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: 

 

 

 

 

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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
6.200.000.00

8:00 AM -  Cloudy and temperature of 33 when I started. Wore hat but no gloves. Didn't have a very pleasant morning because I guess one of the pumps for the septic system stopped working so our basement bathroom started overflowing. Oii. Needed to go for a run though. Ended up running a warmup at the track and going out on the backroads. Felt good. Feeling stronger as the days go on. I think I am well on my way to getting back on track!

  • Mile 1: 8:21
  • Mile 2: 8:09
  • Mile 3: 8:08
  • Mile 4: 8:12
  • Mile 5: 8:07
  • Mile 6: 7:46

Total Time: 50:19 Total Distance: 6.2 mi Average Pace: 8:06

Asics 2120s Chili Pepper #1 Miles: 6.20
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From marion on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 12:21:39

Benn- you are doing so great!! I am SO happy for you!!! Sorry about the CRAP in the basement! Major Oii!!!

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 12:24:48

Thanks, Marion! I'm happy too! I just hope that I will be able to successfully run the 5k/10k double on Thanksgiving! :) That will be the sweetness for all this hard work - getting to run with loved ones!

Hoiii yeah stupid "crap" in the basement haha. Luckily there isn't too much of that, it's more of just water leaking from the base and sink water shooting out. Hopefully we can fix it.

From marion on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 12:33:06

You will do GREAT on thanksgiving! Just warm up, stretch and let those horses fly!!! ;)

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 12:39:38

Thanks, Marion! I don't know if I can really let the horses "fly" per say, but maybe I can let them trot a bit? I'm just unsure about entering a real "race" again. I'm so afraid that running too fast my reinjure myself you know?

I just hope I can successfully complete both races without keeling over! :)

From Snoqualmie on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 12:51:09

Good work, "rising above it all..." I feel so sorry for people who have septic malfunctions and cannot run away from it all!

From saamijeff on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 12:51:44

From my experience 5/10 K speed should be alright on the old achilles. For me I carefully watch my 400m or shorter sprinting speeds, including not doing striders at more than about 80%. I don't know about the science, but for me I have had little or no achilles problems since I stopped ALL faster than 1 mile pace interval work. But remember I tore mine running out an infield single so sprinting makes me cringe a little. Good luck in the races!

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 12:57:12

Thanks everyone! As far as the 5k/10k I think what I'll do is stick with Emma and Su (my sister) and see what pace they run. I think last time Emma ran about 25 mins for a 5k. Then with the 10k I will go for it and try to break 50. Way off my old school PR of 40:46 from last year, but again we'll just see how it goes on race day I guess. For all I know I could feel like a million bucks!

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 13:11:05

So I am kind of angry with myself. I know my diet isn't the best but I just don't get it. I was at my normal weight of 166 this summer, but after my run today I weighed a fat 177. I would like to think that some of this weight might be muscle mass I've gained. I feel strong and energetic and I'm still running decent paces! What gives? Maybe I just need to try Josse's monofood diet :(

From marion on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 13:13:53

Please remember that your are coming back from a injury. Not only are you building muscle mass, but as you are running more, your body is retaining more water to make sure that it is ready to do the next hard workout. Eat right, eat GOOD stuff, drink and give yourself some time ;)

(you may not want to eat a dozen bagels every day ;) Muahahaha!!!

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 13:17:18

Alright, Marion. I'll try! I limited myself to only ONE BAGEL today! :) And I made sure to promise not to have any more today :). Hopefully that will help a bit.

From marion on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 13:35:24

Maybe one more, just NOT 12 :) you are a growing boy, after all! How tall are you?

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 13:50:52

6'2" (6'3" if I'm wearing shoes :)) It's weird because in h.s. even as a senior I was only 5'11" but when I got my checkup this year I'd grown 3 inches!

From marion on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 14:00:59

If you are 6'2" then 177 is thin and close to just right. 166 is NOT for you!!! Seriously man- I wouldn't worry about the weight AT ALL!! Just eat right. FYI- Usain Bolt is 6'4" 198 lbs.

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 14:02:54

Dang! I was hoping to get to 160, but maybe I have to embrace my wide hips lol. I'm like "skinny" but have to wear waist size 34 shorts because I got my dad's hips. Doh!

From marion on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 14:19:58

For a man of 6'2", 34" waist is just fine! Especially at your weight :) AND if you wear your shorts gangster style, this conversation is pointless. ;)

From wheakory on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 14:32:40

I definitely on your way back because your fitness "and again" your consistency is showing that.

In your race Thanksgiving just run by feel and nothing else and you'll surprise yourself.

Your weight is fine... I wouldn't won't go below a 160 with your height/weight ratio.

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 14:33:12

HAHAH wait is "gangster" style like those high schoolers I see when I'm observing for field experience where they essentially trip over them? Oh yeah you know me. You know how I do. I roll gangsta' fo shizzle.

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 14:35:01

thanks, Kory. Should I just aim then to try to finish both races comfortably? And hopefully turn in a 10+ mileage day? That would accomplish one of my short term goals right there :)

From marion on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 14:55:07

Yep- Gangsta' Benn!!! Kory is right- NO BELOW 160 FOR SURE!!! If you eat well and keep up your AWESOME training- your weight will settle in nicely. Boys have it a bit luckier in that department, in my experience. Ya'll being guys can tell me I'm nuts if you like :) That testosterone of yours really is a lot more helpful that estrogen ;) Guys are built for speed and strength (hunt protect), girls are made to nest and make babies and feed them (store fat, must survive, make good incubator). How caveman is that assesment?

From wheakory on Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 15:58:30

"Thanks, Kory. Should I just aim then to try to finish both races comfortably? And hopefully turn in a 10+ mileage day? That would accomplish one of my short term goals right there :)"

I would take one of the races and put a good effort into it, maybe the 10k then the other one use as a cool-down. This way you can use one as a good race pace and the other has a nice gentle cool-down.

Make sure you do a good warm-up before racing.

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