A Joy Shared...

 Last Thursday morning was the first time in 7 weeks that we went on an early morning run and Ruth Anne was home from the hospital. She stayed at home to do strength training and went on a run later in the day. I felt joy and gratitude swell from deep within my heart and soul as I saw the sunrise over the Reservoir.

Tom and I reflected on the past 7 weeks and all the people who prayed, sent emails, texts and commented on Facebook posts just when we needed an extra boost of support and faith. Our friends were incredibly in tune with our journey. We rejoiced in knowing that Ruth Anne was safe at home doing her strength training. I expressed my gratitude that I was able to share miles with Ruth Anne after she was discharged on Tuesday.

 It's truly incredible how the things we so often take for granted like going out on a run with a loved one becomes a sacred experience. We weren't sure about the outcome of the hospitalization. We held onto faith and hope. 

There was an incredible outpouring of joy in social media when Ruth Anne announced her homecoming. The joy was multiplied as we responded to all of the comments that reflected how much love surrounds Team McManus. During those very dark times, the grief was divided and diminished in the light of others hearts that poured out love and support.

On Saturday, we had our first run together in 8 weeks as Team McManus. Ruth Anne was so supportive and encouraging of my training for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. It was as though we picked up where we left off yet so much had changed. The love that we share was rekindled. We talked about compassion and forgiveness for the treatment team and how everything happened as only it could because that's how it happened. We took a lot of photos to celebrate healing and appreciating the healing power of nature:

On the run, Ruth Anne decided that she wasn't going to travel to Bermuda with us. She feels it would be too much to experience the excitement of travel right now, is getting ready to finish her Masters Certificate next semester at Boston College and wants to get a dog sooner rather than later. We planned to get a dog after we returned from Bermuda since we wouldn't want to leave so soon after bringing new pet into our home. Ruth Anne said she will be thrilled to have the time to bond with our newest family member. Wonderful conversations and clarity come during 5 fabulous miles!

Tom and Ruth Anne are fired up to run the Bay State Half Marathon on October 15th. They are going to run with their heart as Ruth Anne wraps up her Trilogy of Half Marathons for Victory Programs. She raised $10,500 during this amazing fundraising campaign.

This is a photo from Ruth Anne's 3 mile tempo run on Thursday.

It is a magnificent miracle to be in the brilliant sunshine after 7 weeks of stormy tumultuous times. Running and the amazing friends we have met through running along with family helped us to weather one of the most challenging times in the life of Team McManus. My heart went from being broken to full and overflowing with gratitude. The grief diminished as people touched our hearts with an outpouring of love and prayers, neighbors stopping by with hugs and encouraging words during Ruth Anne's hospitalization. Our dear 86 year old neighbor kept saying, "This will all happen in God's timing." The joy of Ruth Anne's homecoming was multiplied sharing it with our neighbors, and through social media posts. Here's to many many more blessed miles of health and well-being for Team McManus.

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 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.

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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.

Be sure to also subscribe to their YouTube channel

The Hills Are Alive!

 

Last Saturday,  February 18th, marked 58 days until the Boston Marathon 2023. After not experiencing Boston for two years during the pandemic, in the days leading up to the Boston Marathon, there is a deeper sense of gratitude and exhilaration. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombings. We were so blessed to have been able to evacuate from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Boston where we were celebrating our 2009 Boston Marathon run with the Race for Rehab Team. There is a heightened awareness of this anniversary throughout social media and in the energy on the Newton Hills.

It was only in the 20's Saturday morning when we got up to get our Saturday run on. We've been spoiled by this winter's mild temperatures. Rather than risking a brisk wind around the Reservoir, we decided to go to the Newton Hills. Even though we got a late start, there were many runners out on the Hills training for Boston and their energy ignites something deep within me. Although my endurance running days are behind me, I am able to fire up the feelings of when I ran Boston in 2009 and went on to run three Bermuda Half Marathons in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Since Ruth Anne's next Half Marathon isn't until May, Half Marathon #2 in her Trilogy of Half Marathons for Victory Programs, she wanted to run with me for the first 3 miles of her 6 mile run. 

