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:

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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

Sat, Jul 11, 2009

Running Miles	Swimming Yards	Bike Miles
4.30	0.00	0.00

3:00 PM - Overcast, windy. Temperature 76. Well it's done!! I showed up at St. Rose down in Albany this morning and didn't know what to expect. I had all my books and everything. Things went well. Exam started at 9am and I finished at 11:58am, two minutes before the cut off time. The questions weren't that bad. It was a lot of theoretical stuff. (e.g. using my knowledge of educational theory and instructional plans respond to your choice of four). I ended up writing 10 pages in the three hour limit, 3,000 words. I think I did fairly well. I was pretty happy with it. I talked about how I as a teacher can change the world and how I feel that one of the most important roles people can play in society is that of an effective communicator. After all, communication is key to one's success in the world - whether it be written, spoken, or nonverbal. We'll find out in two weeks our results. As for results, I found out I got an A in my summer research course!!! That means I'm still sporting a 4.0 GPA for grad school. WOOT! Got home and my dad had a surprise for me. He took me down to the "Arizona Room" which is the basement of the garage. My parents had it refinished to be like Arizona and it has a sauna and a lot of SW stuff in it. He surprised me with a beer! We've never shared a beer together. And it's something I've wanted for over two years. We finally had a beer together though today and talked about my test and the education system. Then we had a second one. Funny thing was when dad said: "Don't worry. You're not and trouble and no this isn't the birds and the bees talk." I laughed. Oh and my dad got his 5th tattoo yesterday! He got it on the front of his right shin. A big snake in some tropical leaves. He has a jungle theme going on now I told him. He started with a sun on his right outside calf, then got a Grateful Dead Head on the outside of the left leg, then a lion on the inside of the right calf, then a Griffin like our namesake on the inside of his left leg. I told him now he's unbalanced and has to get another tattoo on his left shin! He probably will. It's so great. With his long hair and tattoos who'd ever thing he's a principal, let alone the most awesome dad in the entire world and the most loved principal the school's ever had! After about an hour in the garage I decided it was time for a run before the storms came in and plus I wanted to watch the tour today! Went to the track and ran exclusively on the nature trails. Legs weren't sore from yesterday's tempo run, though halfway through they started to fade. Had my suspicions that it was because of all the beer and coffee today. Not exactly the best running fuel! Will go with GARMIN splits, though I know I ran farther. This was a high mileage week this week, probably around 30 miles if you include all the walking with Emmy! Feeling great! I hope I do well on my race on Monday! Splits were:

Mile 1: 10:02
Mile 2: 10:33
Mile 3: 10:07
Mile 4: 11:14
.3: 3:04 (10:07)

Total Time: 45:03 Total Distance: 4.3 miles Average Pace: 10:28

Asics 2120s Chili Pepper #2 Miles: 4.30

Night Sleep Time: 0.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 0.00	Weight: 185.00

Comments

From Maurine/Tarzan on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 22:46:54 from 97.117.58.176

Sounds like you had a great day. Your dad seems like an interesting character.

From The Howling Commando on Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 07:06:13 from 72.224.24.41

Thanks, Maurine. It was a great day. My dad is awesome. He was a preschool teacher for a number of years, and then a kindergarten teacher for 15 years and now a principal for 15 years :). As for his tattoos I said well at least you wait until your skin was saggy to get them rather than vice versa. He tried to flick me in the temple! haha

From Gretchen on Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 11:23:00 from 69.216.16.108

Hey! Thanks for the comment; I often go into deep thought and hit my epiphanies of life as I run. It's good to know someone else in grad school still makes running a priority just as much as I do. Running provides you that break from school and does your body good - it wakes me up mentally and physically!

"After all, communication is key to one's success in the world - whether it be written, spoken, or nonverbal." I LOVE this quote! I completely agree communication is the key in every situation of life: love, school, work...accurately expressing yourself to others and making sure everyone is on the same page is so important to accomplishing anything.

It looks like you are a very serious runner; keep up your good work and never lose site of your goal. Have a good day!

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