Sparkling Divas Shine!

Who knew that when I joined the Just Finish community that I would meet Tim "Derv" Doiron and that his wife Deborah would become my running buddy...but that's what happened. When I first went on Twitter in December of 2008, Kevin Green invited me to join his running community on line. His philosophy was calling all walkers, runners, cyclists of all athletic abilities. I found incredible support in this community while I trained for the 2009 Boston Marathon; I also met incredible friends one of whom asked to meet me at the Hyannis 2009 Marathon. We became fast friends.

This year, I was inspired to invite his wife Deborah to run the Tufts 10K with me. It was a bold move for me to invite someone to run with me; it meant releasing the years of rejection and taunting and teasing and embrace the moment -- Carpe diem! Deborah had never run over 4 miles and had never done a 10K road race. It was my turn to inspire and encourage her. She is a beautiful woman inside and out and today we had our 5 mile training run. There was a magical rhythm to our pacing. There was non stop conversation as we bonded during our run and the time literally flew by. We ran our 5 miles in 83 minutes - a 16:60 minute/mile not going for time but making sure that Deborah knew she could go for 5 miles. When we returned home, my husband Tom had a scrumptuous brunch waiting for us (pictured above).

There is so much love surrounding me and I am so grateful and blessed. There was such ease and joy and laughter with Deborah and especially her husband Tim. He is now not happy that my husband set the expectations for what a post run meal is supposed to be. As he said on Facebook, my wife thought that pop tarts and cereal was a great meal before you cooked this omelette. Now I'll have to cook eggs benedict to compete. We are supporting and loving each other which enables us to step out with confidence as we get ready to take the start of the Tufts 10K.

We are not stopping there! My husband has already registered for the Hyannis Half Marathon. The Sparkling Divas are not one hit wonders - oh no -- we are going to run the Hyannis 10K together. Hmmm maybe we should get T shirts made up. There is more joy and laughter and love in my life than I ever dreamed imaginable. I am healthy and whole. Usually during my morning meditation I focus on what is hurting, letting in love and light into the cells to ease the pain and visualizing that I will have enough energy to get through what I need to get through for the day. My morning meditation is focusing on the new sensations in my body - a lightness, a marked lessening of pain and feeling refreshed after a night's sleep. I face the day with a confidence in my body and a new outlook on life. There was a recent article in the NY Times about the benefits of massage. Science is proving what I know to be true.

I am so grateful for the friendship of Deborah and Tim, the unending support of my husband, my faith and belief that I am meant for this.

To learn more about my journey these past four years, visit Mary McManus Be sure to check out my company New World Greeting Cards and purchase my books of inspirational poetry. When you do, I donate 20% to Ms. Wheelchair Mass. Foundation and you receive a gift of messages of love, light, healing, gratitude and joy in the journey!

Training for the Tufts 10K - in Falmouth!

The weekend of the Falmouth Road Race, my husband and I 'left' our beach chairs at the Falmouth Inn where we stayed. How could we possibly leave them there, right? So we just had to schedule a day trip to retrieve them. Despite the heavy rains earlier in the week, I just knew we were going to have a spectacular day. Because we had a benefit concert to attend on Sunday, my husband suggested we do our run in Falmouth. Often times, I would be concerned about logistics, fueling, doing a mid day run (although the Tufts 10K starts at 12 noon) but I let go of all of that and knew that this was going to be a remarkable training run for me.

I am so blessed with my husband Tom as a life partner and as a training partner. He is not running the Tufts 10K and will be there to cheer on myself and my friend whom I convinced to run the race with me but he is committed to training right by my side every step of the way. He knew how much I wanted to run the Falmouth Road Race but because of my speed, we knew that this was not going to happen. But that doesn't mean you can't have the joy of running along the course! We were going to run 5 miles - 2 1/2 miles out on the course and 2 1/2 miles back but there are no mile markers for the half miles. I'd just run a 10K in July and we had run 4.5 miles last week with a lot of hills so as we got out on the course starting at the finish line, we decided to do 3 out and 3 back so I could experience the thrill of coming down the hill at Falmouth Heights Beach to the finish line.

Fortunately, I had brought a packet of gel with me and we had filled up our 28 oz. water bottle with ice at the Falmouth Inn. We had a great breakfast at Mary Ellen's Portugese Bakery and it's the first time I had not had my usual oatmeal and toast as pre race fueling. I had two scrambled eggs with whole wheat toast. No trip to Mary Ellen's is complete with a taste of their home made muffins so Tom and I shared a muffin. It was off to the beach to let breakfast digest and at noon, we began our run.

The noontime sun was high and hot; fortunately there was a little sea breeze. The panoramic view of the ocean took my mind off the heat and the hills. It was a thrill to be on the same course that just two weeks ago my husband along with thousands of other runners had run. It is a magnificent course and we trotted along at a steady pace. The energy was electric as we passed runners and bikers. After the week of rain, everyone was celebrating a glorious summer's day. I kept asking Tom what he was thinking during his Falmouth run as we passed mile markers and landmarks along the route.

As we passed the 6 mile marker (pictured above) for the 2nd time, I knew I had several hills ahead until we could cruise down toward the finish line. When you see the magnificent view of the sun glistening on the ocean, sailboats in full sail, seagulls swooping I forgot about everything that was happening in my body and allowed myself to be swept away putting my body on automatic pilot. We held hands as we ran down the hill toward the finish line and threw our arms up in jubilant celebration. I don't need to run the Falmouth Road Race - I just did with the best running partner in the world. P.S. My average heart rate was 141 with a peak of 160 for 1:40. That includes a 5 minute warm up and a pit stop for a pace of 16.6 minute/mile. Considering a year ago I did not know whether or not I was going to ever run again - I am delighted and grateful.

To learn more about my healing journey with polio and post polio syndrome, and my triumphant Boston Marathon run visit marymcmanus.com

Wondering what I do when I am not attending to my health and fitness journey, then come visit a whole New World I created after being diagnosed with post polio syndrome. I am the author of two books of inspirational poetry and donate 20% of book proceeds to Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation
I create original poetry for every occasion so that you don't have to settle for a greeting card that comes close to what you want to say - at New World Greeting Cards, I weave your sentiments to an original poem that expresses exactly what you want to say to celebrate and commemorate special occasions.

God bless, be well and enjoy every moment.
With love,
Mary

Keeping the Pace

I had two turtles as pets when I was a little girl. I loved them so. And now, I see turtles when I run around the reservoir reminding me that slow and steady wins the race every time - although more importantly - there is no race - it's about keeping the pace. This past week, my dear friend Kate Loving Shenk talked about turtles in her Daily Prayer for Healing blog; Joan Adams posted a You Tube video on Facebook which you must watch about turtles. I am training to run the Tufts Health Plan 10K after a year hiatus. I am running with a dear friend who didn't know whether or not she'd be ready to run it, but she has registered for the race and she has hit her treadmill with a vengeance. I am so honored that she agreed to run with me.

The echoes of 'easy out' can still come to the fore when I am training for a road race. I get anxious about time and speed. I have the feeling of being left behind trying to keep up with my leg brace. I am registering for races where I know that time and speed do not matter. Showing up, running with heart and being a shining example of how the spirit triumphs over obstacles is what is important in these 'races'. I am so blessed with so many people opening their arms to embrace me and my journey - a far cry from the days of being taunted and teased for being different.

My interview on Exceptional Women will be airing sometime in the first two weeks of September. It was an incredible experience to sit across the table from Candy O'Terry and be called a 'backyard hero.' We have the interview with Jordan Rich on my website in which I launch my 2nd book of inspirational poetry, "Set Sail for a New World:Healing a Life Through the Gift of Poetry" but it's not about selling books; it's about sharing the journey and inspiring others with a message of hope and possibility. I will be speaking at the East Hartford Rotary Club on September 22nd. They have extended such warmth and hospitality to me and will be sharing my journey on their website. I know that it is my energy and passion about sharing my journey which has drawn these experiences into my life but I am in awe and wonder and feel so grateful that, at last, I am able to fulfil my life's purpose. When I look at the people in my life now, there is beautiful synergy as we bless each other's lives and work together for the highest good.

I am so blessed to have my husband, Tom as my training partner. He encourages me, paces me, and lets me know that running and running in road races is about the journey, not the destination and that it is crucial that I run my own race - keeping the pace. I love how we do our runs together but he also has the opportunity to run at his own pace (a lot faster than mine - smile). There is such a thrill for me to watch him cross the finish line after a well run race. It's about keeping healthy and fit; happy and whole and doing things which nourish us mind, body and spirit. After 32 years of marriage, we are so blessed to be keeping a wonderful pace as we head toward the big 6-0.

For those of you new to my blog, here is the first poem I wrote in February 2007 as I began to emerge from the dark night of the soul:

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 noone 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.

In addition to writing books of inspirational poetry, I write original poetry for every occasion. Visit New World Greeting Cards to learn more about why you need not spend hours looking for a card that comes close to what you want to say when, at New World Greeting Cards, I help you to express the sentiments in your heart. And remember, when you purchase my books of inspirational poetry, 20% of book proceeds are donated to Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation.

God bless, be well and enjoy every moment!
With love,
Mary

Visit MaryMcManus.com to read poetic reflections on the Road to the Boston Marathon and see photos from Marathon Monday. Be sure to check out my News and Events page and I would love to see you at one of my upcoming events.

A T-Raining Run for the Tufts 10K & Why I Am Running Tufts This Year

The sun did not shine
It was too wet to play....
But I wasn't gonna sit in the house all this cold, cold wet day. Okay it wasn't a cold, cold wet day but it was raining and I made the commitment to run the Tufts 10K so I had to get out there for a training run. Why did I put myself out there again to run a 10K race? After all, I have my little health and fitness regimen. I'm running a 5K on 9/12 to support my friend Doug Welch who is raising money for his wife who lives with Muscular Dystrophy. Yes, I ran the Boston Marathon which is 20 miles more than a 10K (smile) but last August, I thought that I would not run again. Before I get into why I am running the Tufts 10K this year, let me share with you what I can do this year that I could not do a year ago.

