Let's Be Adventurous!

Before the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, I would not be described as an adventurous person. I clung to safety and to routine which was no easy feat after giving birth to twins in 1987. Having grown up in a violent household, taking risks and being bold were not a way of life that I could embrace. I lived on the edge for far too many years.

But after the diagnosis of a progressive neuromuscular disease, I was at a crossroads in my life. The old ways were challenged as the walls of my past came crumbling down as I wrote poetry and opened my heart to forgiveness, gratitude, healing, hope and possibilities!

As the howling wind rustled the trees outside and rain pelted against my window in yesterday's early morning hours, I hoped that the weather would subside enough so we could get in our morning 5K.

We vowed that unless there were a blizzard outside, we would not run on a treadmill.

The rain and wind miraculously stopped at 9am when the forecast predicted it would!

The clouds were breaking as the sun tried to peek through the grey overcast day.

As we were getting ready to head out on our run, we had the great debate.

"Should we bring our jackets?"

"No I think it's going to clear!"

"What does the forecast say?"

I finally declared, 'Let's be adventurous and go without our jackets.'

It was unseasonably warm for the last day in September. We expressed our gratitude for being able to still go out in shorts and a t shirt.

When we arrived at The Reservoir, Ruth Anne commented on how mysterious the water looked after the storm.



The wind left gentle waves on the water in its wake with a blue green hue to the water.

We savored these moments together and being together in nature:


Geese lined the path and we played dodge the geese and the puddles on our run.

"Hey mom..look we have the whole place to ourselves."

"That's because people were afraid of the forecast."

"But not us."

We took our mid run selfie:


As we finished our lap around the Reservoir, Ruth Anne spotted ominous looking clouds in the sky. Being the eternal optimist I said, "Oh don't worry. They are moving out."

And that is why I am not a meteorologist!

A few raindrops quickly turned into a deluge about a half mile from the end of our run at our house.

The only thing to do was to laugh and splash in the puddles that quickly formed around our feet.

Ruth Anne was quick to remind me, as she does whenever we get caught in a downpour, "Well you had that image of splashing in the puddles after you were diagnosed."

Ruth Anne referenced the poem, "Come Out and Play" from "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life":

One night I had a dream that I came out of my leg brace and was splashing around in the rain much like Gene Kelly did in Singin’ in the Rain. When I woke up, I penned this poem:

Come Out and Play

Arms flung open wide dancing in the rain
pure abiding joy to feel alive again
healing tears fall and blend in God’s puddle
no time to sit in a corner and huddle
all the old rules driven by fears
washed away now by God’s loving tears
the imprint dad left no longer remains
rain washes away all of the stains
baptized with love, Truth lights my way
the sun shines through on this rainy day
splashing and laughing my heart opens wide
embracing and flowing I’m one with the tide
God takes my hand release the old way
bathe in my glory come out and play!

I was happy we didn't bring jackets or hats. I loved experiencing the delightful feeling or running through the rain, of getting soaked to the skin; a simple pleasure that I never knew as a child. I had never run a day in my life before the age of 53. The medical community would have me believe that, as a survivor of paralytic polio, I was fragile and needed to take special precautions avoiding the elements lest I end up with a fracture or pneumonia.

But for me...that's not living! As Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all."

Here is our post we are soaked to the skin selfie:


Intrigued by my journey to health and wellness after the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome? Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

My books are available on Amazon

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness
To great adventures in living
Mary

Fearless Friday

I have collected a number of quotes about fear that inspire me as a runnergirl living with a neuromuscular condition as a result of having contracted paralytic polio as a child and endured years of abuse at the hands of family members:





It would have been so easy to get caught in the grips of fear after having been told I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair having been given the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. At first I was afraid, then angry and then got still and asked for Divine Guidance.

The answer to my prayers came in the form of a poem, "Running the Race". Many poems poured out of me inspiring mind, body and soul to heal through the power of visualization harnessing the power of the mind/body connection. I imagined myself running free, breaking the shackles of my past to create a future very different than the ones the doctors predicted for me. Of course medical professionals mean no harm but often times they instill fear leaving little room for possibilities and the reality that the body has a tremendous innate capacity to heal.

