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


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2014 Books I've Read: 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Blogs:

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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
7.000.000.00

Round 2, Day #5: 7 miles in 60:23 as I read the first 120 pages from Frozen Ed Furtaw's "Tales from Out There" about the Barkeley Marathons. For a moment I nearly got lost on the treadmill! Spent the afternoon recovering and planning with Emm for our summer trip to Oregon. Excited at the thought of it! Can't wait to buy the plane tickets, then we will know it's official. Mind the Ducks Registration opened today. Got to get that in the mail soon after the next pay period. Legs feel good. New goal is 180# by June 1st. I know I can do this. How close can I get? Who's in for motivating this fatty to get moving and stop eating?!

Sweat bullets and knives,
Make the weak-"soled" cry; Breathe in
these accomplishments.

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 7.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Kory on Thu, Jan 03, 2013 at 14:15:35 from 134.50.89.24

Great goal and great year you had. Goals really help the motivation factor. I hope everything is achieved this year for you.

From Benn Griffin on Thu, Jan 03, 2013 at 19:18:30 from 72.79.212.14

Thanks, Kory - How have you been? I have been very busy teaching in the charter school and I regret to have nearly fallen off the FRB site :(. I am working hard to get back in shape and gain some confidence and health. I have gained muscle, but I know not all these 60# are muscle ;). Trying to get as close to 180# as possible before June 1st. Hoping that daily runs will get me there along with opting for a healthy salad for dinner and remember to eat breakfast and lunch (these are usually my downfalls as I don't eat anything!).

What are you up to? How is your training going? What are your goals for 2013? I am still exploring the marathon and ultra scene and just enjoying every step. Going to give a 48 hour race a go in May!

From Kory on Fri, Jan 04, 2013 at 11:43:59 from 134.50.89.24

Hi Ben- I've been running consistently around 70 miles for the last 14 weeks. Today I ran 11 in -7 degrees and yesterday in -14 with pace being 7:30. Hard to get legs moving in this cold weather.

Plans - Not sure... I was invited to do a Ragnar Relay in June. It a run from Logan Utah to Park City Utah covering 170 miles on a 12 man team. Each runner will run three times making it fun running in the middle of the night. I probably will run a few marathons this year close to home because of the expense. I would really love to do Boston again but Hotels and cost is high.

I still work at Idaho State University as a System Analyst Engineer for past 17 years.

Yes! skipping breakfast and lunch slows the metabolism and causes the body to store anything you eat as fat because the body is starved. I would recommend eating 5 times a day (small meals). This keeps the metabolism active and you will see yourself in better shape.

That's cool the ultra's you've done. Like you I'm enjoying every step of my running since my accident two years ago. Don't be so strict on your running diet because it can become an obsession and you lost the fun of running. Really just eat more meals. Let me know if you have any questions on anything. You've always been a very caring person and I appreciate that.

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