Hyannis Marathon: Hyannis, Massachusetts, March 3, 2024 – Marathon #44
There are days when I look around and wonder how I ended up in a place I never imagined I’d be. I sit alone with my thoughts and realize that maybe there’s a purpose to all this madness. Perhaps I had to end up where I never thought I would be to discover a strength I never knew I had.
On March 3, 2024, I ran my 45th marathon in my 45th state in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The weather was a challenge. It rained most of the weekend, and on race day, it started out misty with 43-degree temperatures and wind gusts that made it feel even colder. I had been feeling under the weather the past few days, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from continuing my mission to complete these 50 states.
I did a few things differently than usual this race. The biggest change was eating breakfast. I know, it sounds simple, but the marathon didn’t start until 10:00 AM, which felt really late to me. I wanted to make sure I had enough fuel to carry me through the race. Looking back, I think that decision made a big difference, especially towards the end when I was feeling exhausted.
I also had the pleasure of meeting some incredible people during this trip. One of them was Lucy, from Jacksonville, Florida. It was funny how much we had in common when it came to race-day rituals. She’s a total badass runner and was originally planning to run the full marathon, but ended up doing the half instead due to a broken foot. She’s as stubborn as I am!
Lucy did something for me that I’ll never forget. After finishing her race two hours earlier, she came back to cheer me on. As I approached the finish line, I saw Lucy holding a sign that said “45th Marathon” for me to run through, and the timekeepers were right there capturing the moment with their camera. I couldn’t stop smiling. Even though the race had been tough and I hadn’t been feeling great, that moment made my entire weekend. And to top it off, Lucy placed my medal around my neck. Thank you, Lucy, for being such a kind and supportive person—you are amazing!
Now that I’m back home in Kansas City, the countdown is really starting. I’ll be gathering all the information for my first 45 marathons to submit to the 50 States Club for certification. My final five races are scheduled for April, May, and June, with the last one in Estes Park, CO, on June 16. I’m so close to the finish line, I can hardly believe it!
Until then, I’ll keep running some local races to stay sharp. Let’s go!!