When you get an email from a race director noting you can run both a 5K and a 10K race if you are wired like me you of course sign up immediately. Temperature in the 90s? No worries. Running ramps to the top of Gillette Stadium? Let’s do it. Knowing you have a 5 miler the next morning? No problem. (Right about now you might be realizing that my wiring might be a little different than most!)

Last night was the Finish at the 50 at the home of the six time Super Bowl winning New England Patriots! Having done this race before, I knew what I signed up for and the heat was certainly an added obstacle to the race just as it has been in previous years, as well.

First up was the 5K race that kicked off at 6:30 PM. The race course was changed a bit and runners started inside of Gillette Stadium. After a brief stretch within the stadium, runners then made their way out to the parking lots where the sun was beating down on the hot asphalt and made for some warm temperatures out on the course. The route has a little uphill in the second mile as runners make their way back into the stadium. Once inside the stadium, runners then make their way up the ramps leading from the ground level all the way up to the top of the stadium. With the heat and hilly climbs, this stretch is a challenge and not for the faint of heart. Once finished on the uphill climb, runners than run along the top bowl of the stadium before then running down a separate set of ramps from the top of the stadium all the way down to the ground level. Here, the knees definitely feel the downhill pull and this ramp running certainly takes its toll. After running all the way down the ramp, runners exit the stadium for a brief additional stretch through the parking lot before turning back into the stadium for a quick sprint through the tunnel and onto the field the Patriots call home. Runners sprint toward the finish line at the fifty yard line where Pat the Patriot and the New England Patriots cheerleaders cheer runners in. I finished the 5K with a time of 27:59, good for 8:58/miles.

After a quick bottle of water, it was then back to the starting line area to next tackle the 10K race which kicked off at 7:30 PM. The 10K started at the same spot and the first mile of the race was the same. Once at the Mile 1 marker, runners then turned left and made their way out onto Route 1, a main road just outside the stadium. After a short stretch on the busy Route 1, runners then made their way into more residential side streets of Foxboro. There was a good contingent of fans out on the route cheering runners along, handing out water and hosing off runners with cool water as even at 7:30 the heat was still quite strong. For most of the 10K course up until around the Mile 4 marker you felt like you were climbing and some of the hills mixed with the heat could really be felt in the legs. (Running a 5K just prior to this race also probably didn’t help, haha) The final mile of the race started on Fidelity Way, a back road leading runners back into the stadium area and runners made a quick run into the parking lot area and then back into the stadium through the same tunnel onto the field and finishing up the race at the fifty yard line. Thankfully, there was a lot of water on the course and the fans helping hose off runners made a really big difference in the 10K and made for an overall nice race. Was able to shave some time off the 5K pace run an hour before and finished with a time of 54:44, good for 8:49/miles.

9.3 miles done on a very hot July night called for then a bit of relaxation. A great fireworks display took place at Patriot Place that evening the folding chair, water, sandwich and snacks helped refuel prior to the fireworks. What a great night!

I’m pretty sure Mrs. Running Griffin had ulterior motives when she asked if I wanted to sign-up for the Brockton Firefighters 5K largely rooted in how much she enjoys watching Chicago Fire on television. Even though Kelly Severide and Matt Casey were not going to be there, we made our way to the City of Champions and toed the starting line for the annual road race that starts and finishes at the Firefighters Union Hall in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Joined by several members of the Brockton Fire Department and firefighters from neighboring towns, runners made their way through the downtown streets of Brockton on a hot June morning. Thankfully the race kicked off nice and early at 9AM before more heat made its way to the region.

As someone who grew up in an old mill city like Brockton, I have a fondness for races that run through urban centers. Though suburban and rural courses have their benefits, racing through downtown city streets is a different style of run and one that should not be discounted. Volunteers and members of the Brockton Police Department did a great job manning the intersections throughout the course. Around the halfway point of the race runners ran past the Strand Theatre Memorial, a memorial dedicated to a significant fire that took place in Brockton’s history injuring several and killing 13 members of the Brockton Fire Department. Members of the BFD handed out water to runners at this spot, as well.

Running through the final mile of the run, runners could hear the distant playing of bagpipes and right before the final turn heading toward the finish line a member of the Brockton Firefighters Pipes & Drums played the bagpipes ushering runners closer to the finish line. All proceeds from the race went to benefit the Brockton Firefighters Pipes & Drums.

Had a good morning of running through the streets of Brockton and finished the race with a time of 23:04, good for 7:25/miles.

It certainly felt like summer last night in Raynham, Massachusetts with a bit of heat and humidity finally hitting the region. Race time temperature at 7PM was just shy of 80 degrees and there was a mugginess to the air that could clearly be felt.

Prior to kicking off the race, local running favorite Jim Dupont noted that he was celebrating his 67th birthday and each runner would receive a $2 scratch ticket as his gift to those toeing the line alongside him on his birthday. Happy birthday, Jim!

Thankfully at this week’s run there was a water stop at the halfway point of the race which on such a humid night certainly came in handy. Despite the warm and muggy race conditions, still managed to run a rather strong race and finished with a time of 25:03, good for 7:42/miles on the 3.25 mile course.

Hoping to keep the routine going as much as I can this summer and look forward to meeting some of you at the Monday night fun runs in Raynham. Join me there!

Attended another one of the Colonial Summer Series runs this Monday evening in Raynham, Massachusetts and had another great post-work run. This week, finished up the 3.25 mile run with a time of 24:28, good for 7:32/miles.

Right around the three mile mark a high school team of runners passed in front of me and pride kicked in a bit. As an “old guy” in comparison, I kicked it in the final .25 miles of the run and hanged with them into the finish line. Though they may have been more causally running than normal, having some youngsters help motivate and pace you into a final kick into the finish line never hurts!

 

The Race to the Row 5K is hosted by the Somerville Road Runners in Somerville, Massachusetts and this is one race you will not want to miss!

This race takes place on Sunday, August 25th and features a series of fun events through Assembly Square and along the Mystic River. There is a Fast Mile, a 5K and a FREE Kids Fun Run! The 5K is open to runners, walkers, teams and families of all ages and abilities, ending with a fun-filled post-race party with food, drinks and beer served from the local restaurants and businesses!

All proceeds from the Race to the Row will benefit East Somerville Main Streets as well as Somerville TrackPAC.

The course is a USATF-certified 5K that winds through and around Assembly Square in Somerville. It’s a semi-double-loop that starts and finishes by the intersection of Grand Union Blvd and Artisan Way. The route is flat and fast and all on roads making it a great course to try and PR on!

After coming through the finish of the 5K, runners will be guided back to the post-race party. Bananas aplenty will be available thanks to Boston Organics and post-race meal will be provided by Ernesto’s Pizza. Quench your thirst with beer from Harpoon (21+ only). Other beverages will be provided, as well, and dessert comes from another local favorite and one of the race’s big sponsors, JP Licks, who is providing multiple flavors of ice cream to choose from.

To register for the Race to the Row, please click here.  Be sure to also give a “Like” to the race on Facebook.