Bermuda Marathon Weekend: Arrival - Welcome Back!

We arrived at Logan Airport early and were whisked through security because Delta had selected us for a TSA pre check. When we didn't have to take off our shoes or take out the laptop or iPad and avoided the long lines at security we asked TSA what happened. They explained to us that we were randomly selected by Delta. And so the adventure began....



Traveling in winter in Boston can be rather dicey as we learned on our return flight but at the gate we saw that our flight was on time.

Geoffrey Smith, Boston Marathon Champion and the record holder for the Bermuda 10K arrived shortly followed by Shawn Whalen and Mona Bisson, close friends of Geoff. Whenever runners get together it's like the instant oatmeal of friendship - two minutes is all it takes!

So some of you may be wondering - what's the big deal about all of this. What makes this blog newsworthy?

Eight years ago when I boarded a plane for Bermuda I had priority boarding; I was wheeled onto the plane in a wheelchair.

We arrived at our seats and Tom and I were deciding whether or not I should have the window seat since I might have to get up and go the ladies room. The gentleman on the aisle said, "And I'll let you get up and go."

"Are you running?" we asked.

"No I am the race concierge," he said.

"My wife back there - she is running."

She smiled and said hello.

I decided to go the ladies room before we took off and I had a moment where I cried tears of gratitude and joy overwhelmed by my journey of the past 8 years and the past 6 months that led me right to that moment in the bathroom on Delta FL 561 heading to Bermuda for Bermuda Marathon Weekend.

It was a smooth and fast flight; 1 hour and 40 minutes from take off to wheels down.

As we began our decent over Bermuda I got very emotional struck by the beauty and knowing how far I had traveled from when I last landed in Bermuda.



And then I saw the stairs:


The stairs that 8 years ago I could barely descend and at the bottom of the stairs they had a wheelchair waiting for me.

I bounded joyfully down the stairs breathing in the sweet sensuous scent that is uniquely Bermuda.

I took in every detail and savored every moment of going through Customs, retrieving our bag and heading out to meet Clarence "Stoker" Smith who enticed us, along with Anthony Raynor, Race Director, on 7/3 to come run the Bermuda Half Marathon.

Clarence warmly embraced us and we organized who was going where and with whom and off we went to the Rosedon.

God bless Clarence. He drove along the Marathon course letting us know about turns and reminding us that the water is always on your right. He was incredibly loving and reassuring about how well organized the race was. As he dropped us off he said, "You are invited to the reception for the sponsors at Bacardi Headquarters. Be my guest. The elite athletes will be there and you'll be served appetizers and there is an open bar. "How should we dress?" We asked knowing that there is a dress code in Bermuda. "Don't worry about it. You're dressed," he told us.

We arrived at the Rosedon and my breath caught. It looked exactly as it had when we visited 8 years ago. A card from Muriel Richardson, the General Manager and award winning hotelier saying Welcome Back and a bottle of champagne with two servings of chocolate chip cookies were the first thing we saw when we opened the door to our room:



After unpacking and getting our bearings getting reacquainted with our home away from home, we went up for tea time.



"Oh my goodness...looks who's here?" Muriel Richardson announced greeting us in Bermudian style on the Rosedon porch.

"How are you? You look amazing."

We got caught up on what was happening in our lives and she was absolutely stunned that I was going to run the Bermuda Half Marathon.

"I will try to get out there to cheer you on to the finish," she said....just as we had imagined so many times on our long runs.

I was mindful of fueling but also not eating any of the fabulous sweet treats until after I crossed that finish line. It's always tricky to figure out timing of meals on a travel day and this was the first time that I was fueling for a half marathon in Bermuda! We decided to go with tea sandwiches and forego appetizers at the reception and enjoy our dinner at the Pickled Onion.

We put our feet up by the pool and meditated:


and then off to the reception at Bacardi Headquarters.



What you need to realize is that the last time I was in Bermuda I was wearing a leg brace and could barely negotiate the stairs up and down to the main house. We were on the 2nd floor and I had to conserve energy and plan my trips to the pool. I'd been up since 4:30am and still going strong! What a journey!!!

After hearing welcoming remarks, mingling with the elite athletes, finding Geoff, Shawn and Mona and having a photo op for Bermudiana magazine, we walked down to The Pickled Onion overlooking Front Street having arrived in time to watch a beautiful sunset:


I was sporting my Boston Marathon jacket and Altra running shoes. Quite a contrast from 8 years ago.

We were warmly welcomed by the manager Stephanie and the service and food were impeccable. Tom ordered the Bermuda Seafood Chowder. I knew it would be too spicy and too filling for me as an appetizer but I did use the warm rolls to dip and savor the chowder. I opted for a Caesar salad for an appetizer. My body felt well fed on the salmon, brown rice and string beans:


We fell asleep to the sound of tree frogs and a gentle tropical breeze.

When I woke up I realized that we needed to cancel our dinner reservations at the other restaurants and make reservations at the Pickled Onion. This body needed the salmon, brown rice and string beans to go the distance!

To be continued...

Bermuda Marathon Weekend: Race Report

I decided to not blog while I was in Bermuda to savor every moment and to be present and to have time to sift and sort through the epic adventure Team McManus experienced this weekend.

I'm sure everyone is excited and eager to hear our race report so I'll start at the end and then share other incredibly magical experiences from the weekend. My friend Kathleen on Facebook suggested that I go back to the low point I experienced one year ago for those who may have forgotten or those who may not have been reading my blog at that time.

In December I experienced a knee injury. MRI showed degeneration of the knee joint, torn cartilage, bone spurs, a fatty lipoma, an atrophied gastroc muscle and changes due to a history of 5 previous knee surgeries including reconstructive leg surgery.

I went the traditional medical model route initially and then fired everybody. I was led to a healer chiropractor, Ryan J. Means.

Team McManus' first race was the Finish at the 50 5K. It was a real confidence builder and it was at that race that we met Anthony Raynor, Race Director and Clarence "Stoker" Smith aka Smitty or just Smith, assistant race director. The Bermuda Marathon Weekend was on my bucket list for about 3 years and then it wasn't anymore. On 7/3 it was put back on my bucket list! Air and hotel arrangements quickly fell into place.

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!



The Town Crier (pictured above after we received our medals) made a proclamation for the race to begin blessing the runners and saying God Save the Queen and gave us high fives as we took off.


We had our race plan and went out nice and easy. We met a Bermudian and a New Yorker and two women who were doing the Bermuda Triangle Challenge at the back of the pack. Before we knew it we were at mile 1. We paused to take a sip of water staying true to our training plan and then easily tackled the first hill. I was enjoying the company of the women in the back of the pack but I needed to run my own race so Tom and I picked up the pace for our race pace.

Now you have to understand that running the Bermuda Half Marathon is unlike any other race you will ever experience. At water stops volunteers tell you to enjoy the views. The portapotties are pink and green with little white roofs. It's one big party from start to finish where Bermudians line the streets, play music and celebrate their beautiful Island.

At first I wanted to finish at 3:30 but I let that go as we stopped to take photos and videos and chat with the locals. Enjoying every footstep and the beautiful vistas quickly became my number one goal while being fully present in my mind, body and soul.

We had our names on our bibs so everyone cheers you along and everyone wishes you an enjoyable race.

Each view seemed to be more spectacular than the one before. Whenever I'd been to Bermuda before I was always in a car, a bus or a ferry. To experience the Island on foot is an unparalleled experience. Here is a sampling of what we saw along the way including the locals who were out there cheering us on having water and orange slices:



The miles seemed to fly by. It was a glorious sunny day and there was shade and cooling breezes when we needed it. We could not have asked for more perfect weather especially given the monsoon like conditions the day before.

We paced ourselves and commented how along one stretch of the course it was just as we imagined it when we trained last summer near U Mass Boston. Of course it was even more magnificent and breathtaking than we could have imagined.

I remember when I cheered on runners at the Cape Cod Marathon at mile 10, the excitement I would feel when I hit mile 10 in Bermuda.


Tom had to hold me back a little to leave plenty in the tank for the finish but told me once we got to mile 11 I could begin to open it up.



The scene unfolded just as we imagined it coming down the hill toward Front Street passing in front of the Rosedon.

I cried and I poured it on despite having just run 12 miles.

Mile 13 -- only .1 to go


We poured it on and came running down to the finish holding hands with hands held high.

Through every training run we imagined hearing the announcer say, "And here they come to the finish. Tom and Mary McManus from Boston Massachusetts. Welcome back to Bermuda!" In fact the announcer said, "And here comes Tom and Mary McManus of Chestnut Hill Massachusetts. Welcome to Bermuda." He said something about our running together and people came up to us saying what a cute couple we were.

It was exactly as we imagined it and more. We trained hard and we trained well so that we were able to sail through those miles pacing ourselves, eating up the hills and being mindful of the down hills.

We claimed what we went to Bermuda for - to send a message of healing, hope and possibility; that the body achieves what the mind believes and of course for the beautiful bling!

I feel triumphant that I did not allow others to dictate what was possible for me. I set goals not limits. And what a thrill to cross the finish line of the 2016 Bermuda Half Marathon. It's been an amazing journey.... more to come about the epic Bermuda Marathon Weekend....

Countdown to Bermuda: It's Here - 6 months in the making!

So wouldn't it have been enough for me to return to Bermuda healthy and whole and enjoy the Island free from a leg brace and from the shackles of the past?

NO!!!



Or as Mark Twain said:



Ever since I left my 20 year award winning career at the VA to heal my life, I have been on a mission - for myself and to deliver a message of healing, hope and possibility to others. There have been peaks and valleys along the way on this healing journey and now I am on a steady course of healing. I was working hard to heal but until I met Dr. Ryan, a healer chiropractor I could not get traction on my healing journey.

As my dear friend and sole sister Nicole Berglund said after reading my earlier blog post today, "On Sunday, you set a new standard of what's possible."

And so here I am - 6 months since I started training for the Bermuda Half Marathon. I've trained mind, body and soul. I've visualized, meditated, journaled and worked harder, trained harder and smarter than I ever have before - even harder than when I trained for Boston 2009.

I am surrounded with so much love, support and excitement from my village.

Countdown to Bermuda - it's here and tomorrow I'm leaving on a jet plane. And when I return I will be bringing home the gold!

Countdown to Bermuda: My Race - My Pace

I recently wrote a blog post about "For someone who was supposed to be in a wheelchair, you run pretty fast!"

As a back of the pack runner who knows how it feels to finish last (although last year's field in Bermuda had finishers coming in at close to 5 hours for the half), it's vital for me to remember that it's my pace and my race.



I had a dream last night that I finished the Bermuda Half Marathon but then realized I wasn't wearing my bib and I hadn't received my medal yet I knew in my heart that I had gone the distance. Part of me was disappointed I wouldn't have bling to show off to everyone when I got home but another part of me was just so proud of me for having gone the distance and that I carry that with me in my heart and soul.

After I finished our 12.5 miler which we figured out was probably closer to 13 because of Nike+, I felt as though I had already won my race. I set out to train myself mind, body and soul for a half marathon and I accomplished that goal.

I am so deeply grateful to my running village who send me so much love, support and encouragement and remind me that Sunday is my victory race.

I share that victory race with my village, with my amazing life and running partner Tom who has been with me on every step of this amazing journey, and my dear friend, healer and chiropractor Dr. Ryan. When the PT's and MD's and Aquatics Therapy instructors and even the previous massage therapist I was working with were shrugging and prognosticating what I should and should not do given the appearances of the MRI and my history of paralytic polio, Dr. Ryan told me to set goals not limits and treated me like royalty to get me back on the roads.

As so often happens, the Divine wants me to be clear about how I run my race on Sunday. One of my friends from the Merrimack Valley Striders Club posted this article this morning on Facebook. "Why the 5+ hour marathoner and the 14+ hour Ironman are my heroes."

I’m a pretty fast guy for a non-elite runner. I can still break a 4:30 mile, a 16-minute 5K and a 33-minute 10K at the age of 45. My PR in the marathon is 2:27:17 and have run in the 2:30s three different times as well throughout my life. I tell you this not to brag, but to say if I weren’t this fast I don’t know if I would be such a serious runner. I am blessed to be able to run at a pretty good gait and enjoy running at top speeds. Heck, if I were fast enough to be a sprinter, I would have probably been one, but that was not to be.

So while over the years, people have been “amazed” by how fast I can run this distance or that, I honestly think to myself that I’m just lucky to have good running-DNA and a pretty good work ethic. What I’m really amazed at are the people who work their asses off to break a 6-hour marathon or 15-hours in an Ironman – these are my endurance heroes!
It’s All Relative

For years I’ve told the countless people I’ve coached for marathon events, “It’s all relative”. When I say that, I’m speaking about the work effort that goes into running a sub-3 hour, sub-4 hour, sub-5 hour or sub-6 hour marathon. Just because I can run a sub-2:30 marathon doesn’t mean I work any harder than the individual who runs the sub-4 hour marathon, it just means I’m faster.

And if I had to be on the roads for 5+ hours (in a marathon) or 14+ hours (in an Ironman) I am pretty certain I would not be so inclined to enter one. The mental fortitude and physical demands you must undertake for multi-hour runs, rides and swims is truly amazing – inspiring, I would even argue. I honestly get a bit edgy on a run longer than 90-minutes. So, if you told me that I needed to go on a 20-mile run or 80-mile bike ride and it was going to take me 4-6 hours, I would probably say nope, that’s just waaaaay too long! But many of you out there are these people, and honestly, I don’t know how you have the will or the drive to be on your feet or in the seat for that sort of a duration – now that’s some real grit and determination!
Be Proud of Yourself

It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to cross that finish line. Those of you who take 5+ hours to run a marathon or 14+ hours to complete an Ironman, you train like the rest of us train. You have doubts if you’ll finish, just like the rest of us. You are not sure if you can handle this enormous challenge you’ve placed before yourself, just like the rest of us. But on top of all this, you know that there will be no fanfare for you. There will be no write-up in the local paper about your courage. There will be no top-3 age-group finish, most likely. You are on your feet and the roads for more hours than the rest of us and yet you still want to continue. You know you’ll be towards the end of the pack, and yet you wish to go on. You are, my endurance brothers and sisters, no less of an athlete than the 2:07 marathoner or the 8:10 Ironman finisher. You are inspiring. You are the spark that let’s others know, that it can be done if you believe in yourself and have the will to pursue your dreams and goal. I thank you for this. You are all truly my endurance heroes.

Happy Racing!

So I toss all those memories of teasing, taunting, trying to catch up and feeling less than because of all that I endured and stand tall, walking with attitude, running with pride because after all whether in life or in a race it should always be my race - my pace.

This is a poem I wrote that is included at the end of my memoir, "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility," (chronicling the first 7 years of my healing odyssey) and "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life" that are available on Amazon. What is so stunning to me is that I wrote this poem in February of 2008!

On May 25, 2007, I left my career at the VA and didn’t look back. I was discharged from outpatient rehab and in October of 2007, I decided to hire a personal trainer to see if I could get a little stronger. Six months after meeting my initial goals of getting off of a low toilet seat and diversifying the program that Spaulding Rehab had given me, my trainer asked me for my next goals. “I want to dance. I want to feel free in my body. I want to take a walk outside…” She gathered up her belongings, had her hand on the door knob and I said, “Wait … I have one more goal … I want to run the 2009 Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab as a charity runner.” She was totally non-plussed, sent me off to buy my first pair of running shoes and I wrote these poems on the road to the Boston Marathon.

Marathon Metamorphosis

Pounding pavement, feeling strength the journey now begun
training for the race of my life a 26.2 mile run.
Feeling God in every step in every beat of my heart
I undertake this challenge as a new chapter of my life I start.

