Full disclosure: I didn’t know Wendy Martinez, and while social media posts and members of the press have reported that she was an NPDC member, I can’t say I ever met her at a workout. I sincerely hope Wendy participated in, and enjoyed November Project at one point. Nonetheless, she was a member of the vibrant running community in DC, and this is a tremendous loss for our city. If you’re having trouble processing this, or want to talk more about feeling safe at workouts, please reach out to Jake, Steve, and myself. read more
Last week, 105 co-leaders from November Project cities all over the world gathered in the pristine woodlands of Santa Cruz, California to discuss World Takeover, plan for the future of this movement, and connect. One of the many workshops that weekend focused on the metrics to qualify when a Tribe is “crushing it.” Do they have a strong connection to the city they live in? Are their workouts FOMO-inducing? Are Tribe members hype as hell about NP? All good considerations, but if I learned anything from the #NPDoubleheader yesterday, it’s that “crushing it” is kinda like porn, you know it when you see it.
Enter Saturday July 21st, we had planned a dragon boat racing event, courtesy of the kind souls at DC Dragons, followed by a dope DIY picnic, then finishing the day at the Pacers Crystal City Twilighter 5K– more importantly known as the Run Club Throwdown, where the strongest, fastest, best team in the DMV walks away with ultimate bragging rights. Seems ambitious, right? Ok now throw in Mother Nature pissing rain all over us for 100 percent of the day.
The concept of #weatherproof was VERY MUCH in play. We rolled up to dragon boating with the most hardcore, bad-ass crew you could imagine– most of whom had never even seen a dragon boat before. With the help of diligent coaches, a relentless team spirit, and that warm, steamy Anacostia River, we were off the docks and into the water in no time. Dragon boating distinctly reminded me of NP in that yes, so much of the motion and the exercise is about the individual, but you will only be successful when you start connecting with and working for the other people in your boat. After working our shoulders and cores tirelessly, which, I later found out was “doing it wrong” we settled back on the not-so-dry land for an indoor picnic.
Dragon boating success PC: Gerald Prado
Ok, here’s the deal, the spread at this picnic was nicer than most wedding buffets. THANK YOU to every single person who contributed. Whether you carried two cases of La Croix through the pouring rain or brought your Mom’s homemade gluten-free pasta salad recipe, we appreciate you. Thanks to those who oversaw the grilling process, and to those who stuck around and helped us leave the boathouse spic-and-span.
Keep in mind, it is raining even harder now. Everyone is soaked to the bone, regardless of the fact that they just put on dry underwear three minutes ago.
We head out to Crystal City, and I’ve never felt more confident that November Project folks would show out for a race. This is what we do. Low visibility? check. Impromptu wet t-shirt contest? check. Hella puddles? big-ass check. Is any of that a deterrent? You bet your ass it’s a MOTIVATING FACTOR. So, we paddle dance our way through the Parade of Nations, by far the most fun pre-race warm-up I’ve ever had, and then we get down to business.
Remember what I said at the beginning about crushing it? I saw it in the middle of the dance circle that formed during warm-ups, I saw it on the race course from the grit and determination emanating from folks on the course, and you KNOW I saw it from the cheer station coming through the line. And hey, who woulda thought, WE WON THE RUN CLUB THROWDOWN, bringing some hardware home as the back-to-back Community Run Club champions.
Your 2018 Run Club Throwdown Champions PC: Matt Anzur
What we had planned to be a fun, outside of working out social activity morphed into so much more over the course of a Saturday. Y’all make us so gosh-darn proud in myriad ways; showing up to row a boat in a rainstorm, providing charcoal and grilling tools from your home so we can host a successful shindig, racing your heart out and pouring so much enthusiasm into a community 5K. It was a doubleheader to remember.
THANK YOU to DC Dragons, y’all were amazing teachers, and we so appreciate you being #weatherproof like us. THANK YOU to Pacers for another incredible #rcthrowdown, it was an unparalleled night of racing, community and fun. And finally, THANK YOU to every single person who came out, dragon boating, chilling and grilling, racing, cheering, celebrating–you are all crushing it.
Washington, DC to Worcester, (pronounced WOOSTAH) Massachusetts is approximately 398 miles. Do that twice and you’ve got 796 miles on your hand. Do that in a conversion van you can’t take on an expressway and you’re looking at basically 1,000 miles (hat-tip Vanessa Carlton). We drove that. Correction, Steve and Jason Ornelis drove that, over the course of 21+ hours. We asked the Van Gang to provide their thoughts, feedback, peaches + pits, and overall feelings now that they’ve had a few days to decompress from the #NP_VAN experience. Here’s what they had to say:
DC–>WOO–>Wachusett trails–>DC
Ingaborg Broskas:
How do you measure the #van_life experience in less than 200 characters? Not easily. When I found out Steve was planning a road trip up to Boston, I knew I was I in. No questions asked. My flight plans were changed. This was going to be epic and I was not interested in FOMO. read more
“If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon,” wrote Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run Boston. With all due respect to the LEGENDARY Ms. Switzer, I’d like to amend her quote to, “If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and cheer for a marathon.” Cheer for everyone. The elites brushing past at a pace that seems untenable yet looks effortless. The people running in costumes. The total hardos. Cheer for every dang runner — down to the last person.
Folks, racing season is upon us once again. If you’re not training for something, you’ve likely heard a friend say one of the following phrases:
“I can’t … I’m racing tomorrow.”
“Oh, I want to but, I’m tapering.”
“Have you heard about [insert fun race here] I’m doing it, you should join!”
By the time spring rolls around and we begin to shake off the cobwebs from our dormant race shoes, it seems like everyone is signed up for something, right? Racing is fun. Racing is cool. Here are a few reasons why:
You can test yourself. First 5k? How about trying a new distance? How about shooting for a PR?
You can push yourself. This seem obvious, and we say it all the time (#raceeverything right?), but a spring race — given how varied the distances are, not to mention, how idyllic the conditions can be — is a tremendous opportunity to train hard, go all out, and really test your limits
You can scare the shit out of yourself. When was the last time you did something that truly, genuinely scared you? Racing is one of the last real fronts we have. To work harder than you ever have. To feel better than you’ve ever known. To fail — yes, that happens, and IT’S OKAY. We pick ourselves up, move on, and press forward.
Last night, I called my mom around 8pm. I do this every Sunday, but this Sunday was different. I had NEWS. BIG NEWS. I had to get Babs on the phone and tell her how much dang fun I had at our scavenger hunt/city tour/extravaganza, 3 Stars 2 Bars.
Gang’s all here.
We started in on this idea about three months ago with one thing, a name. I had woken up from a fever dream (this usually happens on Tuesday nights around 2AM because I’m so dang excited about Lincoln) and texted Steve and Jake: “3 Stars 2 Bars. I don’t know what it can be yet, but the name is tight.” Or something to that effect.
Subtract the holidays and life being crazy and fast forward to Sunday, January 28, 2:30pm. There’s a crowd of roughly 50 eager beavers outside of Big Chief in Ivy City. Teams had been formed, free agents showed up in search of a squad — and I paced up and down the street trying to figure out where I should hide the first clue. Bar #1, down.
Steve clandestinely exited Big Chief to make his way to his “star,” the first of three that would be found throughout the afternoon.
We released the hounds — I wish I could replay the scene — watching everyone scramble around the bar looking for that first clue. People running up stairs, nearly flipping over tables, Hirsh running into the freezer. It was a doozy. Eventually someone stumbled upon my super secret hiding place — the bathroom — and the mad dash began. Some teams took off on foot, others hauled their bikes — hurtling at breakneck speeds towards Union Market (get it? it’s hip + MARKET research, gosh we’re so clever).
Upon arrival, spice was performed, and clue #2 was given out. Crispus Attucks Park. If you knew to look at the convergence of North Capitol, U Street, V Street and 1st Street, you were golden. Riding my bike to my “star” location, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear seeing multiple teams chugging along through the streets of DC. Jake presented teams with the third clue and at this point people start texting me frantically. “Are you on a campus?!” “George Washington didn’t even have wooden teeth!”
Georgie watching vigilantly as competitors come rolling through
Part of the reason yesterday was so much fun for me was the fact that I got to see so many people feeling so many things. Beginning of the day? Lots of enthusiasm, lots of hype, tons of energy. By stop number 3, some teams were still enjoying themselves, having fun. Others were FIRED UP for the last clue. Others were beaten down, humbled –or straight up PISSED. Watching that bevy of emotions unfold was sort of awesome. It’s an arc we don’t get to see in the natural course of a 35/40 minute workout. I LOVED seeing people who had never met 2 hours earlier leap-frogging over their new buddies by the time they reached me. I REALLY LOVED watching teams huddle together and attempt to figure out the last clue that would lead them to the final destination.
Eventually everyone made their way to bar number 2, Bar Roubaix (pronounced roo-bae). A largely soaking-wet, exhausted, and intellectually spent crew graced the barstools of Roubaix. I went around culling feedback from those who weren’t too busy slamming Belgian brews or scarfing down doner kebabs (can attest, both are delicious). The spin bikes in the back of the bar served as the final test for two teams that had tied for third place to hold a positively epic sprint-off.
Photo courtesy of Bar Roubaix (give ’em a follow @roubaixdc)!
What struck me about the overwhelmingly fun, spirited, vibe at Roubaix was the hardcore goodness of it all. The mantra ‘this shit is good’ doesn’t encapsulate the feeling invading the bar. A bunch of people — lots of them strangers at the beginning of the afternoon — willingly submitted themselves to physical (and mental) anguish in the name of November Project. To be fair, there were also really sweet prizes on the line (thanks, The North Face and Cava!)
WHAT.
WHY.
Why, why, why, in this day and age, would anyone willingly choose to leave their house. It’s too cold. It’s rainy. It’s too late in the afternoon. I want to watch the Pro Bowl. I’m hungover. YOU CAN GET SOMEONE TO DELIVER YOU CHIK-FIL-A. Have you been outside recently? It’s kinda garbage.
Screw that. BS. All of it.
Yesterday was a testament to the spontaneous — a middle-of-the-night text, a little bit of elbow grease (writing clues is hard, yo!), and to the good tremendous people in this movement. You didn’t have to come out. But you did. And that makes me really fucking happy. I hope it made you happy too.
Yesterday we shouted goodbye to our favorite Ironwoman, nutritionist, Buffalonian, Stevie. You’ve probably seen Stevie running, biking, or swimming her way through Washington–or petting a dog at workouts. Stevie, the enthusiasm you brought to NP workouts, in addition to your rock-solid work ethic have been an absolute joy to be around. There’s no replacing you, and we’ll miss you dearly.
I’ll let Stevie take it away:
How do you measure, measure a year (or six)?
In bounces, in sunrises
In miles, in doggos
In sweat, in hugs
In tears, in laughs
I always knew that someday, these would be the good old days.
Some of you know me very well, some of you know me as that crazy girl who races a lot of Ironmans, others know me as one of those girls that loves doggos, and some of you don’t know me at all. I’m not the fastest, I’m not the strongest, and I’m not the loudest at any workout, but what’s for certain is I give one damn good hips in hug.
As I enter my final days as a District resident after 6 years, it has been impossible to not reflect on what an impact and impression this chapter has left on me. I’ve lost myself and found myself in this city, I’ve learned what type of person I want to be and what type of people I want to have in my life. But most importantly in my time here, the last few years in particular, I’ve learned gratitude.
I’m grateful for the friend who convinced me to #justshowup three and a half years ago (hi, Doc!). I’m grateful to have the opportunity to cross paths with humans I never would have if it weren’t for the group of crazy yahoos who started and those who helped to grow this movement into what it is today. I’m grateful for fitness, movement, and what my body can do. I’m grateful for the consistency of this tribe when everything else in my life seemed to be uncontrollably chaotic. I’m grateful for every moment, every bounce, every hug, every sunrise, and every laugh along this crazy ride.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I was so lost when I first showed up to Lincoln that cold November morning in 2014. And now as I begin to take some leaps of faith to follow my passions, I’m finally feeling found. NP_DC, thanks for being you and helping me to find that courage to believe in myself again as well as helping me find that inner-weirdo that got silenced. I’m glad you’re here.
Until we meet again…..DREAM BIG, HUSTLE HARD, LOVE FIERCELY, AND PET ALL THE DOGGOS.
Oh and hi, SEE YOU SOON NP_BUFF!
It’s not goodbye, it’s see ya later!! Jason, YogaSteve–take good care of this gem.
Friday, January 12, was a warm, humid morning in DC. Uncharacteristic after a few biting, wintry days. We hosted a workout at Barry Farm Rec, mere feet away from the Goodman League basketball courts, where legends like Kevin Durant and John Wall (reflexively flexes biceps) have honed their skills. So we had high temps, a historic location, and a SOLID workout–how could we possible top it off? Well, this was something we’d been planning for a while, but we decide the time was perfect to bestow the highest honor in NP history upon our boy, Charlie. If you don’t know Charlie, you should. SO take 5 minutes and get to know him:
1) How were you introduced to November Project?
I was introduced to NP by Yoga Julie.
2) What do you remember about your first workout or thinking at/after your first workout?
The first thing I remember about my first workout was getting winded during the bounce. It was a small miracle that I ran those hills by the Capital Building that day.
3) What motivates you to keep you coming back?
I really like the workouts, I don’t think I’d be running if it wasn’t for NP. I’ve made some good friends from the tribe and it’s nice to run with them.
4) What does winning the Positivity Award mean and represent to you?
While I am always happy for whomever receives the Positivity Award, it always seemed out of reach to me. I’m an introvert so I don’t always come across with the exuberance that NP is known for and sometimes I feel like I’m on the outside looking in when I’m there. So I guess winning the award means a change of perception for me, it’s nice to feel accepted, knowing that means I might try to open up a little.
5) Favorite song to sing in the shower?
I usually listen to podcasts in the shower, anything from NPR or Crooked Media.
6) If you could travel to any NP tribe, which and why?
Hong Kong, I’ve always wanted to visit that city; why not get a workout in?
Boom. A man of few words, but valued contributions. Want to know more about Charlie? We did too, so we asked #YogaJulie and Chris Jolly to add in some testimonials:
Chris–
Charlie is one of the brightest individuals that comes to NP mainly because of his spirit and motivation. There are countless memories I recall where our group shared genuine laughs and good times while working out and struggling, mainly, because of good ole’ Charlie. He’s the best!
#YogaJulie–
I am so freaking proud of this guy. Charlie and I were working in the same department when I convinced him to #justshowup, and his transformation from skeptical non-runner to diehard NP tribe member and positivity award winner has been so inspiring. He is constantly pushing himself, not to be better than anyone else but to be better than his previous self. Week after week, he would come up to me at work following a meridian workout or PR day and tell me that he’d run one more hill or lap than he ever had, and his presence and work ethic encourages me and everyone else to push just as hard (especially in sprints. I dare you to challenge Charlie to a sprint. You’ll probably lose). A few weeks after he started coming, he was gushing to me how much he was enjoying the workouts and ended with, “and we get hugs, too!” He even dropped a verbal that lasted for a month and a half for the sake of a school project, and he didn’t miss a single workout. He fully embraces everything that NP is about and he is such a wonderful addition to this tribe. This award is so well-deserved. Congrats, bud!
There ya have it. See you tomorrow, 5:25 & 6:20 AM @ the Lincoln Memorial. BE LIKE CHARLIE.
Ah, what a year! Whatever you felt, thought, or wondered, heading into 2017, the year that was far outpaced any crazy predictions or expectations. 2017 for us, as a Tribe, was at times breathtaking, inspiring, and overall just plain old fun. Here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments from 2017:
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Just like the days of MySpace, picking your top # is tough. It’s mainly why I avoid the Cheesecake factory: too many options. Regardless, Maria insists firmly suggested it so here’s 3 incredible moments from my year with November Project DC
If I had to guess, Jake and Maria have this one too BUT HOW COULD YOU NOT. In April, the three of us decided it was high time that we put together a HUGE recruiting effort for Mayor Bowser in the month of May. We picked a specific location for which to aim, recorded and edited an extremely professional video, and crossed our fingers. We had people tweet, tag her on Facebook and Instagram, and even try to chat with her in person. All that effort led to probably our proudest moment as a tribe. Not only did the Mayor #JustShowUp but it aided in the development of a successful and ongoing partnership with the DC Dept. of Parks and Rec. And now, Mayor Bowser had #GrassrootsGear and helps hype some of our workouts and events.
Is there something in the water? Are people going to far too many holiday parties? Plainly, what is GOING ON in Washington, DC?! Three WE MISSED YOUs in a week — c’mon Tribe, get it together.
This one goes out to you, JackyCat. And don’t even try that “it was my second last night in America” crap because we’re not buying it. Ever heard of November Project exceptionalism? It means that we go to workouts no matter how hard we partied the night before. So Jack, what happened? read more
You probably already know this, but our dear Tribemember, Melani Robinson (AKA MelRo), was awarded with the Positivity Award this past Wednesday. If you don’t know Mel, you should. She can be seen at workouts, usually flaunting pink, and chugging hills for breakfast–typically while simultaneously training for a marathon.
You get a badge! And you get a badge! And you get a badge!
Mel embodies the spirit and vibe November Project–she shows up, works hard, and spreads the NP gospel outside of workouts as well. As you’ll hear in the testimonials sections of this blog, Mel’s friends are not shy about gushing over her ability to plan/coordinate/build HYPE for November Project.
To get to know MelRo a bit better, we gave her the good ole 5 for 5 Q&A. Here we go:
1)How were you introduced to November Project?
My friend told me about it and asked me to come with him. He stopped coming something about too many happy people 🤷🏻♀️ I continued to show up!
2) What do you remember about your first workout or thinking at/after your first workout?
I remember being way over dressed. I also remember being very intimidated by all the FAF [FESTIVE AF] people. After the workout I hurt but I knew it was something I had to go to again.
3) What motivates you to keep you coming back?
Sappy, but the people! I really enjoy everyone I’ve met through NP. I never regret going to a workout because I love spending time with everyone.
4) If you were a workout, which one would you be and why?
The Cherry Blossom Jefferson Memorial Workout.
A. Because everything is pink my favorite color duh
B. Because it’s one of my favorite monuments in the city and you truly feel like you are on an island.read more
