Breaking The Finisher's Tape

It wasn’t the distance we trained for and it wasn't exactly the place
but Tom and I still had a wonderful celebratory race!

Last Friday, Tom and I took a drive to South Boston to scope out how the roads and sidewalks were after the Blizzard. We had first driven along Heartbreak Hill and the Carriage Road. There was a lot of snow, slush and ice with very narrow pavement on which to run. We knew there would be many runners training for Boston out on the Hills. Although there was some snow, slush and ice in Southie to navigate, there were clear open sidewalks.  Since Hyannis Marathon Weekend was cancelled, Tom and I had our own celebration with a fabulous 5K in South Boston. Our joy, gratitude and reasons to celebrate could not be cancelled! As part of our mental training, I've shared how we visualized crossing the finish line in celebration of: Tom's 74th birthday on 3/2 and the 49th anniversary of when we met on a blind date, our 48th wedding anniversary on March 4th and 20 years of my healing after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. Nothing could dampen the celebration.

 

Given the stress of the Blizzard of 2026 and needing to navigate around ice and snow, we opted for a celebratory 5K. Spectacular ocean views, sunshine, blue sky, comfortable temperatures despite a headwind going out and being together unplugged out in nature filled our hearts with gratitude.

 

 

When we stopped to take our selfie, a woman with a beautiful golden retriever asked us if she could take our photo. We initially declined since she was walking her dog, but she insisted. Her dog obediently sat when she told him, "sit." We love the photo she took and expressed our heartfelt gratitude to her for her kindness.

 

 We had so much fun pushing the pace while taking in the sights, scents and sounds of Nature as she gets ready for Spring in Boston. We reminisced, we laughed and at times got overwhelmed with emotion reflecting back on our life together. When we first met, Tom was working as a dishwasher to put himself through school. I worked as an administrative assistant. We had absolutely no support from our families of origin. For our Anniversary this year, I told Tom I would like a new Farberware pot and tea kettle.  During our run I shared with Tom that when we first met we didn't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of. Now we have a new pot and an amazing home in Brookline that is almost paid for. We reminisced about jobs we had, places we lived (which incidentally have been within a 5 mile radius of our first apartment) and how frightening and devastating the Post-Polio Syndrome diagnosis had been. Every chance I get, I let Tom know how deeply grateful I am that he said it was a no brainer for me to take a leap of faith and leave behind a regular paycheck and benefits so I could heal. We remembered the white knuckle moments of financial stress and strain not only with my diagnosis but when he had gotten laid off from a tech company the day before he had surgery for bladder cancer. We got in touch with how blessed we are and how our strength, resilience, determination, sense of humor, and our love for one another always got us through the challenges.

 

The miles seemed to fly by especially since we were well trained for a 10K distance. For someone who was supposed to be in a wheelchair, I ran pretty fast. As we approached the 'finish line' at our car, we joined hands and raised our hands high feeling unbridled joy and exhilaration. I had often shared with Tom that I imagined Race Director Paulie Collyer and Bill Rodgers holding the finisher's tape in Hyannis as we crossed the finish line since, in all likelihood, I'd be the first 72 year old mobility impaired runner to cross the finish line. I felt as though I broke the finisher's tape on Saturday's run.

 

On the car ride to Stoked Pizzeria for post-race fueling, I looked up the Age Grading for our time. My Age-graded pace was a14:40 min/mile and that includes having to navigate slush, snow and ice on the sidewalk. After a delicious white veggie pizza, we came home and rested until it was time to get ready to go to Legal Sea Foods for a celebratory dinner. 

 

I was so ready for a Sunday rest day but on Monday it was back to before breakfast strength training.

 

What a great way to celebrate Tom's birthday and the 49th anniversary of when we met. We cranked up the playlist as we amped up the strength training now that our training cycle is over! Tom took the day off from work. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and time just hanging out together. We returned to Legal Sea Foods for a birthiversary (Tom''s birthday and the anniversary of when we met) lunch. Amy, the manager, who had seen us on Saturday commented that we were back so soon. We told her what we were celebrating. She wanted to give us a complimentary dessert but since Tom and I are mindful about our sugar intake, and we did indulge in New York Cheesecake on Saturday night, we declined. I told her that Tom was having an Americano for dessert and she said she would be happy to take that off our bill. It was a perfect ending to our training cycle and celebratory weekend.

 

On March 4th, we crossed the starting line of a new year of our life together. We have a New York City adventure planned in April to see Hamilton. I've been wanting to go to the West Bank Cafe which Tom D'Angora, a Facebook friend, Fanilow and incredible human now owns. I'll be crossing that off of my bucket list. We will continue to maintain our health and fitness schedule while giving ourselves time to recover from a rigorous and challenging training cycle through a brutal winter. We feel incredibly accomplished, grateful for all our bodies gave us and all we gave to our bodies throughout our training. I'm relishing in the after glow of breaking the finisher's tape celebrating 20 years of healing and a life created with my bestie and soul mate. 

 

I run with courage and heart glistening with grace
and after twenty years I am still running my own race. 

 

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** 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.

My Trilogy of Transformation chronicles my journey from having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair with the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards to a woman transformed through the sport of running. Take a journey into a world of healing, hope and possibilities with my 7 books, available on Amazon. My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club and Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reading for Every Runner. You will be inspired by my strength, courage, resilience, determination and overcoming the inevitable setbacks that come with a journey to health and wellness. 

 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.

 

Reach out to me at maryamcmanus@gmail.com if you'd like me to speak to your organization or group to inspire them with what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary; how one finds strength, resilience and determination in the face of seemingly impossible odds.

 

Running on Thanksgiving

 

Shortly after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, I began a gratitude practice. I wrote poetry about gratitude and kept a gratitude journal. On Thanksgiving Eve we read all the post-its from our gratitude jar that we started in January. We shared laughter and tears. What a great way to kick off the long holiday weekend. 

Tom and I got up early on Thanksgiving to get our miles in before breakfast. It was a spectacular morning and we expressed deep gratitude for the blessings in our lives; especially the gift of running. 

 

We had not done a before breakfast run in quite awhile since the seasons changed. I savored my late morning breakfast after putting in the turkey and starting the gravy. We gave thanks for our beautiful home, the bounty of food and the love of our family that is strong and resilient having weathered so many storms during the past year. There were hugs, tears, laughter and joy as we spent several hours around the dinner table.

 

We did early birthday celebrations since Autumn is on call during Christmas week. Michelle's birthday is December 15th.

The weather was gorgeous and we enjoyed an after dinner walk through the neighborhood while Autumn and Ruth Anne shared childhood memories with Michelle.

On Friday, we went to Cape Cod to have a reunion with Tom's cousin Kathy. We used to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas afternoons at Kathy's house sharing dessert and quality family time. Since the pandemic, we realize how precious and fragile life can be. Despite going to the Cape for years, we had never been to the Cape Cod Canal where Kathy suggested we meet.

After breaking bread together and expressing our deepest gratitude that we were able to gather together in love, laughter and tears, Ruth Anne went for a run along the Cape Cod Canal.  We bathed in spectacular sunshine and temperatures warmer than usual for November.

Tom had to work on Saturday. Ruth Anne partnered with me for a fabulous 5K as I count down to the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. It was our first run of the season where we were greeted with a blast of cold air when we opened the door! I earned the Frosty Badge from Garmin for doing a workout in below freezing temperatures. Ruth Anne shared her excitement with me for the Fast 5 and Tough Ten Mile Turkey Trot she was racing on Sunday. Her excitement was infectious. She would pick up the pace when she imagined how it was going to feel to run her favorite race again. I had to remind her that I was going into taper mode so we had to keep an eye on the pace. We ended up doing negative splits anyway. Ruth Anne was supportive and encouraging letting me know that she would be with us in spirit on Bermuda race day while she enjoys time in Nashville with her bestie from college.

Our 87 year old neighbor is the first one to put up outdoor decorations on the Friday after Thanksgiving:

It always gives us a boost during winter running and reminds us of the reason for the season.

We wrapped up our Thanksgiving weekend with Ruth Anne running one of our favorite races. The entry fee is 15 nonperishable food items to restock the food pantry in Marlboro, Mass. We ran the Tough Ten Mile Turkey Trot in 2008 when we were training for the 2009 Boston Marathon. Ruth Anne and Tom ran the race two more times. Ruth Anne and I reminisced about our time out on the course and I felt how strong and confident I felt navigating those tough ten miles. I expressed gratitude to my body for all it has given me during these past 17 years.  This year, they had a time limit for the ten miler but offered a five fast mile option. Ruth Anne trained hard during the three weeks leading up to the race; no easy feat since she was going through a lot of health challenges. We got up at 6:00am on Sunday to ensure plenty of time for pre-race "necessities" including making sure there was bathroom time. There was no traffic and we easily found our way to the race after many years. We dropped off our nonperishable items, took pre-race photos and stayed warm in the car.

Ruth Anne absolutely crushed those hills with an 11:00 minute/mile pace. What a thrill to be support crew and watch her finish strong! 

 

Our hearts swelled with gratitude for a perfect ending to a Thanksgiving weekend fueled by running and gratitude running on Thanksgiving!

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.

The First Half of the Year in Review

 

,
One of my Facebook friends suggested that instead of New Year's Resolutions, we write out Guidelines to Live by for the New Year. As this half of the new year comes to a close, it's a fitting time to take a look back at my intentions and see how the year is progressing.

Guidelines to Live By for 2023:
Open my heart to infinite possibilities.  By doing so, I somehow managed to manifest a return trip to Bermuda in January of 2024 and I registered and am training for the Bermuda 10K after a long hiatus from running events.

Gratitude for all my blessings. We have a gratitude jar overflowing with post its on which we have written what we are grateful for

Choose faith over fear.   During my meditations, when I notice fear and a clutch in my gut, I move my attention from the clutch to my heart. I've been using mantras such as all is well and in Divine Order or look to the skies or nature to feel the powerful connection to Source.

Expand and create - I am working on my next book and I have completely redesigned/reworked my website

Feel joy. Remembering that my natural state is joy, I allow joy to permeate my expressions of gratitude

Harness the power of mood shifters.  Music, reading, movement, enjoying nature help me to shift out of a low vibration and being conscious that I always have a choice to choose my thoughts wisely

Connect with like hearted souls. WOW - This one manifested and is manifesting BIG TIME with the On the Runs podcast squad and guests and with Mike Reilly's Stories From the Finish Line and podcast. Ruth Anne and I were featured in a Boston College news piece about our running and fundraising journeys. She is going back to finish her Masters Certificate and I've connected with many wonderful Boston College Eagles. We cherish our friendships through the years while building an ever expanding network of wonderful people to share this journey we call life! We have also met amazing people through Ruth Anne's fundraiser, A Trilogy of Half Marathons for Victory Programs.

Go on a trip. On January 1, I set the intention to go on a trip with absolutely no inkling of the how, where, why or when. One day in April, Ruth Anne decided to see if there were direct flights to Bermuda for race weekend.

Celebrate life’s moments big and small. Every day in every way! We will be celebrating the twins 36th birthday in person. Tom and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary with a decadent cake and Skype-ing with our son and daughter in law since there was a winter storm. My 70th birthday celebration will be Bermuda Race Weekend.

Carpe diem. When you find out there are direct flights available to Bermuda for race weekend and if you stay longer, the air fares are much lower, you just seize the day and book the flights then reach out to the Race weekend host hotel to find out that the rates are incredibly low! Deposit given! We've also done spontaneous day trips to Cape Cod.

Be grateful. For everything big and small. I've made a conscious effort to focus on being grateful for the challenges and difficult days knowing there is always a treasure to be found.

Make time for meditation and self care. Every.single.day!

Break the sound barrier of once perceived limitations - Yup - all registered for and training for the Bermuda 10K with sights on another half that doesn't have a time limit!

Let go of control and lean into whatever may be happening. Every day in every way I am working on this and being compassionate to myself while I work on this which brings me to my last guideline...

Replace judging thoughts with thoughts of tenderness and kindness--for myself and others while Tom, Ruth Anne and I remind each other of replacing judgment with compassion.

I am thrilled to look back at these intentions and see what has manifested in my life during the first half of the year. My heart overflows with gratitude for all that has come to pass and all that is yet to come. 

