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: 

 

 

 

 

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
7.020.000.00

"Like a lot of runners, I am an introvert by nature. Running naturally appeals to introverts because it's a solitary activity, unless you go out of your way to make it otherwise, and it has a way of dampening external stimuli, bringing your feelings and thoughts to the fore." - Dean Karnazes from his new book 50:50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days - and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!

 

9:30 AM - Went to Spa Park with Jonn today. He wanted to do a recovery run after a tough 2.7 miler xc race yesterday. He did awesome and ran for 28th place in the varsity race! We started off nice and slow, and did a .6 mile warmup in 5:59. Eased into the 5k course that he will have to run for sectionals, and then followed up with 2 loops of the golf course. On the last loop he left me in the dust and wanted to shake out his legs and opened up into probably like a 7 minute pace or so. I am on top of the world right now. The only pain I felt was the last .5 miles as I was coming in to the car under two of my toes on my right foot. I suspect it was a slightly pinched nerve from a rock that had been lodged there during the run. My splits were as follows:

  • Mile 1 - 10:19
  • Mile 2 -  9:35
  • Mile 3 -  9:47
  • Mile 4 - 9:44
  • Mile 5 - 9:32
  • Mile 6 - 9:47
  • Mile 7 - 9:52

I still can't believe today's run. I know it's a reflection of how hard I've trained this summer and how I have kept faith in my abilities to overcome this setback. I think my goals for the week will be 2 or 3 3-milers and then to try a similar run next weekend. I truly needed this after having a horrible week with work and school.

Total Time: 1:08:51 Total Distance: 7.02 mi Average Pace: 9:48/ mile

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From hammerinhank on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 14:50:44

You are getting real close to your long run goal. If your foot problem persists, you might have what is called a Mortan's Neuroma. Ice and anti-inflammatory drugs like motrin might help you if you have an aggrevated tendon on nerve causing the pain.

From MichelleL on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 14:54:00

Running melts all the bad things away. I am so happy for you that you're able to get in a long run like this. Soak it up!

From Lybi on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 16:10:48

Congrats, Benn! It is your great attitude that has enabled you to make it back this far.

PS You have gotten quite fuzzy since the last time I checked your blog. Nice beard!

From Benn G. on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 16:25:32

Haha thanks Lybi. Yeah It's the first time I've tried to grow a beard. I heard it makes me look a little older. Not sure if it makes me wiser yet. Will have to wait for the grades on that one!

Michelle - I think I had the closest feeling of a runner's high in the past year today. It truly is such a blessing to get out there. I just didn't want it to end! I guess a plus about running slow, I can stay out there longer ;)

From Brent on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 17:01:13

Professor: Nice quote - solitary, reflection, work, sweat, nature, smells and the personal challenge.

Real runners run if "races" were no more, stay true to running lore.

Progessor, AKA Howling commando, I have not kept up on blogs latey, too busy at work, good to see your running pain free.

Stay Kool, Howl, B of BS Rools out

From The Howling Commando on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 17:16:02

Hey Brent - Yeah I've been really busy myself. Grad school is driving me nuts! 4 classes, and then working 3 days a week too just to make gas money. I have no time for anything, which stinks!

I actually have not done a true "Run" over 4 miles in a long time. I just decided to try it today and it worked in my favor, you know?

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