Free Fitness Movement. All you need to do is show up!
Coming off a BIG weekend would be an understatement. If you had the chance to spectate some of the races or even race yourself you can probably identify the wild energy that we’re talking about. The city, the people they truly come alive over Ottawa Race Weekend. NOT-SO-MUCH-A-FUN-FACT did you know that someone, somewhere out there had the audacity to rate Ottawa as one of the 9 most boring cities in the world?. There is not one ounce of my sweat that believes that.
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.
Alright so we are heading into a homerun of a weekend here in Ottawa. That’s right the one and only Ottawa Race Weekend is upon us. If you’re not racing join the cheer party. PS. don’t forget to wear your #grassrootsgear
So here is a quick breakdown of what you can expect for the weekend:
10:00 AM Saturday Shakeout run: Meeting spot is the Centennial Flame
Today we bounced for Mondays. We bounced together with our community- some regular NPers and some newbies who stepped out of their comfort zone this morning and took in this weird thing we call November Project. We bounced to be grateful for our bodies, our ability to move, our ability to connect with others through movement. We yelled Monday in order to remember next Monday when we are in our work spaces, to be grateful for every day. Seeing everyone showing up to the centennial flame, our old stomping ground, on a holiday Monday, those who pushed through the urge to stay in their cozies beds. Thank you for making it worth it, to start your day with a smile and passing it (/a spatula) on to others. We are grateful for you.
There has been lots of discussion about the stadium. Four weeks into our new home and we’re starting to get to know this beast. It’s the best but it’s the worst. It feels so awful, yet so satisfying. It gives you that feeling later in the afternoon when you stand up after a long time sitting and you quickly recall how many stairs you ran this morning, how many floors y
ou ran UP. If you have not yet felt these things, you can probably push yourself a little harder next time. But it’s finding the sweet spot. What about the people whose calves were tight for 6 days post stairs? Or who felt fatigued from the Wednesday before? You don’t know while you’re doing it how much you will hurt. You were tired and your lungs hurt and you used your hand to push yourself off your leg like it’s the only way to take the next step. That first time at the stairs is a killer, and same with the next one. And to be honest, they all hurt. It’s so hard, no matter what your athlete background, your 5km time, your Boston Marathon time, your age, your gender. It’s always hard. The toughest part is finding that sweet spot where you feel you are pushing as hard as you can, but you can keep one step in front of the other. But know that it’s hard for everyone, but that’s why having someone next to you huffing and puffing keeps you moving.
We found ourselves lucky enough to be in the stadium again this morning. What an experience it is. What a morning it was. To celebrate another glorious Wednesday, we thought we should share the best comments, moments and declarations that we heard, saw or eavesdropped in on.
“I get to share my birthday with NP”
WOW. BEYOND WOW. Holy GUACOMOLE Ottawa. That was unreal. Can you believe that we get to head back into that stadium next week? Can you believe that you will run that PR Day again and try to complete one more section or finish two full tours in 29 minutes and 23 seconds? Lots of firsts this morning, for some it was your first bounce, your first introduction to the culture and community of November Project but for every single person that showed up this morning it was yours and our first stadium PR day. Sharing this morning with you, the stranger beside you and the person you cheered on in the section beside you was undeniably the best part of our day and probably week, that is until next Wednesday. But before we head back into the stadium did you leave it all out there this morning? Was there anything left in your tank?
It’s not just another hump day or Wednesday. Today was our PR Day and we know that’s it been a while so we thought we should mention the top five things we dislike about PR day.
Obviously after reading this you have come to realize that we in fact do not hate anything that occurs on Wednesday. Actually we can’t get enough of it and if you don’t hear that enough here are some things to reflect on; would you ever run that monstrous hill and those stairs alone?
We had asked our friend, running partner, T-Rex yogi, Positivity recipient, Bytown Boy and a go-getter Stephen Bierbrier to share his experience, passion and outlook about November Project Ottawa and how he came to be part of this ever growing family.
Stephen we were overjoyed with excitement and jitters the first time we bounced alongside you. Here’s to the many more times we get to hug, high five and bounce along with you. Thanks for sharing your story and here’s to bringing soles together.
It happened! For the first time in November Project Ottawa history we made history. Actually this is a lie we have made a lot of history over the past 54 workouts, endless coffee gatherings, social events, cheer stations and connections. We skated, lunged, pirouetted and completed star jumps on skates.