Never Tell Me The Odds - Magnificent Miles on the Road to Bermuda

It was an unseasonably warm summer-like day for our Saturday miles. As we went around the Cleveland Circle Reservoir, we passed a little boy wearing a Star Wars shirt. On the front was a photo of the original Star Wars movie poster and on the back, "Never tell me the odds." We passed the father/son/dog trio twice as we got in our miles. It was definitely a sign.

The first chapter in my book, "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" has the title, "Never Tell Me the Odds." I wrote how, in many ways, my life has been like an adventure movie. I battled evil, and fought for my life. Every time somebody told me I shouldn't or couldn't do something, I turned around and said, "Watch me now." Excerpt from "The Adventures..."

The odds of becoming high school valedictorian after contracting paralytic polio and fighting for my life every night were quite slim. The odds of being selected for Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society at Boston College were quite slim. It took me 4 years to complete my Masters degree in Social Work. I nearly lost the use of my right arm due to a misdiagnosed staph infection and had a 6 week hospital stay.

 I was told I shouldn't run again after a serious knee injury in December of 2014. What were the odds I would go on to run 3 consecutive Bermuda Half Marathons? It takes dedication, hard work, perseverance, fierce determination, strength and courage to beat the odds. At times, it was a messy and uncertain journey that required trusting The Force with all of my heart and soul.
 
The deck was stacked against me. Without warning, on June 3, 1959, I dropped to the ground in Kindergarten class. Three years after contracting paralytic polio, shortly after coming out of my leg brace, my father became alcoholic. Nine years of emotional, physical and sexual assaults followed until he died by suicide when I was 17 years old. In December of 2006 I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. 

What a treat to be able to run in a t-shirt and shorts on October 28th in Boston with my sights set on the starting line of the 2024 Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. The warm sunshine, dry ground, crowds of runners and walkers and thongs of individuals heading to the Boston College football game provided quite the contrast from last Saturday's training run around Jamaica Pond. After once around the Cleveland Circle Reservoir, we decided to head to the Route 9 Reservoir for a more serene setting.

My mileage goal for the day was 4.5 miles. Switching up the route in the middle of the run meant that I might not exactly hit the planned miles. That was fine with me. Saturday was one of those days when I felt as though I could run forever. I welcomed a gentle warm headwind that whisked away the sweat dripping from my brow and my back. In short order, I will experience that headwind as a challenge that might not be so welcome as it was today. After one time around my Garmin indicated 4.6 miles. 

Saturday's training run proved to be a wonderful simulation for race day. It was the first training run where I was out on the roads in a more expansive way than in previous training runs, going from point to point. I inadvertently incorporated a lot more uphills and those all important downhills by doing a two Reservoir run. Right after I finished my training run, my phone indicated it was 11:11. Seeing 11:11 is a sign of being connected to Divine power and spiritual guidance. I am able to defy the odds of a progressive neuromuscular disease through my connection to Source. Feeling Divine Presence within and around me is the fuel for this latest adventure on the road to the Bermuda 10K. So don't ever tell me the odds! The Force is strong in this one!

From my heart to yours

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.

 

A Journey of Hope

 

During this morning's meditation, I was reflecting on my healing journey. Monday marks 51 years since my father ended his life. He was a tortured soul who lost his way on earth leaving much pain and suffering in the wake of his life. Yet out of the massive destruction of his life, the beauty of my life emerged after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome.

Fifteen years ago, on May 25th which coincidentally was his birthday, I took a leap of faith leaving behind my award winning career as a VA social worker to 'heal my life' from the once devastating effects of paralytic polio and trauma. At the time I had no idea what that meant. I did know about the works of Dr. Bernie Siegel, Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, Lisa Nichols and other 'new age' teachers that I turned to in order to tap into the Divine Intelligence within me. My imagination was ignited through the power of my pen as poetry poured out of me as a spigot of creativity turned on in my heart and soul. 

I made this video at the suggestion of Tony Robbins on social media in December of 2008. He encouraged people to make a video about a journey from crisis to transformation and then share it in his group. After seeing the video, he made a donation of $1000 to our Race for Rehab fundraising page.

 As I began to share my journey of transformation in 2008 many people asked how it was even possible to reverse a progressive neuromuscular disease. I referenced the journey of Evy McDonald who I learned about through Bernie Siegel. She healed her life with ALS. She was also a survivor of polio and child abuse. I referenced Bernie's works and how people were able to harness the power of the mind and understand the meaning of their diagnosis in their lives as a way to heal their lives. Since then, I refer to the works of Dr. David Hamilton, Dr. Joe Dispenza and the luminaries in the Heal Documentary.

When one person has been able to do something that was previously thought impossible, it opens the doors for others to do the same. Everyone thought that running a four minute mile was impossible. Once Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile in 1954, others realized it was possible and were able to go beyond what was once thought to be impossible. Over 1600 people have broken the 4 minute mile as of April 2021!

The title of the first book in my Trilogy of Transformation is Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibilities. I went on to write Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance and The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953 that completed the trilogy of my healing journey from diagnosis, to the Boston Marathon and to Bermuda Half Marathons 2016, 2017 and 2018 after a serious knee injury. I briefly returned to the Post-Polio Clinic after my left knee 'blew out' in December of 2014. I was told I never should have started running, that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years and I should stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. I was blessed to find a chiropractor who recommended I read Dr. Joe's, "You Are the Placebo" and Candace Pert's books," The Molecules of Emotion" and "Everything You Need to Know to Feel Go(o)d." We partnered together with chiropractic care, KT taping and revamping my strength training program. I even grew a new gastroc muscle in my left leg which the MRI had shown was atrophied. 

During the pandemic I once again turned to my pen, my Divining rod for healing. I compiled poems and essays that became the book, "Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic." Hope is the theme of my next book, "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic."

Many people have asked me how I was able to hold onto hope when I was in the midst of dire circumstances growing up, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and during these challenging times. I was touched by grace after contracting paralytic polio with a near death experience where I met my guardian angel. I was blessed to meet many earth angels as I navigated life's challenges who helped to fan the flames of hope and faith within me.

May my journey fan the flames of hope and faith within you to be able to know that all things are possible despite appearances to the contrary. Be sure to listen to my recent conversation with Buzz Knight on his Takin a Walk podcast as we talk about my journey of hope.

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