Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I Met My Hero


So while at Badwater, I was able to talk to and connect with Dean Karnazes. WOW.

Maybe you have not heard of him. He is a super human, physically and socially. He advocates for children using his love for running to move people to action. A few years ago, I talked about him ON AIR and a listener sent me a signed copy of his book. Since then he continues to write and run for a reason

I read that Dean runs all night at times to clear his head. I've tried it and it works. I logged 51 miles one night. Granted, I had a reason but to say I finished with more clarity is accurate. In 2006, he also chose and completed 50 marathons in 50 days... in 50 states. Unless you've run one, it may not sound like alot. Its super human. Thats the theme of his latest writing called 50/50/50.

As he approached us on the road during his race, my heart was raced. I was nervous like a little girl would be meeting Hannah Montana. Reflecting back, I was more afraid of how pissed I would be if I met him and he blew me off or big leagued me. Its happened when I've met people I admired.

Dean responded to my hello with genuine people skills, only available in the vineyard of authenticty. Sure I had heard he was kind and approachable but there is always a reservation in me when saying hello to someone I admire. Yet with Dean it was different. What moved me the most was his humility and approachability. He was engaging, talkative, and inspiring...and he was running a 135 mile foot race in 120+ heat called Badwater. The two connecting points were short and brief.

I was challenged by him. There are times when I am NOT engaging, talkative, and inspiring...and I am sitting in my office. When I returned to Sacramento after Badwater our conversation continued when I posted a comment on his site. He quickly emailed directly and picked up the conversation where we left off. Wow. He doesn't know me except for a brief window yet he sought to be inclusive and compimentary.

We live a culture that does not produce these types of best case scenarios...But this one worked.

Tomorrow, I want to be the best version of myself. I want to not text when someone is talking to me and I want to make eye contact with people as they talk to me. In that brief moemn I want people to know I truly care.

Peace & Love.
JHARP

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

I Met My Hero


So while at Badwater, I was able to talk to and connect with Dean Karnazes. WOW. More on that later. Now MY NEWEST HERO will be whoever can fix my blogger page at www.jasonharper.cc

Back to Dean. Maybe you have not heard of him. He is a super human, physically and socially. He advocates for children using his love for running to move people to action. Read more of him at www.ultramarathonman.com

A few years ago, I read that Dean runs all night at times to clear his head. I tried it and it works. He also chose and completed 50 marathons in 50 days... in 50 states. Unless you've run one, it may not sound like alot. Its super human.

But what moved me the most is his humility and approachability. I saw him while I was crewing at Badwater. He was engaging, talkative, and inspiring...and he was running a 135 mile foot race in 120+ heat.

I was challenged. There are times when I am NOT engaging, talkative, and inspiring...and I am sitting in my office. When I returned to Sacramento after Badwater our conversation continues...

More to come.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Lauging With

Just woke up early from a 1 AM return from Badwater 135 Ultra Marathon. To travel through the desert a mile at a time cheering on a friend who was running in the most brutal race on the planet for the inner city kids I love stops me.

I found myself at times smiling. Laughing...laughing with friends.

I found myself at times wanting to cry. Crying, as I look in the rear view mirror called 'past' and reflect on how sometimes pain produces purpose.

Being at Badwater was therauputic for me. At times, I was overwhelmed reliving my 100 mile run. When I ran, it was the hardest run on my planet. But now having seen Badwater, it takes pain for purpose to a whole next level. I want in!

I cheered for Ray. I chatted with other champions, many heroes in my world. Charlie Engle, Jamie Donaldson, & Dean Karnazes. To most they are just names. But to me, when I say Ray Sanchez, a man propelled for my cause...I think heroe.

Ray gives himself to a cause bigger than himself. To me, that matters.

When I woke up this morning, my friend Scott Sorgea sent me a video he had just come a cross. You will like it too:



Now reflect.

Smile. Feel. Love. Live. Laugh.

Laugh with...

Much hope,

JHARP

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Fitting For Today: A Funeral For a King

I can't quite get it.

People some how think it is their job to be judge and jury. I have done it, but in recent years, I have sought to learn how to love when love seems so fleeting.

I recently had a close friend to me say, referencing Michael's death, that "At least now the kids are safe now." He is a pastor. I thought in America that we are innocent until proven guilty...not guilty after pronounced innocent. Such is man.

Had he studied the case file and learned of a piece of evidence that a jury of MJ's peers and a judge overlooked? He must of. As a friend of mine, he didn't seem like the kind to follow blindly simply off of what he had seen in the media...as if that can be trusted? But he was judgmental. It made me want to get as far from him as possible for fear his judgement would some how land on those I wanted to reach...or worse, land on me. And I love this guy.

But it goes deeper.

Think of those that have judged MJ's eternity. Oh, don't be surprised. The day of MJ's death I posted 5 letters: RIPMJ. On that simply facebook post, I was threaded with text messages and private emails demanding an explanation as to how I could think he is resting in peace? I wanted to know how they could be so audacious as to think they could assert he is not resting in peace...

A day after MJ died, I got and email that I back-lined to MARY MARY's website. They had knowledge of a recent encounter Michael had had with Andrae and Sandra Crouch. Weeks before his death, MJ had invited Andrae to his house and recording studio. He wanted to know more about the "Spiritual Side of Music." Andrae confirmed on his website that this was true and that he had even prayed with the King of Pop.

"Michael always had a respect and curiosity for spiritual things. During our meeting, not unlike many other creative/music meetings we've had with him in the past, we sang together, prayed together and had a wonderful time."

Crouch and Jackson have collaborated on many projects throughout their careers including the song "Man In The Mirror" and the theme from Free Willy, "Will You Be There", among others. The two met along with Crouch's sister, minister and musician Sandra Crouch for a writing session weeks prior to Jackson's death.

