After getting in my miles on mostly flat courses, I decided it was time to incorporate hill training and doing my miles on hills. I had an intense reaction to the 2nd COVID vaccine last year. Despite using visualization and doing 'all the right things,' my body reacted with muscle spasms, joint pain and fatigue. I dialed back on my work outs and mileage and harnessed the power of the mind/body connection once more to heal whatever was going on in my body.
Although I haddone virtual races during the pandemic, the vibe of the First Run was quite different. It was the first time since I received the 2nd vaccine that I felt good in my body. I continued tomaintain my runs and increased my strength training regimen.
Last Thursday, I knew that it was time to incorporate hill training instead of doing 2 miles on a flat course. Because of Tom and Ruth Anne's schedules, we had to get up at 6am to get in our run for the day. After a warm up, we went to the hill where I did my first hill training with my personal trainer while training for the 2009 Boston Marathon. I remember how I said to her, "Wait I'm not ready for hills." She said, "Well you are going to be running a lot of hills and not just any hills. You're going to be running on the Newton Hills!"
We had a lot of fun playing on the hills for hill repeats. Breakfast always tastes so delicious after an early morning run. Mind, body, heart and soul were nourished by Mother Nature's stunning Springtime display and birds serenading our run.
On Saturday we always ask the question, "Where shall we run today?" Even though the excitement of the Boston Marathon is over, we decided to go to Heartbreak Hill. It was a chilly day with few runners out on the hills but we continue to savor the season of Springtime feeling blessed and grateful that every step is a gift and every mile is a blessing.
Since Tom and Ruth Anne are in taper mode for the Providence Half, they were able to stay with me at my pace.
Ever since the pandemic, I have a deep appreciation for every season in my life and to be able to continue to move forward in my health and wellness journey.
What a blessing to push my body a little farther with a powerful intention to age well and age strong as I prepare to celebrate my 70th birthday in December. What a blessing to have a loving supportive family and village to support me as I celebrate 16 years of healing being a hill seeker!
Visit mywebsite 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.
Tomorrow marks the 14th anniversary of when I was blessed to run the 2009 Boston Marathon. Once you've experienced the Boston Marathon it becomes a part of your heart and soul.
With Tom and Ruth Anne getting ready to run the Providence Half Marathon on 5/7 for Victory Programswe weren't sure how much of the Boston Marathon Weekend festivities we were going to be a part of. BUT it was the 10th year after the events of 4/15/13 and the 50th anniversary of when our good friend Jacqueline Hansen won the Boston Marathon. We decided that Tom and Ruth Anne would drop me off at the Expo on Friday and spend time together in the afternoon while I soaked up the energy of the 127th Boston Marathon Weekend.
There was no line to get into the Expo. A volunteer stood near the entrance as I walked through where the lines would have wound around. He knew me from social media and we had a delightful chat about Boston Marathon Weekend.
My first stop was at the FlavaNaturals Booth.Imet the Founder of FlavaNaturals, Alan Frost at the Hyannis Marathon Expo in 2020. It was so awesome to see him again post-pandemic!
I was delighted to share my experience with FlavaNaturals Expo goers regaling the nutritious delicious product that Alan developed. What a surprise to find myself talking with someone I had not seen in several years. She took off her sunglasses and mask and I realized who she was. We briefly got caught up on life and reconnected as Facebook friends. It was one of those magical moments that gets orchestrated during Boston Marathon Weekend.
I wanted to get a front row seat for Jacqueline Hansen's Expo panel with her fellow Boston Marathon Champion, Jon Anderson celebrating their 50th anniversary of when they won Boston. The previous panel had just finished. I took a seat at the edge of the 2nd row. I just happened to look over and said, "Rosy" referencing Rosemary Spraker. We planned to meet last year but the stars didn't align. She provided our 2020 Virtual Expo panel with the technical support we needed to be able to submit our production for the on line Expo. We hugged for several minutes savoring that intense post-pandemic gratitude moment. Kathrine Switzer joined the conversation and we settled down to enjoy the next 45 minutes of Jacqueline and Jon sharing their Boston Marathon experiences.
