Connecting the Dots: Hyannis Marathon Weekend

                                                

As I train for the 2026 Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K, I've been reflecting on Hyannis Marathon Weekend through the years and how Hyannis Marathon Weekend has had such an incredibly special place in my running career and heart. There's no way I could connect the dots from February 2009 going forward. It's only by looking back that I see how my decision to reach out to the Race Director at Hyannis to share my story and ask if it would be okay for me to participate in the Half Marathon given my back of the pack status, was one that has changed my life in many ways.

As a newbie runner, I relied on the guidance of my personal trainer and the goodwill of the running community to guide me through this uncharted territory for me. I joined the "Just Finish" Forum. Their motto was "Run.Walk.Crawl" Just Finish. I wore their shirt to the pre-race pasta dinner in 2009 where I met Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. I smile to myself amused at how little I knew about the sport of running as I walked into the ballroom of the pre-race pasta dinner the evening before my first half marathon race.

 

While I'd gone 17 miles in my training plan and had run the Corrib Road Race 5K, the Marathon Sports 5 Miler, and the Tufts 10K, this was my first big road race. Our Coach for the Spaulding Race for Rehab team suggested that this would be a great warm up to the 2009 Boston Marathon. I met up with one of the members of the Just Finish Forum and met members of the L Street Running Club and the Merrimack Valley Striders running club. We have become running family. Was it my nerves or a deep knowing, that it was my destiny to share my story with members of the running clubs, Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter. 

 

The sleet started during coming down during the second half of the race. I lost track of hydration, fueling and pacing and just wanted to get to the finish line. Frank Shorter could tell that the run had taken a lot of out of me. I was shivering from the sleet that had started falling during the last several miles of the race. He put both of his hands on either side of my arms, looked at me straight in the eye and told me how much courage and strength I had to do what I had just done. He told me he had no doubt that I was going to cross the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon. 

 

Although I wasn’t feeling well, and should have gone upstairs to take a hot shower, there was a reporter interviewing runners. I told him my story and I was in the next day’s Cape Cod Times: 

Mary McManus, 55, of Brookline completed her first half marathon after making a remarkable recovery from a life-long battle against post-polio syndrome.

She spent time at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and began running just last February. She competed in her first race in June 2008, finishing a 5K.

“It’s like having a new lease on life,” said McManus, who ran yesterday’s half marathon with husband Tom. “I was limping my way through life, but then decided to do something about it.”

It was a phenomenal weekend. I earned my first of many medals for finishing a race but the greatest prize was the friendships forged at the pre-race pasta dinner. 

 

As Frank said I would, I indeed finished the 2009 Boston Marathon. While I was on a running hiatus in February of 2010, we returned for Race Weekend where the Race Director gave me a table at the Expo.

 

 

Frank and Bill were once again the speakers at the pre-race pasta dinner. They signed my bib.

 

Hyannis Marathon Weekend became an annual tradition. In 2011, I coined the phrase, "Camp Hyannis" when I ran the 10K again. Throughout the years, there have been special memories made. 

In 2014, Tom ran the Half Marathon. He was on pace to run a PR. He happened upon two of the Spaulding Race for Rehab runners training for the 2014 Boston Marathon on the side of the road crying at the 5K mark. It was their first half marathon race. They went out too fast and were feeling overwhelmed. Tom adhered to the runner's code and paced them to the finish line. He was regaled as a hero (although he was humble and honored to help them).  We had a mini-reunion of the 2009 Race for Rehab Team and all celebrated at a restaurant in town.

 

In December of 2014, I sustained a serious knee injury. I was told to prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years and cap my distance at a 5K. By 2015 I was back on the roads having used the mind/body connection and chiropractic care to heal the injury. In January 2016, I ran the Bermuda Half Marathon. We returned to Camp Hyannis in February of 2016 where Tom and I had an amazing 10K. I was also surprised with a table at the Expo where I met runners from the Mystic Valley Running Club. When they saw my Bermuda Half Marathon medal, a group of runners proclaimed, "It's a sign." They had just been talking about having Bermuda Race Weekend on their bucket list!

Camp Hyannis 2020 was a highlight of my journey as a most unlikely runner and motivational speaker. I was invited to speak as a special guest at the pre-race pasta dinner along with Bill Rodgers. I wrote about the experience in my blog, "Embrace the Possibilities". You can also read Parts 1 and 2 that capture the magic of Camp Hyannis; the last event before the pandemic shut everything down.

 

 

 

Hyannis Marathon Weekend came back strong after the pandemic. We are so excited for Camp Hyannis 2026 when I will run the 10K after a 10 year Hyannis Marathon Weekend hiatus. I wonder what other adventures the weekend will bring. One thing I know for sure, I continue to connect the dots in the future from that first Hyannis Marathon Weekend in February 2009.

 

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.

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.

My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Bookshop  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.

