Celebrating Ten Years of Running: 2019 Goals

In 2018 I was blessed to cross the finish line of the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon, my third in as many years, have my journey healing the effects of polio and trauma through visualization featured in Dr. David Hamilton's book,"book, "Tenth Edition of How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body" and was a guest on his Hay House radio show. I am putting the finishing touches on "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" and all of the aches and pains from the rigors of training for 3 half marathons in as many years are resolved.

Twelve years ago I was diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. The Universe and I had other plans. It's a miracle that I live a full, vibrant and exciting life with being able to manage the effects of paralytic polio and trauma with relative ease now.

It's time to look ahead to 2019.

I redesigned my business card:


I am claiming my role as inspirational speaker and author and look forward to many opportunities to share my epic healing odyssey in 2019.

I'll be launching my book at Paper Fiesta on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon route.

Tom and I are going to travel to Bermuda twice in 2019 and will be looking to add additional travels in the New Year. Tom will be running the Bermuda Marathon Weekend 10K. I will be a spectator and enjoy the Island without the pressure of racing. I am excited to run along the Bermuda Railway Trail which is close to Grotto Bay, our resort for this trip.

I am excited to set my sights on the racing circuit next Spring. It's going to be at the 5K distance and I've already begun working on improving my pace. Today's run was one of our fastest times in a very long while with extreme negative splits of -54" and -16". I still have a way to go before I'm back to my 15-16 minute/mile pace but I know the body achieves what the mind believes.

I am over the moon excited to be a member once again of Wave Health and Fitness where I can access state of the art cardio equipment in addition to a clean, heated pool with a skylight. I might even take a fitness class or two as part of my membership.

I will continue with my 3 times a day meditation practice and weekly chiropractic treatments.

On Christmas Day I turn 65 years young. A week later we usher in a new year.

I plan to ditch the fear, gripe and worry less, sweat more, achieve goals and who knows maybe even a slay a dragon or two. {Instead of brand new week, insert brand new year.}



As I turn the corner to the second half of the decade of my 60's, I am planning to make 2019 my best year yet!

What are your 2019 goals?

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.

Countdown to Bermuda: It's So Much More Than a Race!

There's a magical story from Bermuda Marathon Weekend 2016 that I shared in "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance":

We woke up at 5:45am on race day. The Rosedon Hotel, our home away from home, had a continental breakfast starting at 6:30. They usually don't serve breakfast until 7:00 but as happened throughout the weekend, everything we needed was set before us. There was wonderful energy in the main house as runners were getting ready to walk down to the starting line. This was our first international race and our first destination race yet one that we had imagined over and over and over again while we trained. We saw the sunrise over Hamilton Harbor and felt the excitement of race day! I was feeling serious pre-race jitters feeling like I might throw up before the race. We rushed our breakfast because we were in a hurry to get to the starting line. I took a lot of deep breaths and engaged in positive self talk as Tom and I walked around taking pictures of this miraculous moment.

"Hey there. I was determined to find you this morning. What are the chances that we would have our bib numbers in sequence?"

I was a little stunned to say the least. On the flight from Boston Tom and I met Denise and her husband from Kentucky. He was her support crew. We also bumped into them on Front Street on Saturday.

"I was on Instagram and looked for the hashtag #runbermuda. I saw the pictures you posted."

"What? I deactivated my Instagram account yesterday because I was frustrated and couldn't figure out how to use it."

"You Instagram account is linked to Facebook so what you posted there automatically went to Instagram," Tom explained to me.

"So I saw your photos and I found out about you and I said prayers for your health last night and wished you a wonderful run but I was determined to find you this morning."

A sign from God that I could relax and let go knowing that my body knew exactly what to do to run 13.1 miles.



One year ago, Denise tagged me in this post about running:

"4 years ago today I strapped on running shoes for the first time at the age of 51. I "ran" 2 mi in 27 min, which means I mostly walked with rare moments of running in between. What I didn't know then, was how that 2 mi in my neighborhood would turn into hundreds of miles and bring me so many new experiences. More than that, running was something I was doing for me. Feeling lonely? It's COMMUNITY. Feeling crowded? It's SOLITUDE. Head full of clutter? It's a MIND SWEEPER. Feeling good about yourself? It's HONESTY. Running has taught me a lot about my thinking, my body, and my potential. I've seen running transform LIVES....facilitate incredible weight loss (Melanie J. Williams), help overcome unspeakable trauma and illness (Mary McManus), help break cycles of violence and substance abuse, build up confidence when there's an asshat in your life telling you otherwise, runners pushing strollers, wheelchairs, pushing away bad habits. My running partners (Lanette Campbell Miller. Trish Freeman Broaddus, Nathan Rover) are dear to me, my race friends too many to name, my run club stretches my mind and my muscles. Life and injuries can get in the way of consistency and progress. I know that my mind will start whining long before my legs and lungs...and the first mile is usually a liar. I'm not fast, young, skinny, or cute when I sweat. No matter what, I know that runners, the road or a trail will always be ready to accept you."

I am so excited Denise is going to be in Bermuda for Marathon Weekend. She will get to meet Ruth Anne and we will get to meet her "running wife," Lanette Campbell Miller.

These past several months have been the embodiment of what running is all about for Team McManus. We have gone the distance on the roads and in our lives. Running has been my therapy, my medicine, my greatest challenge and my greatest source of comfort. Running for miles unplugged has been a beautiful way for Tom, Ruth Anne and I to reconnect after Ruth Anne's 3 year battle with severe depression and PTSD. Running is our redemption and our reward.

The race on Sunday will be the jewel in the crown of achievement of our work training since May. The weekend is going to be a time to reunite and celebrate and affirm God's Love and presence in our lives.

I'm savoring the gift of the present moment and the grace and Love of the holidays this year surrounding myself with the warmth and glow of stories like how I met Denise. I'm feeling the excitement of seeing her again and enjoying all that is Bermuda.

It's 20 days until race weekend according to the race website. We leave for Bermuda 3 weeks from yesterday. Next week will be a time for preparations after celebrating my Christmas Birthday on Monday.

Counting down the days til Bermuda and knowing how race weekend is so much more than a race!

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

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: Slowing Down and Savoring the Moments

This morning on Facebook, Jamie-Lee, my earth angel at mile 12 of Bermuda Marathon Weekend 2017 posted this photo along with the caption: "How did you start your day? #oneofmyfavouriteplaces"


We chatted about the photo and she said that when we come over we should visit John Smith's Bay if we hadn't already visited there. It is in fact along the Bermuda Half Marathon course. I remember saying "Oh my God - this is breathtaking" when we ran Bermuda in 2016. Jamie-Lee nailed down the exact location for me along the course for me and added, "Cue the omg's."

Last year I was so focused on my time that I didn't take time to take in the magnificent vistas that are Bermuda. I had a whole different vibe last year going into race weekend. I was tired from the way I was handling or should I say not handling stress in my life. I had an attitude of I have something to prove by running a second CONSECUTIVE Bermuda Half Marathon. I went out way too fast and by mile 10 suffered cramping that got worse as time went on. However the grace in that experience was that I got to meet Jamie-Lee and healed a memory from when I was a polio survivor.

After I got excited seeing Jamie-Lee's photo and chatting with her on Facebook, I reflected on Bermuda Marathon Weekend 2018. We amped up our miles early on in the training so that we could make adjustments to accommodate the weather. I can train through any weather once I set my mind to do it but I wanted and needed to hit our 12 mile run outdoors before snow and ice hit Boston. We have been very blessed to be able to get outdoors for every training run except one on the treadmill last Wednesday. Saturday we may need to go indoors for a 5 mile run since it looks like the weather is going to be raining and cold. I feel better prepared mentally having run outdoors. We braved the bitter cold and pouring rain for double digit long runs. We ran in heat and humidity, rain and last week snow showers. We have our fueling and hydration plan set. I have our list of things to pack and to do list on the fridge. I open my heart knowing that the Divine is with us every step of the journey.

