All the Feels – Guest Blog by Lujan (LAX)

There is this woman named Lauren Lujan who is, quite simply, the best. She is hilarious, strong AF, one of the most loyal people you will ever meet, and a huge source of happiness and energy in our tribe. She has a few wise words to share. READ THEM, LOVE THEM, LIVE BY THEM.

Hi everyone, it’s your favorite distraction and lovable human Lujan bringing the blog post to you today. I’m literally so excited that you all are going to read this (because you all read the blog posts) and give me ALL. OF. THE. ATTENTION. Ok, now that I got at least one Lujan-ism out of the way time to get serious but not too serious because it’s me.

It was actually around this time two years ago when I first learned about November Project. I was at the greatest food establishment in Orange County, Bear Flag Fish Co., with my friend Kristin who went to Northeastern. We were sitting there talking about running and she goes “OH MY GOSH! I NEED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS GROUP!”  I’m completely serious when I tell you how this #NotNotACult was pitched to me… “So there’s group called November Project and they’re really fun and they’re in like 20- something cities and they run stairs and scream fuck yeah! YOU SHOULD GO! Oh, by the way, it’s at 6 am.” Ok, so running at 6 am sure fine I did that anyway but driving 46 miles (one way) to run some stairs?! Was I really going to do that? You know what the answer is and if you’re new here and aren’t sure, the answer is yes. Yes, I did that. I did that drive for 7 months before I finally moved to LA. Showing up was the best decision I’ve made…ever.

Before I #JustShowedUp I was living my life by going through the motions and partying just a little too hard for my own good. After my first few months, I became a completely different person. I wasn’t just stronger, I was happier. I had friends who believed in me, who pushed me to be a better person, who helped me find my career path, friends who let me sleep on their couches, friends who still do this for me, and for all of you, EVERY WEEK. This community we have is incredibly special and I hope you know how lucky we are to have a network of 35 (can I get a fact check on that) cities around the world to welcome you with open arms.

Today when I showed up at Griffith I felt this magic I haven’t really felt in a long time. It was the feeling that we were in our own bubble and time just kind of slowed down for us. It was me and all my friends getting sweaty and I FUCKING LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. From Neal literally dripping sweat during Sebastians, Herschell in a dead sprint the ENTIRE WORKOUT, and Leigh our #Traverbaler from Seattle bringing all the energy. Seriously today was so good and so hard – it was perfect.  AND ALL THE NEW PEOPLE! HI, I SEE YOU AND YOU SHOULD KEEP COMING! SERIOUSLY KEEP SHOWING UP!

Whether you’ve been coming for 2+ years, your first time, or maybe your first day after a little hiatus – November Project will always be here for you. They will always be your biggest fans, they will always love you a little harder and hug you a little tighter. I felt this love and support firsthand these past few months – after the accident (RIP rollerskate car, I still miss you), being funemployed, to taking a job that was…interesting; you all have gotten me through some of the hardest times of my life.  Every single one of you was and still are the reason I continue to show up every week. You have helped me become the person I am and continue to be. We say this every week and I’m going to say it again– November Project isn’t just a workout, it’s a support system, a community that helps you see your true potential.

I am going to ask something of you today and that is to bring positive energy to everyone you encounter. Not everyone gets NP and that’s ok, but you should still give them the NP love because that’s what we do. And if you’ve been trying to recruit new people, maybe you should just tell them we run around yelling fuck yeah. I mean that’s how I got here and look at the joy I bring NP LAX every week! (You didn’t think I was going to put only one Lujan-ism in here did you?!). Thank you for indulging me, I’m here literally every week. Do good LA!

Thanks Luje! You are the very best parts of NP_LAX rolled into a person, and we would be a way boring-er, quieter, slower, weaker, lame-er tribe without you. We’re really, really glad you’re here!!!!

• FRIDAY – top of Runyon Canyon
  • be quiet when you park so an angry British man doesn’t yell at you
  • scope that tracker.
• WEDNESDAYS in APRIL @ Griffith Observatory
  • 5:27 and/or 6:27 am
  • #justshowup and make April a party! We gotta send Coach Steve off right!
• MONDAY April 23 SFV Pop-up
• SATURDAY April 29 – Light Up the Coast
  • All the CA tribes will be running from a bar to the beach for a bonfire. There will be s’mores. Maybe some relays. 100% chance of a really, really good time.
  • It’s going down as the sun goes down.

Share via socials: