Bringing Back Community: Human Potential Running Series

http://humanpotentialrunning.com/

I am really, really honored and excited to be an Ambassador for the Human Potential Running Series (HPRS) for 2015!   So... who or what is HPRS?

I first came across HPRS earlier this year, and frankly I don't even remember where I heard of it... but I do remember seeing the Facebook Page (HERE) and website at http://humanpotentialrunning.com/

What caught my attention immediately were the principles of HPRS which are:

Human Potential Events are Conducted With The Following Principles In Mind

Community

We encourage all runners to embrace a communal spirit during all of our events; official or otherwise. We want you to forge new relationships, learn from and about each other, encourage each other, and care for each other. After all, we’re all in this together every step of the way.

Equality

We acknowledge that those who finish last; work just as hard, sacrifice just as much, and are just as committed, as those who finish first. We uphold the old school traditions of Ultra-running by presenting the same finisher awards to all participants. We offer no cash prizes at our races and front runners will receive no special/preferential treatment over the rest-of-the-pack.

Respect

Our races are designed with the utmost respect for runners and non-runners alike, local and federal municipalities, local residents, land managers and businesses. While we acknowledge that it is nearly impossible to please everyone, we do our very best to respect and please the majority.

I was immediately drawn to HPRS, because, as a back of the pack runner, I really appreciated the focus on recognizing everyone.  AND, as I had taken up trail running, and trail races, I could immediately tell it was a different community, and I really liked the way front runners would encourage everyone, and I felt like I belonged. 

http://humanpotentialrunning.com/races/tommyknocker-ultras/

So.. I was drawn to HPRS, and what was even cooler, was that there was a 50K being run just miles from my house up here in Woodland Park, CO!  This would be my second 50K, and it was an amazing experience... much different than my first 50K (many folks were still around when I finished!).  You can read about my experience in detail HERE.   But to summarize, I made a lot of new friends, including Race Director Sherpa John Lacroix., and I've never felt so welcomed before. It felt less like a race, and more of a shared adventure that was incredible.

So, from based on that experience, I happily volunteered to run an aid station at the Indian Creek Fifties a few months later.  And that was as challenging (and as fun) as running the race! I ended up logging 11+ miles hauling gear/water, and made more great friends with the folks manning the station with me, as well as all the runners we served!

To me.. this is what ultra running is all about...   and that message is really sent home by Sherpa John. The new ambassadors met with him recently, and he was able to relay his story, and why community means so much to him.  And since it resonates with me, applying to be an ambassador was an easy decision, and it's going to be a blast!   But, check out this video below from Sherpa John and HPRS to hear it from him directly.  It relates to the Fat Ass series of races this winter.  If you don't know, Fat Ass races are really just organized group runs that help build the community..  no entry fees, no shirts, no cutoffs... just like minded folks joining together to see what we can get done together..   Speaking of which, I'll be running my first Fat Ass on 1/31/15... check out details HERE

So.. are you in!?  I hope so...  trust me..  if I can do it, you can as well... and now you have an entire community that welcomes you and is there for you...  so what are you waiting for? :-)

Stay tuned as I will keep you up to date on all activities related to the Human Potential Race Series... including my goal of my first 100K at the TommyKnocker's Ultras next year!!

Happy trails!

Jeff
http://barefootinclined.com
barefootinclined@gmail.com