I used to be excited to run the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon. Primarily, I used to be excited to see my household and run a half marathon as nicely. I hoped to discover a half marathon someday between Thanksgiving and the primary week of December as a tune-up for the Marathon Challenge.
Now that Breeze Airways flies immediately from Los Angeles/Las Vegas to Norfolk, it actually makes the journey again house lots simpler. We flew out of Las Vegas and have been delayed about an hour however nonetheless made it in Friday evening. Saturday was pretty lazy, simply hanging out, after which Sunday got here early. I discover it tougher to go west to east as a result of the wake-up within the morning comes early. It positively did on Sunday.
Earlier than the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon:
It was pretty chilly (round 32 levels). Plus, it was foggy providing you with horror film vibes…just like the monster of the Dismal Swamp LOL. Fortunately it didn’t rain just like the climate referred to as for initially. 32 levels and rain is just made extra depressing by 32 levels, rain, and wind. The climate was truly excellent for operating quick.
I actually have no idea when I’ve raced in temperatures that chilly currently. The desert can get right down to round 20 levels, however I do not likely race in that. Often, the bottom temperature in Los Angeles on race day is round 55, with some uncommon days decrease, however not many. However due to that, I used to be nervous about what to put on and ended up deciding {that a} Rabbit lengthy sleeve was the best way to go. I in all probability would have carried out arm heaters and a tank if I had them. My warm-up was principally two minutes to the race begin, and earlier than I knew it, we have been off. The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Marathon and half marathon began on the similar time, with the 50K going off a bit earlier. (This was truly the primary yr for the half marathon and you’ll by no means guess it). The course for the half marathon is out and again, the marathon is out and again time two and the 50k has extra smaller out and backs they do.
I made a crucial error within the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon and forgot my fueling at my dad and mom’ home. By the point I spotted it, I knew we couldn’t return. I often race with Tailwind electrolytes, and it positively affected me. My race was a traditional instance of not fueling throughout laborious efforts and never with the ability to preserve tempo.
The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon is a really boring, flat, quick course. You actually can not get flatter or sooner. I had hoped to be round 1:27, however the week earlier than the race had me feeling like trash, after which I began my interval the day earlier than. Due to that, I settled on operating a stable effort.
Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon Race:
As soon as we have been off, I discovered myself operating with just a few folks. Except you have been gazing bibs, it was laborious to inform who was operating the half marathon versus the marathon. I simply received into my groove and clicked away miles. I ran 6:54, 6:50, and 6:47. I used to be not feeling nice, but it surely was not the worst I’ve ever felt both.
Round mile 4 of the Half Marathon, I spotted I wanted to make use of the lavatory. I had in all probability drank an excessive amount of water to overcompensate for not having gas in the course of the race. I simply sort of trucked alongside and didn’t see a rest room till round mile 7. I believed perhaps I may maintain it, however that was not the case. I ran 6:45, 6:45, and 6:48 throughout this stretch. I stored considering, wow, I’m beneath tempo. However alas, that was the final time.
After we rotated, I felt like I hit a wall. I used the lavatory and logged a 7:23 mile, however I advised myself I may salvage this. I didn’t. Each mile felt like a grind, and I stored telling myself to simply make it to the subsequent mile, after which the subsequent. I attempted to take down a gel, however I couldn’t do it with out water. The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon did have just a few help stations, however I one way or the other want extra, and operating with hydration has been a recreation changer for me. I ran 7:00, 7:02, 7:07, and seven:02 on the best way again. I used to be dissatisfied till I spotted I used to be the primary girl.
I crossed the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon end line in 1:31:26 and received to interrupt the tape.
Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon Ideas:
I’m actually dissatisfied with the time on the Half Marathon. The race is nicely organized, and in case you are on the lookout for a really flat, quick course, it is a superb choice. It was good confidence understanding I’m within the form I need to be in if that’s how I really feel on a foul day. That stated, you continue to need to run the race. Quick recap, as a result of the Dismal Swamp is quiet with out plenty of spectators. General, it was a very good, very chilly run.
Is the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon a quick course?Sure. The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon is extraordinarily flat and identified for being quick. There are only a few turns, no actual elevation adjustments, and lengthy straight sections, making it a very good choice for runners chasing a PR or on the lookout for a gentle, uninterrupted rhythm.
What must you put on for the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon?Climate could be colder than many runners anticipate, particularly for these coming from hotter climates. Temperatures could be close to freezing, so lengthy sleeves or arm heaters are sometimes a sensible alternative. In 2024, I imagine the climate was round 20 levels.
Is the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon good for a tune-up race?Sure. As a result of the course is flat, predictable, and nicely organized, the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon works nicely as a tune-up race. It permits runners to check pacing, effort, and fueling with out having to handle hills or technical terrain.
Is the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon a very good race?Sure. The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon is a well-organized race with a really flat, quick course. It’s a good choice for runners on the lookout for a PR, a managed effort, or a tune-up race earlier than an extended objective occasion. The course is simple, help stations can be found, and logistics are easy, making it a low-stress race expertise, particularly for runners preferring predictable circumstances over scenic distractions.
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Questions for you:
Have you ever run a low key half marathon just lately? It looks as if there aren’t plenty of these that exist anymore.
What’s the coldest climate you’ve run in just lately? For me, I’ve run in round 20 levels however haven’t raced that shortly!
