Headed down to Plymouth, MA today for the Jenney Grist Mill 5k. The weather was a bit overcast and there was a light mist but there was a certain muggy nature to the air, as well. The Jenney Grist Mill 5k started at the historic Jenney Grist Mill and ran away from downtown Plymouth. At the starting line the race director announced the good news that there was only one uphill on the course but then informed us that the hill was basically from the start through the first mile.

After making your way up the first mile, a left hand turn led runners through Morton Park which turned the running terrain from asphalt to dirt. The second mile was run on dirt and then when finished with the second mile it was back onto the asphalt for a rather downhill final 1.1 miles. Great course support along the race with water stops at both mile 1 and 2 with water and bagels and bananas at the finish line.

Finished the 5k race in 23:27 for a pace of 7:32/mile. With a solid, uphill first mile I was quite happy with this time.

Here’s information about what the race proceeds support:

Plymouth’s Jenney Grist Mill is a 17^th Century non-profit living history museum. Our educational programs offer a glimpse into the lives of our forefather’s and connect all who visit with the people, places, and ideas of the first settlers who came here searching for a new way of life. We believe that our country’s history is very important and that the children in the United States of America need to know and help preserve their history. We also believe that people learn best by visiting museums and other cultural institutions, especially those that bring us back into time periods like living history museums. In these difficult economic times we are trying to help families afford the cost of experiencing the rich history of this country together. We began our History for Kids program to encourage families to bring their children to the Mill so they can learn about their heritage. This program offers free admission to children age 17 and under when accompanied by a parent or grandparent.

All race proceeds are donated to support the Jenney Grist Mill’s work to keep our history alive. 

Running, jogging, and sprinting subject the feet, ankles, legs, and knees to a considerable amount of stress. According to some studies, around 35-45% of all runners suffer a running injury each year. Furthermore, the sport of running has a higher prevalence of injury than any other sport.

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This past weekend’s running travels took me to the Steel City, Pittsburgh. I have never traveled to Pittsburgh before much less run a road race there but in between touring breweries, checking out some Pittsburgh Pirates games and eating sandwiches larger than one person should consume a road race was definitely a needed way to burn some of Pittsburgh’s calorie-high indulgences off.

My friend Matt (read his blog here) came up from Kentucky for the trip and since we both have been doing a lot of running lately we decided to look for a race we could do while in Pittsburgh prior to our arrival. We came across the Riverview Park 5k and decided it was the race for us. The race took place on Friday evening at 7PM and though the temperature dropped a bit, at race time it was still sunny and warm with temperature in the 80’s.

The course took you through Riverside Park in Pittsburgh which was a great city operated park. Don’t get me wrong, the scenery of the course was perfect, the course itself was somewhat of a beast for a 5k!

Runners started out running down a quick straightaway through the residential street leading into the park and then looped back into the park and headed for the first hill. The first hill took runners up to the Allegheny Observatory at the top of the hill, which is still used by the University of Pittsburgh. After a quick loop around the Observatory, back down the hill quickly. After that, the course dropped into a pretty steep downhill portion which lasted about a half-mile or so. The course then smoothed out as you headed toward the end of mile 2. What came next was to say the least tough. Mile 2 through 3 was a rather intense uphill run. The entire mile was winding back up to the finish line and when I say that it is one of the tougher uphill miles I have ever done, I am not exaggerating.

Good on-course water support and post-race refreshments included fruit, water and Gatorade. The race was $10 to enter and a tee-shirt was included which makes this race a real bargain! One recommendation would be to have on-course mile markers and perhaps volunteers calling pace splits at the miles.

Finished the race in 25:24 or 8:11/miles. Though a bit slower than some other paces this year, given the course and the fact that, heck I was on vacation, I’ll take it.

As runners, we face a lot of potential injuries if we don’t prepare correctly. You could hurt your foot if you run in new sneakers you have never run in before or perhaps twist a knee and do some ligament or tendon damage. Imagine tripping while out there racing and falling to scrape your hands and knees, ouch! But perhaps an injury that so many of us never prepare well enough for can now be solved. My friends, I am talking about bloody nipples.

I’ll never forget after finishing my first half-marathon (Covered Bridges Half-Marathon in Vermont) crossing the finish line with this great sense of pride and burning sensation then looking down to see my singlet with two large bloody circles. Makes for absolutely breathtaking finish line photos!

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On this Memorial Day as I have done for several years previously, I made my way to West Bridgewater, Massachusetts to take part in the 9th Annual Christopher’s Run 5k. This is an amazingly well organized race with all of the proceeds going to the American Diabetes Association.

The race has some amazing organization behind it and the race director Frank Nelson teams up with the Colonial Road Runners to make this race an annual must-do race. This year’s race was announced to be the largest field they have ever had.

Hot and humid out there for today’s 5k but I felt really good while out on the course. One water stop at the halfway mark but fortunately some nice residents along the course get the hose going along the course, as well. For the most part the course is flat with a couple of small hills mixed into the race but as you progress through the residential neighborhoods you really can pick up some pretty good speed.

I finished the 9th Annual Christopher’s Run 5k in 23:03 or 7:26/mile.

Congratulations to Mrs. The Running Griffin!

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that Mrs. The Running Griffin completed the 5k race today, as well. What’s the big deal, you might ask? Well, she is almost 6 months pregnant and is still kicking the asphalt and doing really well. Though she might get down and mention, “My time is a little off from before I was pregnant,” it can pretty much be established as fact that if I was 6 months pregnant I probably would be home on the couch eating Ben & Jerry’s rather than running a 5k road race. And despite pre-race fears, she was not even near the last runner to come in! Way to go, I love you!