Thanksgiving: all the fixings, pie, beer, more pie. What’s not to love about Thanksgiving?

But prior to stuffing my face it was off for a great run around Whiting Reservoir in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Whiting Reservoir is one of the many reservoirs in Holyoke and is has the peak of Mt. Tom in the background along the run. It was a great 4 mile run to burn some calories prior to putting the feedbag on. The scenery at Whiting Reservoir is simply unmatched and running there makes the miles just pass by.

If you are in the Western Massachusetts area for the weekend or if you are looking for a race to travel to, I highly recommend the Talking Turkey which will take place on Saturday at 1PM within the scenic grounds of another Holyoke reservoir, Ashely Reservoir. This race is a flashback to running cross country races and is one of the greatest fall runs around.

The legs are tired. There I said it.

This morning it was off to Norwood, Massachusetts for the 26th Annual Norwood Turkey Trot. The race takes off from right in front of and finishes at Norwood High School and is a tough little race through residential neighborhoods of Norwood. Though the mileage gives runners a good 4 mile course, the hill on Nichols Street that you climb in the last mile leaves runners with a love/hate relationship as you climb for what seems like almost the entire last mile. However, once you crest the hill you level off and run in front of the high school before making a final turn uphill toward the finish line.

The entire race is a challenge because there is a really good mixture of downhill and uphill terrain along the course and you need to focus on trying to maintain an honest pace so you don’t burn out too easily. Some of the residential side roads can be deceiving in terms of the elevation but the race really is a good challenge.

Thanks to the staff of Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine for the free, pre-race stretch which absolutely was crucial and really made a difference in loosening things up!

I finished the Norwood Turkey Trot with a time of 30:05 which is good for 7:32/miles. I guess I planned the hills well and after running a race yesterday I couldn’t be more pleased with my time today. But the legs are sore, the bed is calling. After all, there are more races in the very near future!

Saturday was a crisp, November morning and it was off to D.W. Field Park in Brockton for the 2nd Annual Shining Stars Turkey Trot. Last year’s event was held at Borderland State Park in Easton so it was a change of scenery for the 2nd Annual run and like Borderland, D.W. Field Park is a hidden gem for running and made for a great location to host the race.

Due to Hurricane Sandy taking out a tree and flooding part of the intended course, the course had to be altered slightly and the course ran just past a 5k for a length of 3.2 miles. The course was a double loop on both trail and pavement around the D.W. Park section closest to Tower Hill. Tower Hill is a rather tough uphill climb within the park so the double loop really had you pounding the pavement up it the second time.

This race last year had an impressive lineup of raffle prizes and this year did not disappoint, either. All runners receive five raffle tickets and I was lucky enough to win 10 tickets to the Boston Improv Asylum!

I finished the 2nd Annual Shining Stars Turkey Trot with a time of 25:08 which for the 3.2 miles is good for 7:51/miles.

The Shining Stars Turkey Trot raises funds for the non-profit Shining Stars. Their website describes their mission as:

Our mission is to develop after-school enrichment programs for adolescents and adults in local schools, as well as, spreading awareness of the need for new programs and services.  

Shining Stars, Inc., is an organization dedicated to providing services for individuals with multiple handicaps and to cultivate each individuals potential using both traditional and unique methods.

Shining Stars Inc., is a pioneer in the area of special education and rehabilitation focusing on each individual’s strengths and abilities instead of their differences.

Our long term goal is to develop a safe and accepting place for individuals with handicaps to: 1) learn every day skills; 2) work with occupational, physical, and speech therapists; 3) work with teachers both inside and outside the Shining Stars establishment; 4) create a comfortable environment which allows the individual to flourish in their capabilities.

Let’s face it, you may have been reading all of the posts on The Running Griffin throughout 2012 thinking to yourself, “When 2013 rolls around I am getting into running.” How’s January 1st sound?

The Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28 are hosting the Frozen Five Mile New Year’s Day Run on January 1, 2013. Registration is now available by clicking here and you now have no excuse to not start 2013 off on the right foot!

 

It was another back to back race weekend for The Running Griffin and on Sunday it was a quick trip over to Raynham, MA for the 5 Miles Home race. This race was a great fundraiser for the amazing charity Homes for Our Troops which builds and adapts homes for injured soldiers coming home from serving in the military.

The 5 Miles Home was organized and sponsored by Spark Bike Run Sports and ran rather flawlessly. The race took runners up the infamous King Philip Hill in Raynham heading out of the gates and then the race took a rather rolling course through residential neighborhoods of Raynham. There was a slight hiccup just past the two mile mark where crossing the street was a bit tough and added on to the overall course length, making the course 5.1 miles on the GPS watch.

After the race there was a nice spread of Dunkin Donuts products, barbecue options from Texas BBQ, massage, Muscle Milk and more!

Given the fact I felt I ran pretty well on Saturday at the Edaville Rail Run 5 Miler, I was hoping to have another good run on Sunday. So, I was absolutely thrilled when I felt even better out on the course and heading toward the finish line felt a good burst of Day 2 energy. I finished the 5 Miles Home with a time of 38:39 good for 7:44/miles.