Celebrating Ten Years of Running: When My Mettle Was Tested

As a survivor of paralytic polio and severe childhood trauma, I developed my intellectual prowess in order to survive the horrors of my childhood and adolescence. My body was something I lugged around with me. After the diagnosis of a progressive neuromuscular disease in the guise of Post-Polio Syndrome, I realized that I was at a crossroads in my life at the age of 53.

I did not have a conscious thought about becoming a runner. Once I got still and asked for Divine Guidance about what direction I was to take in my life, poetry and running collided through the power of my pen, what I came to call my Divining rod for healing. The first poem I wrote, "Running the Race" foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run.

Although my mettle was tested daily as I endured violence and the effects of paralytic polio, I suffered in silence battling through the days and nights as best I could.

In running, my mettle was tested and I was embraced by a community of love and support as they cheered rather than jeered my efforts on the roads and in my life.

Two mettle testing moments that are forever imprinted on my heart and soul happened at the Marathon Sports 5 Miler in July of 2008 and in January 2017 at the Bermuda Half Marathon.

The Marathon Sports 5 miler was my first 5 mile road race. It was hot and an evening race; not a good combination for someone in the early phases of recovery from Post-Polio Syndrome. We were dead last and had no idea where we were going as darkness fell on the back roads of Weston neighborhoods. It was a hilly course and I wanted to quit as sweat and tears mingled together. Tom would not let me quit and encouraged me every step of the way.


He knew ... and he was right that if I quit that race I would never be able to go the distance for the Boston Marathon.

When we came onto the field, the Marathon Sports staff who knew my story beeped the horn on the sweep truck and cheered me as though I was the one who broke the tape.

At mile 10 in the 2017 Bermuda Half Marathon, I experienced serious cramping in my back and side. As we stopped along the way to stretch every which way I could think of, a lovely woman stopped asking if I was okay at mile 12. "Do you need anything? Water? Fuel?" We said I was just cramped up and I would be okay thanking her for her kindness. By the time I made it to mile 12, I could barely stand. I dumped water on my head and willed myself to keep on to the finish line. Tom suggested I put my arm around him so he could brace my hip and take some of the stress off of my body.

From the soon to be released, "Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":
As we moved slowly toward the finish line, the angel from mile 12 appeared.

"Come on. Put your arm around me. I'm going to help you."

She could tell I was stunned. "They did it for me when I cramped up in Chicago and Philadelphia actually. It's okay. This is what we do for each other."

With Tom and the earth angel from mile 12 flanking me on either side, I powered up Bermudiana Road and then down the final hill toward the finish line!

I kept saying thank you amidst the conversation we had to keep me distracted from what was happening in my body. I cried and shared my story. She reassured me that I would finish this race. She acknowledged my strength and my courage. She told us a bit about herself and her running comeback after a slipped disc. Tom and our earth angel kept me focused on my single minded goal: to cross that finish line.

"I'm going to step aside right before the finisher's chute so I'm not in your finish photo," this angel said to me.

I was never so happy to see a finish line in my life! As we planned and visualized so many times, Tom and I had hands held high (even though I was leaning to my left) with huge smiles on our faces. We celebrated that I ran my second consecutive Bermuda Half Marathon. It wasn't pretty but I got it done.



I could have sat behind my desk and rode out my tenure at the VA as an award winning social worker for 3 years when I was "eligible for retirement." I would have remained in the comfort zone of what I had done for over 25 years harnessing my intellectual prowess and my compassion for those who survived trauma and care for the elderly and their caregivers. Chances are I would have rode out that tenure in a wheelchair as was the predictable course for someone who survived childhood paralytic polio.

And yet I couldn't do that; to my veterans and their families or to myself.

It's been quite the 12 year healing odyssey with many many more years to come. My mettle will continue to be tested as I get older and challenge myself on the roads and in my life. I was born to run and born to live a full vibrant life and that is exactly what I plan to do for however long I am blessed to be in my physical body.

From "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life" available on Amazon

"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them." -Marcus Aurelius

Born to Run

Born free
born to run
run free
unencumbered untethered unshackled
pouring energy into my running form
liquid gold once fired in the crucible
now my treasure born of my Spirit molded with alchemy
refining
my precious treasure once buried
the map safely tucked away
X marks the spot
a new starting line.

Poised and ready
to go the distance
all out without hesitation
all is healed at last
my pace swift
Mercury and Hermes pace me on winged feet
I AM
born to run
running free
joyfully crossing the finish line with ease.

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 tapping into the powerful connection she experienced to the Divine from an early age. 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. Her story is one that will leave you cheering for the underdog, discovering the meaning of different ability and experiencing the stunning view from the back of the pack of a race. You will have the privilege of bearing witness to how Mary overcame every challenge that life presented to her. The sport of running provides the backdrop for 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 that tested her mettle while forging friendships to last a lifetime. 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.

Celebrating Ten Years of Running: Never Tell Me The Odds

My journey of transformation from Christmas 2007 to the 2009 Boston Marathon and the 2016 Bermmuda Half Marathon:




From the soon to be released "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":

C-3PO is rattling off the odds while he stands over Han Solo’s shoulder in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. C-3PO has calculated the unlikely and grim odds of Han being able to avoid hitting an asteroid. Han Solo quips back, “Never tell me the odds.”

The odds of becoming high school valedictorian after contracting paralytic polio and fighting for my life every night were quite slim. The odds of being selected for Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society at Boston College were quite slim. It took me 4 years to complete my Masters degree in Social Work. I nearly lost the use of my right arm due to a misdiagnosed staph infection and had a 6 week hospitalization.

I was told I shouldn't run again after a serious knee injury in December of 2014. What were the odds I would go on to run 3 consecutive Bermuda Half Marathons? It takes dedication, hard work, perseverance, fierce determination, strength and courage to beat the odds. At times, it was a messy and uncertain journey that required trusting The Force with all of my heart and soul.

The deck was stacked against me. Without warning, on June 3, 1959, I dropped to the ground in Kindergarten class. Thus began the life long challenges I would need to overcome. Three years after contracting paralytic polio, shortly after coming out of my leg brace, my father became alcoholic. Nine years of emotional, physical and sexual assaults followed until he died by suicide when I was 17 years old. In December of 2006 I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

In many ways, my life has been like an adventure movie. I battled evil, and fought for my life. Every time somebody told me I shouldn't or couldn't do something, I turned around and said, "Watch me now."

Never tell me the odds!

“Out of our deepest wounds we find our greatest strength, our most beautiful treasures and the knowledge that love is far greater, and more powerful than any experience we endure.” ~Mary McManus

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: Mile 10 Connections & The Paper Fiesta

When I walked through the door of The Paper Fiesta I feasted my eyes on a unique gift shop experience. The natural light bathed the beautifully arranged array of items. You'll find all your paper goods for your party, gifts and beautiful stationery items such as the journals and note pad I purchased:


I was impressed by how owner Paula Romero-Dunbar, who took a leap of faith leaving her 21 year job at Party Favors to start her own business, and her Boston EMS husband, Walter have woven in the Boston Marathon/Boston Strong theme into the store. There is a special place noting that their store is on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon:


“Every runner in the 123 year HISTORY of the Boston Marathon RAN past where YOU STAND.”-since 1897

4/15/13 brought us together as we each attended One Boston Day on 4/15/15 at Old South Church. There is a sense of healing and moving forward as survivors and thrivers in the wake of 4/15/13. Paper Fiesta is a space for reflection and celebration!

Paula commented how much she loved seeing us out running when we were training for Bermuda.

"Do you know you're in my next book?" I asked. "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953." I talk about what a boost you gave us when you honked at us crossing Route 9 and when you went a little way with us the year before when it was freezing out in December."

"When will it be out?" Walter asked.

"As soon as I finish editing it!"

Walter explained how he would like to have events at the store with local artists and authors. I told him I am totally on board and would love to have my book launch at the store!

While paying for my purchases, Paula asked, "How was your ride out?"

"It was horrible. Route 9 has construction and Siri took me via Route 27," I answered.

"Well you can take Route 135 straight in and go along the Boston Marathon route!"

I gathered the gifts I bought for myself, hugged Walter and Paula and went on my way.

I got goosebumps as I drove through Natick and the rolling hills of Wellesley heading into Wellesley College. I vividly remembered 4/20/2009 as I made my way from Hopkinton to Boston; an unlikely runner to be sure! I had never run a day in my life before February of 2008 when I declared that my next health and fitness goal shortly after coming out of a leg brace and wheelchair was to run the Boston Marathon.

I smiled and celebrated myself as I drove from mile 10 and Paper Fiesta, carrying the message of "Strength. History. Spirit. and Hope" with me.

As I got to Wellesley Center, I remembered looking down and finding a penny.

From "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":
As we crossed to the Dunkin' Donuts on Beacon Street, our neighbors were waiting with a sign to cheer us on to the finish.

Speaking of signs ….

Bernie Siegel, MD, one of the pioneers in mind/body medicine, and a dear friend since the 1980’s, sent me an email telling me to look for the penny. It would be from him and God telling me everything was all right. I found a penny in Wellesley.

I felt the exhilaration of Marathon Monday after passing the halfway point in Wellesley knowing that I'd done the rest of the route many many times during training runs.

I veered off of Washington Street to take Route 9 home but in my mind's eye I could still remember taking the turn onto Commonwealth Avenue, conquering the hills and crossing the finish line receiving my prize for a year of training and defying the odds as a survivor of childhood paralytic polio and trauma:


Paula took a leap of faith to create this enchanting gift shop in Natick Center. It's a place where memories are treasured, and many beautiful connections will be made. Their Grand Opening is happening tomorrow from 1-4pm with cupcakes, cannolis and connections.

