Pro-Tec Athletics Joins The Running Griffin

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The Running Griffin would like to welcome our newest sponsor Pro-Tec Athletics.

Pro-Tec Athletics was founded January 1991 in Los Angeles, California and began with one product, the Knee Pro-Tec patellar tendon strap. Owner, and former professional volleyball player, Jeff Rodgers first began selling to the volleyball market. As the company grew, it expanded its product offering and reached out to new markets. The running market became the next frontier and Pro-Tec quickly capitalized on an opportunity manufacturing specialized supports for running injuries.

As an all-around leader for your sports medicine needs for injuries such as iliotibial band syndrome, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, just to name a few, Pro-Tec Athletics is prepared to do what it takes to keep you injury free, “supporting” your active lifestyle.

I have recently started to use Pro-Tec’s product called The Orb. The Orb  provides a multi-directional roll that allows for a focused massage to target areas. The Orb provides a deep tissue massage that:

1) Reduces muscle fatigue and tightness
2) Promotes flexibility
3) Enhances performance

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The Orb provides similar functionality to a foam roller however it allows for a more targeted massage that really allows you to work out the muscles both pre- and post-run. The size of The Orb also allows for greater portability so you can toss it in your running bag and take on the go with you.

If you are a runner, be sure to check out Pro-Tec Athletics for some amazing products that are sure to help you maintain a healthy running lifestyle!

Please be sure to “Like” Pro-Tec Athletics on Facebook by clicking here and follow them on Twitter @ProTecAthletics.

Winter is Here: Walter’s Run in West Roxbury

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ImageThe cold New England air set in this morning as we made our way to West Roxbury, Massachusetts for a great 5K called Walter’s Run. Walter’s Run was the final Grand Prix for the Thirsty Irish Runners and fortunately the race started at 11AM to allow a little bit of warming up to take place.

Walter’s Run starts at the YMCA in West Roxbury and is put on by the Parkway Running Club. In 2004, PRC started Walter’s Run   to honor a very special friend and member, Walter Burgess. Walter passed away suddenly in November 2003 at the age of 40 shortly after having completed the Great Floridian Ironman Triathlon. Walter was an active PRC member, Club Secretary and Newsletter Editor. He was an amazing athlete, forever working out either at the Y, on his bike, or running on the roads. More importantly, Walter was an incredible friend and inspiration. He was always there to run the slower members into the finish line, to organize the marathon long runs or group ski trip, to cheer others on, or to give us a big smile after a training run or race no matter the length.

The Boston Globe Santa fund was one of Walter’s favorite charities that he donated to regularly, even as a child. To more fully demonstrate Walter’s love of community and running, they have expanded the organizations receiving proceeds from Walter’s Run to include the YMCA Reach Out Campaign and a fund to send deserving young runners to running camp using Walter Burgess Scholarships.

The course for this race is a nice 5K loop that takes runners through residential neighborhoods of West Roxbury. Along the way, even with the cold temperatures, some spectators cheered runners along including City Councilor Matt O’Malley and Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley. Between miles 2 and 3 is a monster hill that runners trudge their way up before heading back into another residential neighborhood before hitting a nice downhill finish. Though I have run this race and this hill before, the uphill today took its toll and it was tough getting up the hill with the colder air entering the lungs on each breath in.

Overall, not a bad day of running at Walter’s Run with a finishing time of 24:24 or 7:52/miles. Thanks to all the Thirsty Irish Runners for making it another great year of Grand Prix racing!

“Go The Distance” for Boston

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Please join Bits of Health Inc. and ENERGYbits® in their “Go the Distance” promotion to raise funds for The One Fund established by Thomas Menino, Mayor of Boston and Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts. The One Fund supports those affected by the bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon. To “Go the Distance” with ENERGYbits and The Running Griffin, just enter the promotional code BOSTONSTRONG into the coupon box when you check out at any of our websites including www.energybits.com. This will give you a 10% discount on your purchase and they will donate $26.20 from each bag sold to The One Fund (26.2 miles is the distance of a marathon). We hope you will join us by helping Boston and anyone affected by this tragedy, get back on their feet and be strong again. BOSTON STRONG.

