Next in our current series of guest bloggers is Kate McDonnell with a few words on what drives her to just show up, week after week.
“I’ve been coming to November Project Toronto for a year. That’s one year of getting up before the sun, taking a bus, to a train, to another train so I can run up and down stairs with a bunch of sweaty strangers. When I tell this to people, they think I’m insane. We’ve all dealt with that reaction, when trying to explain our feelings for a group of people who love (read: love to hate) burpees, who work out in the rain, the cold and the staggering humidity, willingly. What I can never seem to express, and what I’ll attempt to capture here is how much our tribe, and this whole NP movement means to me and why despite all the excuses we have to stay in bed don’t apply to Wednesday mornings.
I was terrified to show up the first time. I didn’t want to be the slowest or look foolish. I was worried I wouldn’t fit in or that people would be too peppy at 6:29 in the morning. I put off showing up for months only to have my concerns replaced by the struggle that is PR day. I maybe finished half the work out. I couldn’t do more than 3 full pushups in a row. I definitely wanted to throw up a little bit. But I didn’t want to quit.
That’s what this wonderful group of weirdos has taught me. Endurance. I endure the weather, the lack of sleep, the aches and pains, all to spend 30 minutes meeting new friends, joking with people I already know, and sharing a laugh or snide remark over my genuine dislike of high-knees. I’m stronger than I was on that first PR day but the endurance I’ve gained is not just physical, it’s mental.
*Sappy bit coming up so you can skip it if you don’t want to read the feels*
I can endure moments when I think I’m weak. Sometimes I doubt myself; there are days that are harder than others but now I feel that I can take them in stride because I know how to push through. You guys taught me that. All of you around the world who high five strangers, give hugs and say “I’m glad you’re here”. We encourage the people around us instead of tearing them down and having people you barely know help push you through moments when you want to quit is pretty powerful.
I keep showing up because November Project gave me a space to feel strong and better myself. I feel strong when I meet new people, when I encourage others, when I improve on a workout. I feel strong when I endure moments of doubt. I feel really strong when I prove to myself that I am, in fact weatherproof.
If you look on your 2017 buff there is a quote that says “People really show up in life when you need it” and every Wednesday you guys show up for me.
Thanks Toronto”
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