Hieee.
Solid morning y’all!
Soooo…. we’re keeping the good times rolling as we celebrate and acknowledge 10 years of NP Canada in YEG! #thebig10
We all know that November Project Canada would not be the greatest sandbox ever if it wasn’t for all of you. Soooo….. let’s hear from some of you on what #thebigten means to you!
Up first, we’re going to hear from Holly Jones.
I feel like “what November Project is to me” is a thing I have tried to explain to friends, family and people I’ve just met ad nauseum since 2016 when I first #justshowedup. What is it about NP that gets me up, usually 3 times a week, before 5 AM, in all kinds of weather, sometimes even on holidays, to go workout with a group of random people? To play on a playground, run sprints on a bridge, kill my legs on stairs or hills, jump in a fountain, or go sledding in -30? I tell people about November Project and people repeat back: “early, weather, uncomfortable, crazy” and I know that I’ve lost them, and I’ve missed really capturing the feeling that has kept me coming back since the first time I showed up, terrified, at Commonwealth 7 years ago.
But while there are patterns around each of these things, November Project is not defined by a place or an activity or a time or the weather. November Project is people. It may sound cheesy but I am not exaggerating when I say the people I have met at NP inspire, motivate and encourage me to continue to become a better and better version of myself. Young or old, fast or slow, trudging, skipping, hopping, sprinting or limping, I am so inspired by the many faces of NP. NP is contained and exemplified within our leaders, past and present, who have committed to showing up and creating a space for us to be together, to experience community and to make ourselves a tiny bit better. Closest I can tell, the common thread between all of us is a desire to improve, and generally being awesome.
November Project has created a place for me to bring my kids for them to be inspired and encouraged in their own fitness and health journeys (because sometimes they need more than just their parents – it takes a village!). It is a place they have grown up and participated in and now anticipate rituals such as birthday booms, holiday workouts, sunrise 6ks and yearbook photos. We always look for an NP when we travel and have done NP workouts in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Maui and New York City.
It has given me a unique place to be myself as an adult in a way that I didn’t realize I was missing – to be silly and vulnerable and present. We joke sometimes at NP about Monday workouts being “adult recess” and it really is – a break from being a serious, responsible adult (safety third!), and just have fun! I have to say – when you do a slip and slide or go sledding in the morning before work, there’s something you take into your day that makes it better.
I am so thankful I showed up. I am so thankful to Andrew, Jen, Nadim, Rob and Lazina for what they’ve put in and what they’ve made. I am so thankful to every person who has showed up and been a part of this community. I am especially thankful to the people who gave me permission to see myself as a runner and an athlete, and who have helped me to see new versions of myself that are capable of accomplishing new and different goals.
~ Holly
Announcements
- Friday at 5:58am- we’ll see you at the bottom of Walterdale Hill! #stairsforbreakfast
- Next Friday August 18- it’s a tagging day! Bring exactly one (not more) bright or light coloured shirt. We’ll tag it and get you going in crisp grassroots gear. If you don’t know what this means, come ask us.
- August 30 at 5:28am- it’s time for the ol’ 96er and Gristle challenge- you’ve got 59 mins to complete the stadium. Also***- we’ll soon reveal a new challenge for that morning! Stay tuned.
- September 6- it’s time for yearbook photos!!! That’s right, picture day is almost heeeeere.
Ok phew. That’s a lot of announcements.
~togetherisbetter
Lazina
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