Motivated to Succeed

April 28, 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
0.000.0051.50

9:30 AM - Overcast to partly sunny and temperatures in the mid to high 60s. A little stuffy and humid out. Nevertheless, decided to get a ride in. Was a great decision. Ended up doing the longest ride of the year! And arguably the longest in more than 3 years. Definitely the fastest that I've done a long ride. First 29.0 I did by myself to Saratoga via Charlton and Ballston Spa in a blistering 1:30:15!!!. Highlight of this portion: speeding going 33mph in a 30mph zone PAST A COP with a radar gun. I'm surprised he didn't choke on his donought. Muahaha. Then met up with my mom, my sister Su and brother Harry and we all went riding. Saw my dad on a bike today for the first time in 22 years. He used to ride all the time, but I don't recall ever seeing him. He seemed to enjoy it :). I hope we can all go on family rides soon. Oh, Jonny also biked to work and back, so all six of us rode bikes today. Pretty sweet! Mom and Su did a great job and rode at their own pace. Harry was awesome and kept with me. We had a good chat and really enjoyed ourselves. So awesome to be able to bike with family! Can't wait for the next ride. Now time for a ton of food!!!

Total Time: 3:18:00 Total Distance: 51.5 miles Average Speed: 15.6 mph

Note; Someone saw that on my Facebook.com account I made a group "Training for a 100 mile Century". He sent a link and suggested I consider a local ultra bike race in September: http://www.adkultracycling.com/adk540/index.htm   I don't know if I should consider it or what..

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From saamijeff on Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 19:59:13

I used to bike in the same area when I lived in Troy. But I know I never made 51 miles! Great job on the dedicated cross training. Maybe an ironman in your future.

From brent on Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 20:17:55

Howling commando, great day of riding. Riding can be fun, nice job. Just a thought, maybe take off some time from running, let your body heal.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

From The Howling Commando on Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 21:49:51

Thanks Brent. Yeah I really enjoy riding. What do you mean take off time from running? Do you mean no more "testing the waters" and just concentrate on biking only? Just a little confused, because I've been trying to do as much riding and minimal running right now to see if that helps.

From Jody on Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 22:11:58

New Blog! Same Benn! Congrats on the 50 mile bike ride - great job! Are you still blogging on your other blog as well?

From The Howling Commando on Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 22:13:45

Hi Jody! Thanks! Yup same me! Um no I am trying to export that blog and print it off for my records. This is my new blog. I wanted to log my bike miles in full without skewing results for mileage board and all. So this way I can still log my bike miles as I am biking probably for the rest of the summer without hurting anyones numbers :). Phew! I'm dog tired after that 50 miler hehe but I completed one of my goals! Yay!

From Scott Zincone on Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 22:14:54

Watching The Tour tonight and watching those descents I thought about you. How about those super steep downhills, hairpin turns, 1000 foot drop offs, 70+ mph, and NO GUARDRAILS !!

It would definitely take a howling commando to ride like that.

From josse on Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 19:22:00

Great job on the distance. This is so great, I am glad you have found something that works for you. Although I still would love to see you run SG marathon:) All in good time, all in good time.

From The Howling Commando on Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 19:33:11

Thanks, Josse! I am glad I can still do something active without further hurting myself :) Hopefully recovery will continue to happen and I agree. My goal is to eventually be able to run SG. For now I am happy just being able to get outside. I will consider this a long term investment for the future :)!

From MichelleL on Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 19:55:30

Holy cow! Over 50 miles????!~!!!!

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