Celebrating Ten Years of Running: My Morning Run

Yesterday's run was going to be an easy 5K. Tom and I are running the Joseph Middlemiss Superhero 5K on Saturday. It's a hilly course and my first road race since the Bermuda Half Marathon in January. I've been giving my body time and space to recover from 3 half marathons in as many years being mindful of what a miracle it was to have run 3 half marathons in consecutive years! Polio, trauma, Post-Polio Syndrome and a serious knee injury were not going to stop me!

My first mile was at an easy pace.

I couldn't leave it at easy and I picked up my pace that yielded a negative split of 34 seconds. The third mile was a +14 second split from mile 2 but still a 20 second negative split from mile 1.

It was a warm morning for September 17th here in Boston and quite humid. I loved being able to wear a tank top and shorts and could subtitle our run "Endless summer." I savored everything about our run. As the run went on, I felt my endorphins kick in. Problems became more manageable; stress melted away. I became in tune and in step with the Universe enjoying the sights, sounds and scents of our run. We had a lot of company on our run from Boston College students and staff. The energy is contagious from other like minded people who know the benefits of getting up and out on an early morning run.

By the time we got home dripping with sweat and a little nauseous from the heat and pushing the pace, I felt my heart open overflowing with gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Oh sure we have our challenges - everyone does - but the best way to shrink those challenges to a manageable size is to run. I don't run away from my problems. I run to transform and transcend those problems by shifting the hormones of stress to the hormones of well being and happiness. I smiled as the tea kettle whistled letting me know it was time for oatmeal (and coffee for Tom) and I popped in the quinoa bread toast. The chilled orange juice and banana delighted my taste buds. When endorphins kick in, the brain's sensory circuits get tuned into simple pleasures.

It is a bonus that I am blessed to run with my life partner of 41 years. When we took our vows we used the Bible quote, "A sorrow shared is a sorrow divided. A joy shared is a joy multiplied." We get to experience those vows in action during the gift of a morning run.



From my heart to yours,
To your health and wellness,
Mary

My healing journey is going to be featured in David R. Hamilton's soon to be released book, "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body." It's available for pre-order on Amazon.

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:


Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Flashback Friday: A Return to the Boston College Campus for a "Last Lecture"

I had a moment in time in August of 2014 when I returned to the Boston College Campus for the Bill Rodgers 5K Run/Walk to Benefit Prostate Cancer.

Last night I returned to the Boston College Campus again ....

Tom forwarded the email to me from Alpha Sigma Nu and the Center for Ignatian Spirituality:
Dear BC Community:
If granted the opportunity to give a last lecture, what would you say? What wisdom would you impart to the world if you knew this was your last chance? What would you want as your legacy?

The Last Lecture series invites faculty who, in different moments of their career, dare to reflect about their lives and respond to these questions.

This year, Professor Clare O'Connor of the Biology Department will present Genes, Love and Serendipity: A Biologist Reflects, where she will examine forces that direct the course of our lives.

"All of us inherited a 'blueprint' in our DNA, but DNA is only part of the story. The broader story of a career is a complex story that includes community, faith and serendipity."

We invite you to join Professor Clare O'Connor, Biology Department on Thursday, April 26, 5:30 - 6:30 PM in Gasson Hall 305 (The Debate Room).


I couldn't RSVP because I wasn't the original recipient of the email. Tom emailed the organizers mentioning that I am a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. I received the honor during my final year in the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. One of the organizers, Adeline, said she would be delighted to have me attend.

Professor O'Connor wove together her professional and personal paths showing us the beautiful tapestry of her life guided by serendipity, love and choices she made.

It gave me pause to reflect on the serendipity and choices Tom and I have made that brought us to this moment in time.

Tom and I met on a blind date. One of my good friends, Mary Fitzpatrick and one of Tom's good friends, Marty said that we had to meet. This was before cell phones and Facebook. We took a chance and let serendipity lead the way. Here we are 41 years later, having just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a career. I received my undergraduate degree in PR and Communications from Boston University. I worked at the BU Counseling Center as an Intake Coordinator and PR person. The director told me that I had a gift for interacting with the students and suggested that I pursue a career in counseling. I needed a fast track for a graduate degree and applied to Social Work schools. I opted for Boston College. One of my professors nominated me for induction into Alpha Sigma Nu for Scholarship, Loyalty and Service. What an honor!

It was quite remarkable to connect with the administrators for Alpha Sigma Nu on the BC campus last night and to feel the energy of academia remembering the wonderful education I received. One of the administrators, Adeline is going to add me to the email list for future events. Professor O'Connor emphasized the importance of community in our lives. While enjoying a post-lecture dinner at Oath Pizza, we reflected on how blessed we are to be a part of so many wonderful communities and connected to people who believe in doing good in the world.

After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I took a leap of faith leaving my award winning 20 year career as a VA social worker to heal my life. I returned to my roots as a writer and followed my bliss in my new found gift as an inspirational poet.



Tom had many jobs in technology through the years and we both imagined the ideal next job for Tom that aligned with his values. Three years ago he was hired as a Systems Administrator at Boston College. It's 10 minutes from our home and he works with a wonderful team. A few minutes into the lecture, Tom mentioned to me that his boss, Mike, the Executive Vice President for IT walked in. Professor O'Connor brought together technology and science on the BC campus! I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Tom's boss and felt the circle of life surrounding us. Professor O'Connor beamed with pride when she shared with us that Mike gave her a jacket similar to the one Tom was wearing that had the insignia of the BC IT Department on it.

Life can be quite magical and elegant in the way the tapestry of our lives are woven. The Universe presents opportunities and we make choices and then, we connect the dots as we look back to see what we have co-created with the Divine.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Proud to be a part of Friends of Blue Diamond Athletic Displays, Inc.

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):