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 which has links to the latest articles and interviews.

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 Youtube Channel.

The Enchanted Village With Voices of Hope

 

One of the greatest gifts of 2021 was reconnecting with the Voices of Hope Boston family. Their live performances were cancelled due to the pandemic. They started a podcast in March of 2021. I reached out and asked if, given my experience through the polio pandemic and, having released Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic, they would like me to be a guest on The Cardinal Cafe podcast. While we had been going to their live shows for many years, it was not until the pandemic and being a guest on their podcast  that we wove together a tapestry of a deep friendship.

One of my traditions growing up in Westchester, was to go into New York City during the holiday season. It was a tradition that stopped once Boston became my home. When my mom died on Christmas Eve in 1997, family and friends gathered in New York for her memorial service. It was the twins first trip into New York City. We'd been back to visit at other times of the year but this year was the first year we went back during the holidays.

The trip was inspired by Voices of Hope Boston plan to support Sean Allan Krill and the reopening of Jagged Little Pill. It was a magical trip. I am so thrilled that I put aside my concerns about wearing a mask indoors for long period of time to experience the kick off of the holiday season in New York.

One of our big holiday traditions when the twins were growing up was to go into Boston to see The Enchanted Village, the windows at Filenes and Jordan Marsh and take home a box of Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins. When Tom ran the 2011 Boston Marathon for Childrens Hospital, the kick off party was at The Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture in Avon. There was no Enchanted Village last year and when Eliot was interviewed on The Cardinal Cafe podcast, he wasn't sure if it would be back this year. There was some banter about the possibility of Voices of Hope performing if the Enchanted Village returned but at the time, the future was uncertain as Eliot explained the pros and cons of reopening his store.

When we saw that Voices of Hope would be singing carols at The Enchanted Village on 12/18 and 12/19 we just knew we had to go. Dana greeted us with her signature bear hug and we were enthralled to hear our friends performing LIVE again!

 

We were planning to go to only hear our beloved VoH but the lines moved quickly and Ruth Anne took charge to lead us into a time honored tradition. 

Here is Ruth Anne all grown up experiencing the joy and delight she once knew when she was a little girl:

Scenes from The Enchanted Village:

I may have cried just a little when the song, "White Christmas" came on and snow started falling around us as I remembered taking my kids to The Enchanted Village when they were little. I felt the nostalgia of the scene with Eliot and the old board games and the free standing TV's in their wooden consoles. I felt the tears of joy and gratitude for dear friends and being able to experience the holiday season this year. It is truly amazing how the pandemic has intensified my feelings of gratitude and appreciation.

As we left the Village, we were told that the exit was upstairs. I thought that to be a wee bit odd since we entered the Village on the ground floor.

We walked through all the different furniture departments. Tom and Ruth Anne had done their 8 mile run on the road to the Providence Marathon for Victory Programs and I had done a 5K. We spotted an Exit sign with stairs that would have taken us back to the first floor near the front of the store but Tom asked a salesman how to get to The Enchanted Village. We followed the signs but ended up back at the stairs where there was no entrance! We had a record number of steps for the day!

We explained our situation to a lovely woman with a Jordan's t-shirt on and she took us through the employees only door and voila - we were back with our Voices of Hope family. We hugged so tightly and wished each other Merry Christmas while listening to one last song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Children with their winter jackets trimmed with fur wearing their little masks listened with wide eyed wonder. A new generation would begin their holiday tradition with The Enchanted Village and Voices of Hope Boston just might have a new caroling tradition for their group.

Prior to heading to Jordan's we agreed that since Tom and Ruth Anne (and by proxy me) were in marathon training that we would forego getting the Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins but there were boxes stacked tall at the exit/entrance to the store and the smell wafted through the air. We couldn't resist!

Ahhh ... the power of advertising on the radio hearing Eliot say, "...and while you are there don't forget to bring home a box of those delicious Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins made with the same recipe..."

Ruth Anne, Tom and I relished every bite when we got home knowing that the joy we experienced was far more important than the calories in the muffin!

What a joy to rekindle McManus family traditions while celebrating with our friends.

Here's to traditions old and new and being able to celebrate life to the fullest!

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon