Whether running the Boston Marathon or
running my life, there are invaluable lessons which I learned during
this journey on the road to the Boston Marathon.
Keep my own pace – in this world of
cut throat competition and everyone wanting to edge everyone out, it
is crucial that I stick to my own steady pace, be self contained and
not allow the crush of the crowd to overwhelm me or veer me away from
what I know to be true. There was a crush of runners pushing and
shoving me and one person even commented, “Lady, you can't be
walking here.” Part of my race strategy was to walk through every
water station to ensure that I had adequate hydration. I ignored him
and felt that I had a right to be walking. Despite the jeers from
some runners that I was running slowly, I was not going to speed up
my pace just to please someone else and risk an injury.
Stay focused and balanced – there are
many distractions in life with email, cell phones, Twitter, on line
communities as well as the lure of the get rich quick schemes. I am
so grateful for modern ways to communicate, especially for social
networking (without which I would not be able to share this journey
with you). It is important to remain focused and balanced, and keep
my goals and dreams in sight. It is so easy to get lured away by so
much stimulation. During the Marathon, there were many distractions –
runners passing, the splattering of Gatorade at our feet, well
wishers wanting hi fives and low fives, and an incredible offering of
food and beverage – sausage, beer, cookies, orange slices and
bananas. As I must do in life, I had to choose wisely from the crowd
and conserve my energy to stay focused for the 26.2 mile journey. I
learned the importance of having cheerleaders in my life and am so
grateful to those who chanted, “Go Mary, Go Mary!”
Believing in myself – I held fast to
the belief that, no matter what, I would finish the Boston Marathon.
As runners who were younger, faster, obviously more comfortable than
I on the marathon course were passing by, I had to tenaciously hold
to this belief or I would have just quit. I could not look to the
left or the right of me but put one foot in front of the other and
know I was on the right path. I have chosen a career as an
entrepreneur and poet. The same unwavering faith to which I held
which allowed me to cross the finish line of the 113th
Boston Marathon against all odds, is now being channeled into
expansion and continuing to create the life of my dreams.
Reflections After a Training Run in Puerto Rico -
Jan. 14, 2009
Each time I lace up running shoes, let Spirit's essence shine
No
matter what the outcome, Divinity is mine.
Beliefs I held about
myself - immobilized, unfit
Living from a head, not heart, Spirit
dimly lit.
Living in a bubble, afraid I'd crack or break
Threw
all caution to the wind - a risk was time to take.
It's all about the freedom - to trust in Love and Light
Grabbed
God's hand and took the leap - you know She holds on tight.
The
journey is exquisite - knowledge, insight as I run
Overcoming
every obstacle - each victory is won.
The sweetest victory of all
is self-love I have found
Overflowing from the One True Source,
peace can now surround.
Mary McManus
www.newworldgreetings.com
www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus
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