Motivated to Succeed

Week starting Jul 27, 2008

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
0.000.00141.70
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.0062.00

MY FIRST EVER METRIC CENTURY!! - 100 KILOMETERS / 62 MILES!

7:45 AM - I did it! My first ever metric century ride. Started off in the mist this morning with temperatures actually cool to the point where I almost felt chilled. Roads were wet and covered with debris from last nights monster storm that came through. Our internet only now came back at about 3 in the afternoon! Felt really great and all except the last 5 or 10 miles where dehydration set in. Only had 2 waterbottles for the ride which stunk. Went all over Galway, Charlton, Scotia, up to Spa Park, and back. Saw quite a few other bikers out celebrating the last day of the Tour perhaps? Man that was tiring. It didn't hit me until an hour or two after I finished, but I really REALLY needed food. Went to Panera with Jonn and got a sandwich, soup and I drank 64 ounces of Fruit Punch. Mmmm. My first question in the car after, "Right. Now what's for dinner?!" :). I'm kind of proud of myself that I was able to do a solo metric century. After riding 62 miles, another 38 wouldn't be that bad provided I had sufficient food and energy gels, etc. As I write this the rain is back. I count my blessings that I woke up early on my day off to get the ride in!

Total Time: 3:29:12 Total Distance: 62 miles Average Speed: 17.8 mph

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(6)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.0022.20

12:30 PM - Sunny and temps in the low 80s. Humidity creeping in and thunderstorms expected later. Decided to get a recovery ride in with Jonn after he got out of work this morning. We had a blast. It really is a change to be able to ride with someone else. Made the ride fly by. It's funny how after barely making it 20 miles at the start of the summer, now I am just getting warmed up at 20. Felt really strong and only a little soreness. Jonn let me set the tempo on the hills though and we cruised on the downhills. Hit 40mph at one point. Fastest speed of the season :). I drool thinking about how fast we might get going down a mountain in the Adirondacks or the Green or White Mountains! Had a blast. Now time for a shower, reading a bit, and then going to a produce stand out in the country to pick up some salad goodies!

Total Time: 1:21:35 Total Distance: 22.2 miles Average Speed: 16.3 mph

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(1)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.0022.50

10:00 AM - Sunny and temps in the low to mid 70s. Gorgeous out. Strong headwind though so it made me have to work for this one. Legs are a little sore - I've done some monster miles in the last seven or eight days so that's expected I guess. Did the hilly lake loop that I did with Jonny yesterday. Felt pretty good. Two downers today: First had a few dogs give chase to me. Didn't catch me but broke up my rhythm so I didn't like it much. Second, really hate the "townees" - the kids that live in the village that have nothing better to do than to be annoying and cause problems. I've never liked them since I moved here about sixteen years ago. They're usually the kids that barely pass to get their diploma, or drop out by tenth grade. This one a**hole kid today was maybe fourteen or fifteen. I know him becaus I used to work for his neighbor a few years ago doing yardwork. He was a problem then and he certainly is a bigger one now. I'm crusising down a hill doing close to 34 or 35 mph and he comes peeling out of his driveway on an ATV no helmet no lights, and starts speeding towards me in my lane going the wrong way. I look behind me and see no cars, so I peel off and cross to the far side of the road. He proceeds to zig zag and comes towards me again so I let off the "gas" and put on the brakes and wait for him to make the move. I stare at him with my sunglasses on and he just gives a retarded smile and a wave and moves back over to the side of the road. I really had to restrain myself from using some profanity and flipping him the bird. I really just hate punks. I didn't do anything to him, and he had to not only ruin my ride but jeapordize my safety. Imagine if there were cars coming the other way!!! Hmpf! At least I made it home in one piece!

Total Time: 1:18:09 Total Distance: 22.5 miles Average Speed: 17.3 mph

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(6)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.0035.00

5:40 PM - Long day at work. Storms passed and it actually turned out to be a perfect evening. Temps around 81 and sunny. Hopped on the bike to try to destress. Turned into a great bike ride. I knew that if I did a decent ride I could end the month far surpassing the short term goal I had of having a month with 400 biked miles.  I think that this ride puts me at just above 500 miles!!! Went up into Charlton, biked a bit on Charlton Road to Route 50 and back. Coming back stunk because it was all into the wind. Had to fight hard to stay on the bike. Definitely feeling a lot more comfortable and stronger on the bike than at the start of the summer.

Total Time: 1:54:47 Total Distance: 35 miles Average Speed: 18.3 mph

July Biked Miles: 506.15!!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(3)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.00141.70
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements