I wish more races started at 9AM!

9AM races are just about the ideal time as it is never too hot and the day is not completely over by the time the race is complete. Holding off on races until noontime is often times a necessary task, but when you are able to get a 5k in at 9AM, life is good.

Today I headed down to Hanover, MA to run in the Friends of Julie 5k. The race started out with a jam-packed starting line and for a first annual race, having close to 400 runners and walkers is success in any race director’s book. The course went out through a rather residential area and the 5k loop had some pretty good rolling hills mixed in. From the 1.5 mile mark to about the 2 mile mark you were gradually climbing up the rolling hills. The final mile or so was relatively flat and as you made your way to the finish line the crowds grew pretty large and enthusiastic.

I finished the race in 23:31 or 7:34/miles which was good enough to place 26th overall and 2nd in my age division of 20-29. A post race award ceremony took place and the 2nd place in the age division was good enough to take home a trophy today!

About Friends of Julie

Friends of Julie is a non-profit organization that strives to offer memory making experiences to families who are faced with the realities of a late stage cancer diagnosis.

The cost of treating cancer is in the billions and expected to rise even further in the coming years. Many late stage patients cannot continue to work or earn an income – financial resources are generally depleted by the cost of treatment. From diagnosis, through grueling treatments, to the large emotional and physical toll ̶ the whole family is affected.

For late stage patients, the value of the gift of quality time with those that you love, away from the world of cancer, cannot be underestimated.

Friends of Julie was started by Mark and Julie Porzio after Julie was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. They quickly realized how valuable time was with their family and wanted to give that gift to other, less fortunate cancer patients. A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever.

Yesterday I took place in the Holyoke Police Foot Pursuit 3.5 Mile Race which started and finished at the Holyoke Elks Lodge 902. The race takes you out along the packed stone and dirt path along Ashley Reservoir therefore, for the most part, the race is pretty flat except for a slight uphill finish the last half-mile.

The organization of the race was extremely well done from start to finish and about 350 runners made their way out for this inaugural race. After the national anthem was sung, a Holyoke police officer in a cruiser parked at the starting line made a call to police dispatch advising that the Holyoke Police Department was in pursuit of 350 runners who thought they could outrun the HPD. After permission to chase was granted, an officer fired off some shots to start of the race. Runners headed out along the 3.5 mile course and any runner that crossed the finish line before the first Holyoke police officer that did received a special medal.

There were different law enforcement teams that ran the race and a police academy class that ran together in police academy fashion was a nice touch to the race.

The race shirts were extremely creative for this race complete with a running pig logo on the front and a badge with all the race sponsors listed within it on the back.

I completed the Holyoke Police Foot Pursuit 3.5 Mile Race in 26:57 or 7:42/mile.

Today was the 28th anniversary of the James Joyce Ramble. The James Joyce Ramble starts off at The Endicott Estate in Dedham, MA and runs throughout Dedham for a 10k course.

The course has some pretty difficult uphills, especially as you make your way through the campus of the prestigious Noble & Greenough School.

What makes this race a really great race is that along the entire course there are folks dressed up in period clothing reading from James Joyce novels. Perhaps it could be a passage from Ulysses you hear at one turn or some words from Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man at the next, but having folks reading as you race by is really a unique thing.

The weather today was perfect for a race and finishing back at The Endicott Estate there was plenty of vendors to check out and food/drink to enjoy. A UFO from Harpoon Brewery tasted really good after the 10k race today.

Finished the 10k James Joyce Ramble today with a chip time of 52:14 or 8:25/miles.

The Thirsty Irish Runners are bringing back the Dedham Four on the Fourth this year. The race will take place on the 4th of July and starts at 9AM which provides you with plenty of time post-race for the family cookouts and fireworks. With a low pre-registration fee of $20.00 and cash prizes awarded, this race is going to be one you won’t want to miss. A post-race BBQ will also be available!

All proceeds from this race will be donated to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

PDF Race Application

Active.com Race Registration

No I didn’t run into the white Canadian reggae music phenomenon of the 90’s best known for his song Informer. Rather, this Easter weekend it actually was snowing in Greenfield, MA.

This Saturday was the NELCWIT 5K Race Against Violence and the weather was a bit out of the ordinary for a late April race. Heavy rain mixed with snow and hail was the weather in store for this chilly Saturday race and the weather did not let up for the entire race. The race started at the YMCA in Greenfield and took you out of the downtown Greenfield area through a relatively residential neighborhood. Some tough terrain through a dirt access road near a pond made for some pretty interesting Easter hops over some puddles but once through this stretch the race finished on a predominantly downhill terrain heading back toward the YMCA. After a quick little up-hill in front of the courthouse and then onto the sidewalk at mile 3, a quick sprint to the finish ended of the race.

Final time was 24:23 which is 7:50/miles.

After such a cold and rainy race, coffee was much needed. Thanks to Greenfield Coffee for doing the trick!

About NELCWIT:

Since 1976, NELCWIT has been working to build safety, justice, and dignity for all.  Serving Franklin County and the North Quabbin region of western Massachusetts, we offer safety planning, advocacy, and support to anyone who has survived domestic or sexual abuse, and prevention education for our community, especially area youth. We are now 35 years old! Since 1976, our programs have helped over 14,000 women, children, and men.