The hay is in the barn and I am going to savor the moments of taper time. I know in every fiber of my body and Being that Team McManus is trained and ready for 13.1 miles on the beautiful Island of Bermuda. As Ruth Anne said while we were training for 7 miles on Heartbreak Hill last week, "You know what ma? If we do the half in 5 hours who is going to care? All that matters is we have a good time and we finish." Interestingly enough, my pace on all hills was one of my fastest times during our training!

This year's trip to Bermuda is a vacation with a half marathon on Sunday. Team McManus has been through A LOT during these past 3 years and we are looking forward to time together on the beach, by the pool and in the sun eating delicious food and being with dear friends.

Rather than stressing over getting in that last long run around Christmas, we only have 5 miles on tap for this weekend, I can enjoy the holiday and celebrating my birthday as my body recovers from these months of intense training. It's our first Christmas celebration together in 4 years! Presents are wrapped and under the tree, the menu is planned, the house is cleaned and we have a beautiful day planned with a delicious breakfast, Christmas music playing in the background, playing cards, checkers, puzzle time and perhaps renting a movie. It will be a day to celebrate the miracle of healing in our lives and how we have gone the distance in overcoming physical and emotional challenges.

Tom is on vacation next week. It's an ideal time for us to get our clothes organized and check off items on our Bermuda to do list while spending quality time together. We get to pause and take a breath giving thanks for our abundant and beautiful life.

While I'm excited to have received invitational entries for Team McManus to run the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon Weekend and to enjoy 13.1 miles with a full complement of Team McManus, my focus is on slowing down and savoring the moments.

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

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: A Time to Celebrate

After Saturday's sweet sensational 7 miles on Heartbreak Hill, I had this stunning realization. It's time to celebrate that I am trained for a third half marathon in as many years.

I celebrate the miracle of healing in my life. Three years ago at this time I was sidelined by a very serious knee injury. I was told to prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years and that running was not going to be a part of my future. It was suggested that I return to the Post-Polio Clinic for a reevaluation and to see what "they" could do to help me manage Post-Polio Syndrome which was going to eventually progress. I had an atrophied gastroc muscle; there was nothing I could do about that - it was like that since I was 5 years old as a result of paralytic polio. I could give PT a try. Everyone around me shrugged - physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, a physiatrist and a massage therapist-and told me I needed to give up running.

But deep within my soul I knew there was another way based on what I had already accomplished in my healing journey healing the effects of paralytic polio and trauma. I'd written poetry asking the question how would I ever reclaim my life, which coincidentally is the first chapter of my book, 'Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance,' and yearning to run unencumbered and free. The first poem I wrote, "Running the Race" foreshadowed my running of the 2009 Boston Marathon even though I'd never run a day in my life. I wrote it as I sat in a leg brace using a cane and a wheelchair at times for mobility; I'd been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

The Universe delivered Dr. Ryan J. Means to me; a chiropractor who in turn introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza.

With Dr. Ryan's healing touch, chiropractic care and his power of belief in the body's natural ability to heal we got to work to heal the knee injury, grow a new gastroc muscle and get me back to the sport of running that has been my therapy and my joy since 2008. I devoured Dr. Joe's "You Are the Placebo" and have now moved on to reading "Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon" and practice his meditations. Tom and Ruth Anne have blessed me with a trip to Toronto for a day long workshop with Dr. Joe in May and I'm looking forward to doing an Advanced Workshop with him.

As I'm reflecting on my upcoming Christmas birthday I have so much to celebrate this year. It's great having an end of year birthday where I can reflect not only on the end of another year of my life but another year.

2017 was a year filled with intense challenges and incredible triumphs!

I was able to break free from a relationship pattern that plagued me for years! I crossed the river of change, a phrase that Dr. Joe uses, walking away from someone and a situation that was toxic for me. What glorious things happened and what wonderful people flowed into my life.

I've reclaimed my voice, my message, my passion and my purpose sharing my journey and letting others know what is possible.

Poetry has begun flowing out of my soul again and I've reclaimed this beautiful gift.

From a recent morning meditation:

Leave The Old Self Behind
From worrier to warrior to one who is a beast
Transformed from meek and mild who felt she was the least.
At 5 years old you took my hand although no hand to hold
If you decide to choose this life there will be treasures to behold.
The dark night of the soul I’ve known and choices came from pain
The old self behaviors from those I now refrain.
A new song stirs within my heart joy and love now fill my soul
They tried to beat and break me now I’m free and healed and whole.
The old self tried to fix and mend and tend to others strife
The new me binds my own wounds others journeys are their life.
Compassion kindness gratitude inspiration light my way
Fellow travelers like hearted come along and join my play.
The future is my present the past now cleansed with light
Leaving my old self behind all hope and healing now in sight.
Affirming my Divinity my birthright now I name
Never to be robbed again my life I now reclaim!

Ruth Anne our daughter has made a miraculous recovery after suffering with severe depression and post traumatic stress for 3 years. The first half of the year was intense as she wrestled with whether or not she wanted to live. We then had to work together to get resources in place that would support her recovery. We are so blessed to be where we are today with supports in place for her to now heal and recover. I remember those first training runs that were such a challenge. Team McManus hadn't run together since the 2009 Boston Marathon and Ruth Anne was finding her footing in running and in her life. We celebrate having gone out together every single Saturday since mid-May to get in our runs building mileage along the way. We are Bermuda Marathon Weekend ready!

That dear friends and readers is something to celebrate!

I released "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance" and as a year end gift to myself, I edited the book to more accurately reflect MY journey and added in an Epilogue to bring the readers up to date. I've begun work on my next book, "The Adventures of Runnergirl1953".

Next Monday I celebrate my 64th birthday. On 3/4/18, Tom and I celebrate 40 years of marriage.

Now that's really something to celebrate!

When 2017 began I was experiencing a lot of stress that I now realize I had a part in creating and perpetuated my suffering because we don't know what we don't know at the time. By July 4th, I declared my independence from that person and situation. The stress of Ruth Anne's journey was heart breaking yet I knew we were all surrounded by love and prayers. As Ruth Anne now says, "I always knew that the Universe had my back."

We are ending 2017 on a very high note with so much to be grateful for inside and out. Tom received a promotion at work with a significant raise. Ruth Anne is healing and looking forward to getting back to work next year. I'm back on track with my journey mind, body and soul free from those behaviors driven by the past that created so much pain and suffering in my life. We have the gift of friends and a wonderful village. My heart overflows with Love and gratitude for the gifts, the blessings and challenges of 2017.

It's a time to celebrate!



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

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: Love Actually Is All Around

And just like that - well not exactly just like that - Team McManus has been training since May for our Bermuda Half Marathon 2018 our last double digit run is in the Bank of Bermuda!

We had another 12 and 12.5 on the training schedule but during Saturday's run and with the weather forecast of cold temperatures with the chance of snow coming our way and with the way Saturday's training run went, we knew that it was the peak of our training.

I had planned out our mileage knowing we'd have the flexibility to go indoors or begin to taper miles as we moved into December with Mother Nature's unpredictable whims.

We initially planned out Saturday's training run as driving to the Cleveland Circle Reservoir, run once around the Rezzie as we like to call it, head down Beacon Street (along the Boston Marathon route) to Coolidge Corner and back, to the "small" Reservoir on Route 9, 3 times around the small Reservoir and back to Cleveland Circle. When I came out of Saturday's morning meditation, I knew that I needed to make it a dress rehearsal for January 14th.

We packed our gear with hydration and fueling as if it were race day. Of course our attire could not be what it was going to be on race day since it was 37 degrees outside. Race day should be in the high 60's and low 70's with a mixture of sun and clouds. We were blessed with a dry day without any wind. There was a mixture of sun and clouds as we headed out for a 5 mile out and back run into Boston.

Tom and Ruth Anne wholeheartedly agreed with me on the change of route as Tom said, "I think we've gone around the Reservoirs one time too many for our long runs."

I was amazed with how easily we negotiated the hills along Beacon Street; especially the last steep hill as we headed into Kenmore Square. We needed a pit stop and decided to go into Hotel Commonwealth. Such a festive atmosphere as the holiday was decked out for the holidays. As Ruth Anne and I waited for Tom to finish his pit stop, Ruth Anne struck up a conversation with the concierge letting him know we were out on a long run and needed a pit stop. I chimed in with how lovely the hotel looked for the holidays. "We're not quite finished yet," the concierge let us know, "but it will be by the time the holidays arrive." It looked finished to me!