Jacqueline donated the shirt she wore when she won the 1973 Boston Marathon to the Boston Marathon archives. One of her friend's presented her with a gift after the talk. It was a replica of the shirt she wore! Jacqueline was at first shocked and then moved to tears by the beautiful gesture.
Tom and Ruth Anne picked me up and we enjoyed a delicious dinner at
Golden Temple, our favorite restaurant. On Saturday, we went on a run
dedicating our miles to those who were injured and died on 4/15/13. We
connected with friends on line and spread love, kindness and compassion
in cyberspace and in real life.
Sunday was a day to relax as we prepared for Boston Marathon spectating. With the cold, rainy weather and Tom and Ruth Anne's upcoming Half Marathon in Providence, we decided to watch the race on line. What an amazing experience! WCVB TV did an outstanding job with commentary on the wheelchair race. We were moved to tears and goosebumps when Ernst van Dyk who was our Team Captain when we were part of Spaulding Rehab's Race for Rehab Team, received a standing ovation when he returned to the Fairmont Copley. This was his final Boston Marathon.
It was a stunning upset for the Men's Elite runners and the Female Elite Runners had a fight to the finish.
We waited to go on our Monday run until the Elites had finished and cheered on our friends virtually as we tracked them. We headed to the Reservoir to get in our Monday miles when the cheering of the crowds from Cleveland Circle beckoned us to watch the runners for a bit. Despite the rain and chill in the air, feeling the energy of Marathon Monday warmed our hearts and souls.
With the help of the BAA tracker, we were able to find and cheer for several of our L Streeters. I loved seeing how our presence gave them a boost.
One of Ruth Anne's friends from Camp and School was featured in a news report about Black Men Running Club. She was able to spot him coming down Chestnut Hill Avenue. She jumped up and down and screamed his name. The biggest smile flashed across his face as he headed toward the finish line.
Here are photos that capture the atmosphere at Cleveland Circle:
Our feet were cold and we were about to head home when Ruth Anne suggested we wait for Henry Richard and the group of his brother Martin's friends who were running together. Martin's dream was to run the Boston Marathon when he turned 18 years old. To honor his memory, a group of Martin's friends who turned 18, joined Team MR8.
Boston was in full bloom thanks to a relatively mild winter and a two day heat wave last week (that fortunately broke before race day).
It was as though Mother Nature was mirroring the feelings of rebirth and renewal ten years after the tragic events of 4/15/13.
On our way home, we saw this pink heart in the little field:
Love always wins. Light prevails. Ten years later we ARE Boston Stronger!
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.
The weather on Saturday called for torrential downpours and strong winds. We swapped our run day to Sunday. The sun was shining brightly with a brilliant blue sky but the strong winds remained. When we got to the Reservoir there were white caps.
We decided for an out and back along the Boston Marathon route on Beacon Street. Tom, Ruth Anne and I did our warm up together. I did a solid 5K with negative splits and they did a solid 10 and a half miles. They were planning on 10 miles but when they got to Hereford Street, they took a right turn and a left turn on Boylston Street to the finish line!
Every April since 2009 when we ran the Boston Marathon, we celebrate that incredible journey we took from Hopkinton to Boylston Street on April 20th. Sunday was a perfect day to commemorate and celebrate the 14th anniversary of our Boston Marathon run.
When I got to Cleveland Circle, I took a photo of the iconic clock at Cleveland Circle when runners know it's almost a straight shot to the finish line. The Newton Hills are a distant memory and the glory of that finish line is all one can think about as the stretch of Beacon Street with throngs of spectators draws them to the finish line.
Once Ruth Anne texted me they were nearing Kenmore Square, I asked them to take photos with the Citgo Sign:
I still get goosebumps remembering how I felt coming up and over the bridge from Beacon Street to Commonwealth Avenue with the Citgo sign beckoning me ever closer to the finish line!
Here are a few other photos from my run:
During lunch we all reminisced about our Boston Marathon run. I remembered what Dave McGillivray said about me when he wrote the book review for The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953:
A most unlikely runner stood to my right as I gave the oral command for
the mobility impaired start of the 113th Boston Marathon on April 20,
2009. That most unlikely runner was Mary McManus. She overcame the
childhood challenges of paralytic polio and years of childhood trauma to
become a runner at the age of 53 years old and take on the challenge of
the Boston Marathon at 55 years old. In “The Adventures of Runnergirl
1953” you’ll be inspired as I have been by her courage, resilience and
determination to overcome whatever obstacles life put in her path.
Mary’s life story set against the backdrop of running in “The Adventures
of Runnergirl 1953” will leave you asking the question, “If Mary was
able to accomplish all that in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds,
what’s stopping me from being the best I can be?”
Sixteen years ago I received the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease and was told to prepare to spend therest of my life in a wheelchair. I was transformed through the sport of running. Instead of withering away in my later years, I am experiencing the potential for moreand more life!
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
On March 8, 2020, Team McManus hosted a water stop for L Street Running Club, our beloved running club since 2009. There was a din in the background about the Coronavirus that was growing louder with each passing day. We were in blissful denial as we had our table set up at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Centre Street, exchanging sweaty hugs while runners shared cups of water and Gatorade. They scooped up handfuls of goodies to keep them fueled for one of their last long runs before the Boston Marathon.
We were still on a high after Tom and Ruth Anne ran the Bermuda 10K in January, the Hyannis 10K in February and I was the guest speaker sharing the podium with Bill Rodgers in Hyannis. Hyannis Marathon Weekend was in all its glory and as we left the weekend with high fives and hugs we said, "See you in Boston."
At the water stop, everyone asked where we would be watching on Marathon Monday. "Where we always watch ... at the corner of Beacon Street and Dean Road."
There was no way to predict that there would be no Boston Marathon until September of 2021.
The next time we would gather as a Club when we would share hugs and break bread together was on 9/11/2022. Every moment and event since emerging from the pandemic has been filled with gratitude overflowing from our hearts.
We got up at 6am to make sure we were set up and ready when the first runners arrived to our table at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Centre Street. L Street was leaving Cleveland Circle heading out along the course to Wellesley College for a total of 20 miles. The sun was out to start the day but once the clouds and wind moved in, it felt quite chilly. Seeing our beloved L Street Running Family and other charity runners out on the course in full force along with the Heartbreakers group of 600 strong kept us warm.
While waiting for our L Street runners to return, we cranked up the car heater and watched a wonderful social science experiment as runners debated whether or not to partake of the goodies at our unattended table. Since there was a small group of L Street runners, we were delighted that runners could refuel and hydrate with our windfall of treats. Tina, one of our dear friends, an OG of L Street ran by with her posse of runner girls. I scooped up this photo from her post from the day:
This year's running of the Boston Marathon marks the 10th anniversary of 4/15/2013. We collectively feel how we are Boston Strong. In addition to the 10th anniversary of 4/15, we continue to emerge from the pandemic feeling the strength and resilience we have as individuals and in the power of our amazing running community.
We greeted the runners on their way to finishing their last long run before Boston and London. We hugged while they chugged Gatorade and water and took provisions for the last 2 1/2 miles back to Cleveland Circle. After we broke down the water stop, we brought 'leftovers' to Heartbreak Hill Running Company where staff reflected the glow of having Coach Dan out on the Hills cheering on 600 runners soaking up the energy that you feel only on the Newton Hills a few weeks before Boston Marathon weekend.
Our hearts were so full after being reunited with old runner friends and making new runner friends during a water stop on the Newton Hills. Being able to hug each other is something we took for granted three years ago but three years later, those hugs are precious gifts with moments to treasure.
Two weeks from Friday, the Boston Marathon Expo kicks off. Last year the Expo and the Boston Marathon were still emerging from the pandemic. This year it's going to be in high gear as we have a deep appreciation for all we have been through and the joy and celebration of the 2023 Boston Marathon.
