Ever one for thoughtful and careful reflection, lady leader of the day, Julia, gives us some wisdom on just what the hell it is we’re actually doing here. Don’t let the workouts fool you, this is a global family.
There’s nothing I can say about Ben’s passing that isn’t already being said more eloquently by the tribes who knew and loved him. I encourage you to get to know him by reading what has been posted by NP Boston, NP Worcester, and beyond. When I try to put myself into the shoes of his wife, Jenn, I feel like NP would simultaneously be the only and the last place I would want to be without my husband. I hope that she and everyone who loved him can be lifted up by knowing that people from across the world care and are thinking about them. I hope they can feel that tribe members in Denver, who they’ve never met, are holding the family in their hearts.
I showed up to November Project for the first time on January 3, 2014. Exactly 3 years and four months ago. 1,216 days. I’ve done a lot of workouts in that time. Some I’ve hated, most I’ve enjoyed. I’ve made a lot of friends and met the love of my life. NP has given me so much, but one of the greatest gifts is feeling like I get to be a part of something bigger. It’s knowing that I have a port in any storm.
That metaphor is especially relevant today, while it is raining and gloomy in Denver; a rare occurrence that I secretly enjoy. In the past 3 years and 4 months, some of my favorite NP workouts have been on days when it’s raining or snowing or otherwise crappy. It’s NP science that the worse the weather, the more worth it it is to get out of bed and show up. I’ll never forget one of the coldest workouts I’ve ever been to when we decided to give Dan and Molly the day off to show our appreciation. We wrote them love letters and brought chairs and coffee so they could sit and read the letters while Woody took the lead (foreshadowing…). Well, it was snowing and in the single digits and they might have actually died if they sat without moving for that long. Nothing went to plan that day but I think everyone there remembers it fondly (right, Dan and Molly?). And who doesn’t love the days that we go sledding at Govs when it snows? And what about that morning at Little Man when Paddy came to visit and brought a monsoon with him? A port in any storm, literally and figuratively.
Thank you for showing up this morning and for working hard, and for generally just being there for one another. Thank you for not being afraid to get a little wet, for not complaining about one more hill repeat, and for admitting that you don’t wash your legs in the shower. Ivan (I hope I spelled that right), we hope you move here and join us for good. Selby and Einstein, after racing this past weekend, you could have slept in today but you didn’t and we’re happy. To everyone racing this weekend (Troy, Mike Bell, Birdie, Dan, Aviva, Sarah Freezy, etc.), carry the vibes from all of Denver with you.
Hug your loved ones. Send someone a letter. Call your grandma. Do good, be good.
– Julia
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