Motivated to Succeed

Saratoga Stryders' Annual 5K Trail Series #1

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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
Race: Saratoga Stryders' Annual 5K Trail Series #1 (3.1 Miles) 00:25:25, Place overall: 21
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.310.000.00

6:15 PM - Temperature was 78 and sunny, with high humidity. I was anxious about today's race because it's the first race I've done in 18 months since my New Year's half marathon in 2008. I won't lie. I had butterflies in my stomach as I changed and laced up into my racing attire. Jonny came with me. With an entry fee of $4 (most of which goes to benefit the Wilton Wildlife Conservation effort) how could you NOT go run through a hilly, muddy, obstacle-laden course?! Man I was so looking forward to today! Picked up my friend Jonathan in Saratoga on the way and could tell he was stoked too. The three of us got there about 35 mins before the race started. We went and signed in. Very low key race so we don't have bib numbers or anything. You get your finishing time on an index card and you write your name and age on there afterwards.

Warm up:  Did a short .5 mile warm up in 4:33 (9:40 pace) with Jonny and Jonathan. Felt pretty good. Feet were a little sore form two days of being on my feet all day at the Jazz festival. Got back to the starting area and stretched out. Saw my seventh grade English teacher. :). Stretched and got in the back of the back of 65 or so runners I'd estimate. I didn't want to be over zealous. Decided that I would hang in the back, and work my way up.

THE RACE!:

Mile 1: (8:12) - Started dead last right next to Jonathan. We started talking as we jogged off on our adventure. Within 200 m there are two somewhat substantial climbs and people were already dropping back to us and walking up the hill. We pressed on and he told me, "Benn, since you're more experienced with this stuff and since this is my first race I'll let you do the pacing." I tried to step up to the cause. All the miles and hours I've logged on the bike have certainly helped me develop metronome-like cadence when it comes to pacing. After two hills it opened up to a flat and the trail was pretty sandy. I love this course because it has everything: hills, roots, water hazards, dirt, mud, embankments, logs and stumps! Having a blast at this point.

Mile 2: (8:12) - Jonathan and I parted ways. He went off to chase down Jonny and/or several lovely young ladies that had been running in front of us. I tucked into a group of 4 runners. Let them set the pace a bit. Was starting to feel the heat and humidity, especially as mile 2 is predominantly all uphill. Kept cool and collected though. It was nice to be in the moment.

Mile 3: (8:17) - Right before the start of mile 3 the route crosses the road and you enter what I consider the best part of the course. There are a couple more hills, but then the last .5 miles is all downhill. At one point you are literally turning head over heels it's so steep. I saw two runners up ahead and set my eyes on them. I picked off the man first. He seemed to be slowing. Perhaps I was speeding up though. A cheetah on the prowl!. The lady in pink was next. Caught her at the bottom of a downhill. Weaved my way through the woods and got to the last huge downhill section, only it is single track and I got caught behind a guy. Followed him until the dam at the end of mile 3, and sprinted in for the finish. He later apologized for not moving over to which I said, "Hey! You beat me to the top of the trail fair and square. Besides you paced me for the last half mile!" He smiled :).

.12 (:47) 5:38 pace - Kicked it in across the dam, up and to the right, through the flags. A couple people were cheering. Ran all the way to the tape, thinking that someone might come up behind me. Ended up in 21st place (of 66 total runners) in a time of 25:25!!! Going into the race I had hoped 27:00 with a good performance of 26:00.  My time was awesome! They say to add 10-20% to your road time for the 5k because it's so hilly and all the obstacles. I had such a blast and am happy that this shows good things are to come!

Total Time: 25:25 Total Distance: 3.12 miles Average Pace: 8:08 / mile

Cool Down: After getting a drink of water I went with Jonny (13th place) and Jonathan (15th place) up to the 2 mile marker via the road so that we could retrieve Jonny's shirt. I joked that Jonny was trying to impress the ladies too by taking his shirt off. He said, "Yeah right. The only people around me were old hairy men!" Jogged back down to the finish line and watched the raffle. They always have cool useful stuff (i.e. pringles, popcorn, lint roller, fly tape, bug spray) stuff that real people need. Had a true blast today! Total cooldown was .72 miles in 7:08 (9:52 pace).

Asics 2120s Chili Pepper #1 Miles: 4.31
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 192.00
Comments
From Mike Warren on Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 22:40:09 from 208.117.124.133

Benn, very cool! I am so excited your able to run again and having a blast. Nice finishing kick to boot!

From Kelli on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 10:14:08 from 71.219.76.64

That sounds like a super fun race! I enjoyed your report, it was so JOVIAL!! You are just deep down a really cool, good, decent guy!

Awesome time, especially considering the course and the obstacles. I am not so sure how I feel about you picking off the woman in pink, us pink women have to stick together, but I suppose I can forgive you!

Have a good day!!!

From Brent on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 11:57:54 from 168.178.30.75

Howling Commando, great fun, mud,hills, gutsy effort. 200 commando points for the effort and beating my time saturday on a tougher course. Your right, the biking makes a big difference on toughness and endurance. Next time your going to pass on single track, Howl out load, we are howling commandos.

Stay Kool, Hoooooooowl, B of BS Rools out

From Nevels on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 13:05:17 from 131.204.15.93

Solid run; solid time; solid effort.

Congrats.

From Simmbad on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 21:44:38 from 67.199.161.103

Hey Commando nice job on the race, thnaks for checking in on me. How was your winter? ours was cold long and very wet.

From marion on Sat, Jul 04, 2009 at 13:26:17 from 71.219.58.182

Way to GO BRO!!!! That was AWESOME!! I your time was most excellent DUDE!! :)

From argentinerocket on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 at 11:56:15 from 74.9.147.114

Nice work kiddo! Sounds like a great course, love the trails!

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