Blind Potential

For 5 years now, I've maintained this blog to discuss what is humanly possible. To discuss this idea of Human Potential. To reverse the use of excuses, and promote the ideals of reaching beyond what one truly believes they are capable of. We've thrown terms around such as Flow, Self-efficacy, Motivation, Possible and the ever daunting Impossible. No matter how many times I reiterate these terms, or re-tell tales, or tell tales of new adventures in ways that mimc old adventures, nothing will ever meet the comparison of what has just transpired in the frigid mountains of New Hampshire.

Sh*t Runners Say

These two YouTube videos crack me up. If you haven't seen them yet, now's the time! Enjoy!

Ultrarunning Growth

I first joined the culture of Ultra Running in 2005. I can't recall how many ultras there were in the country back then but I can attest to the fact that it was certainly a lot less then we entertain now. This was in a time before Dean Karnazes had written his book Ultramarathon Man. In the latest edition of Ultrarunning Magazine, the numbers are in from 2011 and I must say; that I'm not surprised by the continued growth of our sport. However, I think that perhaps the speed of our growth has indeed surprised others.

Ever since Dean's book first came out, the conversation has labored on about how this sport will continue to grow. Much of the "old school ultra guard" defended that the growth in population of our sport during 2006 and 2007 was merely a blimp on the screen. A flash in the pan where some marathoners read DK's book, decided they too could run 100 miles, would eventually complete the distance and fade out into the past as quickly as they appeared in the present. Boy were they ever wrong...

Roots to Shoots

During the weekend of March 23-25 I'll be attending a conference in Durango, CO at Fort Lewis College. It's be an incredible pleasure of mine to be volunteering my time to head the Fun and Fundraising sub-committee for this conference, as well as partaking in the workshop proposals sub-committee. This conference is better known as The Association For Experiential Education Rocky Mountain Regional Conference. The theme for this years conference is From Roots to Shoots : Experience The Solution.

(From The AEE Website)
Experiential Educators include teachers, camp counselors, corporate team builders, therapists, challenge course practitioners, environmental educators, guides, instructors, coaches, mental health professionals . . . and the list goes on. An Experiential Educator is anyone who teaches through direct experience.

The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) is a nonprofit, professional membership association dedicated to experiential education and the students, educators and practitioners who utilize its philosophy. We strive to:

• Connect educators in practical ways so that they have access to the growing body of knowledge that fuels their growth and development
• Publish and provide access to relevant research, publications and resources
• Raise the quality and performance of experiential programs through our accreditation program
• Increase recognition of experiential education worldwide

Interview: Eric Payne

Name: Eric “Hearsay” Payne

Age: 30

Location: Lyons, CO

Birthplace: Richmond, VA

Years Running: 3+

Years Running Ultras: 3

Notable Ultra Accomplishments:

Ultra(runs):Bear 100, San Juan Solstice 50, Jemez 50, Desert RATS 50

Ultra(thru-hikes): Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Grand Enchantment “Trail”, Arizona Trail FKT attempt

Ultra(bike trips): 1,600 mile jeep road loop of Colorado's Western Slope/Southern Utah. 5,000+ mi through Baja, Mainland Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala

Sherpa John (SJ): Eric, I want to take a moment to thank you again for taking the time to conduct an interview with us here on Human Potential. From time to time we seek out those, "regular folks," among us who seek out amazing experiences and you're definitely one of those folks. So thanks for joining us.

Eric Payne (EP): Anyone who can scheme up an event like The Trail Ridge Assault is a friend of mine. I'm happy to chat with you about all things running/hiking/adventure-scheming.

RR: Frozen Dead Guy 50K

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Nederland, CO
28 Miles
4,075' Gain/6,509' Loss
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The second event of this years Team Sherpa Winter Expeditions started in the frigid town of Nederland Colorado. Ned is home to The World Famous Frozen Dead Guy, whose annual festival is coming up in 2 weeks. Nederland is nestled at an elevation of 8,228' above sea level and to my knowledge, is the current winter home of UltraRunner Geoff Rowes. One of the classic Boulder running routes is running from Ned to Boulder on mostly if not all trails. This is the basis of this months Winter Expedition.

After picking up the gang at Chautauqua Meadow, of course right after receiving a speeding ticket from Boulder police in my haste to erase my running late, we drove our carpool up to Nederland. We received a slight dusting of snow over night and it left Boulder Canyon an icy treacherous drive up. In Ned we slowly peeled out of the vehicles and into the frosty morning air. AM temps in Ned are hovering around 8 degrees with a brisk wind rushing down off of the Divide. Snow is swirling all around the parking lots while the town is still embraced by the blueish-greayish hue of a still early morning light. The sailors had come back for more, Ray, Steven and Dennis. Brad from Denver, Jeff from Grand Junction and Dan from Morrison. Seven us of total, all standing outside the bathroom door of the local super market. :)

Interview: Jax "365" Mariash

For the third year in a row during the month of January, The Streak! Program went on with great success thanks to those who agree to participate. However, running 31 days in a row with the off chance at a naked mile, pales in comparison to what one dedicated runner is nearing completion of. In this interview, we're going to introduce you to an individual who is pushing the envelope in a running streak. This young woman embodies the true meaning of Human Potential and it is a true privilege to interview her here for the blog.

Name: Jax Mariash
Age: 32
Hometown/Location: Broomfield, CO
Years Running: Since I was 5 (27)
Years Running Ultras (If Any): none. Did 8 marathons so far
Notable Race Finishes: Bronze medal at duathlon world championships and first American in 2008 and double national champion in short and long course duathlon in 2008. But would rather focus on the races during the run mission on my team boulder track club - 9th at chicago half marathon, 3rd at indy half marathon, 1st at a 10k in Oregon on Aug 20th.