Here at November Project San Francisco, we have a dynamic group. From east coasters to mid to west coasters. Then, a couple of ex-pats and an odd few Bay Area locals thrown into the mix. We can all take so much inspiration and comfort when the November Project community beyond our city, when we see Tribes pop up in our home towns. It’s amazing to see this NP culture and attitude of good vibes, hugs and #freefitness transcend across to European shores, how it adapts and merges with a whole different set of cultures.
Many of us who have moved to SF from faraway shores have found NP as their new family and community here in the city. In late 2013, I moved here as a fresh-faced and bushy-tailed Irish lad and was lucky enough to fall into this wild community only a month after moving here. Fortunately, I replied to a Craigslist ad in time and got the callback. As it was in that faithful roommate interview, that I was told about this weird and wild running cult that was taking off in the city. From the start you could feel something special about this community which Laura, Clayton and the other early co-leaders fostered across the continent. The first person I met in NPSF was this brick of a man (JZip), when himself and Pete Kruse greeted me with a pair of bear hugs. Little did I think I’d be stepping in front and leading this community week in week out alongside Zip, Dan and Laura a short while later.
I’m so grateful for how the Tribe has helped me develop as a person, as a leader and as an athlete. But most of all, I’m grateful for how it gave me (and many of us) a family in this home away from home. When those times come along that we feel so far away from family, the Tribe is there for us. A community that is there to cheer us up on those dark mornings when the last thing we want to do was leave our beds. A group that is always there to support us on our new endeavours, whether that be our first time running a half marathon, giving a Ted talk in front of 100 people, or just simply getting up and out there and meeting new people at 6:30AM. A blend of the most positive and supportive people you will find in this city!
(Funny how NPSF also helped me find my actual family in the city. Aoife Doran, get yourself back over here!!!)
Let’s welcome our international brethren to our #notacult cult. Now we have a tribe in Amsterdam. A tribe In London. In Iceland. In Serbia. All over the US and Canada. Holy shit!! Where next? Ireland? (Seriously I can’t wait to see that day). Get on the Insta-book and follow these guys, @novemberprojectams and @novemberprojectldn. Give them a shoutout. Welcome them aboard this wild ride. The Tribe is growing. The Tribe is international. The Tribe is one. The Tribe is strong!
Upcoming stuff:
- Pete Kruse is organising an impromptu (but planned days in advance) happy hour. Show up on Friday morning and he’ll announce where it is. Pete, that means you better show up too!!
- Friday hills are at Corona Heights. One of our most epic trail locations. As the mornings are getting darker, make sure you make the most of the light!
- Next Wednesday September 12th, we are hosting the first of our NPSF speaker series: The Ultra Guide to running your first ultra . Over three talks in the lead up to the North Face ECSCA (December 3rd and 4th), we’ll give advice on how to prepare, train and take on your first trail ultramarathon. This talk is open to every however, whether you’re training for your first ultra, you’re a seasoned trail veteran or you are toying with the idea of trying out the trails. Spread the word. Invite your friends. There will be beers from our friends at Sufferfest Beer Company, and the event is kindly hosted by our friends at The North Face Post St store (Facebook event).
