Author: The Running Griffin

If you are hoping for miracle running tips about how to go out and win the next Boston Marathon, then this website is not for you. I am in no stretch of the imagination an elite runner but then again not many of us are or they wouldn’t be called “elite.” What I am is a runner who has realized the joy of running. Whether it be a 5k race in support of a local cause or a half-marathon or full-marathon with the finish line seeming at times to never be in sight, running allows each of us the ability to sort of leave behind the rest of the world and focus on simply getting to the finish line. We might not win a trophy and we might not make a career out of running but what we are guaranteed is a certain friendship among running friends, better health and the endorphin filled pride each time we cross a finish line. This website will allow me to highlight different races that I have done, perhaps some that I plan on doing and maybe other running stories that I hope to share with runners like myself.

Register for the Monson Memorial Classic

On October 14, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Running Griffin encourages readers to register for the Monson Memorial Classic. As part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, Monson Memorial Classic donated to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance in memory of our buddy Matt at Matt Reno Logo‘s mom who passed away from ovarian cancer several years ago.

The 19th Annual Monson Memorial Classic is a half-marathon and will be held on Sunday, November 9th. There is also a 5K option held on the same day. The Monson Memorial Classic road race was started in 1996, shortly after the deaths of Kelly Waldron and Kathy Waldron Perry. These sisters died eight months apart from different types of cancer. Kathy suffered with melanoma, and Kelly had breast, bone, and liver cancer. They were wonderful, loving people. This race is in their memory, and past proceeds have gone to American Cancer Association of Western Mass, American Lung Association, Quaboag Valley Hospice, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year they are giving proceeds to Griffin’s Friends and Melanoma Education Foundation.

To register for the Monson Memorial Classic, please click here and be sure to thank them for supporting great causes!

Tower of Terror 10 Miler

On October 10, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

You really can’t get better than a trip to Disney World with the family. The rides, the characters, the food, the pools, the sun, the smiles and so much more really make the trip to Disney World worth every penny! When you mix in a 10 mile road race, now you really have a vacation.

Thanks to Mrs. Running Griffin’s mother and aunt in tow for this jaunt to Florida we were able to leave the little Running Griffins with them while we made our way to Hollywood Studios to partake in the Tower of Terror 10 Miler. As with all Disney races, the race takes place outside of normal park hours and therefore has a moonlight starting time of 10PM. Runners arrived at Hollywood Studios and were greeted with a DJ blasting the tunes, a wall of what seemed to be 1000 port-a-potties, some food vendors and a lot of anxious, sleepy and runners ready to head out onto the course.

After getting into our corals, runners made their way toward the starting line and waves went off just about every two minutes to the second. Upon the start of each wave, fireworks and a laser show sent runners through the starting line and out onto the course.

At each mile marker on the course was a different Disney villain including Jafar, The Big Bad Wolf, the hyenas from the Lion King and more. What was interesting is that there clearly were a lot of people not interested in their running time and instead they queued up for an autograph and photo with each villain along the way. The highway was closed down completely (which only Disney can do) and runners traversed along the highway and into Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Hollywood Studios finishing directly next to a giant party at the Tower of Terror. Some of the most enjoyable running was inside of ESPN Wide World of Sports where we were able to run on a track, on a cross country path and into the baseball stadium the Atlanta Braves play Spring Training games at. The stadium had eerie music blaring, fans in the stands and smoke adding to the haunted ambiance of the run.

Mrs. Running Griffin and I decided that we would run the race together and had a great time running the race side-by-side. For a race that had thousands of people participating there was absolutely no way to get lonely on the course but it is always nice to be able to run with someone. We finished the 10 miler with a time of 1:44:19 and crossed the finish line right around midnight. After a quick beer and a bite to eat it was then off to Uber back to the hotel and head to bed!

Sacred Heart Food Pantry 5K

On September 30, 2014September 30, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

On Sunday morning it was off to Middleborough, Massachusetts for the Sacred Heart Food Pantry 5K. The Food Pantry 5K Run/Walk is an important fundraising effort organized by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to support the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. It provides an opportunity for walkers and runners to participate in the mission of feeding the hungry in the communities we serve, while raising awareness of the challenges faced by the nation’s needy.

The race directors could not have asked for a more perfect day for a run. The sun was beating down and the skies were clear for the race and race time temperature was quite warm for later in September. A sea of runners and walkers flocked to the starting line and the race was nicely chip-timed to allow for accurate race results. Kudos to the runners and walkers along with the sponsors for raising more than $12,000 to combat hunger in Southeastern Massachusetts.

The race course started with a rather drastic downhill first half-mile which basically is a good foreshadowing of things to come later in the race. The race then hit the side roads surrounding the school that served as the race start and finish. It was great to see one of the TIRs out on the course cheering on the runners. As you made your way through the final mile it was back into the school grounds to tackle the reverse path of the downhill start. The hill certainly seemed much more pronounced on the last half-mile of the race than it did at the start and each step really needed an extra push of the will.

I finished the Sacred Heart Food Pantry 5K with a time of 23:21, good for 7:32/miles. For a back to back race weekend coupled with a tough course and hot temperatures, a good race result in my book!

Bridgewater Police Department 5K

On September 27, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

You always have to love when a race is held in your town requiring absolutely no travel! This morning was the First Annual Bridgewater Police Department 5K and the race went off without a single hitch.

The race started and finished at the Bridgewater Police Department and featured a one mile kids race which was held 30 minutes prior to the 5K kicking off. The race was a beautifully flat course for most of the run with a couple of very gradual inclines held for the final mile of running. The course was nicely marked along the way and as runners made their way into the historic Bridgewater Common area the police held traffic so runners could run without obstruction. Local business ServPro of the Bridgewaters sponsored a water stop half-way through the run. The Bridgewater Police Department was out in force along the race course with cruisers, bike patrol and motorcycles patrolling the route ensuring runner safety.

Bridgewater Chief of Police Chris Delmonte and Race Director Rebekah Caylor deserve a huge amount of credit for putting on a remarkable first annual run; I look forward to the 2nd Annual Bridgewater Police Department 5K already.

I ran the 5K course quite well and certainly familiarity of the course always helps. I finished the race with a time of 22:14, good for 7:10/miles. Mrs. Running Griffin also blazed the course today with a PR time of 27:18, good for 8:48/miles.

Miles with the Mayor 5K

On September 26, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

On Sunday morning it was off to Taunton, Massachusetts for the Miles with the Mayor 5k. The race took place nice and early on Sunday morning but the heat and humidity hung around later into September to add an extra challenge to the race. After a night before of wedding fun, hitting the pavement was a good way to dust off the cobwebs and move without the need of a Pitbull song blaring.

The race is sponsored by Taunton Mayor Tom Hoye and this third annual race is a nice community event that helps to raise funds for the Mayor’s Worthy Cause account. All proceeds from the Miles with the Mayor go towards the Mayor’s Worthy Cause account, through which the Mayor supports a wide array of worthwhile events and activities, such as scholarships and the Christmas Parade and which benefits Taunton citizens of all ages. The Mayor’s Worthy Cause account, whose sole purpose is to improve the quality of life and bring joy to each and every citizen, is supported by both businesses and individual donors.

The race started outside of a park that had a DJ, events for the kids, sponsors and copious amounts of water and snacks available post run. The race took to the streets of Taunton and twisted and turned through residential roads before entering the grounds of Taunton State Hospital. After a stretch through the State Hospital grounds, the race then hit the roads again heading back toward the finish line. It was rather warm out on the residential roads and a water stop on the course could have done wonders. The Taunton Police Department did a great job patrolling the course for their boss’s charitable road race.

I finished Miles with the Mayor 5k with a time of 23:23 good for 7:32/miles.