Unicorn Magic - Boston Marathon 2025 - Part 2

 

I woke up at 4:30am without the alarm which was set for 5:30. I had butterflies as I often have on Boston Marathon Monday ever since we ran it in 2009 only these were butterflies on steroids. I meditated and kept clearing thoughts of catastrophic "what ifs" to what if I imagine a perfect day. Ruth Anne and Tom got up with the 5:30am alarm. It was go time after Ruth Anne's 17 week training cycle for the 129th Boston Marathon.

We had our plan and were ready to execute it. When we arrived at the Beaconsfield Stop on the "D" line, we took photos to document the day:

  

We asked a group of runners who were waiting for the T that you can see in the photo with Ruth Anne, who is running? The group separated and said she is. Ruth Anne asked if she BQ’ed. “Yes I did but I’m nervous because I have an Achilles issue.” I had watched a Patreon teaser from the On The Runs podcast. I was a guest on Episode 56.  They are a unique running podcast that I follow and support as a Patreon.  I asked her “What is your name?” pretty sure I already knew the answer. “Allie.” To which I said, "As in the Allie G show?" She has her own podcast under the umbrella of Monday Night Media which includes On the Runs. We all hugged and took a photo:

The train came. Allie's pit crew wished her well and told her they loved her. Team McManus smiled reflecting on the amazing Unicorn magic aka synchronicity that happened at the train station. You could feel the excitement of the runners and spectators vibrating on the train. The only other time I'd been up that early on Boston Marathon Monday was when we drove to Spaulding Rehab to get the bus to Hopkinton. The BAA no longer allows separate buses for charity teams.

The sun was shining when we arrived to Boylston Street where  Ruth Anne and her bus buddy Fadi would meet up.

 

Ruth Anne used the bathroom at Tatte while we waited for Fadi and she grabbed a croissant since she didn't make her smoothie before we left the house. They walked to where the buses would be loading to take them to Hopkinton. Fadi was hoping that they would be able to get on a bus earlier than the scheduled time given their start times as he had last year. Unfortunately, they waited an hour to get on a bus. Nothing was going to dampen their spirits for the day:

 

Tom and I walked to the T at Arlington Street passing throngs of lines of runners waiting to board their buses on the Common.

After Fadi and Ruth Anne left, Tom and I stopped in Tatte to fuel ourselves knowing we had a very long day ahead of us. There was a woman seated next to us who was scrolling furiously on her phone. We asked her if she needed help with anything. A look of relief came over her face. Her boyfriend is a qualifier and she was trying to figure out how and where she was going to see him during the day but being from Seattle and this being her first time in Boston, she had no idea what to do. We gave her the information she'd need along with which apps to download. We exchanged information in case she needed further help during the day. When we got on the train to head back to our usual spectating spot at Dean Road and Beacon Street, there she was sitting on the T. We laughed at the synchronicity. Tom started a conversation with a couple standing next to him who were from Virginia. There daughter is a student at Virginia Tech where Tom works. The Unicorn Magic was everywhere!

Ruth Anne texted me photos from Athletes Village. Just as Ruth Anne trained for the Marathon, I trained as a spectator training myself to trust and stay as calm as possible in between texts and tracking information but those pesky butterflies kept flitting around inside of me.

While Fadi and Ruth Anne were getting ready to toe the starting line, Tom and I made our way back to the spot where we have watched the Boston Marathon for years, at the corner of Dean Road and Beacon Street. Neighbors came up to us to ask how Ruth Anne felt. 

We left to go back to the Mandarin at around noon knowing that Ruth Anne was beginning her journey back to Boston. We had to wait for several subway cars to pass because they were full. We debated about whether or not to change trains and go to the Prudential stop or walk from Arlington Street since it was such a gorgeous day. We thought it would be good practice for walking Ruth Anne back to the Mandarin after she crossed the finish line since there was tightened security and she would have to walk behind Boylston Street to get there. What would ordinarily be a 10 minute walk took about an hour and a half. We were so hungry but fortunately Spaulding Rehab had an amazing spread at the party. 

