Best of 2017 (DCA)

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:

Steve:

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

1. 1. 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.
   2. 2. It’s falling apart, rusted, and some might call it an eye sore but it’s ours. RFK stadium is a staple in DC: the sports history (Redskins, Senators, DC United, World Cup, Nationals), the concerts (the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Foo Fighters), and the millions of people that have attended. We had the chance to host a workout in the stadium, working with EventsDC and DC United to kick of DC United’s final season there and put our kickass workouts and community on display. It was a blast and there was video to prove it.

   3. Throughout 2017, we made it a goal to reach and explore every part of the city through our destination Friday workouts. Not only should everyone have access to free fitness, people should also spend a little time outside their comfort zone of their neighborhood. More than half a million people live inside the 68.34 square miles of DC and many of us don’t leave the two square miles surrounding our house and work. Since Friday workouts began in 2014, we’ve slowly expanded our reach and took it to another level this year. Some of my favorite locations were places I didn’t even know existed in DC. It’s fun to see a map or drive past and think “Hey we did a workout here” and possess the memories from those times. It’s also fun to know where the cools spots are and go back to a park to shoots some hoops or picnic it up. Sure, some were a tad ridiculous (Four Corners in June) but it was a challenge and that made it fun. The tribe embraced it, making our exploration that much better. We’re looking forward to 2018 and continuing this trend. See the maps for a better look at our expanding reach.

 

Jake:

1, 1A & 1B) #NPGiveBack

The Tribe doesn’t have to pound pavement, run marathons or do 10,000 push-ups to prove its collective power and just plain old goodness. Rather, NP DC showed in 2017 just how collectively difference-making it is, and I couldn’t be prouder. Over the course of two days in September, November Project DC donated more than $2,000 to go to school children affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma. That’s a fact, and an amazing one at that.

When Steve, Maria and I learned that November Project was doing an organized month of giving back across the 43 (at that time)-tribe network, we weren’t exactly sure what would work best. As is often the case, one of you plugged the hole in our brains. Noli had connections with superintendents all over the country, and knew the best way we could do a donation drive for those devastated by the disasters with assurance of our gifts going directly to those in dire need. From there, we didn’t have to do much. A few announcements. A video. A silly “we’ll jump in the Potomac if we raise $1,000.” While all that was goofy and funny and maybe a bit absurd, it probably wasn’t even needed.

When you all are challenged, you all ANSWER. That’s never not been the case. So when the donations came pouring in on Sept. 28 … and then continued on Sept. 29 .. and Sept. 30, I could only shake my head in wonderment (and prepare for that plunge, which we survived).

…

Of course, that was only Part I of our #NPGiveBack initiative. It would’ve been understandable for people to tone out a bit, having given their hard-earned $$ and having heard our announcements post-workouts ad nauseum. But nope, you all once again responded to a challenge. While progress was slow especially early in the month (“Donate just one shirt!!”), you all gave more than 1,000 clothing items to help those in the District — especially with the weather getting colder — in need through Martha’s Table. That’s incredible.

While those were our organized #NPGiveBack events of 2017, I’m continually inspired by so many tribe members’ giving spirits. I feel like every week I see a new run for X cause or run for Y cause event being organized, and that’s a beautiful thing. Keep up the #NPGiveBack domination, folks, it’s a year-round kind of thing!

2. 4th B-day Party in the COLD

Hmm, I continue to pick things that weren’t the actual workouts. I promise, I actually like the MWF thing we do. Seriously. But how about our 4th B-day bash in November? Folks, we held it at an outdoor beer yard, Bardo, and I honestly wasn’t sure how many people would show up. As we got close to Nov. 11, the forecast got colder and colder. 38, 35, 32, feels like 25. It’s one thing to run in freezing temps, but sitting around drinking beer? The guy who runs Bardo, Andrew, emailed to say the place wouldn’t be open. Did we still want to come? Were we that NUTS??

Answer: yes. He would open Bardo for two hours just for us!

And then more than 100 people came out on a windy, frigid Saturday evening to celebrate four years of this shit. That’s crazy. Was it the most insane thing we’ve ever done? Probably not. But when was the last time you attended a B-day party in those conditions? Clearly, we were just getting you ready for Dec. 13…

3. December 13, 2017 

The cold ones. I always remember those. While 2017’s winter was tame, the end of the year maybe portended what is to come the first couple months of 2018. On Dec. 13, we got a true taste of winter weather. When 30 people showed up at 5:25am in weather that felt just a few degrees north of 0, I knew our tribe was #Weatherproof and primed for winter. Another 50 or so came for the 6:20 workout, busting their butts up and down the stairs because how else could one possibly stay warm?

While summer brings the big crowds, I save a special place in my heart for the coldest of the workouts because there you can truly take part in something that is happening in very few places around the world — free, voluntary outdoor fitness in the nastiest of weather. I can’t wait for the next Capital Weather Gang Tweet about terrible weather coming on an NP morning. And I know you’ll wake up, throw some layers on, and be there with me running, running, and running some more to keep warm and happy. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks for an incredible 2017, tribe. I can’t wait to get this new year started with you!

