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: Leave The Stress on the Road

Monday morning the 6:00am alarm went off. There was a hint of daylight through the shades. Our cat Jamie jumped on the bed and snuggled in close. I set the alarm for 6:20 to begin the day with our morning meditation. My body felt sluggish. I continue my recovery from the trauma of our daughter's recent psychiatric crisis and hospitalization from last week and the ongoing exhaustion of watching her self-destructive behaviors. I know that no matter how I may be feeling before a run, after a run I feel refreshed and renewed ready to take on a new day.

Tom and I took deep breaths as we descended the stairs appreciating the spaciousness of our home without our daughter's presence. We did our core work out, had a banana and hydrated and opened the door to breathe in the cool clean crisp air.

It was 28 degrees with frost on the newly fallen leaves and patches of ice on the ground. We started off with a slow and easy pace as Tom continues to recover from his knee injury and once we got to the Reservoir, we ended up doing negative splits.

We passed a runner who we hadn't seen in a long time. We smiled and greeted each other with a tip of the hat kind of motion. During our last lap around the Reservoir we wished each other a good day. We don't know each others' names. All we know is we are runners and:


There are spectacular sights to see with the dawn of a new day and we stopped to take photos:


Running is our sacred time together. We unplug, breathe deeply in nature, raise our heart rates rather than our blood pressure in response to life's stress and leave the stress out on the road with every foot strike. We savor the sights and sensations of the dawn of a new day and fill ourselves with hope and possibility.



One of these days I should take a before and after run selfie to see what a difference a run makes:


It's amazing to celebrate ten years of running! I honestly do not know what I did before I discovered the gift of running in my life....oh yeah .... yes I do....I got sick and was given the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. But all that is in the rear view mirror now.

We put on the kettle for coffee and oatmeal, popped in our quinoa bread toast, poured the juice and gave thanks for another great run in which we were able to leave the stress on the road.

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: A Gratitude Run

I connected with a woman who is in the beginning of her journey with Post-Polio Syndrome. She heard my interview with David Hamilton, Ph.D. on Hay House Radio UK as I shared how I've been able to heal from the effects of paralytic polio and severe childhood trauma harnessing the power of my mind through visualization. We've been chatting on Facebook messenger. She takes me back to those early days of my journey with Post-Polio Syndrome as I faced a rather grim and uncertain future and how challenging even the simplest of tasks were for me. She reminded me of the chronic fatigue I experienced. She tells me how much hope and inspiration I give her.

While I have never ever taken anything I can do for granted, especially running, and I live my life with an attitude of gratitude, this morning I felt gratitude overflow in every fiber of my Being. I miss running with Tom who is recovering from a knee injury, but these times of solitude help me to reflect and appreciate how blessed I am to be able to run and all that I have been able to co-create as I heal my life.

When the alarm went off and Tom mentioned that he needed one more rest day before getting back out on the roads with me, I could have easily decided to drop him off at work and then go on my run. But I was feeling really psyched to get out on an early morning run. There was a feeling deep in my soul that urged me on.

Twelve years ago in December I was told I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. Four years ago in December I was told I should stop running (and that I probably should have never started running as a survivor of paralytic polio) and prepare for a total knee replacement.

Tom did core work with me and sent me off on my run letting me know that he should be back on the roads with me in no time!

I loved the solitude at the Reservoir and kept saying thank you to the Universe for the gift of running in my life.

During my second lap, I heard footsteps behind me. Since it was early in the day, I wanted to be aware of my surroundings and turned around.

"Excuse me. Do you know the distance around this Reservoir?"

"It's .9 of a mile," I answered.

"That's a pretty good pace you're keeping there. I'm having a hard time keeping up."

I beamed inside. I've been working hard at improving my time and here was someone who was having a hard time keeping up with me. We chatted until we got to the entrance of the Reservoir where we parted ways but not before I had a chance to share my story with him.

"It's absolutely amazing what we can do once we put our minds to it," he said.

I captured the beauty of the morning even though it was cloudy and gray:


and Tom took my "selfie" when I got home:


"You look like you had a spectacular run," Tom said to me as I smelled toast and coffee and saw the table set for breakfast.

I checked my pace and splits. After a warm up on the first mile, I did speed work that got my pace into the 16's again. I had a -1.11 split between mile 1 and 2. I felt accomplished and satisfied with my run but the greatest feeling I experienced on this Monday morning run was gratitude for healing, for the gift of running in my life and the joy to be alive!

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: Running IS My Therapy

While I always put my best foot forward and remain as positive and grateful as I possibly can, I'd recently been struggling with my runs. I even wrote about Taking a Pause. Tom's knee injury last week was both a stressor and a wake up call for me. The stress of watching our daughter struggle and suffer with psychiatric challenges, and a system that lacks resources and talent and that is profoundly broken to help someone find their way out of the darkness was taking a big toll on me, mind, body and soul. Tom's knee injury was a tipping point of stress and I decided it was time for a shift.

After I dropped Tom off at work, I parked the car across the street from the Reservoir, fastened on my water belt and was deeply grateful for a beautiful Autumn day in Boston.

I felt sluggish during my first mile. "What can I do to shift this feeling?" I thought to myself.

I reminded myself of all of the adventures of runner girl 1953 and embodied myself as a runner. I told myself to ditch the stress into the Reservoir and into the Universe. I kicked my own behind. For some reason, my iPhone deleted my running playlist that I titled, "The 12 minute mile" and I shuffled my library to accompany my run. A talk from Dr. Joe Dispenza came on. While I could not hear the specifics of what he was saying I felt his energy and reminded myself that it was time to think greater than my current circumstances and to embody my future self running a 12 minute mile.

I ended up with a 38 second negative split between mile 1 and mile 2 and an 18 second negative split between miles 2 and 3. But more important than the actual pace was how I felt once again pushing myself and visualizing crossing another finish line at some point in the not too distant future.

When I looked to the heavens, I saw an angel in the cloud formation against the backdrop of a beautiful blue sky:


I captured the beauty of Source in these photos:


and drew strength from the beauty and power that surrounded me.

I was sweating from the inside out cleansing the toxins of stress.

I realized that there is nothing more I can do to help my daughter in her recovery but what I can do is to nourish myself and to find ways to feel happy, healthy and enjoy a state of well being.

That run opened my heart and opened my mind to possibility. Rather than contracting into a state of anger, frustration and vigilance I now surround myself with a cascading waterfall of Divine Love.

This morning I put on my new playlist while I cleaned. I danced and I sang feeling gratitude overwhelm me for our beautiful decluttered home and our new office space. This was the first cleaning since we had our clutter removed. It was the culmination of a month of sorting, sifting and letting go.

I had my chiropractic treatment with Dr. Lizzie this afternoon. I felt ripples of energy flow through me melting away all of the stress in my life continuing to facilitate healing from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma. During my afternoon meditation, I integrated the treatment into mind, body and soul listening to the soundtrack from the Heal Documentary.

Running is my therapy, opening the path to problem solving and supporting my resilience in being able to manage stress in my life.

After Tuesday's run, I was renewed mind, body and soul ready to move forward in my life and my adventures as runner girl 1953.

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.