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.

Sign Up for the 4th Annual Gobble Wobble for SMILE Mass

On October 7, 2015 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Gobble Wobble for SMILE Mass. The race will be held on on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Click here to register. Read more below about a discount code for our readers!

This wonderful event offers a kids fun run, a 5k event, and a 10k event, and welcomes athletes of all abilities and encourages strollers, and especially special needs “Ambassadors” and “Captains”. (Please visit http://www.smilemass.org/race-team.html for more information) All races take place at the Curtis Middle School, 22 Pratts Mill Road in Sudbury Mass.

Proceeds from this event benefit the beach wheelchair project and the SMILE Mass equipment loaner program. Over the past four summers, SMILE Mass has donated 100 floating beach wheelchairs to public beaches on across Massachusetts, with the majority located on Cape Cod. In addition to the beach wheelchairs around the state, SMILE Mass has an equipment loaner program. SMILE Mass has floating beach wheelchairs that can be borrowed at no charge, to be used at any beach. They also have two adapted tricycles in the loaner program along with several jogging strollers and a kick sled. SMILE Mass will be increasing this loaner program, and adding additional equipment.

Participants registered by November 1st are guaranteed a tee shirt. There will be awards given across several age groups in both the 5k and the 10k. Registration fees are $30.00 for the 5k and $35.00 for the 10K (plus processing fees).

For more information about SMILE Mass, please “Like” them on Facebook by clicking here. To register for the 4th Annual Gobble Wobble, please click here. Use the code “runningclub” at checkout and save 20% off your registration fee!

Register for the Sharon Cross Country Music 3K

On October 6, 2015October 6, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the Sharon Cross Country Music 3K road race. This race, to be held on Sunday, October 25th at sundown, is one race you are not going to want to miss!

The cross country course traverses the trail through historic Deborah Sampson Park in Sharon. Deborah Sampson, an American Revolutionary War hero, enrolled in The Continental Army in 1782 and served for the Light Infantry Company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment. She is one of a very small number of women with a documented record of combat experience during the Revolution. She died in 1827 and is laid to rest in Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon.

The course is fast, flat and tight in some spots. It is a trail race, so there are possibilities of roots and rocks along portions of the course. The race will be run at dusk so it is recommended that participants use a headlamp or running light. There will be lights along the course to help illuminate the path, but a running light is recommended for the darker sections of the trail. The race will be run in three waves. Kids (0-19) will run at 5:00PM. Women (20 and over) will run at approximately 5:20PM and Men (20 and over) will run at approximately 5:40PM. Sunset is at 5:47PM. The first 100 registered runners will receive a race T-Shirt.

It’s always great to support a local race that supports runners! Proceeds from this event will benefit the Cross Country and Track Programs at Sharon High School in Sharon, Massachusetts. Be sure to check out the race website by clicking here and register online today!

You can also RSVP for this race on Facebook by clicking here.

Country Heals 5 Miler: Running for Cailin

On September 28, 2015September 27, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

On Sunday, we packed up the SUV and took the kids and babysitter down to Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Massachusetts so we could take part in the Country Heals 5 Miler. Though it was a crisp 34 degrees when we left home, by the time the race kicked off the sun helped warm up the fall air and made for a beautiful run through the State Park on some great paths that featured a good mix of flat stretches and both up and downhill sections. On the race course, country musicians were mixed into the course and played tunes as runners made their way by.

Many of my readers know about our personal connection to Tufts Medical Center and The Floating Hospital for Children. Beth Ann was admitted to Tufts Medical Center when she was 25 weeks pregnant with severe preeclampsia. After spending 7 weeks in the hospital with my 3 year old daughter Caroline and I at home, Beth Ann ended up delivering our daughter Cailin at 33 weeks. Cailin weighed 2 pounds 13 ounces and required the services and amazing care of the NICU at Floating Hospital. Cailin then spent 5 weeks in the NICU until she beefed up to 4 pounds. Without the dedicated doctors and nurses at Tufts Medical Center and The Floating Hospital for Children our family could look quite different today and ever since this experience we have looked for ways to give back including running the Boston Marathon and this race.

My parents joined us in Hingham today and took part in the 3 mile walk. The kids were able to hang with the babysitter and hit up the bouncy obstacle course, obtained balloon animals and were able to snack free samples that were being handed out.

At the end of the race, runners were able to enjoy a huge cookout and live country music including the up-and-coming country artist Chase Bryant and other acts. With the sun shining down, it made for a great event and a boatload of money was raised for Tufts Medical Center and The Floating Hospital for Children!

The timing may have been a little bit off for some runners but my official time was 39:46, good for 7:57/miles in the five mile race.

This is definitely a race that we will be back at in future years either as a runner or as a volunteer. If you’d like to make a post-race donation to Mrs. Running Griffin’s page, please feel free to do so by clicking here.

Bridgewater Police Department 5K

On September 27, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Yesterday morning was the 2nd Annual Bridgewater Police Department 5K. Even though I am biased since I live in Bridgewater, this race is one of the best 5K races around!

At 8:30 AM the kids 1 mile fun run takes place and our seven year-old daughter tackled the race with an awesome time of 10:17. As a proud dad, I’ll also boast she also scored a hat trick at soccer later in the afternoon!

The 5K race started right at 9AM and the course takes runners away from the police station and on a 3.1 mile loop course of Bridgewater. The Bridgewater Police Department does a great job patrolling the course particularly as runners make their way around the Central Square historic common in downtown Bridgewater. Right past the two mile marker the course takes a gradually uphill path up Cottage Street and then up Fremont Street before making the final sprint into the finish line located at the police station.

Runners all receive a finisher’s medal and the tee-shirts for the race are technical shirts and include a police badge logo and a listing of sponsors including The Running Griffin!

I finished the Bridgewater Police Department 5K with a time of 23:40, good for 7:37/miles.

Be sure to look for next year’s listing for the Bridgewater Police Department 5K; this is a race you definitely want to add to your racing calendar!

Fall Classic 5K in Cambridge, Massachusetts

On September 21, 2015 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

Yesterday it was off to Cambridge, Massachusetts for the Fall Classic 5k. This race is part of a series of runs that feature the same 5k route for running followed by one of the better post-race block parties you can find around the area.

For teams that are able to register 20 or more runners, a VIP tent inclusive of some great Jack’s Abby beer was made available and there were at least 20 VIP tents present showing just how well organized and attended the race series is. The course is a notably flat route through Cambridge where runners pass bystanders, restaurants, tourists, motorists and even a dude waving a Bernie Sanders for President sign cheering, “You can catch the person in the lead.” Fitting, for sure.

The race is rather packed along the way and makes for some nice running with friends. The first mile was in the sun but then after making a left hand turn about half-way through a rather shade-lined roadway made for some better running conditions. There is a water stop at the half-way point of the race.

I finished the Cambridge Fall Classic 5k with a time of 23:56, good for 7:42/miles. A great day of running followed by some nice time spent with friends while enjoying a cold, craft beer. I’ll call that an excellent running day any day of the week!