5th Annual Bernie’s Run in Dedham

On October 6, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The skies had opened up this morning with some rather strong downpours drenching the South Shore. Fortunately though, just before the 11:30 start of the 5th Annual Bernie’s Run the rain let up and a light mist actually made for some pretty nice racing conditions. The race started in front of Terri’s Market and ended in front of neighborhood pub The Village Manor.

Bernie’s Run is a 3 mile race that takes runners first into an industrial park parking lot but then has runners run through some residential neighborhoods surrounding The Village Manor. For the most part the race was pretty flat with a good hill mixed in around the 1.5 mile mark. There was a water station around mile 2 which was good placement for a quick, short run.

Post-run iconic New England legend Rene Rancourt, known for his fist pumping Star Spangled Banner renditions at Boston Bruins games, revved up the crowd with a post-race singing of the national anthem. Steve Kerrigan, a candidate for Lt. Governor, was also at the race greeting runners after the race.

Proceeds from Bernie’s Run benefit the Dedham Education Foundation. For more information about the Foundation, please click here.

Overall, a really good race for me today. I came in third amongst the Thirsty Irish Runners contingent and finished with a time of 21:38 or 7:13/miles. A great back-to-back racing weekend!

Pam’s Run 5 Miler

On October 5, 2013 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

This morning it was off to Wayland, Massachusetts for Pam’s Run, a 5 mile race to support Neighbor Brigade. Pam’s Run is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Pam Manikas Washek, founder of Neighbor Brigade and tireless champion for families in crisis.

Neighbor Brigade establishes and mobilizes networks of community-based volunteers to provide immediate services for individuals and families experiencing sudden crisis such as devastating illness, surgery, or accident. All services are delivered with care, quickly, and are free of charge. Please visit our website at www.neighborbrigade.org to learn more!

Prior to the start of the race a few speakers talked about the amazing work that Neighbor Brigade provides and Pam’s children gave a touching speech about their mom and the work that she sought to do before she passed. With the singing of the National Anthem, runners were off onto the course.

The race organizers noted that the race was rather hilly and it indeed lived up to that reputation. The 5 mile course took runners through mostly residential roads of Wayland, a quaint New England town with some rather large homes you ran past and admired. With the leaves starting to change over and race temperatures hovering around 65 degrees, it was a perfect day for a fall run. I skipped the first water stop just past Mile 1 but looking back in hindsight probably should have taken a water since by the time mile 3.5 came up where the next water stop was I certainly needed it. After hitting the water stop it was back up a couple of good hills. The last mile of the course was thankfully rather flat which allowed me to pick up some time heading into the finish line. As I made the last turn, a sea of supporters cheered myself and other runners in.

This was the first ever Pam’s Run and for a first time race it was remarkably well organized. There was close to 500 runners and walkers at the race and race atmosphere was top notch with a local radio station, a band, plenty of food and water and a lot of really happy people remembering the memory of Pam and supporting Neighbor Brigade.

I finished Pam’s Run with a time of 39:09 good for 7:50/miles. Given the success of this race, I am pretty confident there will be a 2nd Annual Pam’s Run next year!

Halo Headband Joins The Running Griffin

On September 13, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Running Griffin would like to welcome Halo Headband as our newest running business to the site!

Halo Headband was started by two competitive athletes who have have participated in numerous sports and activities including cross country mountain bike racing, adventure racing, Xterra events, 24 Hours of Adrenalin races, lacrosse, tennis, racquetball, and even running across the Grand Canyon and back.

After years of enduring issues with traditional headbands, they decided to develop their own headband, one that actually worked. They wanted to make the best performing headband in the world. Halo Headband was born!

Halo Headband today offers a complete line of headwear perfect for runners, including headbands, hats, visors and winter caps. These products are made from a high performance material called Dryline, this material quickly evaporates moisture so you stay dry and comfortable. If the Sweatband becomes saturated then the Patented SweatBlock Seal goes to work, this unique seal forms a natural water tight seal against your skin which then channels sweat back and away from the eyes and face, no more burning eyes from sweat or sunscreen. All Halo products are warranted for one year against any manufacture defects.

Halo products are made in the USA.

For more information about Halo Headband products, please visit their website by clicking here. You can also “Like” them on Facebook by clicking here and follow them on Twitter @haloheadband.

2013 Fred Brown Lake Winnipesaukee Relay

On September 8, 2013September 8, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

It was an early morning yesterday leaving home at 4:30 AM to meet up with a fellow Thirsty Irish Runner to make the two hour drive up to the Lake Winnipeseaukee region of New Hampshire for the 2013 Fred Brown Lake Winnipesaukee Relay. The relay is an iconic relay race put on by the North Medford Running Club and features 65.1 miles of running around Lake Winnipesaukee with 8 legs and 5-8 runners on each team. The race starts and finishes at a large arcade called The Fun Spot.

After making the drive up we met up with our other teammates and received our running assignments. I was given the third leg which features 9.3 miles of running from Alton Bay to Kingswood High School in Wolfeboro. The race website notes that this leg is a “hilly course” which is a pretty good underestimation. Though much of the 65.1 miles have some good hills mixed in, I felt to be climbing and descending for many of my miles. I definitely could have fueled better and the sun baked down on the stretch of my leg that was along an unshaded highway. Thankfully there was some great support from both my teammates and other teams and spectators along the way that provided me with water and Gatorade.

This was my first relay and it was a unique experience. It was pretty awesome to be able to check out so many different areas and root your teammates and others along throughout the race. There was a nice camaraderie built not just between our team but other teams, as well. Of course, when your team is complete with two support vehicles and a camper you really have a way of making an impression when pulling into exchange points. There were a lot of teams that were from running clubs we traditionally don’t see so it was good seeing some new faces but still seeing some familiar friends from groups like Somerville Road Runners and the Colonial Road Runners.

After our final runners on both of our teams came into the finish line we celebrated with a great team barbecue before hitting the road for the two hour ride back home. With a cup of coffee in hand and a maple cider donut in the gut the ride, all in all it was a nice day and a good experience to take part in the 2013 Fred Brown Lake Winnipesaukee Relay.

Charles River Center 5K

On September 4, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

On October 6th the Charles River Center will be hosting their third annual 5K road race and 1 Mile walk. The Charles River Center is a human service agency in Needham, providing services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism from Greater Boston throughout MetroWest communities. You can learn more at http://www.charlesrivercenter.org

This race has awesome sponsors! This race has had over 500 participants the last two years and they hope to do even better in 2013!

Mery Daniel, one of the Boston Marathon bombing survivors will be participating, and we are tremendously blessed to have the power of her advocacy for the folks that we serve. You can read more about Mery here. Mery’s husband Richardson has been a longtime employee of CRC and we stand in awe of their courage and determination. There is a place to make an additional donation directly to her during the registration process or in person on race day.

You can register for the Charles River Center 5k by clicking here. If you don’t run, you can walk in the 1 Mile Walk event.

This is a USATF certified course. The first 300 to register get a free tech-shirt and everyone gets a swag bag filled with stuff you’ll actually use! In addition to doing something that is cheap and supporting a great cause, you will easily be able to out-drink the cost of your entry fee with the ice cold FREE Sam Adams beer that is flowing at the finish line.