What a morning – I feel like the cold snap 100% had me moving slower and these warmer temps had me happily jumping around at the workout. A few folks were even doing some Spiderman push-ups which obviously meant I had to do them with them! I love when this community pushes each other. Regardless of your pushup type I saw ever single one of you getting out there and putting in the effort – GREAT WORK. Can’t wait to see you on Friday.
It’s been a second but we have a few more folks to (re)introduce you to. Here’s part 5 of folks who put their hand up to help NP Canada. If you have no idea what I am talking about, check out this post–> here.
Keep being awesome,
Rob
Announcements:
Friday – Walterdale hill (HILL REPEATS FOR 30MINS!!!!!!!!!)
December 3 at 8:30am: We’ve partnered with the Whyte- Old Strathcona Business Association! Bring a friend or two and join us for a chance to win prizes, do an extra workout, and get a complementary coffee card- yep, we’ll go for coffee afterwards. They have a Facebook event with all the details
Without further ado here’s Andi:
What was your NP “haha!” moment?
- There was a Wednesday morning in August 2016. I had been showing up for a few weeks, but I still hadn’t worked up the courage to really speak to anyone. When time was called, I made my way to section AA for the photo. When I got there, everyone was climbing up to the top of the section for selfies at the very top with the sunrise. I started up the stairs to the top, and someone called out my name and started cheering me on. I was amazed and humbled by the fact that people would even know my name, let alone cheer me on. I remember climbing to the top and hearing people cheering me on by name. I remember being overwhelmed and hiding my tears.
Ever since then, I have done what I can to try and remember people’s names so that I can cheer them on. I know how much it means to have that kind of support. I am terrible with names, but I try. It is inevitable that I will get your name wrong or forget your name entirely at least once. I will know you, just not your name. Numbers, images, and sounds stick in my head. Letters and words, not so much. I have legit forgotten my own name at times.
What was your first or favourite workout and why?
- My first workout was a “sidewalk wars” style workout in front of the CBC lead by Andrew. The workout was burpees and wall sits and running. Jen and Nadim were both away and Andrew was “in charge,” so there was no introductions or “anyone here for the first time?” and there were no waivers (I signed my waiver a week later at stairs). I randomly got partnered with #SexySeumas (now part of NP Ottawa). I didn’t know the context at the time, but it only took a couple of turns before I realized that he was WAY faster than I was. Despite our mis-matched abilities, he was super supportive and kind as I struggled through. After the workout, I was told that I had “held my own” during my first workout, and that I “had” to be there Wednesday for stairs.
So I came back on Wednesday. Turns out that was NPCan’s 3rd birthday. My ignorance/innocence/hubris prompted me to opt for the upper deck. This was not a good idea for a first ever workout at Commonwealth. I couldn’t walk for four days after that! LOL.
One of Seumas’s last workouts with us before he moved to Ottawa was another sidewalk wars of burpees, wall sits, and running. This time it was at the Neon Sign Museum on 104 Street. Seumas ran past me on one of his laps around the building and said, “Brings back memories, hey?” I didn’t even know that he remembered my first workout. That’s one of the awesome things about NP and the people who show up. They show up and keep showing up in all kinds of ways.
How/Why did you choose to show up at NP?
- I had heard about NP on Edmonton AM (the CBC Radio morning show) sometime in 2014. I lurked and watched from a distance on social media for 18 months. I didn’t think I would be fast enough or fit enough. In June 2016, I was sent to Fort McMurray to help coordinate utility rebuilding in the wake of the Ft Mac Fire. When I got home I thought, “Well, if I could do that, then I can definitely show up at November Project.” I was right. Six years later, I am still showing up.
My only regret about NP is that I waited so long. I know now that it doesn’t matter how fast or fit you are. I wish I had started showing up sooner. Maybe if I had, I would have gotten one of the Black or Yellow buffs (the yellow one is the one I covet the most, but the black one is pretty sweet too).
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