Author: Josh

Today’s blog comes from Collin Evans. Collin who, until this morning’s workout, was the most recent recipient of the positivity award, wrote about what NP means to him and why it’s important. Needless to say, we love what he’s written and the way he’s shared the ethos of NP. We’re glad you’re here, Collin. Take it away. read more

Growing up, I played three sports: soccer, basketball, and baseball. One basketball game we used to play, especially when there was one ball and an awkward number of people was a game called Signout. It’s basically a massive game of 1 on 1. If you get a rebound or steal you call someone out and that person comes out to defend you. If you score, they’re out of the game. Repeat until there is a lone champion. Whenever you got that ball, calling someone out was the best. Because if you scored, you could talk as much trash as you wanted. You owned them! You sent them packing!

Now there’s a lot in that game that doesn’t at all translate to NP or the ethos of NP but the act of calling someone out and playfully shit talking them is something I still love. I miss it in fact. There was an era when Jorge (Rest In Lander) would call people out with me on something called the Bikegang Report (sidenote: I honestly challenge you to find some of these videos). Then there was our old sister city, Indianapolis, and their HSTIC (Head Shit Talker In Charge) J-Keys–total legend–who used to fire people up and call them out when they hadn’t been showing up for the group.

We all have those friends that need a little kick in the pants. Whether it’s their first workout or their 101st. Some people just need that friendly callout to be reminded that we want them at the workout. That we need their energy. So let’s light that fire. Don’t be afraid to call that person, tag that person, or just physically poke them until they come and join us. Boop!

HILLS

New spot! Dewey x Pacheco streets in the Sunset. Meet here.

 

Day 2 of November Project is a struggle. You’re a rockstar. But day 2, you’re still new but you’re just hoping that person you met last week remembers your name. Some people remember you from day 1, but there’s still so many unfamiliar faces. It’s a real challenge to push through those early days to carve out a place for yourself but just on the other side of that is a community and a group that will encourage and support you fully. read more

Today, on yearbook day, we took photos with our Summer of Love theme. It was very SF. People looked great.

All I could think about was Paddy at the Summer of Love and it made me laugh so hard.

A huge huge thank you to Ryan for taking photos this morning. Ryan has given so much time and expertise to November Project (the whole movement) over the years and we are the luckiest beneficiaries of his talents here in SF. Can’t wait to see how good he makes us all look.

Hills

Bernal on Friday!

This morning, following one of the greatest botched bounces I’ve ever created and our normal, crushing PR Wednesday, one Paddy O’Leary had a few words for the tribe.

He wasn’t telling us where Friday hills would be (Grant x California in Chinatown) or pumping up a trail race. He broke the news to the tribe that after 4(?!) years of leading, he’ll be stepping back to join the ranks of the tribe in a couple of weeks.

I can picture him up late last night just thinking about his moment this morning. Wondering what he’d say, formulating the sentences in his head. Naturally, when his time came this morning after the workout, his speech went something like this:

“Uh guys. One more announcement. Damn, it’s freaking cold. Ah Karl, you bollocks. Feels like home a bit. So after four years I’m stepping down from leading. It’s so cold. Is anyone else cold? Let’s take this picture and get some breakfast.”

I know he’s at home just kicking himself. Or at work just not able to pipette correctly. All because he can’t get over his speech today.

Well, Paddy there’s good news and bad news. Bad news is you’ll never get this morning back. Good news is that everyone at NPSF (and plenty of NP Oakland!) know how much you’ve meant to this group and this movement as a whole. You’ve inspired so many people here that watching you bungle through your address this morning only confirmed what we already knew about you: your actions speak louder than your accented words. Thank you for all you’ve meant to this community. Thank you for being so easy to poke fun at and such a good sport about it too.

If you know Paddy, have known Paddy, or would like to know Paddy (should be any human within 50 miles of SF), get your ass out to his last few workouts. They’re going to be insane. And probably a mess. Because that’s how he does it.

Friday Hills: Grant x California in Chinatown!

Today, we did what we should have done long ago. And by long ago I mean last week when Paddy was leading. We did a full taco-themed workout.

You ran around the park and then up the steps to pick your taco ingredients to make your perfect taco. Maybe you had to do 20 jump squats. Maybe you had to moo like a cow for 10 seconds. Maybe (and it seemed like everyone got this) you had to tell me (Zip) to do 10 burpees. Regardless, I’ve never seen a better looking or more sweaty taco bar.

Thank goodness we got to leave Paddy’s ham sandwich behind and move onto some universally well-liked cuisine for our workouts. I think we’re all sufficiently taco’d out at this point though. What a great way to push it to our taco limits!

Special thanks to Tony, Emily Saul (visiting!), and Stanley (also visiting!) for helping me write all those exercises on pieces of paper. Would have taken an eternity doing that solo.

Hills
Friday we’ll be at Church St. Meet at Church and 18th in the Mission. See you there!

Today’s blog post comes from our current recipient of the Positivity Award. You know, that wooden stick that actually carries a lot of value. Nikhil has been a member of NPSF for a long time and was so deserving of the PA. We’re glad you’re here, Nikhil. Take it away…

Before we get into the meat of this post, I have a confession to make: In general I am not a very positive person, perhaps borderline grumpy and definitely a little lazy. In light of this confession being awarded this positivity stick is a surprise and being able to talk about my experience at November Project is a privilege. read more