Motivated to Succeed

November 20, 2024

Recent EntriesHomeJoin Fast Running Blog Community!PredictorHealthy RecipesBenn Griffin's RacesFind BlogsMileage BoardTop Ten Excuses for Missing a RunTop Ten Training MistakesDiscussion ForumRace Reports Send A Private MessageWeek ViewMonth ViewYear View
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
20072008200920102011201220132014
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


Create 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
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.020.000.00

5:00 AM - So today's run was a surreal experience. Jonn had a field trip for school to Salem, Massachusetts, so he woke me up at 4:40 this morning for me to take him to the school. I decided that "Hey if I'm going to be headed out that way, why not stop at the track and get a jog in?". Man what an awesome time! It was mid 50s so not chilly, but it was humid and there was a thick fog everywhere. It was so cool though lacing up and heading out onto the track. I bet all the people driving past were thinking either 1. I was a sketchmo stalker guy 2. a drug dealer, or 3. one crazy runner that just reaffirmed the reasons why they don't run. Man it feels good to be a runner again! Made sure to go nice and easy. Did 1 mile, stretched, then another 3 miles, stretched, and 1 mile cool down. No tightness in the calf today which was good and I feel a lot better than the other days so far. Maybe just have to keep starting slow :)

  • Mile 1: 10:18
  • Mile 2: 10:11
  • Mile 3: 9:55
  • Mile 4: 10:07
  • Mile 5: 9:45

Total Time: 50:30 Total Distance: 5.02 mi Average Pace: 10:03

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From MichelleL on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 08:53:31

Nice job on your run. We do have to be a little crazy to be excited to tie up those laces. You're above me on the mileage board :)

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 08:57:25

HAHA thanks, Michelle. I think this is the only week where I might stay within the first 4 pages of the mileage board. Though in your defense, you did RACE a MARATHON last weekend LOL

From Nevels on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 10:35:48

Good run; glad to hear that your calf is starting to feel better.

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 10:43:17

thanks, Nevels :) It felt good to get out there for a run. Question: should I try to get one more 3 miler in this week? to put me ~18/19 range? I was hoping within the next couple weeks to get to 20 or 22 miles a week. I know not to progress more than 10% a week is the rule, but since I am at such low mileaeg that's only 1-1.5 miles a week

From marion on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 12:58:21

Be careful. The doc told me I could be back up to mileage in 4 weeks. I took it slower to be careful. I am a big chicken! Great run! yEAH!!!!

From saamijeff on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 13:11:38

A little more may be fine as long as you watch out for ANY sign of other issues. For me evey time I make a big change or run with one nagging thing something else, ( compensation injury), occurs. Slow, steady and careful running and evaluation of the body each evening and morning is very important.

From Nevels on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 14:23:35

One more 3 miler probably won't hurt you right now. You're right; since you are at relatively low mileage, adding another couple of miles on the week probably won't hurt you, but I agree with saamijeff. Coming off of an injury, you just need to pay careful attention to how your body is reacting to the training. If everything is as it should be before the extra run, go for it, and if everything is alright afterward, you're good. The real trick, as you know, is to keep healthy during the latter parts of training, when adding 10% is an extra hour or two of running at the end of an already leg-pounding, high-mileage week.

Good running this week, and more power to you for wanting more!

From marion on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 15:16:08

Hey Benn- Yoga is a great way to make sure all of the miriad of other things that can break and snap, get stretched really well. I love it, as it works and stretches the whole body and really helps to prevent injury. Just a thought.

From Paul Ivory on Thu, Oct 09, 2008 at 20:12:37

Benn, just good to see your report and how much you are enjoying your fitness work. Cautiously keep it up.

From Brent on Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 16:42:42

Benn, different and weird runs are sometimes the funnest. Running in fog, a snow storm, dark of night with a moon shadow. Keep up the work, we'll see you at St.George next year.

Stay Kool, Howlllllling, B of BS Rools out

From The Howling Commando on Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 20:00:28

Nevels - I got in 4 miles tonight, almost reached 20 for the week!

Marion - thanks for the suggestion for Yoga. I might have to try it out, but only if no one is around to see me mess up! ;p

Paul - Thanks for the support. I will make sure to keep it easy. Maybe I should aim to stay around the 19-20 miles per week for a few weeks to see how my body feels?

Brent - I can't wait! I hope to be at SGM next year. That would be so much fun!

Add Your Comment.
  • Keep it family-safe. No vulgar or profane language. To discourage anonymous comments of cowardly nature, your IP address will be logged and posted next to your comment.
  • Do not respond to another person's comment out of context. If he made the original comment on another page/blog entry, go to that entry and respond there.
  • If all you want to do is contact the blogger and your comment is not connected with this entry and has no relevance to others, send a private message instead.
Only registered users with public blogs are allowed to post comments. Log in with your username and password or create an account and set up a blog.
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements
Recent Comments: