Anticipation - One Month From Today!

 On January 11th, Team McManus heads to Logan Airport to go on our first I'm leaving on a jet plane vacations since January of 2020. Ruth Anne heads to Nashville to visit her best friend from Middle Tennessee State University. Tom and I head to Bermuda for Bermuda Triangle Challenge Race Weekend. It has a surreal quality to it after all the challenges we endured this year yet I remind myself that the challenges we face intensifies the gratitude and the joy for wonderful adventures and experiences.

It's taper time. I find myself using the words taper time to Christmas songs.

Silver Bells -- Taper time Taper time It's taper time in the City or Jingle Bells - Taper time Taper time taper all the way or O Christmas Tree - O Taper time O taper time how 'lovely' is thy waiting!

Tom and Ruth Anne joined me on my easy two miler on Saturday to make sure that I didn't do fartleks, speed work or a tempo run. Tom reined in the pace for us reminding me that our race plan is to go out easy! After the first half, we can pick up the pace and have a strong finish. We reminisced about the 2017 Bermuda Half Marathon when I went out way too fast, ignored my fueling and hydration plan and I ended up sideways. What drove me to ignore what was happening in my body was the time 'limit' on the website of 3:30 for the Half. The full marathon was two loops and finished where the Half finished so I knew the finish line would be open. I was also trying to beat my time from 2016. Lessons were learned.

We were blessed with moderate temperatures and a lovely early winter's day. Every training run that has no snow or ice on the ground and temperatures are well above freezing is a gift as I countdown to race day.

I went for solo Monday morning miles after taking a rest day on Sunday. It was a grey Monday morning but what joy I feel celebrating 17 years of healing after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and as I get ready to celebrate turning 70 on Christmas Day! The torrential rain from Sunday night's storm stopped but there was, at times, a stiff and brisk head wind. I visualized the start of the race seeing all the runners take off in front of me. I embodied feeling proud and strong having Tom by my side to pace me. I set my internal clock to the easy pace we will keep for the first 5K reining in negative thoughts about 'the time'. My heart overflowed with gratitude as I spread my arms wide to embrace the miracle of transformation and healing. I envisioned a sunny day with 60 degree temps and no headwind. I saw the beautiful blue Bermuda sky and the turquoise blue water. I felt my feet on the asphalt embracing the cheers of the spectators. 

I smiled to myself as I remembered the pre-race/travel dream in which we were on the bus to the airport. I told the driver to stop. I forgot my passport and travel documents. I kept thinking "Why didn't I go through the list I made? Why didn't I go through the list I made?" As Tom and I stood in the middle of nowhere, I looked at my watch and wondered how we were ever going to make our flight.

I shook my head and reminded myself that my passport to the land of negativity was revoked. I honored the 'nerves' that accompany any race day. As one of my friend's told me at the Bermuda Half Marathon 2018, the nerves are a sign that the race matters but it's vital that I not allow them to overtake me as they had in Bermuda 2017. It's one mile at a time visualizing a strong finish. My body will be well rested as it was before the First Run Virtual 5K last year. I trust my training. I trust my body's ability to meet, greet and conquer the challenge of the Bermuda 10K. One month from today, at the moment that I am writing this, we will be at National Stadium seeing a Bermudaful sunrise. I savor every moment of anticipation feeling the excitement of returning to our happy place with so much to celebrate!

 

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page with links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On The Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56.

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Be sure to download and subscribe to the AdaptX podcast. Here's the link to my wonderful conversation with host Brendan Aylward sharing my journey of transformation and healing in the wake of polio, Post-Polio syndrome and trauma.

Reflections on My Half Birthday

 

In six months, I will be celebrating my 70th birthday on Christmas Day. For the 2nd week in a row,  it rained for Saturday's training run on the road to the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10k. Unlike two weeks ago, yesterday's rain was warm and the summer humidity was high. Halfway through our run, Ruth Anne and I had to peel off our jackets. What sweet sensations to experience the gentle summer rain bathe our arms, face and legs. 

Because I contracted paralytic polio at the age of 5, wore an ankle to hip leg brace and was limited in being able to feel the joy of splashing in puddles and running free when it rained, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and exhilaration when I can run in the rain. The miles are made even sweeter because I am training for the Bermuda 10K in January.

The Nike+ app on my phone crashed during the last several runs. Ruth Anne said that since I'm training for another event, I need to get a Garmin. She bought it for me as a half birthday gift.

We had a spectacular time on our run around the Reservoir. Despite the steady rain, there weren't a lot of puddles but the back of my legs were covered with gravel and mud.

Despite the grey skies, the leaves and grass were a vibrant green. The fragrant summer flowers filled the air. As I meditated after our run, my heart overflowed with gratitude. I had a deep sense of accomplishment that I have made a commitment to training for the Bermuda 10K and that I know with all my heart that I will navigate the soreness and new sensations that come with training for more miles. My body is adapting to this new training regimen but more important, I am once again harnessing the power of my mind to go the distance. Re-reading Deena Kastor's book, "Let Your Mind Run" and taking copious notes fuels my journey.

I received an email from Magic 106.7:

I've listened to Magic for decades becoming friends with on air personalities and winning many contests. I loved the synchronicity that I started this blog yesterday and received the email this morning about celebrating my half birthday!

Saturday's run is my last 3.5 mile run until taper time. I increase the mileage by .5 miles each month. I have hill repeats, fartleks, and tempo runs integrated into my training plan. I look at photos from when Tom and Ruth Anne ran the Bermuda 10K in 2020 to visualize myself out on the course with them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I look at the map and smile at the elevation knowing I am going to be well trained mind, body and soul to take on the Bermuda Hills in January.

I read a wonderful book, 'Counter Clockwise' by Ellen Langer in which she offers scientific evidence about how our attitudes affect how our bodies age. I could have easily stayed with the 3 mile or 5K distance. I could have picked up an event or two that accommodated back of the pack runners/walkers and not experienced the discomfort that goes along with taking on a greater challenge-especially as I prepare to turn 70 in December.  If I would have stayed in my comfort zone, I wouldn't experience the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment with every mile that moves me closer to the starting line of a new age group, a new decade and a new race feeling youthful, vibrant and athletic.

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon 

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series  to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On the Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56