Bermuda Triangle Challenge Weekend - Part 4 - It's a Celebration!

 

My intention for Bermuda Triangle Challenge weekend was to celebrate turning 70 on my Christmas Birthday and 17 years of healing after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006. While I did not have the opportunity to celebrate crossing the finish line of the 10K, I celebrated myself, my marriage, my healing and Marlene Gamba, a 73 year old woman with a stent who experienced critical illness as she crossed the finish line of the 10K.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom and I got up early on Sunday morning.  I relished sampling all the foods I could not have before the 10K. We walked out of the hotel to watch the start of the Bermuda Half Marathon. Town Crier extraordinaire, Ed Christopher gave me the warmest hug and a kiss on the cheek. 

 

 

Nat and her sister Jess outdid themselves with their Bay Watch lifeguard costumes.

After celebrating the runners of the Bermuda Half Marathon, many of whom were doing the Challenge, we went back to our room to pack and relax.

I bumped into Deena Kastor who said, "I saw you at the finish."

I looked at her with a slightly puzzled look.

"I saw you cheering on the runners at the finish."

"Oh. I didn't finish. I cramped up at mile 3.06."

"It happens," Deena said. "Just make sure it doesn't ruin the rest of your time here - especially in Bermuda."

"Absolutely not," I said and went on to add, "I thought about you when you had the stress fracture - was it at the Olympics?" She nodded yes. We went off to cheer on the runners coming into the finish of the marathon and half marathon. {Deena also participated in the tradition of runners jumping into the Harbor as part of the race festivities.}

"Do you think we need an umbrella?" I asked Tom as it started to rain.

"Oh no. We'll be fine," Tom said.

Famous last words. By the time we got to the finish line it was pouring. It was a warm rain and we were wearing our jackets. What fun to cheer on the runners and watch the finish line festivities. Bermuda sure knows how to put on a party regardless of the weather.

 

 

We walked down Front Street feeling the rain kiss our faces. We peeled off our jackets enjoying a hearty lunch at Flanagan's. No trip to the Island is complete without enjoying a Wahoo Slider! The waiter asked if we wanted a box for leftovers.

"I don't think they'd let us get through Customs with it," I quipped.

We congratulated runners with their medals and soaked up the atmosphere of race weekend. Although I had no bling to show for my effort, I knew that I was off of the sidelines and celebrated being part of the running community again. I walked tall and proud!

A race weekend tradition is to have a celebratory dinner at La Trattoria. Tom and I stopped at the Moongate to take a selfie in honor of our upcoming 46th Wedding Anniversary on 3/4.

 

We woke up to wall to wall sunshine and the sound of Bermuda birds greeting us on our final day. One last sumptuous breakfast buffet and time by the pool before our shuttle arrived to take us to the airport. The mood on the shuttle was subdued compared to the electric energy of race weekend. My heart was full as I savored the sights and scents of Bermuda through the open window.

As we waited in line at Customs, the group of twenty-something runners we met at the Princess stood in front of us. The runner sporting a Northeastern University sweatshirt asked how we did. I shared my DNF story. "Well don't feel bad about that," she said. "One of our friend's turned around at mile 1.5 to go back to the start."

"Yeah and another one of our friends barely finished."

"How did you do?" I asked our friend from Northeastern.

"I finished first in the mile and 2nd in the 10K. It was my first 10K. I am a short distance runner."

It was a thrill to share in her victories. 

"But I have to tell you. That last hill...I felt as though I was barely moving up that last hill. I had to walk and go like this..."

Her description reminded me of how runners go up Mt. Washington.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Marlene said as she walked quickly by us in the terminal. We laughed.

While waiting for our luggage in Boston, I found Marlene and her friend.

"You're going to be in my book," I told her.

"Oh my goodness and you are going to be in mine. I've been working on my memoir but keep adding stories."

"Well you know what  they say, 'There is no greater agony than leaving this world with an untold story inside of you." 

During our time together out on the 10K course, I didn't have a chance to share the beginning of my healing journey with how writing poetry opened the door to healing. 

We hugged as old friends hug. We vowed to stay in touch and get together for dinner because life should not only be lived - it should be celebrated!

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.

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Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.

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Countdown to the Boston Marathon: Packet Stuffing & Boston Strong

 

Why would I stand on my feet for 3 hours helping to stuff the packets that 20,000 runners will receive next weekend when they pick up their bibs, packets and shirts before running Monday's Boston Marathon? I know how I felt when we picked up our packets, bibs and shirts before the 2009 Boston Marathon. It's the final moments leading up to crossing the starting line in Hopkinton. There's the program book filled with history and anticipation along with coupons, spectators' guide and memorabilia to cherish. 

For everyone, training for a marathon is a journey of transformation. Mine was a journey of transformation on steroids after having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. Packet stuffing is a wonderful way to give back and celebrate the Boston Marathon.

As one of my friend’s posted Facebook on October 2nd, it’s been 901 days since the last Boston Marathon. We are now 9 days away from when Boston runs again. It is a surreal time as we try to find our bearings as we sort of emerge from the pandemic. Sharing Maureen’s story reminded me of the strength, courage and resilience our city shared in the wake of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. We are now in the wake of a pandemic that shook our City and the world to its core yet we continue to experience the turbulent currents in our lives. 

When we registered to volunteer, we were overjoyed that with vaccinations, we would experience life as we had before the pandemic. Hugs, no masks, being together side by side and anticipating one of the premier events in Boston. The emails from the BAA arrived in our inbox talking about safety and precautions along with the need to be vaccinated or have a negative COVID test in order to volunteer.

 

During this time of emerging (sort of) from the pandemic, everyone talks about risk tolerance. I knew everyone would be vaxxed or tested, masked and the packet stuffing takes place in an open air warehouse. I hadn't seen running family in what seemed like forever and knew that any minor risk I was taking with my husband and daughter paled in comparison to the rich rewards of volunteering and seeing friends I had not seen in a very long time.

 

During my meditation before bed on Saturday night, I remembered how I felt about being a spectator at the BAA 10K in June of 2013. I knew that I could not allow fear to keep me away from my beloved running community - then - or now.

 

It was quite a different scene at Gentle Giant Warehouse as we stood in line waiting to be checked in with masks up and vaccination cards in hand. The former 'madame President' of L Street Running Club greeted us with both her no-nonsense laser focus on the task at hand and such kindness and love in her voice as she checked us off with hands that had beautiful blue and yellow perfectly manicured nails.

 

Tom Licciardello who has been the leader of the pack for packet stuffing through the decades greeted me with a warm hug. "How were you able to recognize me with my mask?"

 

"Oh Mary, I'd recognize you from anywhere!"

 

His wife Lyn came up and warmly greeted Team McManus.

 

We reunited with friends from the Merrimack Valley Striders and L Street Running Club. One of our friends from L Street sported a t-shirt that had Resilience on the front with a definition of Resilience on the back. 

 

The scenes from 2013 and 2021 were quite different. There were many more volunteers to get packets ready for 36,000 runners versus 20,000 runners for 2021. We had more space between volunteers and of course we all had to wear masks throughout the entire shift.

 

But one thing that doesn't change is the love running family shares no matter how much time may have passed since we see one another and our deep desire to be a part of the Boston Marathon tradition.

 

From April of 2014:

to October 2021:

 

 

 

Conversations flow with ease among runners and I was blessed to share my table with a Strider who went to Bermuda one of the years we went for Bermuda Marathon Weekend. It was great to reminisce about a time before; when we could travel to destination races needing only our passports and running gear.

 

Music kept us pumped up while we did the tedious work. We tried our best to keep the conversation light although at times our conversation turned to sharing our experiences during the pandemic. I was blessed to have a few heart to heart moments with Tom with whom I have been friends for 12 years.

We were tired and happy at the end of our shift knowing that we achieved our goal to have the packets ready for the runners this weekend when they arrive at the Expo.

 

It was glorious to see people in person, sharing the Spirit of the Boston Marathon remembering that we ARE Boston Strong.

  

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

My books to uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon.

Visit my website to learn more about my journey of transformation in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond.

Be sure to visit my News and Events tab on my website to hear interviews that will open your heart and mind to a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities.