Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you're young at heart
For its hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If you're young at heart
Rodgers & Hammerstein
Young at Heart is the title of Johnny Kelley's autobiography and the song that was played when they dedicated his statue on Heartbreak Hill in Newton. Ever since my daughter sat next to Johnny Kelley's nephew on the plane ride back from Puerto Rico, we have been learning a lot about Johnny Kelley and feeling that his spirit is blessing our Marathon journey. But Young at Heart has special meaning for me today. During today's training run with Janine, my trainer, she told me about her 70+ year old client who celebrated the fact it was getting easier to get off the toilet seat and stand. When Janine first did my assessment, and I told her what functional areas I was struggling with, she said to me that those struggles are for somebody in their 70's - not for a 53 year old. The other day as I was cleaning out my attic, I saw the tub chair that I used to use because I did not have the strength or energy to stand in the shower, and I kept my black polio shoes, toe up brace, wrist brace to ease the painful symptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome and of course my swanky blue cane with its ice gripper. I am a walking miracle and I give thanks to God for every moment, for every breath I take and for the strength and courage to reach out first to Spaulding Rehab and then to Janine for help. It is a journey of physical, spiritual and psychological transformation.
Fairy tales can come true and it's happening to me. In just a few short weeks, I will be at the starting line of the 113th running of the Boston Marathon. I am clearing out the blockages - physical, spiritual and psychological as they come up to have a wonderful path to the starting line. I am learning to temper fears by allowing the love of God to wash over my soul. I am discovering the beautiful child of God who I am - fearless, determined, courageous, giving, loving, compassionate, faithful and overcoming all of the obstacles which have been placed in my path. I have my eye on the prize - raising over $9,000 for Spaulding Rehab Hospital, inspiring so many with my story, and getting my medal and jacket after Team McManus crosses the finish line. I am also drinking in every experience along this journey and finding the lessons and the blessings in the triumphs and tribulations along the way.
I know you are inspired to donate and it's so easy - just go to www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus
If you are in the Boston area, go to www.firstgiving.com/ballinthehouse to purchase your tickets for our fabulous fundraiser on 3/14.
Remember to order your Valentine's Day poems and gift at www.newworldgreetings.com
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Heartbreak Hill for the First Time
This morning at 8 am as we had the cooler packed and ready to go around Jamaica Pond (it was 39 degrees and sunny; there were predicted wind gusts but we just had to take our training outside), I felt God speak to me - go to Marathon Sports and get a route from Domenick (our trainer for Spaulding Rehab's Race for Rehab Team) - it's time to get out on the Marathon Course. This meant that we had about 15 minutes to fill up the water bottles for our fuel belts, pack clementines and Power Gel into our pockets and get down to Marathon Sports. I felt throughout my whole being that we were meant to do this today.
When we arrived, Domenick was there along with some other runners. Team McManus was a wee bit nervous not knowing what to expect or what was going to happen today. Ruth Anne had forgotten her hat in our haste to leave the house, but fortunately there was no shortage of hats at Marathon Sports. Domenick said we could pay when we got back to the store. He was deep in thought about what route we should run today, "Have you run outdoors? Have you done hills" and with a yes answer to both those questions he sent us down Beacon Street to Newton Wellesley Hospital, over to Wellesly, up Concord Rd, over to Route 30 via the Marriott, down Route 30 through Heartbreak Hill, through BC to go around the Reservoir and then back to Marathon Sports for a total of 17.5 miles.
I won't lie here - it was not easy! We did not know where we were going at times; we had to watch out for black ice and negotiate our way through snow and slush at times along the route; there was a stiff headwind and temperatures were dropping throughout the afternoon; Ruth Anne is recovering from a head cold; at times Tom would set a pace that I couldn't keep up with and I vacillated between sheer exhilaration and dealing with demons from polio days. BUT we did it!!!! 4 hours and 45 minutes after we left Marathon Sports, we returned to a jubilant staff. Alison, the store manager, just back from her own vacation, hugged me so tightly and wanted to make sure we were all okay. I remember her on the Marathon Sports 5 Miler, giving me a high five and also checking in to make sure that I was doing okay. Her love, faith and beautiful Spirit is such a blessing to Team McManus.
So this polio and post polio survivor ran Heartbreak Hill - all of it and I felt God's Presence so palpable with each step I took - and no matter whether we were running or walking, we did a 17.5 mile run today including Heartbreak Hill. I also felt Johnny Kelley's spirit blessing us and felt angels were just moving us along the route. We never got lost and whenever we needed a landmark - there it was. God bless Domenick for planning out this route which included a pit stop at the Marriott and we refilled our water bottles.
In 3 weeks, we will be doing a 16 mile long run and to be honest, I was terrified - until today. When I felt that little knot of fear, I would pray about it and the answer to my prayer came today when God told me to go to Marathon Sports and just do it!
God smiled with sunshine and the wind at our backs when we got to Heartbreak Hill and She told me you are going to run the Marathon and finish the course - you deserve all the joy and triumph and courage and celebration that saying Yes to me is bringing you. And you are going to touch so many people's hearts and lives with this journey - you are blessed and you are going to bless the lives of others.
In yesterday's healing energy session, Janice and I were very talkative as she went about clearing out my energy and helping me to deepen my connection to Source as we intensely prepare for April 20th. God's Love is transmitted through her loving hands and God spoke to me through her as she said, "You have everything you need. You are overflowing with God's light so don't worry". Today, Team McManus took the plunge and ran a good portion of the Marathon Course with God's guidance and love leading the way. I felt as though I were Luke Skywalker listening to Yoda and she smiled when I shared that image with her.
It was a magical day and I feel so incredibly blessed to be on this wild adventure with my beautiful daughter and loving husband. My son reassured us that although he has to work today and tomorrow, he'll do the laundry on Monday to get our running clothes ready for next Saturday's run. God is good!
Please check out www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus to learn more about my transformation from the crisis of post polio diagnosis to running the Boston Marathon and be inspired to donate so that Spaulding can continue their tradition of remarkable recoveries just like mine!
When we arrived, Domenick was there along with some other runners. Team McManus was a wee bit nervous not knowing what to expect or what was going to happen today. Ruth Anne had forgotten her hat in our haste to leave the house, but fortunately there was no shortage of hats at Marathon Sports. Domenick said we could pay when we got back to the store. He was deep in thought about what route we should run today, "Have you run outdoors? Have you done hills" and with a yes answer to both those questions he sent us down Beacon Street to Newton Wellesley Hospital, over to Wellesly, up Concord Rd, over to Route 30 via the Marriott, down Route 30 through Heartbreak Hill, through BC to go around the Reservoir and then back to Marathon Sports for a total of 17.5 miles.
I won't lie here - it was not easy! We did not know where we were going at times; we had to watch out for black ice and negotiate our way through snow and slush at times along the route; there was a stiff headwind and temperatures were dropping throughout the afternoon; Ruth Anne is recovering from a head cold; at times Tom would set a pace that I couldn't keep up with and I vacillated between sheer exhilaration and dealing with demons from polio days. BUT we did it!!!! 4 hours and 45 minutes after we left Marathon Sports, we returned to a jubilant staff. Alison, the store manager, just back from her own vacation, hugged me so tightly and wanted to make sure we were all okay. I remember her on the Marathon Sports 5 Miler, giving me a high five and also checking in to make sure that I was doing okay. Her love, faith and beautiful Spirit is such a blessing to Team McManus.
So this polio and post polio survivor ran Heartbreak Hill - all of it and I felt God's Presence so palpable with each step I took - and no matter whether we were running or walking, we did a 17.5 mile run today including Heartbreak Hill. I also felt Johnny Kelley's spirit blessing us and felt angels were just moving us along the route. We never got lost and whenever we needed a landmark - there it was. God bless Domenick for planning out this route which included a pit stop at the Marriott and we refilled our water bottles.
In 3 weeks, we will be doing a 16 mile long run and to be honest, I was terrified - until today. When I felt that little knot of fear, I would pray about it and the answer to my prayer came today when God told me to go to Marathon Sports and just do it!
God smiled with sunshine and the wind at our backs when we got to Heartbreak Hill and She told me you are going to run the Marathon and finish the course - you deserve all the joy and triumph and courage and celebration that saying Yes to me is bringing you. And you are going to touch so many people's hearts and lives with this journey - you are blessed and you are going to bless the lives of others.
In yesterday's healing energy session, Janice and I were very talkative as she went about clearing out my energy and helping me to deepen my connection to Source as we intensely prepare for April 20th. God's Love is transmitted through her loving hands and God spoke to me through her as she said, "You have everything you need. You are overflowing with God's light so don't worry". Today, Team McManus took the plunge and ran a good portion of the Marathon Course with God's guidance and love leading the way. I felt as though I were Luke Skywalker listening to Yoda and she smiled when I shared that image with her.
It was a magical day and I feel so incredibly blessed to be on this wild adventure with my beautiful daughter and loving husband. My son reassured us that although he has to work today and tomorrow, he'll do the laundry on Monday to get our running clothes ready for next Saturday's run. God is good!
Please check out www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus to learn more about my transformation from the crisis of post polio diagnosis to running the Boston Marathon and be inspired to donate so that Spaulding can continue their tradition of remarkable recoveries just like mine!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
God At Every Turn
It is unusual for me to post two blogs in one day but I must share how God's Presence is so manifest in my life that I am humbled, overwhelmed and overjoyed. Several months ago, I attended an alumni event at Boston University. I was debating whether or not I wanted to go and I heard God say to me, 'go get ready and go.' I was feeling tired that day but listened to God's Voice. As I was getting out of my car, I heard God say to me, "Remember who you are." When I have gone to these gatherings in the past or any social gathering for that matter, the scepter of polio and having been abused would loom and I would feel less than. On this night, there were also distinguished alumni awards being presented; it was God's Grace that She told me to remember that I am a child of God full of grace, glory and power.
I mingled and met the new Dean of the School of Communication (who, by the way is a marathon runner) As the evening was winding down, I 'just happened' to find myself next to Geoff Poister. He asked me about my business (New World Greeting Cards www.newworldgreetings.com) and I shared a little bit of my journey with him. He was enthralled and his eyes filled with tears and I said to him, 'you know, I've often thought that my story would make a great documentary.' He said to me, 'funny you should say that...I'm a professor of film and I teach a course on how to make documentaries.'He told me that he would tell his students about me and that if one of them did not want to make the documentary, he would. (By the way,I google'd him when I got home; he is an award winning documentarian and also studied jazz at Berklee - amazing). I gave him my card, followed up with a couple of emails and two days ago I received an email from one of his students.
We met for coffee at Starbucks near the College of Communication. Joe knew who I was because he had gone to my website and watched the You Tube video I had made which is on our firstgiving website (www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus). He had also sent me a link to a short documentary he had made. I knew this was going to be a very special connection - I had no idea how special. As he was taking notes, I was taken by the fact that Joe really got me and knew what I was talking about. As we were talking about the shame and embarassment and teasing I suffered as a result of polio, he shared with me that his dad had polio. He said that he was drawn to my story and just knew he had to make this documentary. He's not sure if his classmates will want to work on this as the project for the class, but he said he is committed to making the documentary no matter what.
So what are the chances? What are the chances of my daughter sitting next to Johnny Kelley's nephew on the plane ride home from Puerto Rico? What are the chances of me just happening to meet Janine, an in home personal trainer (www.bostonhomebodies.com) who possesses such special talent and a belief that with God all things are possible? What are the chances of meeting Prof Poister and he has a student in his class whose dad is a polio survivor? What are the chances of becoming a client of PR lab at BU and the professor who teaches the course just happens to be a Governor on the Board of Governors of the Boston Athletic Association which is the sponsor of the Boston Marathon?
With God at every turn, the chances are 100%...and I feel so blessed, comforted, loved and supported by God's Presence as I journey on.....and am so grateful for the blessing of synchronicity.
I mingled and met the new Dean of the School of Communication (who, by the way is a marathon runner) As the evening was winding down, I 'just happened' to find myself next to Geoff Poister. He asked me about my business (New World Greeting Cards www.newworldgreetings.com) and I shared a little bit of my journey with him. He was enthralled and his eyes filled with tears and I said to him, 'you know, I've often thought that my story would make a great documentary.' He said to me, 'funny you should say that...I'm a professor of film and I teach a course on how to make documentaries.'He told me that he would tell his students about me and that if one of them did not want to make the documentary, he would. (By the way,I google'd him when I got home; he is an award winning documentarian and also studied jazz at Berklee - amazing). I gave him my card, followed up with a couple of emails and two days ago I received an email from one of his students.
We met for coffee at Starbucks near the College of Communication. Joe knew who I was because he had gone to my website and watched the You Tube video I had made which is on our firstgiving website (www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus). He had also sent me a link to a short documentary he had made. I knew this was going to be a very special connection - I had no idea how special. As he was taking notes, I was taken by the fact that Joe really got me and knew what I was talking about. As we were talking about the shame and embarassment and teasing I suffered as a result of polio, he shared with me that his dad had polio. He said that he was drawn to my story and just knew he had to make this documentary. He's not sure if his classmates will want to work on this as the project for the class, but he said he is committed to making the documentary no matter what.
So what are the chances? What are the chances of my daughter sitting next to Johnny Kelley's nephew on the plane ride home from Puerto Rico? What are the chances of me just happening to meet Janine, an in home personal trainer (www.bostonhomebodies.com) who possesses such special talent and a belief that with God all things are possible? What are the chances of meeting Prof Poister and he has a student in his class whose dad is a polio survivor? What are the chances of becoming a client of PR lab at BU and the professor who teaches the course just happens to be a Governor on the Board of Governors of the Boston Athletic Association which is the sponsor of the Boston Marathon?
With God at every turn, the chances are 100%...and I feel so blessed, comforted, loved and supported by God's Presence as I journey on.....and am so grateful for the blessing of synchronicity.
Hill Training
I had email'ed Janine (my personal trainer for those of you new to my blog) about doing hill training today. Because of the weather, we had not done hill training in a long time but simulated intervals on the stationery bike. The weather report said it would be sunny and in the 30's and my daughter and I had checked out the roads and the hill yesterday. I laid out my running clothes last night and was looking forward to training with Janine and my daughter (also a part of Team McManus - www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus).
Ruth Anne woke up this morning with a wicked head cold; Janine email'ed and then called me to tell me she wasn't feeling well. The temperature at 8 am read 18 degrees. My gut told me that I had to get out there and do my hill training. The marathon is 12 weeks from Monday which means that we have only 9 weeks left to train. Even as I type this, the excitement flows through me - it is the excitement that I said YES to God almost a year ago now when Janine asked me what my next health and fitness goals were. By 10 am it was 22 degrees but the forecast said it felt like 13 degrees with the wind chill. As I started to 'warm up' I felt the cold wind embrace my face. The sun was shining and I saw clumps of snow fall from the trees. At one point, there were 3 plops of snow clumps and I knew God was telling me - this is what you are supposed to be doing.
After a five minute warm up, I began running to where the hills are being very cognizant of the snow and ice patches and asking God and the angels to guide my footsteps. I arrived at the hills. Last Spring, they had once loomed so large as Janine took me there when I could barely run for 10 minutes consecutively. She told me - you're gonna have to run hills so let's start now.Today, I dug in and I did 8 hills consecutively and then ran home. At one point during this training run, I felt and thought "I hate running in the cold"; I then realized I needed to chant a new mantra and I told myself, "I love running in the cold...I love running in the cold" and it got me through.
I listened to Kristen Chenowith's As I Am CD on my iPod. I knew that since I was alone (Tom - the third member of Team McManus had biked last night to get in his mid week training) I needed to know that I was in fact, never alone, and needed to hear God's Voice speak and sing through Kristen Chenoweth's voice of an angel. It worked! When I got home, I was sore - just a week ago, my body had run in 80 degree weather and here I was doing hills in the cold. I told myself - no worries - you need to do a good stretching session, drink a lot of water and have a banana followed by a long hot shower.
