Hyannis Marathon Race Report

Better late than never, right? On Sunday, February 27th Ryan and I ran the Hyannis Marathon in Hyannis MA. This was my second time running this race, I ran it back in 2006, this was Ryan's first time. Hyannis was somewhat of a marathon milestone for me as it was my 20th marathon.
I was planning on pacing a couple of women to a BQ, so my plan was to run around 3:50:00 and Ryan's plan was to run somewhere just over 4 hours. We both viewed it as a training run and since all of our friends were running we decided to join in on the fun. The weather was kinda of on the chilly side with either rain, sleet or snow. The night before we got about 2 inches of snow but then the rain came and washed it away. This course is said to be flat but in my opinion there are quite a few rolling hills. It was a double loop course with a half marathon and a 10k, so needless to say, the first loop was crowded and the second loop was quiet!!
All was going well with pacing, we ran dead even splits and the day went by really fast. It felt mile 17 popped up out of nowhere and then suddenly we were at mile 20. My legs felt really strong and everything was feeling good except for my back. My back NEVER bothers me so it was kind of strange to be happening all of a sudden. Around mile 20.5 my back started to cramp up and the discomfort began traveling along side of my ribs and towards the front. My friend that i was pacing, Wendy, was on fire and there was no doubt in my mind she would get her BQ. She even stopped at a port-a-potty for 3 minutes but we made up the time. I felt like she wanted to pick things up and that I was holding her back. Around mile 22 I realized that I was leaning forward/hunched over while I was running. Wendy decided to take off and I pulled over on the side of the road and just bent over and hung there for a minute. My back was killing me, I could barely stand up straight. Every .10-.25 mile I had to stop and bend over. It sucked. Wendy got her BQ and I finished in 3:55. As soon as I finished I laid down and put my feet in the air and my back felt better. See pictures below to see WHY my back was hurting me!!! Also, it gives the answer to yesterday's Wordless Wednesday post.
Ryan had a good race too and he met up with a friend just past the half way mark and then the two of them ran the rest of the way together. He looked really strong at the finish and didn't seem to be phased at all. We were both kind of hungry at the end but had to walk all the way back to the car to get food. Most of the post-race food had been picked over, which is sadly kind of normal after a race that offers shorter distances in addition to a marathon. While we were at the car, our friend called to say that Ryan had placed in the Clydesdale division!!!!!

Ryan and his 2 medals! Way to go, Lovie!!

Post race

 And here is why my back HURT!!  I spent all day Friday and Saturday hunched over like this! (I believe I have a paw-print sticker on my hand, my 2.5 year old nephew gave me a sticker for using the "potty")

Working on invitations. I made 120, not quite finished yet.

This is just the base of the invitation. I punched the flower pattern on the bottom and then I used stamps and embossing powder (you put special powder on the stamp-ink and then use a heating tool and the embossing powder hardens and becomes raised and shiny). The base of the invitation has a turquoise colored mason jar with pink, purple and orange wildflowers inside. My colors for the wedding are pink, purple and orange and our centerpieces are turquoise mason jars with multicolored wildflowers, so it ties in nicely. 

Yes, you read that correctly, pink, purple and orange...wait til you see the bridesmaid dresses!

Up next: Black Cat 20 Mile Race Report. We ran a 20 mile race 1 week after the marathon. Stay tuned!