Running Friends are the Best

My phone rang on Saturday afternoon. Caller ID indicated it was a call from Devonshire Bermuda.

"Hello. Is this Mary McManus?" said the deep voice with a distinctive Bermudian accent.

I smiled. "Why yes it is," I replied.

"Clarence Smith here. I've been thinking and thinking about you praying you and your family are well."

From "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":
Anthony Raynor and Clarence Smith had me at hello at the Bermuda Marathon Weekend Booth at the Finish at the 50 Expo. Tom started chatting with Clarence "Stoker" Smith. I hung back but cocked an ear to the conversation. I gingerly eyed the pink Bermuda wrist bands, the bling from Bermuda Marathon Weekend races and the samples of pink sand. I glanced at Tom and felt we each had a tug at our souls. The tug got stronger with each moment we talked with Clarence and Anthony. We reminisced about when we went to Bermuda. I felt goosebumps and a warm feeling come over me, while a part of me was wondering why was I even having this conversation about running in Bermuda. Several months ago I was told to cap my distance and prepare for a total knee replacement.

“If you can get up to the Half Marathon distance, you’ll be better off than running the 10K with all of its steep hills,” Anthony said in his delicious Bermudian accent.

“The last time I was in Bermuda I was in a leg brace using a cane and a wheelchair.”

Clarence's wife said, "Look at you now girl."

There was no stopping me now. We exchanged information. Clarence told us he'd pick us up at the airport. I chatted with Anthony about the weather in January.

"Look," he said with a deep warm laugh, "I was told you people still have piles of snow near the Seaport Hotel from this past winter. I can guarantee you this. You will have no snow in Bermuda in January."

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.” ~Mark Twain

It was time to sail away from safe harbor and go the distance again. This time on the magical Island of Bermuda.

“Running is about finding your inner peace and so is a life well lived. Run with your heart.” ~Dean Karnazes

And so began a fantastic International friendship forged through the sport of running.

Whenever we visited Bermuda, Clarence and Anthony would make sure we were treated well. After we ran the 2016 Bermuda Half Marathon, Anthony took this photo with Town Crier Ed Christopher:


Before we went to the airport on our last day, Anthony and Clarence took us out for breakfast at one of the locals favorite places.

When they came to Massachusetts in 2017, we hosted them at our home:


We went on to run in Bermuda until this year and have magnificent memories of our time there.


When Clarence and I chat by phone or Skype it is usually light hearted reminiscing about the time spent together and planning for future visits. But this phone call with quite different. Clarence asked me if I knew about the status of Bermuda and the pandemic which I had from following the news on Facebook. His voice was filled with tenderness and care and genuine concern for how we were doing here in the States. We focused on gratitude and how we have discovered new hobbies during this time. He will be celebrating his 58th wedding anniversary at his home rather than going out for dinner and has a socially distanced event planned with the family and the people who were in his wedding party. I shared about our garden and how we've dislecovered new running routes in our neighborhood.

He shared that he sees Anthony from time to time and he is doing well although he is missing not being able to organize races for now.

I let Clarence know how deeply he touched my heart with his phone call. He was genuinely concerned for our welfare and greatly relieved to know how well we are doing in spite of the circumstances happening around us.

We agreed to stay in touch and look forward to the days when we can travel again to visit each other.

Friends I have met through running are the best and have become like family.



Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com to learn more about my adventures as runnergirl1953 and how I was able to go from being told I'd spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond.

My books are available on Amazon

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness
Mary

Book Review: "Good Morning I Love You"

We have a guest blogger, Ruth Anne McManus for today's book review of "Good Morning I Love You: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity and Joy" by Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D.

We discovered Shauna Shapiro and her book on Sharon Salzberg's Metta Hour Podcast. After I heard the interview, I knew I wanted to read her book.



"Good Morning I Love You" quite literally takes us on a journey to the heart. In the book, Dr. Shauna Shapiro uses science to help guide our hearts to better overall health using mindfulness. She guides us to set intentions for ourselves and others, and she helps us have a healthy positive outlook on ourselves and life, some of us, like myself for the first time.

Dr. Shapiro talks about the "amygdala hijack" when we confront ourselves with shame and blame and how this causes pathways for learning to shut down.



She writes about how compassion and mindfulness are transformative, and scientifically proven to rewire our brains. She writes about neuroplasticity; how our brains can create new neural nets to go from "superhighways" - habitual patterns - to scenic country roads.

Before I read this book, I would go into autopilot every morning. I had an untreated infection that went undetected for three years. Suffice it to say that autopilot patterns were ingrained in my system during this time.

While reading Dr. Shapiro's book, I made an intention of becoming a more peaceful person. Attention, Intention, and Attitude of mindfulness are clearly explained in "Good Morning, I Love You". I realized that in order to be more peaceful, I needed to let go of self-defeating inner dialogue and my go to habitual patterns. I needed a major attitude adjustment and "Good Morning, I Love You" profoundly helped me with my self-defeating thoughts and judgements about being ill for 3 years having endured 14 hospitalizations on behavioral health units. The untreated infection led to brain inflammation which resulted in neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Guided meditations in Dr. Shapiro's book are gold, and new pathways knock out old defeating ones 5% at a time.

I recommend this book to everyone! Lastly, without doing a spoiler alert, every morning after breakfast, my family and I put our hands on our hearts and say, "Good morning. I love you."

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness
Ruth Anne



Be sure to visit my website to learn more about my inspirational journey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the Boston Marathon and beyond!

My books are available on Amazon.

One Boston Day 2020

It is without a doubt a much different One Boston Day this year.


Last year, the Boston Marathon was run on 4/15th. In years past we gathered as a Boston Strong community with commemorations, services and activities to embody the spirit of One Boston Day with a day of Service.

There are no gatherings allowed of more than 10 people and we are asked to maintain social distancing at all times.

But the Spirit of One Boston Day lives on as each of us in our own way pauses to remember and reflect. Ruth Anne and I did 3.15 miles on 4-15... a walking meditation to reflect, remember, focus on kindness and peace and noting the resilience that makes us all #bostonstrong It was a cool morning so I wore my 2009 Boston Marathon jacket.


We reminisced about our 2009 Boston Marathon run. We recalled how, for the first time in 2013, I felt ready to return to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to celebrate Marathon Monday with the Spaulding Race For Rehab Alumni only to have what was a day of celebration and triumph turn into tragedy and trauma. But we also talked about resilience and strength for different experiences we have endured through the years.

As we approached the one year anniversary of 4/15, I was inspired to write this poem that seems particularly fitting for today:
Light Always Wins

In their flower beds
awakened by the warm Spring sun
they shiver
unexpected wind chill
mid-April in Boston
we shiver to remember
one year ago
what a difference a year makes
turn over from Winter to Spring
slow
is it always this slow
or a gentle reminder
we are still healing.

Mother Nature has her own rhythm
trust in the Divine
taking time
remember
roots extend deep into earth
we were shaken
we rise

eager to shed our coats
vibrant colors of the soul
radiant
reflecting resilience
invincibility
light always wins.

My friend posted this on Facebook this morning from Boston 25 News:

Even in times of darkness, the sun always rises. Like the sun, we will rise out of the darkness as we have before. We are in this together. We are Boston Strong and so much more. As you go about this One Boston Day differently than you expected, be kind. Drop a 💙💛 if you vow to spread kindness.

So while this One Boston Day is unlike any other, so too was Marathon Monday 4/15/2013 unlike any other.

Seven years later we are Boston Strong and we shall be Boston Stronger once this pandemic is in the past!

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

Be sure to visit my website to learn more about my inspirational journey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the Boston Marathon and beyond!

My books are available on Amazon.

Waves and Smiles

The Wave

A tsunamai washed onto everybody's shore
a crushing wave of fear no one ever felt before.
The wake of a virus Corona its name
and for generations to come it will have its claim to fame.
First came denial we'll just go about our day
followed by hoarding send more toilet paper our way.
Little by little judging and blaming came to a halt
ceasing division derision this is not one person's fault.
Country's borders were closed lockdown shelter in place
but something magical happened while in confined space.
Hugs and kisses abandoned social distancing new norm
love and kindness emerged connection took on a new form.
Waving and smiles music played loud and true
virtual hugs Face Time and Skype helped us get through.
Spirit is thriving setting everyone free
to be brightest light we are all meant to be.
As storm clouds dispersed a new world order came into view
calm seas sunlight glimmering a sky bluer than blue.
Waves of joy and relief no one ever felt before
with transformed ebb and flow washed on everyone's shore.

On yesterday's run with Ruth Anne, I suggested that we smile and wave to cars driving by and to anyone we saw while keeping our safe distance of course. She loved the idea.

We were amazed at how many people in their cars honked and smiled and how smiles and waves brightened the otherwise grey dreary day in Brookline.

There were many runners and walkers out and about so we decided to take "an abundance of caution" and run up what I affectionately call Billy's Hill.

It's the huge hill that goes by Boston College on Beacon Street. We named it Billy's Hill after running the Bill Rodgers 5K for Prostate Cancer. It was a special race, the spirit of which is captured in this video:


We continued with our waves and smiles for the duration of our run. Being out in nature especially by a body of water always lifts one's spirits. We are so blessed to live so close to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir:


Sidewalk chalk is being used to send messages and spread cheer in the neighborhoods.

One of our neighbors qualified for Boston. His family made this message to lift his spirits and the spirits of anyone affected by the delay of the Boston Marathon:


We spotted this delightful work of art:


While physical distancing has been mandated as necessary, there are so many wonderful ways to maintain emotional closeness. The energy of our hearts can transcend any physical distance.

An ordinary run on a dreary grey day was transformed into a run of love and good cheer with waves and smiles!

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
With love
Mary

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

My books are available on Amazon

Between Stimulus and Response....

The other night before meditation, I was experiencing a high level of anxiety. As I worked to clear away the fears and doubts that were tugging at my solar plexus causing me to feel a clutch and my throat tighten, I realized that I needed to pause, take a deep breath, open my heart, focus on the blessings in my life and feel connected to Source. I recalled all the wonderful inspirational quotes I have posted through the years and the miracles of healing I have experienced in my own life. I realized that the anxiety did not come from my fear of the virus but having absorbed all the fear that's happening around me and in the media. I became keenly aware of the trauma that had gotten triggered within me and then...I chose to smile.



I came to the realization that I needed to focus on the good that is happening right now and to stop reading articles in depth that only served to raise my anxiety and fears. I also realized that I needed to find ways that I could be of service while practicing social but not emotional distancing.

These two articles popped up in my news stream.

This article, 10 Positive Updates on the COVID-19 From Around the World was posted by Alison LaMarre Poole. Alison was my physical therapist after I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in January of 2007. She held the faith for me that I would and could heal and that I was NOT destined to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair! Without her love, compassion, incredible skill as a Physical Therapist, there would have been no adventures for this runnergirl!

My dear friend and Race Director Extraordinaire, Paul Collyer, posted this article saying, "We will be up and running again very soon....stay cool peeps!" "Israeli Virologist urges world leaders to calm public, slams ‘unnecessary panic’".

Both articles were delivered by Love from the Source of all to remind me of the good news that is happening in the world and that above all, fear doesn't serve anyone. Of note is that science has proven over and over again that fear inhibits the immune system. I watched a free webinar last evening: COVID-19: Navigating Anxiety, Fear and "Social Distancing." that was convened by WellSet and featured Kelly Noonan Gores, the Director of Heal Documentary.

I will continue to infuse myself with good news, and beliefs that resonate with my beliefs during this time of chaos and confusion where we have little control over our circumstances but ALWAYS have the choice to choose our thoughts and beliefs.

Yesterday I wrote this poem:

Calm
Calm down calm up whatever way you choose
when choosing calm and steadiness you can never lose.
In the midst of chaos be steadfast faithful true
stay connected to the Source of all always sees us through.
When everything gets shaken loose fear rattles in our core
remember how we've made it through all that went before.
With angels now surrounding you can feel them play a part
be still and count your blessings with gratitude fill your heart.
These times may not be easy yet we can find a sense of ease
compassion loving kindness finding others ways to please.
Take a sacred pause a breath remove from all the fray.
dispelling darkness fear and doubt let hope now light the way.



Anita Moorjani, a luminary from Heal, posted this today on Facebook:


My friend Ricky Powell shared this calendar for 30 Action Steps we can take to help us keep calm and cope:


Once I untethered myself from the vortex of fear and connected to Source these wonderful posts flowed to me.

I am training myself to become skillful at focusing on what serves me best right now and taking that sacred pause between stimulus and response. Won't you join me?

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
With love
Mary

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

My books are available on Amazon

All Clear

After the events of 4/15/13, we were ordered to shelter in place in the greater Boston area while law enforcement personnel tracked down and captured the person responsible for the bombings. We kept the TV on and while we had a group meditation on Facebook and kept taking deep breaths throughout the day, there was a sense of when will we be given the all clear to resume our lives.

We've lived through several major New England blizzards where we were told to stay home except for essential travel to allow crews to clear the roads. During the winter of 2014, we had snow storm after snow storm with no end in sight. We had ice dams and as water poured through ceilings and doors I was left to wonder, "When will this ever end?" Of course it did. Spring came and our homeowner's insurance took care of the repairs. We had a more energy efficient home with new paint and no more ice dams!

During the past 3 years, as our daughter endured multiple hospitalizations with no clear diagnosis or treatment plan I wondered, "When will this end? How will it end?" I had faith that sustained me throughout those times of dire crises and we all made it through to the other side.

I marvel at our resilience!

As we receive news of ever changing circumstances, there is a sense of "When will we receive the all clear?" As I experienced waves of anxiety, I watched a video by Dr. Joe Dispenza that you can watch by following this link and saw this post:

It seems so unnatural to make these types of choices in the midst of such conditions, but if we repeatedly succeed, in time we’ll transcend the norm—and we, too, become supernatural. And most important, by your being supernatural, you give others permission to do the same. Mirror neurons fire when we observe someone else performing an action. Our neurons mirror the neurons of that other person, as though we were performing the same action. For example, when you see a professional dancer dancing the salsa, you will dance the salsa better than you did before. If you watch Serena Williams hit a tennis ball, you will hit the ball better than you did before. If you observe someone leading a community with love and compassion, you’ll lead in your life in the same way. And if you witness someone self-healing from a disease by changing his or her thought processes, you’ll be more prone to do the same❤️

I called my dear friend and womanpreneur Paula Romero-Dunbar, owner of Paper Fiesta. We bought a gift card. I checked in with my hair stylist to see how he was doing and if he wanted me to prepay for my next visit with him. He was deeply touched by my reaching out to him and told me he was able to ride this out even though the salon is closed. We are checking in with friends and neighbors on Facebook and in real life. While we are mandated for social distancing, we are practicing emotional closeness, kindness and compassion!

Ruth Anne and I went on an almost 4 mile run today because the weather was glorious and focused on the blessings that surrounded us:


I only skim the headlines for the "breaking news" that comes into my inbox.

We take extra meditation breaks throughout the day and often pause to say at least 3 things were are grateful for.

While part of me feels the anxiety that comes with these chaotic, confusing and unprecedented times wondering when will the "All Clear" come, I realized that the All Clear is right now:

All Clear
When clarion calls and sounds all clear no need to sit and wait
time for healing transformation creating destiny and fate.
All clear and cleanse the heart and mind a voice to light the way
shine instead of whining the mandate of the day.
Tho panic fills the headlines let cooler heads prevail
adversity storms passing compass of kindness adjust our sail.
Imagination fired up dark clouds we now can clear
knowing deep within our soul there's nothing now to fear.
Light beckons in the clearing stand firm in Truths Divine
drowning out the din of dread love beams brightly shine.
All clear an inner peace takes hold deep breaths a wave of calm
emanates from faith and trust allowing healing balm.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

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

My books are available on Amazon

Adventures on Heartbreak Hill & The Kindness of Strangers

On Saturday mornings Team McManus huddles and decides where they are going to run and for what distance. A mild snowfall was followed by thawing. We knew the Reservoir would be a soupy mess. Tom and Ruth Anne were just coming off of their Bermuda 10K run and we decided on 4 miles staying together at my pace on Heartbreak Hill.

The temperatures were moderate for January and the Newton Hills were alive with runners training for the Boston Marathon.

We parked the car in Newton Center across the street from the Heartbreak Hill Running Company to do an out and back two mile run.

Initially we had an uneventful run reminiscing about our time in Bermuda and getting ready for the Hyannis Marathon Weekend. Tom and Ruth Anne are going to run the 10K. I am going to be the guest speaker at the Pre-Race Pasta Dinner along with Bill Rodgers to share my inspirational journey from being told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond.

We kept a brisk pace and I unzipped my running jacket as the day warmed up.

I checked my Nike+ as we approached the 2 mile mark. We took a water stop and I twirled around looking forward to the two miles back to the car.

I was inspired to share the talk I plan to give in Hyannis and visualized how it is going to feel to address the crowd.

I've been a part of Hyannis Marathon Weekend since 2009 but this will be the first time I will be on the stage along with Bill Rodgers.

Here are a few of the photos from Camp Hyannis as I affectionately call race weekend from years passed.


I was amazed at how I was able to recall the talking points of my speech from memory and to also recall what quotes I need to remember to add in.

It felt as though we were almost at 3 miles. I reached into my jacket pocket and asked out loud, "Wait. Where's my phone?"

Ruth Anne was tracking our mileage on her GPS and said we were at 2.8 miles; .8 miles from where I last had my phone.

Tom called it to see if perhaps someone had picked it up or I put it in a different pocket.

"What are we going to do?"

Tom suggested he run back to the 2 mile mark to see if he could find it along the way.

Ruth Anne recalled how we lost each other one time running around Jamaica Pond while training for the 2009 Boston Marathon and we decided it would be best to stay together.

From my memoir, "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility":
And who could EVER forget us losing each other around - emphasize the word a-round Jamaica Pond. Tom had stopped at the car to fill up the water bottles and get some snacks. He had his iPod on really loud. I was in the zone and ran by him. I saw him looking for me in the opposite direction and yelled to him that I was over here. I felt so great and the weather was wonderful that I did not want to interrupt my rhythm. Finally, my daughter who had been going at her own pace came running up to me - where were you she asked? (well duh, we're going around in a circle) Dad is worried sick about you. He thought that since you had to go to the bathroom (and the bathrooms were not open yet) that you went off the trail and went to pee in the woods). We finally all caught up with one another and laughed so hard.

Tom took off saying, "I'm going to go ahead."

Ruth Anne left her cell phone at home.

Tom handed the car keys to me and suggested we go back to the car but given our history of losing each other and not having a cell phone, we decided we would trail behind him.

There was no sign of my phone or Tom in the distance.

Ruth Anne kept tabs on our distance and when we went past the .8 of a mile, we decided to wait for Tom.

He bounded over the hill and said, "Somebody picked it up and they are leaving it at Comm. Ave and Dartmouth Street. I'll meet you there."

"I kept calling it and calling it and someone finally picked it up. I asked him to wait for me and he said he would but he took off but left the phone on the wall."

Unbeknownst to us, a runner (identified by his being out of breath on voice mail) had found the phone and took the time to call Ruth Anne. Her number was listed on my outgoing call list and the phone had not yet locked after I dropped it or it fell out of my pocket. Later in the evening Ruth Anne checked voice mail and we all listened to try to find a clue as to what kind stranger took the time to let us know he had found the phone and would leave it on the wall at 35 Dartmouth Street at the corner of Comm. Ave and Dartmouth Street. Apparently another person was passing by, heard the phone ringing and answered it.

We realized we were going to do a lot more than a 4 mile run and while Tom and Ruth Anne are trained for a 10K distance, I hadn't run more than 4 miles since we ran the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon. I had decided that I was going to stay with 5K's but as Tom and Ruth Anne trained for their 10K, I decided that 2020 was going to be my year of Expansion! Fortunately I had done several 4 mile runs. After giving my Hyannis Marathon talk, I inspired myself with what's possible when we harness the power of the mind/body connection as we made our way back to the car.

"Hi there fella," Tom said to what looked like a friendly dog.

The dog leapt at Tom with teeth bared growling. The human said, "There there Oliver. It's okay." The dog settled down and his human said, "Sorry about that. Thanks for saying hello."

"This has been quite the adventure. I almost lost my cell phone and you almost got bitten by a dog."

We were at 5.22 miles when we got to the Johnny Kelley Statue:


Tom looked at the hill looming before us and said that he would run ahead and get the car. He was concerned about me going from 4 miles to 6 miles without adequate training especially with that big hill up ahead.

Right before he took off I remembered he had handed the car keys to me...That would have certainly added to the adventure.

It started drizzling. Since we were only planning for four miles, we only brought 3 water bottles with us but we are marathoners and know how to harness the power of our minds to find comfort in the discomfort.

About ten minutes later my phone rang.

"I'm at the car but my phone battery...."

"The last call he made was to us," I quipped with Ruth Anne.

We were reunited and headed to the New England Soup Factory for refueling to take home where we could warm up and review our adventures on Heartbreak Hill.

We were so grateful for the kindness of strangers who took the time and care to help us reunite with my phone. I hope that somehow the runner who took the time to call Ruth Anne will see my blog and/or my Facebook posts and know how appreciative we are for his kindness.

I was deeply grateful to my body for allowing me to go the distance again knowing that my 2020 goal for reaching the 10K distance is well within reach for 2020.

I am looking forward to many more adventures in running and in life as I embrace all the possibilites that 2020 brings.

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 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K - Part II- All You Need Is Love

Joseph Scott Middlemiss' 6th angelversary was on 9/23 and all week long, culminating with the 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K on Saturday, people shared signs of Joseph's bright and beautiful Spirit and love that lives on after the physical body leaves this earth. {A green orb in photos symbolizes the Spirit of someone who once lived on earth.}



My friend Bea D'Angelo sent me this photo from the Celebrity Mile:


Tom took this picture at the Kids Run:


The perfect weather was a sign of love from Joseph to all who gathered for the event that honors his legacy of kindness and love.

There were many many people at the event who did not know about Joseph and the Middlemiss Foundation before Kevin LaCoste's accident in July nor did people from Kevin and Ali's life and the Middlemiss Foundation know each other. But through Joseph and Kevin's accident people are now connected who otherwise might not have met each other. Ali once said that she's not so sure everything happens for a reason but after something happens, it is important to find reason and a purpose.

Steve Brochu traveled all the way from San Diego and he ran the race with Melissa DelRossi. They are close college friends with Kevin and Ali. Steve designed and coordinated the sale of these tattoos and stickers. Initially he sent out the Kevin/LaCoste Strong tattoos for free for anyone who wanted to show their support and love for Kevin and Ali:


It seemed that Joseph made sure people who were supposed to meet on Saturday had encounters in real time in real life after discovering each other on Facebook.

I was incredibly blessed to meet Julie McClellan Berard on line. It was one of those instant soul connections. We were each determined to meet in person on race day. With a little help from FB Messenger and a whole lot of help from Joseph we met during the Kids Run. I am now also friends with her boyfriend Scott. Here they are together before they were the best cheerleaders out on the course encouraging the runners and walkers on their way:


Kevin was Julie's Principal at the school she continues to teach at and, as Kevin does with so many people, left her with an indelible heart print.

There was pure joy and love as the youngest age group ran with big hearts during the Kids Run:


Unconditional love for children and adults of all abilities was the theme of the day allowing everyone to come together as a community to honor and celebrate two incredible families.

Out of thousands of people, Tina Lavoie Dufresne and I found each other at the starting line. She ran the 2019 Boston Marathon for The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation with Kevin. We became fast friends in Falmouth as we were part of support crew for Team Big Heart. She is currently recovering from an injury and walked the 5K with her dog Pogo and son Chase.



A hush fell over the crowd before the start of the race.



We heard Kevin's voice over the PA system...ever the Principal ... always full of love and kindness. {Transcribed from Kendra Petrone's video which she posted on Facebook.}

"I'm a little sad I can't join you but next year I will definitely be there to celebrate Joseph and all the beautiful things he has done to inspire us even in his short life. Today... today while you're out there think about something you're grateful for and find a way to do some small kind act this week. Not only do the kind act but really think about how it made someone feel and think about how it made you feel as well. I hope everyone has a great day today and most importantly if you see Jack Middlemiss tell him I'm looking to kick his butt when I get home."

That last comment about Jack was in reference to a Q and A Ali had back on September 20th in which we were able to ask Kevin both light hearted and serious questions. Ali limited the questions to 10 but just had to include a Bonus Question from Jack:
11. Bonus Question!!!!! What are you going to do when I come to Spaulding and kick your butt? (Jack Middlemiss)

Kevin: I’m going to ride circles around you in my wheelchair until you get dizzy, then I’ll push you down, and kick your butt!!!! Do you want to piece of me? Or the whole thing?

Tina and I were sobbing and held each other in a close embrace before Jack sent first the Team Hoyt duos and then the rest of the field on our way.



Kevin's favorite song, "Don't Give Up on Me" by Andy Grammer filled the airwaves. Here are two versions offered by Jack and Grace Middlemiss, and Natalie, Kevin's godson Aidan and Conor:



Usually when I'm at a race where you can run or walk, I will go somewhere between a runner's and a walker's pace. This was the first event I experienced where you either ran or you walked and I was thrilled to go at an easy pace chatting with Tina and those around us. It was fun to high five the lead runners as they made their way to the finish line.

Volunteer musicians lined the course. Caleb Cascio has been performing at the event for the past 3-4 years joining together Joseph's love of music and superheroes.



It was quite impressive to see the sidewalks lined with people in LaCoste Strong t shirts, Haverhill Hillies tees (teachers and staff from Ali's school), Team Zoe t shirts, superhero costumes and All You Need is Love shirts from The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation.

It was a love fest out on the course as people greeted one another asking how they came to join in the event. Ali decided that rather than participate in the run, she would stand on the side greeting friends from all walks of her and Kevin's life together.



As we were coming into the finish, we heard the announcer giving out the Age Group Awards. Our friend Bea won her age group at the age of 71 years old! They received Dream Big medals and copies of Dave McGillivray and Nancy Wendland Feehrer's books:


Linda took this photo of us as we finished up our 5K. It symbolized a finish line for the journey of the past 3 years with Ruth Anne's multiple hospitalizations, unclear diagnosis and med trials and errors and the beginning of a new starting line for Ruth Anne's journey back to health and wellness:


The finish line would stay open until the last person finished their race!

Team Zoe was the defending champion for the biggest superhero team for the past two years. We gladly relinquished our title to Team LaCoste Strong that had over 200 members. Ali and her children Natalie and Colin accepted the Blue Ukelele on behalf of their team. The music from the blue ukelele brought many wonderful smiles to so many people when Joseph played it:


Ali and Kevin and their two beautiful children are the race beneficiaries for this year's epic event!

After saying so long to friends, we went to ML Shaw's Country Kitchen and Store to refuel.

We knew about Shaw's from when we attended Celebrity ScoopFest, which is the other major fundraising event for The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation that happens around the time of Joseph's birthday.

Joseph's picture is in the entrance to the restaurant and there is a donation jar by the cash register. We felt right at home when we walked in. The waitress was warm and friendly. We still had our bibs on and we talked about the 5K. Her daughter was a volunteer. We were able to remember where she and 3 of her friends were on the course. When we thanked them for being out there, she said, "This is my favorite job!"

The eggs and omelettes we ordered were all cooked to perfection and hot off the griddle. Tom and Ruth Anne decided to share a banana nut muffin.

My breath caught when I saw this:


The hearts were reminiscent of the logo of the Middlemiss Foundation:


Thank you Joseph for a beautiful message to end a best day ever reminding us all that all you need is love!

To learn more about the Foundation you can follow this link.

To support Kevin, Ali and their two beautiful children, you can donate to their GoFundMe Page by following this link.

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.