Stomp the Swamp 5K Recap

Two years ago, I ran the inaugural Stomp the Swamp 5K at River Bluff High School.

I remember exactly three things from that day: running a race, winning 1st place in my age group, and Patrick proposing to me {two years ago today!} It's safe to say that the last event in that sequence thoroughly eclipsed that whole running a race thing. I definitely blocked out the heat and humidity that comes with a late August race {one day I will learn} and I absolutely forgot about those hills.

There's a reason the saying "If you fail to prepare, then you prepare to fail" is so popular. It's absolutely true. My running in August this year has been a little... uh, nonexistent. There were a few 1-2 mile runs at the beach but that was pretty much it. Why I thought it was a good idea to tackle this race, I have no idea. I wasn't prepared. I definitely didn't run the way that I know I can {when I've prepared}.

Mile 1
I love how this race starts out inside River Bluff's stadium! Running across a football field will never get old and it makes for a great start/finish to a race. Despite a complete lack of preparation for this race, the first few minutes of it weren't complete torture... until we got to Mt. River Bluff. Mt. River Bluff is an unrelenting mid-grade climb up from the athletic fields to Corley Mill Road and you get the added bonus of seeing everyone ahead of you enjoying the quick, easy run back down the mountain on the other side of the road while you're still suffering up it.

Mt. River Bluff is the worst. I want to say it's worse than the old Governor's Cup 8K Blossom Street hill climb. Almost.

Mile 2
The second mile of the race winds you in and out of the school buildings and up onto a curvy, hilly paved nature trail. I spent most of this mile dodging a couple of little kids who were busy running, then walking, then running, and then walking again. 

Mile 3
The worst part of this mile, for me, was when we ran by the top of the football stadium. We could see down to the scoreboard where they were showing live video of the runners as they finished as well as the time. I ran by, with a solid 0.4 miles left of the race, and saw 28:00 minutes on the clock. It's hard to find motivation when you know that, without a doubt, this is going to be your worst 5K time ever.

Finish
The finish is my favorite part of the Stomp the Swamp 5K. Running across a football field towards a finish line {or any playing field, really} is so much fun. It almost makes you forget about the 3 miles of pain leading up to that moment. Almost.



Yikes.

Final Results
Watch Time - 32:42
Chip Time - 32:46
Pace - 10:23/mile
Age Group - 1... out of 1!
Overall - 156/237



The best part of this race was walking away with first place in my age group. True, it was my very worst race ever but I'll take the CRC Tour de Columbia points any way that I can get them. I'm rockin' first place overall in the 25-29 age group and just added another 10 points to my lead.



Second best part? Getting to see Sarah {& Baby B}! She's the Cross Country coach at River Bluff & since this race benefits the cross country teams there, I love supporting it.



Third best part? It was a good reality check that made me realize that I need to get my booty in gear and get outside and do some actual running. I have a 5K planned for mid-September, a 10K for October, a 5K in November, two December 5Ks, and a December half marathon. Time to lace up my shoes and get some miles in!