I ran around in circles carrying baggage by the ton,
destination was survival hardened shell let in no one.
Fear and worry doubts prevailed, adrenaline in my veins
a headless horseman running wild no one to take the reins.

Stopping in my tracks I froze no longer could I move -
clawing, fighting had to cease there was nothing more to prove.
God's grace touched like a magic wand, a softness and a glow
emerging from a troubled past my blood began to flow.

Loving teachers lit the way their love a healing balm -
focusing on who I am now brings a sense of calm.
Stretching every muscle feeling God in every cell
wholeness now a blessing out of prison - no more hell.

The race is still a year away each day my dream I see
mind, body, spirit tuning turning toward the Voice of Thee.
Flexing what had once been stiff to brace against the pain
old habits die and I'm reborn to write a new refrain.
And when the starting gun goes off poised with strength and grace
the thunder of the running feet will help me set my pace.
But the starting line's the finish my race already won
achieving the impossible preparing for this run.

The healing power of self-love and faith to spark the flame
transformed me from a victim once filled with so much shame.
Unearth my buried treasures my inheritance I find
connected to my Loving God in my heart and mind.

And when I cross the finish line the greatest cheer of all
has been this magnificent journey of answering God's call.

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!

Countdown to Bermuda: The Power of Positive Vibes

My dear friend and fellow badass runner Susan Stirrat posted in our Facebook group, Badasses Kicking Butt,"I am running the mile this Sunday in Purth Amboy, NJ at the New Jersey Championship Indoor Track Meet. Please send good vibes my way!" A discussion followed about how it helps when people send positive energy your way.

I'll say.

When I ran the 2009 Boston Marathon I had a whole posse of positive energy and prayers fueling my 26.2 miles.

I love giving and receiving positive energy to our running village. My joy is multiplied as I share in the accomplishments of others and intensified as others cheer me on in my 13.1 quest in Bermuda next Sunday.

Does it make a difference when good vibes are sent?

My friend Dr. Rick Leskowitz wrote a book and made a movie about this very subject: "The Joy of Sox: Weird Science and the Power of Intention: Sports, spirituality and science come together at the old ballgame."



They partnered with The Heart Math Institute and other scientific research centers who study energy and how the collective consciousness can affect change in ourselves and in the world.

Recently Dr. Joe Dispenza held a Global Meditation. Tom and I were blessed to be a part of it and I wrote about it in my blog.

From Dr. Joe's blog:
We are all bound by an invisible field of energy that lies beyond space and time. So, when we go into heart coherence we’re actually sending out a measurable magnetic signal to the field. Furthermore, we have the ability to adjust the message we are sending. Remember, all frequency carries information. Thus, by changing our energy and becoming heart centered, and then focusing our thoughts with intention, we change the information that is sent and received. On an individual level we all can project a feeling of gratitude and have the energy associated with that elevated emotion carry a specific message and have it spread beyond just the self.

I am so blessed to be a part of this amazing running village where we use the power of positive vibes to help those who are injured heal, to hold the intention for whatever the goal is for a particular race and to share the love, gratitude and joy of running; of setting goals that challenge and triumphing over the challenge going the distance time and time again.

I feel surrounded by so much love and support as I countdown to Bermuda. Susan posted this in response to my Countdown to Bermuda:Mental Toughness Blog: Mary, you remind me of Reno.. So tough, so positive and so focused. You have given this 100%. Now you will run this race the same way you trained for it, with focus and mental toughness. I know you will also run it with joy. Her husband Reno is an elite runner who has set many records including being one of 31 people who have logged a sub-3:00 marathon for five decades in a row. What an honor and blessing to be compared to him!

My friend Bill McCabe whose aptly nicknamed Wolf in the running community; he ran 7 marathons on 7 continents and raised money for Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Marc Fucarile posted this on Facebook today:

First Annual Awards Dinner for Mary & Tom McManus before she runs her half marathon in the Bermuda Triangle
Go Mary & Tom a winning Team.
Best of Luck



My dear friend Nicole Berglund is running her first 26.2, the Houston Marathon next Sunday and we have been basking in the giving and receiving of positive vibes from each other and surrounded by our village.