One year ago, I had a resurgence of post polio symptoms. I had increased fatigue, felt weakness return and most notably, the cervical spine disease flared. I stopped working with my beloved personal trainer, Janine Hightower and after a trigger injection with my master magician Dr. El Abd of the Newton Wellesley Hospital Spine Center resumed a course of physical therapy. I doubted I would ever resume running. I lacked flexibility and strength in my cervical spine. There was a lot of pain including radiating arm pain. We started with the theraband exercises and I could barely pull the 'green' band to 'row a boat' or to pull down over the door jamb. On the pilates ball, I could barely do the exercises without weights and then slowly, little by little I built up strength and endurance. It took a year but I can now do a plank on the pilates ball. It is such a thrill to look back at what I could not do to see what I can do now. A year ago I could not do a calf leg raise on my left leg; now I can and have progressed to being able to do a 5 count hold. We eliminated weights over 3 pounds for upper body strength training (and I have not yet reached maintenance) and eliminated all weights with lower body strength training. I am maintaining at 15 squats and alternate with different exercises using gravity and increasing 'hold' time to 'stress' the muscles. Would I love to go to a gym and work out like so many can (including my own husband)? Sure. Would I trade places with anyone? Absolutely not! My friend Laurel Labdon and I were talking about wouldn't it be wonderful if through stem cell research they could improve our functioning (she has a spinal cord injury) with speech, breathing and for me fatigue. Yes it would. I cannot imagine what it would be like if I did not have these limitations but I would love to know what it would feel like to be in a body free of the limitations and yet the strength, the courage, the faith, the triumph I have known and the ability to inspire others is a gift without measure.

Back to the Tufts 10K. I ran the race two years ago with my daughter by my side. I wrote an article about it which appeared in Cape Healing Arts Magazine. Last year, I proudly watched my daughter run the Tufts 10K and I made a prediction in my blog post:
I had thought that I was through with running because of the cervical spine disease and the toll that training for and running the Boston Marathon had taken on my body. After hearing yesterday's race announcer and seeing so many women in all shapes, sizes and with many different challenges I decided that once again I will not let anyone tell me I can't do something. I will take this winter to heal and to get stronger and next October I will proudly take my start next to my daughter for the running of the 34th Annual Tufts 10K.

My daughter moved to Tennessee but I am going to proudly take my start next to a wonderful friend of mine. We met at the Hyannis Marathon in 2008. Her husband and I met on line (okay it's not as sketchy as it sounds). We met on Just Finish and Tim reached out to me as we were preparing to run the Hyannis Half in preparation for Boston. He mentioned me in his blog posts while he was training for Boston and we forged a wonderful friendship. It's been a blessing to share different running events together along with a lot of laughter and love.

This year, God spoke to me and said to reach out to his wife and ask her if we could run the Tufts 10K together. At first she said that she wouldn't be ready but I sent her an email and told her what an honor it would be to run with her. People are always spurring me on in my running and it would be such a blessing to be able to encourage and inspire someone else. She agreed and her husband signed on to make sure that she has time to do her training runs. I don't have the speed but have the endurance; she has the speed and will build up her endurance. Together, we're gonna crush it!

Yesterday as my husband and I drove to Whole Foods in Newton, I told him I was nostalgic about training for the marathon. Could we clock the mileage and design a training run to run by the reservoir and up the hill by Boston College? We did and this morning I donned a hat and jacket and off we went for a 4.5 mile training run. God bless my husband because he could have gone to the gym and ran on the treadmill. Since I have never run on a treadmill and we have a race 9/12 and then the Tufts 10K a month later, it was best to not introduce anything new. I have seen too many America's Funniest Home Videos to know not to go on a treadmill. Our back up plan was to go to the track at Boston University but it was warm and not a driving rain so off we went. Besides, we had done 11 miles in the pouring rain when we were training for Boston. We did a 16:22 minute/mile. My main goal was to get in the distance but I am thrilled with the pace; especially since we had about four steep hills to run. My average heart rate was 132 with a peak of 150 for a total of 73 minutes.

To read more about my inspirational journey with polio and post polio syndrome, visit my website MaryMcManus.com Be sure to click on the News and Events tab to see all the wonderful events happening this fall! Hope to see you at one of them.

Set Sail for a New World when you read my books of inspirational poetry and remember I donate 20% to Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation.

Greeting Card companies for years have placed photos and illustrations, captions and cartoons, humor and sympathy in hundreds of thousands of clever and creative ways.

The words set well, the images resonate but all fall just short of the personal. At New World Greeting Cards, our original poems begin with the missing ingredient. They begin with YOU!

You decide the event, you choose the reason and together we hand craft a poem specific to your personality and unique to your needs. Rather than search for a card that comes close to what you want to say, build one that lives and breathes with who you are.

At New World Greeting Cards Mary McManus will listen to your story and put into words what only you could say - all from the comfort of your own home. Check out my samples at New World Greeting Cards.

God bless, be well and make each moment count.
With love,
Mary