Motivated to Succeed

December 21, 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: 

 

 

 

 

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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
0.000.0055.75

7:30 AM - Sunny skies and temp above 50 so I went for it. Did a long ride. Was going to go farther but when I stopped at home to refill my water bottles Jonny and Kyle were there and about to leave to go meet my mom and Harry at Applebees. The scouts had a pancake fundraiser there this morning and we decided to get lunch there.

The ride today was fun. I went down into Charlton and then over to Saratoga, stopped at mile 28 for water at the springs (I'm cheap like that.) There was a tour group of Japanese men and women and I had to giggle as I was filling up my bottles with spring water and they tried the sulfur laced mineral water. Haha. Then I gave them directions to the Hall of Springs. Got a coffee and bagel at Borders and then biked home, went past my house and decided it would not be a true ride without at least one circuit of the hill of doom. I will now refer to this loop as the Widowmaker, a 7.5 mile ride of true hell. Three vicious uphills followed by 2 miles of the fastest downhills around. I am completely exhausted and yet still need to manage to do an 8 page proposal for tomorrow's class as well as prepare for a 15 minute presentation on a chapter I haven't read yet. Oops!

Funny thing was about 15 miles into the ride I saw the lead runners in the Tour de Cure ride (either 25, 50, 62, or 100 miles) for the American Diabetes Association. They were basically following my route only backwards, so I was swimming upstream. They actually weren't riding very fast and later on I ended up riding WITH them a bit on Route 29 and I was going a good 5-6 mph faster them! I am really anxious to find a bike race to enter! I want to see how I can do! Favorite quote from a cyclist going the other way was a lady that was waving at me furiously, "Other way man! Other way! You're going the wrong way!" I wanted to yell back "NO no. I'm poor and can't afford the 250 buck minimum entry fee! Sorry!!" I am also anxiously anticipating Century Ride #2. Should I do a point to point? Maybe I will follow their route! Heck, the numbers and arrows are still painted on the roads! I think that's just what I might do! Need one more decent long ride and then I'll have my confidence to gun for the next century!

Total Time: 3:16:57 Total Distance: 55.75 miles  Average Speed: 17.0 mph

2009 Cycling Mileage Miles: 55.75
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Kelli on Sun, Jun 07, 2009 at 17:57:12 from 71.219.74.247

Awesome bike ride. You do need to find a race to enter (a cheaper one!!)

From The Howling Commando on Sun, Jun 07, 2009 at 19:43:48 from 72.224.24.41

Thanks, Kelli!! I don't know what distance though. I do long rides consistently of 50+ miles. Should I try to get a PR in the 50 mile? OR try to see how far I can push myself? Theres a 12 hour night ride race in saratoga the night of my comprehensive exams... It's an actual race not a club ride. Should I do it and just see how many miles I can cover during the night??

From Kelli on Sun, Jun 07, 2009 at 23:46:04 from 71.219.74.247

As long as the exams are before the ride...go for it! You are a biking animal!

From Nevels on Mon, Jun 08, 2009 at 12:20:43 from 131.204.15.93

The Widowmaker...I like it!

From Nevels on Mon, Jun 08, 2009 at 12:36:55 from 131.204.15.93

so I think I just sent you a private message; let me know if you don't get it...

From Brent on Mon, Jun 08, 2009 at 21:08:48 from 168.178.30.75

HC, nice biking, nice pace with the widown maker as part of the avg. Any howling during the ride?

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

From The Howling Commando on Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 09:13:01 from 72.224.24.41

Thanks, Kelli! I am really thinking about it now! Although I looked at last year's results and there were only 2 people that did the 12 hour night race! lol. I guess I'm guaranteed a medal in that respect lol

John - got your private message. I am really thinking about getting my brother to help promote a charity ride getting me a website and all! Will keep you posted.

Brent - yup. Just a little Howling as I cruised by the competition, not from me though, from all the slow yuppies broken spirits as a HC kicked their butts! Also one good howl as I descended the Widowmaker.

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