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Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Chesapeake, Virginia
United States
Chesapeake Conventions & Tourism
Total Time = 2h 27m 7s
Overall Rank = 811/1123
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 54/
Pre-race routine:

Susan and I drove down on Friday and got checked in and then found a hotel. We got some great carb loading in at the Olive Garden and topped it off with cotten candy from a local carnival;) Then it was off to the mall to get in a real work-out trying on evening gowns and picking out the ugliest pair of shoes in Macy's. We were really wild, staying up until the ungodly hour of 9:30!
Event warmup:

Both Susan and I were up before the wake-up call. I had a ww bagel with peanut butter, fresh fruit, some strong coffee and 2 glasses of water. Nerves started kicking in about the time we arrived at the race, but soon enough I was distracted when we met up with Steve and then Judy. There was a big carved bear at the entrance to the race so Susan, Judy and I "knocked" on it for luck. It turned out to be a great thing to do:)
Run
  • 2h 27m 7s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 11m 14s  min/mile
Comments:

Wow, where do I start. I guess with our training. Susan and I started off well with our training and were always consistant with our long runs, but our shorter runs were not nearly as consistant, due to sickness, travel and bad weather. We had origionally hoped for a finish of 2:30, but after the last month or so we were averaging a 12 min mile with our 9:1 training, so we decided 2:45 was much more realistic. Especially since our longest run was only 10 miles.

And then we were off.... I really can't describe how happy I was to be out there and how great I felt. Everything just seemed to line up for me on Saturday and I just felt joyous and strong. Susan and I agreed to run through the first walk break and then just trust our bodies and see how it went. We got into a good rhythm and just trucked along, keeping with our plan. At mile four we were pretty warm and stripped off our shirts. I took water and gatorade at each stop. When we hit the half-way mark I was surprised, that it had come so soon and that I felt so good. I was feeling competitive and really wanted to beat three woman who we had been passing and been passed by. So we picked up the pace a little (not much) and skipped another walk and that put them firmly behind us. And then we realized that we were going to make it by 2:30 and I got so emotional..truly a few tears dropped. I couldn't believe that I was out there doing this, something I would never ever have imagined myself doing, even two years ago. It was something I was doing for ME, something that showed me that I can step out and know that I'm strong, that I'm capable, and that I'm deserving...And so as I ran with this amazing woman next to me who has shared this journey for 2 years and is starting a 3rd with me I only felt joy and gratitude. Was I having fun? I was having the time of my life and I will never ever forget those emotions. Mile 10. As we stepped across the timing mat, everystep we took was our longest run and we agreed to high five at every subsequent mat. Mile 11-12 hurt. My hips hurt, my quads were tight and my knees felt swollen, but i really revelled in it. It meant I was working hard. Mile 12 meant I was almost done and I just lived it. The the music started. I love music. I felt like it was a scene out of movie and then Steve saw us cheered us on and yelled at Susan to beat me!!! Hmph! We crossed the finish together, smiling. Did I have fun? You bet. And we did it 3 minutes short of our original goal.
What would you do differently?:

More consistancy in training
Post race
Warm down:

Met up with Steve had a few bites of sandwich and a couple bottles of water. Just hung out. Headed back to the hotel for a much needed shower and lunch and then the drive home.

Event comments:

I think the drink stations needed to be spread differently, not enough on the 2nd half of the race.




Last updated: 2008-03-22 12:00 AM
Running
02:27:07 | 13.1 miles | 11m 14s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/1123
Performance: Good
3M time was 32:51.75 for a pace of 10:57 per mile 6M time was 1:06:29.35 for a pace of 11:12 per mile 10M time was 1:51:30.10 for a pace of 11:15 per mile
Course:
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2008-04-20 6:16 PM

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Veteran
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10010025
Subject: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon


2008-04-20 7:19 PM
in reply to: #1350147

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Royal(PITA)
14270
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon
It was fun to finally meet you.  You did great yesterday!  Super race!
2008-04-20 7:57 PM
in reply to: #1350147

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Melon Presser
52116
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Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon

Super Congratulations to you!!!

It's an extraordinary reminder of life and its beauty to finish a long race strong and do it with a cherished companion ... and you were right to not mind the time and just enjoy the experience.

You are an amazing creature.  

2008-04-21 5:58 AM
in reply to: #1350147

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Expert
663
5001002525
Williamsburg, VA
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon
You are fantastic!  We really can do ANYTHING now. Thanks for talking me into this.  Was truely and experience I will hold with me forever. WE ROCK!!!!!!!
2008-04-21 6:28 AM
in reply to: #1350147

Veteran
164
1002525
Newmarket, Suffolk
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon
Congrats on beating your goal!! Sounds like you had a great race!
2008-04-21 8:30 AM
in reply to: #1350147

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Extreme Veteran
372
1001001002525
Williamsburg, Virginia
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon
You did great and should be very proud of yourself. Also you should have beat Susan.


2008-04-21 2:29 PM
in reply to: #1350880

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Veteran
242
10010025
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon
You're right I should have
2008-04-21 3:45 PM
in reply to: #1350147

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Master
1254
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Chesapeake, VA
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon
Awesome job - sub 2:30 just like you planned.
2008-04-22 2:39 AM
in reply to: #1350147

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Member
28
25
Newport News, VA
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon
You ROCK! I'm so proud of you! I've been following your training runs and knew you would do a great job. How wonderful is that first race... and beating your goal, too! It's amazing the strength we find in the journey, and to cherish that is truly the prize. CONGRATULATIONS!
2008-04-22 11:37 AM
in reply to: #1350147

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Master
1381
1000100100100252525
Clifton, NJ
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon

congratulations on a super job!

i know exactly how you felt - it is wonderful to push yourself and really LIVE!

what's next? 

2008-04-22 12:33 PM
in reply to: #1350147

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Veteran
156
1002525
Subject: RE: Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon
Woohooo, you go girl!!!  Now that you've got that first one done, the sky's the limit!!!


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