A Redemption Race!

 

I wasn't planning on running it and I certainly wasn't planning on racing it. As I reflect on Sunday's Squirrel Run XXVII aka my accidental race, I realized the impact that the DNF at the 2024 Bermuda 10K had on me. I was 'gun shy' of being part of a race again where I'd feel the pressure of a time goal. There is no time limit for my next goal race, the 2026 Hyannis 10K. I will, of course, be training to make it a personal best with a goal of 2:30 or less. I opted for the 2.5 mile fitness walk at the Squirrel Run to take any time pressure off of myself. The Universe had other plans. I am so glad She did! 

As I reflect on that DNF, I realized that while there were physical factors that contributed to my DNF, there were also psychological factors that contributed to my body calling it at 3:06 miles. Somewhere inside of me, I had doubts about being able to go the distance again in Bermuda despite having had 3 successful half marathons there in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and an exhilarating 10K in Hyannis in 2016. I went into the race feeling depleted mentally and physically from having contracted COVID in December of 2023, and family crises that year. I neglected to focus on mind and body self-care during my training cycle. 

Part of what made Saturday's race as spectacular as it was for me was that I took two rest days before the event. I treated it as just another 2.5 miles to do to support ALS research, a cause near and dear to my heart. When there is a breakthrough for treatment and understanding the etiology of any progressive neuromuscular disease, there is hope for all of them. There were no pre-race jitters because well - there was no race. The inner fire was lit when I found myself mid-pack.

 I was on the struggle bus early on at the Bermuda 10K. The weather was warm and muggy. The hills were unrelenting and extremely challenging. I didn't feel the joy of being off the sidelines in Bermuda. There were no crowds and the roads weren't closed. There was an energy and sense of purpose at the Squirrel Run that was missing in Bermuda. The roads were closed. The high school kids who hosted the water stop were genuinely happy to be there. There was camaraderie among the participants and there were some spectators lining the course cheering us on. There was no water stop in Bermuda until after the 5K mark! Ironically, the scene that I mentally rehearsed of coming into the finish with Tom and Ruth Anne, hands held high, receiving a medal,  happened not in Bermuda but at Saturday's accidental 5K. It was a moment of redemption for what did not happen in Bermuda.

 My love of being off the sidelines and seeing what this body can do was rekindled last Saturday. When I crossed that finish line, I stepped into feeling the joy of my next training cycle. I feel focused and a deep stirring in my soul that I am called to do this again. Hyannis Weekend holds incredible memories for me. It's a beautiful course and the weather adds to the magic and mystery of the event. At my first Half in Hyannis in 2009 on the road to the Boston Marathon, it was cold at the start with sleet at the end.  In 2011, it snowed. In 2014 it was a picture perfect end of winter day when Tom ran it. In 2020, it was a cold but sunny day. One year the race was cancelled due to unsafe conditions. I'm manifesting a picture perfect day for my triumphant Hyannis return and my return to the 10K distance at a live event. Even though I was a DNF in Bermuda, I did do a Virtual 10K on May the Fourth last year.

My heart overflows with gratitude and my soul dances with delight for the accidental 5K race. When I did an age-graded calculation for my 1:00:30 time, it came to 41:44. Wow for somebody who was supposed to be in a wheelchair, I really do go fast! 

This training cycle is a mile by mile every step is a gift every mile is a blessing adventure. Training beyond the distance of the 10K with my long term goal of doing a half marathon next Spring gives me a bounce in my step and a boost to my mental training. I see it and I feel it happening. Isn't it crazy how the Universe works sometimes?

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.

I was recently 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.

My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Bookshop  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.

 

I'm Now Off the Sidelines - An Accidental 5K!

I'd seen posts from members of our L Street Running Club about The Squirrel Run for years. Last year I was support crew for Tom and Ruth Anne's 5K. I knew we'd be back this year. The original plan was for me to do the 2.5 mile fitness walk, and Tom and Ruth Anne would run the 5K again. When it came time to register, Ruth Anne said we hadn't done any in-person events together in a long time so why not do the 2.5 mile fitness walk together?

