Motivated to Succeed

November 20, 2024

15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

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

Mon, Feb 09, 2009

Running Miles	Swimming Yards	Bike Miles
4.09	0.00	0.00

8:05 AM - Sunny; Temp around 20. Went to the school to go jogging. Started off good, but then my knee started to tighten up and hurt again. The left knee on the outside started to hurt around the 2 mile mark. I wasn't tired, but the knee kept me from running :(. Thankfully made it back to the car in one piece.

Mile 1: 9:29
Mile 2: 9:14
Mile 3: 9:20
Mile 4: 9:05

Total Time: 38:00 Total Distance: 4.09 mi Average Pace: 9:17

*Going to try to get more sleep, eliminate caffeine starting today (only drinking decaf coffee might be rough but I'm going to give it a go), and try to eat more healthfully, maybe not as strict as the Paleo Diet, but going to try to eat my fruits, veggies, and whole grains!

9:30 PM - Long day of classes. I was discouraged with the pain in my knee, but Emmy suggested I do some arm exercises and crunches. I did 20 mins of arms and 200 crunches, followed by Marion's IT Band suggestions. I really hope it helps!

Asics 2120s Chili Pepper #1 Miles: 4.09

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

Comments

From Marion on Mon, Feb 09, 2009 at 16:11:54

Sounds like your IT band. Have you rolled it out? Iced it? Done the IT band stretches? Do you have Valentines day planned? I need a nap! ;)

From The Howling Commando on Mon, Feb 09, 2009 at 19:41:15

No I haven't done specific ITband stretches.. How do you "roll" it out ? I don't have a roller!

Valentines Day I am hoping to go to Emmy's. I haven't seen her in 2 wks! So I'm going to go Saturday after work and go to Massachusetts for at least a day and a half. Hopefully we can go to dinner and see a movie together.

From Brent on Mon, Feb 09, 2009 at 20:52:47

Benn, IT band streches may help, I would also do calf stretches. My IT bands get so tight, have a massage PT work them out once a month. It seems to be a common problem for runners. Are you biking to Emma's? Be careful out there, ha, ha,

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

From Marion on Mon, Feb 09, 2009 at 20:56:12

There is a foam roller, but I just use my rolling pin. It gets it pretty good. The stretches really work, but the IT band pain is really tenacious and you have to keep at it :)

Brent- a massage sounds really great! i bet it hurts something fierce!

From The Howling Commando on Mon, Feb 09, 2009 at 20:57:45

Well maybe that's what it is.. how do I find the stretches? And how do I use the rolling pin?

It's pain on the outside and ceter of my knee cap, almost right at the joint.

From Marion on Mon, Feb 09, 2009 at 21:18:30

http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/flexibilityexercises/ss/ITBstretches_2.htm

this is mt fave ;)

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