For his part, through a spokesman, Andrae Crouch attempted to further clarify the story, "Andrae and Sandra did in fact visit with Michael Jackson two times, once at the recording studio, and once at his home in the last two months, as recently as three weeks ago, asking for prayer concerning the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and how he could make his music more 'spiritual,' noted Crouch’s Facebook administrator. "So Andrae and Sandra explained to him about the anointing and about Jesus. He wanted to know what makes your hands go up, and makes you 'come out of yourself,' and what gives a 'spirituality' to the music? He then requested to hear his favorite song that he loves and wanted then to sing to him, so they...joined hands and sang together, and he said, 'it was beautiful.' He first heard it in New York, and loved it and wanted it on tape. He had the engineer tape the song sang to him by Andrae and Sandra. He definitely had an encounter with them."

Andrae did not embellish and say that he led Michael to Christ, he just confirmed they had connected at a spiritual level. Essentially, that he had nurtured to a point of harvest the seeds that he had planted years ago. Friends of mine are close with Andrae and recalled the times he would report back to them of a great conversation he was developing with MJ... But I digress.

Even with that knowledge, there are some who are so narcissistic and maniacal, they feel an unction to pronounce judgment upon a man's soul. Somehow they feel credentialed to place themselves on a perch higher than the Christ himself and state a pronounced judgement.

What if they are wrong? After all it was Jesus himself who said, "I cannot judge. For Judgment is reserved for my Father alone who is in heaven."

Where does the audacity and arrogance come from, in so much as, some think they can assert themselves into a position that even Christ did not sit?

Amazing.

Perhaps, it is the single greatest dogma, that some would say is the reason they find Christianity, simply unbelievable.

Until then, enjoy this MJ tribute from Madonna.



Peace,
JHARP

Monday, July 06, 2009

Imagine. The Reason

IMAGINE RUNNING ON BEHALF OF A CHILD IN NEED.
IMAGINE EVERY CHILD HAVING AN ADVOCATE.
IMAGINE RUNNING FOR A REASON.

With the temps outside unfavorable to running, many shy away from a commitment that carries a sizable effort. Yet, many look to a cause to be the driving engine of MOTIVATION. You have nearly a month, before the greatest season of your life is gonna launch.

I am embarking on the biggest challenge I have ever faced. I am recruiting, training, and running with more than 400 runners to complete the California International Marathon. YES, you read it correctly.

In four years of Running for a Reason, we have a 100% race completion rate of our more than 100 runners. But the stakes are going higher!

Attention all cubicle working dads and soccer moms, your motivation has just landed in your lap.
Seasoned runners who have always done it for the medal, your challenge just became cause centric.
Former athletes looking for rhyme and reason to get back in shape...now it your time!

THIS IS YOUR MOMENT TO BE GREAT FOR A CHILD!

No one is excluded and there are levels for people of all levels of activity or lack of activity. From the full marathon to the 2 mile walk or jog MaraFUNrun, there is a distance for you.

If you can't, will you tell someone who will?

GO THE EXTRA MILE
When you Run for a Reason, you can choose your distance. Our team of certified personal trainers have created specific walking and running groups with personalized running plans based on levels of fitness.

If you are not able to run the entire 26.2 mile race, grab a friend and partner to run a two-person relay. Or grab two more runners and divide the 26.2 mile course into a four-person relay. Walkers can be part of the 2.62 mile MaraFUNrun. Regardless of your ability and fitness level, begin training today. There is a place for you.

THE GOAL
Extra Mile Runners collect sponsored dollars and cents for every mile they run. The goal is for each runner to raise $1000! Every dime goes to cover back pack, academic supplies, school shoes and clothes, enhanced nutrition, and on-going health care enrollment support, family care.

One hundred percent of what is raised goes to secure these needs for every student. The fundraising part is second to the primary goal, raising awareness for the kid's plight.

CHOOSE YOUR DREAM DISTANCE
Full Marathon: 1 Runner @ 26.2 Miles
Half Marathon: 2 Runners @ 13.1 Miles
Marathon Relay: 4 Runners @ 5.9 Miles, 7.6 Miles, 7 Miles, 5.7 Miles
MarFUNrun: 1 Runner @ 2.62 Miles

"WHERE DO I START?"
More appropriately, is “when do I start?” Begin a cardio-fitness workout as soon as possible. Consult your physician if you are not currently active. If you are active, build a base that can jog three miles in less than 33 minutes by August 1. We will take it from there.

Then, join us at the Run for a Reason Expo on Sunday, July 12 at 1:00-2:00 PM in the Chapel at Capital Christian Center. (Westside of building, enter near the fountains & follow the signs.)

Relax, THIS IS NOT A FAITH EXPO!
IT IS A FITNESS EXPO!

A complete overview of The Extra Mile 2009 will be given and lots of knowledge dished out...ALL FREE.

The RUN :: EXPO Will Include:
The Running Zone Shoe Company on“How to Get the Right Running Shoe Fit.”
Fit Factor's Ashley Loucks on "Getting Fit Fast"
Nutri Sports guide to "Marathon Nutrition"
Beginner and Novice Marathon Training Schedules
On Site Registration
Be Change Kids & Leaders with "Stories of Significance"
How to Reach Your Awareness, Fitness, and Fundraising Goals
And more!

An afternoon of opportunity…

Everyone will leave the EXPO with a training schedule specific for their chosen distance, an assigned personal training for Group Fitness, a nutrition make-over opportunity, and a chance to change a child's life forever.

Visit www.extramilerun.com to register to run and get more information about the Run for a Reason Expo.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Much love.
Much hope.

JHARP