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.

Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race

On September 13, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

This morning was a rather overcast and dreary morning but the positive energy coming out of the little town of Abington, Massachusetts was enough to make the day so much brighter. When Jeff Coombs died in the terrorist attacks of September 11th, his wife Christie Coombs decided to honor his memory by starting a foundation in his name and hosting, amongst other events, an annual road race to raise funds for the Jeffrey Coombs Memorial Foundation.

At today’s race were several others impacted by the terrorist attacks against our nation both on September 11th, at the Boston Marathon bombing and defending our freedom across the globe. Notably, Carlos Arrendondo and Bill Richard, father of 8 year old Martin Richard who was killed at the Boston Marathon were present at today’s race and added an emotional element to the run.

Runners were presented with the option of wearing a sticker in memory of someone who lost their life in the terrorist attacks of September 11th or who died in either Afghanistan or Iraq. Given my connection to the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation, I opted to run with Ace’s name on my race bib.

Not a dry eye was at the kickoff of run when 5 year-old Colin Van de Giesen took to the microphone to sign the Star Spangled Banner before the run. Colin’s father Kyle was killed in Iraq two weeks before Colin was born and Colin learned to sing the national anthem when listening to a patriotic CD each night before bed. When Colin finished up his singing of the national anthem, a thunderous round of applause rushed across the crowd that was speechless and quiet when first hearing of Colin’s story and then listening to each flawless note.

The race kicked off first with some US Army soldiers with complete ruck sacks hitting the 3.1 mile course. After they made their way onto the course, it was the the runners’ turn followed by a healthy contingent of walkers out to support this great cause. The race starts with a nice, gradual downhill first mile which means just one thing: a rather gradual uphill second mile. Two water stops are on the course just past miles one and two and the third mile into the finish line is a rather smoothed out flat course. A huge showing for this annual race and the energy each year just gets better and better. The emotion the race brings coupled with the great course and noble cause supported makes this race one that all runners should try to check out at some point.

This year I finished the Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race with a time of 22:39, good for 7:17/miles; a few seconds per mile slower than last year’s run but still a pretty nice time out on the course.

Roller Coaster Race in Agawam, Massachusetts

On September 11, 2015 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

After running in the 2nd Annual Run for Jess on Saturday, it was off to Western Massachusetts to take part in the Roller Coaster Race at Six Flags New England. The Roller Coaster Race is a series of runs across the country that take place at theme parks and allow runners an opportunity to run through the parks and aside monstrous roller coasters and other rides. The Roller Coaster Race at Six Flags New England offered runners a 5k and 10k option and I opted for the 10k option through the park that as a kid was called Riverside and that I spent some of my high school summer days hanging out at.

The race kicked off nice and early at 7:30 AM to beat the rush of park goers looking to wind down the Labor Day weekend with one last theme park hurrah. All runners made their way out of the starting line at the same time since the 10k course was a double loop of the 5k race and ran through a section of the bark and out through the park entrance gates. It was interesting to see the small but gradual inclines mixed into the park’s terrain that became noticeable while running but perhaps not while walking through heading to the next coaster. After running out of the park it was across ramps both up and down and out to a parking lot across the street where theme park customers park for the day. Once through the parking lot it was then into a quick residential loop next to the park before then running into a back-entrance of the park and then past some more roller coasters and other rides and attractions.

Double loops always can be a challenge mentally but I felt pretty good at the half-way mark and continued onto the second loop of the run.

After crossing the finish line, runners were welcomed to a picnic grove area for post-race refreshments and awards. The race was nicely put on and the volunteers did a really nice job making sure everything from registration to the race to the post-race festivities went off without a hitch.

I finished the Roller Coaster Race with a time of 52:49 or 8:30/miles. There are additional Roller Coaster Race events scheduled this year so check out their website by clicking here and visit them on Facebook here.

2nd Annual Run for Jess

On September 6, 2015 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

On Saturday morning it was a quick trip over to the 2nd Annual Run for Jess in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Jessica Thurston was 27 years old when diagnosed with breast cancer, which quickly spread to her brain and liver. She passed away from the disease on 8/30/13 after a tough 2 year battle. All proceeds from this race goes toward the The Jessica C. Thurston Memorial Fund is a 501c3 Charitable Foundation, and with the money raised, they support local charities as well as breast cancer research.

The race course is a great 3.1 mile loop through residential roads of East Bridgewater and the race directors did a nice job moving the starting line up a bit so the race was a true 5K as last year’s race course was a touch longer than 3.1 miles. The race course is a moderately challenging route with a couple nice hills mixed in right around the first mile and then half-way into the race; nothing too terrible but noticeable for sure. Just like at last year’s race, the East Bridgewater Police Department did a nice job patrolling the course and keeping runners safe.

I finished the 2nd Annual Run for Jess with a time of 24:53, good for 8:00/miles. After still dealing with some quad pain from a soccer related injury, I felt good out on the course and was overall pleased with the result. This race is one that definitely could become an annual favorite and the cause it supports couldn’t be better!

Fort Taber 5K

On August 30, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Last night was a beautiful summer night and it was down to New Bedford, Massachusetts for the Fort Taber 5K. This race was co-directed by Charlie Breagy and two-time Boston Marathon winner Geoff Smith and took place right along the gorgeous New Bedford coastline alongside the Atlantic Ocean.

The race started at 6:30 PM as the sun was a little lower in the summer sky and the race time temps were just shy of 80 degrees. The race started off through some residential beach neighborhoods and some nice crowds of locals cheered runners on in the early part of the course. After running past the first mile marker, runners then made an about face and headed toward a bike path alongside the ocean. The salt water air was in full effect as we hit the second mile marker. The last mile of the run was past historic Fort Taber which added a nice, New England running element to the race. I had previously competed in another run at Fort Taber but this course was much better and allowed runners to gain a much better perspective of the fort’s importance situated right on the Atlantic.

After the race, runners were invited to The Pour Farm in downtown New Bedford for a free pint of Buzzards Bay Brewing‘s IPA which hit the spot after the hot evening run. After we had our pint, we crossed the street to the dynamite Mexican restaurant No Problemo for a killer burrito, chips, salsa and guacamole: all key ways to refuel in my book!

I finished the Fort Taber 5K with a time of 24:23, good for a pace of 7:51/mile. As this was the first running of this race, my hunch is that based upon the early success of this race the race will only continue to grow and I look forward to next year’s run.

Race Recap: Hip Hop 10k

On August 22, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

This morning it was over to Easton, Massachusetts to take part in the Hip Hop 10k. This race is a Family Friendly 5K/10K run and 2 mile walk in support of Hip Dysplasia awareness and fundraising. The 10k race kicked off at 9AM which was a nice relief given the humidity at that time was pretty bad and going later into the day has already made it even more sticky. When crossing the finish line I was sweating more than an Ashley Madison account holder!

The 10k race course was a nice challenging run with some rather significant hills mixed into the route. Volunteers did an excellent job directing runners on the course and alerting traffic as to our presence. The much needed water stations on the course provided good relief and were mixed into the race at good times. The course takes runners through rather residential neighborhoods and started and finished at Oliver Ames High School in Easton. A lot of the course was quite similar to the Tiger Turkey Chase I have taken raced in the past.

As you are in the final mile there is a nice uphill climb that really pushes you not slow down before runners intersect with the 5k course and head back toward the high school for the finish line. While coming into the finish there was a band playing some great cover songs and plenty of spectators cheering you into the finish. The race directors did a really nice job organizing the race and there was plenty of water and food to partake in prior to leaving. Several raffles with some big prizes were available inside the cafeteria of the school and vendors setup at the finish line offered samples, massage, chiropractic and more.

I finished the Hip Hop 10k with a time of 51:16 good for a finish pace of 8:15/mile. With the humidity in full effect coupled with some tough quad pain I inflicted upon myself earlier this week playing indoor soccer a good showing at today’s run.

For more information about the work the Hip Hop 10k supports, check out their website here and be sure to “Like” the race on Facebook so you can plan on running this race next year.