Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
ARE YOU READY TO FUCKIN GO??
The mornings are dark and cold which can only mean one thing: it’s time for the 2023 NP MSP Attendance Challenge.
Inspired by some of our favorite sibling cities (hi denver, hi phoenix), we went to the drawing board to shake things up and here’s what we came up with:
•Two Teams: Rivers vs Lakes
November Project (MSP) is officially part of the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon Running Club Experience! This means YOU (and not just all you MSPers, any NP member looking to come run this epic race can join) will receive the RC benefits below if you follow the registration instructions, even farther below for either the full or half marathon. And remember, all of this is just the cherry on top of getting to run a great race with best people along the most beautiful lake in the world.
First, let’s talk about periods. Because they are important. Period. I had amenorrhea (the absence of a period) for 16 months, but I didn’t see a doctor until almost a year had passed. Why? Well the answer to that question is complicated (which I will elaborate on more in a bit), but part of the reason is because not getting your period is normalized and glorified in the fitness world. I remember one of my high school coaches telling me that she often wouldn’t get her period in the most casual way because that’s just “what happens sometimes” when you exercise a lot. Well I want to say that that’s bullshit. Yes, it happens, but there are many ways to prevent it and when it does happen (because it might), it’s something to take very seriously. These aren’t words I would have said before. I wouldn’t have said them because I was steeped in this culture and thought that my lack of a period meant I was working hard enough, I was pushing myself hard enough, I was successful. I also wouldn’t have said that because let’s be real, periods are not fun. But damn, did I celebrate when mine came back. I celebrated because of all that I learned about the importance of menstruation. If I want to live a long and healthy life and use my body in the ways I want to (fitness related and otherwise), I need strong bones and a strong heart, both of which are seriously weakened by amenorrhea. You can click here to learn more about the effects of amenorrhea from an expert because my knowledge on this topic is still quite limited, but I did want to take a moment to call this out and create space for conversation. Because it’s important.
First, big ol’ hat tip to NPDEN for the name inspiration. We wracked our brains to find something as catchy and all encompassing as this, but alas, you all hit the nail on the head.
Below are the ins, outs, and in-betweens of our revamped and revitalized NPMSP group to grow, learn, and be open together so that we as a community can meaningful engage in our broader communities. We hope you decide to join us!
Okay friends, bear with me because I’m about to get a little Brene Brown up in here with some vulnerability. Just like the most beloved section of Us Weekly magazine says, NP Co-Leaders: They’re Just Like Us! That’s right. Sometimes our shirt is on inside out, or we miss our pre race poop, or even half ass a burpee or two (sorry BG and Bojan, but it’s true). But right now I want to talk about something a little more personal that unites many of us in the fitness community, which is, sometimes we struggle with eating disorders. I have had a disordered relationship with food and my body for over three years now and while I have made progress in my recovery, this is a journey I, and many others in this community, will be on for a long time.
It’s not over yet, folks! That’s right, we have another week of bridges for you to conquer. You have the next seven days to run, walk, skip, bear crawl over each of these bridges.
Martin Olav Sabo Bridge- https://goo.gl/maps/w2HxYnih8Ne2LzBr7
Irene Hixton Bridge- https://goo.gl/maps/7Dx6UMLJzRKLF8sw8