We (Richard and I) decided to showcase the handful of our tribe people who participated in the most anticipated event of November Project – Summit 5.0 – to get their take on the event, the happenings, to ups, the downs, the lefts, the rights, and to create to best FOMO possible that you all would want to go next year… Bu really, you should go next year. IT’S. SO. AWESOME.
This is Nikki Layson. Nikki has been around since the pledging period and actually was THE first recipient of The Positivity Award in Vancouver.
“Don’t Call Me A Runner
Hi, I’m Nick, and I’m a member of your local anti-running, running club. No, not November Project (I love the shit out of NP, definitely a member of that, more later), but just what is defined as running in general.
I’m what the running community calls a ‘Clydesdale’ or in simpler terms, I’m too fat to run competitive times to the point where I, a 260 pound adult male who plays rugby (which, if you don’t know, involves a LOT of running) , is in a different class from everyone else. So right off the bat I’m already being told that I’m probably never going to win at running. As an athlete, being told you can’t win sucks. So yeah, even though I’ve done two half-marathons and just finished my first ever trail race, I’m not a runner. I’m just a dude who enjoys travelling long distances with two feet, a heartbeat and the knowledge that there’s a whole lot of neon shirts waiting for me at some point on the course cheering their faces off for everyone running. That last part sounds weird doesn’t it? Let me explain.
Let’s rewind here, back in May of 2015 I was working at (ironically enough) the Vancouver Marathon Expo, serving up samples of a nutritious fuel bar. At this point in my life, I was the furthest point away from even considering a race, because I cringed at the thought of running on anything that wasn’t turf or grass not involving an odd shaped ball. But in comes G1 (Snowy, we still love you), talking about this workout group that meets every Wednesday and told me to come through. My initial thoughts? 6:30 is early, I live in Surrey, trying to come up with every single barrier you could think of. Against better judgment, I decided to head to the workout next week. Huggers instead of shakers? Weird. Burpees in large quantities? Screw that. However, November Project has changed my life and has brought me so far outside my comfort zone it has re-defined them. In a good way.
Never in my life would I have flown to Boston to run the Harvard Stairs and run the North Face Endurance Challenge race at Mount Whatchuwatsett in what was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But I did; all because of NP. Why? It’s all about the community. Boston in itself was rad, and I highly recommend a vacation there, but having November Project sprayed across my chest meant free hugs from strangers while walking the streets, and it being a good thing (even if people were staring). I met people from San Diego to DC, was roomies with a couple of dads from Chicago and received hugs from citizens of Iceland and Amsterdam. And all of these same people cheered on everyone else running. And do the same at the races in their home cities. I got a taste of this at Seawheeze in 2016 and was a boost after dying through my first half-marathon. At Summit, multiply that by 1000, throw in a rad after party and you have yourself a hell of a weekend. Now, the idea of travelling across the world to go and workout and grab tags isn’t as crazy as it sounds after knowing that I probably have a couch in 43 cities (and counting).
So yeah, definitely don’t call me a runner. Even though I’m shooting for a sub 2:15 half in August, starting to train to BQ for 2019 and waiting for when the next Summit is, I’m still not a runner. I am, however, a proud member of this movement called November Project. NP has taught me to race everything, go do shit that’s uncomfortable and not to be afraid of the unknown. Because until you experience it, you don’t know what good comes out of it. Summit showed me how big this thing actually is, and if you are thinking about going, just do it. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.
This shit is good.”
This is a great example that ANYONE can come out to November Project. Everyone is welcome. You will be hugged, it will be fun, and you will leave a workout knowing you are now a part of something that is worldwide and will ALWAYS welcome you with open arms.
We think that is pretty magical.
Mel and Rich
Share via socials:
