One Percent

"The miracle isn't that I finished; the miracle is that I had the courage to start." - John Bingham

Did you know that less than one percent of the world's population has ever finished a marathon? That is one statistic I am thrilled to be a part of. Now I know I ran Boston two years ago so why bring this up now? Well this year I have been blessed to welcome two fellow #NERTS into the 26.2 Club. Ashley Niven ran the Chicago Marathon in 85 degree heat I might add and just yesterday, Jessie Kraus crossed the finish line of the Disney Marathon. As I tracked both Jessie and Ashley, I remembered the thrill of running my first marathon and what a joy to welcome new members to the 26.2 club.

What is it about a marathon? Why is it that only a very small percentage of the population ever finish a marathon? Since I saw all the runners on Heartbreak Hill yesterday training for Boston, I thought I might offer some marathon musings to inspire both veteran and virgin marathoners who are getting ready for Boston.

I said the words "And I wanna run the Boston Marathon" in February 2008. These words by passed any cognitive functioning whatsoever. It was an urge, a yearning. I'd been in Boston for many years and during recovery from my reconstructive leg surgery when I was on and off crutches for the better part of two years, I would joke as I would see people training for Boston - "No I don't think I'll run Boston this year" having no idea that my unconscious was preparing the way long before I even knew I would lace up a pair of running shoes.

So there I was just coming out of a leg brace and barely discharged from outpatient rehab for post polio syndrome and Team McManus was formed - a most unlikely trio to ever run - let alone a marathon..let alone any marathon but THE Boston Marathon. Our daughter was a self proclaimed couch potato, my husband hadn't run a 10K in years and was overweight and out of shape and I was a polio/post polio survivor who thought that athletics were for anyone but me.

But with courage, fierce determination, a lot of faith, a lot of ignorance (which at times was bliss for if you don't know what might befall you while training for a marathon, you go blissfully through the process), incredible humor, focus, unconditional love and mutual support (key ingredients cited by the way as the important ingredients for the 2004 winning Boston Red Sox team as noted by Dr. Eric Leskowitz in his newly released book, "The Joy of Sox:Weird Science and the Power of Intention". I will be dedicating a blog post to a book review once I finish reading it - it is phenomenal...but I digress) we made it to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon.

So why doesn't everyone run a marathon? I know that our trainer, Domenick D'Amico often hears people say "Oh I could never run a marathon" and he tells them my story. My story shows how the power of belief and intention can indeed move mountains - or maybe just Heartbreak Hill. So here's to everyone training for Boston 2011 - and remember - if I can run a marathon - so can you!

And my husband Tom is answering the call again - this time for Childrens Hospital Boston - so let's show some love and make that tote board climb! With every $10 donation you get a ticket to the hottest a cappella fest in town! And if you can't join us, your donation can be used toward being entered in our Take a Chance at Intermission.

If you need an extra dose of inspiration - here's the trailer from my documentary, "Keeping the Pace:The Mary McManus Story."

God bless, be well and live like you were dyin'
From my heart to yours with love,
Mary