Category: Kansas City

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Brooks x November Project = Awesome

Today we’re proud to announce Brooks as the official footwear and apparel sponsor of November Project. Brooks has been woven into the fabric of NP Seattle since the early days. From the CEO down to the newest hires, they celebrate the culture of bettering the world through running and movement. Based on these shared core values, it didn’t take us long to get excited about the potential of our combined reach. The Brooks influence will be multifaceted, including financial support, access to new footwear and apparel, resources for our leadership training and the annual November Project Summit, entries into Brooks-sponsored running events, and activations on a local and global level. We’re ramping up to do some very cool things together and couldn’t be more excited. read more

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NovemBern Contest

Dear November Project Universe, the time has come for another NP Homework, and this one is going to be stellar. It involves bicyles, the great outdoors, painted #GrassrootsGear shirts, and of course, awards for the best submissions. This year, our friends from Bern Unlimited will reward 10 of the funniest, silliest, most creative, or as we call it “The X-factor’est”, submissions from around the world with Bern Helmet of the winner’s choosing. To be selected in the exclusive group of 10, you have to follow the rules below:

Post a photo on Instagram between Monday, August 6th, and Monday, August 13th. Photos posted after midnight EST on August 13, will not be considered eligible.

You must:

  1. Be wearing #GrassrootsGear
  2. Have a bicycle somewhere in the picture
  3. Be Outside (spin bikes will not work, sorry Casey Winkler)
  4. Tag @novemberproject @bernunlimited #NovemBern #StayOutThere

Phone filters that alter photo color, brightness, etc are allowed. Tools that can add or remove items that are not in the original photo (photoshop or bunny nose/ear filters) are not.

The winners will be selected by the panel of esteemed judges, whose identity shall remain anonymous to prevent any attempts at meddling. Our 10 winning photos will be posted on @novemberproject Instagram on August 16 and the winners will post photos with their Bern Helmets after they arrive.

So folks, get out, get on your bikes, and get creative. As of right now, the NovemBern week is officially open.

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It Was A Group of Crazy People – They Called Themselves A “Tribe”

 

One Saturday morning in November 2016, an article in the Kansa City Star caught my attention.  (http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/ink/article112541642.html)  It was about a group of crazy people – they called themselves a “tribe” – who met every Wednesday morning at the Liberty Memorial to exercise.  A month earlier, I’d been diagnosed with what amounted to over-training, to the point where blood tests showed I was breaking down muscle tissue.  Turns out, training every day at race pace is not a good idea.

So I had taken October off, no workouts except yoga, to recover, and was looking for a way to get back into a training routine, when I saw the article.  I thought, “This is PERFECT.”  I live near the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum and work downtown, so I drive past the Liberty Memorial every day on my way to work.  We have a shower in our office – why not stop by next Wednesday at 6:29 and check out this “tribe”?

Primarily a runner, I ran alone.  Years ago I joined a running group to train for a marathon, but didn’t much care for it.  I wasn’t sure a group thing was for me.  I was wrong.

At my first workout, I had to introduce myself to the group, near the tower.  We “bounced” and shouted; I tried to follow along as best I could (it took me a couple of workouts to get the response right to the “WHO ARE WE?  NPKC!” call-response).  Then the group headed down the steps to the base of the memorial on the north side — I actually got lost immediately, mistakenly following someone from the 5:29 group heading toward their car near Union Station.  They pointed me back up the hill, I pretended like, “Yeah, I meant to do that,” and jumped in with the rest of the group.

The workouts themselves are a great mix of aerobic/anaerobic exercises, some body weight work, some running, and LOTS of stairs.  I love the diversity of group.  I’m older than most, but I feel right at home with tribe members younger than my two children.  The fitness level in the group ranges from the insane John “Run through the desert and up a mountain” Kohler to folks who may have to walk from time to time. But everyone’s equal in terms of effort – we all work hard at our own fitness level, and people push and encourage each other throughout the workout.

I make it every Wednesday I’m in town (and not down with the flu).  The camaraderie is great.  The workouts are almost secondary now – you “just show up” to see your friends, and – oh yeah, there’s a workout!

-Bert Braud

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Month of May, Month of June (IND)

RACE DAY, MONTH OF MAY (and JUNE), OUR WAY.

Everyone in Indy celebrates Race Day in the month of May out at the track. We celebrate each and every month at the War Memorial. Next month (in fact next week) we’re combining the two. Short and to the point, here’s the breakdown of what the month of June holds for NP Indy:

Race Day ain’t no joke

 

  • 6/01: Friday @ 6a, our standard (which is to say fantastic) workout behind the Statehouse (Bicentennial Plaza).

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    Exciting New Direction

    Over the last six and a half years, the co-founders of November Project, Bojan & Brogan, have been expanding the movement while it continues to grow organically through passionate and dedicated volunteer leadership, weatherproof workouts, and supportive communities, all at the cost of zero dollars. But with expansion comes evolution and November Project is proud to announce the next chapter of the movement, as a nonprofit organization. This year, with the support of everyone in our community, the structure of November Project (NP) will be one that involves more than simply two co-founders.

    The goal of NP as a free fitness movement will remain the same. At our future and existing
    locations around the world, we will continue to work hard at cultivating a culture of inclusivity, and will never stop proving that fun, fierce, free, and efficient morning workouts have the power to positively change the places we live in. The new arm of the NP nonprofit is one which we are incredibly excited about. We aim to use the spirit of NP to host our first community outreach plan that aims specifically at youth. After all, the NP rulebook for accountability, human connection, intense fitness, and support for all fitness levels could make an even larger impact if we use these tools to train a younger generation, creating healthy habits from an early age.

    Financial resources to support the efforts of the NP nonprofit, the ongoing movement, and to keep great humans in the NP family at an organizational level, will come from personal
    donations, grants, in-kind donations, and strategic partnerships. One of those partners, The North Face, has been powering November Project movement for the last three years and will continue to support NP at a global level through access to outdoor training gear, storytelling via various media outlets, leadership gatherings, and the annual November Project Summit. NP will pursue other partnership that will broaden the opportunities to bring free fitness to more people, but The North Face will remain the exclusive apparel, footwear, and equipment partner, and just like the last three years in this partnership, will be the reason November Project is able to continue the growth. Details on how you can directly support (aside from just showing up) will be revealed in the weeks to come.

    The November Project team and the Board of Directors are ecstatic to progress this movement into the nonprofit space and set even bigger goals to achieve in the years to come. Hold onto your hats, folks, it’s about to get even crazier!

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    Buffs, NP Givesback, & KC MARATHON

    Buffs, buffs, and more buffs! This year’s buffs are being designed as we speak. Want one? Orders and money are due to Nicole by the end of the workout on 10/11. Price? $5, which you can pay in cash, money order, check (I don’t advise, right Bert :), Venmo, & beer.  What’s a buff? Click on this link. http://www.buffusa.com

     

    Many thanks to all of you who participated in this year’s #NPGivesback! We packaged 7,800 lbs of food, and did amazing work at aSteam Village on the landscaping! Last but not least many thanks to Brent Blazek for collecting over 25 pairs of running shoes which will be sent down to the folks in Houston. For those of you interested there is one more opportunity to chip in. Oct 14th at 9 am we’re going to finish the landscaping that is left at aSteam Village. They are located at 1600 The Paseo in KCMO. Hope to see you there!

     

     

    Plans are starting to come together for the Kansas City Marathon water/cheer station. As the plans become more concrete we will be throwing the information out there. Last year out cheer station was down on the Plaza, but this year there is probably going to be a change of venue. Mark you calendar and stay tuned!

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    #NPGIVESBACK

    As many of you know September has been deemed #NPGIVESBACK so we thought it best to give you updates on all the happenings. Below are dates, addresses and details, hopefully you can all make it to one or both events. Please feel free to bring friends and family regardless if they’ve been to a workout, the more the merrier. Let’s show these wonderful organizations some #NPKC love!

    Also, our 2nd birthday workout is scheduled for September 27th. Feel free to bring food, drinks, hats, noisemakers, or anything else you would like to make the workout a little extra special!

    Last and not least, Nicole and I provide the spray paint each month for the tagging, we could use some if any of you would be so kind to donate a can or two. Specifically Krylon Flat Black. Thanks for everything and if you have any questions feel free to reach out to us!

     

     

    Wednesday September 20th 6-8 PM

    HARVESTERS SORT AND PACK

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    3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129 read more

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    #JUSTSHOWUP

    This week’s blog post is courtesy local #NPKC legend Josh Grubbs. Unfortunately all good things come to an end and this morning was his last workout with us. He’s headed down to Ft. Polk and will be missed greatly. Josh, we’re so glad you were here. Much love from your tribe.

    Since age 18, I’ve been in some form of unit. The Hurricanes, Guppies, Crazyhorse, Geronimo, & Assassins. Even pushing paper, there were folks responsible for me and vice versa.
    In 2013 I got the chance to get away and go to grad school in DC. It was good, but having a strong team to keep me in line makes me function closer to my potential. I showed up to NP that November thanks to Team RWB, & haven’t stopped since.
    When I moved to KC in 2015 it was a bummer to leave the tribe and all the great people. Fort Leavenworth is a post for old folks and not many were interested in some 0630 hills.
    Fortunately, John was already pondering his own tribe and I made sure I showed up. The Liberty Memorial is amazing and this hardworking crew has grown to be my own as well. Their friendship and motivation led me to see all corners of the city and make KC another hometown as well. Thanks to Megan & Stacia for being my 0530 pledge group and allowing us to grow the tribe. It also kept me active this year and I can’t thank you enough for that! The tribe was there to help promote me to Major in the Army, thanks again David! It was truly an honor to share that recognition of increased responsibility with all of you. This group and its volunteer leaders’ commitment, inclusiveness, and ingenuity will make me a better leader in our Army.
    Finally, attending my first Summit last weekend and doing it through a challenging team effort with John and Nicole was the best way to close this chapter. Make plans to attend next year, it is worth it.
    Until next time KC and NP, keep working hard, giving great hugs, and recruiting everyone! This shit is good.
    – Josh from the KC Tribe