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: 

 

 

 

 

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
16.100.000.00

8:00 AM - Overcast, windy and cold. Saw some snowflakes. Temperature was about 30-31 when I started with a 12-15mph wind. Going out along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail wasn't that bad. However coming back I really hit the wind. Experimented with a new technique for long runs using the 25:5 (minutes of running: minutes of walking). I found that I was able to maintain a consistent and faster pace during the runs and my 5 minute walking stints were a welcome break. It breaks the long run up and I only slow to about 14 minutes per mile pace when walking so it's not bad. Felt pretty good. Opted out of the 5 minute walk at the end and just pushed to the car. Finished the run just under two hours. Listened to two old CarTalk podcasts. I love NPR!

 Total Time: 1:58:11 Total Distance: 12.50 miles Average Pace: 9:27

RUNNING (25:00)

WALKING (5:00)

2.81 miles (8:54/ mile)

.34 miles (14:36/ mile)

2.78 miles (8:59/ mile)

.31 miles (15:51/ mile)

2.80 miles (8:56/ mile)

.35 miles (14:24/ mile

3.11 miles (9:03/ mile)

N/A

2:30 PM - Emmy wanted to go for an exercise date so I hopped on the treadmill while she was on the elliptical. I did another 3.60 miles while we watched a little bit of "Superbad" on FX.

Total Time: 33:33 Total Distance: 3.60 miles Average Pace: 9:19

Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 12.50Reebok Premier KFS Miles: 3.60
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Nevels on Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 16:43:00 from 131.204.15.93

good distance. have you ever read any of jeff galloway's training methods? he's a big advocate of the run/walk technique and has done quite a bit of statistical analysis on the overall effects of short walk breaks. he's got a book describing how to effectively use the technique to train and race marathons, but given the nature of trail ultras, it can be very appropriate for ultra training, depending on the course.

i randomly ran into galloway at a coffee place once and asked him about it, and he seemed to know his stuff pretty well, not to mention that it's hard to argue with an olympian...

From Benn Griffin on Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 17:56:51 from 96.240.245.142

Yeah I have heard of Galloway! I haven't read much other than his site but it seems to be appropriate when trying to keep your horses in check going on a long run. I think doing long runs like this is good too because it breaks it up, and even with 15 mins of walking total during my long run I still averaged like 9:30 a mile! I felt better running. Fresher almost. I think he is on to something.

So cool you ran into him! I am getting excite for the 30miler. Only thing is I have to hit the 20 mile mark in 4.5 hours. I don't know how hard that is to do on an average ultra course. I would rather push hard to beat the 4.5 hour mark and then bonk and still be able to finish. Hopefully I meet the mark and DONT bonk and then go on to finish super duper strong!

From Lybi on Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 18:11:05 from 68.3.191.246

Wow, good job Benn! You trounced on many a half marathoner's time, and you still walked 15 min., darn you!

BTW I always love your pictures of you and Emma. So cute!

From Rossy on Tue, Mar 30, 2010 at 20:18:14 from 151.151.109.10

Benn, nice workout and interesting 25:5 idea! Keep it up!

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