Busy Day at WDW

Tuesday was a busy, but fun day at Walt Disney World.

The day dawned as another cold morning with temps in the 30's.  That meant another day of layers to stay warm.  At least the forecast was for warming during the day and the winds were down.

Our day began at the Magic Kingdom as we had reservations to eat with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace.  They always have a great selection on the buffet.  We all enjoyed the visits by Pooh, Piglet, Eyore and Tigger.  After breakfast we hit some of the attractions before the lines were too long. 

After a little rest at the hotel it was time to head to Epcot.  We had dinner reservations in Morocco and then the highlight of the night was getting to see the Candlelight Processional.  This was absolutely fantastic.  The celebrity narrator was Marlee Matlin with the assistance of an interpreter.  She did an outstanding job of telling the story of Christmas and our savior.  Seeing this done in sign language was amazing.  The choir and orchestra were wonderful and I highly recommend seeing this if you are visiting Epcot during the holidays.  

The night ended with the always awesome Illuminations.  This is a great fireworks display to end the night.

As you can see, it was a busy day.  Off to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios today.

2011 NHL All-Star 5K

This January the NHL All-Star Game will be coming to Raleigh!  This is going to be a great way for the Caniac Nation to show how enthusiastic we can be and why we have the reputation for the loudest "house" in the NHL.

Announced earlier this week, NHL All-Star Wide Open will take place January 28-30. 

The “all-star” line-up will feature hockey’s best and a free Friday night show at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater from  Three Doors Down.

•NHL Fan Fair - A hockey fan festival featuring interactive games and attractions, special appearances, Hockey Hall of Fame trophy and memorabilia displays, live TV and radio broadcasts, pin trading and trading card zones, music, food, official NHL All-Star merchandise and dozens of other dynamic activities in the Raleigh Convention Center (Friday-Sunday, Jan. 28-30).

•All-Star Live at the Amphitheater: A series of free concerts featuring Three Doors Down (Friday-Saturday, Jan. 28-29).

•All-Star Streets: A street party on Fayetteville and Cabarrus Streets in the style of the popular Raleigh Wide Open spectaculars (Friday-Saturday, Jan. 28-29).

•All-Star 5K - A charity 5K run/walk through Raleigh, starting and ending at the RBC Center, to benefit the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation (Saturday, Jan. 29 at 9:00 am).
 
The 5K is a great addition to this outstanding weekend.  I wonder if any of the all-stars will take part in this event?  I have already signed up and you can't beat a $25 entry fee with no processing fees.
 
Anyone interested can sign-up by going to http://www.ncraces.com/.
 
What a awesome way to actually showcase the name of my blog.  I am a huge Hurricane fan and love running.  Having the All-Star game and a 5K is perfect for the......Running Caniac!

Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon

This past Sunday was the inaugural running of the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon.  Overall this was an outstanding event.  I would recommend adding this race to your 2011 race calendar.

It all started with 3 great events on Saturday.  The first event was the Coastal 5K.  My wife completed this race as I stayed on the sides cheering her on to the finish along with our two girls.  So proud of her for completing her second ever 5K.

There was even a guy who ran the 5K juggling the entire distance.  From what I understand, this guys also ran the half marathon juggling the entire distance too!  It is hard enough to run, let alone trying to juggle at the same time.

After the 5K there was a high heel run.  This was interesting as there were 15 participants.  I say participants instead of ladies because there was one guy running the race (no, it was not me).  He ended up finishing last, but he made it.  He was interviewed after the race and was asked why he entered this event.  He said it was because of a dare.  Pretty funny to see.

The final event on Saturday was a Doggie Dash.  There were many participants who ran with "man's best friend" for the 1.5 mile course. 

On to Sunday and the Mini Marathon.  The course was to take you by many landmarks at Myrtle Beach by starting at Medieval Times at Fantasy Harbor.  After crossing the Intracoastal Waterway we would make our way past Coastal Grand Mall and on to Broadway at the Beach.  After leaving Broadway we would make our way to Ocean Boulevard and finish on the brand new boardwalk on the beach.

Prior to starting the race there was an important challenge that had to be decided....what knight would get the honor of starting the race.  The only way to settle this was a duel.  There were 6 knights who battled it out with sparks flying from their swords and shields.  We eventually had a victor and it was time to pound the pavement. 

Working up the biggest hill on the course just before mile 2 on the bridge crossing the Intracoastal Waterway, you had to look up to make sure the Spirit Airlines jet was not landing on top of you in the final approach to the airport.  That took your attention away from the hill, which made the climb to the top easier.

As the miles progressed I was looking forward to seeing the family at Broadway around mile 8.  As I approached, I started looking for them and spotted them at the 8.5 mile mark.  It was great to see them and get that extra encouragement.  As I passed, my youngest daughter who is just shy of turning 2 wanted to run with me.  My wife had to stop her and as she did, she drops to her knees and starts crying saying, "daddy, wait".....too cute!

The final stretch in the race is just spectacular as you make your way down the new boardwalk.  Awesome view of the ocean on your right. 

As I came to the finish line there were a couple of great moments for me.  I was coming to the line by myself so on the loud speaker they called out my name as well as recognizing Team 413.   That was a first to actually hear my name being called out.

The second was giving Bart Yasso from Runner's World a high five as I crossed the finish line.  Bart was there all weekend and was supporting everyone.  That was so great to see that support.  In the photo below, you can see this.   

As you can see in the last photo, the finisher's medal is huge!  This is a surfboard with a shark bite.  The shark bite can actually be used as a bottle opener.  They added a large magnet to the back of the medal for anyone who wants to stick it on their refrigerator.

What a great event! 

Caniac Nation....It Is Time!

The NHL season has arrived. 

The Hurricanes open the season on Thursday in the NHL's Premiere in Helsinki, Finland against the Minnesota Wild.  This is a homecoming for  Jussi  Jokinen, Joni Pitkanen and Tuomo Ruutu.  Tuomo Ruutu played for the club team in the arena where the NHL Premiere game is being held prior to coming to North America.  In the off season he lives only a few minutes away from the arena.  After a long off season, the Hurricanes and all of you Caniacs out there should be eager to get the season started.

This year the Hurricanes are led by captain Eric Staal as he begins his first full season as the captain with the retirement of Rod Brind'Amour this summer.  I am looking for a big season from Staal.  The Canes also had a youth movement this off season and it will be interesting to see how the young guys perform.  A lot of eyes will be on first round draft pick Jeff Skinner and he has even been mentioned as a possible Calder Trophy candidate.

The Canes have also brought back a couple of veteren defensman in Joe Corvo and Anton Babchuk.  Corvo was traded to Washington at the deadline last season and Babchuk returns after a year playing in Russia.  The Canes have some youth on defense as well, but I am looking to the leadership of Tim Gleason, Joni Pitkanen and Joe Corvo to bring the young guys along. 

Last season was a difficult one for goalie Cam Ward.  He had issues with his back and then received a nasty laceration on his leg from the skate of Rick Nash that kept him out for several games.  I am looking for Cam to regain the form he had when the Canes won the Stanley Cup in 2006.

No one seems to give the Canes much of a chance this year of making the playoffs.  Well, this Caniac sees the Canes making the playoffs and contending.

We get to see this Thursday what the Canes will be bringing to the table....or should I say ice.

Let's go Canes!

My NEW 13.1 Car Decal

Since my first half marathon back in May 2008, I have had a 13.1 decal on my rear window of my car.

Last month after completing my 7th half marathon at the RnR Chicago Half, I asked my wife if she could create a new decal with her Cricut. As she started to think about it, she thought that the Destinations cartridge would be perfect since the Chicago skyline was one of the images.

Once she had this cartridge, she added it to her Gypsy and her creative mind went to work.  She took the basic Chicago image from the Destinations cartridge and added a runner image from the Sports Mania cartridge. Then she added 13.1.

All three of the images were merged together and cut out on white vinyl to create this awesome customized 13.1 decal.

Thanks honey!

God is my co-pilot!

Have you ever had one of those mornings when you couldn't find something?  I am sure we all have been there.  Today was one of those mornings for me. 

Before leaving for work today, I could not find my bible.  I searched the kitchen, the living room, and the bedroom.  It was not in any of those place.  Then I searched my car and it wasn't in there either. 

As I was driving to work this morning I kept trying to think of where I could have left it.  I remembered walking out of church last night carrying my bible to the car.  On my way to work this morning as I was sitting at a stoplight waiting to turn it hit me.  When I put my daughter in the car last night at church I sat my bible on top of the car.  Then my wife and I started talking to another couple for a few minutes.  Once we were done talking we headed home.  I realized this morning at the stoplight that I never took my bible off of the roof of the car last night.
After realizing this, I got even more upset because 1) I had left my bible on the roof of the car and 2) I had lost my favorite bible.

As I pulled into the parking lot at work this morning, I think to myself that maybe by the grace of God He kept my bible safe on the roof of my car.  As I pulled in to a parking spot and got out of my car, I immediately turned and looked at the roof of my car and started to laugh.  My bible was in the exact spot I had left it!  My bible rode on the roof of the car for approximately 10 miles at speeds of up to 45 mph and it never budged an inch.

What a great example of how strong the word of God is!

God is definitely my co-pilot!

Tanger Outlet 5K

This past Saturday, I completed the Tanger Outlet Family 5K in Myrtle Beach, SC.  This was no ordinary 5K for me this time.  This 5K had extra special meaning as this was my wife's first ever 5K.  I was looking forward to this race for a while and I was going to stay with her the entire race to help her make it through.

She was nervous and excited as the day arrived, but she definitely had one major item taken care of....her wardrobe for the race.  I just have to highlight the brand names she was wearing for the race.

Shoes - Saucony
Socks - Under Armour
Compression Pants - Nike
Running Skirt - Reebok
Shirt - Adidas

She definitely made sure she had the major brands represented. 

Here is a picture of us prior to the race.

There were 2 goals for the race.  The first was to simply finish the race and the second was to break the 45 minute mark.  She knew both were attainable and we were going to do it.  As the race started, we began with a comfortable jog and took it easy.  We would take walk breaks as needed and the run some more.  We had a good walk/run pattern going throughout the race.  The 5K course was 3 laps around the outlet shops.  As we passed by the finish area completing lap 1, we were making great time as being just under 14 minutes.  She knew the 45 minute finish could be attained.  Then after we passed the finish area, we heard clapping as the first person finished the race.  This guy was flying to finish that fast. 

After our second lap we were still making great time.  We were on pace to finish in less than 45 minutes.  I kept reassuring her that she could do it and as we rounded the final corner she was off to the races.  She left me in the dust on her way to the finish line!

Here she is crossing the finish line.  Her official time was 41:54!  She blew the 45:00 minute goal out of the water.  I was so proud of her.

A little tired after the race but I knew she felt great.  Way to go honey!

The Eagle has Landed!

On Sunday I had the opportuinity to play a round of golf at Thistle Golf Club in Sunset Beach, NC.  Lately, I do not get out on the golf course, so I was looking forward to the chance to play a round.  It had been many years since I had played at Thistle.  If you have not played there, I highly recommend it.  Great looking clubhouse and great course conditions. 

My day did not start out the best right off of the first tee on the MacKay course.  This is a par 4 with water down the left.  I hit my drive right and my second shot had the ball about a foot above my feet.  When you have this scenario, you are going to hit a hook on the shot.  It didn't help that I aided the hook by pulling it and as Bill Murray said in Caddyshack, it went right into "the lumber yard" (water for those who may be wondering what the lumber yard reference is).   Before you know it, a nice 7 was added to the card.  Nice way to start a round with a triple bogey.  I followed that up with a bogey on the next.  It was time to regroup and I started to get it back together and pared a few holes.

We came to the 7th hole which is a dogleg left par 5.  I hit a good drive down the corner on the left.  Played a 200-yard layup shot and had 110 to the hole.  For me that is an in-between yardage for  PW or SW.  I decided to playe a choked-down PW.  I put a good swing on the shot and it was tracking right at the flag.

The ball hit 6-inches from the hole, popped up and dropped staight in for an eagle 3! 

It was awesome to be able to see the ball drop into the hole and not where the bottom of the flag was blocked from a hill. 

In this first picture you can see how close the ball landed to the hole as I am repairing the pitch mark.

In this picture I am picking the ball out of the hole.

I proceeded to follow-up this eagle with a birdie on the next hole.  So, I made up for the 3 shots I lost on the first hole with this eagle and birdie.

Just goes to show that you always need to continue "digging".  Even when you have a bad hole, keep a positive attitude and put it behind you.  It is just one hole and you have plenty of chances to make it up.

Brooks Glycerin 8

After building the miles it was time to replace my Brooks Glycerin 7's. I have been running in the Glycerin 7 shoe for the past year. I do not log a ton of miles and I have gone through two pairs. After researching, I decided to stick with the Glycerin model.

I am running a 5K on Saturday, so that will be a good test. So far, the shoes feel great and I can already feel the added cushion in the heal from the Brooks DNA. Looking forward to that feel in a race.

Tomorrow it is off to the Tanger Outlets on Highway 501. This is the 2nd annual Tanger Outlet Family 5K fun run in Myrtle Beach. I will post about the race over the weekend. You can't beat a 5K at the beach. Since it is at an outlet mall, maybe I can look for some deals while running.

Good luck to all running races this weekend.

First Day of School...Part 2

Well, today starts the first day of school for the traditional calendar schools. It was obvious that was the case as I drove in to work this morning. Before I was even 1/2 mile from my home, I had already passed two school buses and kids waiting on the corner for the bus.
The traffic was also busier than normal today. That should get better as time passes, but it definitely caused for a slower commute in to the office.
 
This is not only the first day of school for the kids, it is also the first day for my wife.  She teaches math at a local high school.  As all teachers know, they love the break during the summer and I am sure she did not want to go in this morning.  I bet the snooze button was a popular choice of teachers around the country this morning.  Just 5 more minutes.....
 
I still go back to the lines from Finding Nemo.  They are so appropriate for the first day of school.  Ready to learn and get some knowledge.  As Mr. Ray sang...
 
"Oh let's name the zones, the zones, the zones.
Let's name the zones of the open sea.
There's epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathyal,abyssopelagic
All the rest are too deep for you and me to see"
 
"Oh, let's name the species, the species, the species
Let's name the species that live in the sea
There's porifera, coelenterata, hydrozoa, scyphozoa, anthozoa, ctenophora,bryozoas, three! Gastropoda, arthropoda, echinoderma, and some fish like you and me. Come on, sing with me. Oh...!

Just the girls this time. Oh, seaweed is cool. Seaweed is fun. It makes it's food with the rays of the sun...
"Oh, knowledge exploring is oh so lyrical, when you think thoughts that are empirical."

Come on, sing with me! There's porifera, coelentera, hydrozoa, scyphozoa, anthozoa,
ctenophora, bryozoas, three!

"Oh, seaweed is cool. Seaweed is fun. It makes it's food with the rays of the sun"

Have a great first day of school everyone!