I remember the day like it was yesterday when I declared I was going to run the 2009 Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital where I took those first tentative steps on my healing journey.

From "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":
Shortly after being discharged from outpatient physical therapy I met Janine Hightower through Herb Simmons. He knew Janine through his participation in the Cardiac Rehab program at Boston Medical Center. I was launching my business New World Greeting Cards, original poetry for every occasion. She was a member of BNI, a professional networking group. As we sat in my living room, she talked about BNI and the benefits of being a member of this networking group. As she talked, I wasn’t focused on growing my business. My mind zeroed in on her sharing with us how she used BNI to promote her in home personal training business.

“You know I’m curious,” I said to Janine. “Do you think you could help me? I was just discharged from Spaulding Rehab.”

I went on to tell her about my journey.

“I don’t know,” she said “but I’d certainly be happy to set up an assessment with you.”

I couldn’t even pass the initial fitness assessment.

“You’re way too young to not be able to get off of the toilet seat without holding on to the sink or to not be able to get off of the couch,” she said to me.

It was a statement of fact without judgment. She spoke the truth about my deconditioned physical state. I signed on to work with her once a week in personal training. I had no idea what or why I was doing this. I did know that if I was going to be in pain, I’d prefer to feel the pain of recovery instead of the pain of decline. Janine held enough faith for both of us that I could come out of my leg brace and have a good quality of life despite the diagnosis and prognosis I received.

Janine’s mantra for our work together was a quote from Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right!”

At my six-month evaluation in February, I made dramatic improvements in every area of the assessment. I had come out of my leg brace. I knew I was on a healing path.

“Let’s write down your goals for the next six months,” Janine said feeling proud and satisfied with my progress.

“Well I want to feel free in my body. I want to dance. I want to be able to walk outside and feel unencumbered when I take a walk.”

Janine feverishly wrote down my goals, and we worked out a plan. She gathered up her belongings and had her hand on the door knob.

“Wait. I have one more goal.”

Janine stopped and turned around.

“I want to run the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital. I know they have a Race for Rehab team and I want to do it next year.”

Did you ever have one of those moments when words fell out of your mouth after rising up from the depths of your soul without going through any thought process?

Janine was non-plussed. I don’t know what kept her from turning tail and getting as far away from me as she could. She came back into my house, set down her things and without missing a beat said, “Well the first thing you are going to need is a pair of running shoes.”

She laid out a cursory training plan and said that we would begin indoors to build up my cardio endurance. As soon as the weather got a little warmer, we’d go outdoors and I would learn how to run.

What had I just done?

I had signed on to do something that scared me yet I knew that I was destined to run the 2009 Boston Marathon.

After crossing the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon, I had to take time off from running but by June of 2010 I was back on the roads. I continued to challenge myself with time and distance. Despite a serious knee injury in December of 2014, and the admonition of my doctor and physical therapists, I refused to stop and give into fear that my body would decline because I was a survivor of paralytic polio. I rejected the belief that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years and declined to return to the Post Polio Clinic for a reevaluation. I know the physiatrist meant well but I chose love over fear and adventure over "playing it safe."

After rehabbing my knee with a healer/chiropractor and intensifying my efforts to heal my life with visualization, meditation, a revamped strength training program and a fiery determination to go the distance again, I trained for an ran 3 consecutive Half Marathons in Bermuda in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

I continue to run and my goal for this year is to work my way back to the 10K distance while also working on pace at shorter distances.

I trust in my body's capacity to continue to heal and bring me joy in this incredible journey.

I wish all of you a fearless Friday and a way of life that chooses love over fear, adventure over "security" and "playing it safe", and doing the thing that you think you cannot do!

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

Be inspired by my interview with Kendra Petrone on the award winning Exceptional Women Show by following this link

To experience an epic race weekend and hear me share my journey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond come to the Hyannis Marathon Weekend February 21-23 2020.

