I was excited to run the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon. Mainly, I was excited to see my family and run a half marathon as well. I was hoping to find a half marathon sometime between Thanksgiving and the first week of December as a tune-up for the Marathon Project.
Now that Breeze Airlines flies directly from Los Angeles/Las Vegas to Norfolk, it really makes the trip back home a lot easier. We flew out of Las Vegas and were delayed about an hour but still made it in Friday night. Saturday was fairly lazy, just hanging out, and then Sunday came early. I find it harder to go west to east because the wake-up in the morning comes early. It definitely did on Sunday.
Before the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon:
It was fairly cold (around 32 degrees). Plus, it was foggy giving you horror movie vibes…like the monster of the Dismal Swamp LOL. Thankfully it didn’t rain like the weather called for originally. 32 degrees and rain is only made more miserable by 32 degrees, rain, and wind. The weather was actually very good for running fast.
I honestly do not know when I have raced in temperatures that cold lately. The desert can get down to around 20 degrees, but I do not really race in that. Usually, the lowest temperature in Los Angeles on race day is around 55, with some rare days lower, but not many. But because of that, I was nervous about what to wear and ended up deciding that a Rabbit long sleeve was the way to go. I probably would have done arm warmers and a tank if I had them. My warm-up was basically two minutes to the race start, and before I knew it, we were off. The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Marathon and half marathon started at the same time, with the 50K going off a little earlier. (This was actually the first year for the half marathon and you would never guess it). The course for the half marathon is out and back, the marathon is out and back time two and the 50k has more smaller out and backs they do.
I made a critical error in the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon and forgot my fueling at my parents’ house. By the time I realized it, I knew we could not go back. I usually race with Tailwind electrolytes, and it definitely affected me. My race was a classic example of not fueling during hard efforts and not being able to maintain pace.
The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon is a very boring, flat, fast course. You really cannot get flatter or faster. I had hoped to be around 1:27, but the week before the race had me feeling like trash, and then I started my period the day before. Because of that, I settled on running a solid effort.
Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon Race:
Once we were off, I found myself running with a few people. Unless you were staring at bibs, it was hard to tell who was running the half marathon versus the marathon. I just got into my groove and clicked away miles. I ran 6:54, 6:50, and 6:47. I was not feeling great, but it was not the worst I have ever felt either.
Around mile 4 of the Half Marathon, I realized I needed to use the bathroom. I had probably drank too much water to overcompensate for not having fuel during the race. I just kind of trucked along and did not see a bathroom until around mile 7. I thought maybe I could hold it, but that was not the case. I ran 6:45, 6:45, and 6:48 during this stretch. I kept thinking, wow, I am under pace. But alas, that was the last time.
After we turned around, I felt like I hit a wall. I used the bathroom and logged a 7:23 mile, but I told myself I could salvage this. I did not. Every mile felt like a grind, and I kept telling myself to just make it to the next mile, and then the next. I tried to take down a gel, but I could not do it without water. The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon did have a few aid stations, but I somehow need more, and running with hydration has been a game changer for me. I ran 7:00, 7:02, 7:07, and 7:02 on the way back. I was disappointed until I realized I was the first woman.
I crossed the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon finish line in 1:31:26 and got to break the tape.
Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon Thoughts:
I am honestly disappointed with the time at the Half Marathon. The race is well organized, and if you are looking for a very flat, fast course, it is an excellent option. It was good confidence knowing I am in the shape I want to be in if that is how I feel on a bad day. That said, you still have to run the race. Short recap, because the Dismal Swamp is quiet without a lot of spectators. Overall, it was a good, very cold run.
Is the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon a fast course?
Yes. The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon is extremely flat and known for being fast. There are very few turns, no real elevation changes, and long straight sections, making it a good option for runners chasing a PR or looking for a steady, uninterrupted rhythm.
What should you wear for the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon?
Weather can be colder than many runners expect, especially for those coming from warmer climates. Temperatures can be near freezing, so long sleeves or arm warmers are often a smart choice. In 2024, I believe the weather was around 20 degrees.
Is the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon good for a tune-up race?
Yes. Because the course is flat, predictable, and well organized, the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon works well as a tune-up race. It allows runners to test pacing, effort, and fueling without having to manage hills or technical terrain.
Is the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon a good race?
Yes. The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp Half Marathon is a well-organized race with a very flat, fast course. It is a good option for runners looking for a PR, a controlled effort, or a tune-up race before a longer goal event. The course is straightforward, aid stations are available, and logistics are simple, making it a low-stress race experience, especially for runners who prefer predictable conditions over scenic distractions.
You can see Strava here and more race recaps here.
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Questions for you:
Have you run a low key half marathon recently? It seems like there are not a lot of these that exist anymore.
What is the coldest weather you’ve run in recently? For me, I’ve run in around 20 degrees but haven’t raced that in a while!