Running with The HUG Foundation of MA at Abington Police 5k

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ImageThis morning I was proud to join the team from The HUG Foundation of MA at the Abington Police Community Partners 5K. The race which starts and finishes at the Abington Police Department raises funds for a variety of local charities and a morning of bright sunshine and perfect temperature made for an absolutely perfect day for running a 5K.

The course is a loop course which brings runners through some predominantly residential streets of Abington. There are a couple of gradual hills mixed into the course but for the most part the race is a flat terrain. Runners raced toward the first mile marker which was on paved roads within a cemetery which made for a humbling run past the headstones marked with American flags on the weekend which celebrates those members in the Armed Services. There was a small section of the race that was on a trail but that tenth of a mile or so led way back to the pavement as runners could pick up speed coming off of the uphill trail run.

The second mile brought runners past the police station where fans cheered runners on and then the runners made a right hand turn on a long, straightaway down a predominantly shaded residential street. A bit of an uphill was mixed in about 2.5 miles into the race but that led to a nice downhill sprint into the 3 mile mark. As runners made their way toward the finish line, a nice crowd of fans cheered loudly as each runner and walker crossed the finish line.

A really good day of running for me today as I finished the race with a time of 22:49 good for 7:22/miles. With a 10k on tap for tomorrow, putting the feet up tomorrow night certainly will be a good decision.

About The HUG Foundation of MA

The HUG Foundation of MA is based out of Abington and has supported the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation the past two years as Beth Ann and I raised funds for the charity. Alex and Lisa Bezanson are amazing people and have done really tremendous work with The HUG Foundation of MA.

The HUG Foundation was created in 2011 in memory of Linda Harmon, Alex’s sister. The HUG Foundation will be sponsoring various fundraisers and community events that will enable us to help those in need.

Help Us Give to individuals, families and groups; friends and neighbors and those we have yet to meet, whose lives have been touched by illness, accident or financial hardship.

Please visit The HUG Foundation of MA website by clicking here and like them on Facebook by clicking here.

West Bridgewater Senior Class Scholarship Fund 5k Run

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Just one town over, yesterday’s run was the West Bridgewater Senior Class Scholarship Fund 5K run. The run was an out and back course that started and finished at West Bridgewater High School and was a fundraiser for scholarships aimed at helping to defray the costs of college tuition for West Bridgewater students.

The race started on the high school track where runners made one loop and then hit the grass field making their way toward the road. Once on the pavement, the first mile was a rather decent climb up through residential neighborhoods. Though the race was a small, the race course had good volunteer support calling out the splits at each mile and handing out water just past the 1 and 2 mile markers.

Since the race was an out and back course, the same first mile uphill climb gave way to a nice downhill section where the legs could let loose a bit. Crossing back across the same grass field, there was then a 3/4 loop along the track into the finish line.

Overall, I was quite pleased with my run and finished 1st in my age division. With an overall time of 23:25 my pace was a 7:33/mile which comes in at one of my better paces for the season. Given the fact I am in the middle of marathon training, no complaints here!

Icing Made Easy with Icy Feet

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icyfeet_logoThe Running Griffin is proud to announce Icy Feet as our newest sponsor!

As a runner, we all know the benefits of icing post-race however if you are like me sometimes the hassle of icing get in the way and icing becomes an afterthought. Thanks to Icy Feet runners will never have to worry about that ever again.

If you are one of the millions of individuals suffering from painful feet, arches, or tendons as a result of foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, inflammation following work, or exercise, then look to the patent-pending Icy Feet as the easy-to-use, no-mess way to apply an even icing to your soles. Recommended by podiatrists and running stores, I have now used Icy Feet for the past month and will attest that it is one of the greatest products I have seen in quite some time.

icy_feet_pairThe patent-pending Icy Feet cold pack features an engineered insole shape with a recessed heel cup and elevated arch to allow for a comfortable fit while providing constant contact at the point where relief is needed. The benefits of Icy Feet over the traditional bucket of ice include:

  • Easy to use
  • Easy to clean
  • Streamlines icing process
  • Features an engineered insole shape with a recessed heel cup and elevated arch
  • Two strategically placed straps so that you can elevate while icing
  • One size fits all (left foot and right foot cold packs can be purchased separately)
  • Freezes solid
  • Continuous contact with the foot where relief is needed most

The Running Griffin encourages you to purchase your pair of Icy Feet today by clicking here.

Be sure to support Icy Feet by also liking them on Facebook by clicking here and by following them on Twitter @icyfeetinc

Guest post: Upcoming Events from Reno Race Promotion

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RRP_headerRGBA new feature on The Running Griffin, we’ll be including periodic guest posts by Matt Reno from Reno Race Promotion. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, RRP offers a range of promotional services to help races and other athletic events reach a larger audience.

First off, I want to give a huge thanks to Kevin for letting me provide guest posts on The Running Griffin. Running is a sport that can bring together people from absolutely anywhere in the world. I’m glad to have the opportunity to let more runners know about races in the southern part of the country. Though located in Kentucky, RRP can work with race directors anywhere to get more participants at their starting lines. In fact, as a Massachusetts native and former Vermont resident myself, I’m looking forward to helping some New England races gain more participants.

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The logo for the Susan G. Komen Lexington Race for the Cure, designed by RRP.

Here are upcoming races RRP is working on right now:

It’s been a lot of fun working with these and other races. In the short time since starting this business, I’ve already learned a lot and met some great people. Best of all, I’ve been able to help more runners find out about races and obstacle course runs in their local areas and support some excellent charities. If you have an event that could use promotion, or if you want to learn more about Reno Race Promotion, please visit the website and send a message. See you out on the course!

The Cure is Coming, The Cure is Coming!

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Yesterday was a beautiful spring day with temperatures in the high 50’s/low 60’s and the sun shining down upon the historic New England town of Lexington, Massachusetts. Most remember Lexington as being home to one of the most iconic American Revolution battles on Lexington Green but the small, quaint town was known yesterday for the Cure is Coming 5K race which served as a fundraiser for ALS research.

The Cure is Coming 5K is a nicely organized 5K race that takes runners through residential neighborhoods of Lexington as runners make their way out of the downtown area. The course is well-supported by the local residents who are out doing yard work or playing in their front yard as they transform into race fans and support you with a clap or a cheer. Volunteers staff each and every turn corner of the course showing runners which way to go and the local police department directs traffic at the major intersections runners cross.

The course is a rather challenging 5K race as there is a high percentage of what I call “residential rollers” along the course; those little up and down hills within residential neighborhoods which can quickly take a toll upon the legs. However, the finish is one of the fastest finish sprints you will find as there is marvelous downhill finish that allows you to just let the legs go free and race down the hill into the finish chutes.

I ran the same race last year and finished with a time of 23:58 good for 7:44/miles and was pleased to improve my time this year to 23:37 which equates to a 7:36/mile.