Norwood Turkey Trot

On November 23, 2014 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

Last night we rocked out to a cover band, had a couple of Guinness and stayed out later than we normally do thanks to the in-laws keeping the kids for a sleepover. This morning there was a little dusting off of the cobwebs as we made our way to Norwood for the Turkey Trot but once we arrived we both felt good to go and ready to run. Which was too bad since we showed up thinking the race started at 10AM when it in fact started at 11AM. We could have gone to breakfast…

Alas, we made a good decision to forgo corned beef hash and eggs and instead stuck around for the race. The Norwood Turkey Trot was a Thirsty Irish Runners Grand Prix race so a see of green flocked to Norwood High School for the race. Thanks to Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation for the pre-race stretching which helped loosen up the old dance muscles!

The Norwood Turkey Trot is a four mile race that takes runners through residential neighborhoods of Norwood. Runners start and finish at Norwood High School and this year there were over 700 runners who hit the starting line for the run. The race course is staffed by volunteers and members of the Norwood High School football team; the race benefits the Norwood Boosters Club.

The first mile of the course has a nice down hill stretch which reminds you just how bad the uphill finish is going to be. The last mile of the race is a dramatic uphill run that is difficult to say the least. I felt pretty strong throughout the run but that hill has a way of impacting even the strongest of runners.

I finished today’s Norwood Turkey Trot with a time of 30:09 which is equates to 7:34/minutes. The weather was perfect, the running was great and an all around good race day leading into the Thanksgiving holiday!

Myles Standish Marathon Relay

On November 18, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

It was an absolutely frigid November day on Sunday as I made my way down to Plymouth, Massachusetts for the Myles Standish Marathon Relay. The Thirsty Irish Runners sent a contingent of seven teams down to Plymouth to partake in the festivities, camaraderie and, oh yeah, running.

The Myles Standish Marathon Relay is part of the main marathon event and takes place on the same course the marathoners hit for their 26.2 mile jaunt through Plymouth. The course takes runners through Myles Standish State Forest and onto the roads of Plymouth. What everyone who either does the full marathon or relay can agree upon is “Wow, is that a hilly course.”

The race has runners tackling rolling hills throughout the race and the course is certainly not for the faint of heart. The team that I captained for the marathon relay was the top TIR team and the group of four other runners that made up my team focused on both having fun, chatting it up and busting the paces of the other TIR teams.

Marathon relays are a whole lot of fun and running with a great group of friends makes a relay even better. Thanks to all the TIR teams for making it a good day; I look forward to next year’s Myles Standish Marathon Relay!

Support the Kickstarter Campaign for Budstraps

On November 17, 2014November 17, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Runners are one of the most tight-knit communities I have ever encountered. We support one another, support charities that are near and dear to each of us and support businesses that aim to bring joy to the sport of running. The Running Griffin is proud to announce its support of a new and innovative running accessory called Budstraps.

To learn more about Budstraps, check out their Kickstarter video by clicking here. You can support Budstraps and score some Budstraps schwag through their Kickstarter campaign by clicking here.

The Sgt. Daniel Vasselian Memorial 5K

On November 11, 2014 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

Having a lot of extra vacation time to use up before the end of the year, it’s always nice to be able to take a day off, unwind a little bit and maybe get a run in. Today afforded me the opportunity to take a day off from work and head over to Abington, Massachusetts to take part in The Sgt. Daniel Vasselian Memorial 5K.

Sgt. Vasselian’s family decided to host this first annual run to pay tribute to all of the veterans who have served so nobly on behalf of our country. It was touching to see so many veterans in attendance at today’s race.

USMC Sgt. Daniel M. Vasselian was killed in action while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan with Bravo Company 1st Battalion 9th Marines. Sgt Vasselian; known to most as Danny or “V”; brought a light into the world that will never soften. Danny will always be known for his sense of humor, his laugh, kind heart and his ability to find the good in anyone. He brought happiness to everyone he met without realizing the true impact he would leave them with. Despite his gift of bringing humor and a lightheartedness to almost any situation, when it came to his passion in life; he proved to be one of the most fearless and determined Marines that we would ever encounter. He lived his life for his wife, family and friends and he laid down his life; not only for them – but for the freedom of a country that will be forever grateful to him.

The race started and finished directly in front of the Abington Police Department and the crowd of runners was amazing for a first annual race. Prior to the runners taking off on the pavement, Vasselian’s wife Erin and his military comrade Sgt. Aaron Alonso took to the course. Alonso lost both of his legs due to an IED attack while serving in combat.

The course took runners through residential side streets of Abington and twist and turned through some neighborhoods. Once hitting the mile 2 marker, everything changed. Runners made their way into a cemetery and ran past the grave of Sgt. Vasselian where two Marines stood guard. As we ran by, runners blessed themselves, chanted an “Ooo rah” or simply had the same emotions sweep across them that I felt. Though I have never served in the military, the amount of respect that I have for our veterans is endless and running a race on Veterans Day to show my support was a simple way to show that respect.

Coming into the finish line, motorcycles lined the last stretch into the finish and members of the veterans motorcycle club American Infidels stood cheering runners in.

I finished today’s Sgt. Daniel Vasselian Memorial 5k with a time of 22:12, good for 7:08/miles.

The race raised funds for the Danny V Fund and given the success of the race I truly hope this is the first of many races to come.

MA FOP Lodge #28 3rd Annual New Year’s Day Frozen Five Mile Run

On November 2, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the MA FOP Lodge #28 3rd Annual New Year’s Day Frozen Five Mile Run!

Where can you go on a New Year’s Day Morning, take a five mile run, support the Fraternal Order of Police (a charity organization) and have an ALL YOU CAN EAT breakfast afterwards for only $25.00? Come join MA. FOP Lodge #28 for their 2015 3rd Annual Frozen Five Mile Run. Trophy for first place overall Male and Female winner. Awards given to first and second place Male and Female in six (6) different age categories, 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+. Water station and timing provided. T-Shirts will be provided to all PARTICIPANTS. Bring a guest for breakfast at no extra charge!!! (Just not the whole family!!!!)

You can register for this race online by clicking here. I hope to see you there!