By Delaney Benison

It is 6:30 a.m. on the first Monday of November. Where are you? Most would probably say in bed.  But, the tribes of the November Project are just about ready to start their workout for the day.  The November Project, a grassroots running movement, began when two guys from Boston, Brogan Graham and Bojan Mandaric, decided they were going to change the way they work out.

Graham and Mandaric decided they were going to attack the early New England winter instead of submitting to it.  For the entire month of November, in the rain, shine or snow they are determined to be up at 6:30 a.m. and working out every day before work. As with all motivated people, they wanted to spread their idea.  They started posting on social media  and telling people just to show up and run with them. At first a few people came, then a dozen and eventually 300 would show up for these morning rituals. A tribe was created. The beauty of this? Even as the group has grown, nothing about the core of its purpose has changed.

As the crowds got bigger, Graham and Mandaric began looking for a way to expand. They were willing to use any public place to get the most out of their workouts. They also had to get organized. They chose Monday, Wednesday and Friday and made specific workouts. A popular workout is Wednesday at Harvard Stadium.  As the sun starts to rise over the stadium, everyone looks up through the white puff of their own breath at the 1,147 concrete seats they are about to conquer.

With music blasting, Bojan and Brogan start bouncing up and down getting their “tribe” warmed up, and they bellow,  “Are you ready,” along with every expletive imaginable. Like a cult, people begin to bounce with them, yell with them and find their zone.  People take on their personal Everest and race to the top, moving from section to section until they have gone around the stadium. But hey, if there is ever any boredom with running up stairs, do not worry — Graham and Mandaric intermittently ring a cowbell and on command, everyone hits the deck to do push-ups.

Before any of this happens, you are asked to turn to the person next to you, say good morning and give him or her a hug. First and foremost, Graham and Mandaric want you to know that you are a part of a community. You share the same emotions, the same struggle and the same suffering as your “tribe” around you. You belong. You are a part of it.

The program tries to reach out to people with a variety of athleticism. If you “just show up” (the motto of the Project), the promise is this: It will not matter who you are or what kind of shape you are in, you can and should do this workout. Results will follow. This is where the November Project meets college kids. Most college kids want the tough work out but not many want to have to pay for it.  The November Project is free. It is perfect for that college budget. You do not have to sign up or register.  You “just show up.”

As its name implies, the November Project was originally meant only for the month of November. However, due to its popularity, it is now a year round training that continues to meet three days a week. Its electrified participants cannot be suppressed. Come hell or high water, they are going to show up. 16 degrees and snow does not scare them.

The purpose of the November Project is to stay in shape and to promote health. It is getting everyone out there who wants to be and is creating a space for hard- working people to push themselves. It is a self–proclaimed crazy way to be a part of something bigger than yourself. If you say you are going to show up and you don’t, they will publicly shame you on their website. It is a commitment and they want you there. It is fun and spiritual, but there is a reason that participants do it. It is something that people have connected to and identified with.

From Boston to Philadelphia, and Los Angeles to New York City itself, the November Project is gaining traction. If you want to get involved in New York, look into its social media to check for Friday workouts and other events. Every Wednesday, at 5:28 a.m. and 6:28 a.m. at the Gracie Mansion on 88th Street and East River there is a meet-up, so grab your running gear and head over.

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Delaney Benison is a Contributing Writer for The Fordham Ram.