Day 100: Devil Mountain

A brief update. I am on a journey to run everyday in 2011. By early February, I missed my first day. Yet, over the course of the first 100 days, I have missed a total of 8 days. 92/100. If it were a math test, I'd still get an A.

"A daily run must consist of at least 2 miles."

So making a run on the driveway for 2 minutes doesn't work. For the most part, I have enjoyed it. I am not allowing any pressure to run effect me...yet. On one occasion I was driving home from the airport. I had traveled all day and had yet to run. I hustled a run in street clothes that bled over the midnight hour. The fun of it was that I made sure to complete 2 miles after midnight so it counted! (I still ran that afternoon.)

Effects
I have remained injury free until lately, where I have had a little tenderness. However, I finished the Asics vs Nike Vomemro challenge and have gone back to Nike. The tender is residing slower that usual but its having to do it while creeping a slow two miles.

Endurance
I have enjoyed running tired. My legs are fatigues averaging 6+miles a day. Each AM, it takes a bit to loosen up. Once I get going, I feel great. Learning how to run tired is a mental battle much more than than a physical battle.

Ahead
I am looking forward to Devil Mountain. The Mt. Diablo 60K is on May 1 and brings with it 10,900 feet of elevation. Its truly a beast. Both Jimmy Dean Freeman and Ray Sanchez have smiled and said, "you enjoy that one." I will.

On June 5, I'll run the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon. July 11-12, the Be Change Team will be crewing and pacing at Badwater. Lots of heat. Lots of hills. Lots of miles.

I love looking ahead. Maybe you have been considering 'movement.' Today, if you are at the beginning stage, get a pedometer at Walmart for $5. Put it on and today, try to get 3000 steps in. Tomorrow, 5000. Set a goal to have your first 10,000 step day by this time next week.

You can.
You will.
You are.

Much hope.

JAS

PICTURE: Far off in the distance, Devil Mountain rises from the valley floor. Mt. Diablo

Day 36: Bare With It

Last night, I had a great opportunity to speak to the Cougar Varsity Basketball Team. Sitting before these incredible athletes, I paused to think of what were the common threads of great people working together.

1) ALWAYS COMPETE
Running you compete against yourself, then others. Regardless, competition is the tool to leverage the best out of you. Whether I am playing a child's card game or trying to get the Pole Position off of RED LIGHT, I am full throttle. I never want to be someone else without first looking my own standard.

2) BE RESPECTFUL
Often, the circumstances of life bring people into our midst that are like a dripping faucet. I wish I could say I am always respectful. I seek to maintain civility, but often I fail. I may not be overt, but internally, I am battling to respect those that, in my mind, should know better. Respect yourself, respect running, goals, dreams, and respect others. When people verbally vomit on your vision, like a tough hill ahead, drive on. Smile, respect, and move through it.

3) CREATE COMMUNITY
My community are the people who I spend the most time with. Each day, I choose who I spend my limited discretionary time with. Submerge yourself into a community that celebrates you, not merely tolerates you. Seek a circle of influence of people who will tell you the truth, but do so with loving kindness. Allow hope-filled, honor-speaking, humble hearted people to saturate your limited time. To spend you time chasing gnats at the picnic who only seek to high-jack you into feast of carefree timelessness- move on... Walk On.


When these three start to wobble and I feel the life being sucked out of me...this song finds away to my playlist....




And if the daylight seems like its a long way off...

Run On,

jas

LYRICS TO THE ABOVE

Sip your coffee and listen and read

And love, it's not the easy thing
The only baggage, that you can bring
Not the easy thing, the only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
Before the second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Oh, oh, walk on, walk on
What you got, they can't steal it
No, they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

You're packin' a suitcase for a place, none of us has been
A place that has to be believed, to be seen
You could have flown away, a singin' bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Oh, oh, walk on, walk on
What you got, you can't deny it
Can't sell it or buy it
[. From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/u/u2-lyrics/walk-on-lyrics.html .]
Walk on, walk on
You stay safe tonight

And I know it aches
How your heart, it breaks
You can only take so much

Walk on, walk on

Home, hard to know what it is
If you never had one
Home, I can't say where it is
But I know I'm going
Home, that's where the heart is

And I know it aches
And your heart, it breaks
You can only take so much

Walk on

Leave it behind
You've got to leave it behind

All that you fashion, all that you make
All that you build, all that you break
All that you measure, all that you feel
All this you can leave behind

All that you reason, all that you care
(It's only time and I'll never fill up all my mind)
All that you sense, all that you scheme
All you dress up, and all that you see
All you create, all that you wreck
All that you hate

Running 365: Day 10: "Find Rhythm"

Sometimes its good to reflect and remember that Be Change moves beyond inner-city children and their needs. I forget sometimes of its reach and contagious impact on people and friends from every aspect of life and every corner of America.

I recieved this today from a friend in the Mid West. More than 2 years ago, he and I sat down and discussed his desire to lose weight. Running was not an option for his joints and knees, feet and legs. We talked through a simple plan to get moving with a goal of reaching a single day of 10,000 steps.

To encourage him, our team pitched in and surprised him by sending him a pair of Asics running shoe to jump start his vision. Never dreamed I'd get the email below...

Obviouisly, his identity is confidential... :)

"Jas-

Just wanted to let you know that I have gone 32 days straight with 12,000 steps or more (most days over 15,000). I am my goal is to average 20,000 steps by the end of winter. I have lost about 50 lbs and am feeling better than ever. I start every day with 90 minutes on the treadmill. It is quickly becoming an addiction that I never thought I would have. I am fitting into clothes that I have not been able to wear for over 3 years. It has taken time but I am finally finding my rhythm.

Thanks for getting my feet moving,

______"

Re-read his last line.

"It has taken time but I am finally finding my rhythm."

Everything is about rhythm. Finding yours means that your mind, body, and soul are working in concert to create the best version of yourself.

Today, the best version of yourself is a healthy outlook on life.

Best version has a vision.
Best version has a dream.
Best version makes the first move.

Like my friend's journey, the first step of 12,000 in a day, is the first one.

Now go!

Much love.
JHARP