Our hectic kids’ soccer schedule (which I wouldn’t trade for the world) has certainly slowed down the number of road races we are able to run however yesterday the soccer calendar called for a 3PM game so we were able to make our way to Norwood for the Run for a Vet Five Mile race. This race also happened to be our running club (Thirsty Irish Runners) Grand Prix race for the month of May so it was great to see so many familiar faces at the starting line.

The race kicked off at 10AM after a few speeches by some veterans, the national anthem performed by a local high school band and an introduction to the non-profit organization 22 Mohawks.

It was sneakily warm as the race kicked off as runners made their way down a nice downhill stretch before some of the real climbing began. The course was part of the same route as the Norwood Turkey Trot but then went off on its own course. The course was very well marshaled by police and volunteers alike and there were more than a few hills mixed into the run which made for some pretty decent climbing along the way. With the heat, the one water stop on the course came in handy but after climbing toward the Mile 4 marker an extra water stop really could have been used.

I cruised into the finish line feeling pretty good along the way and finished with a time of 45:18, good for 9:04/miles. Not too shabby given the warm weather and the hills and overall a result to be relatively pleased with.

Not to sound all Forrest Gump on you, but the weather in New England is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get!

Yesterday morning it was off to Rochester, Massachusetts for the Frosty Runner 10.5 Mile Road Race. Though the race has the name “frosty” in it and is held at the end of January yesterday’s race conditions were nothing short of perfect for a late January race. The temperature was in the mid 40’s to low 50’s for the race and there was not a touch of snow or ice on the course to contend with. There was an interesting wind at certain points of the race but all in all it was a great morning for a run!

I’ve been getting four or five milers in lately but a 10.5 mile race was a bit aggressive but I felt pretty good out on the course for the most part. This was probably one of my longer runs since running the virtual 2020 Providence Marathon in the midst of the COVID outbreak so it felt great to get out there and challenge myself for a longer run. I’ve been keeping active running and rocking the Peloton and the gym but pounding the pavement for 10.5 miles was a nice challenge and now I’m looking forward to some more longer runs soon.

The course for the Frosty Runner 10.5 Mile Road Race was a really nice stretch of roads through Rochester. There was a good balance of flat stretches and some rolling hills and a few moderate hills mixed in for good measure. The course took runners past some ponds and farm lands and there certainly was a rural feel to most of the run. Though the roads were open to traffic, runners ran into traffic and drivers were courteous and trickier intersections were manned by police officers from the Rochester Police Department. There were three water stops on the course which during normal years probably would have been fine but yesterday’s warmer temps (relatively) had me jonesing for one extra water stop to be mixed in somewhere. That said, I drank plenty of water post-run and the race organizers had snacks inside complete with some sandwich wraps, fruit, chips and more.

I went out with the mindset of putting one foot in front of the other and running a good race overall. Largely, I stuck to the plan and in the final two miles certainly felt myself getting more sore so dropped the pace some and kept focus on breathing and moving. I finished the Frosty Runner 10.5 Mile Road Race with a time of 1:43:00, good for 9:49/miles. Could have been better, could have been worse but happy to be back out there and finish up a good, long run!

Nothing like a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot to give you all the more reason to crush an extra piece of pie (or two). Who cares if it was a 5K? You’ve earned that pie as far as I’m concerned.

Yesterday morning it was down to Fairhaven, Massachusetts with Mrs. Running Griffin for the Fairhaven Turkey Trot. I was signed up to run this race last year but spent Thanksgiving last year in COVID quarantine so wanted to sign back up for the run and tackle the race this Thanksgiving morning. The race kicks off bright and early at 8AM and the race is a fundraiser for the Shepherd’s Pantry food pantry and since 2010 has raised more than $80K for food pantries and has donated thousands of pounds of food donated by runners pre-race.

The race started right on time at Cushman Park and the first mile of the run takes runners toward the historic Fort Phoenix, an American Revolutionary War era fort right on the Fairhaven waterfront. After running past the Fort, it was back down a residential street with some amazing homes before heading onto Main Street in Fairhaven. There was a nice contingent of folks out on the course cheering runners along and a water stop was present about halfway through the run. A few final stretches through some residential roads were tackled before runners made our way onto a track for a final 3/4 loop around the track before hitting the finish line.

The race was timed but results were not officially reported but my watch showed a finishing time of 24:05, good for 7:46/miles. Quite happy with this pace and this course was a good mix of flats and a few residential rollers mixed in for good measure. All in all a great morning of running; hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, as well!

Yesterday morning it was off to Hingham, Massachusetts for the South Elementary School 5K hosted at Bare Cove Park. The race was a fundraiser for the school’s PTO and a perfect fall morning greeted runners at the time of the race with a crispness in the air that felt very much how a race should in November.

The 5K race started right on time at 9AM and we made our way out onto the course which for was a nice mix of some paved sections and some trail sections that reminded me of my senior year in high school stint on the cross-country team. There’s something about running some trails in the fall that is special and though my pace generally slows on the trails to ensure I don’t trip and knock my teeth out (no one wants a missing tooth right before Thanksgiving) I didn’t mind dialing back the pace a bit and enjoying the run on the mixed terrain. There were some nice hills mixed into the course and a couple quick hill sprints around turns; like the one that you bolted up as you made your way to the water stop just past the two mile mark.

I’ve never been to Bare Cove Park before but definitely would look to head back at some point as there were additional trails and paths that were not part of the race that looked great for a run or a family walk/hike with the dog.

I finished the race with a time of 26:05 good for 8:24/miles. Good running and a great course!

Sunday morning it was over to the small town of Hanson, Massachusetts for Damien’s Freaky 5K. This race is held at the local watering hole Damien’s Pub and featured runners of all speeds and qualifications and a nice crowd graced the streets of Hanson on what was an absolutely gorgeous fall morning.

Mrs. Running Griffin and I were both able to toe the starting line in between soccer practices and games thanks to a few family and friends providing rides to different locations. At the starting line it was good to bump into some friendly faces from the Thirsty Irish Runners and several runners had great costumes on to run the race in which added some good laughs.

I really enjoyed the course for Damien’s Freaky 5K. The course was a good out and back sort of course that took runners down a main road for the first stretch before looping through a residential neighborhood before making its way back onto the main road. There was a good amount of climbing throughout the course and the hills allowed for the legs to work a little harder along the way. Water stops were available along the course and heading back toward the finish line there was a nice crowd of supporters cheering you into the chute.

I finished the race with a time of 24:31, good for 7:54/miles. Some great running and quite happy with that pace! All in all, a great run!