has finally happened.

Brace Yourselves. The world might be about to explode. I am doing as much crosstraining these days as running. You never thought it’d happen, right?

I tried for years!

I’ve tried classes. I suck. I am the one person in those funny videos going right when everyone goes left. I can’t follow ANY physical pattern (I can’t even dance!). I’ve tried cycling, I hated Soulcycle. I’ve tried doing routines at the gym (I hated going to the gym), I tried doing stuff before or after the runs (didn’t stick, I still do my drills once or twice a week though!). I tried the running studios (like Mile High or the Run Studio) but I don’t want to run in a treadmill! There was a routine I was doing at home for a few months every year, about 3 hours total of legs/ glutes / arms / core / etc. Sometimes I kept a streak of 6 weeks. But I HATED IT. Oh, I tried the IronStrength workouts, which would leave me crippled for days, cause I am WEAK AF. I tried finding a new sport: I don’t like anything. And if you don’t enjoy it, why do it? why? plus, it’s just not gonna stick!

Basically, I HATE ANY SORT OF MOVEMENT THAT ISN’T RUNNING.

what a spoiled whiny loser she is, you say? I agree. But I own up to it. I am a spoiled whiny loser.

I’ll do all the miles you want me to, I’ll do speed-work the day after a race, I’ll show up and run 40 miles in the weekend, just tell me what time. BUT PLEASE don’t ask me to jump, or dip, or squat or push anything up. I don’t want to. Yuk.

RUNNING to me, is fun though. I really do enjoy it (well, most days at least). You know how you’d go out for a walk with a friend and enjoy the park, or the beach, or the city? That’s how I see running! A great reason to be outside, and sweat.

enter NOVEMBER PROJECT.

I am going to admit that it took a few tries. I’d go, end up all banged up, stiff and sore, resent it, hate it. A few months later, I’d try again. Repeat cycle.

Eventually, I lost the fear. Why? Because I started enjoying it. I do as much or as little as my body can handle and that’s that. and it’s fun. and there’s no judgement. and we’re all out there to get stronger. and I just really enjoy the people and the love.

I know, it sounds so weird. Do you know anything about NP? If you live in a big city and you’re into sports, your feed (like mine) might be FULL of it. Or you might have never heard of them.

Here’s the basic info (from their website):

November Project™ is a FREE fitness movement that was born in Boston as a way to stay in shape during cold New England months. Now present in multiple cities in across four time zones in North America, the movement is using a simple sense of accountability (verbal) to motivate and encourage people of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels to get out of their beds and get moving. Our members vary from Olympic medalists, professional athletes, marathoners, triathletes, current and former collegiate athletes all the way to complete fitness rookies and recent couch potatoes just looking to kickstart their healthy life choices. If you think that you’re not fit enough to join the group, stop thinking and come see what the fuss is all about.

And here is a little video that might give you a better idea.

Every day you show up is different, there’s stairs to run up, abs to work on, bridges to climb up and down, burpees, mountain climbers, but there’s also high-fives, welcoming tunnels of love, hugs, yelling and tagging. You’ll see anything at any workout. Which is what makes it FUN. You’ll see kids and then… my parents when they visited!

Bench Dips

Hoises!

run and run!

Where else could I workout alongside my parents???? it’s just THAT accessible and welcoming! Everyone is there to have fun and get stronger. I really don’t stress about it, which was also a big deal. Cross training scares me and stresses me. This is fun. NOT EASY but fun. Does that make sense?

And here’s a random array of pictures I just made a gallery with.

It’s helped me be less scared of this stuff, I think I’ve really pushed through the other side… Now we have set up a Monday Stairs Hell workout with just a couple of my friends, because I AM NOT SCARED. It’s brutal, but I still do it. I did it Monday, the day after a race and a day before speedwork… which is crazy.

Sometimes you need an awesome and fun group of amazing people to hold your hand before you jump… November Project is that and a LOT MORE. It’s the coolest people you’ll meet. The most supportive community. The loudest craziest mofos with the fun outfits. The most sweaty hugs you could get in the fastest possible time. The funnest way to wake up the sun. I’d recommend you try it. GO. And if they don’t have one close to you, start your own. It’s not that hard! Check out pictures and stuff on the NYC Facebook page, so you get an idea. But like I said, there’s many other cities they are taking over. THE FUN.

Will you come with me?

Yeah?

the answer is always FUCK YEAH