The 10 Day Running Photo Challenge - Part I

Running changed my life! I came to the sport quite by accident. As Dave McGillivray said in his book review of "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953," I am "a most unlikely runner:"
“A most unlikely runner stood to my right as I gave the oral command for the mobility impaired start of the 113th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2009. That most unlikely runner was Mary McManus. She overcame the childhood challenges of paralytic polio and years of childhood trauma to become a runner at the age of 53 years old and take on the challenge of the Boston Marathon at 55 years old. In “The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953” you’ll be inspired as I have been by her courage, resilience and determination to overcome whatever obstacles life put in her path. Mary’s life story set against the backdrop of running in “The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953” will leave you asking the question, “If Mary was able to accomplish all that in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, what’s stopping me from being the best I can be?” Dave McGillivray Race Director – B.A.A. Boston Marathon


The other day on Facebook, Steve Jones


posted a challenge:

Every day I select a day from a life of running that has had an impact on me, or has been a memorable moment and post it without a single explanation (except for the above !!)
I then nominate someone else to take up the challenge.


Be active, be positive, be passionate.....

Grow the sport!

I took on the challenge that took me back through my adventures as runnergirl 1953.

Day 1: Hyannis February 2016 Tom and I celebrating my 10K run on a glorious day in Hyannis, Massachusetts. I had suffered a serious knee injury in December of 2014. I was told to stop running or cap my distance at a 5K and prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years. My left knee had blown out after running 9 races in 9 months without any cross training; not smart! But I found my way to a chiropractor who prescribed a new strength training regimen for me (that I still use today and continue to challenge myself by up-leveling the workout), chiropractic care, KT tape and harnessing the power of the mind/body connection that had taken me out of a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond. In January 2016, I ran the Bermuda Half Marathon, the longest distance since my Boston Marathon.



Day 2: A PR at the Bill Rodgers 5K to Benefit Prostate Cancer August 2014.





Day 3: Marathon Sports 5 Miler 2008 It was my first 5 mile road race on the road to the 2009 Boston Marathon. It was hot and an evening race and it was only my 2nd road race ever. I cried and I poured sweat and couldn't tell where the tears ended and the sweat began. I wanted to quit as memories of being "Easy Out Alper" and the taunting and teasing from my peers as I lugged a leg brace echoed in my ears. But Tom wouldn't let me quit and when I came across the finish line as the last runner of the race, I was celebrated as though I had been the one to break the finisher's tape.



Day 4: "Wait. I have one more goal," I proudly told my personal trainer Janine Hightower in February of 2008. When I first started working with her after being discharged from outpatient care at Spaulding Rehab, I could not pass the initial fitness test. She told me that I was way too young to not be able to get off of the sofa or a toilet seat by myself. I asked her if she thought I could get a little stronger and build on the program from Spaulding. "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right," she said quoting Henry Ford. She held enough faith for the two of us that I could get a little stronger but neither one of us could anticipate this moment coming into Cleveland Circle where our son Autumn waited for Team McManus (my husband, daughter and me) after Janine met us on Heartbreak Hill to run to the finish line with us. To this day I have no idea why Janine didn't turn tail and say, "That's not possible" when I told her my one more goal was to run the 2009 Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab.



Day 5: A photojournalism student from Boston University College of Communications asked Marathon Sports if they knew of anyone they could follow on Marathon Monday for their final project. They recommended Team McManus. We were blessed to have our journey from Hopkinton to Boston captured in photos. You can feel the joy I experienced coming into Kenmore Square knowing that the finish line was in sight. We raised $10,535 for Spaulding Rehab where I took the first tentative steps on my healing journey after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome.



To be continued....

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

Hear my interview with Kendra Petrone on Magic 106.7's Exceptional Women Show by following this link

My books are available on Amazon and "Feel the Heal" and "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" are available in Natick Center Cultural District at Paula Romero Dunbar's Celebration Boutique Paper Fiesta coincidentally located on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon Route.

A Trilogy of Transformation + An Anthology of Poems

Twelve years ago, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease, I quit my award winning career as a VA social worker and set out on a quest to heal my life.

I sailed away from safe harbor, to quote Mark Twain:


I knew I had to let the winds of my faith carry me after I began writing poetry in which I imagined a future for myself very different from my past and a future very different from what the doctors predicted for me.

I always loved to write and I was a Public Relations major at Boston University's College of Communication. When I wrote I literally felt no pain anywhere in my body and experienced joy and freedom.

A year and a half after my diagnosis, in February of 2008, I knew I was being called on a mission when the words, "And I want to run the 2009 Boston Marathon" bypassed any logical thinking and came from the depths of my soul.