Jake Kennedy was the Physical Therapist for our Club. His younger brother Jimmy, aka Squirrel, and father died from ALS. Club members were devastated when Jake was diagnosed in November 2019. The family started the Jake Kennedy ALS Fund which supports the research by Dr. Brown and his team at U Mass. Jake sadly died from ALS in 2020 . His brother Rich, aka Ratt was diagnosed with ALS in 2016 and is alive today, using only canes for mobility thanks to the Angel Fund research happening at UMass. Having been diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, another progressive neuromuscular disease in December of 2006, I know how blessed I am to be able to be healthy and mobile, supporting the research to ultimately find a cure while finding treatment to forestall the progression of symptoms.

We arrived early at Pageant Field to get our bibs and have time for meet ups with our L Street running family. Gun time was 10:00 but when we arrived at 8:45 the festivities were in high gear.

 

 We took a selfie with Paul Falcetta, President of L Street. We exchanged hugs and high fives with members of our L Street running family, shared congratulations from the Boston Marathon and got caught up on what was happening in our lives and the Club.

 

 

 

 

 This year there were 469 runners as compared to the 255 runners from 2024. There were 185 walkers as compared to 115 in 2024. During the pre-race remarks, Ratt expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous turnout, the support of community groups and the Mayor of Quincy. He introduced Dr. Brown as the celebrity to his right.

 

It was an unceremonious start for the walkers after the runners went on their way. I had to ask if the walkers should start and was told, "Just go over the mat." Bag pipes played at the bottom of the hill. I was overcome with emotion. My initial plan for doing this 2.5 mile fitness walk was to take it in stride, relax and enjoy the day. It was the first time I had a bib on for an in-person event since the Bermuda 10K in 2024 when I experienced my first DNF. I did go on to do a Virtual 10K on May 4 of last year. 

Right before gun time, I decided that, since it was "only" 2.5 miles I would play with speed to see what this body could do. 

The first mile had an uphill. I glanced at my pace and it was 20:15. Keep in mind as I share my pace, that, for somebody who was supposed to be in a wheelchair, I go pretty fast. Something stirred in my soul at the 1 mile marker:

I know that I am only in competition with myself but I wanted to push myself for the next 1.5 miles. I asked if there were anyone behind us. I expected the answer to be either no or a few people since I am typically a back of the pack runner. Tom, Ruth Anne and another walker said "There are a lot of people behind us." I couldn't believe it! I was lit thinking that I can do this for one more mile. Ruth Anne was pacing me by going in front of me. She usually has to wait for me to catch up but I was able to kick it. I was totally in the zone rocking 16, 17, 18 and 19 minute/mile paces. 

    

What a thrill to be in the middle of the pack. Tom was kind enough to take photos so I could focus on my effort. It fueled my joy and exhilaration to be off the sidelines again. My mileage was at 1.6. We approached a water stop hosted by teenagers who were part of, I am presuming, the Quincy High football team. Jimmy was an outstanding football player and track athlete at North Quincy High. It was a God send. I put the cotton race t-shirt over my lightweight running shirt. The air was cool before gun time, and I hadn't planned on racing or going for more than 2.5 miles. The air was warm and humid by Wollaston Beach. The boys were enthusiastic; genuinely happy to be serving and cheering on the participants. One of them said to me, "You're doing great! You're halfway there." 

Wait, What? Halfway there? We have less than a mile to go. It got curiouser and curiouser as the turn back to the finish line was nowhere in sight. Thank goodness I dumped the cold water over me at the water stop. As my Garmin turned over to 2.55 miles and I was still keeping a brisk pace, it dawned on me that perhaps we were on course to do the full 5K. We paused for a moment. Ruth Anne asked me if I wanted to call it and just walk it in. Something deep within me said, "No way. This wasn't what I planned but for some reason it's what I am being called to do."

I kept up my pace of 16's, 17's, 18's and 19's and stayed focused. I transcended something within me. I felt a sense of reckless abandon while being very mindful of what was happening in my body. I was leaving nothing out there on a day when I was planning to just take it easy to go out and support a great cause. We finally saw the turn to the hill - yes hill cuz why not? going to the finish line.

