November Project DC is starting a Sunday series titled, “Tales of the Tribe,” with personal stories of our awesome (really fucking awesome) tribe members. The first week we kick off with Katie Corradini, a CORE member who has been #Verbaling since it was 75 degrees in the morning (a long time). Katie travels from Alexandria every single Wednesday & Friday to bring awesome energy, smiles, and a competitive drive. Next time you’re on the steps, be sure to give her a hips in. Ladies and Gents, Katie Corradini.
I heard about NP when I lived in Boston. My friend and marathon training partner told me she had heard about this group that runs stairs and hills and puts a bad photo of you on FB if you say you’ll show up but don’t go. This was probably spring of 2012. I never made it to the Boston NP because I couldn’t get to work on time, but I knew it existed.
I met Steve through a friend from grad school while living in Boston. He was the crazy guy whose first marathon was 2012 when it was 88 degrees and too hot for spectators, let alone runners. I told him to run smart and wished him good luck. He killed it.
When I left Boston in early 2013 and moved back to DC I thought it’d be awesome to have something like NP in DC and having never been to NP workouts in Beantown, I didn’t fully know what that meant, but I knew it meant accountability, having fun, getting in shape, and networking through hugs and sweat, not business cards and name, dropping as one is wont to do in DC.
In September of 2013 Steve popped into my FB feed and said he had moved to DC and was starting a DC tribe. It was in its third week and I knew I had to go. I dropped my first official #verbal and showed up – 15 minutes late. The tribe was 10 people strong and they were already running stairs so I got right to it. After the workout I found Steve and gave him a big hug. I was welcoming him to DC while he was welcoming me to NP.
Since September 18th, 2013 I’ve missed 4 workouts: Christmas, New Years, and two because WMATA shut my bus route down during winter storms and I physically couldn’t get into DC from 10 miles away in Alexandria, VA. Not once did I think “at least I get to sleep in today.” Each missed workout I thought “I’d rather be running stairs” (or doing burpees, or hoisties, or bear crawls, or box jumps, or – you get the idea).
If it weren’t for the faces I know I’m going to see each week and all the sweaty, nasty hugs (hips in!) I would never get out of bed at 4:30am every Wednesday and Friday, walk a mile to catch the bus and ride 20 minutes into DC to get to the Lincoln Memorial at 6:30am. All this through snow, ice, 4 polar vortexes, government shut downs, and anything else DC throws our way. We are #weatherproof and we #justshowup.
That’s it. In 2 hashtagged words. That’s what NP is all about. All you have to do is show up, rain or shine. It’s really that simple. Once you’re there you’re hooked. Most of my friends think I’m crazy and all of them say they’d come if it were after work or if it weren’t as cold. Watching new people show up each week regardless of how cold it is makes me so happy to be a part of this. Since joining 5 months ago I’ve met so many incredible people and heard so many amazing stories from around the country, nay, globe (shout out to NP_YEG).
In September I was running 9:10 minute miles for my 10 mile runs and thought I was in great shape. Two weeks ago I ran 10 miles averaging 8:38 minute miles. My 30th and don’t tell Danny or Steve but next time we do a McEnroe workout I hope I get “hop to Abe.” Don’t know what that is? No problem! #justshowup next Wednesday and there will be at least 80 people who will gladly show you the way to Abe.
Share via socials:
Have heard nothing but amazing props from my sister about NP, and it’s so cool to read about her story first hand. Kudos to you all for being a competitive motivating force for community, strength, and health. Now i’ve got to train harder to keep up with her new mile times…challenge accepted.