Celebrating Ten Years of Running: On Zest, Joy and Gratitude

I'm winding down the celebration of 10 years of when I first discovered the sport of running, and we are getting ready to say auld lang syne to 2018.

At the beginning of the year, I chose 3 words for the year: Zest, Joy and Gratitude.

I started a gratitude practice after I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. I came to the stunning realization that if I had any hope of healing my life from the effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma that I had to give thanks for my life and all that happened to me finding the treasure, gift and blessing inside of the challenges.

It was an easy habit to continue throughout the year.

It's been a very challenging year as our daughter had 5 hospitalizations for severe PTSD and depression and all that goes with it. As I looked at my runs and paces, it was fascinating to see them wax and wane with the crises that unfortunately accompany someone struggling with their mental health. To be honest, it was hard for me to experience zest and joy much of the time.

On Saturday's run, Tom ran a little bit ahead of me getting ready to take a photo of me. I felt this river of joy bubble up within me. He captured it in this photo:


One of my dear friends, Jennifer, posted on Facebook, "Your zest for life is contagious. Never lose that Mary."

During our daughter's recent lengthy hospitalization Tom and I had time for a time out from the stress of witnessing someone we love decompensate leading up to her making a call to 911 on November 7. We were able to take deep breaths and reclaim our lives. I felt zest and joy return especially on Saturday's run.

Having had a time out from the day to day stress AND making shifts in how we will be once she is discharged are vital to be able to tap into our birthright of joy and allow my zest for life to ALWAYS shine through.

It was a chilly day but we relished running twice around the Reservoir with the sun shining through the now bare trees:


I've learned about surrender and letting go taking my lead from Mother Nature. I am taking the weight of the world off of my shoulders to now focus on celebrating my life and all that I've done during these past twelve years to heal my life.

One month from yesterday I will turn 65 years old.

I'm aware that I have fewer years yet to live than I have already lived and I plan to infuse my days, months and years with zest, joy and gratitude regardless of the circumstances that may be swirling around me.

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: On Zest, Gratitude and Joy

In Lisa Berman's recent newsletter, she talked about how, 6 months ago, she named the year. I was inspired to join her suggestion at that time and chose 3 words to name my year. When she mentioned the naming of the year in her newsletter and on Facebook, I realized how I'd let my commitment to zest, gratitude and joy get away from me. While I begin and end each day with gratitude, it was a challenge for me to feel zest and joy in my life with the stress of our daughter's mental illness bearing down on me. I decided that while I can't change what is happening around me, I can certainly change what is happening within me. Lisa's post was most timely. Monday was my half birthday. On December 25th I turn 65. There is no time to waste in this life. Every day is a precious gift.

On this morning's run, I rededicated myself to experiencing zest, gratitude and joy on the roads and in my life! As Tom and I did our core work warm up I thanked each and every part of my body for working so well. I felt joy breathing in the sweet summer air that floated into our house on a warm breeze and I savored the banana and water we had before heading out the door on our run. Although it was warm outside, there was a cooling breeze that allowed me to push my pace.

It's been a long and slow road back after completing 3 Bermuda Half Marathons in as many years. But that's okay! I am so proud of having been able to achieve 3 Bermuda Half Marathons in consecutive years given that I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair 11 years ago after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. And just recently I have been able to feel the fun in my runs again.

Prior to heading out on our run, I "just happened" to see this post from Randy Pierce:

Major Milestone and some sweet celebration! Late yesterday afternoon I sent Tracy the final draft chapter of the book I've been writing passionately for the last six months, intermittently for a couple of years and ultimately all of my life. There is considerably more work ahead for certain as Tracy and I work an edit cycle together before we send it off to Gene for his first pass edit. Many chapters are past his first review already but there's a few chapters in backlog with Tracy and I as some of you may have noted her incredible schedule recently. Still this is a tremendous achievement for me despite knowing how many of my talented writer friends reach this milestone regularly, the impact it has had on my life has been significant. We have a working title we all like and are eager to finish the edit cycle to reach our publishing goals but this morning, I'm sipping a coffee with a feeling of satisfied, proud relief.

I responded with, "I am so so happy you were able to savor the milestone FOR YOU! It is so easy to often minimize our own accomplishments as we look around and see what others may do with ease but it is vital for us to celebrate accomplishments that are milestones for us whereas for someone else it may come easy. There will definitely be more to come on this topic in an upcoming blog. Thank you for inspiring my run this morning, helping me to embrace my accomplishments for me and for being who you are."

In addition to having fun on our run and savoring the sweetness of all that is summer, I was able to consistently run a sub 18:00 minute/mile pace. I remember when Tom and I were training for the 2015 Finish at the 50 race around the very Reservoir we were running around this morning and I was running sub 15 minute miles. I was coming back from a very serious knee injury in December 2014 and was told I shouldn't run anymore. After the Finish at the 50, I set my sights on an endurance goal again. I fired up that muscle memory of when I pushed myself training for that 5K while also making sure we took time to savor the sights, smells and sounds of summer.

These are photos that include a blue heron that Tom spotted yesterday on his morning run and then on his walk home from work. There were gaggles of geese with their babies and ducks leading their little ones through the water. The trees and flowers were in full bloom and even with cloud cover, the Reservoir glistened.



While running a sub 18:00 minute mile and running with negative splits may not seem like a major accomplishment for most runners, for me it was cause for celebration.



After testing my body with training for and running 3 Half Marathons, I am able to continue to push and challenge myself and see the progress in my recovery. This week I also increased the reps in my strength training on land and in the pool. It's great to feel sore and feel the joy of training in the wake of the effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma. It's an indescribable feeling to throw off the shackles of the past, the admonitions of the medical establishment and the stress of living with someone who is profoundly struggling with their mental health to reclaim the zest and joy in my life with a heart overflowing with gratitude.



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 Runnergirl1953 ****

Zest, Gratitude and Joy

As I was finishing up my morning meditation, Zest, Gratitude and Joy flooded my mind and body. It didn't matter that there are sub-zero temperatures outside and our dishwasher continues to leak despite having the valve shut off for the water supply. That we are going to need to have work done on the house as a result of the water damage, file an insurance claim etc etc. which coincidentally is something that I manifested because we have needed a new kitchen floor for awhile. That my vacation time with Tom came to an end...nothing in my external environment mattered. I focused on seeing the newly renovated kitchen; that my life is filled with ease rather than struggle and hardship trying to get things done.I felt the presence of the Divine and turned everything over and that's when I experienced a rush of emotions connected with zest for life, gratitude that all my prayers have been answered and feeling a sense of joy to be alive.

I found these two quotes to share on Facebook this morning:


It's quite the miracle that I can experience zest, gratitude and the joy of being alive. After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, 11 years ago, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. Poetry that inspired healing mind, body and soul poured out of me. It's as though a spigot turned on in my soul with the yearning to be healed, whole, happy and free. I have put these poems together in "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life." I continue to write poems that inspire healing and fuel me on my healing odyssey. It's a wonderful way for me to ignite those wonderful feelings of joy, gratitude, wholeness and healing and to create my future in the present moment.

I am deeply grateful for the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. 2018 is going to be my year for transformation and taking my healing to a whole new level. We have been practicing his meditation, Blessing of the Energy Centers. In addition to experiencing amazing energy during the meditation, I have gained such clarity about my habitual ways of being, thinking and feeling that I can now shift.

People have been talking about one word for 2018 instead of making New Year's Resolutions.

I am going to have 3 words for 2018: Zest, Gratitude and Joy!

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

Be sure to listen to my interview with Keith Cartwright by following this link.

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):