Dazzo

Wow, I must be a real altruist for letting Steve and Jake take all the good moments, right? NAH, NOT EVEN CLOSE. There were PLENTY of great times to go around in 2017. So here we go:

1. The Move.

 Possibly the most hilarious workout we have ever hosted. Everyone’s favorite NP Couple, Rosie and Rachel, were moving from their apartment into their GORGEOUS new home. 7 blocks. Half a mile. But how would they get their stuff (and their Lola) there? Enter November Project. Keeping this workout a secret from people ate away at me, HOW COULD I HOLD FUN LIKE THAT IN?! But from the Bounce to carrying a grill down the block at 6:45 in the morning, to eating popsicles on the Wardley’s new front lawn, this workout was without question one for the record books. It embodied so many core functions of what November Project strives to be: a community–who else can you turn to when you need early morning movers? A hard workout– have you tried overheading a mattress the length of a city block? It’s tough! And most importantly, a gosh-darned good time.

 2. The Kids

The next generation. The people who will be all of our bosses someday. This summer, Tribeswoman Ingaborg Broskas began bringing her kid cousins to workouts. With the cousins came their friends, and at times it felt like we had all of Arlington middle school at Lincoln. Think back to when you were a kid, could you have been convinced to get up before school to go…exercise? November Project is often referred to as ‘adult recess’ but the presence of The Kids made it feel like actual recess. Their carefree attitudes, positively relentless spirits, and occasional outbursts during announcements have been a tremendous addition to our Tribe.

One of the facets of NP I think about a lot is the impact it will have on the kids who grow up participating. Will Marli Mandaric grow up stronger, more confident and likelier to take over the world because she’s been climbing Harvard Stadium since she could walk? I like to think yes. I tell myself that kids who grow up with November Project are gaining not only an athletic outlet, but role models. Maybe it’s subconscious but being surrounded by that many good humans has to have some sort of impact.

One of the coolest offshoots of our new members attendance was when The Kids began their own bus stop pledge Tribe. Complete with pre-pickup workouts, recruiting, and full fledged Instagram account (@busstoppledge). It was fantastic to watch the pure enthusiasm these kids put into workouts–and to watch these little tiny people grow and change at NP. One of The Kids, Emily, age 11, even hosted a workout at the Aspen Institute’s Project Play Summit in September. Here’s a video of her doing the Bounce. Doing the Bounce. At age 11. For 300 corporate, non-profit, DC think-tank important types–WHAT. A. BALLER. 

One Wednesday, another one of The Kids, Annie, had her mom approach me before our 5:25AM workout. Annie’s Mom asked very politely if I would mind giving her a BIRTHDAY BOOM at the end of the workout, she mentioned how much Annie had been looking forward to it, and how HYPED she was that her birthday fell on a NP day. The end of the workout comes, everyone sits on the Lincoln steps, I call Annie up for her birthday boom. Folks, I honestly couldn’t tell you who was more amped. I know Annie was stoked to ring in her birthday in such an awesome way, but I was completely floored that she went out of her way to make NP a part of her day.

The presence of The Kids, at workouts, at social events, even on social media, has been immeasurable in the growth of our Tribe over the past year. I watch adults soften, become kinder, and more willing to teach when they’re partnering up with a person who in some cases is vastly younger or not as strong as them. My heart swells with pride when I see Tribe members call out and invite one of The Kids to be part of their group for an activity.

Kids, you’re a real asset, we’re glad you’re here.

3. Y’all

You + All = Y’all.

You all were the absolute best thing about 2017. In a crazy year, living in an insanely hectic city, where it is so easy to get caught up in day-to-day nonsense that can weigh us down sometimes, y’all brought smiles, y’all brought joy, and y’all brought selflessness to November Project DC. 2017 was not an easy year, and if you think it was–would you please give me a call because you’re doing something crazy. All kidding aside, the people, are what makes November Project worth showing up for. No matter how badass the workout, no matter how funny the jokes, no matter how EPIC the location, it’s all for naught if you’re not surrounded by the right people. 

Whenever you think we don’t notice you at a workout, we’re here. We see you. Know and understand that your presence and your contributions are valuable. How boring would RFK have been if only 20 people showed up? Would we have ever gotten the Mayor to a workout if the entire Tribe didn’t collectively slide head first into her DMs? Probably not. We couldn’t have possibly provided 35 school kids in Texas and Florida with meals for an entire year if every one of you hadn’t stepped up and donated to our #NPGIVEBACK campaign. That’s it. That’s the whole ballgame.

The strength and staying power of November Project lies in the people–every one of you that rolls out of bed, laces up your sneakers, and shows up.

I am so, so, genuinely and enthusiastically looking forward to what y’all bring to 2018. Let’s roll.

 

Much love, DC. 

 

Share via socials: