Running on Optimism

 

Ever since I set out on a quest to heal my life from the once ravaging effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma, I have focused on optimism; knowing that harnessing my faith, my determination, an attitude of optimism and harnessing the power of the mind/body connection, I would be able to heal and transform my life.

Tom and I went on an early morning run on Thursday. Ruth Anne who has lived with an autoimmune condition called PANS, had a flair of her condition last week. When this happens, her brain becomes inflamed, her judgment impaired and she needs antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds. Unfortunately, she presents with psychiatric symptoms as well. It's not a very well known condition and we have had to educate all providers about it. We are so grateful to an organization called ASPIRE that I found in 2019 after her last hospitalization and what we had hoped would have been her last hospitalization. After re-watching one of the most comprehensive videos about PANS by Dr. Craig Shimaski, we realized that PANS can have a relapsing remitting nature to it. 

It would be so easy to collapse under the strain of it all. Ruth Anne and I were featured in an article in the BC News about how we use running and be of service to the community in our healing journey. Running has been our therapy so I knew that I needed to get out the door and get on a run. Ruth Anne persuaded me in May to take on the challenge of the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. She said she was heartbroken that we hadn't trained for any races together since the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon. My prayer is that my ongoing journey of transformation gives her hope and inspiration during this challenging time.

It was a beautiful cool morning with low humidity and glorious sunshine:

I hadn't posted anything on Facebook other than Ruth Anne was feeling under the weather with the hope that she would quickly clear with proper treatment. We hadn't heard from her or the social worker saying that she gave consent for us to have communication with her team. When we first set out on the run, I experienced a lot of fearful thoughts filled with what if's. Seeing the radiant sunshine and the beautiful water of the Reservoir, I thought about holding a space for a miracle of healing and remembered the above quote about optimism.

I also reflected on Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote:

One time Bill Rodgers said to me, "Life is tough yeah! That's why we run!"

Saturday is 4.5 miles -- the longest distance I have run since Team McManus trained for the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon. You better believe that I will be running on optimism!

 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!

Running for Victory

 

Last August, Ruth Anne declared that she was going to run a Trilogy of Half Marathons for Victory Programs with a fundraising goal of $10,000. Tom and I were a bit startled at first since she had just raised $8000 by running the 2022 Providence Half Marathon but I knew deep in my soul this was something that was important to her. You can read more of the back story in a recent article by Boston College by following this link. It also shares how our running journeys intertwined 17 years ago when I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome.

The initial plan was to run the Newburyport Half Marathon in October, either the Hyannis or New Bedford Half in March and finish with the Providence Half in May.

Newburyport brought Ruth Anne a new Half Marathon PR. Tom wasn't able to run because he was still recovering from Providence in May. The Hyannis Half was on the weekend of our 45th Wedding Anniversary. They were trained, poised and ready to run New Bedford when we discovered there was a strict 3 hour time limit. Fortunately the race director reimbursed our registration fee. Tom and Ruth Anne registered for the Bay State Half in October.

It was an odd training cycle for Providence. They had a great base for running the Half and we had to balance maintaining pace and endurance with the extended time of training for Providence. About a month ago, while on one of their last long training runs, Tom tripped and fell bruising his ribs! 

We went back and forth with what to do. We initially settled on going to Providence with Tom and I cheering on Ruth Anne. Two weeks ago, I could sense Ruth Anne was unsettled about Providence. She didn't want to run the race without Tom but knew that driving, packing and unpacking while his ribs were still healing would not be a good idea. We both were inspired to have them change to the Virtual Race.

Tom was still hurting and struggling with his runs. He increased his stretching and had several more visits with his Sports Acupuncturist, George Leung. We went back and forth with whether or not Tom would do a 5K with me and we'd be support crew for Ruth Anne, we'd all do a 5K together and then Ruth Anne would run her race or Tom and Ruth Anne would run together with me doing a 5K and being support crew.  Tom is also passionate about supporting the individuals running their marathons of healing and recovery, had been trained until his little fall and loves running side by side, stride by stride with Ruth Anne.

We got up at 6:15am, meditated, had breakfast and set an intention for happy, healthy and safe running! We decided that Tom and Ruth Anne would do their 5 minute warm up with me and then get into their race pace mode. Since it was virtual there was no time pressure (which Tom felt last year at the in person race and how he started cramping at mile 11.) Rather than wait until Tom's body said "I need to walk," they used the Galloway Method of walking and running. There was a wonderful breeze off of the Reservoir along with stretches of shade. Our friends running in Providence posted about the record breaking heat. There were hills and little shade. I am always in awe of how things turn out for the best.

As I did my 5K, I took photos and cheered them on.

 

 

Ruth Anne and Tom texted me with updates of how well they were doing. They had rest rooms available and places to refill their water bottles. I made sure they had adequate fuel in their fuel belts and reminded them to take their nutrition at regular intervals.

Ruth Anne took photos to capture the beauty of the day as well as how strong Tom looked and felt on the 13.1 journey.

I met them back at the Reservoir to take a video of them coming into the 'finish line':

THEY DID IT!

Tom and Ruth Anne felt amazing after their epic accomplishment. It was Ruth Anne's 3rd Half Marathon in a year. She has raised almost $15,000 to support Victory Programs life saving work. They have one more Half Marathon to go in October and would LOVE to see that tote board climb to over $10,000. Follow this link to make a donation.

They ran with a sense of determination and purpose today overcoming obstacles along the way; running for those running their marathons of healing and recovery with the compassionate and caring staff of Victory Programs.

Two down and one to go! Running for Victory!

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my website at  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