Dear Valued Customers,
My human co-workers have ventured out to compete in some really exciting races in the past year. As a bear I don't really feel the need to compete in any of these events because I already spend a lot of time running and swimming. I guess I could try a bike race but I left the circus to get away from that stereotype and I don't plan on going back.
In the Fall of 2010 several Old Forge Hardware staff took part in the Adirondack Canoe Classic. This is a 90 mile canoe race that begins in Old Forge and ends in Saranac Lake. This 3 day event consists of not just time on the water but also on land for the many portages throughout the course. For the Old Forge Hardware staff that participated this was the first time any of them had done this event and it was an eye opener. This race challenges you both mentally and physically but it is such an amazing experience. Despite some nasty weather on day 3 of the 2010 race, members of the Adirondack community showed up to volunteer and cheer on the participants. The 2011 race is now full but get out there September 9th-11th to support the racers and to see what this one of a kind event is all about.
This Spring a few employees participated in the Lake Placid Half Marathon. Unlike the Canoe Classic this race takes hours instead of days, although I'm sure sometimes it felt like days. This event was really well organized with many hydration stations with water, Gatorade, fruit, and power gels. The course wound through some gorgeous Lake Placid scenery and at one point racers even passed by a man fly fishing in the river next to the course. The last mile of the race with it's never ending incline was the hill that separated the grizzlies from the pandas (I believe that's the expression).
Just last weekend some of the Old Forge Hardware crew participated in the Delta Lake Triathlon. They chose to do the team relay so the triathlon was broken up among 3 different competitors... a swimmer, a bicyclist, and a runner. According to the race website, "the water temperature at the beach of Delta Lake is 76 degrees, making wetsuits legal." Participating in the relay made for a unique experience since they weren't just competing for themselves but for their teammates as well.
In a little over a week one member of the Old Forge Hardware crew will be participating in the Ididaride, a 75-mile bike loop that begins and ends in North Creek. According to the race website participants will "ride through some of the most beautiful scenery- cutting right through the central Adirondack Mountains, most of which is public Forest Preserve land." The total elevation gain for the 75 mile loop is 6,840 feet.
As a bear I know that being in nature is... well, natural! So why not lace up your sneakers, dust off your bike, or grab your paddle to experience all that there is to experience!
Until next time, remember to "paws"... and enjoy the ride!
Sincerely,
Henry the Hardware Store Bear