I tried to not focus on the tracker and Find My Phone but it was as challenging as Ruth Anne running the Boston Marathon. Ruth Anne told me afterwards that at mile 2 she was tired given how she was on her feet for an hour waiting for the bus and then she had almost a mile walk from Athletes Village to the Corrals. But she knew there was no turning back and knew there was a lot of love, orange slices and pretzels waiting for her once she got to mile 10. She got a boost when Marathon Panda Maurice called out to her at the start of the race and took time to take a selfie with her:

 He's part of the On the Runs pod fam!

We've been friends with Paula Romero Dunbar since 2013. Her husband Walter was a first responder on 4/15/13. She always had a dream to have  her own celebration boutique and is the womanpreneur at Paper Fiesta (see previous blog post). She was delighted to bring oranges and pretzels for Ruth Anne as Tom and I had done when we were support crew during her training cycle. She took these amazing photos as Ruth Anne was coming into Mile 10 and Paper Fiesta and as she was heading back out on the course. She texted me and let me know how strong Ruth Anne looked at Mile 10! 

 

 

We met Shawn Whalen at Boston Logan Airport on our way to Bermuda in January of 2016. We've been friends ever since. We knew that he would be at Mile 12 where he has volunteered for years. We asked him if he could bring oranges and pretzels for Ruth Anne to mimic her fueling on long runs. Not only did he enthusiastically agree but said he would peel the oranges because one time during a race, the juice from the orange squirted in his eye and burned. He also asked what kind of pretzels she would like and what would be easiest for her to carry!

Ruth Anne took a selfie with him at Mile 12:

 

When Ruth Anne saw the Wellesley sign she knew she was approaching the halfway mark and Caroline, her advisor from Boston College Woods College of Advancing Studies. Ruth Anne had been registered for her last class to finish her Masters Certificate but it was an in person evening class. When Ruth Anne asked Caroline for advice about whether or not she could take it in the summer and focus on training, she said absolutely yes! She told us exactly where she would be in Wellesley and had hugs, oranges and a sign to greet her.

A bit farther into Wellesley, Ruth Anne heard someone call out her name. It was Michelle Bopp  from our L Street Running Club. Another boost of love as Ruth Anne made her way to Newton and the Hills.

 I was so grateful for the texts from Ruth Anne with updates, and our friends saying how strong and happy she looked!

She slowly and steadily made her way toward Boston keeping plenty in the tank for the Hills. Unlike many runners when they get to the Hills, Ruth Anne was ecstatic when she got to the Firehouse where the party atmosphere was in high gear. 

At mile 18 she saw Candace, another member of the On the Runs pod fam who gave her a big hug. At mile 19point2 she was welcomed by the On the Runs Cheer Zone, given a bag of oranges and sent on her way but oh wait -- There was a surprise guest from Ohio, Patrick Leber, whose book she read and who was incredibly generous during Ruth Anne's thank you to her donors gift giveaways. She turned around and went back taking a selfie with the group.

 One of our dear friends, Beth Singleton Craig, who made Boston Marathon History being the first daughter-mother duo greeted Ruth Anne at the top of Heartbreak Hill. Along the way she was greeted by Wendy Wheeler, a dear friend of many years from Church and Ilene Fabisch, a friend we met through the running community. I was so grateful for the texts and photos.

Fortunately, Ruth Anne's Occupational Therapist from Spaulding, Erin Foley arrived at the Mandarin. The tracker froze at 18.3 miles. We were tracking Ruth Anne with "Find My Phone" which eased the anxiety a bit and Erin agreed that tracking can be more stressful than running.

 

 

 

At Mile 21, Ruth Anne was greeted by Boston College students and the two women we met at the Mile 21 Spaghetti Dinner the Monday before the Marathon. She thanked them for all they did, high fived the BC students and was on her way to Cleveland Circle.

 

She was disappointed at first that the people who said they would be at Cleveland Circle weren't there but understood that it was getting late and they had children. BUT she did have a big surprise when Willa and Lily, the 13 year old twins who are our neighbors and who have known Ruth Anne their whole lives were there to greet her. A week or so before the Marathon, we bumped into them in CVS. Ruth Anne shared with them that she was running the Marathon. They said they would be out there to cheer her on. She said she probably wouldn't be there til 5 or 4:30 at the earliest and they said they didn't care. True to their word, they waited. Lily greeted her first with pom poms and then Willa chased her down Beacon Street to make sure she got a selfie with her (Willa may have gone to the bathroom).

 

It was just the boost she needed to get through those final miles! 

We kept refreshing the tracker even though we had Ruth Anne on "Find Your Phone", and got a notification that no one ever wants to receive. "Location Not Detected. This means that the runner has either left the course or data is not available." I hopped on Facebook to let people know she was fine and heading toward the Kenmore. I was so happy when Ruth Anne texted me this photo of the Citgo Sign:

We exchanged the following text: Dr. Carter is the Race for Rehab Team Psychologist and photographer.

The police officers were amazing. It was almost 6:00pm which is when they would open up Boylston Street but they were going to let her get to the finish line. "Who are we waiting for?" one of the officers asked. "Our daughter Ruth Anne." Tom ran up to Hereford Street and yelled out for her. He ran back as she ran toward the finish line for what she called the big finale.

 

 Erin took this photo:

 

And here she is at the finish line:

There is still time to donate to support Spaulding Rehab and the life saving work they do. You can read Ruth Anne's incredible journey on her fundraising page by following this link.

 To be continued...

From my heart to yours--

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 books are available on Bookshop that share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary. Be sure to visit my Author Page on Amazon   My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club .

 

A Phenomenal 5K

 

Tom and I were support crew for Ruth Anne's 15 miles on the road to the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab on Friday. She had a recovery run scheduled for Saturday and we were going to do a 5K together but her body needed more recovery time. She encouraged me to go ahead and get in my 5K and she would be support crew with Tom. It was cold and there was a lot of ice to navigate but what a thrill to be celebrating 18 years of healing in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome at 71 years old.                                              

The hills were alive as they will be from now until Marathon Monday. There were solo runners, clusters of 'qualified' runners and charity teams. The rhythm of runners' feet inspired my own running cadence. 

As I passed the Johnny Kelley statue, there was ice that was going to be too difficult to navigate. As I looked out onto Comm. Ave., I heard, "Hey you." It was our dear friend Amanda who is running Boston once again for Camp Shriver. 

"Stay there, I'm coming out to the street."

I'm still in awe of the amazing people I've been blessed to meet throughout these past 17 years.

Amanda gives the best hugs. She told me to congratulate Ruth Anne on her 15 miler and said recovery is so important. (Amanda is a physical therapist). Two questions asked and answered on the Hills in February is "How far you going today?" and "How is fundraising going?" Amanda did 17 miles and she is almost to her fundraising goal.

We took a selfie:

Amanda spotted two of her running friends. "Oh I'm just over here taking a selfie." She introduced me and let her friends know she would share my story with them when they got back. We took a group selfie. There is no such thing as strangers when it comes to the running community. After meeting in person, we connect on social media as the village grows and grows. 

After feeling the warmth from fellow runners, I went on my way. I cut back into the carriage road. For the last mile of my run, I was treated to dry ground and no hill. Tom and Ruth Anne gave me high fives. I usually need to do an out and back run since we have to get back to our car. Doing a point to point run on the Boston Marathon course was exhilarating. I recalled that day in April of 2009, when we went from Hopkinton to Boston representing Spaulding Rehab and ultimately raising $10,535 for the hospital where I took the first steps on my healing journey!

 So what made Saturday's run a phenomenal 5K? 

Seeing Amanda and realizing how the running community continues to embrace my journey warms my heart and soul. Being out in the elements, when once I experienced cold intolerance due to symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome,  and pushing my pace, reminded me of the body's tremendous capacity to heal. It was the first solo run I'd done in awhile where I did not need to be support crew for Ruth Anne. I LOVE being support crew for Ruth Anne on her road to the Boston Marathon, but it was phenomenal to have Tom and Ruth Anne be support crew for me. Every step is a gift and every mile is a blessing that I never take for granted but some days, the blessing and gift gets amped up to phenomenal as it did this past Saturday. 

From my heart to yours

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 books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

 

A Runner's High Spectating & Volunteering

17 years ago I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I went through a miraculous journey of transformation and became a most unlikely runner. The running community has become an integral part of my life. This past weekend I was blessed to be support crew for Tom and Ruth Anne at the Squirrel Run. The proceeds from the race support the Angel ALS Fund for research at UMass Medical Center. The Kennedy family, of Kennedy Physical Therapy has been particularly hard hit by ALS. One of the brothers whose nickname was Squirrel died at the age of 31. Jake Kennedy, a near and dear honorary member of our L Street Running Club died in 2020. Their father died from ALS. Another brother, Ratt has been diagnosed with ALS and is doing well thanks to an experimental drug trial funded by the Angel Fund. As he said during the pre-race announcements, "I am able to stand here thanks to the amazing work of Dr. Brown" whom he then introduced. 

Our running club turns out to support this race. We had quite a turn out. It was a wonderful reunion for us with running family who we had not seen in awhile.

One of our friend's, Sean Long's sister was recently diagnosed with ALS. He will be running the Falmouth Road Race in her honor raising money for ALS Research!

 

Even though I was support crew for Tom and Ruth Anne, I felt a runner's high cheering the runners and a Squirrel at the start and into the finish. Ruth Anne paced Tom to a third place finish in his Age Group! 

At the post-race celebration we had love filled conversations and talk about 'what's next.' It was as though no time had passed for the bonds that runner family form transcend time and place.

When Ruth Anne ran the LA Marathon, we had an amazing moment of synchronicity at the concierge desk when we met Jen Reidy, partner of Brian McCourt, President of the McCourt Foundation. She told us about the McCourt Foundation Boston Waterfront 5K. "We could really use volunteers," she said. Ruth Anne quickly replied, "We'll do it."

Sunday morning we headed to Black Falcon Terminal on the Pier of South Boston for our t-shirt pick up volunteer assignment. The vibe for this race that raises money for the McCourt Foundation is off the chart!  Their mission is: Striving to cure neurological diseases one event at a time and empowering communities to build a better world! They focus their support on ALS, Alzheimer's, MS and Parkinson's Disease. The McCourt brothers' mother lived with Alzheimer's for a decade and their father died from MS at the age of 41! Their story is phenomenal and their passion to make this world a healthier place gives me goosebumps.

Here are photos from our adventure in volunteering:

We had a reunion with Jen who told us what Brian was wearing so we could find him in the crowd. We loved doing t-shirt pick up and laughed at how some people tried to get extra shirts or were particular about how the shirt fit! We laughed as Tom, Ruth Anne and I exchanged stories about the excuses people gave for getting an extra shirt -- at a fundraiser! My favorite story of the day. "Excuse me, Can I please get a second t shirt?" "You can purchase one at the finisher's store." "What if I told you my last name was McCourt." "Well then I'd ask you to see Brian." "That's cool," he said. "Brian is my Uncle. You did good there." He extended his hand and introduced himself as Andrew. I told him how we knew his Uncle. He thanked us for volunteering.

A magical moment happened when our beloved friend Tina who we know through L Street Running Club since we ran Boston in '09, spotted us. She and her husband Michael were doing bike 'duty' as she likes to call it as part of race day safety. Ruth Anne and Tina had to take a selfie together:

She was sorry she missed the Squirrel Run this year but she had a conflict. She shared with us that a member of L Street is the Race Director for the McCourt Foundation! 

Despite needing to walk back to our car in the pouring rain, my heart overflowed with gratitude that I have been blessed with healing from the once devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. Being in the running community, whether spectating, volunteering or running, I get a runner's high fired up to continue to build strength, endurance and speed on my own health and wellness journey. The friends we have made through the years have become family and our family continues to grow in love, passion and compassion to use running as a way to make a difference in the world!

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 interview with the amazing On the Runs podcast team of Erika Hamel and Eric Knuuttunen is Episode 56. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.