Motivated to Succeed

November 20, 2024

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Location:

Pittsfield,MA,

Member Since:

Jul 02, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

 

 

  •  2006 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon (NY)
  • 2007 Vermont City Marathon (VT)
  • 2011 BPAC 6 Hour Run (NY)
  • 2011 Mind the Ducks 12 Hour (NY)
  • 2012 Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon #1 (IN)
  • 2012 Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon #2 (IN)
  • 2012 BPAC 6 Hour Run (NY)
  • 2012 Mind the Ducks 12 Hour (NY)
  • 2012 Memorial Day Marathon (MA)
  • 2012 Around the Lake 12 Hour (MA)
  • 2012 Hancock Shaker Village 50 (MA) 
  • 2012 Bay State Marathon (MA)
  • 2012 First Descents Marathon (DE) 
  • 2013 Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon #1 (IN)
  • 2013 Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon #2 (IN) 
  • 2013 Circular Logic Marathon (IN)
  • 2013 Lake Waramaug 50M (CT)
  • 2013 BPAC 6 Hour Run (NY)
  • 2013 Ragnar Cape Cod Ultra Team (MA) 
  • 2013 Memorial Day Marathon (MA)
  • 2013 Relay For Life No. Berkshire (MA)
  • 2013 Ragnar Adirondack Ultra Team (MA)
  • 2013 BayState Marathon (MA)
  • 2013 One Day At the Fair Marathon (NJ)
  • 2013 West Palm Beaches Marathon (FL)
  • 2014 Arena Attack XL Center Marathon (CT)
  • 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #1 (IN)
  • 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #2 (IN)
  • 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #3 (IN)
  • 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #4 (IN)
  • 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #5 (IN)
  • 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #6 (IN)
  • 2014 Circular Logic Marathon (IN)

 Personal Bests:

  • 400 - 1:01 (2004)
  • 800 - 2:16 (2004)
  • Mile - 5:12 (2004)
  • 2Mile - 11:27 (2004)
  • 5k - 19:44 (2005)
  • 10k 40:46 (11/22/07)
  • 15k - 1:07:40 (11/11/07)
  • 13.11 Half - 1:38:31 (12/9/07)
  • Marathon 3:59:18 (1/25/14)
  • 50 miles 11:44 (5/14/11)

Eagle Scout with Bronze and Gold Palms (2002)

Biked from Ticonderoga, New York to Old Orchard Beach, Maine in August of 2005 (Total of about 290 miles

Short-Term Running Goals:

200 miles @ 72 Hour Race in May

Under 200 #

Sub 4:00 Marathon

 

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

QUALIFY AND RUN IN THE BOSTON MARATHON.

Personal:

I am 27.  Have done 33 marathons and ultras. Really trying to get in shape to get back to running the miles I want to. I love to read and worked for four years in a bookstore. I like to keep track of the books I read. Currently I work as a 6th & 7th grade history teacher at the only charter school in Berkshire County, as well as serve as the coach for the cross country team! Been experimenting as a pescatarian (eating only fish) since August 10, 2011. 

 

Just earned my Master's Degree in Adolescent Education for Social Studies. I have the most wonderful WIFE in the entire world.. EMMA! October 16, 2010

Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must. Just never give up! - Dean Karnazes -

We are all teachers and we are all students in this sport. - Dean Karnazes -

The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward at an accelerated rate can be one of life's greatest - and simplest - pleasures. ~Dean Karnazes 

"Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny." - MK Gandhi 

"The marathon mercilessly rips off the outer layers of our defenses and leaves the raw human, vulnerable and naked. It is here you get an honest glimpse into the soul of an individual. Every insecurity and character flaw is open and on display for all the world to see. No communication is ever more real, no expression ever more honest. There is nothing left to hide behind. The marathon is the great equalizer. Ever movement, every word spoken and unspoken, is radiant truth. The veil has been obliterated. These are the profound moments of human interaction that I live for." - Dean Karnazes 

 

