Today was an absolutely perfect day for a run and when a race takes place just down the road from your house even better. And when that race raises funds for a cause that is important to you, talk about a win/win/win!

This morning it was off to the campus of Bridgewater State University for The Well 5K: A Run for Hope and Healing. It was the inaugural year for the run which went off without a hitch and seemed like they had been doing this race for years. The sun was shining and a nice contingent of runners and walkers toed the starting line and made our way out onto the course which largely stayed on the grounds of Bridgewater State University except for a quick stretch on an adjacent street.

The first mile of the race featured a nice chunk of climbing up a very appropriately named Great Hill Drive. This hill is on my regular running routes so I knew exactly what to expect and crested the top of the climb feeling pretty good. After reaching the top, it was then downhill toward the MBTA Commuter Rail stop and back through the BSU campus; a water stop was just at the bottom of the downhill stretch which came in handy today. A couple of other sneaky hills mixed into Mile 2 for good measure and then it was back toward the BSU football/soccer stadium as runners finished on a stretch of crushed stone before making a sharp right onto a brief grass stretch heading into the finish line.

Great day of running at The Well 5K and finished with a time of 24:51, good for an 8:01/mile pace.

Funds raised from this race will benefit The Well. With two locations in Bridgewater, Massachusetts and one in East Bridgewater, The Well offers holistic services, programs and events that address the needs of the mind, body, and spirit while exploring the interconnectedness of all three. To learn more about the amazing services offered by The Well, please visit their website by clicking here.

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This past weekend it was off to the coastal community of Marshfield, Massachusetts for the Beach and Back Half-Marathon. Though I keep pounding the pavement with good regularity, this was going to be one of my longer runs in quite some time so I was excited to stretch the boundaries some and tackle a half-marathon.

Shoutout to the race for giving out a hooded sweatshirt as the race swag for the half-marathon. A nice addition to the post-run wardrobe rather than another tee-shirt!

Mrs. Running Griffin decided to run together for the race to keep each other company, be able to push each other at the right times and catch up while out on the run. The weather the morning of the run was overcast and temps were not too cool and not too hot; it could be argued that these were some pretty awesome running conditions for a half-marathon.

The race kicked off a bit behind schedule but then once out on the course the half-marathon was a great run. The course wound throughout Marshfield and had some nice residential stretches, some waterfront runs and a good hilly section mixed in right around the halfway point of the run. There was plenty of water out on the course and each mile was marked. Because the half-marathon went through some residential neighborhoods, local residents were out cheering on the race course at certain spots along the way.

The Beach and Back Half-Marathon was a nice race and I would definitely recommend running it if you are looking for a half-marathon next year. Mrs. Running Griffin and I finished the race with a time of 2:22:45, good for 10:53/miles.

Mission MSA will be running three in-person half day community walks between September 22nd – October 5th. We’re looking to create a planning committee for each location to help our vision come to life and bring hope and awareness to Mission MSA’s work and those affected by MSA. This fundraising walk will bring our MSA community together across the country for a half day of togetherness and connection and bring in contributions for a good cause.

We want to be sure to involve our MSA community as much as possible, and we’re looking for people interested in partnering with the Mission MSA Staff to plan, organize, and execute our 5k walks. If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, please look at our opportunities to participate below!

Location and Dates:

• San Diego – September 22, 2024
• Dallas – September 29, 2024
• Chicago – October 5, 2024

Time Commitment: On average, 3-4 hours per month with the majority of the work a month prior to the event.Committee Roles and Responsibilities:

• Site-Specific Team Volunteer Lead: As the Site-Specific Team Volunteer Lead, you’ll serve as the primary point of contact for on-site planning alongside Mission MSA staff. Your role involves managing logistics for day-of support, fostering engagement, promoting participation within the MSA Community, and igniting enthusiasm for our cause. If you’re passionate about raising awareness for MSA and skilled in coordinating events, this role is perfect for you. Additionally, you’ll provide essential support for financial aspects related to the event.
• Co-Lead: As a Co-Lead, you’ll work closely with other members of the planning committee to ensure the success of our community walks. Your role involves collaborating on various tasks, sharing responsibilities, and offering support wherever needed. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy contributing to a meaningful cause, this position is ideal for you.
• Sponsorship Lead: Are you well-connected within your local community and skilled at initiating conversations about potential partnerships? As the Sponsorship Lead, you’ll leverage your network to secure sponsorships and partnerships for our event. Your role is crucial in helping us fundraise effectively and ensure the success of our mission. If you’re enthusiastic about building relationships and passionate about supporting our cause, this role is a perfect fit.
• Silent Auction Lead: As the Silent Auction Lead on the committee, you will oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of the silent auction portion of our community walks. Your role is instrumental in securing valuable auction items, maximizing fundraising opportunities, and ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for participants. If you have a knack for organization, excellent communication skills, and a passion for fundraising, this role offers a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

If you are interested in volunteering, please click here.