I could probably write a whole blog on Clare Healy, but this is her opportunity to take the mic, so I’ll keep it short and sweet. Clare is the personification of “good vibes.” She is effortlessly cool and kind, easy-going while also vigorously fun to be around. Clare, thank you for everything you’ve given to NP West LA. We love you so much!!!!
This story starts in 2015. It’s a Wednesday afternoon and I get a text from my contact for the North Face Locals program saying she’s outside my office in SoMa, San Francisco. Upon meeting her, I am bombarded.
Bojan Mandaric and Brogan Graham, two complete strangers to me at the time, are hyping me up to replace my heels with TNF trail runners in the middle of the street, getting me to squat throw a box of gear with them, hooting and hollering, and insisting that every suit-donned passerby join in. Before I know it, we’re in my office and they are rallying every coworker of mine out of their seat to do a little bounce. Both the excitement and confusion were tangible.
Before taking off, they asked why I hadn’t been to November Project yet. To which I responded with a yeah, yeah, yeah, I had heard of it but 6:30 am?? “Oy, I’ll try to start going,” I reluctantly said before parting with hugs.
And go I did. Well, a few times. The mornings were hard. And all this yelling and moving at 6:30 am was hard. And commitment. That was hard too (at the time). And then I moved to the lovely but November Project-less Chattanooga, TN. And then I move again to Los Angeles, CA. Quickly realizing that finding community would need to be a conscious effort on my end, November Project was the first thing that popped into my head. Alas, I went once. That day, I was an hour late for work because Los Angeles isn’t quite the same size as other cities and NP’s wednesday locations might as well have been in Arizona for a Venice resident like myself.
And then it happened. My longtime friend Kylie Smith texted me to give me the good news – a Westside tribe was coming! And Tara Wall and Maggie Nolting would be the fearless leaders.
And since that first crisp November morning at Drake Stadium, a lifetime of greatness has occurred. I found community in a city where that can be difficult. I got over a fear of 6:30 am commitment. I discovered that, yes, yelling and running stairs and high fiving and hugging friends and strangers at ungodly hours is good for the soul. I found relentless encouragement and enthusiasm. I found a place that convinced me running a 50k race wasn’t insane, but would change me for the better. I found a home in a city that was already home, but that I didn’t always see eye-to-eye with. I found leaders that not only make me pee my pants in laughter multiple times a week, make me lose my voice constantly, and text me with words of encouragement (and subtle reminders to show up on Wednesday ;-)), but that have made me want to be a stronger leader myself. I found friends and tribe-members that make my face light up in the morning before my brain is even working.
And now, as I make yet another move – this time to Portland, I find myself a bit more fearless to take on a completely new city. After all, moving and goodbyes are much easier knowing you have a sweaty, bouncy, 6:30 am-loving family waiting on the other end for you.
So touche, November Project (and the no-longer-strange Bojan and Brogan), you were right all along.
Cheers to my West LA tribe for changing my world. I’m excited that my job will allow me to visit often.
And helloooo November Project PDX – can’t wait to meet you next Wednesday.
Thanks Clare. November Project PDX doesn’t know how lucky they are!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
BEACHTOBER: In addition to our regular Wednesday workouts at Drake, join us every Friday for the month of October at the BEACH! We’re collaborating with NP LAX for an epic month of sandy workouts right by the ocean! Facebook event HERE!
SOUTHWEST COLLISION COURSE! Join us on 11/3 for an EPIC weekend of camping & trail running!! We’re joining forces with NP Phoenix, San Diego, & Los Angeles, and You’ll be teamed up with your West LA friends, running relay style into the night! Register HERE! Facebook event HERE!
NORTH FACE ENDURANCE CHALLENGE CALIFORNIA! Weren’t able to swing Summit this year in Milwaukee? Have no fear, CALIFORNIA hosts an endurance challenge race that many of us consider our ‘mini summit’! A chance to connect and race with lots of friends from other tribes and enjoy a weekend away in the beautiful bay area! Join us on 11/17 weekend in San Francisco! Register HERE! All tribe Google Doc HERE! West LA Google Doc HERE!
WEST LA SOCIAL PAGE: Join us, HERE!
PRE WORKOUT EARLY GANG: Join our social page for updates on 5:30a runs around UCLA campus!
POST WORKOUT BREAKFAST SPOT: Whole foods, located HERE!
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