I kept journals and chronicled my journey on the road to Boston through poetry and prose, starting a blog, Healing, Hope and Possibility, on October 22, 2008 with the help of PR interns from Boston University. I didn't know a thing about writing in the world of technology. At BU School of Public Communication as it was known back in the day, we used typewriters and rolls of paper towel along with an egg timer in my journalism class. The interns helped me to get the word out about my 2009 Boston Marathon run and the spark was lit for me to write my memoir.



"Wait, I have one more goal," Mary McManus told her personal trainer in February of 2008 shortly after coming out of her toe up leg brace. "I want to run the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital." Mary traded in her polio shoes for running shoes and embarked on the journey of a lifetime. Mary McManus was at the height of her career as a VA social worker when she was told by her team at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s International Rehab Center for Polio in December of 2006 that she needed to quit her job if she had any hope of preventing the progression of post polio syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. In “Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility” Mary takes you on her seven year healing odyssey as a survivor of paralytic polio and trauma from her diagnosis, to taking a leap of faith to leave her award winning career at the VA to heal her life and follow her passion as a poet and writer. You’ll experience her trials, tribulations and triumphs as she trains for and crosses the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and discovers the opportunity for healing in the wake of new trauma: the suicide of her nephew in 2011, and the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. This is Mary's journey of coming home to her human form free from the influences of the ghastly ghostly invaders who had invaded her sacred earthly home. Her memoir includes journals and blog posts from her seven year healing odyssey. This is her journey of transformation and her message of healing, hope and possibility.

In 2015, I published "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life":


In December of 2006, Mary McManus’ mind, body and soul were crying out for healing. She was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease as Western medicine defines it. It was her wake up call to find a path for healing. In February of 2007, she discovered the healing power of writing poetry, foreshadowing her 2009 Boston Marathon run while using a cane, a leg brace and at times a wheelchair for mobility with the first poem she wrote, "Running the Race." She calls her pen her divining rod for healing that inspires healing mind, body and Spirit from childhood paralytic polio and sexual, physical and emotional abuse from the time she was 8 years old until her dad’s suicide when she was 17 years old. When we bypass our analytical minds and are able to see beyond appearances, magic and miracles happen. Mary’s hope and intention is that as you read these poems, you too will feel the heal, experience possibility and be inspired to open your heart to a world beyond what we see and know.

I thought my memoir was a once and done but life and my journey went on! I knew I needed to share my ongoing healing journey and viewing the past through a different, wiser lens.

In January of 2017, I released, "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance".


Mary McManus knew challenges since she was five years old beginning with contracting polio followed by enduring nine years of violence at the hands of family members. Those early challenges prepared her for taking on the challenge of the diagnosis of post polio syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease in December 2006 when she was at the height of her award winning career as a social worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Asking for Divine Guidance as she had throughout her trials and tribulations, she discovered the gift of poetry in her soul. Her first poem, “Running the Race,” foreshadowed her 2009 Boston Marathon run. “Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance,” chronicles Mary’s journey as a survivor of paralytic polio and trauma, as a runner and a woman who refused to quit. Eight years after her diagnosis, she was finally able to get traction on her healing journey to go the distance, a woman transformed who embodies the power of endurance. With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen

To quote the Cat in the Hat, "But that is not all oh no that is not all..."

After writing "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance," I was sure that I was not going to write another memoir or publish another book.

The Universe had other plans and I felt the stirrings to write one more book that took a broad brush look at my quest to heal my life, bring my readers up to date on overcoming the challenge of a serious knee injury in December of 2014 and finding the courage to test my healing and my mettle by running 3 Bermuda Half Marathons in as many years.

“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 tapping into the powerful connection she experienced to the Divine from an early age. 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. Her story is one that will leave you cheering for the underdog, discovering the meaning of different ability and experiencing the stunning view from the back of the pack of a race. You will have the privilege of bearing witness to how Mary overcame every challenge that life presented to her. The sport of running provides the backdrop for her journey and shines the spotlight on the very fabric that weaves together the running community. Through the redemptive power of running, Mary transformed 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 that tested her mettle while forging friendships to last a lifetime. 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.