As I was drying my hair, I visualized what it is going to feel like when Team McManus crosses the finish line with friends and family and strangers cheering us and embracing us and I began to cry as though I were living in that moment. I know we are going to do this. I also reflected on how, during the recovery from many orthopedic surgeries, I would 'joke' that I was not going to run the Boston Marathon this year. I would also watch people train for the Marathon and there was a place deep within me that wanted to do it. And here I am - just shy of 12 weeks from when the starting gun of the 113th Boston Marathon will be fired. We have some great races and a benefit concert coming up (www.firstgiving.com/ballinthehouse), but in addition to getting the training runs in, it is crucial that I spiritually prepare for the day. Each morning, I quiet my mind and tell myself to stop creating, planning, thinking and just be One with God. I breathe in and out feeling God's breath and my breath as One. I let God bathe me in glorious light and love and I ask God to cleanse the toxicity of feelings and beliefs which no longer serve me. I give thanks for blessings great and small and focus on how God is so evident and active in my life. I ask that I feel and join with God's power for the highest good of myself and others and to know that all is truly well and in Divine order if I just let go and let God and walk in Love and Light.
It is wonderful to share my journey on the Road to the Boston Marathon which is a wonderful metaphor for being on the Road of Life - training myself for endurance, going through the literal and metaphorical ups and downs of training, challenging myself, stretching myself, giving to others and growing in the likeness of God.
Ruth Anne woke up this morning with a wicked head cold; Janine email'ed and then called me to tell me she wasn't feeling well. The temperature at 8 am read 18 degrees. My gut told me that I had to get out there and do my hill training. The marathon is 12 weeks from Monday which means that we have only 9 weeks left to train. Even as I type this, the excitement flows through me - it is the excitement that I said YES to God almost a year ago now when Janine asked me what my next health and fitness goals were. By 10 am it was 22 degrees but the forecast said it felt like 13 degrees with the wind chill. As I started to 'warm up' I felt the cold wind embrace my face. The sun was shining and I saw clumps of snow fall from the trees. At one point, there were 3 plops of snow clumps and I knew God was telling me - this is what you are supposed to be doing.
After a five minute warm up, I began running to where the hills are being very cognizant of the snow and ice patches and asking God and the angels to guide my footsteps. I arrived at the hills. Last Spring, they had once loomed so large as Janine took me there when I could barely run for 10 minutes consecutively. She told me - you're gonna have to run hills so let's start now.Today, I dug in and I did 8 hills consecutively and then ran home. At one point during this training run, I felt and thought "I hate running in the cold"; I then realized I needed to chant a new mantra and I told myself, "I love running in the cold...I love running in the cold" and it got me through.
I listened to Kristen Chenowith's As I Am CD on my iPod. I knew that since I was alone (Tom - the third member of Team McManus had biked last night to get in his mid week training) I needed to know that I was in fact, never alone, and needed to hear God's Voice speak and sing through Kristen Chenoweth's voice of an angel. It worked! When I got home, I was sore - just a week ago, my body had run in 80 degree weather and here I was doing hills in the cold. I told myself - no worries - you need to do a good stretching session, drink a lot of water and have a banana followed by a long hot shower.
As I was drying my hair, I visualized what it is going to feel like when Team McManus crosses the finish line with friends and family and strangers cheering us and embracing us and I began to cry as though I were living in that moment. I know we are going to do this. I also reflected on how, during the recovery from many orthopedic surgeries, I would 'joke' that I was not going to run the Boston Marathon this year. I would also watch people train for the Marathon and there was a place deep within me that wanted to do it. And here I am - just shy of 12 weeks from when the starting gun of the 113th Boston Marathon will be fired. We have some great races and a benefit concert coming up (www.firstgiving.com/ballinthehouse), but in addition to getting the training runs in, it is crucial that I spiritually prepare for the day. Each morning, I quiet my mind and tell myself to stop creating, planning, thinking and just be One with God. I breathe in and out feeling God's breath and my breath as One. I let God bathe me in glorious light and love and I ask God to cleanse the toxicity of feelings and beliefs which no longer serve me. I give thanks for blessings great and small and focus on how God is so evident and active in my life. I ask that I feel and join with God's power for the highest good of myself and others and to know that all is truly well and in Divine order if I just let go and let God and walk in Love and Light.
It is wonderful to share my journey on the Road to the Boston Marathon which is a wonderful metaphor for being on the Road of Life - training myself for endurance, going through the literal and metaphorical ups and downs of training, challenging myself, stretching myself, giving to others and growing in the likeness of God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)