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):

Fundraising Friday!

Meaghan O’Sullivan runs a marathon and the marathon of her life with passion, dedication, determination and an infectious smile that you just want to be around. She ran her first marathon in Boston in 2015. She braved the high winds and pelting rains running for the Dana Farber Marathon Team raising money for cancer research.

And now Meaghan is lacing up her running shoes to once again go the 26.2 mile distance for the New York Road Runners Team for Kids at the NYC Marathon on November 6th.

As Meaghan said, “Running has done so much for me and my journey through all the challenging and trying things life has thrown at me and I want other kids to have the same opportunity as me to discover the healing power of running.”

From Meaghan’s fund raising page:
Running the 2015 Boston Marathon was an experience like no other in my running career. It was filled with many great moments that made lasting impressions on me, but also came with some of the toughest that challenged me beyond what I thought I could handle. Thankfully, these are now goals to beat and challenges to face head on. I look forward to having success with this in the 2016 NYC Marathon!!

I’ve decided to run with Team for Kids and I am asking for your support of their inspiring mission. Team for Kids is a team of adult runners who raise funds for critical services provided by New York Road Runners Youth Programs. These programs combat childhood obesity and empower youth development via running and character-building programs across the country.
Whether you are a runner, have worked with children, or have kids yourself, I hope you will join me to further this great cause.
See you at the finish line!
Love, Meg

Team for Kids was established in 2002 as NYRR recognized the need to help city kids become more physically active. The goal of all NYRR youth programs is to equip children with the tools they need to become physically fit for life, in programs that focus on goal-setting skills, character-enrichment, and nutrition education.

Where does the money go?
All funds raised through Team for Kids benefit New York Road Runners youth programs, which represent a national and international effort to transform the lives of tens of thousands of children, many of whom have no access to the regular physical activity they need to live healthy, productive lives.
Funds raised by Team for Kids members help provide:
• Training for teachers, coaches, field managers, and coordinators, most of whom volunteer their time to NYRR youth programs.
• Incentives for children to encourage them to attend events and practices, demonstrate sportsmanship, and strive for fitness and personal milestones.
• Incentives for teachers to encourage them to run with students, and enable them to share their own achievements in physical fitness through NYRR youth programs.
• Entry fees and transportation to races and related sporting events for the kids.
• Necessary resources to establish programs in areas of greatest need.

We know that Meaghan will go the distance through the Boroughs of New York City. Let’s help her go the distance to exceed her fund raising goal.

Follow this link to make your donation.

Good luck Meaghan!

Blogger Spotlight: Michelle Kennis and her NYC Marathon Run for Tuesday's Children

On November 6, 2016, Michelle Kennis


will be toeing the line of the New York City Marathon. She has a dream of running the 6 World Major Marathons. She has run Boston and Chicago and tried to enter New York City through the lottery system. Rather than wait to get in via the lottery, Michelle applied to 3 charities, all of whom said yes. In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks and Sandy Hook as well as her own traumatic experience in Boston on 4/15/13, Michelle chose Tuesday's Children, a non profit established after 9/11 to care for communities impacted by terrorism and traumatic loss. From their website, "In partnership with experts from around the world and in collaboration with renowned facilitators and mental health professionals, Tuesday’s Children serves communities altered by an act of violence." They are an organization with an almost 15 year track record of helping communities and individuals heal in the wake of violence and are passionate and dedicated to addressing the needs for long term healing using ongoing program development and research to meet the long term community and individual needs of those affected by traumatic events.

From Michelle's fund raising page:

I am very excited to announce that I will be running the 2016 TCS NYC Marathon on November 6th! I have made the choice to raise funds for a charity whose mission is near and dear to my heart. I am running for Tuesday's Children which was formed in the aftermath of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Tuesday's Children is a response and recovery organization that supports youth, families, and communities impacted by terrorism and traumatic loss.

After running my first marathon in Boston 2013 and not being able to finish due to acts of terror, it is my mission to help those who are impacted with traumatic events. I saw first hand how this event impacted so many lives including those who saw the raw scenes, those who were running, those who were watching, those tracking a runner and everyone worldwide. My family needed resources after what they went through while waiting for me at the finish line and Tuesday's Children is an organization that offers such vital services.

Please consider helping me on my mission of raising funds and awareness of this organization that has helped those cope with the unimaginable and unified those from all walks of life to help support one another. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Spread the love, peace and support.

As Michelle explained to me when we met to talk about her passion to fund raise for Tuesday's Children, in addition to providing services to those impacted by traumatic events including emergency responders, they work to diminish violence and hate through prevention programs that build bridges of understanding and promote healing rather than feelings of estrangement and anger which can so often happen in the wake of a terrorist act.

Michelle has run several marathons and she will go the 26.2 distance through the 5 New York City boroughs on November 6th. The weather won't matter to her as she proved when she ran the 2015 Boston Marathon through cold rain and wind:



And she will go the distance to raise money for Tuesday's Children but she can't go it alone. She needs your help!

Please donate whatever you can to support Michelle's New York City Marathon run on 11/6 by following this link to her donation page.

To your health and wellness,
Mary

Rise Above Paralysis: Tim Bopp's 2016 Boston Marathon Run

Tim Bopp is running the 2016 Boston Marathon for Rise Above Paralysis!

"Honestly I've always enjoyed a challenge and doing things that push me. Meeting Michelle and knowing that she's run the marathon 3 times definintely inspired me to go through with it. She helped me to find a charity. I originally planned on applying to Spaulding Rehab, but a friend introduced me to his friend that helps run Rise Above Paralysis and that's how I chose them as the charity I want to run for. Coming from the background of racing motocross I've seen first hand the effects of spinal cord injuries. Michelle's got me on a marathon training plan. I'm excited to train hard and push myself to finish the marathon and raise as much money as I can for Rise Above Paralysis."



When I saw my dear friend Michelle Kennis's post on Facebook that her boyfriend Tim would be running Boston for Rise Above Paralysis I was all in. As a survivor of paralytic polio and one who has had to work very hard to overcome the effects of a spinal cord injury, I was drawn to the mission and vision of Rise:

Reach individuals and families affected by spinal cord injury and disease
Inspire the newly injured through role models and peer mentors
Support individuals and families as they begin their post injury journeys
Empower individuals with spinal cord injury/disease to reach
their goals and dreams

"Who We Are:

We are the Greater Boston Chapter (GBC) of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association or, RISE Above Paralysis, Inc. We are comprised of individuals affected by a spinal cord injury including family members, loved ones, healthcare associates and many more. From the moment of injury, we offer hope through one-on-one support, understanding, and guidance. No other entity provides this depth of support. We work to Reach, Inspire, Support and Empower all those affected by a SCI through our nationally recognized Peer Visitation Program. Staff members and trained volunteers, who have successfully navigated post spinal cord injury life, serve as mentors to help the newly injured, and their families’ to better understand what happened, transition back into the community and meet their goals of leading a fulfilling life.

The Greater Boston Chapter (GBC) of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association –RISE Above Paralysis – was founded in 1992 by several individuals affected by spinal cord injury. They wanted to assist other individuals and family members affected by this traumatic injury and show them that they can continue to lead meaningful lives despite their injury. Each year, nearly 300 individuals in Massachusetts suffer an SCI. It can happen to anyone at anytime. It is both physically and emotionally devastating to the individual, family members and loved ones. The newly-injured, and those around them, must learn to cope with this dramatic change and gradually adjust to post-injury life.

Today, over two decades after the chapter was founded, the GBC has supported thousands of individuals. We have five part time staff members, over fifteen volunteers and two offices – one at New England Rehabilitation in Woburn, MA and one at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, MA.

We foster an “anything is possible” attitude and work to enable individuals to follow their dreams and fulfill. All of our services are offered free of charge. We are funded 100% through philanthropy."

Yesterday Tim ran long and strong - 16 miles and he is going the 26.2 distance to help make a difference in the lives of those affected by spinal cord injury.

With his grit and determination and girlfriend Michelle by his side we know he is going to go the distance from Hopkinton to Boston.


Let's take him the distance on his fund raising goal!

You can donate to Tim's Boston Marathon run by following this link: Run for Rise.

Thank you Tim for running for this organization that is near and dear to my heart and making a difference in the lives of those living with spinal cord injury. Run swift. Run smart. Run happy!