Supporting Partners
What’s inside:
Call to Action: Do The Work
Polar Roll 2026: It gets worse before it gets worser
Crusher 2026: Nothing is off the table
Registration Dates for 2026 events
New on MADE U.P.
#TRAIN4LIFE
906 Adventure Team Powered by Borah Teamwear
Youth Adventure Teams 2026: Developing resilient kids to create resilient communities
Events with 906AT
The theme for this month’s newsletter is “Do The Work”. How ironic, as I sit here putting off writing the opening remarks. My issue isn’t a lack of ambition – that’s never the case. But I am struggling to find the right words. Not just any words – the perfect words.
Type, delete. Type, delete. Elizabeth is gonna kill me 😂
And then it hit me – like the fresh scent of Buck lure the first time you open a new bottle. Bam!!
That’s the problem. I’m not focusing on getting it done… I’m focusing on it being perfect… and that makes me not wanna do it. Why? Because I don’t wanna fall short of expectations.
Do The Work isn’t about perfection. It’s about doing whatever it takes to get the job done no matter how bad or ugly things get. How many times do ya think you’ve cost yourself a finish simply because you wouldn’t go toe-to-toe w/ your self doubt, or because ya didn’t think the way you’d finish would be impressive enuff?
How many times have you let emotions get da best of you? Would ya rather be a #quitter who is chasing perfection or a resilient grinder that gets shit done? I’m gonna be honest with ya… That 12 hour buckle at Marji is impressive, but so are those folks who finish at 25 hours after they lost their job, went through a divorce, got sick, etc. it’s all a matter of perspective.
With that… I’m not asking ya for perfection, but I am asking ya to join us in 2026 while we keep grinding it out and doing the work 👊🏽
If you’re already involved, stay involved.
If you’re not involved, get involved.
Type, delete. Type, delete. Elizabeth is gonna kill me 😂
And then it hit me – like the fresh scent of Buck lure the first time you open a new bottle. Bam!!
That’s the problem. I’m not focusing on getting it done… I’m focusing on it being perfect… and that makes me not wanna do it. Why? Because I don’t wanna fall short of expectations.
Do The Work isn’t about perfection. It’s about doing whatever it takes to get the job done no matter how bad or ugly things get. How many times do ya think you’ve cost yourself a finish simply because you wouldn’t go toe-to-toe w/ your self doubt, or because ya didn’t think the way you’d finish would be impressive enuff?
How many times have you let emotions get da best of you? Would ya rather be a #quitter who is chasing perfection or a resilient grinder that gets shit done? I’m gonna be honest with ya… That 12 hour buckle at Marji is impressive, but so are those folks who finish at 25 hours after they lost their job, went through a divorce, got sick, etc. it’s all a matter of perspective.
With that… I’m not asking ya for perfection, but I am asking ya to join us in 2026 while we keep grinding it out and doing the work 👊🏽
If you’re already involved, stay involved.
If you’re not involved, get involved.
First off, YES. Polar Roll is a week later this year. Ok… read on.
You know what I love about Polar Roll? It gives ya something to shoot for in the winter. A goal to keep you motivated. All of that, and ya never know if it’s gonna be the best day of the winter, or the worst. Ha!. No, I’m serious. It can be downright terrible AND that’s why we do it 👊🏽
The best part? You have options. If you love racing, or just hanging with a bunch like-minded people, register for the Mass Start February 21st. You can bike it or hike it. There’s a chance you might hike it even if you bring a bike 😂 Distances are 15 or 30 miles. You can take all day… Just get er’ done by dark. We typically cap the field around 450 people. Not into big gatherings, or racing? Register for the EX. You can choose your category & do it when you want with whomever you want. Solo or with a couple a friends. EX opens January 10 and wraps up in mid-March.
Let’s talk Polar Roll Ultra. We’re adding a shorter distance this year, PRU100, for folks who aren’t quite ready to commit to the PRU140 (150?). The number of spots will be limited. The rules and the gear requirements for this new category will be the same as the big one. If you’re gonna sign up for this one – make sure you know what you’re getting into to. February doesn’t mess around. It can be dangerous out there. This isn’t an attempt to scare ya – it’s me telling you to be ready. The Ultra is February 23rd – 25th, 2026.
I wanna touch on one other category – one that often gets overlooked. On the EX side of Polar Roll, we offer a snowshoe sampler. It’s three or four routes that are 2-4 miles a piece that you can do alone, or as a family. Heck, you could do it with your partner, or a friend. The routes are local and easy to access. Most importantly, they give ya a reason to get outside in the winter, and it connects you to the community at large. It’s a great way to get kids outside experiencing winter, and you get to pick when ya go. Complete your adventure between January 10 – and mid-March.
What next? Join the Facebook Group here. Polar Roll & Polar Stroll: Winter Adventures is a group of 906AT event veterans, #freshmeat, and crews. This group can help you get ready. Also, you should visit the website www.thepolarroll.com, and download last year’s field manual. Read it. It will tell ya everything you need to know before you roll!
Registration sold out last year in less than five minutes. Mark your calendar now. It’s November 9th at 9:06 AM. Spots are limited. Also, this is your last chance to check the Polar Roll off your Triple Crown checklist before we run the first “secret event” in October 2026. Refer to the Trilogy website for more information about how to qualify for the Triple Crown and get inducted into the Hall of Pain.
MADE U.P. Episode 30 – Dan: At the end of 2024 Dan Harvala committed to finish all three of the qualifying 906AT Triple Crown Events and become a member of the Hall of Pain in 2025. He talks about that journey, but not before unpacking a great deal of combat experience while serving our county with the United States Marine Corps.
MADE U.P. Episode 32 – Wally: NTN Board President since 2021, Wally Pearson drops by to talk trails, a career in medicine (retired MD), and how he hopes to continue making a difference in of both worlds. It can be easy to take access to your favorite trail for granted – but we can’t – we need to all work together to maintain, protect and preserve these spaces for future generations – this is a must listen to episode!
“We address the mind and the body.”
Training for life, training for an endurance event – they don’t actually look all that different. It means showing up, putting in the work, not searching for an easy button, not making excuses – it means ‘Do The Work.’ And along the way, you may just be compelled to do something you never thought you would.
And the best part – you don’t have to do it alone.
Kristen and Al Wade own Mudslingers – they’ve been working with athletes for years on preparation for endurance events. Kristen says they create individualized programs based on life circumstances, obligations, goals and ability. Plans involve cardio, strength training, injury prevention, yoga, meditation and grit training. It’s preparing for an event – but bigger picture – it’s preparing for life – to make the most of the human experience.
“We address the mind and the body,” says Kristen. “Endurance sports in particular tap into that mental toughness.”
“I love watching the journey – it builds confidence and resilience,” adds Al. “I personally find more enjoyment in that than getting someone on the podium.”
Al says most people sign up for training with a goal in mind and about 80% end up staying year round. Partially because, let’s be real, an endurance event isn’t necessarily a one-year journey for most. Just because you work with a coach, doesn’t mean you’ll finish. And, in the case of Marji Gesick, just because you finish the 50, doesn’t mean you don’t wake up and decide the day after Marji you now want to finish the 100. And that might take one year, it might take five.
And the best part – you don’t have to do it alone.
Kristen and Al Wade own Mudslingers – they’ve been working with athletes for years on preparation for endurance events. Kristen says they create individualized programs based on life circumstances, obligations, goals and ability. Plans involve cardio, strength training, injury prevention, yoga, meditation and grit training. It’s preparing for an event – but bigger picture – it’s preparing for life – to make the most of the human experience.
“We address the mind and the body,” says Kristen. “Endurance sports in particular tap into that mental toughness.”
“I love watching the journey – it builds confidence and resilience,” adds Al. “I personally find more enjoyment in that than getting someone on the podium.”
Al says most people sign up for training with a goal in mind and about 80% end up staying year round. Partially because, let’s be real, an endurance event isn’t necessarily a one-year journey for most. Just because you work with a coach, doesn’t mean you’ll finish. And, in the case of Marji Gesick, just because you finish the 50, doesn’t mean you don’t wake up and decide the day after Marji you now want to finish the 100. And that might take one year, it might take five.
“The events aren’t the end goal.”
Rob Lee of RLP Coaching says most people aren’t connected to the timeline of what it takes to become really good. He finds himself balancing the modern era of so much information and massive events and the idea that we can have what we want ‘right now’ with the work and time it takes to get it done.
“My hope is that I can help someone develop a connection with or a link for the lifestyle of someone who trains consistently – by making training fit their lifestyle.”
Rob stresses, the human body is constantly declining if we’re not doing something with it.
“Events aren’t the end goal – but without the events, there’s no carrot to join.”
Rob sees the events as a carrot to commit to a deeper, longer fitness journey – one often referred to as #TRAIN4LIFE.
Rob, Kristen, and Al all agree – consistency is vital – whether training for endurance races or simply maintaining a baseline level of fitness – a level of fitness that makes life easier and more enjoyable as we age.
Al says it starts with setting aside a self-limiting mindset. Just because you think you can’t do something doesn’t mean you’re not capable of doing it. He says we have to stop limiting ourselves, and when we do, the world opens up. And bonus, the older we get – the more mentally tough we become.
And again, because it’s worth repeating – it’s CONSISTENCY. Rob says consistency is a much bigger driver than volume. It’s not an all-or-nothing mindset. It’s a DO SOMETHING mindset. And prioritizing making that happen – committing – to moving your body.
He’s not talking about hours every day – he says frequency is more important. If it’s 30 minutes every morning – that’s going to be more effective in the long run, versus, one three-hour workout once a week.
Kristen and Al encourage people to get outside their comfort zones. Do something they never thought possible. Do something that scares you. It is these moments that make us stronger – both physically and mentally.
And Al say to keep this mind: “Starting a program is the hardest part – if you don’t stick with it – you’re redoing the hardest part 10 times over the course of a year.”
And if you’re not sure where to start – find a community, find a coach, lean into those around you who’ve been where you are and are committed to sharing their experiences, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Do The Work. #TRAIN4LIFE
By Elizabeth Peterson
906 ADVENTURE TEAM POWERED BY BORAH
Christmas is right around the corner – making this a great time to get your orders into the 906 Adventure Team Gear Store powered by Borah Teamwear!
The store is open now through 11:59PM on November 9. All orders will be shipped and delivered before Christmas.
Money from the sale of Borah gear comes back to 906AT to support programming. It’s a win-win all around!
The store is open now through 11:59PM on November 9. All orders will be shipped and delivered before Christmas.
Money from the sale of Borah gear comes back to 906AT to support programming. It’s a win-win all around!
Youth Adventure Teams 2026
It’s never too soon to talk about our youth Adventure Teams. While registration is a ways off for volunteers and the kids, now is as good a time as any to talk about why you’d want to sign your kids up.
Adventure Teams are for all kids ages 5-17. The program is co-ed. Kids are grouped by age, not skill. We are here to develop well-rounded kids, not athletes.
Traditional sports aren’t for everyone, but many of the lessons kids learn as part of a team are hard work, dedication, teamwork, accountability, and how to overcome failure to name a few. Those skills are not unique to ball sports and other team activities. Kids need to develop these skills for life! That’s why 906AT is here. To set kids up for life success.
You vs. You is our competitive mantra. We teach kids to compete against the young man or woman in the mirror, not each other. There’s lot of time for that later in life. Yes, life is competitive, but our focus is on helping em develop their toolbox now so they are ready to compete later.
If you wanna get involved, do it!
Find out more about Adventure Team by visiting our website and Google search 906AT for articles written about us. Youth registration opens mid-April. That’s a couple of weeks earlier than normal.
If you want to volunteer onboarding begins January 1, 2026. Volunteers can find more information about the program and registration here. Adventure Leadership Summit for volunteers is April 25-26, 2026 in Marquette. Click here for more info.
Whether through a donation to youth resilience programming or a sponsorship of your local Adventure Team, your support is crucial to keep the momentum going. We’ve made incredible progress, but we’re already fully immersed in the planning and building for the next decade of growth. Through your financial partnership, you can be a key part of helping us build the foundation for the next 10 years of leadership, resilience and growth for thousands of youth.
Trilogy Partners
