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.

Wampanoag Road Runners Flat 5K

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What a difference a week can make! Last week it was -4F as I raced the Paddy Kelly Road Race in Brockton, Massachusetts and this morning it was in the 50’s as I made my way to Foxboro, Massachusetts for the Wampanoag Road Runners Flat 5K. The Wamps put on this race and the Old Fashioned Ten Miler on the same day and though in the past I have taken part in the Old Fashioned Ten Miler a busy personal calendar today had me sign up for the 5K race instead this year.

The race started about five minutes after the 10 miler did and featured far less runners than the 10 miler does. The 5K race loops through some residential neighborhoods of Foxboro and is a rather flat course as the name suggests. In the second mile some beautiful older homes lined both sides of the race course and made for some nice architecture to look at as we ran along.

The course was well marked with mile markers and volunteers at each turn and a the race schwag included some snacks and Darn Tough socks. This race is a real gem particularly since it is held in February when races can be tough to find. The race organizers lucked out this year with ideal weather and it was a great day for running.

I finished today’s race with a time of 24:35, good for 7:54/miles.

Sport Suds: The Perfect Cleaning Tool for Runners

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You may not want to admit it, but you smell. And your clothes smell. No matter how much you want to deny it, runners are a smelly lot. But that’s okay! Runners should wear the post-run odor with pride because it means you have tackled a race and crossed the finish line. But when the run is over, you want to be able to rid yourself of the funky smells of running. After all, it’s better to carry around a  medal than it is a smelly presence.

Thanks to Sport Suds, runners now have a great solution to ensure a fresh smell for both bodies and workout clothes. Specially designed for sports enthusiasts yet superb for the whole family, the Sport Suds line of high performance cleaning products removes the most extreme dirt and odors to leave you feeling and smelling clean and fresh like never before. Each high-powered cleaner is specially formulated to do one specific job, so we make sure it does its job exceptionally well.

All Sport Suds products are sustainably sourced and made from naturally occurring materials. They make sure the products are readily biodegradable, non-toxic, and septic and grey water safe.

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The Sports Suds laundry detergent does an absolutely fantastic job removing post-workout funk from your running clothes and breaks away odors from technical shirts in a way that other cleaners can’t. Laundry is left fresh and clean smelling and perfect to line-up at the starting line of the next race without carrying the sweat and dirt of the previous race with you.

I have also been highly impressed with the Sports Suds body wash which is a great way to clean off the body after a tough workout. The body wash has a fresh, unscented nature to it and the wash does not leave a soapy film on the body after the shower. The body wash is smooth on the skin and refreshing.

For more information about Sport Suds, please check out their website by clicking here. You can also “like” them on Facebook by clicking here and “follow” them on Twitter.

Running Through Brrrrrockton

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Nothing can be more challenging than the variability of winter time running in New England. The weather the past couple weeks has been rather fickle with some warm days mixed with some brutally chilling days. On Sunday, the arctic air swept into the New England area as I made my way over to Brockton, Massachusetts for the Paddy Kelly Road Race.

The Paddy Kelly is a 5 mile road race organized by the Colonial Road Runners that takes runners on a scenic run through DW Field Park. Due to the adverse conditions of -4 degrees at the starting line (that’s without the windchill), the race directors changed the course slightly to a 4.5 mile race. The race was part of the Grand Prix series for the Thirsty Irish Runners club but due to the rough, below-freezing temperatures no one had to meet their pace goals; just finish.

At the starting line there was a mixture of wanting to bolt into the course just to get it over with coupled with a feeling similar to how the Michelin tire man must feel given all the added layers of clothing not typical of going out for a run. Extra socks, two pairs of gloves, about five shirts. Needless to say, I was feeling bulky.But I was not alone as when the weather takes such a turn for the worse the important thing is to stay safe first and foremost.

I ran with Mrs. Running Griffin for the first mile to make sure neither of us would regret carrying on through the freezing temperatures and it was Valentine’s Day so what better way than celebrate than to run with your favorite running partner?

All runners that started the Paddy Kelly finished the race even with the sub-zero temperatures; a true testament to the hearty nature of New England runners for sure!

 

42nd Annual Great Stew Chase 15K

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This morning it was about an hour north to Lynn, Massachusetts for the 42nd Annual Great Stew Chase 15K race. The Great Stew Chase is billed as the third oldest 15K in the United States and with a winter race you never know what to expect. Today, though, the weather was excellent with a winter chill in the air but sunny conditions out on the course. Only a couple of spots had to be pranced around due to ice or snow and for a winter run you couldn’t have asked for a better day.

The Stew Chase course is a rather challenging route with some real rolling hills mixed into the out and back course. Running through Lynn and Peabody, the race takes place in residential neighborhoods and a section of road in a business park so there is not a ton of traffic to avoid on this open road course. There is a rather remarkable uphill right after the fourth mile that takes quite a toll on the legs.

In running, some days you have it and some days you don’t. Today was definitely not a great running day for me. I’m not sure if it has anything to do with it or not but I gave blood yesterday and felt like I had absolutely no energy in the tank today. I was running okay but just couldn’t build up speed and couldn’t break into my normal cadence. I didn’t feel terrible running, just couldn’t get to a non-marathon pace and couldn’t push it along at all.

The race gets its name thanks to the hot cup of beef stew each runner can get at the finish line. With a low registration cost of just $20 for day-of registration this is a great race to check out next year!

I finished the 9.3 mile Great Stew Chase with a time of 1:28:37 or 9:32/miles. Certainly not my best showing but I’m still glad I logged a 15K today and got some miles on the legs. Hopefully the slower pace is just a fluke and I will be back out there speeding along in no time.

5th Annual Mick Morgan’s St. Patrick’s 5k

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Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Mick Morgan’s St. Patrick’s 5k.

Date: March 19, 2016
Time: 9AM
Location: Mick Morgan’s Irish Pub – Providence Highway, Route 1 South – Sharon, Massachusetts

Runners, walkers & teams welcomed! Beautiful race route, spirited St. Patrick’s Day celebration, fun venue and free, long-sleeve performance tech T-shirts for the first 500 participants.

As the Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) and Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for South Norfolk County in Massachusetts, HESSCO’s mission is to help older adults and individuals living with a disability remain safe and independent at home for as long as possible.

HESSCO contracts with a comprehensive network of health and supportive services to meet consumers’ needs. As a member of the MetroWest Aging and Disability Resource Consortium (ADRC), a partnership among agencies that provides information, support and services to individuals of all ages living with a disability, HESSCO strives to ensure a “no wrong door” experience for all.

Support HESSCO and rally around March for Meals. To learn more about the national March for Meals campaign, click here.

To register for this race, please click here.