Motivated to Succeed

December 21, 2024

15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

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

C reate Your Badge{C}

2014 Books I've Read:

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate

to Ukraine's Armed Forces

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

Thu, Dec 11, 2008

Running Miles	Swimming Yards	Bike Miles
0.00	0.00	20.00

8:00 AM - Up and at 'em early today. Snowing already. Supposed to be real treacherous tonight which sucks. "Snow, sleet and a lot of ice" is what they are calling for. I had all 3 papers that we're turning in today done last class, but she wouldn't take them so I had to hold onto them all week. I will just be happy when I can get them turned in and off my shoulders. I just hope she lets us out early because I work at 8am tomorrow :(. Also really need to try to keep myself from eating yummy foods - I feel so fat. I need to be under 170!

Hopped on the bike for an early morning ride. Finished reading Ultramarathon Man again and started another reading of Pam Reed's The Extra Mile (fitting, no?) Felt strong. Just wish I could get out on the rides. The time goes so much faster out there and a 2 or 3 hour ride is nothing. But sometimes I feel like even an hour on the wind trainer feels like an eternity!

Total Time: 1:01:30 Total Distance: 20 mi Average Speed: 19.5 mph

Night Sleep Time: 0.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 0.00	Weight: 177.00

Comments

From Kelli on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 10:18:23

Yeah, school is almost done for a bit!!! You get a long winter break, right?

Enjoy the snow, hope the ice stay away, but enjoy the snow!

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 10:20:43

Yeah I get 4 weeks off. I'm trying not to have to work 5 days a week though like I normally do during breaks because 1. they don't pay me very well and 2. I want to spend time with my fiancee!

From Kelli on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 10:28:29

Yes, you take some time off to be with her!!! School is rough, I remember all too well.

HAVE A FUN BREAK whatever you do!

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 10:33:11

Thanks Kelli! Great run this a.m. and hopefully the P.M. one is good too! Try to get some sleep! I hear you on the difficulties trying to get adequate amounts of sleep!

From Nevels on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 11:02:18

You've been reading all these ultra books; do I detect a prospective ultrarunner?

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 11:16:59

I have an entire bookcase of just running books. It's all I ever think about. I want to be an ultra runner so bad. I just have to get things sorted out so I can start logging miles again. I will have to start small and just aim for marathon #3 first though!

From Nevels on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 11:38:43

Once you get back on your feet and work toward a marathon, you'll be fine for a 50k. Contrary to natural intuition, a 50k is easier than a marathon, because you're going slower, and you don't beat up your body as much as you would on pavement (most 50k's are on trails).

And clearly, once you've done a 50k, the next natural step is a 50-miler, and then...

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 11:41:01

*drools :) I can't wait to do my first 50k! I've always had the heart of a distance runner. Now it's just fooling my legs into not thinking about the distance!

From Nevels on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 11:47:42

Once you get good and healthy (which maybe these new orthotics can help accomplish), just start slowly upping mileage (~10% per week) and giving yourself a down week every three or so. By the time you get up to 40 or 50 miles per week, start shifting some of the mileage weight to longer runs, and once you can mosey through a 12-15 mile run on your own, you'll be fine for a 50k, when you'll be making frequent stops at aid stations (you paid for them; you might as well use them - my own philosophy), so all you have to do is talk yourself from aid station to aid station, which will probably be around 6 or so miles apart. If you've got the mind for it, which you seem to have, then it's just a matter of time before you'll be hammering the trails.

Rock on...

From Brent on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 14:57:40

Benn, I had never thought about a 100 miler until lately. It would be awesome, you can do it. I have been thinking about training for a full IRON man when I retire in a few years. By the way, clipless is just no toe cage thing on the pedals, a cleat is on the shoe that locks you in. It does keep you more engaged with the pedal as uses more range of motion. I am with you, riding for miles and arriving where you never left sucks. I can't wait for spring.

Nevels would be a great coach for your Ultra

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

From marion on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 17:02:00

Great ride! It IS so much easier to ride in the great out doors! Hang in there, Spring will be here sooner than you think! YEAH!!!

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 17:49:12

Brent: I have never tried the clipless . I always have to wear my running shoes and tuck the laces in when I ride as I have a toe cage on my bike. Maybe I can look into the clips though.

Marion: I hope so! THINK SPRING! THINK SPRING!

Nevels: Would you consider coaching? :) I could pay you with chocolate chip cookies or whatever goodies you want! haha

From Kelli on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 18:45:36

Nevels will have us all running ultras soon enough! He is persuasive!

From Nevels on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 18:59:05

I don't know about being a full-fledged "coach," but I'll be happy to come up with a training plan for you, targeting a certain distance, once you're back running, and I can answer any questions you may have about ultrarunning/training/terrain/trail-running/etc that I've got some experience with. Just let me know, and I'll do what I can for you.

Kelli, are you still planning on that 50k?

From Kelli on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 19:02:00

I AM!!! I have not picked WHICH 50k yet (Red Mountain or Antelope Island) but I will be doing one of them and I am excited about it!

From marion on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 20:16:05

NOT ME!!! I am pretty sure a marathon is going to KILL me! I am not being overly dramatic- I am sure I would actually DIE if I tried to run 100 miles!!!!

From The Howling Commando on Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 06:39:57

Haha. You're too funny, Marion! You wouldn't die! Though you might be really really REALLY sore for a few weeks or months afterwards hehe

From Nevels on Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 10:48:15

It's not so bad; the soreness was subsiding by the Thursday afterward, and I can almost feel the tip of my big toe again already...

From marion on Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 11:53:29

funny Nevels! You are just an amazing super hero! So what have you blown up lately?

From Nevels on Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 13:24:34

Alas, I have not been to the blast range in a while, so I personally have not been present for any detonations in the last couple of months, but I have been simulating them with computer models, and that's fun...right...?

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