Celebrating Ten Years of Running: Autumn Splendor

The alarm went off at 6:00am on Monday morning. It was dark and 41 degrees; our first early morning run of the Autumn season. The temptation was to roll over and wait for Spring to return. But that's not how we runners roll. I set the alarm for a 20 minute meditation to set our intentions for the day. There was a little more light as we dressed and headed downstairs for core work, hydration and a banana before our run. It was the first run for running tights and layers of a base layer and a pullover, headband and gloves. At first, he cold fresh air caught my breath but as my body acclimated to the chill in the air, Tom and I found our rhythm.

We had not run around the small Reservoir on Route 9 in awhile. It's great to change up our routes especially since we are focusing on a 5K distance. Tom is recovering from a knee injury and is going to run the 10K in Bermuda this year. Once his knee is 100% he'll add on another 5K to the runs but for now we are enjoying more time on the roads together without the grueling training for an endurance event.

Tom forgot his phone and he is our official photographer on the runs. We were going to enjoy the run in real time and not take pictures but I couldn't resist capturing the magnificent scene of Autumn Splendor:


It is a splendid gift to see the sun rise on the new day putting the spotlight on the magnificent colors that arrive with Autumn in New England.

Twelve years ago in October I had my first appointment at the Spaulding Rehab International Center for Polio and Post Polio. For ten years prior I experienced symptoms that sapped my energy and my enjoyment of life. By the time I got to Spaulding I could barely walk. Breathing and swallowing were a challenge for me. The limp from polio returned. My world contracted around me and I didn't know what was happening to me. Once I received the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome I was initially terrified but then got still and asked for Divine Guidance after being told I needed to quit my full time award winning career as a VA social worker and should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. The answer to my prayers came in the form of poetry! You can learn more by visiting my website. I imagined myself healthy, whole, free, running a race, dancing in the rain. Harnessing the power of my imagination and writing poetry were the keys to unlocking the shackles from my past!

I came out of my leg brace and ditched all of the adaptive equipment and went on to run the 2009 Boston Marathon with the help of a personal trainer. She had the courage and faith to train me for the Boston Marathon even though I'd never run a day in my life.

I experienced the change of seasons and new places in a way I'd never experienced life before. Although my mettle was tested through the challenges I faced as a runner, I met myself on the roads. Friendships were forged to last a lifetime. The diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome was a gift. It was a wake up call to make serious changes in my life and to appreciate every step I take and being able to run free as I experienced Autumn Splendor on last Monday's early morning run.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

My healing journey using the power of visualization is featured in David R. Hamilton's book, "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body-Anniversary Edition." It's available 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):


***Coming Soon - The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953***
The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953 takes you on Mary McManus’ healing odyssey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond. After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006, Mary got still and asked for Divine Guidance. She harnessed the power of her mind to heal her body, feverishly writing poetry in which she imagined herself healthy, whole and free from the shackles of her youth. Mary’s quest to heal her life led her to the sport of running that tested her mettle while fueling her journey of transformation from a survivor of childhood paralytic polio and severe trauma at the hands of family members to a woman who embodies faith, grace under fire, courage, determination, endurance and resilience. Running became a way of life for Mary. As you’ll discover in “The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953” nothing, not even a serious knee injury in December of 2014 could stop her on the roads or in her life. Mary’s story is one that will leave you cheering for the underdog and discovering the meaning of different ability as Mary overcame every challenge that life presented to her.

Celebrating Ten Years of Running: Celebrating Freedom!

Facebook reminded me that it was 3 years ago yesterday that I ran my comeback race, The Finish at the 50 at Gillette Stadium. Here are a selection of photos for that memorable day for me:


What was the big deal about running a 5K? I'd run 10K's, a half marathon and the Boston Marathon?

In December of 2014, I suffered a serious knee injury. The MRI revealed a whole host of issues that were interpreted as the need for me to stop running and the need for me to have a total knee replacement in a few years.

