How, when and where were you introduced to November Project?
I actually came to NP a couple times back in 2016 but was really only there for a workout, didn’t meet anyone, and didn’t give the NP community a fair shot. I started consistently showing up in early Fall 2019 as a way to meet new people and feel a part of DC again, as I was living in Arlington at the time and missed DC life.
What do you remember about your first workout or thinking at/after your first workout?
At my first workout in 2019, one of the former co-leaders, Maria, came up to me, introduced herself, and asked my name and what brought me to NP. I remember that she yelled some form of encouragement to me during pretty much every log that morning (and it was a PR day, so there were LOTS of logs). That was awesome, don’t get me wrong, but what was even more impressive was that when I came back a week later to Lincoln she said “Good morning, Shannon, glad you’re here!” without an ounce of hesitation – like I had been attending NP for years. I remember thinking how easily she made me go from feeling like an outsider trying to remember literally ANYONE’S name to feeling at ease and like I could belong, with that one simple gesture. . .I also remember thinking that sprinting the entirety of PR day is very, very difficult.
What motivates you to keep you coming back?
It was mostly the workout that kept me intrigued by NP for a while, but the friendships and community that I’ve created over the past 1.5 years are what keep me coming back now. I moved back into DC in April 2021 and the Adams Morgan (AdMo)/Mt. Pleasant Runpool is a huge motivator for me to get moving in the mornings (even on non-NP days!).
What does winning the Positivity Award mean and represent to you?
I was shocked to receive it. Like many others, it has been a pretty tough couple of years for me. I have put a lot of energy and effort into keeping a positive attitude even when it feels like things keep getting thrown my way, so for that effort to be seen externally by the NP leaders and community truly means a lot. There are a handful of people at NPDC that consistently make my mornings better with their energy, inclusivity, and positivity, so I look forward to them being recognized for that via the PA soon.
What’s your favorite DC restaurant and your go-to food?
Extremely hard choice and it’s almost always changing, but my current fave is Beau Thai *shoutout to the green curry*. Go-to food in general? Anybody that knows me knows I basically find it illegal to turn down mac and cheese.
Describe for us your favorite November Project moment to date?
That’s tough, so I’m going to name multiple:
—Honestly, getting this Positivity Award is very high up there
—I met/worked out with/got a picture with Kelley O’Hara at a workout, no big deal. Even though she’s just a couple years older than me, I’ve admired her grit on the USWNT for about a decade now, so that was cool
—Friday workouts when we go to a fun playground or new destination — rolling down the P Street Beach hill in the mud comes to mind — anytime we all feel like a kid again, if only for a brief morning
Give us your running backstory. How’d you get involved with running?
I grew up playing sports of all kinds, but mainly competitive soccer. As almost any soccer player will tell you, we kind of hate running (without a ball in front of us). I always viewed running as a form of punishment or fitness test since that’s how it was used in my sport. I think it was during grad school that I felt like I needed to try something a little different and gave running a fair shot. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half in 2017 was my first race ever and I’ve had an off-and-on relationship with running since then. I’ve done a handful of races over the past few years but I mostly run for fun/stress relief/social time. As much as (positive) peer pressure works on me, I don’t think there’s a marathon in my future. I’ll be sticking to fun runs and perhaps some trail races 🙂
What’s your top fashion tip for runners?
Unfortunately I have no idea what fashion is. Comfort all the way.
Hot tip: be comfortable
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