powering him to a spectacular personal best time of 2:31:31. Check out the incredibly moving NBC Chicago feature video below to see the heartwarming moment he realized an entire city had his back."

As Bill Rodgers has said time and time again, this is why running is the greatest sport. I experience all the joy in cheering on other runners knowing one day I, too, will make a return to a starting line. For now, I am enjoying my comeback training cycle, feeling incredibly accomplished for the training cycle on the road to Hyannis Marathon Weekend that ended in March and infusing every step and mile with gratitude whatever the distance and whatever the pace.

 

In health and wellness,

Mary

Visit my 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. 

What if the key to overcoming life's greatest challenges lies in the melodies that resonate with our souls? Join us in this heartfelt episode of the Music Saved Me Podcast, where hosts Lynn Hoffman and Buzz Knight dive deep into the transformative power of music with our inaugural contest winner, Mary McManus. Mary’s journey is a testament to the healing power of music, as she shares her inspiring story of resilience after contracting paralytic polio at a young age and navigating a tumultuous family environment. Listen to the episode by following this link.

Through her narrative, Mary McManus reveals how music became her sanctuary. A pivotal moment in her life came when her cousin, a Broadway producer, introduced her to the world of musical theater—a vibrant escape that ignited her passion and brought her immense joy. This episode explores the profound connection between music and emotional healing, showcasing how Mary McManus found solace in melodies during her toughest times and how they helped her forge connections with others

Listeners will be moved by Mary’s reflections on the influence of her high school music teacher and the supportive community she discovered in orchestral music. These experiences highlight the essence of music as therapy, illustrating its role in fostering emotional well-being and resilience. Mary’s journey culminates in her remarkable achievement of running the Boston Marathon, a testament to her indomitable spirit and the impact of music in her life.

Throughout this episode, we delve into the broader themes of music and mental health, exploring how independent musicians can harness their art to inspire and uplift. Mary’s story is not just about personal struggles; it’s a celebration of the healing power of music and its ability to connect us all. From emotional healing through music to the stories of musicians who have shaped our lives, this episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone seeking inspiration.

 Join us as we uncover the magic of music and its role in personal stories of triumph. Whether you’re a fan of the music history podcast genre or simply looking for a dose of motivation, this episode of the Music Saved Me Podcast promises to resonate deeply. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that underscores the importance of finding your voice and the transformative nature of music in navigating life's adversities. Don’t miss out on this heartfelt journey with Mary McManus, where we celebrate the stories that remind us all of the profound impact music has on our lives.

 Last year I was 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.