It was a dig deep, boy I can't believe I just did that moment. Thank you to Kick to the Finish, LLC Timing Company for capturing the moments getting ready to hit the finish line mat:

Ruth Anne secured the last medal for me letting the person giving out the medals that even though we were signed up as walkers, I did the 5K. Side bar - you see Tom holding a blue bag in the photo. Our car was parked at the bottom of the hill and "for some reason" I thought to throw a bag of pretzels in the bag at the last minute. Tom grabbed the bag so I would be able to ease the nausea and replace the salt lost from the sweat at pushing my body to its limit after we crossed the finish line.

I placed 3/15 in the female 70-80 Age Group. I placed 68/185 'walkers.' My splits were 20:19, 19:20 and 19:21. Chip time was 1:00:33 for an average pace of 19:32. I could have done the 5K run and come in at 456 several runners ahead of the last person to finish. 

 

What a confidence boost for me during this training cycle for the 2026 Hyannis 10K. What an amazing lesson to learn about expectations,  spontaneity, what happens when I dial in to possibilities and run with heart and soul. 

 

I am deeply grateful to my body for all it gave me yesterday. I am incredibly grateful to the Universe for presenting me with this phenomenal opportunity to be off the sidelines and race an accidental 5K. Thank you to Tom and Ruth Anne for being a part of my celebration; celebrating 18 years of healing in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.  God Bless Ratt, Dr. Brown and all who are tirelessly searching for treatment and ultimately a cure; the amazing community of runners, volunteers, police and all who worked together to put on the Squirrel Run XXVII. 

 

After the race we met a few more members of L Street near the finish line and in the parking lot, and Amanda, the winner of the Women's Division who we've been friends with for years. It was a perfect ending to an accidentally perfect kind of day.

 

 

 

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.

I was recently 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.

My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Bookshop  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.

 

 

 

Celebrating Global Running Day!

 

I could fill an entire blog post with running quotes that express my sentiments about a sport that I discovered at the age of 53. Instead, I will share how I celebrated Global Running Day 2025 and take a look back at the highlights of my running career. I got up at 6:30am since the forecast called for heat and humidity in the afternoon. Wednesdays are usually my rest day but I cannot pass up getting in magical morning miles before breakfast to celebrate Global Running Day.

As we approach the summer solstice, the verdant green colors of trees and grass, and vibrant color of the wildflowers are a feast for the eyes. The still waters of the Reservoir, home to ducks and geese, settle my soul into a peaceful rhythm as I run. 

As a child, I never knew the freedom and joy of playing outside. Contracting paralytic polio at age 5, followed by enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members severely limited me. BUT as Tony Robbins said, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood."  With every run, no matter if I'm on the struggle bus or not, there is a place within me fueled by gratitude and joy that I have the ability to move outside.

 I captured the joy of my first race in "Celebrating My Race-iversary." The 2nd road race I ran was the Marathon Sports 5 Miler. It was an evening race. It was hot and we got lost on the way to the start. It was a fast field and I had a lot of "polio" memories surface. Tom would not let me quit. I knew that if I did not make it to that finish line, I would not make it to the start of the Boston Marathon. When I came into the finish, the Marathon Sports staff blew the air horn as though I had broken the finisher's tape.  

The Tufts 10K in October was a celebration of women running. It was my first 10K race that gave me confidence as a new runner. In February of 2009, I had a pinnacle experience meeting Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter and having them welcome me into the fold. I ran my first Half Marathon race and met members of the L Street and Merrimack Valley Striders Club who became like family.

  

My Boston Marathon run is beautifully captured in this piece from Channel 7 News:
 

 

I took some time off to recover from Boston and was back on the roads in June of 2010. I decided to do 5K's and experience the exhilaration and joy of being a part of this community where taunts and jeers that I'd known as a child were transformed into celebrations and cheers!

 

In 2011, my nephew died by suicide. I was devastated. At a time when I should have continued running and allowed myself to be surrounded by the love of running family, I stopped running. You don't know what you don't know! But in 2013, I was at the Mandarin Hotel to celebrate Marathon Monday with the Spaulding Rehab team. Fortunately we evacuated safely but it was a wake up call for me to get back to the sport I loved. In December of 2014, I blew out my left knee but, long story short, I got back on the roads and ran Bermuda Half Marathons 2016, 2017 and 2018 with the Hyannis 10K in 2016.

