Motivated to Succeed

Week starting Mar 23, 2008

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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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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
20.770.000.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
2.500.000.00

10:00 PM - Had a wonderful Easter with Emma and her family in Massachusetts, and after a nice lunch, I zipped home and got to see my sister before she headed back to school as well.  Have been feeling pretty good these past few days, and I am anxiously anticipating the Spring and hopefully being able to slowly get back into my running 'thang'.  Keeping it slow and steady though for now.  Did a mile walk for warm up, light stretching, then 1 mile @ 12:00 jogging, then .5 miles walking to cool off.  All in all a nice excursion.

Total Time: 35:23  Total Distance:  2.5 miles   Average Pace:  14:09 / mile

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.410.000.00

10:00 AM - Since it's only been about 12 hours since I did my walk last night, I did not want to push it too hard.  Did a mile warm up, then 1 mile slow jogging @ 12:00, then a 5 minute walking cool down. Read some from Jack Batten'sThe Complete Jogger (c. 1977) and I have found at least through the first 30 pages that Batten supports what I am feeling about my training right now.  He suggests:

  • 1. Train, don't Strain (oh how true is that!)
  • 2. Practice LSD (long, slow distance)
  • 3. Let progress come at your own pace. (I think of the three, this has been the most difficult, but most rewarding concept for me to embrace during my 2 month layoff; We all heal at different rates, as do we progress in our training, but if you try to push the pace too early, you are only going to achieve minimal satisfaction and prolonged setbacks e.g. one step forward, 2 steps back)

Total Time: 32:25  Total Distance: 2.33 miles  Average Pace: 13:54 / mile

Best of luck to everyone recouping after a stressful winter.  We've made it.  The end is in sight! And from there it's smooth roads and Spring delights! Cruise on friends!

3:00 PM - Went on the treadmill and did 2.08 miles in 28:00, with 10:00 minutes of jogging @ about 11:48 pace.  Felt really good and relaxed.  Really feeling great today.  Light stretching afterwards.

Total Time: 28:00  Total Distance:  2.08 miles  Average Pace: 13:27 / mile

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.650.000.00

8:00 AM - Great day for a walk.  Feeling pretty good today, no soreness or tightness.  Did some light stretching and off I went.  Ended up doing over 40 minutes straight without breaks, sign that my fitness is slowly coming back. (all painfree mind you).  And big breakthrough:  After 1 mile warm up, did 1.75 miles of jogging non-stop (Most since January!)  I think the slow, cautious progression of training has been an important part of my progress.  I think things are definitely on the upswing!  1 mile of warm up walk, 1.75 miles of jogging @ 11:31 pace!!, .5 miles cool down.

Total Time:  41:18  Total Distance:  3.25 miles   Average Pace:  12:42 / mile

1:00 PM - Study break before lunch.  Went for a nice 20:00 walk.  Did easy 1.4 miles.

Total Time: 20:00  Total Distance:  1.4 miles  Average Pace:  14:17 / mile

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
3.700.000.00

9:00 AM -  Easy day today.  No soreness from the last week, so that's good!  Anxiously anticipating Spring and Summer this year!  Did 1 mile warm up walk, 1 mile jog in11:23, and then .5 mile walking cool down.  Feeling good.  Light stretching afterwards.

Total Time:  33:55  Total Distance:  2.5 miles   Average Pace:  13:34 / mile

Reading Running A to Z: An Encyclopedia for the Thoughtful Runner  (circa 1983) Some of the stuff in here is great!  I will have to post some of the 'fashion tips' on here later. :)

Hope everyone is recouperating nicely; Have a safe and happy run all!

12:00 PM - Quick 15:00 on treadmill.  Included a .75 mile in 8:29 (11:18 pace).  Total distance was 1.2 miles for this short little jaunt.  Now time to study and then off to work until 11:30 tonight. Ick.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
2.250.000.00

12:30 PM - Today is an easy day.  Did 2.25 miles in 30:18 including 1 mile of jogging @ 11:28 pace.  Felt nice and relaxed.  Want to go more, but have to continue to do slow, steady increases. I might in the near future aim for doing on - off of 1 mile jogging one day, 2 miles of jogging the next day...  Not sure how fast to increase though.  Feels good to see continued improvements. 

300 crunches, 150 situps, 100 pushups and 3 x 15 @ 12 lb weight for arms.  Stretching

Total Time:  30:18  Total Distance: 2.25 miles  Avg. Pace: 13:28 / mile

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.000.00

Today is a day off.  After 8 straight days, taking a breather :).  Plus with a nice walk/jog tomorrow I'll be right on pace for improvement from last week's 18+.  Hoping to get to 21 or 22 after tomorrow.  Then start transitioning to the 2 miles of jogging a day for 5 days.. for 10 miles of jogging next week and see how that feels.  On a downside.. I could see part of my lawn yesterday and the track as well was almost completely melted, yet woke up this morning to 6" of fresh snow.  GRRRR! I thought we were done with this junk!

Keep on truckin' FRBloggers! We're almost there!! We can do it!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
3.260.000.00

7:00 PM  -  The best is yet to come! Felt really good after a day off; Now if only I could feel as motivated about my homework as I do about my training's steady progression!  Started off with easy walking and then eased into a jog.  I ended up doing the longest steady run since January!  Did 2 completely "pain free" miles in 22:06 (11:03 / mile pace!). Then cooled down with a brisk walk.  Stretching.  I'm getting excited about fitness coming back.  Goal is to do 2 miles at a time several times this week and then start easing into a 2 - 2.5 or 3 on off sequence in the following week. :)  Running is definitely one of the most amazing feelings in the world! So glad I can feel this again!  Hope all my fellow FRBloggers are healing up nicely!

Total Time: 41:00 Total Distance: 3.26  Average Pace: 12:34/Mile

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
20.770.000.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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