The Jamie Fund 5K

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ImageThis morning it was up to Mansfield, Massachusetts for The Jamie Fund 5K. The Jamie Fund Organization believes it is important to educate typically developing children about acceptance of the special needs children in their communities. The star of the day was Jamie, for whom the fund is named, who performed a flawless rendition of the Star Spangled Banner!

The race time temperature at 10AM was absolutely perfect with the sun shining bright and temperatures in the 70s. The race started and finished at a school so there was plenty of parking available and good room for a pre-run warmup. Special thanks to Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine for a pre-run stretching that certainly was beyond needed.

The course was a great 5K loop that was well staffed by both the Mansfield Police Department and race volunteers. There was a water stop at both Mile 1 and Mile 2 which was a nice bonus as several 5K races only opt for one water stop. The course took runners through residential side streets away from significant amounts of traffic for the most part and the trees along these residential roads provided a nice shade cover to the morning sun.

The final mile of the race was a rather noticeable uphill climb before it flattened out heading back into the finish line.

I finished The Jamie Fund 5K with a great time of 22:51 or 7:21/miles.

If you are looking for a great organization to support, please visit The Jamie Fund’s website by clicking here.

Quincy Animal Hospital Cause for Paws 5k Run

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ImageDo dogs chase griffins? If so, this might be a fast race for The Running Griffin!

Join The Running Griffin at the Quincy Animal Hospital Cause for Paws 5K Run and 1 Mile Dog Walk to be held at Squantum Point Park in Quincy, Massachusetts on October 20, 2013. The 5K race starts at 10AM and the 1 mile dog walk begins shortly thereafter at 10:15.

This 5K and 1 mile dog walk will help to raise funds for the Quincy Animal Shelter. This is a professionally timed race and runners can register online by clicking here. Vendors, refreshments, a dog agility course and Police K9 demo are all part of the festivities so this race is one you do not want to miss!

There will be a prize for the best costumed dog in Halloween gear so runners, be creative! Maybe a dog dressed like Usain Bolt or Prefontaine?

Register today for this great race that will support the Quincy Animal Hospital. Runners, get ready to sprint like a greyhound and register today!

(For more information about walker registration, please click here.)

 

Register Today for Pam’s Run

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Join The Running Griffin on October 5th at Pam’s Run in Wayland, Massachusetts. You can register for this race by clicking here.

Pam’s Run is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Pam Manikas Washek, founder of Neighbor Brigade and tireless champion for families in crisis. Walk or run the 3-mile or 5-mile route on Saturday, October 5th, 2013 at 10 am at the Loker School in Wayland, Massachusetts (rain or shine).

Proceeds from Pam’s Run will go to Neighbor Brigade, the organization she founded to provide support to families in crisis. Neighbor Brigade is in 40 communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Learn more about Neighbor Brigade here.

Some highlights of the run include:

– AMP radio (103.3) will be at the event, along with the band the Daddios.

– we will have food and beverage

– kids activities

– cash prizes for top runners and gift cards for top male and female in each age category.

– t-shirts for pre-registered runners

I look forward to seeing you all at Pam’s Run on October 5th in Wayland. Again, please register in advance by clicking here.

Common Fence Point 5 Miler

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ImageYesterday it was down to Portsmouth, Rhode Island for the Common Fence Point 5 Miler. This is a race that I have done before and the course is an absolutely great 5 miler through a quaint beach community in Rhode Island. Runners make their way through the winding residential roads with some of the locals out on their front porch or front lawn cheering you along.

With the twists and turns of the course come some nice hills mixed in to keep runners honest along the 5 mile path. The race organizers do a nice job mixing in three water stops along the way and one of the locals cooled runners off with a hose as we ran by. The racing conditions were absolutely perfect with temperatures in the low 80’s, no humidity and a slight breeze from time to time.

Kudos to the Thirsty Irish Runners for having the largest club contingent at the race and showing runners what it means to have fun when running!

This was my best Common Fence Point 5 Miler to date with a time of 38:54, good for 7:47/miles.

Monday Night Fun Run and 50 Mile Bike Ride on Cape Cod

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ImageThis past Monday night it was over to Raynham, Massachusetts for the Colonial Road Runners Summer Series 3.25 mile race. This $2 gem of a race is a nice weekly check in and the running conditions this past Monday were absolutely perfect.

The run kicked off pretty quick for me and I felt good heading through the first mile. Making my way toward the 2nd mile I continued to feel pretty strong heading up the climbing hill mixed into the course. I was able to push it quite nicely on Monday night and ended with a finishing time of 23:55, good for 7:22/miles.

On Friday it was great to take the day off from work and head down to Wellfleet, Massachusetts for a nice 50 mile bike ride with friends from the Thirsty Irish Running Club. We parked at The Beachcomber in Wellfleet and made our way toward the beginning of the Cape Cod Rail Trail entrance about 2.5 miles down the road. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a predominantly flat path (don’t get me wrong, there are a couple of hills mixed in) that is paved and brings bikers, runners and walkers through towns such as Orleans, Dennis and Eastham on Cape Cod. The weather was a bit overcast for most of the ride with some showers taking place throughout the morning but fortunately we were able to get all 50 miles in before the skies really opened up.

It was nice to be able to mix in some biking for a change and thanks to my parents for keeping the kiddos for the day to make it possible! A little bit of cross training on the bike certainly woke up some muscles not ordinarily used along the running paths so it was good to mix things up a bit.

After the 50 mile ride, refueling was certainly in order at The Beachcomber and the Cisco Brewery Whale’s Tail Pale Ale and a clam strip roll was the perfect combination to end a good day.