I experienced the physical therapist from hell which was a redirection for me away from Western Medicine and to take the power of healing into my own hands. I worked with a chiropractor who inspired me with his passion for the body's innate capacity to heal and introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. With kinesiotaping, meditation, immersing myself in works of authors who professed the body's ability to heal by harnessing the mind/body connection and going forth with a new training plan that included cross training, I got back on the roads.

I knew I was going to set goals not limits to quote Dave McGillivray but had no idea that at my comeback race I would set a new goal for myself; one that I took off my bucket list because I didn't believe I could achieve it: Bermuda Marathon Weekend.

We had always skirted by the Bermuda Marathon Weekend booth at race expos since the death of my nephew by suicide in March 2011. But something beckoned us to chat with Anthony and Clarence at their booth on 7/3/15. Happy memories of time spent in Bermuda came flooding back along with the last time I visited Bermuda in a toe up leg brace, using a cane and a wheelchair to navigate the airports for mobility.

I celebrated my independence by making our travel arrangements and signing up for the Bermuda Half Marathon on July 4th. I went on to run 3 consecutive Bermuda Half Marathons.

I refused to listen to the doctors and the naysayers in my life. I dug deep to find the courage and strength to liberate myself from the shackles of my past and to position myself to heal the hurts that wounded me mind, body and soul.

It's been an in incredible journey. What a joy, on this Independence Day to celebrate ten years of running and independence!

Let freedom ring!

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


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


Coming soon *** The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953 ****

Celebrating Ten Years of Running: That Felt Soooo Good

It's been a very stressful 3 months as our daughter continues her struggle with her mental health. This past week was extremely challenging for her and hence for us as a family. My training schedule got shifted around. I usually run with Tom on Saturday, we swim on Sunday, run early morning Monday, I swim on Tuesday and we strength train on Wednesday. Between what was happening with our daughter and Tom's work and a chiropractic appointment early on Wednesday, I decided to strength train on Tuesday, take Wednesday and Thursday off and go to the pool on Friday.

When the weather looked great for a run on Friday, I decided to get out and do a solo run.

It was chilly with a strong wind. There was something invigorating about running in the chilly wind. The baby goose was grazing with its family and the colors of Spring seemed especially vibrant as the sun shined on the leaves on the trees. It was quite a contrast to what I was feeling when I first set out on my run. My heart felt heavy and my breathing was labored but with each foot strike, I released my burdens and worries to the Divine.

The presence of the Divine surrounded me with bird calls, gentle laps of the waves of the Reservoir on the shore and the songs that came up from the mix on my playlist. I felt a sense of being alone that transformed into a sense of solitude that became a sense of One with all that is.

There were moments of struggle, of ease, of freedom and feeling the need to turn everything over to the Divine. I felt powerless to be able to do anything to help my daughter - that it's her journey and yet I felt empowered to be able to get out and run and be with the Divine sharing my deepest most thoughts, fears and hope.

It was, for the most part, a hard run but those are the runs where we are blessed to meet ourselves on the road.



I don't know what I did before the gift of running came into my life 10 years ago. Eleven years ago the effects of childhood paralytic polio and severe childhood trauma reared its head in the guise of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. The medical community said if you use it you will lose it. My Spirit said, through the power of my pen, my divining rod for healing in the form of inspirational poetry - get moving and run the race set before you with endurance. Running is my medicine, my therapy and a vital part of my life whatever the distance and whatever the pace. I am so grateful that I can get out on a run and leave my troubles on the road.

While I kicked off my kicks, hydrated and had a banana, I sat back and took a deep breath saying to myself, "That felt soooo good."


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):

Celebrating National Poetry Month: Creating the Masterpiece of My Life

Victor Frankl was a survivor of the Holocaust. Through his experience in the Concentration Camps, he garnered a lot of wisdom about our capacity to survive the most horrific circumstances. He developed an existential approach to psychiatry and his work has greatly influenced my recovery from severe childhood trauma.

While we have no control over the circumstances in our lives, we do have control over how we respond to them.


The diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006 served as a wake up call to me; that I needed to pay attention to what my body was telling me and how my soul cried out for healing. I was so blessed to discover the gift of poetry in my soul. My pen became my divining rod for healing.

As I wrote poetry releasing me from the bonds and bondage of my past, my body began to heal. As I wrote poems about gratitude and forgiveness my heart healed and as I fired up the power of my imagination, my Spirit soared.

As I wrote poetry I created the masterpiece of my life by being connected to the Master Artist of all.

The Art of Being Present from "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life":

Each moment is a blank canvas
smudges and splotches only in mind's eye
raindrops from the heart
wash away the past.
Each moment is an opportunity
overflowing with possibility.

How shall I paint this moment?

My portrait once a still life
now
in stillness
life force leaps

dancer
lover of life
a geyser of joy
a river of happiness
gratitude flows
fragrant flowers sweetness
strong roots
lit with softness of sun's tender embrace
back from the edge
the ledge between life and death
creating the masterpiece of my life
one breath at a time.

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 us at Booth 758 during Boston Marathon Weekend.

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):

Celebrating National Poetry Month: The Dancer

I'm 5 and a half years old galloping around the gym in kindergarten class pretending to be a horse when boom all of a sudden I collapse on the floor. The day before I was having so much fun in my ballet class with my giggling girlfriends and my beloved ballet teacher Miss Patricia. While Dr. Moskowitz measured me for a full leg brace I wondered if I would ever be able to dance again.

Eleven years ago, in December of 2006, I sat in Dr. Rosenberg's office in the Spaulding Rehab Outpatient Clinic in Framingham for an evaluation by the International Rehab Center for Polio and Post Polio. I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

I wondered would I ever feel good in my body? Would I ever feel free?

In February of 2007, my imagination was fired up using my pen, my divining rod for healing, as poetry poured out of me at warped speed. It was as though the spigot of my soul was turned on full force and what flowed forth were poems imagining myself healthy, healed, happy and free in my body.

In my mind's eye, even though by all appearances I would never dance again, I saw myself transformed transcending all that went before as:

The Dancer

Crumpled cringing alone in darkness portrait of paralyzed child
heap of limbs loss of control panic fear run rampant and wild.
Enter stage right he gathers her gentle tears honor old embrace new
beautiful ballerina transformed music swells the pas de deux.
Dancing with Spirit she celebrates lost in moment of time and space
winged feet now poetry in motion joyful light ease and grace.

Daring she enters spotlight center stage a vision to behold
vulnerable yet confident - courageous strikingly bold.
On point to an audience she no longer plays,
soul’s rhythm tempo she keeps
magic memories made in each moment
delighting grateful heart leaps.
Her life she now knows has no bounds
choreography her dancing decree
revelations unveiled with each movement
unencumbered expansive now free.

Out of the once deconditioned crumpled body and suffering mind and soul, I created a runner, a dancer and a woman transformed from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma. The power of my imagination as expressed through my poetry opened my portal to healing that continues today.

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 us at Booth 758 during Boston Marathon Weekend.

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):

Team McManus Party of 1

Yesterday was a cross training/strength training day for Tom and Ruth Anne on their road to RunTheBluegrass. I switched things up in my training schedule and had done my strength training on Monday. Tuesday was supposed to be the pick of the weather week with temps in the 40's. I planned to get an outdoor 5K in on Tuesday and Tom and Ruth Anne were going to get in their early morning run. Schedules shifted around with work demands. Not a problem....I just needed to figure out what I was going to do for my Tuesday workout.

I didn't have a chance to get in an outdoor run last Saturday. I dreaded the thought of another treadmill run or gym workout. The temps were in the 20's. I made the decision to don a double pair of pants this time and just go for it. After all a 5K is only an out and back 1.56 route.

