Motivated to Succeed

Week starting Jul 18, 2010

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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
37.880.000.00
Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 37.88
Night Sleep Time: 42.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 42.50Weight: 204.33
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
4.670.000.00

8:00 PM - Late run in Galway, NY with Emm. We went and saw my dad in the hospital. He looked really good! He is up and walking around now and says that the doctors, nurses, even the cleaning staff are the friendliest hospital staff he has ever dealt with. That says a lot because he is really afraid of hospitals like I am. He should be home on TUESDAY!! Amazing considering he had open heart surgery just last Tuesday!

Took Emm on a run I did for high school track and xc. Ran from the school down to Crane and back. Splits were (8:47, 8:14, 8:03) for 3.16 miles in 26:22 <--Really neat, right? You know you're a long distance running junkie WHEN you try to get your times to equal race distances. (I find I do this with my car too and aim for 26.22 when filling my car at the gas station lol!)

Then walked down to the track as Emmy had fun howling back and forth with two coy dogs in the woods. There was a lady on the track but I think she headed for the hills after hearing that one. Wanted to do a mile on the track (tempo). I knew I couldn't go all out and beat the 5:55 I had a few weeks ago, but I wanted to see just how out of shape I am since I haven't done good speedwork. Lap splits were: 1:33, 1:35, 1:34, 1:35. Total was 1.04 miles in 6:16 (6:03/mile pace). Pretty pleased with this!

Cooled down .47 in 4:03 around the parking lot average of 8:34/mile.

Total Time: 36:43 Total Distance: 4.67 Average Pace: 7:51

Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 4.67
Night Sleep Time: 8.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 8.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(1)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.210.000.00

4:00 PM - Sunny and temperature 92 degrees at start. Had a dr.'s appointment now that I finally have health insurance again thanks to Obama! Has been a long 8 months without it. I was alarmed to hear I was 208 lbs though! I feel like a fatty! Went running on the bike trail in Pittsfield while Emma rode about 18.5 miles in an hour. I was hoping for 7 miles, but it was just insane. Like running through a sauna! Turned around at the 5k part and ran hard until mile 5. Cooled down for 1.20 miles. Splits: 

  • Mile 1: 7:59
  • Mile 2: 7:58
  • Mile 3: 7:43
  • Mile 4: 7:47
  • Mile 5: 7:54
  • Mile 6: 8:30
Total Time: 49:29 Total Distance: 6.21 miles Average Pace: 7:58

Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 6.21
Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00Weight: 208.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.000.000.00

9:15 AM - Today is going to be a busy day. Really have to buckle down and start to map out the CAGs (Curriculum Alignment Guides) for next year. Ahh. Summer's already over for me and it's just begun :(. A busy day already with doing dishes, laundry, and cleaning up a not so nice mess that Ruby Gato left the other day when she was locked in the bedroom. Watched the tour. Lance actually doing something and trying to win a stage. Go figure! Was hoping to see Andy try to sock it to Contador, but it looks like tomorrow will be the day as it finishes on an uphill tomorrow. Felt good today on the treadmill, running at 2% grade. Legs a bit tired, but pushed through and ran all the way through the 6.

Total Time: 51:47 Total Distance: 6 miles Average Pace: 8:37

Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 6.00
Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00Weight: 206.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.000.000.00

9:15 AM - Went jogging before starting in on lesson planning today after Emmy left for work. I felt pretty good. Watched some of "Running on the Sun". Love that DVD :D. Also am reading Ed "Frozen Head" Furtaw's book about the Barkleys. Pretty sweet! Hope to go running with Emmy later too.

Total Time: 52:11 Total Distance: 6 miles Average Pace: 8:42

Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 6.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 199.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.250.000.00

9:00 AM - Last day in the mountains for the Tour this year. Was hoping to see Andy make a move, but I think he did ride brilliantly. I was happy that Contador let him win the stage because I was going to flip if after trailing him the whole time he rode over him at the line. Felt good. Gearing up for another day of work planning. Ugh! Legs felt good. Need to get a long run in here soon. Ran the last .5 miles sub 7:00 pace. Woot!

Total Time:  53:52 Total Distance: 6.25 miles Average Pace: 8:37

Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 6.25
Night Sleep Time: 8.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 8.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.000.000.00

9:15 AM - Raining all day. I am taking Harry and his friend Sam (one of my former 8th graders) to a Rush concert tonight at SPAC. Should be a blast! Wanted to get in some sort of run today. Did easy warm up and then 3 x 800's at about 6:18-6:20 pace, then a cool down. Felt good.

Total Time: 39:51 Total Distance: 5 miles Average Pace:  7:58

Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 5.00
Night Sleep Time: 8.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 8.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
3.750.000.00

7:45 PM - Took Harry to see RUSH at SPAC last night. Most amazing show EVER! I am definitely going back next year. I have never seen a bunch of better performers in my life! They were amazing! Tonight I went to go running at the track. Had my own fan club. Some guy was there walking the opposite way and we commenced a series of bi-lap conversations i.e. "Hey" "How's it going" "Looking Good" "Nice pace" "Honest pace keep it up". Was kind of nice :D. Did a .67 mile warmup @ 8:44/mi, then 2 x tempo mile (awesome considering theheat 85 degrees and high humidity, ~85%) in 6:51, 6:49 - total of 2.06 miles in 14:01 (6:49 average). Cooled down with 1.03 @ 9:05 pace.

Total Time:  29:13 Total Distance: 3.75 miles Average Pace: 7:47

Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 3.75
Night Sleep Time: 4.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 4.50Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
37.880.000.00
Brooks Addictions 8 - #2 Miles: 37.88
Night Sleep Time: 42.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 42.50Weight: 204.33
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