Yesterday the race docket had me off to neighboring East Bridgewater, Massachusetts for the 1st Annual Run for Jess. Often times when partaking in a first annual race, the risk of the race being somewhat disjointed always exists however yesterday’s race was nothing short of superb.

The course was an advertised tad longer than a true 5k (measuring at 3.3 miles) and took runners through residential roads of East Bridgewater. Though the course was open to traffic, good support along the course along with East Bridgewater Police Department driving the route certainly made the course a nice one to run along. There was a rather gradual incline for what seemed to be a good chunk of the race with a little bit of a downhill finish the last .4 miles or so. The race time conditions were sunny and warm; a great way to spend a final day of summer on Labor Day Weekend.

The amount of raffle prizes that the race featured was impressive and a massive cookout post-race featuring water, hamburgers, hot dogs and chips made for a nice way to refuel post-run. For those who wanted, a cash bar was available at the outside concession stand at the Commercial Club in East Bridgewater.

The race was put on in memory of Jessica Thurston who passed away in her late 20’s due to breast cancer. All proceeds from the run go to the Jessica C Thurston Memorial Fund, which donates to breast cancer research and other worthy causes throughout the year. A huge kudos to her family and friends who helped put on this race in her memory; certainly an honorable undertaking done so well!

I finished the 1st Annual Run for Jess with a time of 25:20 which with the 3.3 advertised mileage equates to 7:40/mile.

I certainly look forward to taking place in this race in years to come until as the pastor who gave the pre-race invocation noted, “…we no longer have to have this race because a cure for breast cancer has been found.”

Registration is now open for the Whitin Five Mile Road Race and we encourage you to sign up today as this is one race you do not want to miss!

Join runners at the Whitin Community Center on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2014 in a race to promote family health and fitness and support programs that help protect the environment. The start time is 8:10 AM.

The race will include raffles, coffee, cash and merchandise awards (must be present to claim), race t-shirts and refreshments. Lockers, hot showers, and parking amenities provided by the Whitin Community Center, as well as computer chip timing by Racewire. A $50 bonus will be awarded for new course records, and mugs are awarded to the first 50 finishers. Whether you’re coming to race or walk, join the a huge group of runners and walkers at the WCC Thanksgiving morning for some fun in rain, snow, or shine!

The race course is a USTAF certified five mile course and will be a great race to partake in prior to indulging in copious amounts of turkey, pumpkin pie and all the requisite fixings.

To register for the Whitin Five Mile Road Race, please click here.

Let’s face it. If you are a runner you have been known to take a whiff of your own shirt and shorts from time to time and think to yourself, “My God, I am disgusting.” And if you think you smell bad, just imagine how bad you really smell to those lining up at the starting line next to you.

Fortunately for us athletic types, we don’t have to have our odors chase our running buddies away any longer thanks to WIN Detergent. Though others have tried to make “athletic laundry detergent” the people at WIN Detergent have really perfected their product and after having used their detergent now I am a true believer that I will be WINning for a long time to come.

WIN detergent was created in 2005, and created the market for detergent for technical fabrics.  In 2011, WIN was acquired by a new management team with the goal of focusing on the sporting goods industry.  WIN is currently sold by over 250 specialty running, triathlon, and cycling shops, as well as major national retailers like Dick’s and Amazon.

Mrs. Running Griffin and I have tested out both the WIN Detergent Blue and WIN Detergent Green. Both are great options and each do the trick of thoroughly cleaning your running clothes and leaving them free of the funky smells of post-run sweat. The WIN Detergent Green is dye free and fragrance free, a perfect option for those runners with sensitive skin.

You can “Like” WIN Detergent on Facebook by clicking here and can follow them on Twitter @WINDetergent. Definitely purchase a bottle or two of WIN Detergent and give them a try today: your running partners will thank you, if nothing else!

Yesterday it was down to Portsmouth, Rhode Island for my fourth Common Fence Point 5 Miler. This race was part of the Thirsty Irish Runners Grand Prix series therefore it was a must do race for me to stay in good standing with my running peeps.

The Common Fence Point 5 Miler is a race that most runners have a love/hate relationship with. The course itself takes part in a rather idyllic beach neighborhood and twists and turns through residential beachfront streets. That said, a couple of noticeable inclines (including on the appropriately named Summit Road) forces you to really challenge yourself along the way. This year the sun added an additional element to contend with as the overcast clouds sort of broke away just prior to race time.

For past reviews of the Common Fence 5 Miler, you can click here for 2013, click here for 2012 and click here for 2011.

Yesterday was not my best running of the Common Fence 5 Miler and I finished with a time of 41:52, good for an 8:23/mile split. This is a race you know you are not going to run your best at so for next year, hang back a little and try pacing yourself to a bit slower than normal and the hills might not be as bad.