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):
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