I’ve heard the saying “Control the Controllables” before but when I heard it this week it sunk in even more. With the COVID-19 pandemic tossing the world upside down, there is so much anxiety, confusion, anger and unknown that focusing on “controlling the controllables” seems like really good advice to listen to.

Earlier this week, I received notice that the Providence Marathon is being cancelled. Though it remains unclear at this time if the race is going to be rescheduled, it is clear that toeing the starting line for a marathon in May is not happening.

What made this news even tougher to take was the fact that my brother was going to run the half-marathon that day and I was raising funds for The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition in honor of my dad who is currently battling the disease. I’ve spent several weeks training and have felt strong out on long runs since I kicked off the training. But, given the current health pandemic facing our nation, cancelling the race only makes sense. To be honest, I wouldn’t feel comfortable tackling a marathon with a group of runners by my side in May and the race organizers, like so many who have had to make a tough decision, made the right decision.

Instead of being upset or getting angry about the marathon being cancelled, I’m going to control the controllables. This morning I still made my way out for my 18 mile training run and felt strong out on the roads. Fresh air has an extra special effect these days and pounding the pavement is a great way to put all the worries of COVID-19 behind you.

I’ve made it this far on my training plan and I am not backing down. When the morning that the Providence Marathon was supposed to take place arrives, I am going to still run 26.2 miles that day and tackle a marathon on my own. It won’t be on the course and it won’t be an official marathon, but both in support of the fundraising I have done for The MSA Coalition and as a final nod to my training plan I am running a marathon that day one way or another! And if they do in fact reschedule the marathon for later this year, well, then I am running two marathons this year!

I hope all of my running friends and their families are healthy and well and know that together we will all get through this current craziness. Keep getting out on the roads or trails, take in that fresh air and remember to control the controllables!

This weekend’s Mick Morgan’s Annual 5k Road Race had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This 5K race kicks off at local Irish pub Mick Morgan’s Sharon and raises funds for HESSCO Elder Services.

Health & Social Services Consortium, Inc. (HESSCO) provides care, support and solutions for adults 60 and older, persons living with a disability and their caregivers to maintain safe, independent living at home in the community.

To learn more about HESSCO and to find out ways to support their efforts, please visit their website by clicking here.

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing our world to be turned upside down. As runners, we have seen races small and large be either postponed or cancelled outright. Tough decisions need to be made by Race Directors and it’s up to us to support those tough decisions and stand with those Race Directors making a decision no one envies having to make.

So many races today are now significant fundraising endeavors for non-profit organizations. For races that are being cancelled, unfortunately non-profit organizations will be losing out on significant funds aimed at supporting their endeavors and noble causes. For some small non-profits, a road race is a great way to infuse a significant amount of funding into an organization and with races being cancelled clearly funding for non-profits is going to suffer.

If you know of a road race that was being held in support of  non-profit organization that has been cancelled, please let me know. I would like to share information about that non-profit to help gain exposure for the work they are doing and potentially have readers donate to an organization they might see they support.

Please email me (therunninggriffin@gmail.com) details and I will post as many organizations and races as possible to help spread awareness.

Hope everyone remains healthy and safe during these crazy times.

On March 21st make your way out to Ireland Parish, now known as Holyoke, Massachusetts, and take part in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race! This iconic 10K race is a bucket-list run for runners and what better time to tackle the race than this year!

This 10K road race takes place on Saturday and is followed by one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country on Sunday. Holyoke’s rich Irish heritage comes out to shine this weekend as the city turns green for both residents and visitors alike.

The 10K course is a good, challenging course with some nice hills mixed in for good measure but the crowd support along the course is reminiscent of larger, iconic marathons or half-marathon races. Bagpipers, people cheering, even a quick beer table to refuel in the final mile all come complete with a really great course and all around fun atmosphere.

The race kicks off and finishes in the heart of downtown Holyoke and post-race merriment is aplenty wherever you look. Live Irish music and a pint have a unique way of making the miles logged all but fade away.

Having grown up in Holyoke, I have a certain affection for this race that I certainly want everyone to share in and am convinced if you sign up you will truly enjoy the run. I’ve run the race more times than I can probably count and this year both Mrs. Running Griffin and our oldest daughter will be tacking the course, too!

To register for the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race, please click here. Look forward to seeing you in the Paper City in a few weeks!