Motivated to Succeed

April 25, 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


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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
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.000.00

Definitely feel like crap right now. Yeah my knee still hurts, but more importantly I went with my Mom to the vet today with our dog Libby. She's been having problems putting any weight on her back leg, just like Geri and her front leg this summer... well the xray confirmed it. She has bone cancer, a tumor the size of a baseball that has grown on her knee joint and actually fractured the bone. Great. I lose another dog :(. She will probably be put down sometimes this week or next. I really hate it. Stressed with school and work, and now this. Oh and even better.. we're getting about a foot to 16" of snow tonight which will make tomorrow horrible as I work 8-2, have to drive down to Albany (usually a 45 min drive) for a meeting 3pm-4:30, and then back up to Saratoga Springs for work 6pm to 9pm. *sigh. I need some caffeine!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Metcalf Running on Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 14:25:53

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog... we lost my youngest daughters dog to an accident about three years ago, and she still tears up when she talks about her. We have another very old dog that keeps hangn' on, I worry about loosing her. She has been a part of our family for a long time.

Sorry about the weather also... I can't wait for spring!!!

From Kelli on Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 14:44:49

Oh, man! I am so sorry. No one quite understands what it is like to lose a family pet until they have. It is so hard. That is really sad. SO SORRY, BENN!!!

And your weather is awful! You are getting pounded. Stay safe in the snow tomorrow. I hope you have 4WD to get you to all of your things on time.

GO GET SOME CHOCOLATE to go with your caffeine! A double blast will help you.

From The Howling Commando on Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 23:49:11

Thanks Met and Kelli! Yeah I wish but I drive a little Chevy Prizm with about 150k miles on it. Basically the same thing as a 2001 Toyota Corolla. I will just have to pray I make it there. Have to wake up extra early now.

I just hope this knee heals. It stinks. I have been chronically hurt for more than a year now. Maybe I should just retire to head cheerleader?! :p

From snoqualmie on Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 07:49:34

I'm so sorry about your dog. These are hard days for you, but hang in there. "This too shall pass."

From Kelli on Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:23:23

I had a GEO prism for years. Loved that car, loved the gas mileage, but hated driving it in the snow!!! Hope your drive went well!

From Metcalf Running on Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 17:44:31

I can understand the frustration of chronic injuries... it seems like forever since I run has felt good to me. But we must keep our chins up...things will get better soon :)

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 21:53:56

Thanks, sno. I know we all go through this.

Kelli - yeah, I love the prizm but the worst part was that I had to work straight from 8am to 9pm because my meeting got cancelled. When I went outside I had a 3' snowbank behind and in front of my car was an even bigger one. So I had to spend 25 minutes kicking the snowbank since I was stupid and didnt have a shovel. Eventually I got out.

Met - I'll try my best. But now my achilles is finally better my knee is killing me like a mother trucker :( . It's so frustrating. Makes you want to kick yourself you know? I just hope I can heal it enough to start biking. I am going to forget running I think. God's telling me that it's not for me I guess :-

From Brent on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 09:03:55

Benn, you need a vacation from school and work? sunny place, run on the beach for a week and forget all your troubles. Is such a thing possible? You deserve a break today. How soon is that honeymoon?

I'm with you on the sadness regarding Libby, we have had to put down three dogs and our standard poodle is getting older. They are such good friends to lose so quick.

Stay Kool, relax, B of BS Rools out

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 10:57:32

Thanks, Brent. Not soon enough! :( We are thinking about Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Southern California though for a honeymoon spot!

I wish I could run on a beach or run at all. My knee is all out of whack now and hurts just standing and walking around. I just hope I can still bike!

From Kelli on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 17:21:08

Okay, that is when you need a huge SUV, so you can just drive over the snowbank! But you got a good work out digging out.

FOR SURE time for a vacation!

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 17:57:32

Naw I couldn't Kelli, the eco side of me (thanks to Emmy) would not do that. I saw a Hummer drive past me going 80 today on the Thruway and I was like .. Hmm.. if your fuel consumption increases by 20% every 5mph over 55... he must be in the negatives! haha

As for vacation, I wish. Once this semester is done I have a 6-8 wk 4/wk class and then about a month off until Student Teaching starts. That was the meeting I just went to today was the student teaching information one.

From Kelli on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 18:04:19

But I am in the clear becasue I have 5 kids, right? How else do I lug them all around???? We do need to get a smaller, friendlier car because 80% of the time it is just me and 1-2 kids!! Still, you can not beat them in the snow.

Do they make little cars with 4WD?

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 18:14:47

Pshaw! No worries, Kelli! If anything I should BUY you one considering you can put up with 5 lil' tykes! My mom had the four of us and we always had a Chevy Astro Van. I mean for me personally though right now I don't have a family so that would be selfish for me to get a big vehicle you know? I think with a family that size a regular sedan would not be practical and/or safe!

From Kelli on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 18:29:42

If you saw my 16 year old drive, you would strongly recommend we get another car. Her little 4'11" frame is way too scary behind the wheel of a powerful Suburban!!! I am looking forward to that little car, for her and for me!

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 18:32:31

Haha that reminds me when I got my permit at 16. I was driving our new Chevy Express LT van (customized but one of those vans that usually sits 14).. I am at a stoplight and some dude rolls down his window and yells, "Woah! Nice rig Big Guy! " haha

From Kelli on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 18:41:13

She knows we are going to buy a car and she has requested a mini-van. WEIRD-O!!!

My "best" friend in HS had a big ole van and she would lug all of us around in it. Looking back, I now see just how scary that is. I can not imagine if we could have fit 15 squealing teenage girls!!! YIKES.

From The Howling Commando on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 18:52:38

HAHAHA man just 1 or 2 squealing girls is too much for my poor ear drums as it is! I can't imagine that many!

"EEk Like OMG! WTF was that! Like you know?! Totally" hehe

From Kelli on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 18:55:07

That sounds so right!!! I so love it.

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