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.

West Bridgewater Senior Class Scholarship Fund 5k Run

On May 12, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Just one town over, yesterday’s run was the West Bridgewater Senior Class Scholarship Fund 5K run. The run was an out and back course that started and finished at West Bridgewater High School and was a fundraiser for scholarships aimed at helping to defray the costs of college tuition for West Bridgewater students.

The race started on the high school track where runners made one loop and then hit the grass field making their way toward the road. Once on the pavement, the first mile was a rather decent climb up through residential neighborhoods. Though the race was a small, the race course had good volunteer support calling out the splits at each mile and handing out water just past the 1 and 2 mile markers.

Since the race was an out and back course, the same first mile uphill climb gave way to a nice downhill section where the legs could let loose a bit. Crossing back across the same grass field, there was then a 3/4 loop along the track into the finish line.

Overall, I was quite pleased with my run and finished 1st in my age division. With an overall time of 23:25 my pace was a 7:33/mile which comes in at one of my better paces for the season. Given the fact I am in the middle of marathon training, no complaints here!

Icing Made Easy with Icy Feet

On May 11, 2013 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

The Running Griffin is proud to announce Icy Feet as our newest sponsor!

As a runner, we all know the benefits of icing post-race however if you are like me sometimes the hassle of icing get in the way and icing becomes an afterthought. Thanks to Icy Feet runners will never have to worry about that ever again.

If you are one of the millions of individuals suffering from painful feet, arches, or tendons as a result of foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, inflammation following work, or exercise, then look to the patent-pending Icy Feet as the easy-to-use, no-mess way to apply an even icing to your soles. Recommended by podiatrists and running stores, I have now used Icy Feet for the past month and will attest that it is one of the greatest products I have seen in quite some time.

The patent-pending Icy Feet cold pack features an engineered insole shape with a recessed heel cup and elevated arch to allow for a comfortable fit while providing constant contact at the point where relief is needed. The benefits of Icy Feet over the traditional bucket of ice include:

Easy to use
Easy to clean
Streamlines icing process
Features an engineered insole shape with a recessed heel cup and elevated arch
Two strategically placed straps so that you can elevate while icing
One size fits all (left foot and right foot cold packs can be purchased separately)
Freezes solid
Continuous contact with the foot where relief is needed most

The Running Griffin encourages you to purchase your pair of Icy Feet today by clicking here.

Be sure to support Icy Feet by also liking them on Facebook by clicking here and by following them on Twitter @icyfeetinc

The Cure is Coming, The Cure is Coming!

On May 5, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day with temperatures in the high 50’s/low 60’s and the sun shining down upon the historic New England town of Lexington, Massachusetts. Most remember Lexington as being home to one of the most iconic American Revolution battles on Lexington Green but the small, quaint town was known yesterday for the Cure is Coming 5K race which served as a fundraiser for ALS research.

The Cure is Coming 5K is a nicely organized 5K race that takes runners through residential neighborhoods of Lexington as runners make their way out of the downtown area. The course is well-supported by the local residents who are out doing yard work or playing in their front yard as they transform into race fans and support you with a clap or a cheer. Volunteers staff each and every turn corner of the course showing runners which way to go and the local police department directs traffic at the major intersections runners cross.

The course is a rather challenging 5K race as there is a high percentage of what I call “residential rollers” along the course; those little up and down hills within residential neighborhoods which can quickly take a toll upon the legs. However, the finish is one of the fastest finish sprints you will find as there is marvelous downhill finish that allows you to just let the legs go free and race down the hill into the finish chutes.

I ran the same race last year and finished with a time of 23:58 good for 7:44/miles and was pleased to improve my time this year to 23:37 which equates to a 7:36/mile.

Register Today for the 5th Annual MAD Scramble

On May 4, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

After a long day at the office there is usually nothing better than clearing your head with a nice run. On June 27, 2013 join The Running Griffin in Milton, Massachusetts for the 5th Annual Mad Scramble, a Thursday night 5 miler race that brings runners on a challenging race course of some hills, some roads, some paths and toward a finish line with a great post-race barbecue.

The MAD Scramble supports the Detective Michael A Devin Memorial Fund. Proceeds from the race fund scholarships, support juvenile athletic programs, and provide assistance to families in need.

The race is flat and fast for the first half and then hilly along the backstretch. A little over a mile will be run along well trodden trails through the very scenic Turner’s Pond and Trout Brook areas.

Registration for the 5th Annual MAD Scramble is now open online through Race Menu by clicking here. For more information about the race, you can visit the race’s website here.

2nd Annual West Island 5k

On April 28, 2013 By The Running Griffin3 Comments

This morning it was off to Fairhaven, Massachusetts for the 2^nd Annual West Island 5k. It was an absolutely perfect spring morning and heading down toward the coastal town of Fairhaven was a nice drive however what was ahead along the race course far outweighed a nice drive down. The scenic run on the West Island section of Fairhaven made for an ideal course to get a nice 5k race in along.

The race started off with a moment of silence for those injured and killed at the recent terrorist attacks at the Boston Marathon which was then followed by a brilliant rendition of the Star Spangled Banner sung by a local student with the crowd of runners joining in leaving you with pre-race goose-bumps before the race kicked off.

The race started on a nice downhill which led to a sharp left turn onto an iconic beach neighborhood road. The road hugged the water and runners raced past both year round homes and seasonal cottages available to rent for those looking to have a week at the beach. What was quite nice about running through this neighborhood is that the locals came out in force and cheered runners along while pounding on the pavement in front of their homes.

As you passed the mile mark, you began to head down another beach road and made your way to a watch tower housed within a sand parking lot at the end of the beach. Water was available as you looped your way through the parking lot and back out the road toward the 2 mile mark. The last mile was a gradual increase in terms of elevation for the earlier part before it leveled out back through the same neighborhood the race started off on.

The last .2 of the race was trudging back up the downhill terrain that the race started off on and after a long 21 mile training run yesterday, every step on the last .2 really was earned racing up the hill.

I finished the 2^nd Annual West Island 5k with a time of 23:47 which is good for 7:47/miles. Special thanks to Westport Chiropractic for a great post-race stretching of my calves and hamstrings and for not laughing too much at how tight a runner actually can be.