I know that when Team McManus toes the line a week from tomorrow, we will be feeling the power of positive vibes from our village near and far. For now, I will be sending positive vibes to Susan and Reno tomorrow as they compete in their events.

Is there power in positive vibes? I hope I answered that question beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Countdown to Bermuda: Running the Race - I'm Now Off the Sidelines

Nine years ago on a cold dark February day as I experienced my mind, body and Spirit crying out for healing in the guise of post polio syndrome, "a progressive neuromuscular disease," I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair; that the "best" we could hope for was to stabilize my functioning where it was.

The answer to my prayer came in the form of a poem in the cadence of Dr. Seuss; a throw back to when my physical therapist Miss Holly read Dr. Seuss to me before every painful physical therapy session after contracting paralytic polio and had me recite the lines in tandem with her as she coaxed my muscles and nerves to function again.

From my memoir, "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility," available on Amazon




And then I felt a stirring in my second chakra (only then I didn’t know it was my second chakra – I thought it might have been something I ate). I went over to my laptop in the corner of the living room and I wrote this poem foreshadowing my 2009 Boston Marathon run:

Running the Race
Early summer 1959 my kindergarten year
Everyone around me filled with nervous fear
Despite the Salk vaccine hope polio would disappear
The polio virus crept right up and knocked me in the rear.

Dancing all around the gym feeling free just like a bird
I dropped to the ground just like a stone and no one said a word.
The pain it was so searing-the diagnosis even worse
"It's polio" the doctor said...he was abrupt and terse.

Called one of the 'lucky ones' I had a 'mild case'
But with the other athletes I could never keep their pace.
Miss Holly physical therapist, curly hair and a warm, broad smile
It tempered the pain of being apart - to walk I'd take awhile.

I always wore those 'special' shoes the kids they poked and teased
With no support and much abuse with childhood I wasn't pleased.
But put nose to the grindstone and learned all that I could
I couldn't kick a ball but my grades were always good.

Years went by and no more thought to polio did I give
I accepted the limp and everything else and decided my life I would live.
But symptoms of weakness and muscle pain did grow
I kept a stoic face hoping no one else would know.

Life no longer was my own I struggled through each day
Suffered in silence, isolated from friends- trying to keep depression at bay.
And with the grace of glorious God my world it opened wide
I discovered there was a Post Polio team and they were on my side.

Using wheelchair to travel, set limits on what I could do,
Resulted in joy to realize I could live life anew.
Celebrated my body- creaks, groans and need for a brace
While in my mind I focused on winning a 10K race.

Sought out paths for healing and my spirit flew free
For the first time in life, I could truly be me.
The chains are gone and possibilities abound
I'm a tree with my roots planted firmly in ground.

I'm now off the sidelines, no need to sit and whine
So much gratitude fills my heart and love and beauty shine.
After all these years I can join the loving human race
I exceed all expectations and now I set the pace.

Nine years ago I was sidelined facing a rather grim and uncertain future according to Western medical science with the diagnosis of post polio syndrome and it's been an incredible healing odyssey. One year ago I was on the sidelines with a knee injury the result of not cross training, not taking enough rest and recovery time between races and working with a massage therapist who not only did not know how work with a runner but went on to set the intention of "Right now your right leg is leading the dance and I'm waiting for your left leg to speak to me." I'm so grateful for the knee injury and all that I learned from working with that massage therapist because it led me to this moment now in my life! I am off the sidelines and right smack in the middle of my glorious life!

One week from today I board a plane for Bermuda; my first trip in 8 years and instead of a wheelchair waiting for me on the tarmac, wearing these shoes that I wore the last time I was in Bermuda:



I'll be bounding down the stairs in my Altra running shoes

enjoying the countdown to when Team McManus toes the starting line of the Bermuda Half Marathon.