Support. This weekend was full of it. Whether you were out there racing, supporting your friends (or strangers) as they ran a race, or supporting the O’Meara family as they celebrated the life of a man we all held dear to our hearts, Ben.
Whether you were one of the supporters or supportees, this last weekend was kinda magical. Race courses in Maine, Martha’s Vineyard, and home here in Boston were packed with humans covered in spray paint and neon to cheer on humans doing amazing human things.
How lucky are we? That we not only GET to move our bodies and push ourselves farther and faster than we ever have before, but that others actually stand and cheer when we do?!
How lucky are we? That we not only get to enjoy the love and life of one another, but that when our time comes, our friends and family get together to celebrate the fuck out of us and all that we stood for?!
This weekend was amazing on so many fronts, and made me actually take a step back and realize how lucky we are. How lucky we are to be part of this movement that takes place in 41 cities all over the world. The outpouring of love and support for the O’Meara clan was so cool to see. The outpouring of love and support from not only the Boston and WOO tribes, but from The (capital T) Tribe–people in Iceland and Serbia, people in Winnipeg and Montreal.
What started as a (harmless?) dare has grown into something much, much more meaningful. This thing means a whole hell of a lot to a whole hell of a lot of people. At one point during Ben’s Celebration, I just turned to Bojan and smiled. This whole goofy mob transitions so eloquently to fully functional community and back again with the utmost grace, and it’s truly amazing to see in action. To forge a bond at 6:30am 3x/week with y’all. It’s so very clear that bond doesn’t end at 7:20 when time is called.
This shit is good. It’s SO good. But more than good–this shit is real. For those that wish to dismiss November Project as a “cult” all I can say is, you’re wrong.
You’re so wrong.
For those that love this, and live this, and know us you know it’s anything but. For those that see #grassroots gear behind the yellow line on races, you’ve felt the love and support. For anyone that was at Holy Cross on Sunday morning, you know how we actually feel about one another. We keep moving because it’s our right as human beings. We keep loving and supporting one another ’cause we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Your goal for today is to hug someone, and tell them you’re glad they’re here. Or smile more. Or fuck yeah more. Sign up for a race. Own that race. Or just support that race. Make the world a better place, and just show up for one another.
Wednesday we’ll be back at Harvard Stadium for Yearbook photo day. The theme is #underTheSea. Convince a friend to #verbal now. We’ll see you there.
Much Love,
– C. Payne
