Meet Glen (YEG)

Before reading words from today’s positivity award recipient, here are some important announcements for upcoming workouts and activities.

• Friday – Walterdale Hill 6AM
• Monday – to be announced 6AM
• Wednesday, August 16 – **LOCATION CHANGE** Royal Glenora Stairs 6AM
• Friday – Walterdale Hill 6AM
• Sunday, August 20 – Edmonton Marathon Cheer Station corner of Summit Drive and 142nd Street – Join the tribe & the luluemon crew to cheer on the marathoners.

Until next time…SMILE! J

---

Meet Glen, today’s positivity award recipient. Rumour has it that Glen makes early morning pit stops to Tim’s before NP so that his daughters have a cup of coffee for their drive home. Below, Glen shares what November Project means to him. Thanks Glen!

One year ago my daughters suggested I take up NP – “it’s free fitness Dad – you’ll like it.” And so it started, stairs at Commonwealth.

It wasn’t an abrupt plunge into the fitness life style, at age 60 I had given myself an ultimatum that was purely selfish and really quite simple. Get active. Shouldn’t be too hard – should it? 

Joined a gym, took a few classes, started running (more like shuffling), dusted off my bike. I was pitiful but thanks to my darling daughters, kept at it. And then I was welcomed into the Tribe. It might not be a secret, but this is more than free fitness; it is structure, motivation, accountability (#verbal), personal challenges, friendship and connection with like minded folk. All skill levels welcome. Now if I told you about this group and tried to explain it, it could be misconstrued; sweaty hugs, pats on the head, bops on the nose, tugs on an ear lob, performance enhancing doughnuts, cupcakes & cookies, slaps on the ass, morning rituals under the cover of darkness, challenges in a coliseum, heck ya’s, dogs welcome, kids welcome, old folks welcome, everybody is welcome, early morning weddings are not out of the question – well it borders on the stuff of legend.  Maybe even slightly mystical. All it’s missing is the secret handshake.

#justshowup And you’ll hear the stories, witness the Tribe. The guy that rocks the sequinned hat, old Bill, the mom’s pushing the strollers, dads packing their kids on their shoulders, the leopards and gazelles running at speed regardless of obstacle; and then there’s Mr D, a decade senior to me and about to run his 100th marathon. As you get drawn in, you’ll hear the other stories too. The really deeply personal stories that make you pause and consider your own mortality. (#pinkhairiscool & #wehaveourownresidentartist) You’ll see the gifted athletes, the shufflers and all skill levels in between – move as one. A Tribe. Bonded it seems by effort and perspiration.

#weatherproof  That fall, as the temps dropped I told CJ that I wasn’t quite prepared to do the NP thing in winter. Daughters to the rescue – again, seems they liked having the old guy around. New gear, layers, micro fabrics, shells, buffs (#freethebuffs) – a whole new world. -30 days were embraced – heck, ya even got a badge! Found a new running partner – albeit a four legged one, and she keeps me on track. Seems to know what running shoes look like – and she too is #weatherproof. And have you noticed, on the Glenora stairs at about -20 we create our own weather event? The power of the Tribe. Even the weather bows its head and acknowledges that something crazy and more than a little good is going on – and you’re creating it.

I just wanted an increased level of fitness (I was at zero so any goal achieved was a benchmark) and in just one year have been drawn into a simple concept that has quickly evolved into so much more. It’s been hard. I have new goals and new challenges planned, fuelled in part by the embrace of NP and the friendship I’ve been offered. The Tribe is inspirational and has given me more than just free fitness.

Whatever your motivation – make a personal pledge to #justshowup. Nadim and Jen will get you bouncing and bopping, sweaty hugs guaranteed – and you’ll like it.

Share via socials: