I think we’re all suckers for sentimentality. In today’s world of aggressive irony and emotions being considered lame, NP stands out as a beacon of realness, of honesty and of true feeling.
And today, #np_lax was feeling the love, marathon style.
It’s a big week for us here in LA: Olympic Trials are tomorrow, the marathon is Sunday, there’s a massive running expo at the convention center, the Grammys are happening and clothing brand Undefeated is putting up a billboard of OJ Simpson’s White Bronco on La Brea. But what really has us going at NP are the shier numbers of amazing people from all over this now international tribe that are coming to our town and especially to our workouts.
Today when we called for our #traverbals, it wasn’t just a few proud voices projecting through the crowd but a crowd of its own, proud to represent their tribes and their cities. Our tribe was just as excited. LA sometimes gets a bad rap as a shallow, vapid place but we pride ourselves on shattering that stereotype to the ground with the high fives and hugs that get dolled out at least twice a week. Fern Dell in Griffith Park isn’t the image you might think of when you imagine LA and it’s urban sprawl, but that’s why we went. Our city is full of hidden gems and as I keep hammering home, our tribe is one.
With the race this weekend we decided that it might be nice to cater to our tapering contingent and so we offered an alternate workout, designed to go easy on the legs. But taper-shmaper. People were building their own adventures of love and using the course as a veritable playground of #freefitness and good vibes. It was impossible not to get caught up in the river of love that was flowing. It’s kind of like being touched (in a good way) by the hand of god when Brogan looks at you with dirt caked onto his bare and sweaty back and says “Great vibes here, great vibes.” As a self proclaimed “vibesman” there is no greater compliment. To get personal: this week has made me proud of the city I live in. I’m not from here, I always hoped that I would be able to talk smack about this place (as a former New Yorker) but it’s days like today and Wednesday that make me think, ‘Nah, this is one of the greatest cities on the planet and I’m proud of my tribe.’
To all of our visitors that have come to our great city, we’re honored to have you. To all of our local tribe, you’ve been gracious hosts and your co-leaders are honored to serve you. This is a big weekend for all of us, especially those running, so keep the positivity flowing and we’ll see you all at the finish. There may or may not be a shot of whiskey waiting for you at mile 18.
Love,
#BenOtto (Hey #mothership, can I have an account to blog from yet?)
DO GOOD LA!!
NEWS:
AMAZING RACE PARTY: Join the tribe tonight (2/12) at Public House on Hillhurst Ave in Los Feliz to watch two of our tribe members set out on the first episode of this season’s The Amazing Race. Crowds arrive at 7:30. The show starts at 8pm.
MARATHON RUNNERS: If you haven’t already, sign into our google doc and fill out a line for yourself. We want to have an idea of where you’ll be and when to expect you so you can get the maximum cheermeistering (new word, write it down) from your tribe, on this doc.
#CHEERGANG: As is tradition, #np_LAX will be making mile 18 THE destination for insane vibes along the marathon. If you’re not running, join us at the corner of Santa Monica Bvd and Century Park East. Bring your posters and your outside voices because you’ll need them.
NP_YOGA: Monday 2/15 at 6:30am – Spots are filling up fast so email info@modoyogala.com ASAP to make sure you’ll fit next to all the sweaty bodies in the room. The flow will cater to a post-marathon sensibility so come revive your aching bod with Alice.
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