By Jane Lebherz

When my alarm went off at 4:45 a.m. last Wednesday morning, I thought to myself, “Why am I doing this?” Two hours later, on the way home from an awesome workout, I found my answer.

The November Project is a movement that started in Boston, Massachusetts. It began when two college athletes, now graduated, wanted to keep each other accountable during their workouts in the cold winter months, promising to work out at 6:30 a.m. every morning. Now, the movement has spread to about 34 cities around the world, with athletes of all skill levels showing up each morning.

The Baltimore November Project visits different parks around the city including Rash Field, Patterson Park, and Wyman Park. Last Wednesday, my friends and I set out at 5:00 a.m. for a special field trip to M&T Bank Stadium with the November Project.
When we pulled up, we saw a large crowd. People were arriving in cars, on bikes and on foot. My friend, Jamie Reyes (nursing ’18), immediately felt inspired. “It is so cool to workout at the stadium because it makes you feel like an athlete going there for practice,” she comments. The workout the leaders assigned consisted of running the stairs and pausing every few minutes to do a plank. At times, they were pretty challenging. Lizzie Schachterle (nursing ’17) recalled that the hardest part of the workout was the “mental aspect of running that [she] was not used to overcoming.” Meanwhile, Cleaya Antes (nursing ’17) reflects on her favorite part of the workout. “It’s getting the opportunity to work out so early with my friends and other positive people,” she explains.

For those feeling inspired to get in shape and to meet new people, the November Project is the perfect opportunity. The best part? All you have to do is show up!