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.

ING Hartford Marathon

On October 13, 2013October 13, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Having never competed in more than one marathon in one year, I figured 2013 was a good year to push the limits. After having run a really strong Buffalo Marathon, I decided to sign up for the ING Hartford Marathon to check another race off the bucket list. Billed as a marathon that was flat, well-supported and a good time, the ING Hartford Marathon lived up to all of my expectations and crossing the finish line was a great accomplishment to chalk up for an all around great running year.

Friday afternoon we hit up the marathon expo to pick up my bib number and to scout out the various vendors present at the expo. There was a nice mix of local and national vendors present and and most booths had a free giveaway or a raffle that runners could enter.

Saturday morning, my father drove me from their home in Holyoke, Massachusetts down Route 91 into Hartford and we arrived with plenty of time to spare until the race started. The race started at the foot of the Capitol building and racers gathered in Bushnell Park for the pre-race stretching, food and drink. All of the various charities taking part in the race had tents available and there was a great atmosphere with music keeping the runners awake in the early hours. With a race time start of 8AM, the fall air was still quite cool and I kept layers on until it was time to drop my bag at the Bushnell Theater which was located right next to the starting line.

As runners lined up to start, a classy start to the race included a Connecticut State Trooper singing an amazing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner along with some quick speeches from the Mayor of Hartford and a representative from ING coupled with an invocation that was poignant for runners.

As the wheelchair participants made their way onto the course, the race announcer asked runners to look toward the steps of the State Library where young dancers wearing Run Boston Strong tee-shirts danced to an upbeat version of the Boston anthem Sweet Caroline. The sea of runners chimed in with the requisite “Bum bum bum” on queue.

Next it was go time for the marathon runners. We made our way through the downtown section of Hartford first running past a great contingent of fans with super signs and flags waving. (One of the best ones was “You run better than the government.”) Marathoners and half-marathoners split as we made our way out of the downtown area as the courses were different.

The first 13.1 miles of the race were a rather flat stretch of road and I felt really strong running the first half of the marathon. With some stretches within a park along the river paired to some running through an office park and then back into some residential neighborhoods, it was great to see a lot of people along the way cheering runners on with orange cow bells and blow horns. What was nice about the race was that there was great entertainment along the way ranging from two guys with guitars to a larger scale band to a group singing Hare Krishna chants. At the half-marathon mark I was running an 8:49/mile pace good for a half-marathon time of 1:55:19.

From Mile 14 to Mile 17 was probably one of my favorite stretches of the race as runners made their way through a rather scenic rural stretch complete with farms, large houses and an amazing contingent of supporters along the road. It was the perfect fall day to be running through such a neighborhood and really epitomized what New England running is all about. At Mile 17 I really started to feel some pretty good pain in my right ankle, though, and as we looped back toward Mile 20 I could tell my pace was going to be suffering. Fortunately I ran a moderately strong first 13.1 miles as from Mile 17 on I was running with a rather large amount of pain in my right ankle.

Beth Ann met me at Mile 20 with gummy bears in hand which helped put some sugar back into my body and helped me make my way back onto the pavement. Heading back toward Mile 23 there was a junk food station about 22.5 miles in where I grabbed some flat soda to again get some sugar into my system. At Mile 23 one of the volunteers helped get you through the wall cheering that we were “Hall of Famers” and almost there. A couple of less fortunate runners were being attended to by ambulances between Miles 23 and 25 which always helps put things back into perspective.

As I came upon the Mile 25 sign I knew it was just 1.2 more miles to go; unfortunately that included up an on-ramp bridge to head back into downtown Hartford and the ankle was hurting even more at this point. As soon as I crested the bridge, I knew it was time to kick it back into gear and push with whatever I had left in the tank. I ran a pretty solid last half-mile or so into the finish line and finished the race with a time of 4:33:31 good for 10:29/miles.

After Buffalo, which was my marathon PR, the ING Hartford Marathon is my second best marathon time. I wish my ankle was able to hold up a bit better than it did and as I type this recap today it looks at though someone dropped an anvil on my ankle but us marathon types are tough and I will be back running as soon as the swelling goes down.

The ING Hartford Marathon was a great race and lived up to all the good things I have heard about the race. Great race support, great fans, a really nice course and super amenities. If you are looking for a New England marathon to complete next year, give this one a shot!

5th Annual Bernie’s Run in Dedham

On October 6, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The skies had opened up this morning with some rather strong downpours drenching the South Shore. Fortunately though, just before the 11:30 start of the 5th Annual Bernie’s Run the rain let up and a light mist actually made for some pretty nice racing conditions. The race started in front of Terri’s Market and ended in front of neighborhood pub The Village Manor.