On behalf of the Boston team at Bits of Health Inc. and ENERGYbits® thank you for allowing them to support Boston and those affected by this tragedy. Thanks to your purchase, ENERGYbits will be sharing bits of love with them and with you too. If you have any questions, you can reach out to ENERGYbits at hello@energybits.com, @energybits, http://www.facebook.com/energybits or their Boston office 617-886-5106. Be strong. BostonStrong.

Myles Standard Marathon Relay

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ImageThis morning it was an early ride down to Plymouth, Massachusetts for the Myles Standish Marathon Relay. As part of Team A from the Thirsty Irish Runners three teams Rosie, Fitzy, Jimmy, Jamie and I packed into a car and made our way to Myles Standish State Forest for the starting line. We had already planned our legs and I was up fourth for a 6.0 mile leg that some noted was “probably the most hilly, difficult leg of the course.” Awesome.

My leg started in the Myles Standish State Forest and the first two miles had me climbing up and then running back down rolling hills that just did not quit. As I made my way out of the forest it was then onto another hilly road that led me back toward Route 3 before making a right hand turn into a residential neighborhood that was full of, yes you guessed it, some more hills. After crossing over a main road, I ran toward the mile 19 marker which was outside of the Pine Hills section of Plymouth. A left hand turn then had the last mile of running take me through a dirt road through the woods into the transition point on the back side of Rye Tavern, which is located within Pine Hills.

The last stretch of running within the woods was hands down the best part of my run, and not just because it was the only flat part. Something about running on dirt through the woods really gave an autumn feel to this section of the run.

The course was certainly not for the faint of heart and every single runner had a good chunk of hill work mixed into their leg of the run.

Proud to say that Team A from the Thirsty Irish Runners lived up to the hype and took first place amongst the three TIR teams. I felt really strong on the course today even while climbing all the hills I was tasked with and was proud to pick off some other teams along the way!

Image(Photo Credit: Random person using Anne’s phone)

Register Today for the Hogeye Marathon

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ImageThe Running Griffin is proud to be partnering with the team from Hogeye Marathon and is happy to announce discounted race entries for readers of The Running Griffin.

The Hogeye Marathon, Half-Marathon, Relay and 5K will be held on March 30, 2014 in Fayeteville, Arkansas. This year will be the 38th running of the Hogeye.

The Hogeye Marathon & Relays, Inc. is a non-profit organization. The event is put on by volunteers and has always had the mission to give back to the NW Arkansas community, while promoting healthy lifestyles through running.  In 1977, the first marathon started at the University of Arkansas and went to the small town of Hogeye where it turned around and came back, making the 26.2 miles. The course has since been changed to be more runner-friendly and covers the most scenic parts of Fayetteville. The Hogeye has a reputation and gives participants a pride which is unmatched in Arkansas and beyond.

 

The marathon begins off the Fayetteville Square and continues through several historic scenic areas of the city. It promises to be scenic as well as safe, thanks to help from the Fayetteville Police, University Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Water and aid stations will be located throughout the course. Maps will be available at the packet pick-up, or here on the website.  The marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2014. The race will begin on the Fayetteville square and finish in the Entertainment District. Timing will end 6.5 hours from the start. Participants may start early if this is not adequate time. There will be one early start at 6:30 a.m.  Keep in mind you must know the course as it will be unsupported until 7:30. The 26.2 mile run is open to male and female participants 15 years of age and older. All participants under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian’s signature. No one under the age of 15 will be allowed to participate in the Full Marathon.  Runners may participate as part of a 4-person relay team for additional fees.

To register for the Hogeye Marathon or Half-Marathon, please click here. The Running Griffin readers can enter code MTENOFF to receive 10% off the marathon race entry or HTENOFF to receive 10% off the half-marathon entry fee.

Be sure to also “Like” The Hogeye Marathon on Facebook by clicking here and follow them on Twitter @HogeyeMarathon.