Motivated to Succeed

Run for the Rhubarb 5k

Previous MonthRecent 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 MessageWeek ViewYear View
Graph View
Next Month
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
236.100.000.00
Merrell Road Glove Miles: 27.00NB Trail Minimus (orange) Miles: 8.83Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.00Vibram Bikilas (green) Miles: 13.40
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
27.000.000.00

RELAY FOR LIFE with BART STUDENTS: North Adams, MA - Started late last night. Ended up on a single track, 5 foot wide path with over 100 people on it, usually in annoying clumps of 3-4 people. Signs and tents on either side. I didn't get to run much. But it was good training to be on your feet 10 hours. Did 34 miles total, including jogging the last 1.25 with my wife in 94 degree temps so she could finish her 4th marathon/ultra

Merrell Road Glove Miles: 27.00
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 #156: 3.4 miles at the Boulders; another 2.1 with Emma at the Audubon Society at night. Still too hot and muggy!

NB Trail Minimus (orange) Miles: 5.50
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
8.330.000.00

Day #157: 8.33 miles. 5.1 mile progression run including first 2 miles in 15:23, then .5 speed ups in 3:44, 3:30, 3:18, and 3:06. Cool down 1.1 mi in 9:07 for total of 38:11. Then did 3.23 miles at the Audubon Society up and down Lenox Mountain. Good workout day. Saw a couple red efts. I nearly squished one. Emma got scared by a frog. It was hilarious.

Suicide tree frog surprise,

curly haired girl runs,

arms flailing downhill.

Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. - John Muir

Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.00NB Trail Minimus (orange) Miles: 3.33
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.100.000.00

Day #158: 4.1 miles easy in 35:57. First 2 in 17:37, Mile 3 in 8:44, last 1.1 in 9:35. Relaxed and calm. Ready to crank it hard the next three days. Mega workout tomorrow. Working hard for a breakthrough.

Ruby gato fought hard,
to ward off the black manx cat.
Now she sleeps. Shh! Shhhhhh!

"You must do the things you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Vibram Bikilas (green) Miles: 4.10
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
9.300.000.00

Day #159: 9.3 miles for National Running Day. Key workout today. 1:14:45 (8:02 average pace). 2 mile w/u, 20 x 1 minute "on" and 1 minute "off". In 20 mins of "on" I ran 3.048 mi, good for 6:34 average pace. In the 20 min "off" I ran 2.162 miles, good for 9:15 average pace. 2 mile c/d to finish.

Some days are rough, but
patience is a virtue... breathe
and things are better! 

"You can always improve on who you are and how you can become a better person as long as you want to change your overall attitude towards certain things in life." - Mariah Poette

Vibram Bikilas (green) Miles: 9.30
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
2.000.000.00

2 miles in 16:00. Was all I could fit in. I have some work to do to get caught up.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.000.000.00

47:27. Relaxed. Felt good to get a run in after work today. Last two days were absolutely taxing. Getting closer to the end though. Only have to survive until June 25!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
7.100.000.00

Day #162: 7.1 miles in 1:02:14, good for 8:46/mile. Easy and relaxed run. Will rest up for tomorrow's progression run workout. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
14.000.000.00

1:46:08. First 6 in 54:14, 4 miles "on" in 34:05,

2 mile cool down in 17:48.

 

2 miles in the evening with my wife.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.150.000.00

45:03, easy and relaxed, for 8:45/mile pace.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.000.000.00

34:03:00 for 4 miles

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.000.000.00

Intended workout: 6 x 800s @ 3:50 with 400 jog in between

 

48:55: the 6 x 800s were: 3:44, 3:45, 3:45, 3:43, 3:44, 3:39. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.360.000.00

51:00 in torrential rain on the bike path. Flash flood warnings tonight. Glad I live on a hill. Splits were: 8:29, 8:20, 7:57, 8:06, 7:56, 7:40

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.000.000.00

ACTUAL: 1 mile warm up, then hit 2 x 800s in 3:22 and 3:20 (6:44 and 6:40 pace). 4 x 400s in 1:35, 1:36, 1:35, 1:34 (just about 6:20 pace), and 2 x 200m in :36.16 and :36.14. As Flula would say I went "balls to wall" on the 200s. Felt strong and confident in the shaded track today for this workout.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.000.000.00

Monument Mountain and then went to Steven's Glen. Great day with my wife. Celebrated with lunch at the Riverbend Cafe

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Race: Run for the Rhubarb 5k (3.11 Miles) 00:23:35, Place overall: 5
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
8.350.000.00

Went out strong, right with PHS track runners. Held on even when we took a wrong turn. Was in 3rd for most of the second mile, then died a little bit. Hung on to 5th place. Lost 3rd place by about :20 seconds. Definitely a fun course, but the hills in the second half kill the shot at a PR!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.100.000.00

5.1 miles in 45:13. First run in my huaraches from xeroshoes.com. Still getting used to them.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.250.000.00

6.25 in 53:25, average of 8:32 a mile. A little calf tenderness from wearing huaraches. Other than that I feel good. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.250.000.00

4 hilly wooded miles in huaraches in 53 something. Then 2.25 at 8:30 pace after.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.100.000.00

43:20:00 for 5.1

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.450.000.00

6.3 miles at field day and setting up field day mile course last miinute. Original camp got closed for e.coli. Then 4.15 miles for the workout. 5 min warmup, 5 - 4- 3- 2- 1 "on" with 1 minute "off" in between. 5 min cool down. 34:32 for the workout (8:19 pace). the "on" distances were: .74, .60, .44, .33, .17. Not bad after the earlier miles of the day and standing in the sun for six hours right?, 10.45 for the day.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
7.000.000.00

Progression run after we got the 21yo's to the bar safely. Ratcheted it up a notch every 5 mins. Mile splits ended up being: 8:04, 7:40, 7:24, 7:32, 7:10, 6:56, 6:42. I run well in the dark even when it is 80 degrees and 98% humidity!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.500.000.00

In Northampton area exploring a different Audobon Society trail. Ran in my huaraches. Felt good. One is a little loose and I have to retie it I think. (5.5 miles)

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.000.000.00

5 miles on trails in the Boulders with my friend Michael after work (~1 hour)

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
11.100.000.00

Day #179: Run #1 DONE. 5 miles 38:03 including 8 x 400s at 5k goal race pace. Splits were : 1:34, 1:34, 1:34, 1:33, 1:35, 1:35, 1:33, and 1:31. Would have been a 12:29 2 mile effort, which puts me on pace for 6:15/mile or possible running a 19:23 at Independence Day 5k - which would beat my 5k PR from 2007 on the road (19:40) when I was only 165#! Not bad for a fat guy!

 

Run #2: 6.1 miles in the Boulders with Michael and the two dogs.. 1:25 or so. It's crazy how much harder it is to travel in the woods though. Got a good sweat out of it. Phew!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.200.000.00

First 7 at 8:28 pace. Then 3.2 later in the woods up in Ice Glen and back down. Good hill training. Stepped on/over a 2.5' garter snake. Made me take a step back. Phew! Last 3.2 were in Huaraches. First 7 red VFFs

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
8.110.000.00

Sweat fest. 5.1 miles total 6:07, 6:05, 6:05 with 2 min slow jogs in between; 3.01 later with my wife on the bike path

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.250.000.00

Trail Run @ The Boulders - 1:17

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.100.000.00

35:03 real easy like.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
21.500.000.00

Running the first 25 miles of HSV50 course with friends this day 21.5 miles. we got lost and one guy had only done 12 miles for his max so he exceeded that by quite a bit. We cut it short at 6 hours total. Temp was 85 and humid. Looked like I walked out of a swimming pool.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
236.100.000.00
Merrell Road Glove Miles: 27.00NB Trail Minimus (orange) Miles: 8.83Vibram Bikilas (red) Miles: 5.00Vibram Bikilas (green) Miles: 13.40
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements
Lone Faithfuls
(need a comment):