The medical community said I should  prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years after that knee injury and cap my distance at a 5K. The Universe and I had other plans as I partnered with a chiropractor and doubled down on my mind/body healing.

 

Let's fast forward to today. I am training for the 2026 Hyannis 10K and plan to get back to the Half Marathon Distance next Spring. Every day is a celebration of life for me as my heart overflows with gratitude for the gifts and treasures that running has brought into my life.

 

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.

I was recently 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.

My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Bookshop  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.

 

 

 

Celebrating My Race-iversary!

 

 

 

Wait! What?? "Easy out Alper," the last pick in gym class, the one who was bullied, taunted and teased after contracting paralytic polio in 1959 found herself at the starting line of her first 5K race on June 1, 2008? 

You better believe it. Or maybe it's kind of hard to believe. In December of 2006, I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome. I'd been told to expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged and to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair! In February of 2007, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. I knew I was at a crossroads in my life. I'd been told that, in order to try to stabilize the symptoms where they were,  I needed to quit my award-winning career as a VA social worker. I was in a toe-up leg brace using a cane and at times, a wheelchair for mobility. The prognosis was dire. It was the dark night of mind, body and soul BUT as I sat at my dining room table looking over the papers of "new age" teachers who in truth were touting ancient wisdom, I felt this urge to create overtake me. But create what? My career was coming to an end and my twins were grown. The poem, "Running the Race" flowed out of me.

 

I was curious. Why was I imagining myself winning a 10K race given the diagnosis and prognosis I received a few short months before writing that poem. Poetry flowed out of me as though a spigot was turned on in my soul. I was blessed to have a physical therapist and then a personal trainer who believed in the body's tremendous capacity to heal. My personal trainer, Janine believed in what Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right!" At first, Janine held the belief for both of us that I could get stronger, but as we worked together, with writing poetry and working as hard as I did after contracting paralytic polio to regain functioning, I experienced a connection to my body I'd not known before in my life.

 

In February of 2008, Janine asked me for my next goals. Without any thought, after listing the desire to feel free in my body, take a dance class, come out of my leg brace, diversify my workouts, I said, "Wait! I have one more goal!" With her hand on the door knob and her bag of equipment packed, she asked, "What's that?" "I want to run the Boston Marathon next year for Spaulding Rehab. I hear they have a Race for Rehab Team." She was totally non-plussed. She put down her things and out of all the things she could have said, she said, "Well. You are going to need a pair of running shoes!"

 

She recommended that we put races on our training schedule. The first race was the Corrib Pub 5K. You can see from the look on my face in the above photo that I was wondering what am I doing here and feeling a combination of nerves and excitement. I loved how I felt in my body when I ran. Janine took me from a walk/run teaching me that running is just like walking only faster. The first time I ran, my heart rate went up over 160! Janine helped me to train mind and body.

 

I had no idea of what to expect at the Corrib Pub 5K. It was my first exposure to what the running community is all about. Runners were incredibly friendly and talkative. I was shocked by their reaction to my story having only known jeers and taunts when it came to any athletic endeavors. Tom shared my story as we ran through the streets of West Roxbury. Spectators lined the course with hoses to cool down the runners.  I was running through sprinklers! I experienced a sense of joy, exhilaration and freedom that, up until those moments, existed only in my imagination when I wrote poetry. I may not have had the right gear or "looked like a runner" but the running community embraced me as one of their own!

 

The runners who we spoke with at the start of the race were at the finish line to cheer me on. It didn't matter that I ran slowly and had to walk part of the race, especially the hills. What mattered was that I had the courage to ditch a diagnosis and take on a monumental challenge despite never having run a day in my life. What a great first race experience and an introduction to a community that has become like family to me during these 17 years. 

 

This is what I looked like after doing something I'd never done before in my life; something I never dreamed I could or would do except in my imagination:

I will be forever grateful to Corrib Pub for having an all inclusive race culture as I celebrate my 17th Race-iversary. It got me off on the right foot on the road to the 2009 Boston Marathon.

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.

I was recently 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.

My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Bookshop  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.