Motivated to Succeed

Week starting Apr 22, 2012

Previous WeekRecent 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 MessageMonth ViewYear View
Graph View
Next Week
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
33.250.000.00
Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 33.25
Night Sleep Time: 15.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 15.00Weight: 230.00
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.000.000.00

12:30 PM - 3 Hours at work, and then came home. What a great relaxing break it's been this week. Trying to think about how to continue this motivation I have for running. I ran 53 miles last week. I was upset though when I got on the scale last night to find I hadn't even lost one pound. I have cut out a lot of sweets and haven't done dessert. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I have 30 pounds I want to lose! I want to be under 200 again! Started reading a really interesting book called "The Hanging of Ephraim Wheeler". It is set locally in Berkshire County in 1806 and based on the trial transcript of an illiterate farmer who married into an interracial family and existed on the fringe of society before being accused of raping his daughter and was subsequently hung. Only read one chapter so far but anticipating a good read!

A week from today is BPAC 6 Hour in Buffalo. Looking forward to seeing what I can do. I am heavier than last year and running in Vibrams (which I suspect might equate to a sub par performance). Last year I ran 27.492 miles [prorated] in 6:00. I'd like to push it a little farther. I have not done as many long runs this year as last year however. I will take it easy and see where it goes.

Had a Gandhi quote running through my head as I ran today. I'll share it. I think it's something we can all take to heart today on Earth Day:

"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."

Total Time: 1:03:35 Total Distance: 7.00 miles Average Pace: 9:05 

3:00 PM - Decided to do my evening run early. Emm was busy cleaning and listening to an audio book so I figured I would rather do it now then later when we might actually get to spend time together. Pushed the pace the last 2 miles. I can't believe how much I can sweat. You'd swear I was a sprinkler!

Total Time: 23:40 Total Distance: 3 miles Average Pace:  7:53

5:00 PM - Did Power90X Kenpo workout with Emm. Did not hurt as much as the first time, but I was still sweating.  I am finally getting a hang of some of the punches! Total workout time - 1:00:00. 

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 10.00
Night Sleep Time: 8.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 8.00Weight: 230.00
Comments(2)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.000.000.00

8:00 PM - Back to the grind again. Today was alright. Got to listen to CarTalk at work. Still sharing the car so Emma had to wake up extra early to drive me to work at 6am. She didn't have to be to work until 930 thankfully otherwise it wouldn't have worked. Day 2 on lose it.com. Going strong. I ate healthfully all day long! Feeling good. Just wish the scale would hurry up and get there with me. Maybe I am not running fast enough? Will have to try to ramp up miles after my birthday marathon. (Net calories after running consumed today: 1216)

Total Time: 45:30 Total Distance: 5 miles Average Pace: 9:05/ mile 

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.00
Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.000.000.00

5 amazing miles before Emm got home from work. I have the most amazing wife! Gearing up for BPAC. Will run 5 tomorrow, and then 3 on Friday, followed by a couple striders to loosen legs on Saturday at the hotel. Ghosts in the parking lot say what?!

Total Time: 43:00 Total Distance: 5 miles Average Pace: 8:40/ mile 

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.000.000.00

5:00 PM - Sore. Pinched nerve possible in back from lifting something the wrong way. Last long run before BPAC on Sunday. Felt pretty good though. Standing, walking/running don't hurt. Only sitting. Relaxed and watched some The Biggest Loser.

Total Time: 1:26:00 Total Distance: 10 miles Average Pace: 8:35/ mile 

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 10.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
3.250.000.00

4:30 PM - BPAC course looks great. Can't wait for tomorrow. Most grass sections will be runnable. Some sections I will have to stick to the hard stuff. Looking forward to it tomorrow!

Total Time: 32:00 Total Distance: 3.25 miles Average Pace: 9:50/ mile 


Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 3.25
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
33.250.000.00
Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 33.25
Night Sleep Time: 15.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 15.00Weight: 230.00
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements