The Ingredients of a Great Workout!

 

Throughout my 20 year journey in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I've discovered that transformation is not a once and done experience. Healing, like life, ebbs and flows. I am deeply grateful for every run and every workout. Every workout is a good workout but today's before breakfast strength training workout with Tom was a GREAT workout! I was wondering what made this workout so great. We didn't need air conditioning and enjoyed having the windows open hearing the neighborhood birds sing. Our playlist on shuffle seemed to hit just the right vibe to move to and infuse joy into the different challenges. Or maybe it was knowing I was going to share this quote from Dr. Bernie Siegel who has been a coach and a bonus dad in my life since the 1980's.

I came to know the work of Bernie Siegel through a most remarkable nurse who cared for me during a lengthy hospitalization for an infection in my shoulder. She brought me cassette tapes of his lectures about holistic healing. Beth asked me what I needed to heal in my life! Through the years, Bernie has been my coach as I reparented myself and gave birth to the treasure of who I was always meant to be. He and I became particularly close after I received the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. His teachings seemed to come together for me in a profound way. Writing poetry opened the portal to healing as it ignited the power of the mind/body connection through my imagination and visualization. 

In addition to these external variables, there was also something profoundly internal going on. Tom and I each experienced this deep sense of gratitude and celebration for the life we share in our mid-70's. 20 years ago this December, I'd been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged with the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. During and after the workout I felt exhilarated and energized ready to embrace a new day and a new week feeling gratitude overflow from my heart. I am always grateful and a bit in awe of all my body gives me even when I may be on the struggle bus. I felt over the moon joy and celebration with how I felt during and after this morning's strength training workout. I did take extra time to stretch and let the music flow through me as I incorporated dancing into the exercises. I remembered how I felt in my body in ballet class when I was 5 1/2 years old before childhood paralytic polio and abuse took their toll. The muscle memory felt so real! I felt self-love and compassion surge through me for all I have endured and all I have overcome with grace, strength, determination and resilience. 

While I maintained the consistency of workouts and getting out to run when it was safe to do so given the high heat, humidity and air quality issues, I wasn't experiencing or relishing the incredible miracle of my healing in the wake of the Post-Polio diagnosis. After this morning's workout, I feel as though I've emerged from the cocoon once more. I am flying more freely untethered from the beliefs about aging and disease.

While there's no particular milestone to celebrate, I am celebrating the joy of being alive, feeling transformed once again savoring the ingredients of gratitude, self-love, compassion, awe, joy, the magic of the mind/body connection and movement that created a delicious recipe for a great workout.

 

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.

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. 

What if the key to overcoming life's greatest challenges lies in the melodies that resonate with our souls? Join us in this heartfelt episode of the Music Saved Me Podcast, where hosts Lynn Hoffman and Buzz Knight dive deep into the transformative power of music with our inaugural contest winner, Mary McManus. Mary’s journey is a testament to the healing power of music, as she shares her inspiring story of resilience after contracting paralytic polio at a young age and navigating a tumultuous family environment. Listen to the episode by following this link.

Through her narrative, Mary McManus reveals how music became her sanctuary. A pivotal moment in her life came when her cousin, a Broadway producer, introduced her to the world of musical theater—a vibrant escape that ignited her passion and brought her immense joy. This episode explores the profound connection between music and emotional healing, showcasing how Mary McManus found solace in melodies during her toughest times and how they helped her forge connections with others

Listeners will be moved by Mary’s reflections on the influence of her high school music teacher and the supportive community she discovered in orchestral music. These experiences highlight the essence of music as therapy, illustrating its role in fostering emotional well-being and resilience. Mary’s journey culminates in her remarkable achievement of running the Boston Marathon, a testament to her indomitable spirit and the impact of music in her life.

Throughout this episode, we delve into the broader themes of music and mental health, exploring how independent musicians can harness their art to inspire and uplift. Mary’s story is not just about personal struggles; it’s a celebration of the healing power of music and its ability to connect us all. From emotional healing through music to the stories of musicians who have shaped our lives, this episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone seeking inspiration.

 Join us as we uncover the magic of music and its role in personal stories of triumph. Whether you’re a fan of the music history podcast genre or simply looking for a dose of motivation, this episode of the Music Saved Me Podcast promises to resonate deeply. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that underscores the importance of finding your voice and the transformative nature of music in navigating life's adversities. Don’t miss out on this heartfelt journey with Mary McManus, where we celebrate the stories that remind us all of the profound impact music has on our lives.

 Last year I was 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.

 

Acceptance -- Flexibility -- Connection

Ruth Anne and I were registered to run the Colin Joy's Project 5K. After 7 weeks in the hospital, Ruth Anne and I realized we needed quiet time together while we got in spectacular Saturday miles! After we did bib pick up and as people gathered for the kids' races, we knew we needed to run our own race.

And run our own race we did! Ruth Anne paced me to a 5K PR with negative splits. We breathed in the sea air and felt the healing power of nature and the ocean. We laughed together and let the sound of the seagulls delight our heart and souls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We transformed a stressful pre-race experience into a joyful and exhilarating run. I got in a solid training for Bermuda. It would be so easy to allow the stress of Ruth Anne's hospitalization weigh us down. With acceptance sprinkled with flexibility, we were able to pivot. If you have ever listened to the On the Runs Podcast, you will hear a lot of talk about a #codebrown. It's a runners thing but for you non-runners out there, it's a reference to when  a runner has to go to the bathroom and there's no bathroom or porta potty readily available.

"Mom, I hope the bathrooms are open at Carson Beach or I'm going to have a #codebrown.

"Oh no! I hope so too because I have to pee." 

We turned our attention to the beautiful ocean despite the gray misty weather. We were supposed to have a rainy day so we were grateful that it was only misting.

"How ya doing?" Ruth Anne asked.

"I'm okay but I'm glad we are almost to the bathrooms."

The door was locked. It was the end of the summer season. 

Ruth Anne said "Oh no how bad do you have to go?"

"Never mind me. Don't you have to poop?" 

I didn't realize how loud I said it just as a runner passed by. 

We both burst into laughter and can you guess what happened? I had what runners affectionately call a #codeyellow. There was nothing I could do but to laugh and know that I'd finish going pee when we got to the Curley Center and take a shower when we got home.  Ruth Anne said that there was no #codebrown in her future.

While Ruth Anne was in the hospital, while accepting the 'reality' of what was happening, I visualized us going on a run together and hearing her words of support and encouragement while I train for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. I knew that some how and some way we would make it through those very dark days. The transition back to life after 7 weeks in the hospital is a gradual process that we have to honor! No two days are the same and we honor what Ruth Anne needs mind, body and soul to move forward in her life.

This morning, Ruth Anne wanted to get her run on a bit later in the day. Flexibility is key and is a companion to acceptance. Tom and I continue to cherish early morning runs. We were blessed with a warm morning for the 2nd of October here in New England. We had chilly days that we thought signaled an early Autumn but this morning the gift of summer returned. I was even over dressed.

Yesterday was a day rife with intense emotions. We know that those kinds of moments and days pass. We are stronger and more resilient after navigating them but in the midst of stress, it an sometimes be a challenge to stay connected to the goodness of the Universe and the Love of Source. Last night the three of us shared what we are grateful for. Tom and I added our own feelings of gratitude before bed followed by our prayers. I did something I'd not done before. In the morning, we do a meta meditation from Dr. David Hamilton's Personal Development Club. I always place my hand on my heart as he cues during the meditation. .As the anxiety and intensity of the day slowly creeped in, I was moved to place my hand on my heart. I got in touch with knowing and feeling the Power of Source within me. The realization that love is greater than fear filled every fiber of my being. My heart rate slowed. Deep gratitude flowed through me blessing the challenges and knowing how much I have to be grateful for. I sent love to Ruth Anne and our family expanding and extending it to all Beings everywhere.

For the first time in months, Team McManus slept through the night!

Despite the haze from the Canadian wildfires, we were treated to a beautiful start to the day:

I felt a profound connection to Source having seen the half moon as we set out for our run, seeing the serenity of the water, the majesty of morning's first light and the beams from the sunlight gleaming through the trees. What a wonderful and wondrous way to start a new day, a new week and a new month as Team McManus navigates life after a 7 week hospitalization with acceptance, flexibility and the most vital element of all, connection to Source.

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

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.

Be sure to also subscribe to their YouTube channel