Hello Gators, Well… We’ve come to the time of year when our long days have gotten shorter so we cannot as easily get in those pre-6am outdoor workouts. And at the same time, our short kids have gotten longer and are heading back to school. As the end of the triathlon season approaches, it’s almost time to start looking ahead to taking advantage of the fall and winter months to improve on those areas where we’d like to get stronger or faster or go longer in a shorter amount of time. Almost… There is still at least one great opportunity to finish the season with a bang… There will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-30 Gators and Jr. Gators participating in one of the many events at the Diamondman Challenge Festival (Lums Pond State Park, DE) taking place on Saturday, September 12... just 8 short days from today. It’s not too late for you to join us for this Gator celebration so if you are not already committed, consider joining us for a sprint or half IM distance triathlon or duathlon or just to cheer us on and have fun… But don’t wait long, because time is running short! Also, thanks for all of your GREAT input on our member survey! We will be considering all input in our upcoming coaches and club leadership meetings. And feel free to offer us your candid feedback any time! It’s your input that will help us to continue to improve the club. This week's news topics include...Accomplishments… Another go in Muskoka and Lobster!!Who’s Next?… Anyone feel like swimming TODAY!?!About A Gator… You are what you eat!!Do You Got Game?… We’re (still) looking for a few (or more) good runners and volunteers for the upcoming Spring-Valley Y Game Day 5K!! SPOILER ALERT… This item includes a discount code!Recommended: Ride ‘em cowboy!!Mark Your Calendars… Saturday “Reynolds to Shawmont” club ride, Diamondman Challenge Festival, and End of Year Club Party!! Happy Birthday!: Best wishes to Mark Donovan who celebrated his birthday this past Thursday, September 3! Accomplishments: A valiant attempt in Canada and loving lobster in Maine…Sunday, August 30:Ironman Muskoka (Muskoka, Ontario): Jeff Spillane, fresh off of Ironman Lake Placid, gave it another attempt at Ironman Muskoka in Ontario. Unfortunately the hot weather keeps following Jeff around and after a successful 2.4 mile swim and finishing most of the miles on the bike, Jeff decided to save it for another day… Jeff, We admire your persistence and look forward to being there to cheer you across your next finish line…Great effort!Challenge Main (Old Orchard Beach, ME): Andy Rosebrook had a very successful race posting close to a personal best for an Olympic distance event (and he’s done 25 at that distance) thanks to a smoking fast bike leg and a fast swim leg despite having to deal with navigational difficulties due to waves. Andy had his son, Matthew, there to cheer him on and celebrated after crossing the finish line by downing three lobsters! Andy also attempted to get Dr. Connelly some customers in the far north by sporting his brand new Gators hat during the run… Great job, Andy! Who’s Next?: Time for another swim…Friday,September 4 (Yikes… That’s TODAY!):Valley Forge Marathon Swim (Bridgeport, PA): Weather permitting, Nabil Radouane takes on this not 1… not 2… not 3… not 4… not 5 or even 6 or 7 mile, but 8, yes 8 mile swimming event. After all, it’s been (almost) two weeks since his last event, so he’s well rested. Rain, rain (or at least thunderstorms) go away! Have a great swim, Nabil! About A Gator: This profile covers one of our Lady Gator Fantasy Football team owners who also knows a thing or two about Nutrition. Meet Heather Irwin in this edition of “About A Gator”! Do You Got Game?: We are still seeking both runners and volunteers for the Sunday, October 11 Spring-Valley YMCA “Game Day 5K”…Volunteer opportunities: We are looking for help and the following link has all duties assigned for sign up. All volunteers receive a special shirt!... https://www.runtheday.com/registration/volunteer_signup/31500Race Registration Discount: Any Gator that registers can receive $5 off with the promotional code “gators”. Race registration link… https://www.runtheday.com/registration/select_race_type/31500 Recommended: If you didn’t have the chance to run (like Ruth) or ride (like Ken, Kelly, and other Gators) with the Iron Cowboy during his successful quest to complete 50 Ironman distance events in 50 states on 50 consecutive days, check out IM Talk’s interview with him… http://www.imtalk.me/home/2015/8/24/imtalk-episode-478-ironcowboy-james-lawrence.html Mark Your Calendars:Upcoming Club Events: All of these diamonds would make you think we were a baseball club!Saturday, September 5, 7am start time: The Tri Club ride will start at the Reynold’s Dog Park in Oaks and we’ll do a trail ride all the way to Shawmont Ave and back (approximately 35 miles roundtrip; ride time will be 2-2.5 hours). If you plan to join the ride, please accept the meeting invite posted on Facebook. Hope you can join us!Saturday, September 12, Diamondman Challenge: This event features all sorts of races… Sprint and half Ironman distance triathlons and duathlons, off-road triathlon and duathlon, and kids triathlon and duathlon. We’d like for it to be a family event and we’re planning to host a few kids training sessions over the summer so that we can have a pack of Jr. Gators participate. Reserve the date on your calendar and stay tuned for more details coming soon!Saturday, November 7, “The Barn” in Royersford: End of Year Club Party. More details will be coming soon, but if you can attend, please accept Mellissa’s Facebook invite! Go Gators! Don M