Believe It! Achieve It! The Value in Setting Goals!

 

My initial goal for this year was to get up to the half marathon distance again. I scaled the goal back to running an in-person 10K at the Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K Weekend as I wrote about in "Let The New Training Cycle Begin! - You're Never Too Old!" At the end of my conversation with Bill Burke on The Optimism Institute's Blue Sky podcast, that we recorded in January and dropped this past Wednesday, I shared that my next goal is to get to the half marathon distance again. After listening to our conversation, I whipped out my planner. I can get to 10 miles by the end of the year pacing myself to avoid injury and maximizing my joy. I'll be on a similar training cycle to those taking on the Boston Marathon next year. After I reach double digits again, I'll scale back and focus on training for the Hyannis 10K. After the 10K, I'll take a bit of time to recover and build my mileage back up to 13.1.

In 2021/2022, I had an adverse reaction to the COVID vaccine. It happens! But I told myself that I had not gone that far to only go that far. I set out to conquer the Bermuda Hills in January 2024 during Bermuda Marathon Race Weekend at the age of 70.  I had contracted COVID in December of 2023 and was a DNF. On May 4th I conquered the 10K distance with a Gone for a Run Virtual 10K. I've been enjoying seeing what this body can do with pace and kicking up my distance to 3.5 miles to begin building my base. I am registered for the Hyannis 10K knowing I can go that distance. But why stop there?

As I wrote out my training plan, I felt this sense of joy and determination flood through me. I certainly have nothing to prove at this point in my life. On Christmas Day I will turn 72 years old. I feel a powerful need to keep moving forward and to test the limits of what my body is capable of. I certainly know the power of the mind/body connection; the power of belief in my ability to meet these goals. I embrace the joy of visualizing only success as I build mileage; slow and steady with the emphasis on steady.

What fuels my belief that I can go the distance of a half marathon again? I flash back to January 2016. In December of 2014 I sustained a serious left knee injury. The MRI indicated that I had torn cartilage, bone spurs, a fatty lipoma, degenerative joint disease and scar tissue from previous surgeries. The physiatrist told me that repairing the torn meniscus would provide no benefit. "Oh and that atrophied gastroc muscle? That's been there since polio. There's nothing we can do about that and is part of the reason why your knee is injured and you should stop running." I should prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years. In the meantime, I should stop running (which he knew I would not do) or cap my distance at a 5K. He gave me a referral to a physical therapist. I've always had positive experiences with physical therapists but the Universe had other plans for me. The physical therapist I saw was the worst provider I had ever known BUT I was magically led to a chiropractor who believed in the body's tremendous capacity to heal. While he was in chiropractic training, he was fortunate to have learned from Candace Pert, explorer of the brain, body/mind and beyond. He was a personal trainer as well as a chiropractor healer. He told me I just HAD to read Dr. Joe Dispenza's book, "You Are the Placebo" and watch the movie, "What the bleep do we know..." 

We partnered together to get me back on the roads, heal my left knee with chiropractic, a revamped strength training program and harnessing the mind/body connection through visualization with a practice deeper than I had done before. We grew a new gastroc muscle using KT tape and gastroc strengthening exercises. I went on to run Bermuda Half Marathons in 2016, 2017 and 2018 with the 2016 Hyannis 10K thrown in after I'd run the Bermuda Half in January.

Just look at the joy on my face at the Hyannis 10K Finish Line:

As I write this, I feel that joy stirring in my soul feeling overwhelming gratitude for all that my body has given me through these 18 years since the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. I am up for the challenge. I've learned that if I am going to do any races, there can't be the pressure of having to finish within a certain time.  I'm doing a 2.5 mile fitness walk at the ALS Squirrel Run, volunteering at the BAA 10K and then focusing my energies on executing my training plan. I don't have to be support crew for Ruth Anne who successfully ran the 2025 Boston Marathon. I've honed in on what I need for good self-care after supporting Ruth Anne through her appointments this past year for Functional Neurological Disorder. 

It's new for me to put myself and my priorities first but I know that at this time in my journey, it is vital. And therein lies the value of setting goals. It's for my well-being mind, body and soul. My passion and purpose in my second act is to share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities. My plan is to continue to fuel my belief with memories of all that I have already achieved imagining how all this will feel as it unfolds believing and achieving going the distance of a half marathon for this most unlikely runner. Let's see what this body can do!

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. 

 

Phenomenal Final 5.5 Miler in Afternoon Autumn Splendor

 

Although my plan was to "maintain..maintain..maintain..." I knew I needed to get one more 5.5 miler in the books before I went into my taper mode for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K happening in just two months. This training cycle has flown by!

Two months from today I will be enjoying my victory lap on the beautiful Bermuda 10K course. I have butterflies as I anticipate a day I have diligently trained for since May; a day to spread a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities despite a diagnosis of a progressive neuromuscular disease.

Ruth Anne wanted to join me on this training run. Tom and Ruth Anne's training for the Los Angeles Marathon kicks into high gear. This was the last opportunity for us to share a training run together at my pace. The timing is Divine. As I go into taper mode, Tom and Ruth Anne amp up their training. After Bermuda, I will be able to be support crew for them.

Although afternoon runs are not my favorite time to run, it's how the day played out. I harnessed the power of my mind/body connection telling myself I was going on an after breakfast run. I had a bagel and cream cheese for lunch. The sunshine was brilliant and warmed our faces. It shimmered on the still water of the Reservoir. The golden leaves remaining on the trees glistened as the sunshine peeked through the bare branches. 