Benn Griffin


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2014 Books I've Read: 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Lifetime Miles: 367.52
Vibram Komodo Sports (yellow) Lifetime Miles: 570.38
Vibram Bikilas (red) Lifetime Miles: 655.87
Vibram Bikilas (blue) Lifetime Miles: 414.89
Altra Lone Peak Lifetime Miles: 155.19
Lizzy Miles 2012 Lifetime Miles: 58.60
Vibram Komodo Sport (black) Lifetime Miles: 195.60
NB Trail Minimus (orange) Lifetime Miles: 101.74
Altra Instinct (grey) Lifetime Miles: 389.78
Vibram Bikilas (red #2) Lifetime Miles: 10.60
Vibram Bikilas (green) Lifetime Miles: 230.05
Altra Adams Lifetime Miles: 2.00
Merrell Road Glove Lifetime Miles: 46.11
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.0020.00

6:30 PM - Work was done with, so I zipped home and proceeded to rewrite the demographics section of a paper (about 4 pages single spaced); had to reread about 30 pages of demographics and redo it from a Middle School perspective rather than a High School one. Grr, for the one Middle School class I actually have to take for my degree. Figures. Then called one of my group mates and talked a bit about where we are at and where we need to go with it before Tuesday. Group projects in grad school are stupid. One of the group members lives 20 miles east of me, one 40 miles south of me. hmm.. And I think we all have jobs. I swear professors are oblivious to real life.

The bike ride was what I needed. Hopped on the bike and was reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals. It's such a moving book (especially for a history buff like me). Right now I am still early on in it, as I've had school books and Sue Monk Kidd's book to read. So I am still in the election of 1860. Just reading about the four men all vying for the Republican nomination in 1860 is mind boggling. It's amazing to think how far the country has come and how much it has changed in just 149 years. It got me thinking how much it might change in just another decade or two. I hope to see the day when all people are accepted as the people they are, not what society sees them as. A person should be self-defined, not socially constrained in the parameters of mainstream policy.

Total Time: 1:00:20 Total Distance: 20 miles

2009 Cycling Mileage Miles: 20.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From brent on Sat, Feb 14, 2009 at 22:49:20

Benn, do you think writing at an 8th grade level is useful for 8th graders? Do we not aspire to raise our level? Your right, group projects suck. I had my GPA dragged down on a group project in college.

Nice cross training. Team of rivals, will it work for Obama?

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

From The Howling Commando on Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 12:09:08

Hey Brent. Team of Rivals & Obama. Good question. I think that one thing that has changed in the 150 years since Lincoln's election in 1860 and 1864 is the magnitude of change both nationally and worldly. It is much harder now to organize and successfully run a country in today's world. And as of late with the recent political scandals and a fear of the common people to save face, it seems problematic for an advocate of "change". I am still optimistic and hopeful though. I like Obama's picks thus far.

As for 8th grade education, and any secondary education, I think that at grade level is not good enough. When I am a teacher I want to challenge my students. I am more concerned about them taking something away from my class that they can use in real life. I think too many teachers fail to focus on writing skills, when really they remain one of the most crucial and useful skills in both the education system, and the real world.

Thanks for the comment about the xtraining. I am hoping to hit about 400 miles for February and March, and then in April and May hit the roads once the snow is gone. Any suggestions on new road tires? I was thinking of getting some ones that have 2,500 mile lifespans, but they are 50 bucks a piece. I think they would be a good investment though, as I plan on riding about 3000+ miles this year. What do you think?

Keep it real and keep on biking. Cyclists rock the vote! :)

From Brent on Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 13:05:16

Benn, funny you mention the tires, I just ordered, yesterday a pair of Specialized Armadillo tires. I am so darn tired of flats. $100 for a pair. The only downside seems maybe a little heavier. Give these tires a google before you buy.

On the Obama success, seems like the same old politics, hope the other party will fail and do you best to make failing a success. As you likely guessed, I am an old time democrat. My political roots go back to the VietNam protests. Although I am a Viet Nam veteran, I worked part time on the McGovern campaign in California.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

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