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.

Join me at the Bamboozled IPA Pre-Game 5K

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The Bamboozled IPA Pre-Game 5K was conceived by a group of friends who share a love of running, beer and football, while sitting around the taproom at Barrel House Z sampling the Bamboozled IPA in November, 2017. The idea was to create a race on the morning of The Superbowl to fill the void during the long wait for the game to begin. Thus the Pre-Game 5K, the only race held on the South Shore on Superbowl Sunday, was born. There was no turning back once they toasted to it and were committed to getting it done. The lesson learned is never to make serious commitments while drinking good beer.

The fast and friendly 5K course was designed by Fitz and Michelle of New England Runner Magazine. Because it’s a new course, the group decided to limit registration to 300 entrants in the first year. It begins and finishes directly in front of Barrel House Z, which was a serious consideration in order to provide warmth to the runners before and after the race. They are also planning to install outdoor heaters and a firepit near the start line. The registration fee was minimized so that it’s one of the lowest priced races in the area. On-line registration will close on Friday, Feb 2nd at midnight and there will be no late registration. Packet pickup will be available on Feb 3rd at Marathon Sports in Norwell from 11-2 and at Barrel House Z from 3-6.

Following the race, participants and volunteers will retire to the taproom for an awards ceremony featuring custom BHZ tap handles to the winners, Marathon Sports gift certificates to overall and age group winners and a Craft Beer Cellar gift card to the runner wearing the best football themed costume. The post race celebration will feature a free Bamboozled IPA from BHZ and a soft shell pulled pork taco from The Sarcastic Swine for all participants. They’ll also be offering a full beer selection of beer and BBQ to enjoy at the celebration or to carry out for the game.

So, get out and run and have some fun at the Bamboozled IPA Pre-Game 5K. For information go to: www.pre-game5k.com

See you at the starting line!

Frozen 5K Lives Up to Its Name

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Word to the wise: When looking for a January road race in New England see if you can find one called the Warm and Balmy Winter 5K in the hopes that a warm spell will grace you at the starting line and the race will live up to its name.

For those brave runners who made their way to Quincy, Massachusetts this morning for the Frozen 5K, we can all attest to the fact that the race certainly lived up to its name. With race time temperatures just shy of zero and wind chills much colder than that it was a challenge, to say the least, to toe the starting line and head out on the course. Thankfully, the race was a 5K and would be over in a short period of time which was just about the only solace you could find when racing in such extreme cold.

Before making it a few hundred yards past the starting line, my fingers were frozen despite two pairs of gloves and the face covering proved to be a unique obstacle to normal breathing. When I took the face mask down half-way into the race, it then froze and breathing without it was even more of a challenge so the icicle covered mask went back on. Today was a day for layers, more layers and a few more layers but no matter how many shirts or pants you had on, it was freezing!

The course was an out and back run complete with some pretty nice climbing mixed into the course throughout. The course was free from snow and ice on the pavement and a coned off lane provided runners a path free from traffic. A huge amount of gratitude goes out to the Quincy Police Department who had the race course covered perfectly and the officers deserve a lot of praise for also braving the elements so us runners could race in such extreme cold.

Proceeds from the Frozen 5K Road Race benefit the YMCA’s Annual Campaign, helping to fund financial assistance to ensure Y membership, programs and services remain accessible to all.

I finished the Frozen 5K with a time of 25:16, good for 8:08/miles. Not a bad result for the tough running conditions! Once I thaw out completely I might start looking for some warm weather races just to begin to erase the chill of this morning’s run from my memory!

 

BASK/FOP Lodge #28 6th Annual New Year’s Day Frozen Five Mile Run

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The time for New Year’s resolutions is right around the corner therefore don’t delay starting 2018 off on the right foot and register for the BASK/FOP Lodge #28 6th Annual New Year’s Day Frozen Five Mile Run. I have participated in this annual tradition for a couple years and the race is one you won’t want to miss!

This year MAFOP Lodge #28 is proud to turn this event over to BASK!!! BASK is a 501c3 non-profit service dog foundation that provides and supports specially trained assistance dogs to enhance mobility and independence through K9 partnership. This organization provides service K9s to our military veterans free of charge. We welcome walkers to bring their well-mannered, leashed dogs for this event. Registration includes a post run/walk breakfast that is a great way to warm up and refuel.

The run/walk will begin at 9 AM and the run course is a 5 mile loop while the walk course is one mile out with a turn around and a one mile return. Registration tables will be open at 7:30 AM.

Participants will find plenty of on-site parking available and indoor facilities. The race takes place snow, rain or shine and the warm, post-run breakfast is included with all entries. Trophies are available for top finishers and all race participants will receive a 23 oz. soup mug engraved with the BASK logo!

To register for this race, please click here.