Motivated to Succeed

BayState Marathon

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
57.020.000.00
Vibram Komodo Sport (black) Miles: 26.22Altra Lone Peak Miles: 4.25Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 26.55
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Race: BayState Marathon (26.22 Miles) 04:26:50, Place overall: 872
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
26.220.000.00

Day #103: 26.22 miles; BayState Marathon in Lowell, Massachusetts. Got with Lindsay to the start about an hour early. She was doing the half and ran a PR of 1:48 I believe! Stayed warm inside, then lined up in the 12 min/mile pace. I like starting in the back. Found a rhythm early on and goal was to try to hit 10's as long as possible. Hit the half in 2:11 and then took off on my own as everyone I was with started to fall off pace. I ended up running a 2:15 second half (walked through one long aid station for about 90 seconds which probably is to blame). Right hamstring started to get tight in mile 23 and 24. Hung tough. Best I've ever felt in a marathon and fought all the way to the finish for a new marathon PR! ... 4:26:51. Ran faster at 220# than I did at 160! Haha! Legs are goulash and tenderized meat today, so working to get the kinks out for a short run later today.

Left, right here we go!
Two looped course, heroes galore!
Push... earn that medal!

Vibram Komodo Sport (black) Miles: 26.22
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(3)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
2.250.000.00

Day #104: 2.25 miles; 20:00 recovery run. After a day of rest my legs feel much better. Spent much of the day resting and elevating them as I got caught up correcting papers and such. Ready to get back at it and make it to practice tomorrow to do a hill workout! *Gulp* Next races are Stockadeathon 15k on 11.11.12, Turkey Trot in 'Toga on Thanksgiving, and First Descents Marathon in Lewes, Delaware on 12.1.12!

Calf sleeves are sexy!
Look at that definition....
It's okay to hate!

Altra Lone Peak Miles: 2.25
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.250.000.00

Day #105: 5.25 miles; Woke up with a sore throat, but got better as the day went on. Practice was awesome. Kids ran to St. Stan's church (.75 mi w/u), then did 2 x 1 mile hills up E. Hoosac St., some did 2-3 x .5 mile hills, then a .75 mi cool down. I drove Pre the Prizm to be able to hit all the groups multiple times. Felt like Lance's pace car in the Tour dodging traffic and pedestrians to get where I needed to. All that energy translated into a solid run at home. Did 5.25 miles in 42:15 including w/u, middle 4 miles at 7:55, 7:55, 7:48, 7:46, then a short cool down. I ran a marathon 2 days ago, right? Ha! Who would have thought?

Hills break the weak, but
reward determination.
We're winners, tonight!

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.25
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.500.000.00

Day #106: 5.5 miles; 3.5 miles with the cross country team including helping them through a 8 x 400m workout. Gave each group target paces (1:27-1:32, 1:37-1:44, 1:50-1:55, 1:57-2:05). They all hung tough (until the last 2). I ran a couple 1/2 ones, gave splits 200m in, then ran 3 full ones, including a comfortable 1:33. Dare I say my fitness has IMPROVED since the marathon? Spent the day making over 10 phone calls and nearly 100 emails. Madness trying to make awards and find money to pay for it all. Hoping some of my friends will chip in. We'll see. Later, 2 miles at home in 17:00. Two weeks to go in the challenge!

Once 'round the oval,
Not that far... but tests your will.
Do you have guts, son?

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.500.000.00

Day #107: 5.50 miles; 3 miles with the xc team at 8:00 pace, felt great. Went up and around the golf course and on the bike path. A kid playing football had a seizure and I tried to help. I called his mom and he said "Well I think he's just having an anxiety attack". She didn't want him to go to the ER, so I asked one of his friends to take him home. Later tonight did 2.5 miles at 8:25 pace. Felt really good. Taught one of my 6th graders how to write haikus. 'Twas a glorious day!

Gnats in the eye sting,
Frankenstorm better get here!
I want a snow day!

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.300.000.00

Day #108: 5.3 miles; 2 and change with my cross country team and then we played some zombie tag! Only 7 runners and my manager showed up (33% attendance), but it was the Halloween dance later on so maybe I'll shrug that off to that. Poor attendance all week though because of lame detentions. I only worked four days and I feel like a mack truck hit me. Came home and did 3 miles in 25:00 to get some stress out. One good thing about the challenge thus far is alcohol consumption is way down, but running is way up. I live to run now. Putting more meaning in my miles :). Long run tomorrow at Taconic High School should put me over 60 miles for the week, the most I've ever done.

Zombies in trees, see...
Don't blink! They'll creep up on you.
Sixth graders are great!!

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.30
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
7.000.000.00

Day #109: 5 miles; Tempo run. Needed to get in a quick workout before errands and the Halloween Party tonight. Maybe a couple more miles before we go - we'll see! Total was 37:20 for 5 miles, good for 7:28 pace! Holy speed, Batman! Read some from Mary Beth Norton's book on the Salem Witch Trials.

Salem Witch Trials....

Seriously? How dumb can

we be? Dayummm son!

 

P.M. Run - 2 miles before a Halloween party in 17:00 

 

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.00Altra Lone Peak Miles: 2.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
57.020.000.00
Vibram Komodo Sport (black) Miles: 26.22Altra Lone Peak Miles: 4.25Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 26.55
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements