Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
I’ve been part of the November Project Minneapolis tribe since June 2015. During that time I’ve developed some unique friendships and hold myself accountable to #JustShowUp to as many workouts as I can. As with other NPers, I look forward to seeing the group, feeling the energy and “belonging” to something so cool in our community. Sweaty hugs are now part of my vocabulary and November Project has become part of my routine. As of April 30, 2016, it means so much more.
In times past and right up to this very day, tales are told of the mighty feats of strength performed in these north woods by those rugged lumberjacks that worked the forests of old. Chief among these were tales of the giant figure of Paul Bunyan and his best friend, Babe the Blue Ox. It’s said that Paul and Babe dug the Mississippi river one afternoon so he could float logs south. Another tale relates the time Babe was stung by a bee and ran off for the west coast. Paul grabbed Babe and dug his boot in to slow the great beast. You can see his boot mark today, which is called the Grand Canyon.
I’m tough.
No, that’s not being completely honest, and right now, that’s exactly what I need to be. Let me start over.
I was tough.
Growing up, I always had to be the tough guy. I idolized toughness. My mantra was to exhibit a level of grit that would outlast any adversity that came my way. While I don’t think this mindset is exclusive to one gender, I also believe the countless times I was told to “Be a Man” or “Man up” were simply code for “Be tough.” And so, tough I was.
Good afternoon everyone. As we embark on the weekend now nearly upon us, let’s think back to what a teriffic week it was. Props to those of you who showed up for a November Project Minneapolis workout, and bigger ups to those of you that caught both. The early morning grind was strong this week. For the rest of you however…
The Midwest experiences four seasons.
We are not the west coast where nature just multiplies our three best months by four before calling it a full year. Minneapolis gets down on all four seasons: fall, spring, winter, summer – to the extremes. So as we move forward out of the sweaty, muggy dog days, start thinking about that extra layer of skin you’ll have to pull out from under your bed. School is in session y’all, and summer will roll around in another nine months, but November Project Minneapolis rolls on until then.
Here in Minneapolis, we welcome the rain. It cools us as we sprint up the “OG” original hill by dripping in our eyes, noses, and mouths making it harder to suck air. It soaks our clothes and shoes, making it hard to move let alone drop down and do push-ups or go climb to the top of Gold Metal Hill. But, what’s awesome about #NP_MSP tribe members is they embrace this. Unfortunately, the rain had all but a few drips left come time to start the workout.
It’s always a great feeling to come back to running after being out for an injury. It’s an even greater feeling to come back to November Project..but what made today truly amazing was to come back on a day where we broke record attendance.
#f*ckyeah. 101 in MSP. That was the goal. Precisely achieved, there were 101 sweaty, friendly, kickass bodies grinding down the “OG” original hill. The workout? #Sixer. 6 reps up the hill and back down with box jumps, push-ups and hot-footed lizards in between. Each hill climb/ workout combo was started on 5 minute intervals. The workout was hard, the people awesome, and the music loud.
The tribe swam through the workout this morning. Yes, there was so much sweat shed on the hill that swimming became a part of the workout. Here, the tribe gathers before the workout:
The workout’s base camp was at the top of the original “OG” hill where several decks of cards were scattered face-down. For each of suit, there was a different workout involved. Heart & Spades = running to the top of Gold Metal Hill, then completing push-ups or box jumps corresponding with the number on your card. Clubs & Diamonds = running back down to the bottom of the original “OG” hill to do either do the corresponding number of burpees or to turn around and sprint right back up.
With a quick bounce and a “F*ck Yeah!” We were off on a warm up jog around the block to Gold Metal Park Hill. Surprise! The sprinklers were on..oh well, a little water never hurt anyone! Today’s workout had two parts: the larger part consisted of hill reps, and the smaller part was a both awesome and really stupid team relay.
Before you read about the goofy but brutal workout that went down this morning, please read about why tribe member Melissa Somers comes to NP. Melissa is a strong individual with a huge heart. She’s fierce, she’s fun, and she has come so far in the time that we’ve known her. Enjoy!
A little over a year ago my friend Colleen Supple, also known as McSupple, kept telling me I needed to come to this Wednesday morning workout called November Project. I was a little apprehensive for several reasons. It started at 6:27 am. I get nervous and shy around big groups of people I don’t know. I am a slow runner. Very slow.