Norwood Turkey Trot

On November 23, 2014 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

Last night we rocked out to a cover band, had a couple of Guinness and stayed out later than we normally do thanks to the in-laws keeping the kids for a sleepover. This morning there was a little dusting off of the cobwebs as we made our way to Norwood for the Turkey Trot but once we arrived we both felt good to go and ready to run. Which was too bad since we showed up thinking the race started at 10AM when it in fact started at 11AM. We could have gone to breakfast…

Alas, we made a good decision to forgo corned beef hash and eggs and instead stuck around for the race. The Norwood Turkey Trot was a Thirsty Irish Runners Grand Prix race so a see of green flocked to Norwood High School for the race. Thanks to Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation for the pre-race stretching which helped loosen up the old dance muscles!

The Norwood Turkey Trot is a four mile race that takes runners through residential neighborhoods of Norwood. Runners start and finish at Norwood High School and this year there were over 700 runners who hit the starting line for the run. The race course is staffed by volunteers and members of the Norwood High School football team; the race benefits the Norwood Boosters Club.

The first mile of the course has a nice down hill stretch which reminds you just how bad the uphill finish is going to be. The last mile of the race is a dramatic uphill run that is difficult to say the least. I felt pretty strong throughout the run but that hill has a way of impacting even the strongest of runners.

I finished today’s Norwood Turkey Trot with a time of 30:09 which is equates to 7:34/minutes. The weather was perfect, the running was great and an all around good race day leading into the Thanksgiving holiday!

16 Mile Training Run

On February 23, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Yesterday morning it was off to Norwood, Massachusetts for a 16 mile training run. Sponsored by the amazing folks at Charles River Running, this fun run took runners through various towns including Norwood, Westwood, Dover and more.

The run was a nice mix of flats and hills but some of the roads proved to be a little tricky to run along. With high snow banks to the left and drivers simply flying on some of the roads (notably Route 109), the dodging of cars certainly took its toll and added an additional element of fear into the run. For anyone who sees runners out there training, please slow down, get off your cell phone and perhaps even think for a moment about the myriad of charities, people and causes that runners might be running the Boston Marathon for in April. This will help to put into perspective that the text message you are reading is probably not all that important.

Several members of the Thirsty Irish Runners joined me in completing the fun run and having friends out there as you bust out a 16 mile training run is always helpful. An added bonus was the fact that Charles River Running had volunteers meet us every three miles with water, Gatorade and energy packets.

After the 16+ miles were complete, it was back to Charles River Running for some post-run refreshments including fresh fruit, water, yogurt, granola and amazing bagels from The Spot. Since I am a creature of habit, I also hit up Perks Coffee House which is next door to Charles River Running and is a most-stop coffee house anytime I am in the Norwood area.

With 16 miles done for the weekend, today is going to be a good rest day!

Back on My Feet 5K: Kicking Off 2014 Right

On January 1, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Thank God the holidays are over otherwise the name of this website would need to be changed from The Running Griffin to The Rolling Gargantuan. Delicious ham, cookies of all shapes and sizes and microbrews that just needed to be sampled all helped me gear up for a long hibernation if necessary.

Now that the New Year is upon us, thankfully the impetus to shed the holiday pounds and hit the pavement again is back front and center. This morning it was off to the Back on My Feet 5k in Norwood, Massachusetts. This race was organized by Winged Foot Running and sponsored by Charles River Running and proceeds from the race benefits Back on My Feet.

The race started and finished at the Knights of Columbus on Nichols Street in Norwood and race time temperature was a chilly 21 degrees. There was a decent breeze from time to time which added a really nice tailwind on one street which turned to a noticeable headwind the last .3 miles or so. Prior to the race, the Back on My Feet running club present for the race encouraged all race participants to form a large circle, as they do every morning before they run, and recite a serenity prayer. This was a new and interesting addition to the race that certainly was unique and impressive. The race course included several of the same roads as other Norwood races such as the Norwood Turkey Trot and the Joseph and Rose Gilio Road Race that leaves from St. Timothy’s Church. For the most part the course was flat except for a gradual uphill section of the course between miles 1 and 2. A water stop along the course was just shy of the 2 mile marker and was perfect for those runners who needed a quick drink either because of the run or the festivities of New Year’s Eve the night before.

I finished today’s Back on My Feet 5k with a time of 24:31 which is good for 7:53/miles. Not a bad way to start off 2014 on the right foot. Many miles to go!

About Back on My Feet

Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a national for-purpose 501(c)3 organization that uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves so they can make real change in their lives that results in employment and independent living.

The organization’s mission is not to create runners within the homeless population, but to use running to create self-sufficiency in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. The program’s success is measured by how many Members achieve independence through employment and housing.

Through dedication and hard work, Residential Members (those experiencing homelessness) earn the opportunity to create a new road for themselves. Running leads to personal transformation and dedication to the program leads to access to training, employment and housing resources. Through community and corporate support, the program strives to change the perception of homelessness.