The other day, I read someone’s journal of their first few weeks at November Project. It was part of their project which lead to an article in a local non-fitness magazine. It got me thinking that for someone who has never come before, walking into a giant, empty stadium and see a group of people crowding around a giant garbage container, it’s probably a very unique moment. Some of those people will probably try and erase the entire memory out of this from their brain, and that is ok. For others, they’re going to have vivid memories of their first day at Commonwealth Stadium, and their first day at Commonwealth Stadium. It may or may notbe remembered like this:
Why are we walking through such a small door to get into such a giant stadium? I hope we don’t have to go into that garbage container. If we do, I’m leaving. Where did that little door go? Everyone looks like they know each other. I dont know anyone. That person looks intense. I thought everyone here was friendly. What is that high pitched sound? Is that an alarm? Did we break in? What if the police come? I’m sure that guy with long hair and tattoos will be questioned first. I should be good. Why do we have to fill in the gaps? I didn’t put on deodorant this morning. Can I fill in the gaps and still not touch these people? I don’t even know them. I need my bubble. Serenity now. Maybe if I hang around the back, no one will notice that I’m not bouncing. Nope, they just called me out. Now everyone’s looking at me. So much for blending in. When is this bounce going to stop? We haven’t even started and I’m getting tired. Someone just said to howl like a wolf and people are doing it. What…The… Why is everyone so angry when they say good morning? Wow, swearing felt good. What about all the children. I wonder if their parents let them say that. I see these people talking and giving instructions, but it’s not registering. I’m just going to follow everyone else. Stay right, pass on the left. Got it. This stadium is gigantic. We’re running around the entire thing? Every single step? HA! Ok. This isn’t so bad. Wait. What is this? There’s a bar in the way. I’m supposed to climb over it? What kind of operation is this? When is this going to end? I’m starting to taste blood. That girl just told me I was doing good AND I just passed a bunch of people. This isn’t so bad after all. The sun is rising over the stadium. Wow. That’s cool. FINALLY! I made it. I’m still alive. I probably won’t walk for a few days. Tomorrow is not going to be good. I wonder if I can get a doctor’s note for this. Now we have to go all they way back for a picture? Oh. New people? That’s me! I’m going to put my hand up. Oh, all these other people around me are new too. I guess everyone didn’t know each other. Can someone carry me? Good posture? Not a chance. I can barely move. Why am I not allowed to smile? Ok seriously, how many pictures do we need? I have to hug someone? This must be a joke. I’m drenched in sweat. This is going to be awkward. Oh, they were drenched in sweat too. I feel a bit better about that. Actually, that was gross for both of us, but somehow I’m ok with it. What just happened?
I can’t remember how this all started, but that was a good exercise to go through. That’s probably not how it feels to be new. It’s probably very different. After almost two years, I sometimes forget that not everyone knows each other. I sometimes forget that eventhough some of you have been coming since the start, you don’t know everyone. I sometimes forget that we get new people and they don’t know anyone. The good news is that I haven’t met an unfriendly person (Half asleep and incoherent? Yes. Unfriendly? No.) that came to a November Project workout and I’ve got a good feeling that streak is going to stay intact for a long time. The second bit of good news is that we have so many friendly people who will go out of their way to meet these new people and make them feel welcome. The third bit of good news is that we see each other 3 days a week, so we can do it again soon. The fourth bit of good news is that this blog is almost over.
That’s a lot of good news for today, so we’ll see you all Friday at Emily Murphy Park! Be there at 6am and dress inappropriately.
Find the Good,
Nadim
ps. Did Jen write the same blog a few weeks ago?
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