I once won an award in fifth grade for writing a poem my teacher, Mrs. Sattler, enjoyed and another award in seventh grade for just being on the middle school basketball team. What I’m trying to say, guys, is that I’m no stranger to awards. But putting my bragging rights and my history of decadent medals aside, this wooden club, this positivity award from the November Project couldn’t make me prouder.
Try-athletes
This weekend marked the 33rd time the waters, roads and paths of Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline filled with athletes of all shapes, sizes, abilities, and ages to accomplish one singular yet bi-pronged goal: to compete and complete a triathlon. Some were there to improve a past time, others gave their all at a new distance, and another group simply wanted no more than to get to the finish line and say that they had done so. Our tribesmembers of NP_CHI were there in full force, in each category. Whether testing their physical limits, or cheering to embarrassment, the tribe was strong. Our tribe left it all out there. We braved cold water. We recorded hot times. We supported each other. We pushed ourselves. We rose early and stayed long. We tried. And we tri-ed. We succeeded.
Luck is Where You Start
The term “luck” gets tossed around all the time. You are lucky that you have something, or you are lucky that something happened at a particular time in your life. But one aspect of luck that is frequently left out of the conversation is this: what did you do after your lucky moment?
My lucky moment came almost a year and a half ago. I was in a pretty unpleasant place in February 2014. I was living in Chicago during the coldest, harshest winter in the city’s recorded history (this is a fact). The Polar Vortex had only just ebbed, and the prophetic critter Puxatony Phil had declared another 6 weeks of winter. I just finished applying to 7 graduate programs, but had already been rejected from 3 schools by Valentine’s Day (one actually came on Valentine’s Day). I was 9 months out of undergrad, unemployed, living alone without a car or bike, and lonely to the point of crippling depression. I was struggling to find comfort in a dark, frigid city where I felt like a cultural transplant. Everything was in flux, and while I knew things would eventually settle down, the uncertainty of almost every aspect of my life was taking a harsh toll on me.
Bad Assery for a nice Ass-ery.
I gradually place all my weight on my right leg, and slooowly lift my left.
My right leg starts shaking, but I mentally will myself to hold this pose for just a little bit longer.
It’s worth it I tell myself, my legs will look amazing in those shorts today.
…What sort of gruesome exercise am I doing you ask?
B Positive
Today, something pretty incredible happened to me, I was given the honor of receiving the November Project Positivity award. To some, the Positivity Award might look like the sawed off end of a wooden oar handle with some letters carved into it — those people would be correct, but only partially. What this idol represents is something that I’ve bought [HARD] into since first being absorbed into November Project last …November… while catching a FREE HUG mid-run during the Chicago Hot Chocolate 15k.
Hot days, Hot hills, Hot PR’s (CHI)
Still seeing more and more new faces and we love it! We’ve had quite a few tribes members have some big opportunities and life changes recently. While losing some old faces we are happy to welcome the new. It’s great to see November project growing across the country for people to be able to travel to new cities and be able to track down workouts with ease. We challenge you to #traverbal to as many tribes as possible. Be welcomed nationally and internationally with open arms. Stay an extra day or arrive early just to get the opportunity to see how we all do it the same and yet differently.
NP – Nostalgic People?
“You’re all my family. You took me in without knowing me, and loved me. I don’t lead you. You just let me choose the workouts.” – Leader Sellen (_5280)
Perhaps it’s the warmer weather, the longer days, or that classic summer nostalgia we all tend to feel around this time of year … but it seems as though tribe members across the country have been especially wistful with regard to their connection to November Project, and the impact it has made on their lives. Across their social media platforms, remembrances, acknowledgements, and photos have looked back at members’ (and leaders’) experiences since joining this goofy tribe, in greater doses than usual. No one here is complaining- even sweet maple syrup began with a little sap. But, it is worth noting. What is it about a workout group causes such widespread enamorings to happen?
#donutsearned
It is said that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. So, what does a donut bring? If you’re in Chicago and it’s National Donut Day … lots of full-body repetitions with a special emphasis on the money maker.
Today’s tribe session had one purpose with regard to the sanctity of this day: burn ‘em before you earn ‘em (donut calories). This involved a warm-up including partner donut squats, tipping bird single-leg balances, inch-worm crawls, an intense 8-minute “Jane Fonda” booty-blasting sesh, before closing with 3 minutes of burpees. Every leg pump earned a donut’s sprinkle, and every attendee earned a hug.
Roshamb-OH YEA
“Success isn’t how far you got, but the distance traveled from where you started.” – Pre
Following the Prefontaine Classic of this past weekend, the national fitness community took to celebration of National Running Day today, and the November Project- Chicago tribe was no exception. Hearkening these words of Pre himself, we recognize the efforts of every single tribe member- familiar or new, young or old, professional or weekend warrior- to ring true. The foundation of our community is our #justshowup mantra, and with each advancing week we’ve been so glad to welcome new faces in greater numbers at both our Wednesday and Friday workouts. Today was no exception, with a multitude of new tribespeople thickening the herd. For them, for this creed, and in honor of the day, we took to the track, our favorite “least-favorite” place to run.
Foggy on the lake (CHI)
This morning was a smouldering foggy, humid mess. Those that ran in to the workout already had a fine layer of moisture covering them. Nevertheless are Chicago strong made it to our stomping grounds through way of bike, running, walking, car, Uber, and other (you know who you are)
It was a new workout for everyone, and it ended up being a tough one. This whole day was about cheering & supporting everyone on while grinding out a tough workout. Lots of running, lots of upper body. There wasn’t any part of the workout that didn’t have someone yelling, which is pretty spectacular. A lot of positive energy and vibes floating around the tribe is always a good way to start the day.