Run Bermuda! Run Happy! Reflections on Hope

It's 74 days and counting until Bermuda Marathon Race Weekend. I was planning to take a hiatus from running another Half Marathon after this year's race in January but God had other plans with an invitational entry from the Race Director. I'm learning that I can trust my body to go the distance especially after Saturday's race and the way my body is responding and recovering during this training cycle.

After a very serious knee injury in December of 2014, and one that the group of professionals I worked with told me would be "it" as far as my running goes, I met hope in the guise of Dr. Ryan J. Means who whispered in my ear, "Try this one more time." I could not seem to find traction in my healing journey after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. I ran the 2009 Boston Marathon which was phenomenal after being told I would spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and crashed after I crossed the finish line. With the help of a phenomenal cervical spine doctor and physical therapist, I got back on the roads. After my nephew's suicide in March of 2011, I strayed way off of my healing path and lost my resilience until, interestingly enough, the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings which was a wake up call for me. After returning to the roads, I came smack up against that knee injury.

While everyone was saying that I should not have started running in the first place, that in all likelihood the Post Polio Syndrome was manifesting now and would progress, Dr. Ryan was using Kinesiotaping and every tool in his tool kit of chiropractic care, as a chiropractor, a personal trainer and healer to get me back on my healing path. It was time to achieve my goal of healing my life from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma; a goal I set when I left my award winning career in May of 2007. At the time I had no idea what that meant but now I do!

He introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. Dr. Joe's message is all about hope and potential believing in the realm of infinite possibilities. Through meditation and being willing to break the habit of being ourselves, we can draw that future to us.

I drew that future of healing and wholeness through my pen, my Divining Rod for healing through writing inspirational poetry. I had such hope and a deep belief that I felt throughout every fiber of my Being that I was already healed and whole.

Hope and gratitude go hand in hand. They are elevated emotions that remind us that something more is not only possible but by giving thanks for what has already happened we help to create that reality in our lives. When I began this journey in May of 2007, my poems were overflowing with gratitude; not only for the blessings to come but by blessing my past feeling grateful for everything that happened to me.



Without polio and severe trauma I would not be the woman I am today nor would I have a purpose and a passion to spread a message of healing, hope and possibility to others who may be suffering and struggling with life's challenges.

A quick story about hope and possibility from yesterday's cross training session in the pool on the road to Bermuda Half Marathon III.

I've seen so many people lift themselves up and out of the pool with their arms. It's been something I've wanted to do ever since I was a young girl and attended swim camp after contracting paralytic polio. I've been doing a lot of upper body strength training and focusing my meditation on healing. I decided that it was time to experiment and to just imagine and feel myself lifting myself out of the pool effortlessly without what Dr. Joe would call analytical thought. I did it! I put my back against the side of the pool, put my arms on the ledge, one foot bent on the inside wall of the pool for added "umph" and the next thing I knew I was out of the pool!

Almost 64 years old and I'm challenging myself to discover new ways of doing things that I had only dreamed about.

In 75 days I will toe the starting line of my 3rd Half Marathon in as many years. I'm feeling strong, confident and determined living on hope, gratitude and prayers!

To going the distance with strength and courage
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Be sure to listen to my interview with Keith Cartwright, "From Polio Survivor to Boston Marathon Finisher" by following this link.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Going the Distance: Trick or Trot 5K Race Report

My only expectation for yesterday's Trick or Trot 5K was to support my daughter's friend, Jenny and her family. I was happy to take a break from Bermuda Half Marathon III long runs and support such a heartbreaking yet heartwarming cause.

We got up at 5:45 am, did a meditation, core work, had our breakfast and headed to Plymouth High School.

Such a beautiful morning for a drive and a race. I wasn't sure if the camera would capture the beauty of the sunrise but here it is:


We got our bibs and Ruth Anne checked in with her friend Jenny who was setting up the water stop. The Council on Aging's Senior Center was gracious enough to let us use their bathroom. I realized that by age, I am a senior but in my mind, in my heart and when I run, I am anything but a senior citizen!