She helped me to push my pace as we felt invigorated and exhilarated being out on the Hills. We passed the Dreamfar Team in training and saw Charity Teams' water stops.

Right before the Johnny Kelley Statue, we saw these photos:

We recalled the time we were coming back from Puerto Rico in January of 2009. We needed a break from training in the brutal New England cold. What were the chances that Ruth Anne would strike up a conversation with the two people sitting next to her on our return flight home, bemoaning how there was another storm on the way and we had 18 miles on the training plan for Boston. It was Johnny's nephew Tom Kelley and his wife Dottie. We became instant friends and exchanged information. A few weeks later we received this letter along with an Adidas poster that Johnny signed that now graces our living room.

We have so many joyous memories of our running adventures and have been blessed to meet so many amazing people through the sport of running. 

We spotted Dominic Herard who we met at a race several years ago in Rhode Island. We continued the friendship in social media and in real life. During the pandemic we kept talking about how we eagerly anticipated hugs on Heartbreak Hill again. A few weeks ago I met up with him on the Hills and today he embraced Team McManus. Of course we had to take a selfie:

He finished his run and we finished 3 miles back at our car. Tom and Ruth Anne went on to do their 3 miles at their pace. I hydrated, refueled and stretched basking in the glow of a great run. I felt a deep sense of joy and freedom embracing the cold air grateful for the glorious sunshine.

I read, and texted with Tom and Ruth Anne munching on pretzels. I delighted at the sound of runners' feet and their conversations as they passed the car. I reflected on how deeply grateful and blessed I am for the miracle of healing in my life.  I felt freedom and joy coursing through my cells knowing how every step is a gift, every mile is a blessing wondering what would my life have been like had I succumbed to the diagnosis and prognosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. What if I wouldn't have answered the call to run the 2009 Boston Marathon? I would have missed out on so much of life and meeting people who have become like family.  

I would have to say that since the pandemic, there is a unique energy surrounding training runs and races. There is a special sense of unity and familiarity among runners. We share in each other's triumphs and support each other through the tough miles that life inevitably brings.

The Newton Hills are alive once more as we countdown to the Boston Marathon. Being a part of the running community fuels my sense of vibrancy and being fully alive able to tackle the uphill climbs in life while feeling the joy of whisking through the downhills with ease.

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.

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

 

What is .... Synchronicity?

 

I was getting ready to log off of Facebook last night when I saw that I was tagged in a post:

Thank you, Mary McManus, for sharing your amazing story. Because of you, I got final Jeopardy. This morning I woke up to a Facebook message from another friend: "I knew the answer to final jeopardy last night because of you. The answer was post-polio syndrome. Oddly enough, none of the contestants got it correct."

After seeing what my friends were talking about, I posted this as my Facebook status:

When you are celebrating 15 years of healing on 5/25 and last night's Final Jeopardy! answer was:

Mary: (quick on the buzzer) What is synchronicity?

Correct!

 

I am in awe of how the Universe works reminding me that there is a wonderful benevolent Source of intelligence that sends us nudges to remind us to open our hearts and be in the flow of life.

 

Throughout these past 15 years, I've been touched by grace through powerful synchronicity. One of my favorite stories involves the woman who tagged me in the Jeopardy post: {From The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953}:

 

That’s Why We Are the Greatest Sport            Camp Hyannis 2016

 

“It’s a sign!” a group of runners exclaimed as they walked by my table at the Hyannis Race Expo.  

 

They picked up my medal from the Bermuda Half Marathon.

 

“We were just talking about how we have to run Bermuda. We are putting it on our bucket list.”

 

The Mystic Runners from Wakefield, Massachusetts were deeply moved by my inspirational journey. In that moment of synchronicity, we became fast friends.

 

Paulie has been gracious and generous to offer me a table at the Expo to sell my books and inspire runners with my journey. The 2015 weekend was cancelled. It was a tough decision for any race director to make but treacherous weather conditions would have compromised the safety of the runners. I didn’t give a second thought about having a table at the 2016 Expo.  I was running the 10K and planned to focus my energies on the race.

 

A friend messaged me on Facebook. “I’m so excited you have a table at the Expo this year. I saw your name on the table. Can’t wait to see you!”

 

I grabbed my Hyannis Half Marathon medal, my Boston Marathon finisher photo and medal, the few books I had on hand and my business cards. At the last minute, I put my Bermuda Half Marathon finisher medal in the box.

 

During these past 15 years, the right people and resources presented themselves to me. Whenever I veered off my healing path, as happened after my nephew died by suicide in 2011, I was guided back to where I needed to be. Social media posts seem to jump off of the page as opportunities present themselves for me to share this miraculous journey. 

What a magnificent wink I received from the Universe last night when Final Jeopardy's answer begged the question, "What is Polio?"

 

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
 

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 

 

 Wait? What did she just write? Christmas? It's March 23rd.

In Boston, we call Boston Marathon weekend Runners Christmas. For the past two years, this annual tradition was cancelled. It's been a part of my life since I ran the 2009 Boston Marathon as a mobility impaired runner defying the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. I've been blessed to become a part of the running community that grows exponentially every year as we meet friends of friends. I've often said that running friendships are like instant oatmeal - just add water or in this case - just add running and friendships are forged. 

The hills have been alive with the energy of runners exhilarated that Boston runs again in April. The Facebook feed is filling with bib numbers and statements like "Can't wait to see you in April." I feel goosebumps just typing that phrase. 

One of our dear runner friends shared the photo of one of the banners for the 126th Boston Marathon celebrating 50 years of when women were first 'allowed' to run in the Boston Marathon. 

It is exhilarating to begin planning meet ups with friends coming in from out of town and meet ups with friends from Boston who I haven't seen in what seems like forever. There was a taste of the excitement of the Boston Marathon in October but it did not have the rite of Spring and the feel of Runners Christmas that the running of the Boston Marathon has in April.

Two years ago our City and the world was in a state of shock and fear seeking ways to navigate life turned upside down. While trees were beginning to bloom and flowers poked through the once frozen ground, there was an eerie silence to Springtime in Boston. I began to write poetry again as a way to cope with the all pervasive anxiety set against the backdrop of yellow caution tape on the silenced playgrounds and all but essential businesses closed. My pen became my divining rod for healing once more as it had after the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome 15 years ago. I channeled messages of healing, hope, optimism and seeing a future that transcended the current circumstances at the time. Those poems and essays blossomed into Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic.

 Facebook reminded me today of all that I was grateful for a year ago:

I am so grateful and appreciative of:

Toilet paper

Upcoming appointments with my chiropractor after 14 months

A hair stylist appointment after 13 months

Children having fun on the playground

School in session

Hope for ending the pandemic with the vaccines

Economic relief for restaurants and small businesses

So many things we once took for granted that now we can appreciate in deeper ways.

 

The quote I chose to share on this day in 2021 was: "I still remember the days I prayed for the things I have now." ~Anonymous

 

Tom received his first vaccine on March 23rd last year.

 

Restaurants are buzzing with activity again and the whole city is coming alive in anticipation of Spring and the 126th running of the Boston Marathon. Runners have one more long run before they taper and count down to the first Boston Marathon Weekend in April in two years.

 

Boston Marathon weekend is a time when reunions happen and the magic of the Unicorn fills the air. As the daffodils line the Boston Marathon route, the City comes alive with blue and yellow colors. This year those colors take on even more significance as we pray for and support Ukraine. May the Spirit that fills our City during this time of year create ripples of joy, peace, strength, resilience, love, harmony and unity for the rest of our world.

Merry Runners Christmas!

 

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

 

 

A Celebration of Life: Sierra Janine Hightower

 

Standing in my living room in October 2007, I asked Janine Hightower if she really thought I could get a little stronger despite not being able to pass the initial fitness assessment she gave me the week before. In a soft yet strong voice with her soulful eyes meeting mine she said the above Henry Ford quote.

She went on to say "Let's see what this body can do." At the age of 29 years old, she was a wise soul.

In February, I passed the fitness assessment and had reached my initial goals, one of which was to get off of a low seat without assistance. She asked me to set new goals. "Well I want to feel free in my body. I want to dance again. {I took ballet before I contracted paralytic polio at age 5.} I want to walk outside without my leg brace. I want to diversify my workouts." Janine wrote down my new fitness goals and after she gathered up her things and had her hand on the door knob I said, "Wait! I have one more goal." "What's that?" she asked. "I want to run the 2009 Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab. They have a Race for Rehab Team." I had never run a day in my life but had written a poem about "Running the Race" in February of that year.

To this day I have no idea why she said, totally nonplussed, "Well you're going to need a pair of running shoes aren't you?" 

This is the shoe I was wearing with a toe up leg brace:

The rest as they say is history:

Janine waited patiently for us to get to Heartbreak Hill so she could run into the finish line with us. I kept apologizing to her for having to wait so long for us. I shared with her that I was concerned about not being able to finish if I went any faster given the rapidly changing weather conditions. She told me that the person who won the 2008 marathon had to be taken to the hospital and was a did not finish. She was glad I was pacing myself. As we made our way to the finish line, she reminded us to take it one step at a time. "You've got this!"

When we were about to cross the finish line, she stepped to the side saying, "This is all yours. I can't cross with you." 

Here are moments captured from the day by a BU photojournalism Masters student. His final assignment was to follow a runner on Marathon Monday. When he asked Marathon Sports if they could recommend anyone, they suggested Team McManus!

Coming through Cleveland Circle, Janine is waving to our son Autumn McManus.

Coming down Commonwealth Avenue

Close to taking that right on Hereford and Left on Boylston after coming out of the tunnel on Commonwealth Avenue. Janine suggested we let out a yell while going through the tunnel to hear the echo!

Coming down Boylston Street

That iconic moment when Janine refused to cross the finish line with us!

Love and pride radiated through every fiber of Janine's being at this moment. That's our son Autumn who walked in with us from Cleveland Circle.

Raw emotion expressed after crossing the finish line as Janine smiled and gave thanks to God for what we were able to accomplish defying the diagnosis of a progressive neuromuscular disease and setting a goal that most would say was impossible. From start to finish, Janine supported us, trained us and held faith that we would be able to cross that finish line.

I clearly remember walking back from the finish line to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for the post-race celebration with Spaulding Rehab. Janine kept checking in with me making sure that I was okay telling me that she never once doubted we would be able to do this. I told her I carried 11 cents that I found on my last training run in the back pocket of my capris and that I found a penny in Wellesley at the halfway mark. I felt God's presence with us throughout the journey.

On February 21, 2022, Janine crossed the finish line of her earthly marathon. I received an email from someone I didn't know on LinkedIn on Sunday night:

I know Janine was fond of you - I have been friends with her for many years, and so I was looking to find you and to tell you that she tragically has passed away.  There is a memorial service by zoom and in-person in Maine this Thursday at 11.  I can send you the details if you would like. There is also memorial fundraising for her family's expenses.  I am so sorry to have to give you this terrible news.  She was a very bright light!

I was shocked and devastated to think that we would never have that reunion to celebrate healing and life. We planned a reunion but then COVID happened. Somehow our schedules never synced up to do a Zoom call.  She was indeed a very bright light. We had lost touch when she moved to Miami but reconnected when she returned to Boston to earn her Masters Degree in Public Health. I've learned that life is never too busy to make time for the people who matter most. My heart and head are buzzing with so many memories with her and trying to process the reality that we will never meet again in this lifetime. 

One day while out on a run she asked me if I ever heard of Wilma Rudolph. When I said I had not she told me to google her as soon as I got home. Wilma Rudolph became a great source of inspiration for me on the road to Boston and beyond.

I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without Janine. There would be no adventures for runnergirl 1953 if she would not have said yes to my crazy dream of running the Boston Marathon. We have been able to inspire so many others with what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary harnessing the powerful mind/body connection and faith in God.

Her Spirit and legacy of love live on through all who were blessed to know Sierra Janine Hightower. Rest in peace my dear friend and fly with the angels. Our journey together is chronicled in my Trilogy of Transformation available on Amazon for all to read and be in awe of how one woman's faith ignited hope, healing and possibilities in another and together they did the impossible.

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

 

New York and the Magic of Christmas

 

The magic of Christmas is synonymous with New York. There's the Thanksgiving Day Macy's Parade which always ends with the entrance of Santa Claus, the holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes and of course, ice skating at Rockefeller Center with the spectacular Christmas Tree. While the tree was lit last year and there was a pre-taped Parade, it was very difficult to experience the magic of Christmas in New York and around the world. While many decked the halls of our homes on Thanksgiving with Christmas decorations, it was a challenge to feel the light and hope of the winter holidays surrounded by so much darkness and fear.

One year later we are emerging from the pandemic and New York City seemed to shine more brightly than it ever has. We were so blessed to be there before the crowds descended on the City and while the air was filled with the festivities of the holiday season.

We woke up early on Saturday morning to the setting moon:

We took time to meditate before heading out on what we knew would be a whirlwind shopping and walking tour of the City. We didn't know just how much of a walking tour we would experience though!

After breakfast at the Majestic Delicatessen, we went to the M&M store where Ruth Anne wanted to bring back gifts for her co-workers who keep a supply of M&M's at their desks. On the way we saw windows decorated for Christmas. When Ruth Anne asked me what I wanted to do in New York,  I told her I wanted to take lots of pictures of her and of all of us being together. I wanted to celebrate being on our first vacation since February 2020 and the miracle of her healing from a traumatic brain injury. 

After experiencing the magic of the M&M store, Ruth Anne proudly sported her M&M shopping bag while we walked to Rockefeller Center.

Even though the scaffolding was still on the tree while workers strung the lights and trimmed branches from the tree, the magic of Christmas filled the air.

We stopped in the NBC Studio Store but it was a shadow of its former self. The Plaza in front of the NBC studios that would have people with their noses pressed to the glass watching the Today Show was empty. Yet there was a powerful sense of resilience and strength pulsating throughout the City. Our beloved restaurant, Cucina Cucina was closed apparently as a result of the pandemic. 

By contrast, Radio City Music Hall was buzzing with excitement as throngs of people lined up to present their proof of vaccination and ID's to see the Holiday Show.

We made a stop at St. Patrick's Cathedral where we traditionally light a candle. I welled up with emotion to realize that when we were there 5 years ago with friends, we lit a candle for Ruth Anne who was critically ill. She lit a candle and we all hugged.

We were going to be up very late since we were going to the 8pm show of Jagged Little Pill. We are typically not late night people so we wanted to pace our day and decided to head back to the hotel. I grew up in Westchester and would often take the train into the City to meet my great Aunt Laura. She taught me how New York is a grid and took great care to explain how to navigate getting around the City on foot. Tom put on "Google girl" to direct us back to the hotel. I should have trusted my instincts and paid attention to where we were going. By the time I spoke up about our going in the wrong direction, we were another mile away from our hotel.

It felt so good to put our feet up and rest before heading out for lunch.

We had heard about Junior's from many of our friends who visited New York. It exceeded our expectations with service and food. We were planning to have lighter fare for lunch and have dinner at Mama Mia's but after seeing the menu and what people were eating, we decided to have a lunner since it was already 1:30 (thanks to our little detour).

 

 

 

It was incredible to feel my Jewish roots and savor traditional Jewish food in New York.

Before heading back to the hotel, we went to see the marquis for Jagged Little Pill.

We felt the excitement build and the thrill of the lights being back on Broadway!

When we arrived back at the hotel at about 3:30, our friends from Voices of Hope Boston were just arriving. They were preparing for their Spring gala in March of 2020 which was shut down during rehearsals. We would see our Voices of Hope Boston friends at least twice a year at their shows. It was an emotional reunion and those hugs, even though we had masks on, were the best hugs I've ever felt.

They checked in while we went to our room to rest before it was time for the show!

To be continued...

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