Dismal Swamp Stomp Half-Marathon Race Poem (Report) (Read 601 times)

It was April nineteenth, and the weather was fine, Fifty-six degrees as we approached the starting line. The second annual Chesapeake Dismal Swamp Stomp half, Some stretched, some warmed up others stood around and laughed. A good sized crowd, just under 1200 athletes, Ready to put 13.1 miles under their feet. The course is a very flat, straight out and back, And only 6 elite racers to lead this “dismal” pack. The horn sounded right at eight o’clock and off we went, I ran the first mile way to fast, had to slow down – couldn’t be spent. Mile 2, the Dismal Canal on my right, my pace back to norm, Being passed by many, I would pass later – wow look at her form. Mile 3, my pace for a PR is still on track, Get some water, get back in the pack. I hook up with some dude, running my pace, Mile 4, I feel like this is going to be my race. Mile 5, wholly molly there are the elite six going by, I swear if they had wings they would fly. Almost to the turn around and a shot of vanilla goo, The dude I was running with had to stop and poo. Still feeling good at mile 7, I smile for the camera guy, I pass someone walking, she’s asking “why or why”? I see the sign for mile 8, and another water break, I thank the volunteers as a water and Gatorade I take. I breeze through mile 9, I’ve hit a wall here before, This time is different, my legs feel good, not quite sore. I spoke too soon, mile 10 comes and I must slow a bit, Shorten the stride and slow the gait. I shake my head and ask myself why, why now, But I push through, it’s mind over body and how. Mile 11 – only two more to go, I refuse to check my time, Just keep running, right foot, left foot to the finish line. Mile 12 – can’t stop now, I turn my hat around – a habit I have, Pick up the pace, have to ignore the pain the right calve. Half a mile left, dig deep, don’t stop you have come this far, The finish line, I feel great – 1:48:07 – a new PR! This was my first time running the Dismal Swamp Stomp in Chesapeake Virginia. It was a great “small” half-marathon compared to the Shamrock Half and the Rock n’ Roll. It takes you down what used to be Highway 17 to North Caroline. They built a new Highway 17 and closed off the old one and made it into a running/bike/hiking trail right along the Dismal Swamp Canal. Although the crowd support was sparse, those they were out there cheered their hearts out. They gave a great technical T-shirt, not covered in logos and sponsors, just a small logo on the left front. All in all a great race that I will definitely do against next year. I’m just 3 minutes off my goal of a 1:45 half-marathon. If you live in the Hampton Roads area, I strongly recommend this race. ~Gordo

You just wrote that? Very creative. Unique. Nicely done.

I love it! Creative and fun.... nice job on a new PR. It makes me want to run this one next year.

I suppose I really shouldn't be disappointed, but I was expecting to hear you had to hold your rifle over your head as you waded through waist-deep muck. Guess I'm reading too much into the race name? Nicely done Gordo, an effort to be proud of (even if you didn't actually have to slog through a swamp).