Have You Herd?

Heard? Nope...herd. The TRY herd was very small last week. A lot of that was coincidence and I think attendance will bounce back this week. But if not, please let me know what is going on? Sick? Summer vacations? Injuries? Apathy?

I need to reboot my summer exercise plan myself. So, I'll be there tonight, hoofin' it in the lovely summer heat. Who's with me?

I Don't Have Much To Say

Just like Pedro Sanchez, there are times where the words just don't come to me. So, follow your heart, that is what he always did. (Also, Summer Wheatley can suck it!)

I was too lazy to go grab the brightroom boilermaker photos or get screen caps of the finish line cameras yet...but all those things are out there for the internet stalkers amongst us. Have at it.

For tonight, it's back to regular training as we are 7-8 weeks away from some of those early September half marathons and low double digit weeks away from those early October marathons. Where does the year go? I don't really want to train for any of those do I? Actually, that's just the summer doldrums talking...of course I (and you!) want to train for those fun, fall runs. Think of the crisper air, the easier breathing, and running without sweating through your clothing. Put in the work now so that you are ready to excel when the autumn curtain falls.

Due to a slightly messed up ear and head I think I am stuck doing a slow and steady run tonight. We'll talk amongst ourselves to see who is up for something more aggressive and group up accordingly.

Normal time and normal place: 5:30 at the Liverpool park.

A Week Off

I will say this first -- I'm a little disappointed in the TRY turnout at the Boilermaker. C'mon people, this is perhaps the most fun "normal" race you can take part in anywhere and its just an hour down the thruway. The start was even managed well this year...so no more excuses! This should be a yearly celebration run. Utica has the long distance running hall of fame and one of the best races in the country. Please do what you can to ALWAYS take part...let's keep a good local thing going.

Today:

A week off from running and, of course, a chance of some storms to ruin our fun. But no matter the weather, we are heading to Aaron and Kelly's house on the south shore of Oneida Lake for some water based fun. (If it rains we'll have to stay out of the water, of course.) They will also be hosting a picnic and will be providing all the goodies. All you need to do is bring your swimsuit, some water shoes, some bug spray and actually that's it. (Let me know if you are going and I'll provide directions.)

This is especially intended for those of you who want to try out kayaking or canoeing and never get a chance. We should have 3-4 kayaks and 1 canoe...so there will be plenty of opps to get out there and paddle a little and see if you like it. Also some tubing behind a jetski will be available for the more adventurous. (I think I'm already too beat up to try that.)

So, come on out and enjoy a rare TRY week off. :-) (Back to the grind, next week.)

TRY Something Different

Since many of us will be running the Boilermaker this Sunday, there will be a TRY field trip to Cicero for some kayaking, tubing, and fun on Tuesday, July 13th!  Everyone is welcome at our (Kelly and Aaron's) house any time after 5 to try out the kayaks and whatever other water toys that end up here.  We will also grill burgers and have snacks and drinks.  If that's not enough, there are cheap chicken wings just around the corner at Cooper's Landing if anybody is feeling brave.

If you would like to join us, please comment on the blog or let Terry know that you will be attending.  This will allow us to buy the right amount of food and get you directions to our house.

All About the Boilermaker

Driving directions:
Do yourself a favor and do not follow the website directions. Go this way instead. (I just have it marked from the thruway exit to a parking lot in the general area where I usually end up parking.) Me and others have been using it the last couple years and it saves a ton of stress and 20+ minutes of sitting in traffic. You are parking near the start line so it is convenient for picking up your packet that morning and returning the stuff to your car and then the post race shuttles drop you off right near by after the post race party. So, trust me, on this one -- take the Dyke (road) to the race!

Pre Race Location:
I tend to hang out near point A, or just a little to the east of it -- that is towards the packet pick-up tent. (In general - it's a little ways down the road to your left as you are lined up for the start of the race.) Look for me there for some pre-race chit chat and to calm you nervous runners down! (That side of the start corrals is also conveniently located on the Dyke road direction side of the starting line...so if you follow my driving directions you'll be walking right by that spot at some point.)

Post Race Gathering:
Please look for me and others are the unofficial TRY meet-up spot. Located along the flow of traffic just after you grab your frozen pop and turn the corner.

Google map with location marked as 'B'. Also a post-race party map marked with X:



A slight change to a boilermaker tradition:
I am trading in my bifurcating beaver -


For a bodacious bovine -



So, look for the horns near the meeting spot...as with the beaver, it should make it really easy to spot me.

And since a leg injury and life have caused me to lose my way the last month, I am switching my goal of getting a PR (personal record) to running the race for PR (personal reasons). So, even though it will be annoying, I am going to wear the cow hat and a cowbell for the entire boilermaker. It will give me some adrenaline from the crowd (if you win the crowd, you win your freedom!) and it will give me the conviction to keep going. For I will run as a dairy cow in a tribute to my father. I can't even remember the last time I saw him run...he had really bad legs by the time I was growing up due to his overworking of them on the farm. But on this Sunday, he will run 9.3 miles with me.

For those of you running the BM for the first time or for those of you that are experienced but struggling at some point along the way --
Think of me and my cowhat and my cowbell. I'll be on the course somewhere, behind some of you and ahead of others of you...hoofin' it to the best of my abilities. And when you think of me or when you hear cowbells on the side of the course - smile! This is supposed to be fun! :-)

Best of luck to you all!

Please stop by at the end...at least to say a quick moo.

(Let me know if you have any last minute race questions. FYI -- I will not be doing a group expo outing this year...too much going on, unfortunately.)

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