Going the Distance: This just got real!

As runners we often say sh** just got real as we are aware of the start of a big event.



I've been training for the Bermuda Half Marathon since July. Unlike last year, when I had not run distance since the 2009 Boston Marathon, I had a very strong base after running the 2016 Bermuda Half Marathon. I added an extra day of cardio for training this year with the Arc Trainer and Bike at Wave Health and Fitness.

I've lost track of time as I've been building miles and strength.

Bermuda Marathon Weekend posted on Facebook this morning, "It's beginning to look a lot like race morning."


This is what we saw in January on race morning:


While I was cross training on the Bike after my work out on the Arc Trainer it suddenly hit me! One more long run and then taper time! We leave 3 weeks from Thursday and the race is 3 weeks from Sunday. I couldn't believe it. It's almost here!

I took pause.

Ten years ago I faced a frightening diagnosis and an uncertain future. The diagnosis of post polio syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards was handed down to me. It could have been a death sentence if I would have let it. I had to use a wheelchair at times for mobility, wore a toe up leg brace, a cane, a wrist splint for carpel tunnel syndrome. I had to be on a semi soft food diet and use chin tuck for semi solid foods and drink liquids through a straw to not aspirate food and liquids into my lungs. Because of my compromised respiratory system I was told to get a sleep apnea machine - I refused that piece of advice! I was told to quit my award winning job at the VA as a social worker which I ultimately did and that the best we could hope for was to stabilize the symptoms. Adapt our Cape house because for certain I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life!

Instead, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance and discovered the gift of poetry in my soul that began to awaken a part of me to possibility. Ahhh the power of imagination!

Two years ago I had a serious knee injury and was told I'd need a total knee replacement in a couple of years. No running but if you do no more than a 5K oh okay they reluctantly agreed - 5 miles AT MOST!

I fired everyone and made way for the Universe to deliver my now beloved friend and chiropractor Dr. Ryan Means.

With Dr. Ryan on my team I've been able to go the distance in healing the effects of paralytic polio that I contracted at age 5 followed by 9 years of unending violence beginning when I was 8 years old.

So here I am...poised and oh so ready to take on my second CONSECUTIVE Bermuda Half Marathon.

The weather is looking okay for Saturday! If need be we can get in a swim on Saturday and run on Sunday. Temps are moderate both days for this time of year.

I've definitely beaten the odds and feel accomplished with my training.

It hit me today - this just got real and it's time to start making the list for packing and setting aside clothes. It's also time to celebrate healing and express my deepest gratitude to all who have supported me on the roads and in my life.

Ten years --- ten years! I am a woman transformed.

To your health and wellness,
~Mary

Countdown to Bermuda: Now That the Training is Done...

On my way into the Seaport Hotel to get in a relaxing swim at Wave Health and Fitness, I felt the inspiration for today's blog post. I hit dictation for Notes while I was stopped at a red light and said Countdown to Bermuda and it wrote, Countdown to Yoda: When the Training is Done.

How wonderful!

I've been comparing this journey to that of the training of a Jedi master because, after all,



"You must unlearn all that you have learned." "Clear your mind." "There is no try. Do or do not." "For my ally is the force and a powerful ally it is." "Luminous beings are we...."



Now that the training is done I was reflecting on my arc of training. It began when I met my own personal Yoda in the guise of Dr. Ryan Means - a chiropractor who knows the power of the Force. He taped my left knee,



worked on my feet using the Graston technique, adjusted my spine and hips, gave me cross training exercises, prescribed ice before and after every run and had me read, "You Are the Placebo," by Dr. Joe Dispenza that became my manual for Jedi training to recondition my body to a new mind; to unlearn all that I had learned and continue to unlearn beliefs, patterns of holding and to have trust, confidence and faith in the strength and healing power of my body to recover from the challenges I present.

The focus at first was on cross training and strength training; adding weight, increasing repetitions, increasing time we held plank, increasing intensity of pool workouts and slowly adding miles. Then as we added miles, I maintained strength training and cross training. During taper time, I maintained strength training and cross training; diminished miles until this week when I will rest, relax and allow my body to integrate these last 6 months of intensive training.

There are so many new sensations in my body as I stand poised and ready to take on my longest distance race since April 20, 2009 and I use the phrase that "Oh that's just the furnace," using the analogy of an old house that makes a lot of noises that we can either freak out about or dismiss.

"They have the race expo at the Hamilton Princess across from where we are staying," I told Tom last night.



The last time I set foot in the Hamilton Princess I was wearing a toe up leg brace:


"It was New Year's Eve," I went on to reminisce with Tom. "Everyone was all glammed up in high heels and stunning outfits. I was so jealous and felt so out of place."

So it's 3 more sleeps until we head to Logan Airport and board that plane for Hamilton Bermuda. No more workouts. One more run to keep the legs loose along the course on Friday for a mile or two. And then on Sunday 1/17/16 at 8:00am whatever time Bermuda is on (it's one hour ahead of East Coast time) Team McManus toes the starting line of the Bermuda Half Marathon:



Last night Tom told me he was so excited to run this race. "Why?" I asked him. "You've run so many half marathons lately."

"I know," he said to me and his eyes filled with tears. "But this is the first one as Team McManus in 7 years!"

So it's countdown to Bermuda and now that the training is done I am feeling overwhelming gratitude for all the healing, the blessings, the grace that has showered upon me during these past 9 months.

I.am.ready!