As I headed out the door, a few scattered snowflakes turned into headwind and heavier snow. I've run in snow and cold before and decided to laugh and embrace the run feeling deeply grateful that I am able to get outside and move. I felt a connection to Source and got into the zone of making this run a moving meditation. I focused on wholeness, health, healing and wellness. I imagined how I feel in my body being able to run with ease even though I am still recovering from Bermuda. I let the snowflakes and cold wind sting my face feeling invincible, joyful and grateful.

I embraced the solitude of running alone at my pace with nothing to do but BE in the present moment.

One thought that did cross my mind was, "Why are you out here? Now that you're through with training for Bermuda, there is no rational reason why you would choose to come out and do a 5K in this weather."

I know, right? First of all, if you wait for the perfect time nothing gets done. And second oh yes there is - there are a million reasons for why I choose to lace up my running shoes, get outdoors and get in a run....anyone who is a runner can vouch for that.

Bear in mind that 11 years ago, I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I could barely walk up the stairs in my house without clutching the bannister. I was in a leg brace and used a cane for walking short distances outside and for traveling or navigating stores, I used a wheelchair.

Running outdoors is an incredible gift in my life.



The conditions were challenging. I didn't run that far and I didn't run that fast. None of that mattered.

When I got home after completing a 5K in the cold and snow, I celebrated Team McManus, Party of 1:


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 us at Booth 758 during Boston Marathon Weekend.

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: Running is My Freedom

Next month marks 11 years since the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards. From Christmas 2007, to running the 2009 Boston Marathon and Bermuda Half Marathons 2016 and 2017 and so many races and adventures in between --- what an amazing, miraculous and thrilling journey. Tomorrow it's 11 miles on the road to Bermuda Marathon Weekend III and I am psyched and ready to take on the cold weather.



I'll admit it - it's not easy for me to get out and run although I do meditate and focus on experiencing ease and joy in my run.

Given the weather forecast I was debating whether or not we should do a shorter run indoors at the gym and then I had a flash!

I remembered where I came from in this running journey of mine from never having run a day in my life to finishing the 2009 Boston Marathon; the trials and tribulations and triumphs along the way of this 11 year healing odyssey healing the effects of paralytic polio and severe childhood trauma.

I remembered how running is my freedom and how exhilarating it is to finish a long run in less than ideal weather conditions knowing that I've gone way outside of my comfort zone to get it done.

We've been so blessed with wonderful weather except for one long run in the rain.

It's inevitable that colder weather comes to New England. I am deeply grateful that it will be dry and sunny.

We are going to our go to training place where we ran many many miles training for our 2009 Boston Marathon - Jamaica Pond. It was the first time in my life that I embraced the elements in winter. I was always fearful of snow and ice and, after the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome, I was told that I was at high risk for a fracture so be afraid - be very afraid and do not venture out in winter!

The splendid scene at Jamaica Pond inspired this poem:
Courage - January 5, 2009
The fear of ice and snow and slush embedded in my soul
a training run in winter - the path to Being whole.
A winter scene - Jamaica Pond - a feast for eyes' delight
to witness nature's splendor and behold this glorious sight.
A leaf - a tiny dancer - skating free without a sound
God's breath directs her movements,as She guides her twirling 'round.
Families of ducks decide to walk or take a dip
a comedy of errors into icy water slip.
The branches now bejeweled with ice bend with loving Grace
sparkling diamonds' anchor water's surface hold in place.
God's hand a glove of glistening snow
hugs rocks along the wall
their heads peek out reminding me I'm answering God's call.
A scene I'd never witness if I let my fear take hold
courage triumphed, steppin' out with footsteps sure and bold.
Knowing that the pain subsides and Spirit can prevail
the Marathon is beckoning - through those miles I shall sail.

We are able to put our water, bananas and luna bars in the car and just carry one water belt.

It will be 7.33 times around the Pond ... a time for being unplugged, for remembering and honoring our journeys and getting very excited for Bermuda Marathon Weekend now just 63 days away. A time to celebrate healing....and freedom from fear, freedom to create and heal; freedom to fully embrace all that life has to offer allowing it to continue to heal and transform us.

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):