Twelve years - a trilogy of transformation and an anthology of poems to heal your life .... bringing a powerful message of healing, hope and possibility to those with open hearts and open minds.

It's a perfect time to purchase my books for summer beach reading and to support a great cause!

For the months of June and July, all book proceeds are being donated to my husband Tom's Falmouth Road Race Run for the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation. In "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953", I share how the stars aligned to guide us to this incredible Foundation and the circle of runner love that surrounds.

My books are available on Amazon and "Feel the Heal" and "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" are available in Natick Center Cultural District at Paula Romero Dunbar's Celebration Boutique Paper Fiesta coincidentally located on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon Route.

From my heart to yours
In Health and Wellness,
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

Hear my interview with Kendra Petrone on Magic 106.7's Exceptional Women Show by following this link

My books are available on Amazon and "Feel the Heal" and "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" are available in Natick Center Cultural District at Paula Romero Dunbar's Celebration Boutique Paper Fiesta coincidentally located on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon Route.

A Leap of Faith!

When I announced the release of "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" on Facebook, one of my VA colleagues who continues to serve those who served as a nurse practitioner said, "Congrats. I so admire you."

I responded with, "Thank you Gale. That means the world to me! So hard to believe it was 12 years ago when I sat in your office and told you what was going on and that I was leaving the VA ... I had no idea where I'd be today. So blessed to have worked all those years with you and to continue our friendship today. Be blessed"

Gale replied, "I remember thinking that day I could not do that. But you are proof you can. And I too appreciate all you did and welcome our continued friendship."

The Team I worked with at the VA were very concerned (and rightfully so) about my somewhat hasty decision to leave my award winning career at the VA just 3 years shy of retirement.

They didn't see the behind the scenes work I was doing preparing to leave after I was given the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease according to Western Medicine. I hadn't quite planned to leave on May 25, 2007 but the Universe gave me an extra nudge to make changes in my life with an abnormal mammogram. I harnessed the power of my mind/body connection and used visualization to dissolve a breast tumor and then gave 6 weeks notice. At first, my nurse manager was extremely supportive but when "reality" set in, became quite concerned about my future.

I withdrew all of the money from my retirement account, clutched a soon to be published poetry book and sat on my lawn on a beautiful May day wondering "What had I just done?"

I knew I had to leave my job to heal my life although at the time really had no idea what that meant.

I loved my work serving those who served and their families and I vowed that the day I could no longer give 100% to my veterans and their families, I would leave. I was heart broken I had to leave my career and my beloved veterans and their families but I was suffering. I could no longer provide the standard of care that I had dedicated myself to for 19 years.

I was scared about what my future held and wondered, given the grim prognosis if I even had a future.

But writing poetry and imagining myself running a race, dancing in the rain and feeling healthy, whole and free had already put the wheels in motion for healing.

I hired a personal trainer after being discharged from Spaulding Rehab Outpatient care wondering if I could get a little stronger. Her answer to my wondering:


It was another leap of faith defying what the medical community told me..."If you use it you will lose it."

In February of 2008 I took a giant leap of faith declaring I would run the 2009 Boston Marathon to raise money for Spaulding Rehab.

My running adventures with trials, tribulations and triumphs were filled with leaps of faith at every turn.

Every time I took a leap of faith, and followed my bliss:


As I wrote in "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":
The deck was stacked against me. Without warning, on June 3, 1959, I dropped to the ground in Kindergarten class. 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!

Taking that leap of faith on May 25, 2007 took remarkable courage and a lot of support from my husband, Tom. In many ways it was a crazy thing to do since I had no real plan for what was next in my life.

Adventures beyond my wildest imaginings were waiting for me after I took that first leap of faith:


I am deeply blessed and grateful that my mind, body and soul are healed from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma and I can bear witness for others to see what is possible when you let go of fear and trust that something wonderful lies on the other side of that leap of faith.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.



“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 tapping into the powerful connection she experienced to the Divine from an early age. 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. Her story is one that will leave you cheering for the underdog, discovering the meaning of different ability and experiencing the stunning view from the back of the pack of a race. You will have the privilege of bearing witness to how Mary overcame every challenge that life presented to her. The sport of running provides the backdrop for 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 that tested her mettle while forging friendships to last a lifetime. 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.

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):


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.

Bermuda Marathon Weekend: Savor the Flavors

From "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":
"Have you ever been to Bermuda?" Herb Simmons asked me as I was helping him put together a photo album to write the story of the Sea and Surf Anglers Club of Boston and the Blue Waters Anglers Club of Bermuda.

Herb was the first person of color to be named Chief of Pharmacy at Boston City Hospital when, at the age of 49, he suffered a massive stroke. Initially he was totally blind and then regained some vision. He could see with his eyes but had difficulty processing what he saw as a result of the stroke. I was the Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator charged with providing social work intervention to the visually impaired veterans at the VA. Herb made it very clear from the beginning he did not want to be a patient. He quickly transitioned from patient to invaluable volunteer. Through the Telefriend Program, Herb kept in touch with other legally blind veterans who were housebound, elderly veterans and veterans considered at risk due to their mental health diagnoses. Together we were blessed to literally save lives. I told Herb we had never been to Bermuda; we hadn't been on a vacation since the twins were born 12 years ago in 1987. He told me we must go to Bermuda for our first after twins vacation. We would take care of the airfare and our stay at the Grotto Bay, a family friendly resort, and he would make sure that his Bermudian friend and fellow angler, Lovintz Cann would be our host.

We immediately fell in love with Bermuda after our first trip to the Island in the 90's. Herb and his Bermudian friends taught me about the food, the drink and the culture.

On Friday we walked to The Swizzle Inn. Although we'd visited Bermuda many many times through the years, we somehow missed eating at The Swizzle as it's called.



The only time I eat Wahoo is when we are in Bermuda. I had a grilled wahoo sandwich on Friday. When we returned after Tom's triumphant 10K run I had a wahoo burger with sweet potato fries (because after all spectators need to refuel along with runners) and Tom had a repeat of the Bailey Bay Fish Sandwich (fried haddock with seasoned fries):


Our go to place in Hamilton is The Pickled Onion. In 2016 we met one of the managers, Samantha Maguire. We became "regulars" that Bermuda Marathon Weekend. We hadn't seen Sam since 2016 as she returned to her home of Toronto for a few years but she's back! Dion was one of the servers that we met in 2017. We kept in touch on Facebook and were so surprised to see him back at The Pickled Onion this year. Once you make a friend in Bermuda, you have a friend for life!

Tom dined on their Cioppino and I savored succulent salmon with orange and balsamic glaze, jasmine rice and string beans:


While savoring the flavors of a Bermudian meal, we are always treated to sunset over Hamilton Harbor as the Bermuda Marathon Weekend kicks off with the Front Street Mile:


We asked the Concierge for a restaurant suggestion in St. George's for Saturday evening since we were staying at the East End of the Island at Grotto Bay.



Wahoo's was a short cab ride away from Grotto Bay and we were treated to Barbeque Rib of Rockfish and the Bermuda Triangle: mahi mahi, rockfish and wahoo each prepared in uniquely Bermudian fashion.

While Tom and I do not usually partake of alcoholic beverages, no trip to Bermuda would be complete without a Dark 'n Story or a Rum Punch which we had poolside on Sunday:


The Royal Palm Court restaurant had a variety of casual dinner and light fare menu items to choose from when we stayed at Grotto for dinner. We loved their linguini with clams in a light butter garlic sauce and a chicken stuffed with wild rice and a red wine sauce.



We rarely eat dessert but being on vacation, we treated ourselves to Bermudian ice cream; a unique experience of a smooth creamy texture with deep rich chocolate and vanilla flavors.

Dining out and savoring local foods is one of the best parts of being on vacation. When you're in Bermuda, there are so many flavors to savor. We had a wonderful adventure savoring the flavors of Bermuda during the 2019 Bermuda Marathon Weekend that were a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

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 tapping into the powerful connection she experienced to the Divine from an early age. 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. Her story is one that will leave you cheering for the underdog, discovering the meaning of different ability and experiencing the stunning view from the back of the pack of a race. You will have the privilege of bearing witness to how Mary overcame every challenge that life presented to her. The sport of running provides the backdrop for 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 that tested her mettle while forging friendships to last a lifetime. 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.