Jeffrey Harrop

​About Jeffrey

 

 

I was born and raised in the U.S. Air Force. Though home changed fairly often, home base was always in Teton Valley, Idaho, where my family owned a cattle ranch until recently: picture Brokeback Mountain, but with cattle instead of sheep. After some time in the Deep South for school, I found my way to Washington by way of the Dominican Republic where I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. I started running with DC Front Runners as a way to form a connection with the city. The Tuesday and Saturday gatherings continue to be a very valuable anchor for me.

 

 

 

 

​Questions

 

 

You joined the club as a runner. How did you become a walker? I got a foot injury, plantar fasciitis in 2007 that I had a really tough time getting rid of. I didn’t want to give up the club’s social aspect so I went with the walkers. I lost about five pounds because I had to drop the attitude that I could eat anything I wanted because I was running.

 

Was the transition tough? It was at first. It was depressing to realize that my body was not healing like I wanted. I tried to fight it and keep running. Then I realized it wasn’t getting better and I would have to start walking if I wanted to exercise with a group.

 

Which do you prefer now? I like the walking a lot – I really look forward to it. But I’m still struggling with having had to give up the running. My foot is almost getting to the point where I can do a run-walk routine.

 

How do the walkers compare with the runners? With the runners it is easy to fall into competitive mode. Walking has taught me about how to just enjoy the moment. I’ve had a chance to get to know people I might not have otherwise. Also, the walkers tend to be older so there’s more life experience to be shared.

 

So do you have deeper conversations with the walkers? It’s easier to yes - they're typically not out of breath.

 

When you see the runners running by on Saturday mornings in Rock Creek Park, how do they seem? Serious. But that’s Washington. Nobody does anything part way. Marathon runners here are as common as 10K runners were in Atlanta [where Jeffery used to live]. You see the tall thin guys first, flying up really fast. Towards the end you see the guys built like me. The first runners are ‘in the zone’ but the ones farther back in the pack are more interactive with us. 

 

What do you like about the club? The variety of people and backgrounds. It’s a smart group - they’ve got things to say. I enjoy that. Plus I get exposed to people I would never meet any other way. 

 

Are they friendly? They are if you make the effort to get to know them. There was a two-year period where I stopped coming and I was stunned by how many people who said ‘where have you been’ when I came back. It made me realize I really was missed.

 

Is there anything about the club that gets on your nerves? When people complain about how things are but don’t have an alternative to offer. I always say - even if the alternative is wrong, bring it because it could trigger something else in someone about what will work. 

 

You helped to construct our Pride float this year. How was that? It was a really great collaboration. Everyone was enhancing everyone else’s ideas with no on trying to be the boss. It was fun trying to figure out the Cube design Seth Kalish came up with. We were always wondering if the structure was sustainable or if we were going to see a headline: ‘Twink Run Over By Rhinestone-studded Cube.’

 

How did you become involved in carpentry and artwork? I grew up with tools. I come from a long line of cattle ranchers and they are never afraid to try new things. They can fix almost anything with a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and a stick of wood. I had always been fascinated by stained glass windows. I started making them after college but got frustrated because there weren’t any platforms big enough to allow me to do what I wanted. I then got detoured into the corporate world. In 2002, the last time I got laid off, I started doing home improvement jobs for friends and family and one thing led to another.

 

What’s your latest passion? Glass-fusing. You buy the glass in sheets and cut it into the shape you want. Then you melt it all in a kiln, mix it and slump it into a mould. Right now I’m developing a technique where you use bars of color to give the glass a woven texture. (examples of Jeffery’s furniture and glass work can be seen on his website: www.creatinghomeswithcharacter.com)

 

What is your most cherished memory of the club? One Tuesday night at the National Mall when J. Ford Huffman and I were the only ones who showed up after eight inches of snow had fallen. With the fresh snow reflecting the lights, I saw the Mall in a whole new way and had a great evening with J. Ford.

 

Who in the club inspires you? J. Ford Huffman is one. I feel he has lived a quietly powerful life. He worked himself up from West Virginia. He’s incredibly gracious and talented. He’s a very sharp man who has a lot to say if you’re smart enough to be quiet and let him speak.

 

What is your motto in life? Work with what you’ve got and have the courage to risk being a fool by trying something new.

 

 

Interview by Brian Beary, Design by Marcel Acosta

July 2010