Goodbye Viaduct, hello tunnel
Pre-race momo is caffeinated and ready to go.
On the list of things I thought I’d never be able to do: run an 8K. But that’s exactly what I did last weekend!
Tunnel to Viaduct 8K run
Seattle’s iconic Alaskan Way Viaduct, which runs along the waterfront and has amazing views of the Olympic Mountains, is being torn down and replaced by the long-awaited SR 99 tunnel (it only took six years and $2 billion). The 8K race was the last run on the Viaduct and first in the new tunnel.
I’ve driven over the Viaduct hundreds of times and thought it’d be neat to actually walk on it and, of course, take some pictures—one of my favorite things to do.
Pre-race jitters
Leading up to the race, I was soooo nervous. I hadn’t done one since Bloomsday in 1995 when I was MUCH younger and didn’t have any joint issues. I’m very grateful to my running crew for their support! My bro-in-law came all the way over from Spokane, and my cousin and good friend also joined me.
They made the experience far more enjoyable—even the super early morning (when I signed up for the race, I didn’t realize I’d have to wake up in the middle of the night to make it there on time).
My friend Julie, a legit runner who’s done numerous races, deserves some credit. She was so nice and accommodating when this Nervous Nelly wanted to be at our corral 30 minutes before our start time, as the race organizers had instructed, though she believed—and was totally right—that we didn’t need to arrive that early.
The race began a whole hour after the start time we were given—I guess it takes a while to shuffle 29,000 people through the same course. But at least the four of us got to spend some quality time together. 😊 Plus the people watching was phenomenal!
First glimpse of the new tunnel
After 1.5 hours of waiting, it was finally go time. Corral 7, group D poured across the start line, our whoops and hollers echoing throughout the bright, pristine tunnel.
The course was crowded, and we spent a lot of energy dodging and weaving in between walkers. I had a couple close calls when someone in front of me decided to stop running unexpectedly. I learned from Julie that there’s actually race etiquette for this: raise your hand before you start walking, and walkers on the right side of the course, runners on the left.
After running the first mile in 10:50 minutes, Julie and I opted to take in the full experience rather than go for a competitive time. Lance and my cousin, on the other hand, went into turbo mode on the first incline and disappeared into the crowd. We didn’t see them until the end of the race.
Bye bye, Viaduct
As we made our way along the Viaduct, I felt strangely sentimental about the aging, run-down roadway that could collapse at any moment, like the next big earthquake…but feelings are tricky like that. And perhaps I wasn’t alone because quite a few people slowed down or stopped altogether to check out the view and take pictures.
Reps from event sponsors lined this stretch of the course. They gave out cheers and high-fives, though this inspirational sign 👆 was the true highlight. It really pumped up each passerby to kick it back into gear for the final mile or so.
Battery Street Tunnel
The Battery Street Tunnel was the last major section of the course and was by far my favorite! The combination of the bright yellow and green lights, dancing shadows, and graffiti gave the vibe that we were about to round a corner and stumble upon a secret underground party.
Then the colors drained away, leaving piercing white lights overhead and long black shadows trailing behind each person. It felt extraterrestrial. I kept waiting for aliens to appear and beam us up.
Though only the north-bound lanes of the tunnel were open to runners, we noticed that the emergency exit doors were open ajar and sneaked over into the south-bound lanes. It was eerily quiet and empty. This tunnel is apparently at the end of its life. It will be filled with rubble from the Viaduct, then sealed off. I will miss you, Battery Street Tunnel.
We did it!
I didn’t think running five miles could be so much fun, but we really had a blast! Julie and I crossed the finish line after 1:07:14, averaging 13:32-minute miles even with the long stop in the tunnel and a couple places on the Viaduct. The race flew by! There was so much to see and explore, and I had great company.
And the verdict
I’m definitely not a runner, but the experience was so fun that I may try another race.
I’m also happy to report that my knees are doing just fine. Honestly, I’m shocked and a little confused. Why would running an 8K on the hard pavement go better than jogging a mile on a treadmill? Is it because I wore different shoes? There was more variation on the course than a treadmill? Did I move more naturally because I had too many distractions to overthink my running form? Something to ponder as I continue my fitness journey. Let me know in the comments below if you have any ideas!