Author: Mary

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Thank You For Being Here- A Marathon Weekend Note From Mary

Welcome to the big time, folks. It’s Marathon Friday in New York City.

This weekend represents the best weekend in sports, when a diverse and vibrant community of 8.5 million people comes together to support the journey of 50,000+; with their full throated support from the side streets of Bay Ridge to the street corners of the Bronx and finally the finish line in Central Park. There is just one goal for all of New York on this magical Sunday in November- simply to get every last human across that finish line. read more

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Being Courageous One Mile at a Time with Emily

We love big adventures and our Emily Guth is just about to finish a huge one. She and her team from the Ulman Cancer Fund are about to finish their run across the US. She will be finishing the last leg of the journey this Saturday, August 4th at Brooklyn Bridge Park at 12pm. Emily wrote us from the road and we wanted to share her words here. We are so proud of you Em, and we can’t wait to hug you on Saturday. 

Rob, Mary, Kevin and Tribe,

Hello from Wisconsin! I’m not sure when this letter will get to you, but as I write it it’s day 33 of 49. We’re still waking up at 4;30, putting one foot in front of the other, and getting closer to home every day. I can’t thank all of your enough for your support and encouragement on throughout this journey. I wanted to share with you a few things that have happened on this trip that have reminded me of how lucky I am to have this NP family.

The first occurred on day 18, also known as the 4th of July. During our pre-trip orientation, the 4th was discussed often. Our teams rely on food donations on a daily basis so that all the money we raise can go back to the Ulman Cancer fund where it belongs. We were told that the 4th of July would be the hardest day for food donations. Well, guess whose turn it was to handle food? I reached out to the only resource I knew, NP Denver. They were having a 4th of July Potluck Breakfast and did not hesitate to give us all their leftover food. If it’s even possible, we left with too much food. Though we didn’t make it in time for the workout ( I now have a #traverbal I have to fill in Denver) my teammates and I were greeted with hugs, high fives, and an abundance of “fuck yeahs”. My teammates were confused at how a group of people I’d never actually met acted like instant family. I said, “I don’t know, that’s just NP.” The interaction made me feel at home and reminded me that family is family no matter where you are from or where you are going.

The second part of this story is the never ending state of Nebraska. We had just hit halfway and in an overwhelming series of events, I almost made the decision to call it quits and come home. I knew that I had made a commitment to my team and wasn’t actually going to quit, but I genuinely thought about it.

At this point, it finally hit me how much I rely on NP as my support system. Right about the same time was our third mail drop and in the pile of letters were two things for me. The first was a package of snacks and trash bags and the second was a card from the lovely goofballs in charge of this tribe. The outside of it said “ You’re Ok” and the inside of it could have said nothing at all and would have been enough to make me cry. I don’t know how they knew, but I needed that so badly and it was enough to give me the boost I needed.

The point of all this is that when I made the decision to #justshowup in January, I never imagined that this team would be the gift in my life that keeps giving. I can’t wait to be back and bouncing with you soon. In the meantime, hug everyone and thank them for being here. You are all a gift and you may be the reason why people get up in the morning.

Love always,
Emily

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Introducing Kevin

Editor’s Note: This introduction is woefully overdue. Kevin has been crushing it since April. Having said that, better late than never.

Kevin Rankin, our newest co-leader is a man of few words and even fewer shirts. When asked how he would like to be introduced, he said “maybe something like ‘Kevin is also a co-leader in NYC’? For a guy like Kev, that just will not do. read more

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If 2 Is Company, Then 3 Is Definitely A Party

Growing up, I was puzzled by the expression: “2 is company but 3 is a crowd”. The implication seemed to be that crowds were bad and the company of just one other person was preferred. It made no sense to me; even at a young age I loved interacting with lots of different people. Soccer teams, basketball teams, big family get-togethers, I enjoyed it all. read more

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Getting into the Spirit with #NP_Carols

The MacAllisters. The Parkers. The Griswolds.

This Sunday, #NP_NYC and #NP_BK stand poised to take their place among the most well known holiday families of all time. That’s right… it’s time for #NP_Carols.  50% workout, 50% social and 110% fun, this gathering is not to be missed. All NP members, friends, families and random strangers are welcome, though we think it’s probably best to leave the four-legged members of the Tribe at home for this one. Read on for the rules of the (festive) road.

