Because I'm a little crazy, I signed up for two 5k races on the same morning. On purpose. And they were only an hour apart. hahaha. And I talked my crazy awesome friend Pat into doing them both with me! The first was Mustache Dache.
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The Portland Mustache Dache is part of a national series of Mustache Daches that benefits Movember, "the international men’s health charity, which aims to forever change the face of men’s health through the power of the moustache, by raising vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges". Ten percent of your race entry goes straight to the organization!
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Everything about this race was pretty great... except the course haha. Packet pickup was easy-peasy at Fit Right in Portland the afternoon/evening before the race. The location (Big Al's in Beaverton) is easy to get to and has ample parking. There were lots of booths and heating lamps, as well as bag check, and the roughly 600 5k-ers were sorted into three "corrals" baced on pace.
Not long after we started the race, we began the ascent. I had heard the race would be hilly, but I didn't realize the race would be up and then down (second time in two weeks... you'd think I'd learn...) It was one of the toughest 5k's I think I've ever done. I had to walk portions of the uphill and my calves felt like they were going to explode, and was a little nervous to go too fast on the downhill, because the roads were a little slippery and there were a few sharp corners. It definitely wasn't a PR sort of course, and it made my legs pretty sore the day after. But it was really well marked, and there were tons of fantastic volunteers (including Trevor and Tracy! You guys rock!)
There was TONS OF SWAG after the race. In addition to the cotton t-shirt (unisex and womens) and other stuff in the goody bag, each bib had a ticket for an Iron Horse Brewing beer (three options!), and a Bulleit cocktail (Manhattan with cherry, neat, or whiskey/coke), there was tons of free stuff at the event. Two kinds of energy drinks, Muscle Milk, Ziva dark chocolate mustaches, Movember temporary tattoos, sweatbands, bracelets and stickers, and drawings for prizes. Although there wasn't a photobooth (as mentioned on the website), but there were two great backdrops for taking photos! The post-race party was tons of fun, and Pat and I were a little bummed that we had to leave. Overall, the Portland Mustache Dache was REALLY REALLY fun and I can't wait until next year (even with the hill!)
Not long after we started the race, we began the ascent. I had heard the race would be hilly, but I didn't realize the race would be up and then down (second time in two weeks... you'd think I'd learn...) It was one of the toughest 5k's I think I've ever done. I had to walk portions of the uphill and my calves felt like they were going to explode, and was a little nervous to go too fast on the downhill, because the roads were a little slippery and there were a few sharp corners. It definitely wasn't a PR sort of course, and it made my legs pretty sore the day after. But it was really well marked, and there were tons of fantastic volunteers (including Trevor and Tracy! You guys rock!)
There was TONS OF SWAG after the race. In addition to the cotton t-shirt (unisex and womens) and other stuff in the goody bag, each bib had a ticket for an Iron Horse Brewing beer (three options!), and a Bulleit cocktail (Manhattan with cherry, neat, or whiskey/coke), there was tons of free stuff at the event. Two kinds of energy drinks, Muscle Milk, Ziva dark chocolate mustaches, Movember temporary tattoos, sweatbands, bracelets and stickers, and drawings for prizes. Although there wasn't a photobooth (as mentioned on the website), but there were two great backdrops for taking photos! The post-race party was tons of fun, and Pat and I were a little bummed that we had to leave. Overall, the Portland Mustache Dache was REALLY REALLY fun and I can't wait until next year (even with the hill!)
