There are a lot of aspects of November Project DC that are great. Things that make attendees glad they came. Or nearly puke and then glad they came. The tough workouts. The smiling people. The sweaty hugs. Maria’s jokes. Jake’s puns. Ok ok so maybe those last two are controversial. Regardless, there are innumerable aspects of the MWF morning routine that wake me up, get me out of bed, take me 10 steps to the bathroom, slip my shoes on some time later, brush my teeth (this is an important one folks), and send me out the door to the next workout.
What will it be like? Who will I see there? Will I laugh a lot? Will I sweat buckets? Will it be the Greatest Workout of All Time? The mere fact that each workout, each experience differs would be enough for me. It’s anticipating uncertainty in what you know will be a relatively structured and certain situation. The thrill seekers get their spontaneity. The structure-lovers get their organization. Win. Win.
If that weren’t enough, there’s MORE. Yes. More.
Do you salivate over badass workouts that put you on the edge of which end will something come out of (too graphic?)? Just show up.
Do you enjoy hanging out with your friends while you work out? Just show up.
Do you like smiling and laughing (if you don’t, I’m worried)? Just show up.
Do you want to meet new people? Just show up.
Do you need someone to hold you accountable? Just show up.
If you answered no to ALL of these, that’s ok too. Here’s the catch. Even if you think you don’t enjoy some of these motivators, you might find after one or two times and possibly one or two new friends (or bring your old friends too) that you actually DO enjoy smiling, laughing, sweating, accountability, etc. etc.
Why all this talk about how great NP is? It’s just another running group. Just some group of young kids (tell that to Thom). Just…just…just.
Everyone has an excuse to not show up. Everyone has an excuse to not come back. I encourage you to STOP HOLDING YOURSELF BACK. A wise friend of mine (my future wife) constantly says to me ‘It’s not that you didn’t have time, you didn’t make the time’. YOU control your actions, thoughts, reactions, and whether or not you swing those legs out from under the covers. Come this August, I’ll have been in this game for 5 YEARS. I’ve heard ALL the excuses. Too early. Not fit enough. I don’t like people.
And sure, there are certain things that prevent some people from showing up. Teachers are one of November Project’s lost demographic b/c they go to work so early to educate the young minds of tomorrow. And how you experience something changes over time and, in a group setting, depends on those around you. But I’ve seen teachers show up to the 5:25 workout @ Lincoln. And I’ve seen people return after a while (years) and realize they barely know anyone at the workout. Get rid of your excuses. Go back a paragraph and reread.
Life lesson: figure out what motivates you and stop thinking about what’s holding you back. Is there an aspect of NP that draws you in? Even if there’s one little inkling of an aspect, use that. Maybe you’ve never been to a workout, used to come to workouts, or continue to come to workouts. Doesn’t matter. The collective we – the hundreds that are here every MWF – want you to just show up. Why? You’re gonna LOVE it (and possibly Maria’s jokes/Jake’s puns).
