Stopping On A Dime!

   

Saturday was the first big change in weather day in weeks with cooler temps and rain. Before Saturday it was a no brainer to just put on either a singlet or t shirt and shorts. Ruth Anne and I went through a deciding what to wear conversation that went something like Hat? No, headband. Could you get out my volunteer jacket? Do I need to put on extra layer? Then the conversation turned to where should we go? Ordinarily when it's raining, we go out the door or no farther than Jamaica Plain. In our infinite wisdom, we decided to go to Castle Island. The rain and wind picked up on our drive there. We mentally dialed in. 

As we were preparing to leave the car I said, "Here let me put my hood up." As I tried to reach for the hood there was none. I started laughing nervously. Ruth Anne grabbed my Boston Marathon jacket which is the same colors as  the volunteer jacket. She felt awful and I told her it was an honest mistake.  "Should we only do 2 miles instead of a 5K?" Ruth Anne asked.

"No," I said with great confidence. "We'll be fine!" We'd done many longer runs in wind and rain so a 5K was totally manageable.

We tuned out the weather and tuned into breathing in the sea air, feeling the awe of Mother Nature especially as she churned the ocean's waters.

As we went over the bridges to run the Sugar Bowl (IYKYK) the rain pelted our faces as the wind picked up. We started to sing because well what else are you gonna do? We shared an indescribable joy in our strength and resilience braving the elements. I felt strong and determined to keep a steady pace while pausing to take photos and document this adventure.

At mile 1, I paused to hydrate knowing how important it is to stay well hydrated despite cooler temps and rain. "Hmm, this has a funny taste to it." We both started laughing so hard! Ruth Anne had prepared the water bottles and remembered it wasn't completely rinsed out after she had a Nunn tablet during her last long run.

Note that Ruth Anne's headband is inside out! We didn't realize it until we looked at the photos after our run! For some reason, my Garmin has been tracking pace and not the mileage. "We're at 1.55," Ruth Anne said. We wondered if perhaps we shouldn't go back over the bridges since the wind wouldn't be as strong on lower ground but Ruth Anne was determined to go the same route.

All of a sudden I stopped and paused my Garmin. "Mom are you okay? ... What are you doing?" 

 

"Is that a dime?" I asked Ruth Anne. I wasn't wearing my glasses because of the rain.

"Yes. Come on. We gotta keep going!"

I bent down and picked up the dime. I was a bit unsteady between going at a fast pace and being buffeted by wind and rain but I was drawn to the dime. Finding dimes when I am on a run holds special significance for me. FDR is on the dime because during his presidency he vowed to eradicate  polio. Eddie Cantor, a radio personality, suggested that people send in their change to the President. There was an influx of dimes and the money was used to support research into the polio vaccine. He also founded the March of Dimes to support those who contracted polio. I was one of those who was able to benefit from the support of the March of Dimes. I could never go out and play in the rain or mud puddles given my physical limitations due to polio coupled with severe trauma. But, as Tony Robbins likes to say, it's never too late to have a happy childhood. The poem, "Come Out and Play" was written after I had a dream shortly after the diagnosis. I dreamed that I came out of my leg brace and was splashing in the puddles a la Gene Kelly in Dancing in the Rain!

 Ruth Anne and I laughed a hearty belly laugh at how I looked stopping my run and staring at the ground without communicating what I was doing. I told her "Wait a sec. I gotta see the date." "No put that dime away, we've gotta finish this thing."

And so I did and so we did.

We cranked up the heat in the car putting our jackets and headbands in the back seat. We had an amazing feeling of accomplishment for having the courage to start and then finishing our 5K. Ruth Anne checked the date on the dime. It was 2022. That was the year that the mother of Ruth Anne's best friend with whom I was very good friends made her transition. We've been experiencing a lot of signs from her.

"Yup that was Carol," Ruth Anne said.

On the drive home we reminisced about Carol and the special times Ruth Anne shared when she'd spend time at her best friend's house. We were both very happy that I decided to stop on a dime in the midst of wind and rain to remember an old friend and to experience a hearty laugh!

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.

Two Pennies and a Dime!

 Despite getting up and out of the door early for Saturday's four mile run, the heat and humidity was intense as we ran around the Route 9 Reservoir. We slowed our pace, made sure we hydrated and fueled but by mile 3, I hit a wall. A big wall! My thoughts were "How will I ever be able to do another 3.2 miles in Bermuda. I am running on relatively flat ground. Bermuda has hills on the 10K Course." I quickly reeled in those thoughts along with all the fears that reared up about not finishing before the finish line closed and told myself to be in the mile I was in. When we finished the four miles, I thought "See it's only another 2.2 miles. You've got this and look at your pace. Even in the heat and humidity, you were well under the pace you need to finish before the finish line closes." 

While Tom and Ruth Anne finished their training run on the road to Half Marathon #3 for Ruth Anne's fundraiser for Victory Programs, I reflected on the Virtual First Run 5K on January 1st. During my training, I focused on maintaining regular running and strength training workouts, rekindling my joy of running and preparing for a 5K. I took the week off before I did the Virtual 5K focusing on strength training and on 'race day', I nailed a pace I had not seen in a very long time. I loved challenging myself as the only competitor and was thrilled to see the results on the race's website. I finished several places ahead of the last runner. 

Saturday's date was July 15th. It was the birthday of our dear friend, Herb Simmons who introduced us to Bermuda and the 7 month anniversary of when our cat Jamie had crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. On our way to lunch at Joe Pace and Sons, we found a 2023 penny. Tom, Ruth Anne and I all agreed that it was a sign that 2023 is the year of Team McManus. As we got closer to the restaurant, there was another penny dated 2006, the year Ruth Anne graduated from High School. Commencement - new beginnings - and celebrating where we are today!

Our friend Joe who we knew from when we went to Joe Pace and Sons in the North End when I worked at the VA,  took time to lovingly prepare our sandwiches. We sat outside, seeing the water of Boston Harbor and savoring every bite of our well earned sandwiches. We took recovery naps when we got home as I continued to transform any fear or doubts into imagining the magic of race weekend giving thanks for the signs from Herb and Jamie reminding me to tap into Source and all I have been able to create in my life.

Set alarm - Rise early - run - repeat! 

High humidity and warm temperatures were once again on tap for Monday. After a meditation, we grabbed our water bottles from the fridge that we freeze and defrost in the fridge overnight, and headed out the door for magical morning miles at the Cleveland Circle Reservoir.

We make sure to express our gratitude for the blessing of a new day and the gift of running in our lives. I always feel light with a before breakfast run as I feel the light blessing a new day and a new week.

As we headed home, I saw what looked like a dime in the street. Making sure there were no cars, I went over and sure enough, there was a dime!

I felt goosebumps to reflect on the significance of a dime beyond it validating my new goal of the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K in January. FDR, a polio survivor, and champion of the March of Dimes campaign to fund research for polio is on the dime. Citizens sent dimes to the White House to support his campaign to end polio. Jonas Salk became a March of Dimes grantee and his vaccine ultimately led to the eradication of polio in the US. 

This is the 2nd time we have found a dime and two cents since I made the commitment to train for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K:

We found the first dime and two pennies in Falmouth in May. Herb also introduced us to the beauty and joy of Falmouth and Martha's Vineyard shortly after I had reconstructive leg surgery in 1992. Herb made his transition on July 10, 2010 (more 10's) and although he left the physical realm, he continues to let me know he is with me blessing every step of my journey on the road to the Bermuda 10K along with other angels who have woven together my beautiful tapestry of life. 

I look forward to relatively cooler runs with a renewed sense of optimism and faith on the road to the Bermuda 10K!

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  Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheRuns to enhance your podcast listening experience!