A TRYer or a "Do-er"?

I don't know how many people are going to have time to read this after spending all that time reading Jen's details about 'Escape from Fright Nights'.  But, for those able to read both, I appreciate the time you put into keeping up on all things TRY.

This week: I dunno...half mile intervals, I guess?  We did short last week, so it's time for a medium length interval.  The post run core workout seemed to be "enjoyed" last week, so that is something that we will continue to do on weeks that people are up for it.

I looked, but did not find this years Lights on the Lake schedule yet.  But, I know from past years that we are down to 5 or 6 weeks left of TRY before our winter hibernation.  It's always sad to think about the end of the group running season, but it is getting to be that time.  We'll keep the start up time at 5:30 for a couple more weeks, and then we'll have to start shifting it earlier to avoid finishing in the dark, until, finally, the start of Lights on the Lake, ends our season.

While we're together, we might as well keep learning:
I snuck in the most bizarre More Meat ever.  Be sure to check that out by using the link or just scrolling below this entry.

Some more TRY lore:
Did you know that our mascot is a beaver?  Do you know why our mascot is a beaver?  Well, it is the state mammal of New York state, certainly, but it is also my school mascot that I passed along to TRY.  So, why not read all you wanted to know about the second largest rodent in the world?  There is plenty to learn in the wikipedia entry about castor canadensis, but the fact that the phrase "beaver testicles" appears at least four times is worth a look in its own right.

I've been given beaver shirts, beaver hats, big beavers, little beavers, etc.  The most recent gift, a pink beaver, became a coxswain for my Great Race adventure a couple months back that you all should have seen in a blog entry at that time.  But, the most prevalent beaver related to TRY is this guy (with his car insurance selling friend):

It's marked multiple Relay for Life events, picnic location from Oneida Lake to Green Lakes, to places I can't even remember.  It even marked a special event in my life early this summer.  It has been said that any time TRYers are gathering, this beaver will be there:



Thank you little beaver, for all you've given to TRY over the years.

Did you know that I used to give out "I TRY Harder" awards?  It was a prestigious and highly sought after award.  But I've fallen out of the habit for at least the last couple years.  Partly because I'm lazy.  And partly because it's tough to signal out an individual without leaving out other, just as worthy, individuals.  But since I've been looking back at things, why not dust off an old tradition?:

It's time to recognize someone for all the hard work they've been putting in.  They used to just be the crazy person who showed up til the end of each season, regardless of the fall weather, even though they weren't preparing for a race.  But eventually they started racing and the last couple years they really started working their butt off and the result is some very impressive gains in their performance.  This year, they've done the Mountain Goat, won hardware at Paige's Butterfly Run, done the Boilermaker, and now done their first hyman.  And not only have they transformed themselves as a runners, but they completely transformed themselves physically too.  Check out this facebook profile as proof:



Congratulations, Adam.  Your dedication to your craft the past couple years and your willingness to completely change your look and your ability to life weights mean that you have won an overdue "I TRY Harder" award.  You are both a do-er and a TRYer!  Well done.