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Tunnel 5K - Run


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Snoqualmie, Washington
United States
52F / 11C
Total Time = 19m 9s
Overall Rank = 2/350
Age Group = F30-39
Age Group Rank = 1/58
Pre-race routine:

It was POURING on the drive up. Made for sketchy driving as this was up in the mountains. I finally arrived and met up with the rest of the Stoup Beer Runners
Event warmup:

Picked up registration, mingles with the beer runners then jogged a mile or so followed by some strides. By the time I got back they were lined up at the start and were at 4 on the countdown.
3...2...1...GO!


Run
  • 19m 9s
  • 5 kms
  • 03m 50s  min/km
Comments:

I could hear the countdown for the race starting and I wasn't even at the back of the BIG (for a 5k) crowd one the race started due to my uh time management. I had to accelerate quickly and run in the ditch from the back of the line, hoping to get toward the front before we hit the tunnel.

I made up a lot of ground and got pretty close to the front by the time we entered the tunnel but in my scramble to the start line I forgot my flshlight/headlamp for the VERY dark tunnel.

This was going to be an adventure.

I ran totally blind into the tunnel as my eyes adjusted (did I mention I had freekin' eye surgery the night before?? It was minor but sheesh!)

The path through the tunnel is luckily quite smooth and there were some little LED course markers along the way for reference. My eyes adjusted but I still couldn't really see sh*t.

I settled into a pace that allowed me to relax a bit after my mad dash in the beginning. I passed a few more people and figured I must only have 3 or 4 people in front of me.

There were lots of volunteers in the tunnel with fun music, glow sticks, glow in the dark stuff and LED lights. Someone even had sparklers (so, what happens to the smoke when you bring a sparkler into a tunnel you might wonder. More on that later...)

We got to the turnaround and I made the tight 180. Whew. Halfway there! I could see another runner ahead but he was pretty far out of reach. I decided to make reeling him in my goal anyway.

As we made out way back toward the entrance to the tunnel the air became thick with smoke and it was hard to breath. The little light in the tunnel was cloudy. While the sparkler was cool in theory, reality had set in. I coughed up a long and my eyes burnt. I actually started running faster just to try and get away from the smoke.

Finally the air was clear again. I think it had slowed the guy in front of me down quite a bit because suddenly he was within reach. I kept my approach gradual but steady and as we exited the tunnel I put the hammer down. I realized he was actually the leader so I was even more motivated. The distance from the exit of the tunnel to the finish line was a little further than I had remembered (likely due to my mad scramble) We were about 100' from the line as I approached and passed him. It took him by complete surprise. Unfortunately for me he still had a little gas in the tank and accelerated just enough to pass me right at the finish.

What a race!

I wonder, if it had been chip timed would I have beaten him?

Maybe it wouldn't matter because often there is an exception for first place and it is based on the actual first person to cross the line.
What would you do differently?:

Be at the start on time :)

Also, train for this type of racing. Been long distance/mountain focused
Post race
Warm down:

Cheered on the rest of the beer runners then headed over to the host brewery for some beers!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Training, time mgmt :)


Profile Album


Last updated: 2016-10-12 12:00 AM
Running
00:19:09 | 05 kms | 03m 50s  min/km
Age Group: 1/58
Overall: 2/350
Performance: Below average
Course: An out and back starting at Hyak going into the Snoqualmie Tunnel and back on a gravel trail
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

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2016-10-12 5:48 PM

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Seattle
Subject: Tunnel 5K


2016-10-12 8:22 PM
in reply to: #5201703

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Royal(PITA)
14270
50005000200020001001002525
West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Tunnel 5K

The most incredible adventures....a bonafide tunnel 5K.  Somehow I was thinking the 9/11 Tunnel runs when I saw the name of the race.  

Second OA and first of the women...Nice!!  Well done.

2016-10-13 9:57 AM
in reply to: #5201703

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Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Tunnel 5K

SMH because you never cease to amaze me: "but in my scramble to the start line I forgot my flshlight/headlamp for the VERY dark tunnel. This was going to be an adventure.  I ran totally blind into the tunnel as my eyes adjusted (did I mention I had freekin' eye surgery the night before?? It was minor but sheesh!) "  Wow, just wow! You overcame mismanaged time, eye surgery, no light source of your own, and sparkler smoke to almost edge out the first place winner.  Superstar!

The foliage looks beautiful!

2016-10-13 12:47 PM
in reply to: #5201703

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Master
2429
200010010010010025
Falls Church, Virginia
Subject: RE: Tunnel 5K
Wow, that sparkler smoke sounds awful. I'm glad it was something you could outrun. Well done and congrats on 1 OA woman. I betcha if it were a chip it would have been 1st OA
2016-10-13 12:57 PM
in reply to: Atlantia

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Champion
14677
5000500020002000500100252525
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Tunnel 5K

What a fun race (except for the sparkler smoke). Great job.

2016-10-13 2:47 PM
in reply to: #5201703

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Master
6595
50001000500252525
Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Tunnel 5K

IDK, I think we should just call it first OA.

Great job!



2016-10-13 8:22 PM
in reply to: rrrunner

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Veteran
1900
1000500100100100100
Southampton, Ontario
Subject: RE: Tunnel 5K
smokin' time! with out the sparkler smoke you would have been 1st for sure!
2016-10-14 8:59 AM
in reply to: Atlantia

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Champion
14677
5000500020002000500100252525
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Tunnel 5K

What a fun race (except for the sparkler smoke). Great job.

2016-10-16 9:59 PM
in reply to: ceilidh

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Master
3888
20001000500100100100252525
Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Tunnel 5K
Geez the little mole found her eyes and nearly took this one . Great race Adrienne, and yes you probably would have won if it was chip timed, get your head in the game girl! Yeah, sparklers prolly not a good idea, especially maybe perhaps for someone that just had ahem, eye surgery.

Well done young lady!
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