Motivated to Succeed

The Green Mile

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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
50.360.000.00
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 50.36
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
3.100.000.00

12:00 PM - Went to Monument Mountain with Emmy and we ran it. The uphill hurt us, but we did it like champs. A couple ladies cheered us on. First .7 is balls to the wall hard. We hit the top in about 16 mins or so, and just kept going. There were way too many people on the top as it is. I have been wearing my Vibrams on nearly every run since MTD. I like them and they are comfy. I am trying to get stronger and more graceful. We'll see how it goes. Flew down to the finish line and ran a 35:35 for the total. Felt awesome!

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 3.10
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
3.000.000.00

7:00 PM - Long day of grading and meetings. Finally got out and asked Emm if she wanted to hike Monument. We were the only ones there for once. That never happens! We went up to the top, jogging a bit, but mostly power hiking, then stopped and plunged down the backside. Made a brief jog up to Devil's Pulpit as is customary. Finished running on the road a nice 500m downhill pick up. I don't know how I'm going to race the Green Mile Race on Thursday! (If I'm able to make it that is). Took 42 mins for the total. 

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
3.330.000.00

6:00 PM - High was 93 degrees today. Crazy. Saw a runner while driving home from BART and I nearly died just looking at him. I went ahead and cranked up the A/C a bit more. I do not do well in temps above 65 or so (This is why I think Oregon would be perfect for us.) Got on the treadmill and ran 30:00. Two pick ups including 1 x 400 at 11mph and another at 10mph. Felt pretty good. Right heel a bit tender from yesterday's run/hike where I stepped on a few rocks and roots. Total Time was 30:00, good for 9:00/ mile average pace.

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 3.33
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.200.000.00

7:20 PM  - Has been a crazy end of the year. Stress through the roof with portfolio presentations and I have had a sore throat for more then a week and a half now. Got a race tomorrow. The Green Mile on North Street. Has been about 7 years since I raced a 1 mile race. Never been this fat either. 230 lbs this morning. Blah. Might not go as planned. Plus, crappy training this month to boot.  4.2 miles in the Vibrams at the track in 34:00.

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 4.20
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Race: The Green Mile (1 Miles) 00:06:10, Place overall: 35, Place in age division: 10
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
1.000.000.00

6:00 PM - Came right from school after watching another 3 juniors pass their gateway portfolios and another giving a SLC. Feeling really good. Rather warm. Temp was about 82 degrees at the start. I was wearing Vibrams, Nike shorts, and my BART hoodie. Don't know why I was wearing my sweatshirt aside from 1. I feel like shit the last few days and I feel like a complete walrus and like to hide behind baggy sweatshirts and 2. I wanted to wear something to represent BART.

 Saw Melissa Herliczek there at the start. She ran a high 6:40s last year, so I figured she'd run similarly this year. No idea where the start was. Didn't feel like trying to get in a warm up in the middle of all the Third Thursday celebration nonsense. Waited around. Emm joined me to wish me luck. A few of my runners were there. It's a big deal to see them out and I have to remember to encourage them now that I am the official head coach for next year's xc team!

About three minutes before the start, they asked us to go to the finishing chute. They made us line up there. WTF mate. 204 runners crammed into an area big enough for about 50. I was about in 7th row back. Not ideal. I wedged myself behind Melissa and once the gun went off I swung wide and ran the extra distance on the outside of the first turn. Route went down North St. for 1/2 mile and then came back.  They hadn't even closed the road to people and the cop cars were barely clearing the road for the leaders. Hit the 1/2 in 2:59 and I knew that wasn't good. I haven't done any speedwork and I knew I would pay for it.

Kept plodding along. One guy passed me on a mission. Must have had a bad start in the kiddy corral. Pushed hard to the finish and finished in 6:10. That's the fastest I've run a mile in my Vibrams and considering I was 232lbs at the start, I was very pleased. I might have been the top Clydesdale if they had that division. 10th overall in my division and 35th of 204 finishers with a time of 6:10. 

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 1.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.100.000.00

6:30 PM - Jogged 2 miles on the treadmill in Vibrams in 18:20 before Emmy got home and then we went down to Lenox and hiked/ran Monument Mountain in about 44 mins. Felt really great. Not too many people out aside from the first .3 miles of the trail. I am getting better at running trails in my KSOs but wonder if there is a better Vibram trail running shoe as it hurts the bottom of my feet sometimes when I hit roots and rocks. BART mile race up tomorrow. I am not racing it though I don't think. Just trying to get miles in my Vibrams!

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 5.10
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Race: BART Field Day Mile (1 Miles) 00:06:42, Place overall: 1, Place in age division: 1
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
1.500.000.00

9:30 AM - Sunny and humid, mid 70s. We hopped on the buses and went up to Shady Pines for Field Day. Last year I won the BART Field Day Mile, which is about the only sanctioned sporting event other than advisory volleyball that we do. I wore my Vibrams and that got a lot of lucks and comments from kids and teachers alike. I knew I wasn't the fastest in the race, and there were three of my xc runners that I knew should have been able to beat me. Well 2 of them dropped and scratched and the other decided last minute, maybe because of my toeshoes, to run barefoot.

I positioned myself in the third row and when Morgan said "On your marks, go!" I lumbered off the starting line. Eased into the first lap and tried to talk to as many of my students as possible: JH who ended up going on to run a 10:02, his fastest mile ever, MD, who just like last year did it in his jeans and button up shirt (would end up doing his last lap with him), and JK, who never fails to amaze me.

By about the halfway point of lap 1 of 3, they starting dropping. As is the case with most middle school and high school runners, they start too fast. I moved from 10th to 8th, and then to 5th. By the start of the second lap I was in 3rd comfortably. I kept an even tempo and fell into rhythm. 2nd place. I took command of the race about 100m from the end of the second lap, and then when I hit the line I pushed it into overdrive.

I ended up cruising to the tape in 6:42, not bad considering I was 52 lbs heavier this year then this time last year AND that I putzed around the first lap. Cruised in and then waited for MD and AK to come through and did a bit with each of them. Really proud of my kiddos.

Total Time: 6:42 good for first place overall and in AG. 

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 1.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.030.000.00

Today I successfully completed my first official year of teaching! Woot! Don't know how I made it there but I did. Gave out awards today called "The Bearded Griffin"s to deserving students that put in the consistent effort and dedication it takes to be successful. As testament to their going the "extra mile" I took a pair of my bright yellow Asics track spikes and turned them into awards for JH and AS. They were so happy they ended up putting them on and walking with one foot in an oversized track spike for a few minutes. Hah!

Emma and I were going to a Jack and Jill party so I had to get a few miles in quickly for sanity's sake. Did 5.03 on the treadmill in my Vibrams at a fine pace. I need to lose some lbs and get back in shape!

Total Time: 45:45 Total Distance: 5.03 miles Average Pace:  9:06/ mile

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 5.03
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.400.000.00

2.25 miles nice and easy on the treadmill listening to WAMC. More tonight hopefully when Emm gets home from work if it's not raining. (20:00)

Storms moved in this evening. Wanted to get outside, but thunder and such. So at about 8:00pm hopped on the treadmill for another jog while Emm did P90x. Did an easy 3.15 miles with a progression towards the end with the last mile being substantially faster than the earlier ones. (26:03)

Today was quite productive. I was able to draft a training guide for my young cross country runners. Most have never run before, so I want to ease them in. I made an "A" and "B" training schedule where they have to pick which is more appropriate for them. I think this will pay off hugely if any of them actually stick to it! A is more serious, but B is just to get them moving and spending time on their feet. Check it out via Google Docs

 

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE SUMMER TRAINING PLANS AT:


https://docs.google.com/document/d/15dQ-ZJ541Lmg3PCnm0rjmwhMi3fjK1G3hZo4Fjqw8lo/edit?hl=en_US


Email Mr. Griffin with any questions, comments or concerns: benn.griffin@bartcharter.org 

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 5.40
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
3.500.000.00

10:00 AM - Temp was in the high 60s. Humidity near 70%. Went with Emmy to Lenox to Olivia's Lookout and went around the loop that I favored so much last year before seeing the black bear. Can't believe I used to run this trail, let alone run it multiple times in a row! We power hiked the uphill and then ran the second half. The bottom of my feet were beat up by the roots and rocks. Still hurt when I'm writing this on Tuesday evening. A good workout though. They are changing the far part of the loop where it goes down. Noticed this after the fact; we kept plodding on past the signs and came across a good dozen trees that had been felled across the trail but not picked up. A new nicely groomed single track goes down just before that turn so will have to try that out next time.

Total Time: 51:00 Total Distance: 3.5 miles Average Pace:  14:34

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 3.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.100.000.00

6:00 PM - It was nice to have my car back today. I have missed it. Funny thing though. Now when you go to fill the gas tank, every .70 cents of gas or so it triggers the shut off thing. My mom said that she didn't mention it to me before because she figured it was an ongoing problem. I said, no it had never happened to me before though. I am going to try to hold the gas pump upside down though next time because I read somewhere that sometimes that helps this problem. Just annoying. Took like 8 minutes to pump gas today for my little 12 gallon tank haha.

Went jogging on the treadmill this a.m. Did 3.6 miles in 30:00 and did 2 x 3 minute pick up, also 3 x 400m at 6:00/mi pace. Felt really nice. After errands and making a cross country wiki page for my runners, I came home helped with dinner and then jogged after dinner for 23:00. Did an easy 2.5 miles after dinner. Felt good overall. Trying to track calories and be careful of I eat. Weight was 232 yesterday, and 229 today.

Total Time: 53:00 Total Distance: 6.1 miles Average Pace:  8:41

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 6.10
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.100.000.00

Relaxed on the treadmill listening to Obama on WAMC and reading Running Times and Runner's World.

Total Time: 47:00 Total Distance: 5.1 miles Average Pace: 9:13 

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 5.10
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.000.000.00

Felt really good. Warm up and then 6 x 400m at 5:30-6:00 pace. Cool down afterwards.

Total Time: 33:57 Total Distance: 4 miles Average Pace: 8:29 

Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 4.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
50.360.000.00
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Miles: 50.36
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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