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

C reate Your Badge{C}

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

Thu, Jan 15, 2009

Running Miles	Swimming Yards	Bike Miles
3.57	0.00	0.00

8:20 AM - Woke up and the basement was freezing! No wonder why my parents were so willing back in the day to let me essentially take it over as my bachelor pad! Brrr! After a cup of coffee I layered up with 2 pairs of socks (wouldn't fit in my shoes, so I had to cut it to 1), a pair of short spandex, pair of long spandex and a pair of running pants, and then hats, gloves, and an a-shirt, long sleeve cotton shirt, long sleeve thermal shirt, and long sleeve sport shirt, oh and a sweatshirt! After all that I got in the car which didn't want to start. Finally turned over and drove to the school to do a quick run. Air temperature at the start of the run was -5 degrees !!! (Yes, NEGATIVE!)[wind chill factor of between: minus 15 and minus 20!]. It was sunny though so that was nice. Couldn't do much more than 30 minutes, else my eyelids might have entirely frozen shut. As it was I had to take my hand out of the glove and melt the ice away from my eyelashes every half mile or so. It was a fun run though. But I did get some strange looks. I am attaching a picture of me after the run and 2 pictures of the sunrise the other day which was spectacular from my house. Splits were:

Mile 1: 8:58
Mile 2: 8:50
Mile 3: 8:22
.57: 4:28 (7:52 pace)

Total Time: 30:40 Total Distance: 3.57 mi Average Pace: 8:35

View looking Southeast from my Garage.

Another shot before I headed to work, ~7:20 AM

And now, for the moment I'm sure everyone's been waiting for... what I have titled "THE ICEMAN RUNNETH":

7:20 PM - Did about 20 minutes of core exercises, freeweights, pushups, and crunches. Felt good.

Asics 2120s Chili Pepper #1 Miles: 3.57

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

Comments

From Marion on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 10:16:20

AWESOME picture!!! You are the snow man!!! I see you figured out how to get the Pic :) I hope you don't freeze to death out there!

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 10:21:46

Brrr ! Yeah it was quite cold. I don't think I am running outside tomorrow after work. They said it's supposed to be even colder than today! I had to bring along a digital camera this time because for some reason the phone still won't work. :)

From snoqualmie on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 11:08:29

The ice man cometh!! lol Wow. Um, wow.

Beautiful pictures! What a lovely place.

You are among the elite, hardy few to get out there and run. I noticed your base layers don't include wool -- may I suggest you treat yourself to some Smartwool? You've certainly earned it! By the way, your picture reminded me of the Jan. 10 entry from this blog (scroll down): http://www.runningskirts.blogspot.com/

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 11:21:46

Sno -MAN! THat's what I felt like! Frozen and alone out there, but still smiling and having a blast! :)

What is smartwool? I think I should add that on my list of things to buy should I scrounge up the money with Yaktrax?!

I agree that upstate NY truly is a lovely place and one of the perks about living so close to New England!

From JD on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 11:30:05

Congratulations! The photo of your frozen self has been chosen as my computer wallpaper for a day!

Way to go getting that run in.

From Nevels on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 11:46:35

Hard core, man. Hard core.

Snoqualmie is right; smartwool is fantastic. All of their products are well made; some of them could make you sweat in any weather, and I've about gotten to the point where the only socks I wear are Smartwool or Wigwam socks.

Again, solid running; way to get out there!

From Snoqualmie on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 13:29:19

Smartwool. Oh my goodness. I would eat beans & rice for a month to buy it if I had to. https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm (Do you have REI?) Theirs are the *only* socks I run in, year round. I'm wearing my top now, as I do almost all winter, under my clothes. (I had to accept the fact that I must wash something in the sink.) The only piece of Smartwool with which I haven't been 100% happy is the half zip top (though I do like it), because the metal zipper top touches skin. Br.

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 13:32:42

Um I just wear like .50 cent cotton walmart socks usually, though today I wore a pair of wool socks that Emma got me for xmas that were made in the Berkshires. I might have to seriously think smartwool though.

From Lucia on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 14:08:07

That picture is just priceless! And your view is so beautiful! I'm jealous...

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