Did you ever have a moment where you were just drawn to something? That's how I felt when I saw Redpoint Physical Therapy set up near the starting line. Free screenings and Kinesiotaping. Now usually I am very hesitant about trying something new especially before a race and at the height of training for Bermuda but I instinctively knew I was going to allow myself to be taped.



As I shared my story, Erin Penney, a PT certified in kinesiotaping, Cara Folino, PTA and Jasmine Stephens, PT, DPT who were also volunteering were enthralled with my journey. Erin asked me how I was usually taped and she said she would try something different. She explained what she was doing and why. When I told them about my gastroc muscle, how on MRI it was atrophied but with the help of Ryan J. Means, DC and the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza, Erin was totally on board with taping my gastroc muscle as Dr. Ryan had done shortly after my knee injury in December 2014.

After the race I googled Redpoint Physical Therapy and discovered their philosophy of treatment that has been my philosophy of recovery from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma during these past 11 years:
Sometimes the climb to the top seems impossible. Especially when you have tried so many times before.

The term “Redpoint” is a climbing term that refers to completing a route which has been unsuccessful on other attempts. Whether you're dealing with a new injury, or you have a chronic problem that you have been unable to resolve, we are confident we can help you reach your goals and improve your quality of life.

At Redpoint, we offer a fresh approach to physical rehab - We won’t simply treat body parts. We'll treat people. Our thorough approach provides a superior rehab experience and includes a combination of skilled manual therapy, as well as a comprehensive list of highly specific therapeutic exercises.

Our goal at Redpoint PT is not just to rehabilitate you, but to take your rehab to a new level!

As I talked with Cara about how I fired up the gastroc muscle in my left leg and worked to spread my toes, she was in synch in understanding that I used the concept of mirror neurons to heal. "We are using that with one of our patients who has a dropped foot!"

Erin had me jog a little to see how the taping felt. "We can change it up if it's not effective," she said.

It was perfect!

Ruth Anne's friend Jenny came over to the start with her family. Despite the heartbreak they have suffered, they are the embodiment of grace and resilience deeply grateful that we were a part of the day. Such a warm and tender moment shared before the start of the race.

The kids fun run went off first. They were so adorable. Ruth Anne heard one little boy say to his mother, "My brother paced me."

Here is Team McManus at the start:


It was gun time! I was unusually relaxed running a race that I had never run before with a Race Director I had not run with especially given this notice on the race website:
BEWARE! Although the 5K takes place on fully paved roads, there are hills in Plymouth.

Sharing my story with the staff from Redpoint Physical Therapy and getting taped gave me a powerful reminder that I can go the distance and open it up on a 5K to experience the thrill of racing.

While I could have easily done an easy pace since walkers were welcome, I knew that if I wasn't doing a long run, I needed to push the pace.

The air horn went off and off we went on a downhill. "We're going pretty fast ma," Ruth Anne noticed.

"I know it," and I added a quote from my beloved personal trainer, Janine who helped us go the distance in the 2009 Boston Marathon. "Let's see what this body can do."

It was a beautiful course that went through the hilly neighborhoods of Plymouth. There was only a car here or there and they had a police officer directing traffic at a busy intersection.

The sun was shining the spotlight on the beautiful Fall foliage. We were truly blessed by the running weather gods.

I was pushing myself hard for the first mile and after briefly pausing for a sip of water, I knew I needed to feel my pace and get into a rhythm. I didn't want to look at our pace; I wanted to feel my pace.

The front of the pack was far ahead of us and the walkers far behind us until we saw the leaders of the pack on the loop back to the finish. The course was very well marked with arrows on placards that noted the sponsors who supported this race for a very special and important cause.

Shortly after the halfway point, we met Jenny and her family at the water stop. What love and strength are woven into the fabric of the tapestry of this family who knows the tragedy of the opioid epidemic. The family members who weren't running were making sure the runners had a water stop after a huge uphill. Jenny's grandmother was so kind and worried that we wouldn't make it to the finish. I reassured her we were all doing great!

Life happens on the hills!

I felt strong and steady meeting the challenge of each of the hills with a sense of fierceness and determination. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was preparing to conquer the challenge of the hills in the Bermuda Half Marathon 2018. I experienced back spasms on the hills in January 2017 and that left an imprint of a memory that was washed away with each hill I conquered yesterday. I thanked God for every downhill and relished the ease in my body. We enjoyed conversations through my labored breath and savored the experience of running a new route.

Before coming into the finish there was a push for one more very steep uphill. I knew my friend Laura Donahue Brady was waiting for us. She lives in Plymouth and her daughter teaches at the high school. She ran the race last year and offered to cheer us on. I know her energy helped me to sprint across the finish line.

Happiness is knowing that you've done your best in a race and then having your dear friend there to meet you at the finish line. She snapped these photos of Team McManus coming into the finish:


We took these photos with Laura to capture the traditional Team McManus post race selfie:


After we finished, we chatted with Jenny. Jenny's mom, niece and nephew finished their race in loving memory of Nicole O'Meara Webster who died of an overdose leaving two children:


Molly is at Suffolk University and is able to attend college in large part due to the Webster Children's Trust Fund. Brad is a senior in high school.

Here is the family gathered together:


We said goodbyes and received an outpouring of thanks from Jenny and her family. Jenny's mom is now raising her grandchildren after the tragic death of their father by overdose last year. If you would like to donate to the Webster Children's Family Trust you can do so by sending a check to:
Rockland Trust Webster Childrens Trust Fund
Pilgrim Hill Rd
Plymouth MA 02360

I was so grateful to them for the honor to run in the race and to experience life on the hills!

Once we got home and enjoyed omelette Spinach wraps for post-race fueling, I checked our activity on Nike+. Our pace was steady throughout the race with a negative split for the last mile despite a few monster hills.

We looked up the race results just for fun and .... I was so surprised and delighted to find out that I was 2nd in my age group of 60-69 females.

I was so excited that I posted on Facebook in large letters:
Attention everyone - this runnergirl1953 was 2nd in her Age Group today!

I was amazed and astounded by the outpouring of congratulations and love.

What a confidence booster for Bermuda Half Marathon III.

It's quite wonderful and awe-some what happens when we set out with an open heart to give, and receive so much more in return.

Next week Team McManus has 11 miles on tap on the road to Bermuda now just 75 days away.

To going the distance with strength and courage
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Be sure to listen to my interview with Keith Cartwright, "From Polio Survivor to Boston Marathon Finisher" by following this link.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Going the Distance: Gratitude for Where My Body Takes Me

In my previous blog post I reflected on the role that gratitude played in my healing journey after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006.

As Dr. Lizzie Sobel of Wholesome Healing Chiropractic gently administered traction to my right leg, I shared with her how when I was 11 years old I was in a full leg cast from hip to ankle. Dr. Lizzie said how important it is to express gratitude to our bodies. I shared with her the synchronicity of her comment. We talked about how I ask a lot of my body by training for Bermuda Half Marathon III. While we focus on pain and areas that need attention, because that's why I go for chiropractic care, it is important to look at the whole picture of how much functions so well in our bodies.

Indeed! And I say thank you to my body for my health and the miracle of healing in my body that enables me to get out and run and run long and strong.

My body running has taken me from Hopkinton to Boston in the 2009 Boston Marathon for an experience of a lifetime! Along the way I inspired the running community and found a whole new village in my life:


My body running has taken me to Bermuda where I have made memories and friendships to last a lifetime:


Whenever I get frustrated with my body for not being fast enough or that I have to work so very hard to achieve my goals, I remind myself that there is so much to be grateful for. I have two legs and I'm able to get out and enjoy the freedom that running brings - whatever the pace!

As I experience a deep sense of gratitude for the miracle of healing in my life, healing the effects of paralytic polio and trauma, I experience a sense of wholeness and appreciation for my body.

I saw this post on Facebook the other day that I shared on my wall:

63

To all my women friends of age; Most of us are going through it....We are at that age where we see the wrinkles, grey hair, extra pounds. We see the pretty 25 year olds and sigh. But we were once 25 too, just like they will one day be our age. What they bring to the table with their youth and zest for life, we bring to the table our wisdom, experience, and good hearts. For all we've been through earning each grey hair....be it raising kids, paying bills, illness and whatever else life brought us over our 30's, 40's and 50+ years....we are survivors....we are warriors.....we are women. Like a classic car or fine wine ~ while our exterior may not be what it once was ~ it is traded for our spirit, for our courage and our survival to enter this chapter of our lives with grace and pride for all we've been through and accomplished. Never feel bad about aging. It is a privilege denied to many.

Ladies Repost with your picture and your age.❤️

Original post by Genevieve DeRose. Beautiful woman inside and out ♡


In the above photo, my running body took me to Hyannis during Memorial Weekend to run the Michael Aselton 5K that kicked off the beginning of a new decade of a healing.

Instead of feeling anxious on Saturday running a race that I've never run before with a Race Director I've not run a race with, I am going to feel grateful that it I'll be out there, running for a cause and it will be yet another wonderful experience for where my body takes me!



To going the distance with strength and courage
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Be sure to listen to my interview with Keith Cartwright, "From Polio Survivor to Boston Marathon Finisher" by following this link.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Going the Distance: World Polio Day - Overcoming Obstacles - On Gifts, Gratitude and Healing

Shortly after being diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, I discovered the healing power of poetry in my soul. Despite experiencing chronic pain and fatigue and facing an uncertain future, when I wrote poetry, I immersed myself emotionally in a future time of being completely healed from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma and transformed the past with poems of gratitude and forgiveness.

The Gift of Polio
Thank you God for the gift of polio that brought me so close to you
while paralyzed I saw your face no matter what I’d do
Many wonderful healers you sent them to me at age 5
perseverance and triumph life’s lessons learned
but my Spirit could not yet thrive.

At age 53 the gift was sent to me a second time
having time to sit and feel to heal I started to rhyme.
The second time felt worse than the first
yet your love and wisdom I found
out of pain and weakness and fatigue a remarkable spirit rebound.

Reliving all the trauma of special shoes and such
I discovered remarkable healers who brought a loving touch.
I had no clue I had such strength and the ability to grow
no matter what the outcome deep gratitude I show.

This gift so precious I live a new life gratitude flows from me
my heart and soul are filled with grace each day’s a gift from thee.

As I did my Cardio Workout - 6.3 miles combined on the Arc Trainer and the Bike at my gym, I thought about how blessed I am to experience the miracle of healing in my life in the wake of having contracted paralytic polio and enduring unrelenting violence at the hands of family members. It's training day 4/5 on the road to Bermuda Half Marathon III.

Eleven years ago I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. Three years ago in December I was told I shouldn't run anymore following a very serious knee injury due in part to the effects of paralytic polio and having an atrophied calf muscle in my left leg. I required 5 surgeries on my left leg through the years including reconstructive leg surgery over 20 years ago. The MRI in December of 2014 indicated that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years. I was told to stop running and received an invitation to return to the Post Polio Clinic for a reevaluation. I opted out of Western Medicine and was blessed to meet Ryan J. Means, DC who in turn introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. I continue to practice Dr. Joe's teachings as I continue to heal my life.

Instead of accepting that invitation to return to the Post Polio Clinic, I received and accepted an invitational entry in April to the Bermuda Marathon Weekend now just 80 days away.

On this, World Polio Day I give thanks for the vaccines that are being administered worldwide and the campaign through Rotary International and the Gates Foundation that has brought the number of cases worldwide to less than 20. I know first hand the obstacles and challenges that come with contracting paralytic polio. Unfortunately there are many in the U.S. who are experiencing the challenges and obstacle of Post-Polio Syndrome as I had for many years and continue to heal the effects of paralytic polio and trauma.

The incidence of postpolio syndrome (PPS) in previous acute polio patients ranges from approximately 22-68%. The prevalence of the PPS was estimated at 28.5% of all paralytic polio cases. The current prevalence is approximately 1.6 million cases. Suggestions have been made that 100% of polio survivors, if tracked for a long period, can develop some symptoms of PPS. Source: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/306920-overview#a6

Yet, as I say in my poem, I also know the gifts that polio and Post-Polio Syndrome have brought into my life.

I had a mystical experience when I was 5 years old lying paralyzed on the couch as I write about in my memoir, "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility":
As I lay on the couch, my mother glared at me smoking a cigarette. I had to go to the bathroom but I knew better than to ask her. I learned that I had to wait until my father or grandfather came home to be toileted. I had a vision. This beautiful Being with a flowing white beard appeared. A hand was extended to me to climb into a well bucket only there was no hand. I climbed into the well bucket even though I lay paralyzed on the couch. I was reeled up to meet this Being and then I returned to my paralyzed body. I knew that somehow I was going to make it through this mess.
After experiencing this vision, I saw this Being everywhere I looked. I saw the Being in my storybook. Whether my eyes were open or closed this Being was with me. Guardian Angel? or hallucination from the fever and pain of polio? I cast my vote for Guardian Angel that was there to protect me. Despite the emotional and physical pain, the abject terror I was experiencing, somewhere within me I felt peace and comfort.
I regained movement of my right arm and leg but my left arm and leg remained paralyzed. At least I could wiggle around a little on the couch and could hold my books. Here I was with this cold, angry, rejecting woman smoking a cigarette who would not and could not touch me, waiting for my father or grandfather to come home to meet my basic needs. Despite the precarious predicament I was in, I had a sense of safety. This was my first of many experiences of being touched by grace.

“Hi – I’m from the March of Dimes. I understand your daughter has polio. May I come in and see her?”

“Yes, someone has come for me,” I thought.

She helped me down onto the carpeted floor.

“Let me see how you can move…can you move from side to side? Can you roll over?” she gently asked me.

“Boy you are one of the lucky ones…”

“Really?” I thought to myself – “this is lucky?”

But she was right. There were many children who were institutionalized and in iron lungs. There were many children and adults who never regained movement after paralysis and there were thousands who died in the polio epidemics. Yes indeed I was one of the lucky ones. And although my mother did not have the capacity to care for me and about me, I had my spirit guide who invited me to make a choice. I chose life.

Shortly after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I discovered the gift of poetry in my soul. That first poem, "Running the Race", foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run AND got me into running, the best sport in the world!



World Polio Day is a day to celebrate the efforts of the World Health Organization, Rotary International and the Gates Foundation in their effort to eradicate polio worldwide. It's a day to bring awareness to the work that still needs to be done to end polio now.

World Polio Day is a day for me to reflect on the gift of polio and Post-Polio Syndrome in my life and the miracle of healing that I have been able to create through the grace of God. It's a day for me to celebrate all that I have overcome!

To going the distance with strength and courage
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Be sure to listen to my interview with Keith Cartwright, "From Polio Survivor to Boston Marathon Finisher" by following this link.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Countdown to Bermuda: Run Because It's Beautiful

I could write a book about what running means to me - and I am in the process of writing that book with "The Adventures of Runnergirl1953," but on this morning's run I experienced the beauty and the power of running and felt compelled to write today's blog. Running is a gift in my life that I cherish every day.



The forecast called for rain for the next 3 days here in Boston. While running in the rain has its own special magic, we opted to switch things up in the training plan this week and run today. Ruth Anne decided to run later in the day. Tom and I haven't been on a run alone together for several months. While we are thrilled that Ruth Anne is joining us on the road to Bermuda Half Marathon III, it was so special to have time alone together in the early morning fog seeing the Fall foliage at its finest running around the Reservoir.

It's a sacred time to be together allowing the rhythm of our running feet, the stillness of the water in the Reservoir reflecting the splendor of the leaves on the trees before they let go and our unplugged time together to create a magical start to the day. We gain perspective on the stress in our lives and let it go and it's a time to celebrate our relationship of over 40 years of being together; next March we celebrate 40 years of marriage.

Running has taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. Eleven years ago I was struggling to get through each day. My mind, body and soul was crying out for healing. I had never run a day in my life when I declared that I would run the 2009 Boston Marathon. From a leg brace and using a wheelchair at times for mobility and being told I'd spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair after being diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease, to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon. Quite a feat for anybody but especially someone with the challenges I faced as a result of having contracted paralytic polio at age 5 followed by 9 years of unrelenting family violence from the time I was 8 until my father's suicide when I was 17 years old.

Running has been my therapy.

Next year I celebrate 10 years of running on the heels of 11 years of my healing odyssey after I left my 20 year award winning career as a VA social worker with the intention to heal my life. At the time I had no idea what that meant or that it would take me out onto the roads on incredible adventures meeting so many wonderful people along the way. Whether racing or training for an endurance event or enjoying the simplicity of an early morning run ... I run because it's beautiful!



To going the distance with strength and courage
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Be sure to listen to my interview with Keith Cartwright, "From Polio Survivor to Boston Marathon Finisher" by following this link.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Countdown to Bermuda: A Perfect 10 for 10.5 - I've Got This!

In our training plan on the road to Bermuda Half Marathon III, I amped up the mileage early to try to ensure that we'd be able to get in quality miles for a good percentage of our long runs. Last year we went indoors early in the training and toughed out miles in less than optimal weather.

Yesterday was a gift from the weather gods in the world of training. The weather was what we'd expect to experience in Bermuda but certainly a surprise for October 21st in Boston. I was able to experience race day conditions with a 10.5 mile training run wearing shorts and a sleeveless top. Last year I overdressed and that was definitely a factor in my experiencing muscle spasms and cramps at mile 10.

I have a focus and intention to my training this year and feel the fears melting away. The work of Dr. Joe Dispenza's meditations and teachings are helping me experience confidence and strength in my ability to go the distance for the 3rd consecutive year and is facilitating my healing from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma taking this healing to a new level!

Team McManus was able to simulate fueling, hydration and pacing for the day. We visualized and I led the charge putting us in the moment of what it will be like in Bermuda going 13.1 miles on January 14th.

I've let go of a finishing time. Last year I put so much pressure on myself and it had untoward effects on my body. What a blessing to have the blessing of Race Director Anthony Raynor who told me as long as I finish before his last marathoner, I have nothing to worry about.

Yesterday was the first training run on the road to Bermuda Half Marathon III that I felt that I've got this. We've done a few long runs in rain, a few in chilly weather and yesterday in absolutely beautiful perfect weather conditions. I did not plan to take on the challenge of a third Bermuda Half Marathon but then received an invitational entry. I experienced a lot of fears and doubts especially as the miles added up. I've been engaging in a lot of positive self talk, journaling about my fears so I can be aware of them and releasing them and feeling how deep in my soul I am meant to go the distance once again.

Only 2.5 miles to finishing a half marathon --- I've got this - especially after a perfect 10 kind of day.



Next week we take a break from a long run. We will be taking a pause for a cause and running a 5K race.

In two weeks - 11 miles. We take a mini taper with 5 miles on 11/18.

Only 6 long runs to go until taper time... it bears repeating - I've got this!

To going the distance with strength and courage
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Be sure to listen to my interview with Keith Cartwright, "From Polio Survivor to Boston Marathon Finisher" by following this link.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):