From Walter & Paula:
We love putting smiles on people’s faces! Paper Fiesta is Natick’s new family celebration store specializing in party supplies, gifts, cards and balloons. We don’t believe there should be any “ordinary” special occasions, let us help you make all your celebrations extraordinary! Paper Fiesta is located in the corner pocket of historic Clark’s Block along MILE 10 (rt 135/rt 27) of the legendary Boston Marathon route. Our staff and our store are built upon the foundation of what it means to be Boston Strong. Come by and connect with us. We love what we do.

They sure do love what they do and I'm so excited for their new adventure!

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 Faith and My First Race Medal

When I decided to leave my award winning career as a VA social worker just 3 years shy of when I was eligible for retirement in May of 2007 to heal my life from the effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma, it was an act of faith. I couldn't see the whole staircase of what was ahead for me financially, physically (I'd just been diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards), emotionally or spiritually. When the words, "And I want to run the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital next year" fell out of my mouth when my personal trainer asked me what my next health and fitness goals were in February of 2008, I had no idea what I was doing. I was following a call.

When we arrived in Hyannis for the Hyannis Marathon Weekend in February of 2009, I felt like a fish out of water. Here I was among all these runners sporting their Boston Marathon jackets, shopping at the Expo and seeming far more knowledgeable than I about running. There were signs and synchronicity that let me know I was right where I was supposed to be instinctively sharing my inspirational story about coming out of a leg brace and a wheelchair to take on the running of the 2009 Boston Marathon.

I was in awe that people were in awe of my story. I didn't know that the running community was not only inclusive but embraced my courage to find my way to the sport of running at the age of 54 years old.

I was embraced by the running community AND running greats Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter.

The races leading up to running the Hyannis Half Marathon did not offer medals so you can well imagine my thrill at receiving a medal after I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon race:


As we trained for the 2009 Boston Marathon and committed to our fund raising goal, I had to have the utmost trust and faith that I would succeed. I had no idea where the monies would come from when we first set out on the journey nor did I have any idea how I was going to run 26.2 miles when I'd never run a day in my life before March of 2008.

With patience, perseverance, taking it literally one step and then one mile at a time having the utmost faith in what I was doing, I crossed the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and we raised $10,535 for Spaulding Rehab.


Becoming a part of the running community, meeting running greats and earning my first race medal at the Hyannis Marathon Weekend are some of my fondest memories as I celebrate ten years of running!

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 ****

Celebrating Ten Years of Running: Where Has Running Taken Me?

This morning on Facebook, this photo popped up in my memories:


It was a magical moment at the starting line of the Bermuda Half Marathon in 2016.

Running in Bermuda was on my bucket list and then life happened and I didn't think about it again.

In December of 2014, I suffered a serious knee injury that the physiatrist and PT's said would put an end to my running career; admonished me to cap my distance at a 5K or at most 5 miles and to prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years.

I knew about the mind/body connection and the body's tremendous capacity to heal. With the help of a wonderful chiropractor, I got back on my healing path. With kinesiotape, motivation, inspiration, prescription for cross training and recommendations for reading "You Are the Placebo," "Everything You Need to Know to Feel Go(o)d" and watching "What the bleep do we know," Dr. Ryan reminded me to set goals not limits. Shortly after we worked together, he moved to China to practice chiropractic in an integrative medicine setting but not before he left a lasting imprint on my heart and on my healing journey.

At my 2015 comeback race, the Finish at the 50, the Bermuda Marathon Weekend "just happened" to have a table at the Expo. After several years of walking by their booth at different Expos we attended, Tom decided to stop at their Booth while I slowly walked on. As I overheard their conversation, I stopped and I inched closer and closer to their Booth as I started wondering if perhaps I would be able to go the distance again in Bermuda. The Race Director, Anthony Raynor suggested that if I could go the distance of a Half Marathon, I would much prefer the Half to the 10K which is all hills.

I knew it was time to put running in Bermuda back on my bucket list.

It was an incredible thrill to be a part of an International Race Weekend while meeting friends from Massachusetts. Ann Kucharski stopped me at the pool at The Rosedon Hotel and started a conversation. We had been on the same flight. We discovered that we had many runner friends in common. She ran the 10K and on Sunday morning came to the starting line to cheer us on. She shouted to us and snapped the photo that popped up in my memory feed.

Running has taken me to meet so many wonderful, kind, generous, inspiring people that I would not have met were I not a part of this incredible sport.

Running has taken me to the very edge of what I think I am capable of and then a little bit farther.

Running has taken me away from feeling stuck with a life problem and revealing the answer on a run.



Bill Rodgers once said to me, "Life is hard...that's why we run. When we learn we can tough it out on the roads, we know we can tough out anything that life sends our way." Running has taught me that I can indeed meet every challenge on the roads and in my life.

Running has taken me from seeing myself as a survivor of paralytic polio and trauma to a woman who goes the distance with the power of endurance. Running has been my redemption from my past and transformed me from a disabled person to a champion of my life.



Where has running taken you?

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:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):