 

  • #NP_Carols starts at the northwest corner of West 14th Street and Broadway, just at the edge of the Holiday Market.
  • Come dressed to run in your favorite holiday gear. While we love a good Santa suit, we encourage you to be creative. How about the Mensch on a Bench? Maybe a gingerbread person? Keep it fun, keep it comfortable and think warm. Remember, no bag check on this one, so make sure you have a place for your phone/keys/wallet/reindeer antlers.
  • At check in, people will be set up in teams of 6-8 and given “Naughty” and “Nice” lists. The goal of the event is to complete all the tasks on the lists, post them on IG (#np_carols) and make it to Jingle Hells (174 Orchard Street) before all the Bad Santa Eggnog is consumed.
  • Measuring roughly 3 miles, the route will take the teams to 4 locations, where they can check items off their lists.
  • When running/caroling/burpee’ing please be cognizant of your surroundings and respectful of others. Run no more than 2 up on a sidewalk and don’t play Frogger crossing the street.
  • Holiday prizes will be awarded for highest team score and best costume.

    • read more

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    The Power of Positivity- Guest Blog by Rael Linder

    One of our absolute favorite things to do at NP_NYC is pass out the Positivity Award. Being able to recognize the hard work and contribution of our Tribe always feels special. This week, we recognize Rael Linder, our Mile 14 Cheer Zone Captain and all around wonderful human. The 51,000 people who passed through our Cheer Zone at Mile 14 of the TCS New York City Marathon know EXACTLY what we are talking about. But enough from us… let’s hear from Rael herself. 

    This community means the world to me. I feel like I’m a part of a fun team and a support system with buddies and neighbors. In fact, that’s how I start when I explain what NP is to a newbie or friend who asks about a workout. But it’s really so much more. It’s what helped me get over a breakup, a career change and a fractured foot from a bike accident. It’s where I feel happiest. And where I want to be. read more

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    NYC Marathon Week Is Here

    Marathon Sunday is the greatest day of all in New York City.

    In a city of 8.5 million, the intensity can push you past your comfort zone and into the relative safety of “ear phones in, hoodie up” just to get through the day. As New Yorkers, we learn which blocks to walk, which train cars to avoid and how to ignore some very disturbing things as a regular matter of course. Success and at the very least, daily survival seems predicated on that.

    Except for the first Sunday in November. On that day, New York forgets itself entirely and puts on a show. It is as if, for that one day, everyone in the city is part of November Project.

    Millions of spectators throng the marathon route, some staking out spots with folding chairs the night before. Strangers become neighbors when they show up in front of their building to cheer together.

    Neighbors become friends over huge barbecues and block parties. I once watched an entire group of people buy out the local supermarket’s supply of bananas to hand out to runners; none of them knew each other before that morning. From the youngest kids in Bay Ridge, passing out leftover Halloween candy, to the proud, smartly dressed grandmothers coming straight from church in Harlem, the city is committed to a common purpose:

    Making sure 52,000 people get from Staten Island to Central Park with the maximum amount of support possible.

    There is nothing else in the world like it and it will change you. Running through the five boroughs on Marathon Sunday is like taking part in the world’s longest NP cheer tunnel. While we will officially be at Mile 14, we (and the entire city) will be with you the whole way. So when the going gets tough during the race, look around at any runner or spectator and ask:

    Y’all good?

    You already know their answer.

    Marathon Week Festivities

    Mon. Oct. 30:   6:28am / Yoga in Morningside Park, Harlem

    Wed. Nov. 1:     5:28am / 6:28am Blue Line Workout in Carl Schurz Park

    6:28am / Mile 8 Workout in Fort Greene Park

    7:00pm / Recruitment Run, Times Square

    Fri. Nov. 3:        6:28am / Marathon Friday, Bethesda Terrace, Central Park

    5:30pm / Poster Party + Happy Hour, Midtown East

    Sun. Nov.5:       8:00am / Mile 14 Cheer Zone, Long Island City

    3:00pm / Finishers Celebration, Characters Bar, Times Square

    Mon. Nov. 6:     6:28am / Medal Monday, Bryant Park, Midtown East