Tower of Terror 10 Miler

On October 10, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

You really can’t get better than a trip to Disney World with the family. The rides, the characters, the food, the pools, the sun, the smiles and so much more really make the trip to Disney World worth every penny! When you mix in a 10 mile road race, now you really have a vacation.

Thanks to Mrs. Running Griffin’s mother and aunt in tow for this jaunt to Florida we were able to leave the little Running Griffins with them while we made our way to Hollywood Studios to partake in the Tower of Terror 10 Miler. As with all Disney races, the race takes place outside of normal park hours and therefore has a moonlight starting time of 10PM. Runners arrived at Hollywood Studios and were greeted with a DJ blasting the tunes, a wall of what seemed to be 1000 port-a-potties, some food vendors and a lot of anxious, sleepy and runners ready to head out onto the course.

After getting into our corals, runners made their way toward the starting line and waves went off just about every two minutes to the second. Upon the start of each wave, fireworks and a laser show sent runners through the starting line and out onto the course.

At each mile marker on the course was a different Disney villain including Jafar, The Big Bad Wolf, the hyenas from the Lion King and more. What was interesting is that there clearly were a lot of people not interested in their running time and instead they queued up for an autograph and photo with each villain along the way. The highway was closed down completely (which only Disney can do) and runners traversed along the highway and into Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Hollywood Studios finishing directly next to a giant party at the Tower of Terror. Some of the most enjoyable running was inside of ESPN Wide World of Sports where we were able to run on a track, on a cross country path and into the baseball stadium the Atlanta Braves play Spring Training games at. The stadium had eerie music blaring, fans in the stands and smoke adding to the haunted ambiance of the run.

Mrs. Running Griffin and I decided that we would run the race together and had a great time running the race side-by-side. For a race that had thousands of people participating there was absolutely no way to get lonely on the course but it is always nice to be able to run with someone. We finished the 10 miler with a time of 1:44:19 and crossed the finish line right around midnight. After a quick beer and a bite to eat it was then off to Uber back to the hotel and head to bed!

Stowe Trail Race Series

On July 28, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

On Saturday, July 19th we were able to parlay a weekend getaway in Stowe, Vermont into the ability to finish a trail run while we were visiting the area. The Stowe area is perhaps best known for the winter snow events that take place in the region however the trail run was a great way to highlight the scenic beauty of the region during the summer months, as well.

We headed off to the Nordic Center at Stowe Mountain and took place in one of the Stowe Trail Race Series runs. The race is a full trail run that offers both a 5k and 10k option on some beautiful trails in the woods that in the winter serves as cross country skiing and snowshoe trails. It was great to see how well maintained the trails were for the running series.

Though I traditionally am a pavement runner , hitting the trails was an interesting transition. Needless to say, a city boy hitting the pavement comes with its fair share on dangers inclusive of falling down the trails…twice.

Money from the race series benefits Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports. Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports is a Vermont-based non-profit founded in 2012 on the belief that access to sports and recreational programs are a powerful means for people with disabilities to develop independence as well as physical and mental well-being.

The race series has a couple of other races coming up so if you live in or will be visiting the Stowe, Vermont area please be sure to check out their website and join the race today.

First Place Male Finisher at Today’s Huss Dog Jog 5K

On July 12, 2014 By The Running Griffin2 Comments

The Huss Dog Jog 5k took place this morning in Pembroke, Massachusetts and it was an absolutely stellar morning to have a charity 5k. This race does it right and kicks off at 8AM allowing runners to have their 5k completed before some others have even rolled out of bed!

This race is held in memory of Steven Hussey and raises money for the American Stroke Association and a scholarship fund. Hussey’s family does a great job putting on this race and raises funds through the registration fees and great raffle prizes offered post-run.

The race this year switched from a 5 mile run to a 5k race and the new course was great! The race heads away from Pembroke’s school campus location and into the streets of Pembroke. The 5k course has a couple rolling streets with the most gradual hill kicking in around the 2.5 mile mark. The Pembroke Police Department did a nice job patrolling the course and volunteers manned two water stops along the course.

I finished today’s Huss Dog Jog in second place overall and as the first place male finisher! I knew I was running pretty well on the course and felt good along the way and ended up crossing the finish line with a time of 22:30 which was good for 7:14/miles.

JP Morgan Corporate Challenge

On June 30, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Last Tuesday evening, eight of my co-workers and I took place in the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in downtown Boston. The race is a jam packed 3.5 mile course that takes runners away from Boston Common, down Massachusetts Avenue, through Kenmore Square and then back down toward the Common where the finish line is located. The run is not really a race as packing 12,000 runners on such a short and narrow course is near impossible but rather serves as a fun way for Boston area businesses to show their corporate pride and compete against one another.

The Corporate Challenge allows both walkers and runners to take place in the event and for several participants the race is either their first foray into running or serves as an annual event to keep the joints honest. For those looking to PR the race, this is probably not the one for you as there are significant course bottlenecks along the way preventing you from running your true pace.

The weather on Tuesday night was perfect with the sun beginning to set around the post-7PM start time but there still being some heat in the air to help you burn a few extra calories. The course itself is pancake flat and brings runner along a historic and scenic boulevard in downtown Boston before runners make a u-turn at the iconic Citgo sign and head back toward Boston Common. The post-race amenities are always quite good with a fan favorite this year being the Yasso Frozen Green Yogurt bars that helped us all cool down.

I completed the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge with a time of 30:32 which was good for 8:43/miles. Thanks to my company teammates for joining this year and I look forward to having more co-workers join in 2015!

Register Today for Pam’s Run

On June 22, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Running Griffin will once again be participating in Pam’s Run which will be held in Wayland, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 18th and I hope to see you there! This run features both a 5K and 10K option and has racers run through a remarkably scenic residential section of Wayland.

Pam’s Run raises funds for The Neighbor Brigade. Neighbor Brigade establishes and mobilizes networks of community-specific volunteers ready to help immediately and effectively when a crisis strikes due to illness, surgery, or tragedy. Services are currently available in 35 communities in eastern Massachusetts.

Pam’s Run is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Pam Manikas Washek, founder of Neighbor Brigade and a tireless champion for families facing sudden crisis. She founded Neighbor Brigade to help those in crisis manage both emergency and routine needs, with services provided by fellow community members.

Last year I ran the 5 mile option at Pam’s Run and the race recap can be found here. To register for this year’s race, please click here.