"As marathoners we know about
pacing, about hard days, about broken dreams and yet we keep showing up. We
hang onto hope.We can beat this current
storm. We will win this race. And the after party will be glorious!"~Anonymous
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
Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.
Saturday mornings always beg the question, "Where should we run today?" It was a toss up between Heartbreak Hill and Jamaica Pond. Tom and Ruth Anne had 8 miles on tap as they ready for Half Marathon #2 for Victory Programs. I had my weekly 5K planned. We vacillated between the two running spots weighing the pros and cons of each. I had everything ready knowing that it would not be an out the door run where Ruth Anne and Tom could stop at the house for provisions.
The day was cool but the sun had that hint of Springtime is coming to Boston. Ruth Anne loves how I embrace this time of year when we get to experience anticipation of buds on the trees pregnant with possibilities before everything bursts into bloom. I love savoring the moments that lead up to Spring and Summer. My heart opens with joy knowing the beauty and warmth that is about to burst onto the scene.
The day started out with clouds yet the beauty of Jamaica Pond endures through any weather.
After their warm up, Tom and Ruth Anne set out in the opposite direction from me. My solo run is a time for solitude and reflection. As Boston has begun the countdown to the Boston Marathon in less than a month, I reflected on our training runs around Jamaica Pond. We did speed work, hills and long runs as we built speed and endurance in preparation of 26.2 miles. What a thrill and delight to be out in the elements and experience the change of seasons, especially since I was given stern warnings about the risk of falls especially in winter.
My poem "Courage" was inspired by one of our training runs around Jamaica Pond:
As Tom, Ruth Anne and I passed each other we gave high fives and took a water stop.
The clouds began to yield to sunshine and Mother Nature gave us a sneak preview of Spring's coming attractions.
While Tom and Ruth Anne finished their 8 miles, I savored the satisfaction of having completed my 5K while soaking in the sunshine as I refueled and hydrated. Geese honking and the gentle waves lapping against the shoreline were a wonderful soundtrack for my meditation.
Tom and Ruth Anne felt incredible joy that they completed their 8 miles feeling great knowing that they are one training run closer to the Providence Marathon Half Marathon for Victory Programs.
Prior to the start of my running career, I had been to Jamaica Pond only a couple of times. Tom and I rented a canoe before we had children. If you would have told me 16 years ago as I was just setting out on a quest to heal my life that Jamaica Pond would become a place near and dear to my heart for training runs, I would have said, "No way." But "Yes, way" as Jamaica Pond has become my happy place.
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
During Saturday's run as snow and rain pelted our faces around the Reservoir, I wondered "What's my why?"
Sixteen years ago, I did not have a 'why' for a regular health and wellness routine. I did have a why as a social worker at the Boston VA Outpatient Clinic. I had a why as a wife and mother. I did not have a why or how for self-care. I could have had my picture next to a definition of burnout in the dictionary as I faced the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I was blessed to find a path to heal my life from the once devastating effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma.
My why now is to share a powerful message of healing, hope and infinite possibilities. My why now is to be and feel the best I can be. During the pandemic, running outdoors was the only option we had as gyms were closed. I became conditioned to running in all kinds of weather occasionally using a treadmill if it was not safe to run outdoors. On Saturday's run, as the snow became heavier and the winds became colder, I felt a sense of power surge through me. The medical community gave me many admonitions as a polio survivor about being out in winter and being at risk for a fracture if I fell. They recommended that I use a cane with an ice gripper. Western Medicine providers meant well. They were basing their recommendation on what they observed happening with other patients who had the same condition as I had. My why is to let people know that living in fear only further compromises one's health and well-being. My why is to let people see by example that if you use it you do not lose it which had been the guidance of those living with neuromuscular conditions such as Post-Polio Syndrome or Multiple Sclerosis. Fortunately, there is a wealth of research about the power of the mind/body connectionand the benefits of exercise for individuals with neuromuscular conditions.
