There is a nervous excitement that overcomes the city, as travelers from near, far, and VERY far have voyaged to the biggest city in the world, for the biggest marathon in the world. On Sunday over 50,000 runners will take to the streets of New York City. This city shuts down for very little. Even blizzards do not completely shut down the streets. But on Marathon Sunday, the streets are closed, navigating the city is next to impossible, and the only thing you can do is cheer on the runners. Some will complete the race in a matter of 2-3 hours, others it will take 8-12, but at the end, all who cross the finish line of the grueling 26.2 mile course will be champions. But today is Friday, most of those people haven’t even retrieved their race bibs yet, and the attitude of the athletes is still relatively light, as they prepare their bodies for Sunday.
It is dark as you navigate the park. It is cool, if not cold with a low fog that settled overnight. The park has been set up for the marathon, and is eerily quiet. The air even smells a little different, whether it is that nervous energy of marathon week, the apex of fall, or a combination of the two, there is something different and even inspiring in the air. You get to the workout location and it is very dark – so dark you can only make out a few silhouettes. You put your things down, give a few hugs, and the crowd has doubled… you recognize a few friends, then a few more. There are well over one hundred people, and growing by the minute. Finally, you hear the call to bring it in. The phrase, “LET’S GET A LITTLE BOUNCE GOIN’ ” resonates from the middle of a gigantic circle. It’s loud, as voices echo off the terrace walls and ceiling. “GOOD MORNING!” you hear, “GOOD MORNING!” you scream back. “YALL GOOD?”…”F*CK YEA!” and you are off to your stations to start the workout.
This is not your normal workout. Not only because of the number of people from all over that have shown up, but what is that over there? Is that a… a….drum line? With…. crazy steamer dancers? You rub your eyes, they blur then refocus, and you realize Daybreaker is here (yes THE Daybreaker), and they are bringing the party. For those of you who might not know, Daybreaker combines physical wellness, dancing, and community into an early morning party. Like your typical November Project workout, you want to #justshowup to a Daybreaker party. You work through the station rotations, you dance a little bit, and then suddenly, it stops. BURN OUT TIME! We do it every year, 5 Burpees, up the stairs, down the stairs, through the terrace, and repeat (unless you are racing on Sunday of course – then you are cheering your heart out). The burnout is grueling, yet intoxicating. You hate it yet also love it. Drums, cheerers, streamers, everything you can imagine. Heart racing, heavy breathing as you line up, race your heart out, and at the end, cannot help but smile. Finally, it is time for the announcements, the group pictures, and an awesome breakfast full of all sorts of goodies and treats prepared by some amazing members of the #NP_NYC and #NP_BK tribes.
Needless to say, the marathon Friday workout is one that you don’t want to miss. Even more so this year than others as we celebrate the career of a beloved coleader. Mary has poured her heart into this for over a year and a half, lets send her out with a BANG! It is our mission this year to #fillthestairs, but we need your help. RECRUIT! RECRUIT! RECRUIT! We want so many people there that we fill both sets of stairs (feel free to use this as a tool). This is our favorite time of the year. We want you to come out and see why, and bring everyone you know.
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