We went on our way and took a right on Hereford and left on Boylston reminiscing about our 2009 Boston Marathon run.

Boylston Street was busy with pedestrians so we decided to get back onto Commonwealth Avenue. Ruth Anne and I remembered our 2008 Tufts 10K run that I wrote about in this article, "Running with God."

As we reminisced about previous training runs and races, we were creating new memories on the road to Bermuda. Tom was moved to capture part of our run on video.



We couldn't have scripted it better.

As Tom pointed out, in all of our training runs through the years, we never experienced the kind of spontaneity, joy and love we experienced on Saturday's run. We paced ourselves well and used the hydration and fueling plan we are going to use on January 14th. I can't call it race day because we are not racing the Bermuda Half Marathon. We are going to savor every moment of our victory lap. But I digress...

As we headed back to Cleveland Circle, the clouds moved in and the day got chilly but our Spirits were high. After all, love actually is all around and we were wrapping up our double digit training runs.

I had to make another pit stop (cold weather does that you know) and I thought I could wait until we got to Marathon Sports. As we approached the Holiday Inn on Beacon Street I realized that I wasn't going to make it to Marathon Sports. I'd gone to Rotary Club meetings at the Hotel and remembered that the restrooms were down the stairs off of an entrance on Beacon Street. "Restrooms are for hotel guests only" the sign said as we entered. Tom ran down the stairs and did a quick surveillance. Then, singing the Mission Impossible theme song, gave us the all clear.

While I'm in the ladies room I hear Tom say to Ruth Anne, "Get over here." The two of them start laughing. As I leave the stall the diaper changing table came crashing down out of nowhere. I started laughing so hard I thought I'd have to go to the bathroom again between Tom and Ruth Anne's laughter and the crashing of the diaper changing table. Ruth Anne came in to make sure I was okay and put the changing table back up.

Ruth Anne spotted a tray out of eye shot from Tom with a juice pitcher and cups on it. She poured herself a glass of juice when Tom told her to get back over here. "It takes good," she said and offered a cup to Tom. She said she needed an energy boost and considered it serendipity that it was there. There will be oranges at the water stops in Bermuda so it was indeed serendipity that the tray just happened to be there. As we were leaving Ruth Anne asked me if I wanted a roll? We laughed so hard as we resumed our run.

On the way back to Cleveland Circle we navigated the hills with surprising ease. I stopped only once after a steep hill at mile 8.

We returned to the car to calculate the home stretch of our 12 mile run.

Once around the Rezzie and a short down and back from the car and we'd be done!



We hugged and high fived realizing that 1. Love actually is all around and 2. The official countdown to Bermuda Marathon Weekend is on!

38 days and counting!

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

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: A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

"No matter how your heart is grieving..if you just keep believing...your dream that you wish will come true."



Three weeks from today at this very moment I will be on Delta Flight 561 traveling from Boston to Bermuda. It will be the manifestation of a wish - a dream of mine to run the Bermuda Half Marathon. Three years ago I had seen the Race Weekend advertised. I set forth the intention that one day I would return to Bermuda not only without a leg brace and using a wheelchair to travel but would run the Bermuda Marathon the year I turned 60. Okay so it will be the year I turn 63 and it will be the half but it is a dream come true!

Tomorrow I run 12.5 miles - 12.5 on 12/25 - my 62nd birthday.

Today I get to spend the day with Tom preparing mind, body and soul to go the farthest distance I have run since 4/20/09. It's only .5 miles farther than what we ran last Saturday.

I am totally confident in this undertaking.

Tomorrow is my 62nd birthday. I already have the best gifts! Tom is my running and life partner and we are getting up early to run 12.5 miles before our son and his girlfriend arrive for Christmas/birthday dinner. I am healing all that went before. I feel the transformation happening gaining momentum with each treatment turbo charged by my meditation and all that I do in my training.

My life is truly remarkable. It's been a phenomenal year of challenges, of growth, of transformation and of profound and lasting healing.

A wish is a dream your heart makes ...

What's your Christmas wish?