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

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, Jan 08, 2009

Running Miles	Swimming Yards	Bike Miles
5.60	0.00	0.00

3:20 PM - Went over to Spa Park after work and changed in my car. It was blustery cold and had been snowing all day. It finally stopped at about 3:00 so I decided it was definitely worth a go. There were a bunch of people walking their dogs but the highlight of today's run was during mile 3 when a momma deer jumped out in front of me and was staring at me, probably because my gloves were flourescent orange just like the hunters wear. I had a moment of ESPN where I was like "Woah. Easy does it. I'm just a jogger!" Then little Bambi came hopping across the road so cute! Momma and Bambi went off in to the woods and I kept jogging. I slipped a couple times during the run, but no falls. Ran pretty even paces despite the hills.

Mile 1: 9:04
Mile 2: 9:06
Mile 3: 8:55
Mile 4: 9:01
Mile 5: 8:59
.6: 5:14 (8:49)

Total Time: 50:23 Total Distance: 5.6 mi Average Pace: 9:00

GOOD NEWS!: I think that I have convinced Emmy to join the blog! Hopefully we will set her up with an account tomorrow as she's coming to New York!

Asics 2120s Chili Pepper #1 Miles: 5.60

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

Comments

From wheakory on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 17:24:05

Great run Benn and great dedication to stay fit on a day that's been snowing a lot. I know you don't live in New York City, but have you ever ran in Central Park. If so does it feel special and are there tons of runners?

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 17:34:06

No I've never run in Central Park :(. I ran in Van Cortlandt park once for a college xc meet and there were probably about 1000 runners there no joke. I can only imagine Central Park though. I don't know if it would "feel special" though. I personally would feel too crowded like we were goldfish all vying for the same space. I don't know though. That's just my personal reaction to places where there are a bunch of runners going all over.

From Nevels on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 18:36:33

I was on a run one night, probably around 12 or so, when an entire family of deer, buck, doe, and a couple of fawns, all ran right across my path, no more than 5 feet in front of me. It startled me a little at first, but after the initial surprise, it was really a neat experience.

Solid paces, especially considering hills. How is everything feeling?

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 18:45:03

Leg wise I am feeling gravy, baby :)! I did do something to my wrist lifting a lot of heavy boxes of books. Why can't books be made of lighter materials :-P

I actually really liked my run today! I am anxious to see where next week takes me. The quads had 0 soreness today. I am making sure to get adequate sleep of 8 hours or so too which I think aids in my recovery.

From Nevels on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 19:11:01

Glad to hear that you're feeling good. Just remember not to get too excited and overdo it in training. The good ol' 10% per week rule is generally a safe bet. It takes a while to get up to goal mileage, but a slow and steady increase in fitness is always better than a short, fast increase followed by injury.

Just my two cents....

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 19:29:54

Nevels - What do you think of this: aiming for 3 mile runs on all days but my long days and adding 1-1.5 miles to a long run once a week?

i.e. I am going to be about 24 or 25 miles this week with a long run of 5.6 miles.. I was thinking next week go for 26 miles and a long run of 6.6? or is that too much?

From Marion on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 21:25:54

Nice run man! WOW- Bambi and all! That is a run for the books! Good thing that mama didn't gore you! ;)

From Marion on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 21:28:45

Oh yipee- more love birds on the blog :p

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 21:33:29

Tell me about it! I could see she was eyeing me with that Evil Mama eye.. you know the one that you get from your mom when you've snuck into the cookie jar at 6 in the morning thinking she won't know and then turn around with a yummy gooey chocolate chip cookie melting in your mouth only to see her standing there with her arms crossed.. oh man it's like I've had personal experience with this or something!! :-P

I can't wait for Emmy to get on the blog! It will be awesome!

From Kelli on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 21:55:28

She should join the blog, it is a great way to keep track of the fiance and make sure he stays on track.

Great run, just take it nice and easy joe, and stay away from Bambi with those orange gloves. you probably frightened the poor mother to death.

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 22:01:06

Awww :( I didn't want to scare it! Just to say hi!

So for taking it easy, I should stick to just trying to work up to 25 miles a week and see if I can hang there through the winter I was thinking? That will act as a good place to build from when the spring comes around I figure?

From Kelli on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 22:08:52

Unfortunately, that can not tell the good guys from the hunters---especially when the good guys are wearing orange gloves!

I think your plan sounds good. Winter is for taking it easy and trying not to fall on our fannies!!

From marion on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 23:24:01

BEnn- your plan sounds GREAT!! I am going to do a holding pattern too. :) SURVIVE THE WINTER- Spring is coming!!! :D

From The Howling Commando on Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 06:26:57

Haha We sound either like a bunch of football players or air traffic controllers directing traffic on the field/tarmack. Why can't it just be spring already? :) Since I'm not a ski bum I have no use for snow after xmas :-P

From curtis on Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 06:34:15

Nice runs this week commando, thats cool about the deer story. That's one of the perks of running outside ya never now what or who your going to run into. Hey congrats on the engagement, you both look very happy in the picture. I hope you have a great day.

From The Howling Commando on Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 06:41:16

haha thanks, curtis! If you ask me though I look slightly agitated. My better half told me I look better with a trimmed beard or as I said a wimpy o'clock shadow. We'd just trimmed it so I was, needless to say a little annoyed. hehe.

I keep holding out that one day I'll see a moose, though hopefully I'll be far enough away to see it without making it run away. I've never seen a real moose.

From Nevels on Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 10:36:22

HC: The plan sounds good. If I had a suggestion, it would be to be wary of burnout. A good routine is key to getting in good shape, but the same thing day after day after day can eventually lead to boredom. That being said, ways to get around the mental fatigue could be changing up routes, varying paces, adding some hills, etc. I do like your strategy to increase the length of the long run.

Good plan; good luck!

From Marion on Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 12:40:22

I have no use for the show either, Benn- It's pretty and all, but I really MISS SPRING!!!!

From curtis on Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 17:15:58

No rains, just 2 ft of snow. Have a great weekend.

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