Bernie’s Run is a 3 mile race that takes runners first into an industrial park parking lot but then has runners run through some residential neighborhoods surrounding The Village Manor. For the most part the race was pretty flat with a good hill mixed in around the 1.5 mile mark. There was a water station around mile 2 which was good placement for a quick, short run.

Post-run iconic New England legend Rene Rancourt, known for his fist pumping Star Spangled Banner renditions at Boston Bruins games, revved up the crowd with a post-race singing of the national anthem. Steve Kerrigan, a candidate for Lt. Governor, was also at the race greeting runners after the race.

Proceeds from Bernie’s Run benefit the Dedham Education Foundation. For more information about the Foundation, please click here.

Overall, a really good race for me today. I came in third amongst the Thirsty Irish Runners contingent and finished with a time of 21:38 or 7:13/miles. A great back-to-back racing weekend!

Pam’s Run 5 Miler

On October 5, 2013 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

This morning it was off to Wayland, Massachusetts for Pam’s Run, a 5 mile race to support Neighbor Brigade. Pam’s Run is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Pam Manikas Washek, founder of Neighbor Brigade and tireless champion for families in crisis.

Neighbor Brigade establishes and mobilizes networks of community-based volunteers to provide immediate services for individuals and families experiencing sudden crisis such as devastating illness, surgery, or accident. All services are delivered with care, quickly, and are free of charge. Please visit our website at www.neighborbrigade.org to learn more!

Prior to the start of the race a few speakers talked about the amazing work that Neighbor Brigade provides and Pam’s children gave a touching speech about their mom and the work that she sought to do before she passed. With the singing of the National Anthem, runners were off onto the course.

The race organizers noted that the race was rather hilly and it indeed lived up to that reputation. The 5 mile course took runners through mostly residential roads of Wayland, a quaint New England town with some rather large homes you ran past and admired. With the leaves starting to change over and race temperatures hovering around 65 degrees, it was a perfect day for a fall run. I skipped the first water stop just past Mile 1 but looking back in hindsight probably should have taken a water since by the time mile 3.5 came up where the next water stop was I certainly needed it. After hitting the water stop it was back up a couple of good hills. The last mile of the course was thankfully rather flat which allowed me to pick up some time heading into the finish line. As I made the last turn, a sea of supporters cheered myself and other runners in.

This was the first ever Pam’s Run and for a first time race it was remarkably well organized. There was close to 500 runners and walkers at the race and race atmosphere was top notch with a local radio station, a band, plenty of food and water and a lot of really happy people remembering the memory of Pam and supporting Neighbor Brigade.

I finished Pam’s Run with a time of 39:09 good for 7:50/miles. Given the success of this race, I am pretty confident there will be a 2nd Annual Pam’s Run next year!

Registration is Open for the Food Pantry 5k

On September 18, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the Food Pantry 5K to be held in Middleboro, Massachusetts on September 29th. This 5k race is a chip-timed USTAF certified course that benefits the Sacred Heart Food Pantry in Middleboro.

This race has a reasonably priced registration and nice offerings such as race tee-shirts, trophies for the top finishers and food and beverages post-race. To register for the race, please click here.

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. Donations of canned food will be accepted at the race so please fill up the car before you head over to the race with cans of soups, vegetables and more!

You can also visit the race’s Facebook event page by clicking here.

Cosmic Run Boston

On September 16, 2013September 16, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Cosmic Run is a nocturnal, 5 Kilometer journey through the world’s most extravagant expressions of light, sound, and color. Run, walk, jog, or dance as you witness an electrifying world filled with towering LED and 3D-animated lighting elements, fluorescent-glowing color transformations, and heart-pounding dance music. Talented EDM DJ’s headline the cosmic finale, creating an after-party of epic proportions!

Cosmic Run is coming to the Boston area on October 19th to Raynham Park located at 1958 Broadway in Raynham.

You will become like the brilliant elements around you when you transform into cosmic colors that become luminescent under the night sky. Vivid lasers will set the path toward your exquisite fluorescent-color transformations.

With a race time start of 8PM, Raynham Park will be the place where you can push the limits of your imagination with the most electrifying experience on mother earth.

To register for Cosmic Run Boston, please click here. If you are interested in checking out other cities where Cosmic Run will be visiting, please click here. Lastly, you can “Like” Cosmic Run on Facebook by clicking here and you can follow Cosmic Run on Twitter @CosmicRun5k.