 

 

 

  

Into the Light - A Full Circle Moment at the Post Office

Three years later I learned that his name is Tim. 

Ruth Anne's twin brother, Autumn, wasn't feeling well on their 8/7 birthday. We decided to mail him his gifts. We debated which Post Office to go to and since we were in the Coolidge Corner area, decided to ship from there. I immediately recognized the man behind the glass in the small window to the side of the row of clerks. Ruth Anne cheerfully asked him the best way to ship the presents letting him know her twin brother wasn't feeling well and we wanted to get his gifts to him as quickly as possible. While she got the Priority Mail box I asked, "Have you been working here awhile?"

"It seems like forever," he said.

"Do you walk to and from work everyday?"

"Yes," he said with a somewhat puzzled look. 

Ruth Anne knew the story and smiled as I shared with him what happened 3 years ago as we emerged from the pandemic that is included in my book, "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic."

#BeKind21 A Trip to the Post Office – Kindness is Contagious  September 8, 2021

I had my pants and return label ready to go to the Post Office for two days. I took them to the car as being one step closer to actually getting them to the Post Office. After I dropped my daughter off for her acupuncture appointment this morning, Spirit nudgedni me to go to a Post Office that I usually don't go to but that was close to her acupuncturist.

"Stand back there and wait for me to call you," the Postal Service worker barked at the man in front of me. "And make sure you are standing apart behind the blue lines. That's what they are there for."

A man with a passport application angrily walked away from the window mumbling something about filing a lawsuit.

While I wanted to leave and go to the Post Office I usually go to,  I felt the need to stay there.

"You wait there. She was ahead of you."

The gentleman in front of me said he was going to use the automatic machine but quickly returned saying it was out of order. I struck up a conversation with him about how COVID-19 2.0 seems to be leaving everyone feeling irritable. We chatted a bit about vaccines and masks before I shifted the conversation to gratitude. We smiled with our eyes and agreed that while things might seem worse, at some point the tide will turn and it will get better.

As he took his turn at the counter, a short in stature Asian woman came up right behind me in line with her mask beneath her nose. I warmly greeted her in response to her comment that there was not a long line today and asked her to please step behind the blue line for social distancing as the man behind the counter was enforcing the rules today.

"Oh yes yes," she said. "You are absolutely right."

She quickly adjusted her face mask.
The gentleman who had been in front of me turned as he went to leave wishing me a good day.

"Can I help you?" the Postal Service worker asked.

"Oh yes," I said. "I need a lot of help."

"Are you mailing these pants? This box is way too big."

"I'm sorry," I said. "That's why I didn't package it up. I have a prepaid label and a packing slip....You know I would like to just really thank you for your service. I know it's not easy working for the government under the best of circumstances. I worked at the VA for almost 20 years. I can only imagine the challenges you face every day during COVID-19."

"Thank you. Just for that I am going to get this all packaged up for you and not even charge you for the envelope."

"I'm so grateful to you for helping me."

"There's a lot to be grateful for right now...like this weather. I walk to work every day."

While he took care of everything for my package, we chatted for a few more minutes and said goodbye.

As I left, I whispered to my new friend in the line behind me, "Be sure to thank him."

I started walking down the ramp to exit the Post Office and out of the corner of my eye I saw her walk up to the window. She put her whole body and being into saying, "You extraordinary!" I heard him say "Thank you!" and I smiled knowing that the ripples from those Post Office encounters would create a wonderful vibration in my Town and beyond.

David Hamilton has done extensive research and writing on the benefits of kindness including how it is contagious. His blog, ‘How Kindness is Contagious’ is as timely today as it was ten years ago when he wrote it. Last March, David wrote in his blog, "The Most Contagious Thing is Kindness, So while we increase our physical distance to help reduce the likelihood of contagion of coronavirus, let us increase the contagion of kindness instead."

As evidenced by my recent trip to the Post Office, there is an urgent need to increase the contagion of kindness. It all begins with one person. May you be ‘patient zero.’

It was a full circle moment when he helped us get the package shipped. I was wearing my Boston Marathon volunteer jacket and he said how he loved running the Boston Marathon and yes he still walks to work every day. I told him he was in my book. He asked me where he could get it. I told him it was on Amazon and the title of the book.

When I got home, I searched in the manuscript for the story of that day. I took out an author copy, signed it, "Always remember you extraordinary" and put a post it on the page of the story.

Ruth Anne and I returned to the Post Office the next day with book in hand. His eyes filled with tears and asked me what he owed me. I replied, "Nothing. It's a gift!" I finally asked him what his name was.

"Tim. I'm Tim" and we shook hands as he shook his head in disbelief. "Thank you for this," he said. "I'm so glad you came when you did because I was just getting ready to close up." We felt #allthefeels as we left the Post Office with hearts overflowing with light and joy.

If Autumn had not been under the weather on his birthday and if we would have chosen another Post Office, this full circle magical moment would not have happened. It was all meant to be especially during these tumultuous times in our country and the world where we all need the magic of kindness.

If you'd like to learn more about the health benefits of kindness, order David's latest book, "The Joy of Actually Giving a F***" available through his website. 

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 interview with the amazing On the Runs podcast team of Erika Hamel and Eric Knuuttunen is Episode 56. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

On 9/28 I will be at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp for a book signing and inspirational conversation, "Running With Health Challenges as Septuagenerians: Still Moving and Finishing Strong." Details are on the News and Events  Page.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

Ten Years Later - A Full Circle Moment with Marathon Sports

 I received this message from Marathon Sports on my Instagram account:

Hi Mary! I hope you’re having a great start to your week. We would love to share this photo + caption in our newsletter for Mother’s Day - would you be okay with us utilizing your content? Thank you!

Ruth Anne and I were in town the Wednesday before this year's Boston Marathon. "Come on mom. We've got to go into Marathon Sports. It's our Boston Marathon Tradition!"
Me: "Sure okay!"
Me observing woman stacking cowbells in her arms:
"Excuse me. May I ask who you are buying those for?"
Woman: "Sure it's my team. I work for a biomedical company that helps trauma victims with our product. There's a runner who benefited from our product and we're here to cheer him on. He's amazing. He just ran Tokyo."
Me: "Um is that Jared Ewing?"

She was as shocked as we were. Woman: "How do you know him?" 

Ruth Anne: "My mom was on the same podcast as he was - On the Runs. She's a polio survivor and ran the 2009 Boston Marathon."
Her name is Alicia and she had no idea Jared was on the podcast. I told her that my daughter practically pulled me into the store. Alicia said, "Well I was outside but decided to come back in and get the cowbells!"

Yesterday, Ruth Anne was inspired to bring flyers for my upcoming Book Release Party. It's happening two doors down from Marathon Sports at Livite.

The women working there were wow'ed by the flyer and my journey. I got goosebumps to think I was standing in the very spot where I bought my first pair of running shoes - ever - at the age of 53 to train for the 2009 Boston Marathon. It was in February of 2008. I had never run a day in my life, yet my personal trainer was totally non-plussed when I told her my next health and fitness goals were to come out of my toe-up leg brace, to take a walk outside, to feel free in my body, diversify my health and wellness workouts...And as she was getting ready to leave I said, "Wait...I have one more goal!" "What's that?: she asked. "I want to run the Boston Marathon next year for Spaulding Rehab." "Well you are going to need a pair of running shoes." 

 

She sent me to Marathon Sports Brookline where Spencer Aston spent a good half hour helping me to find the right running shoes for my most unusual gait. He even fitted me with an orthotic for my left shoe. So began our relationship with Marathon Sports.

In July of 2008, I ran my first 5 mile road race, the Marathon Sports 5 Miler.

It was an evening race. It was hot and there was a fast field. I wanted to quit. What was I doing and what was I thinking that I could possibly run the 2009 Boston Marathon? But Tom wouldn't let me quit and the support from the Brookline Marathon Sports staff who knew my story were so supportive that I soldiered on through the heat. When I crossed the finish line, the staff blew the air horn and honked the horn on the truck making me feel as though I had broken the finisher's tape!

 

Fast forward to April of 2014 when I approached Brookline Marathon Sports store manager about the possibility of having the book release party for "Coming Home:A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility" at the store. Ellen was all in. She helped to make the evening more memorable than I even imagined it would be as I wrote in my blog, "Everything I Imagined and More."

Thirty people gathered to celebrate the launch of my what I thought would be my one and only book and to support the One Fund. I met Meghan and her mom Maura at a Boston Marathon L Street water stop. Maura, a professional photographer, took these amazing photos:

I've been so blessed to have many adventures as a most unlikely runner as runnergirl 1953 and to chronicle those in my Trilogy of Transformation that includes "Coming Home", "Going the Distance:The Power of Endurance" and "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953." During the pandemic I wrote "Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic" and "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic." "Into the Light" and now "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ Book Club.

Back in April, when Ruth Anne pulled me into Marathon Sports, I had no idea that I was in the middle of a full circle moment about to happen. That's part of the mystery and magic of how the Universe works. Always remember to go where the Universe leads.

When I took that leap of faith on 5/25/2007, I had no idea where the path would lead. The path has led me on the most incredible adventures, meeting the most wonderful and amazing people and having the opportunity to spread a powerful message of healing, hope and infinite possibilities! I never dreamed that instead of being jeered after contracting polio, I would be cheered and celebrated by the running community. I wonder what adventures are in store on and off the roads as I celebrate the spectacular seventies!

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 interview with the amazing On the Runs podcast team of Erika Hamel and Eric Knuuttunen is Episode 56. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

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

***COMING MAY 25, 2024***  "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" Book Release Party 6/3  7-8pm at Livite Brookline in Washington Square