We kept a steady, easy pace passing disappointed Boston College Eagles football fans. At halftime they were losing and fickle fans were leaving the Stadium. Ruth Anne had to make a pit stop. The Waterworks Museum doors were locked. We changed direction to have a shorter route to the Boston College Fit Rec Center which we thought would surely be open. It was closed because of game day! Two girls wearing Virginia Tech jackets asked if we would take a picture of them. Ruth Anne shared how her dad works for V-Tech. He'd be delighted they won although Ruth Anne and I are both Eagles.

We had another half lap around the Reservoir before heading back home. Ruth Anne suggested we engage in conversation to keep her distracted from needing to get to a bathroom.  I was surprised to learn that Ruth Anne wanted me to have a new goal so I would have the opportunity to get more fit. I am exhilarated that I have risen to the challenge of training for a 10K again. I feel stronger, more resilient and more determined than ever to conquer the hills in Bermuda. I feel the joy of being off the sidelines again and the thrill of anticipating being a part of Race Weekend. I embrace the discomfort that comes with being out of my comfort zone again after a 5 year hiatus!

Ruth Anne spotted a Portapotty just in time to avoid a #codebrown. Fortunately it was open! I stretched while I waited for her feeling the soreness that comes with training for a 10K. 

That was my final 5.5 miler of this training cycle. I was profoundly grateful for the warm sun and moderate November temperatures. I am hoping the weather will cooperate as I top off my training with easy miles focusing on my mental preparation over this next month and 29 days according to the website's countdown clock. Here is my race day mantra:

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.

Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel to enhance your podcast listening experience!

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.

Imagine - Believe - Achieve

 

"Imagination is everything. It's the preview of life's coming attractions." ~ Albert Einstein

“The body achieves what the mind believes.” ~Napolean Hill

 When I set out on my healing quest 16 years ago, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, my pen became my divining rod for healing writing poetry, harnessing the power of the mind/body connection. I imagined myself running a race although I had never run a day in my life. I imagined myself splashing in puddles without my leg brace and dancing in the rain. In my mind’s eye, I saw myself as happy, healthy, healing, whole and free. The first poem I wrote, “Running the Race,” foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run. Training for the Boston Marathon meant training my mind for success at a sport that was foreign to me. I repeatedly watched the scene in Forrest Gump when he broke out of his leg brace while young Jenny yells “Run Forrest Run!”

 

After a serious knee injury in December 2014, I was told to stop running or cap my distance at a 5K and be prepared for a total knee replacement in a few years. I used various kinds of imagery to heal my left knee and grow a new gastroc muscle, partnering with a chiropractor who used KT taping, and chiropractic care while prescribing a new strength training regimen for me. 

At my comeback race, the Finish at the 50 on Independence Day (the metaphor is not lost on me) we met the Bermuda Marathon Weekend Race Director. It had been on my bucket list to run in Bermuda and then life happened. Tom and I were quickly drawn into the vortex of their delicious Bermudian accents and charming ways. Bermuda was our favorite vacation destination for years! We had made friends on the Island through the Sea and Surf Anglers Club of Boston. Anthony told me that if I could get to the Half Marathon distance, I would enjoy the race more than the 10K which had a very hilly course.

Another half marathon? Why thank you Universe - yes!

As I trained, I visualized a spectacular finish on Front Street. As we'd finish the final moments of our training runs, Tom and I would hold hands and then thrust them high in the air saying "Here comes Team McManus! Welcome back to Bermuda!" There was a photo on the website with finishers posing with the Town Crier. I imagined Tom and me posing for one of those photos.

And as we came into the finish line, the announcer said, "Here come Tom and Mary McManus from Chestnut Hill Massachusetts. Welcome to Bermuda!"

In January of 2024, I will be taking on the Bermuda 10K which is the 2nd race in the Bermuda Triangle Challenge Weekend. Before our Saturday runs, I take out the course map and visualize going mile by mile through the gorgeous Bermuda hills and running by the uniquely blue waters of Bermuda.

 

This past Saturday we did a tempo run around Jamaica Pond. 

Tom and Ruth Anne run at their pace as we run in opposite directions. They are training for the Bay State Half Marathon which is Half Marathon #3 in Ruth Anne's Trilogy of Half Marathons for Victory Programs. We high five and check in with each other as we meet up. I am so blessed and grateful to have such a great team and support crew cheering me on as I take on a new goal. I always make time to stop and savor the beauty of nature around me. At the end of our run, we take selfies and celebrate what we achieved during the training run.

It still feels surreal that I am training again for 10K especially on the Bermuda hills. Throughout this training cycle, I am using the mantra imagine - believe - achieve. Next Saturday I begin to slowly build mileage. I have complete trust in my body's tremendous capacity to heal again after an adverse reaction to the 2nd COVID vaccine and to continue to build strength and endurance despite having once been diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease.

Imagine -- Believe -- Achieve!!!

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.

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 susbscribe 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. Join us on episode 56 for lovely Mary McManus as she shares her remarkable and inspiring story of hope and unimaginable possibilities that she made happen after being diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome and being told she would live the rest of her life in a wheelchair. But at the age of 53, Mary wasn't going to let that happen and she started doing something for the very first time in her life, Run. However before she could start that journey, she needed to get a pair of running shoes first.