The Frosty Five in Mansfield, MA

On December 11, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Frosty Five in Mansfield, Massachusetts has a way of living up to its name. Sponsored by Marathon Sports, the Frosty Five is a great 5K race that benefits the Mansfield High School Cross Country teams. The race time temperatures were downright cold and a steady wind really helped add some added chill to the air before runners made their way off of the starting line.

The race takes place in an office park for the most part and the course is quite flat. The very slight decline and incline mixed into the race is barely noticeable however comes about midway into the out-and-back course. Adding to the run was a flock of wild turkeys alongside the road curiously starting at all the crazies running by in such cold temperatures. A water stop was present at the half-way turning point. Huge kudos go out to the Mansfield Police Department who meticulously patrolled the course ensuring runners’ safety at the handful of intersections mixed into the course.

Prior to race time I checked how my time looked from the last time I did this race while trying to stay warm inside our vehicle and when I saw how well I did I thought to myself, “Not sure I’ll be beating that time today.” However, once out on the course I felt quite good and the running legs felt strong and loose. I actually did beat my course record for this race and finished with a time of 22:16, good for 7:10/miles.

Tiger Turkey Chase in Easton, Massachusetts

On November 28, 2014 By The Running Griffin2 Comments

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday presented New England with a cold and crisp Thanksgiving Day with some parts of Massachusetts receiving several inches of snow and icy conditions. The South Shore received merely a dusting that coated the grass but heavy rains led to some slick streets and black ice on corners. Yesterday morning, I made my way to Oliver Ames High School located in Easton, Massachusetts for the Tiger Turkey Chase to ensure prior to Operation Eat as Much Food as Possible I actually was able to get some caloric burn in.

The Tiger Turkey Chase is a 5 mile run and the cold temperatures didn’t keep any runners away as the crowd was an impressive showing for Thanksgiving morning. The race started right at 8AM and at race time most of the black ice had meted as the sun just started to warm things up a little bit but some crosswalks and corners still needed a bit of care taken when crossing over them.

The course for the Tiger Turkey Chase starts and finishes at Oliver Ames High School and makes its way through the neighborhoods abutting the school. The course was quite noticeably hilly with what seemed to be most of the hills going in the upward direction than downward. Right at the 4.5 mile mark there is a dramatically sharp incline as you make your way back into the school grounds that as you make your way up only makes you realize how much better that pumpkin pie is going to taste later on in the day.

The race course was nicely staffed by high school students and other volunteers keeping each turn marked and ensuring runners were kept safe. A water stop was available at the midway point.

Making my way into the finish line, a nice crowd of supporters was at the finish line cheering each runner into the chute and adding to the race atmosphere. I finished the Tiger Turkey Chase with a time of 38:48, good for 7:46/miles. The race was a great way to kick off a nice Thanksgiving and is one I would gladly recommend for future years.

The Tiger Turkey Chase benefits the Oliver Ames High School Cross Country teams.

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.