Stating the obvious here but, man, has it been a long time since we have been able to participate in in-person races!

The pandemic has certainly wreaked havoc on the world and the running community has been impacted with live, in-person races being cancelled and postponed until virus cases decreased and vaccination rates increased. Slowly but surely races are starting to make a comeback and this weekend I was beyond thrilled to tackle my first post-pandemic in-person 5K. Virtual runs were fun and certainly will be more important on a go-forward basis but there is something about in-person races that makes them special and as the cliche goes, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

We arrived in Plymouth on Saturday at the Sun’s out Run Out 5K sponsored by Mayflower Brewing Company and the vibe walking from the car immediately felt amazing! The DJ was playing tunes before the race started, familiar faces were seen, fist bumps were a plenty and walking up to the registration table was something simple but so appreciated to be doing once again.

This 5K course tackles a rather challenging route through mostly and industrial/office park section of Plymouth and features a climb that is usually not found on a 5K course. It’s a good course to push yourself and challenge the legs some and knowing it was the first live-race in a while I wanted to run strong but knew it would be a little different. It felt amazing to be out there with fellow runners, felt good to say “thanks” to the police officer directing traffic, felt good to take a cup of water from a smiling volunteer and felt amazing to cross the finish line of my first in-person race since the pandemic hit. Plus, the post-race beer from Mayflower Brewing Company tasted extra special after this race! (If you haven’t had their beer before or visited their brewery, do so immediately. Good crafted stuff including some killer IPAs, sours and a porter that is better than most)

I finished the Sun’s Out Run Out with a time of 24:58, good for 8:02/miles which I am more than happy with taking into account the challenging course and first race back vibe. Can’t wait to be back out there more and more and hope to see you at a starting line soon enough!

Hope you will join me on Labor Day weekend to run the 8th Annual Run for Jess. As race restrictions were still unknown for the beginning part of the year, race organizers decided to have this year’s race be run virtually once again and the race registration is completely free. No reason not to sign up! This was always an absolutely great race and I’m glad the race keeps on trucking even if a bit different once again this year.

This year’s 8th Annual VIRTUAL Run for Jess will take place over Labor Day Weekend 2021!  Join other race participants by running and/or walking anytime between Friday, September 3 – Monday, September 6.  This will be an unofficial 5k run/1 mile walk where you can participate on your own time and in your own neighborhoods (or favorite indoor/outdoor course). Be sure to follow the JCTMF on Facebook and Instagram to see updates from the Jessica C. Thurston Memorial Fund and more details about the Run for Jess.  Registered runners and walkers will have the chance to win some fun raffle prizes throughout Labor Day weekend and during Jessica’s birthday week (7/25-7/31)!

Race registration is completely FREE!!  Sign up today by filling out the online registration form.  Click here to register!

**Please note, If you are able to make a $20 or more donation to the JCTMF on your registration form you’ll get a FREE Virtual Run for Jess t-shirt!! (T-shirt deadline will be early August, check their website and Facebook page for more details.**

The run for Jess is held in remembrance of Jessica Thurston, who passed away from breast cancer at the age of 29. Jessica fought her battle for 2 years but ultimately succumbed to the disease on 8/30/2013. Jessica was an an avid runner and lover of life.

To honor her memory the Jessica C. Thurston Memorial Fund was established by her family and friends. The Jessica C. Thurston Memorial Fund is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization. In response to the Fund’s most recent annual gift the family of Jess was thrilled to hear from Jessica’s Oncologist at Mass General Hospital.  She has expressed her appreciation for the gifts to the MGH Breast Cancer Center. The donations are directly supporting clinical trials for patients with metastatic breast cancer.  In Dr. Kuter’s words…“I will never forget Jessica and what she went through, and remembering her suffering spurs us on to keep searching for new solutions.”

Hope to see you register for the 8th Annual Run for Jess!

This morning I ran the Virtual 5K4IBC as part of the Caroline’s Crusaders team. I raced the familiar 5K course in Bridgewater, Massachusetts that I have used for other virtual 5K races that allowed me to bust out the race before 7AM and in advance of heavier rains that were making their way into the region later in the day.

This race was organized by friends and family of Caroline who was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) in December. Caroline is a 2014 Boston Marathon finisher who ran to raise funds for Dana-Farber then and her family now giving back once again is easy to support.

IBC is a rare form of breast cancer, comprising about 1-5% of cases. As is common with IBC, the cancer cells originating in the breast tissue had spread to the skin and nearby lymph nodes by the time of Caroline’s diagnosis. The cancer had also metastasized to a small area in her pelvic bone. 

To keep runners safe, Caroline’s family organized the 5K4IBC as a virtual 5K run in support of the Jimmy Fund, benefiting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Runners could run the virtual race anytime during July and I decided that this morning would be an option that worked well for me so tackled the streets of Bridgewater bright and early.

I felt pretty strong on the course and the light mist and temperatures in the high 50’s made for rather good running conditions even of somewhat odd for July 3rd. I finished the 5K4IBC race with a time of 24:15 good for 7:49/miles.

Hoping the family raises a ton of money for a great cause with this event. Good luck to all the other virtual runners taking part this weekend and throughout July!

I know, I know. You probably are thinking the same thing I did when I first saw Sport Spuds. “Is this some sort of gimmick or will these actually work?” I can assure you, this is no gimmick.

On yesterday’s run through downtown Plymouth, Massachusetts I tried Sport Spuds for the first time about 5 miles into the run and have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with this new way of fueling during a run. Some sport gels leave you with a feeling of acid in your stomach or a sour, upset GI sort of feel so trying something that is a bit more gentle while still remaining effective is usually a big need for runners. Sport Spuds are here to help!

Sport Spuds are an organic fuel for your body and are made from potatoes and Celtic sea salt. Yes, potatoes. The pack is comprised of mashed potatoes with a hint of sea salt and is a smooth and gentle way to refuel that doesn’t leave you feeling like you have something sloshing through your stomach later in the run. It does take a moment to get over the idea that you are fueling with potatoes but once you do the taste is remarkably good and doesn’t leave a lingering feeling of fueling remorse once you take back off on the road.

Potatoes contain long-chain complex carbohydrates, and are rich in vitamins and minerals that help replenish your body without chemicals, dyes, or a super sweet taste that can upset your stomach and spike your blood sugar. You can feel good about eating them and giving them to your family. And, as someone with a deep Irish heritage, what better way to fuel during a run than potatoes?

I tried the original flavor of Sport Spuds and certainly will go back to trying them again for another long run. There is also a white cheddar version and a sour cream and chive flavor, as well.

For more information about Sport Spuds, be sure to check out their website by clicking here. You can also like them on Facebook here.

It is so nice to have live races making their way back! It’s been a long haul without being able to hit the starting lines of races without friends and with more and more people becoming vaccinated hopefully we’ll continue to see more races making a comeback.

If you are looking for a great four miler on the Fourth of July look no further! Run in Dedham, Massachusetts the Dedham Four on the 4th takes runners out onto a great, residential course and is a great time year after year. This year, as an added bonus the race registration cost is just $10 and includes the run, live music post-race, food, beverage, a finishers medal, merriment and more!

All proceeds benefit the Sally Naser Charitable Foundation so it would be great to see a nice contingent of runners at the starting line to support a great cause. ​The Sally Naser Charitable Foundation was formed in 2018 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to support important research in the search for cures of pediatric cancers and to support the families of pediatric cancers patients. This is the 10th running of “Four on the 4th Rally for Sally” road race to honor Sally and the many other young cancer patients whose lives have been forever changed or tragically ended by this terrible disease.

To register for the race, please click here. Be sure to also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here.