Tag: Running

Sparkly Soul Joins The Running Griffin

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ImageThe Running Griffin would like to welcome Sparkly Soul to our amazing list of sponsors. Sparkly Soul was created by a marathoner and triathlete for all the women who find their strength and soul while pushing themselves to their athletic limits. As a special offer to The Running Griffin readers, Sparkly Soul is offering a 10% discount until June 21st when you use the code THERUNNINGGRIFFIN at checkout.

Sparkly Soul was created based upon the female athlete’s need to keep hair out of her face while exercising.  Now there is a fabulous headband that won’t slip, won’t cause your pretty little head to get a headache or cause hair breakage.  It is the comfortable solution for all you athletic fashionistas.  Whether you are a runner, walker, dancer, triathlete, yogi, pilates buff, cyclist, cheerleader, or ballplayer  – we believe in all you sparkly gals out there!
Sparkly Soul offers both a thin and wide headband model and their product comes in great colors like Apple Green, Kaleidoscope Pink and Robins Egg Blue along with some patterns like Red, White and Blue (perfect for your upcoming 4th of July race) and a Christmas pattern.

For more information, check out Sparkly Soul’s website by clicking here and be sure to use the code THERUNNINGGRIFFIN at checkout to receive your 10% discount. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @SPARKLYSOULINC.

Colonial Summer Series Raynham – Dewpie’s Dash

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Monday night it was off to the neighboring town of Raynham, Massachusetts for the Colonial Summer Series Monday night fun run, more commonly known as Dewpie’s Dash. This race takes place each and every Monday and is a 3.25 mile course through residential roads of Raynham. The course is a moderately tough stretch with a little bit of uphill climbing throughout the run and a spectacular downhill stretch leading into the 3rd mile marker.

The race is sponsored by the Colonial Road Runners and each week costs you just $2. The race is timed and post-race there is water, Gatorade, watermelon and from time to time an adult beverage might even casually be available. It is a great routine to get into during the summer to race yourself each week and to catch up with the runners who make the race each week.

This week I ran Dewpie’s Dash in 24:33 or 7:33/miles. Look forward to many more this summer!

12th Annual Christopher’s Run for Diabetes

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ImageIt is always nice when a race is nearby a and supports an important cause, as well. This morning it was just a quick skip over to West Bridgewater for the 12th Annual Christopher’s Run for Diabetes. Mrs. Running Griffin has two brothers who have  diabetes so supporting a cause that has direct impact upon one’s family is really a nice touch. This 5k race is held in honor of local resident Christopher Nelson who was diagnosed with diabetes when he was two years old and all proceeds from the race go toward the work that the American Diabetes Association is conducting to find a cure for diabetes.

The 5k is a great Memorial Day race and brings runners together from across the region for a moderately challenging 5k. The race takes off and gradually climbs for the first half of the race and then turns into a downhill grade for the second half. The course has great volunteer support along the way and a water stop is present about half-way through the race. As the course takes you through residential neighborhoods there are folks along the way cheering you along.

This morning started off rainy and overcast but for race time the sun broke free from the clouds and the race time temperature warmed up quite nicely. The heat could be felt when in the sun and summer time racing is upon us; thank goodness!

I finished today’s 12th Annual Christopher’s Run for Diabetes with a time of 23:08 or 7:24/miles.

Will Run for Beer

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Let’s face it: some things are just meant to go with one another. Peanut butter and jelly, corned beef and cabbage, Chinese food followed by ice cream and so on. Add to the list beer and running. After a run, there is often times nothing more refreshing than a cool beer to help you get some calories back into the system and cool down after hitting the pavement. This weekend it was a back-to-back weekend of racing with a 5k on both Saturday and Sunday and low and behold each race had a nice beer theme to it.

Yesterday I traveled to Canton, Massachusetts for the Blue Hills Brewery 2nd Annual South Shore Trail Run. Runners checked in at the brewery and then boarded a trolley to the starting line which was just down the road a bit within the State Park and around Ponkapoag Pond. The race time conditions were quite gross with temperatures in the low 40’s and a rather heavy dousing of rain pouring down on runners. The race was an informal sort of fun run with no real timing taking place and the course not marked or marshaled, causing a couple of other runners along with myself to run a wee bit further than the 5k we signed up for. The course was rather sloppy from the rain but after having done so many pavement miles training for Boston it was nice to mix things up a little bit. Post-race, runners boarded the shuttle bus back to the brewery where everyone was able to enjoy two free beers and some light snacks. One of the best surprises of the race was when the race director gave every single runner a case of Blue Hills Brewery’s IPA. Not a bad deal!

This morning, we headed for Cambridge, Massachusetts for the Spring Classic 5k. This race started just in front of the Asgard Pub and just shy of 3000 of our closest friends hit the streets of Cambridge for a nice 5k run. Having done a race that started at the Asgard before, I liked this course much better since it wasn’t just an out-and-back and instead you hit some residential neighborhoods of Cambridge along the way. I felt quite good at the race, particularly after doing a trail run yesterday and after completing the Boston Marathon less than a week ago. Overall, my time was 24:16 which is good for 7:48/miles.

Post-race, runners were treated to fresh beer being poured by Jack’s Abby as well as cases of cans of 21st Amendment Brewery‘s IPA and Watermelon Wheat. Back in my younger days I would have made a pretty nice dent here but instead after enjoying one IPA, thanks to the generosity of my brother who came to watch us run the race, we treated ourselves to Flour Bakery before heading back home.

FOP Lodge #28 Five Mile 50/50 Charity Run

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We all know that runners have some of the biggest hearts when it comes to running for charity. We sign up for races that support causes, run marathons to fundraise for charities that are important to us and support other runners in their fundraising efforts. Here is a great race that exemplifies the charitable efforts of the running community.

Join the FOP Lodge #28 for their Five Mile Charity Run. This event is 5 Mile 50/50 Charity Run. Course is mainly flat in a rural area. During the on-line registration process you will be asked to designate which 501(c) 3 charity you would like to register for a chance to win 50% of the profits from this event. Once all race expenses are paid MA. FOP Lodge #28 will keep 50% of the profits. All registered runners and the name of your chosen charity will be entered into a drawing. At the end of the run a name will be drawn and that runner’s chosen charity wins the other 50%!!!! NO T-SHIRTS will be given out to keep the cost of the event down thus more money for the charity. Each participant will receive a commemorative inscribed bronze medallion as a memento.

Open for early and day of registration at 7:30am. Indoor facilities are available with plenty of parking. Run begins at 9am!!!! Course is a 5 mile loop in a rural area, mostly flat with one water stop. Post race refreshments will be provided. In lieu of t-shirts all runners will receive a commemorative bronze medallion recognizing their participation in this charity event. NO PETS allowed on the running course. Run takes place rain or shine. Trophies will be given for top overall Male and Female winner. Awards for First and Second Place, Male and Female in all age divisions. 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.

To register for this race, please click here.