Motivated to Succeed

May 04, 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
4.200.000.00

9:15 AM - Sunny, blue skies. Incredibly muggy and temperature already high 70s. Predicted temp of 89 today. Virtually 100% humidity. I was sweating just walking to the car this morning. Ick. Went to Spa Park in Saratoga with Jonn. We went for a run. Really great run today. Did warm up to the bathhouse. Got water from the natural spring, stretched, then continued on, running on trails and roads. At the end Jonn held my water bottle and keys while I worked on my form. I have horrible running form and usually run with my arms out instead of going forward and back. I think it has to do with my bowleggedness. Just how I learned to balance myself. But made an agreement with Jonny that I will work on better form. Going to do every cool down focusing on form. Hopefully some of it will translate into my runs. No pain in the knee or legs afterward! Went and got my car's oil changed. What a rip off. I have to remember to go to the mechanic in Massachusetts. They seem very more reasonable both in character and prices! Splits were:

  • Mile 1: 8:47
  • Mile 2: 8:27
  • Mile 3: 8:50
  • Mile 4: 8:30

Total Time: 36:08  Total Distance: 4.2 miles Average Pace: 8:36/ mile

I don't really know why, but had a scary inkling to jump onto the scale today before work, and had a very real and humbling experience. Today was the first time, ever I have weighed 200 pounds. I don't get it though. Everyone says I don't look like I've gained any weight. Are they just lying? And I don't feel super fat. Yes, most of my clothes fit a bit snugger than usual, but I feel strong when I run and everything. 200 pounds. This is not cool. I am going on a diet. First foods to get axed: BAGELS.

Asics 2120s Chili Pepper #1 Miles: 4.20
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 200.00
Comments
From Nevels on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 12:21:38 from 131.204.15.93

Good call on working on your running form. Good form can drastically improve your biomechanical efficiency, which will let you run faster more easily and, more importantly, reduce the risk of injury.

Glad to hear everything's still feeling good; keep it up!

From Kory on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 13:52:18 from 134.50.89.33

Great run. Try focusing on not pumping the arms and keeping them to the side. I hear methods of tying your arms to the body as a technique to help the form.

Great job. Anything done to a vehicle anymore is expensive.

From Snoqualmie Ridge Runner on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 16:42:38 from 70.56.90.30

Don't axe the bagels...axe the stuff you put on them maybe. Usually it's the condiments that get you...You are just solid muscle which weighs more than fat :-)

Nice pace for the miles!

From Gazelle on Sat, Jun 27, 2009 at 12:07:12 from 72.79.217.23

My mom thinks you look great, too! (She has a crush on you, hahaha)

Love you!

From The Howling Commando on Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 11:12:01 from 72.224.24.41

lol sure sure Emmy :-P I bet she does ! Thanks sno. I will try to stay positive. Really just want to get back on the running scene! Have to remember to keep my ambitions in check though.

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