On Jan 10th, I had the privileged of participating in the Snowflake Dash 5k fun run for women. This was an untimed event hosted by Diva Den Studio to benefit Girls On The Run Portland. This fun event is held in a very friendly atmosphere. I brought my family with me, and we headed to the back studio and enjoyed hot coffee (and hot cocoa for the kids) from dutch brothers while waiting for the event to start.
Prerace, we were led in a fast paced Zumba dance with an upbeat dance tune. I would lie to you if I said I had any grace at all, but I gave it my best effort. As you can see in the photo in the upper left corner, I’m the only one with her hands in the air and both feet on the ground. It’s true. (Editor’s Note: Awesome!) Even with an instructor in front of me and a mirror to see my every move, I just can’t get coordinated. Anyway, it was a lot of fun.
Clockwise starting in upper left: Robin shows her awesome zumba moves; pre race mingling; swag bag goodies and costume contest.
After the warm up, we were broken up in two waves based on our bib number. I was in the second wave and as the only stroller runner, I put myself as the very last participant. This is untimed and should be taken in that manner as a fun event and not for a PR. There will be traffic lights to stop at and obey the crosswalk for safety. I wasn’t trying to be zippy, and I can tell you with my behemoth stroller, I was not fast… but I did happen to clip some hedges overhanging the sidewalk in an effort to go around some participants. How embarrassing!
The course is well-marked with sidewalk chalk, volunteers to push crosswalk buttons for participants and see them safely across and signs with pink balloons. My girls were particularly thrilled to pass by a dog park full of dogs enjoying the cool, and slightly damp Saturday afternoon. After running through a bit of downtown Tigard, we entered onto the Fanno Creek trail. Before long, we entered our first station where we could do an exercise to earn a raffle ticket to put in the basket at the end of the race for several goodies. I saw a group of women ahead of me doing jumping jacks, and when I arrived, I attempted jumping lunges with probably not the best form. They took pity on my and I earned my ticket. As we ran on the trail, my girls requested out of the “Behemoth” and to run themselves. The rest of the race was a yo-yo of fast walking with my kiddos running and then they would tire out and sit while I pushed and jogged with them. I loved it.
My costume was better as an idea than executed, but I was going for a cloud of freezing rain.
There were approximately 60 participants at this year’s event, and while I didn’t get to take home a sweet raffle prize after earning tickets with my squats, jump lunges, imitating a quacking duck and skipping across a bridge, I did tie as a winner of the costume contest and took home a certificate for a facial. I’ve never had one, so I’m really looking forward to that. Along with several raffle prizes and a costume contest, participants were treated to beer from Portland Brewing, delicious food (with a vegetarian option!) from “Pick Your Dish”, hot coffee or cocoa from Dutch Brothers, several vendors including “Handful Bra” and if that wasn’t enough, you could head over to Max’s Brew Pub for a post run party. Alas, my little snowflakes were starting to melt, so we missed out on that part of the fun adventure.
Our cool swag bags had a yummy Dr. Will Bar and Vita Coco Water as well as a week trial pass for Diva Den Studio. I don’t think they can cure my (lack of) Z skills in 7 days, but I can’t wait to give some of their classes a try.
Overall, this was a very fun event and one that really delivers on what it promises!
Wall art in the spa area of Diva Den Studio.