The Centers for Disease Control in the US is trying to understand the scope and impact of Long COVID on individuals. It is estimated that 1 in 5 individuals are living with symptoms of Long COVID. It was recognized as a disability in July 2021. The symptoms of Long COVID
bear a striking resemblance to those of PostPolio Syndrome.
progressive weakness in muscles and joints
pain in muscles and joints
body/mind fatigue and exhaustion with minimal activity
loss of appetite
fever
muscle atrophy (wasting)
bone distortions such as scoliosis (curving of the spine)
breathing issues
sleep disorders, insomnia, sleep apnea
swallowing issues
cold temperature intolerance, occasionally intolerance to heat
My why is to let people and health care professionals know there is possibility for healing beyond a diagnosis despite all appearances to the contrary. My why is to give hope to individuals who may be feeling anxious, helpless and hopeless in the wake of COVID-19. My why is to shine brightly sharing my passion and my purpose through my books, blog and appearances on podcasts and in print media. My why is because I am so blessed and grateful for the miracle of healing in my life that I want to ignite the spark of hope in others for what is possible.
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
I am going through my previous books to create a new book called "Running the Race: Inspirational Poetry From the Heart of a Warrior". It's an incredibly wonderful creative endeavor as I reflect on my healing journey and will be able to inspire others juxtaposing poetry with prose.
In February of 2007, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and to expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. It was a cold, dark February evening and I was home alone grappling with the dark night of mind, body and soul.
A poem, 'Running the Race'flowed out of me. My pen became my Divining rod for healing as a spigot was turned on in my soul. Poetry poured out of me healing the past through poems about forgiveness and gratitude for all of my experiences finding the gifts and treasures inside the challenges. I created a future very different than the one being predicted for me by Western Medicine.
While rereading "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life," I came across the poem, "Release". How amazing that before I had full awareness of what I was creating through my poetry, I was harnessing the power of the mind/body connection to heal the once devastating effects of childhood polio and trauma. I imagined God/Divine Intelligence/Source as my Master Electrician.
When I first set out on my journey to heal my life, taking a leap of faith leaving behind my 20 year career as an award winning social worker at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Boston, I knew about the work of Bernie Siegel, MD.His books and words of encouragement through the years, gave me hope that I could heal. He supported me through my 2009 Boston Marathon run and I believed I was off and running (pun intended) on my journey of transformation.
In December of 2014, I was stopped in my path by a very serious knee injury. I briefly returned to Western Medicine to see what needed to be healed. I found my way to a chiropractor who introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. His book, "You Are the Placebo" turbocharged my healing journey. In 2017, the Heal Documentary was released which is how I came to know the work of Dr. David and many other mind/body luminaries.
David shined the spotlight on the science behind what I was doing and had done through poetry and visualizing meditations!
There are so many studies confirming how the brain cannot tell the difference between real and imaginary. As I imagined being out of my leg brace, running and feeling free in my body; as I felt the Master Electrician healing the effects of trauma and polio, my body responded with new neuromuscular connections, growing a new gastroc muscle and being able to go beyond previous physical limitations caused by polio and trauma! I was blessed to initially partner with a physical therapist at Spaulding Rehab who believed in the body's tremendous capacity to heal and then a personal trainer who believed in infinite possibilities despite all appearances to the contrary. Here's a link to David's blog from March, 2018 explaining the science behind why visualization works.
When I told my personal trainer that I wanted to run the 2009 Boston Marathon in February of 2008, she told me that I was going to need a pair of running shoes!
Whenever my body is experiencing aches and pains, twinges or muscle spasms, I return to meditations visualizing My Master Electrician doing needed repairs from wear and tear through the years all the while expressing gratitude for the miracle of healing I've been blessed to experience. I use guided meditations from Bernie, Dr. David or whatever Spirit prompts me to focus on during a silent meditation.
I am deeply inspired by looking back at my journey through poetry and prose, knowing that it is going to bless the lives of so many who are looking for a spark to ignite the torch of healing on their path.
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
