Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
Mondays: Virtual—see socials for workout to be completed on your own.
Wednesdays at 6:20 AM at the Lincoln Memorial (meet by the reflecting pool).
New location every Friday at 6:30 AM announced at the beginning of the month. Check socials for details. href=”https://www.facebook.com/NovemberProjectDC”>Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Dear November Project DC family and greater November Project Community
As Thanksgiving Holiday is just around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to share some details with you all about our NPDC community.
During the workouts this week, you may have noticed or participated in building a “thankful tree” as a community.
How, when and where were you introduced to November Project?
In 2018 a friend who I worked out with throughout started telling me about November Project San Diego. She said that it was a lively group of people that got together to workout early in the morning and she felt like I would fit in well because of how much energy I always had at our morning workouts. I was excited to learn about the group but kind of hesitant to join since I don’t like to run a lot. But she insured me that a lot of folks go at their own pace and I wouldn’t feel out of place. Coincidentally, I went to my first workout with NPSD on a PR day! But I loved it so much I kept going and the rest is history.
What do you remember about your first workout or thinking at/after your first workout?
At my first workout I remember other people cheering me on and encouraging me when I started to slow down. I remember thinking that I found my tribe because everyone was just as energetic and friendly as me.
What motivates you to keep you coming back?
I really can’t imagine a life without NP. Not participating in NP for one year during the pandemic was so hard and I was anxious to get back. I keep going back because it holds me accountable for staying active and I feel like I have a genuine community.
What does winning the Positivity Award mean and represent to you?
Winning the positivity awarded gave me a sense of validation. I always try to treat people the way I want to be treated and I can tell people appreciate that by receiving this award. It represents that in “just showing up” I was able to make a positive impact in other’s lives.
What’s your favorite DC restaurant and your go-to food?
In a different moment in time, I would have graduated college in person next week.
On the national mall, shadowed by monuments I’ve run by many times, you could have recognized me by three words decorated on the back of my cap. “Just Show Up”—a reminder that the best decision I made in undergrad was simply showing up.
Happy April (AKA Cherry Blossom season) NPDC family and friends!
It’s been such a joy and a great time being able to connect with everyone through FB, IG`, Zoom and fly-by workouts at the good ‘ol Lincoln Memorial. Since the complete halt of Mural Mondays, we as a community have been meeting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic via both Zoom and more recently through fly-by workouts.
As the pandemic conditions have started to show signs of improvement here in DC, we have been preparing diligently to bring back scheduled in-person workouts in the most safe and efficient manner possible for our community.
We’ll cut to the chase—we’re really excited to be here and be your new co-leaders. It’s a strange time to take over. We’re feeling the weight of the pandemic, and we wish we could get to know you all in person. BUT! We’re optimistic that that time will come soon.
In the meantime, we wanted to tell you a little bit about ourselves. We hope this makes us more familiar faces when those days come.
Xoxo,
Foley
Where do you live in the DCA area?
NE! I live right above Langdon Park.
When did you start coming to NPDC?
May 2017—it was PR day. I was terrified, but I’m so glad I stuck it out!
What’s your favorite workout? (running distance or spice)
I love a good tempo run. For spice, I like squats because there’s a ton of ways to incorporate variety, and they get the glutes GOING.
What’s your favorite NPDC moment?
I had my first (and probably not my last) major injury while training for NF ECS in 2019. I was so bummed—I went from running 50 miles/week to hobbling around my apartment on burned out feet. For a long time, I felt like I couldn’t go to NP because I was so sad to be missing out on my favorite thing, but one Monday I decided to bike up to Meridian and just walk. It was so nice to have people ask about how I was doing, and tell me they were happy I was there and thrilled to see me walking. It reminded me that this group celebrates showing up, not necessarily what you do.
What are you most excited about as NPDC leaders?
I want to give back to this community that has meant so much to me. AND I’m stoked to bring us all back in person when we can all be safe.
What are you most excited to do post-Covid-19?
Honestly probably NPDC and going to concerts. My biggest regret is not seeing Carly Rae Jepsen when she was in Silver Spring in 2019.
What do you like to do outside of NP?
I really like yoga (though I’m hardly a yogi). It’s another way to move your body in a way that reminds you just how cool it is to be alive. I write for my job, but I also love writing my newsletter because it allows me to be creative. And I love playing boardgames! I’m a big fan of Gloomhaven, which is sort of like DND and a board game combined.
What’s your favorite food and/or restaurant in the DC area?
Hello, DC. It’s us. Emma and Dazzo. Here to provide a status report on this free workout group we love so dearly.
First off, we want to acknowledge that we have been called out/called in recently for seeming disengaged and distant from leading NPDC. While it stings to hear those comments, they are entirely fair, and to be completely honest, they are accurate.
Dear November Project DC community (and greater NP world),
I love you. I’m also not going anywhere. I’m simply ending my four-year term as a leader of this incredible movement (OK, I got the bad political parallel joke out of the way already). This Friday, 9/25/2020, marks four years since the first time I stood in front of you at Janney Elementary School in Tenleytown. The approximately 624 workouts since then plus some pretty hilariously crazy events have been a blur — the absolute best of blurs. In a chaotic, scary, uncertain world, NP has always been that steadying force, that constant reminder of good and happiness and connection. Every member of the community makes this a reality; I am so glad you are here!
Yesterday, we surprised Carrie Clowney outside of her building — as she returned from a morning bike ride — with the Positivity Award in a socially distanced presentation. Big thanks to Austin MacDougall for doing the behind-the-scenes work to help us plan it and film it. Carrie has been a consistent force of good during quarantine in the NPDC world. She brings positive vibes to the daily Zoom plank + coffee calls, she’s delivered baked goods to friends, she’s connected with NP folks from other cities and more. This award is long overdue! Enough from us, though. Hear from/get to know Carrie below.
How does it feel to be the first NPDC quarantine recipient of the Positivity Award?
I feel honored! I think we’ve done a great job of finding ways to stay connected with NP through quarantine – virtual workouts, virtual coffee, virtual happy hours – so it seems fitting that we bring back one of the last parts of NP that hasn’t gone virtual, the Positivity Award! I think Mary (Finkebone) stated it nicely on Facebook, we need the Positivity Award more than ever now that we are physically separated from each other.
June 19, 2020, marks 155 years since the enslaved people of Texas were told they were free by Union soldiers. Those enslaved in Texas were the last from Confederate states to be freed in 1865. While the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in January of 1863, it took over two years for enslaved people in Texas to be freed because the state was still under Confederate control.
Running the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial the past 7 years, we’ve shared a sacred view of both the beauty and history of our nation’s capital. We have worked to create a diverse, inclusive, and safe community for everyone, but we understand we must be more intentional in improving our space so it is more reflective of our city. We grieve with the Black community over the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, David McAtee and so many others — and we believe, wholly and unequivocally, that Black Lives Matter. Moving forward, we will strive to foster a truly diverse and inclusive environment while calling out and fighting against the systemic racism and injustice so deeply rooted in our society. We will do this by listening, learning, donating, voting and acting. This effort is going to take a community, one that shows up for one another and that holds each other accountable. We sincerely hope you’ll join us. We love you, DC.