There was at least one newbie this morning. Kayla pranced up after the workout to thank us for kicking her Monday in the ass, earlier than its ever been kicked before. She was standing there with her friend Bertha who’s come to the stadium before and recruited Kayla to come. I obviously asked them if they’d be there on Wednesday and both of them quickly said “YUUUP”. And I naturally responded with “BOOM, Verbal.”
They didn’t quite know what they just got themselves into — or at least the weight of it. Those of us who’ve been coming for 1,2,3 or even 4 years, what we do everyday becomes routine. Routines are good, but sometimes repetition causes it to lose some steam. But today, for me, was a reminder all about the basics and how important they are. What this tribe and movement was founded on. Sure, you’ve heard this story a thousand times, but maybe you haven’t. Maybe you have no idea how this group started and just show up to get a good sweat. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, we tell you to bounce, to turn and give out 3 bear hugs, or 17 (which never fails gets the tribe to laugh)* and then we immediately watch some of you give out a bunch of one armed, half-assed hugs and turn to the next person. So if you realize that lately you haven’t been hugging with your hips in, or with two full arms, or with quite as much heart this blog is a good reminder about lighting the fire again…read on.
When my alarm went off at 4:45 am, I snoozed it. Had Emsauce and I not planned to get in some miles before the deck, I would have slept in, raced to be there on time and then probably come up with some excuse not to get in any sort of fitness for the rest of the day. But I knew she’d be waiting there to start our run at 5:40. She was holding me accountable.
At 5:47 we both show up, right on time…after a year+ of co-leading she’s figuring out the Capozzi time buffer. We’d obviously have to cut the run shorter to still make it to the bounce on time, right? Well that’s what we went into it thinking. But as we ran, we chatted. Everything from how tired we were, to the never over-used poop jokes, and we straight up talked about life. There was a moment we both were like, look at us. Look at THIS. This is what this whole thing is about. There was this rawness about it. This is how the entire movement started. Two people holding each other accountable to show up and move, in less than ideal temps and in doing so, becoming better friends.
Then our watches beeped at exactly the same time. Shiiiiit….
We’re going faster. Actually a lot faster than our tired morning brains thought or quite honestly wanted us to go. We’re doing the whole thing. Fuck cutting this short. Whoa. We started picking it up.
6:27 We arrived at the workout, high fived, screwed our dome pieces back on and got ready for the bounce. “YOU READY FOR THIS?!?!” and then we hugged. One of those hugs we ASK you to do all the time, the full body, two full arms squeezing tight, head nuzzling embrace. It was that feeling of accomplishing something together. She held me accountable to #justshowup and we both held each other accountable to #raceeverything. The pillars of November Project. This is what this movement is all about. It’s the same for those of you who came back in the day, are still coming, and who showed up for the first time today.
Sometimes it’s alright to slow the F down and really take in what’s going on — remember and appreciate why we do the things we do every morning, why we show up. No matter how long you’ve been coming. Whether it’s meeting someone new, getting to know someone better, getting in that hug, that #freebackmassage. Those miles with friends, a chance to yell at the top of your lungs like a child pretending to be Tarzan or sometimes just to have someone remind you that we’re glad you all are here…
FEBRUARY DECK: This gets me into the announcement that was dropped this A. M, which you either experienced firsthand or have heard it through the grapevine.** We’re hosting ALL 4 MONDAY DECKS for the entire month of FEBRUARY at ONE LOCATION?! Why?! A few reasons.
1) You know where it is so you can build it into your routine far in advance.
2) Destination Decks are made for running…to and from. Plan to meet up and run with friend, strangers or start a group (i.e. Allston’s #rundeckrun). And do this: try new routes – not just the google map’s direct routes. Continue to explore this city and TAKE IN the adventure.
3) We, EMC2 are also challenging ourselves to come up with a new fresh workout each week so you’ll have no idea what to expect. We’re also going to be giving challenges along the ride so keep up. Show up. Will you be at all 4?!
4) #NPHOMEWORK: YUUUUP. Long overdue, but we’re giving you a challenge. A game. #IsThisTheDeck? Wherever you are, rock grassroots gear, even underneath your suit or dress. Bring it everywhere. Post interesting, creative and funny photos in locations where you think it might be. Hashtag #isthisthedeck and we’ll have something (a prize) for whoever figures it out. Your photos will be comic relief for everyone, and we’ll also be taking your awesome locations and reposting your awesome photos.
#RaceEverything Racing Team :
We started a list of local races to get everyone PRing, smashing goals and grassroots gear at each of these local races. Throw your name up on an existing race or add a local race that you’re signed up for.
Much love,
Capoze
* I should probably keep our magic tricks locked up.
** Or you can do what Davis did, wake up late, show up 3 min before the photo, pretend like you accidentally stumbled upon a free fitness group and then join in for an incredible Star Spangled Banner, lead by the one and only Deniz of Somerville.
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