Reflections on the New York City Marathon

[Mary McManus]

Congratulations to the finishers of the New York City Marathon today including two of my cyber friends Pamela Robbins and Kevin Green. I watched the race throughout the day on line. I tracked the results for Kevin and Pamela; I remembered how my friends were concerned that they could not track me on line and that is the feeling I felt when I did not see results for Pamela after the 15 mile mark. Then my daughter suggested I click on next and also pointed out she could still be on the course and then - there was her finish!

Pamela and I have never met but we inspire each other and support each other through Just Finish, email and our blogs. Pamela was running for Camp Hole In The Wall and as I saw her split times I know that what fueled her was her love and passion for her cause. She was struggling with a bad knee and had a lot of self doubts. I prayed for her and as I witnessed her finish time, I wept for joy knowing that feeling of crossing a finish line after running 26.2 miles. Please make a donation to help send children to the camp. It's a way to honor the courage and faith of kids who are facing devastating challenges; it's a way to say thank you to Pamela for finding her courage and faith to run 26.2 miles for this amazing cause. http://www.teamholeinthewall.org/pamrobbins I just made my 2nd donation of $27.00 - one for every mile she ran with a little still left in the tank!

My friend Kevin Green, creator of Just Finish finished in 4:05:52. It was not his personal best and it was not his personal worst. He receives the same medal as every other finisher and can proudly say that he ran and finished the New York City Marathon on 11/1/2009. I am so grateful for the love and support I received and continue to receive through Just Finish on my health and fitness journey.

Before I was diagnosed with post polio syndrome and ran the Boston Marathon, I did not know the thrill and exhilaration of running for a cause or running to just finish! My husband, daughter and I watched the neck and neck finish of the women's race and cried as the first American crossed the finish line since Alberto Salazar won the NYC Marathon decades ago. I listened to stories of inspiration and saw the faces of exhilaration and exhaustion as runner after runner crossed the finish line. I am so blessed to be a part of a world where, prior to the diagnosis of post polio syndrome, I would have felt segregated and apart believing I had no place among runners. That is why I call post polio syndrome a gift in my life and with the grace of God, I have entered a whole new world.

[Pamela McCurry Robbins]

You are both such kind and generous people! I am so glad I found this site, also!

[Mary McManus]

Dear Rose - and right back at you for all your wonderful, warm, inspiring posts! God bless and thank you for donating to Pamela's effort -

[Rose Caplan]

Happy to donate to Pamela's effort! Very easy to do I might add! Thank you Mary for sharing these inspiring stories! Kindest regards, Rose