Last day on the Olympic Torch Relay

Today was my last day on the Olympic Torch Relay before flying home tomorrow. It was a great day over all as we didn't have to travel too far with only about a total of 3 hours of driving. This morning we were in Steinbech Manatoba. They bussed in about 50 bus loads of kids from local schools so Jared, Jill and I were none stop signing for over three hours. The whole time though we were really looking forward to the evening celebration in Winnipeg as it was supposed to be one of the biggest of the relay.

Winnipeg sure didn't disappoint tonight as the number of people that turned out was incredible. We each also got to take turns going over the hotel that was next to the celebration to mingle with a bunch of RBC clients at a party RBC was putting with food and drinks. I got to see my first protesters tonight! They were pretty innocent though tonight as they was just a small group of them and they were just yelling some stuff at us but they got moved along pretty quick.

It's been a great trip on the Torch Relay but I'm tired and it will be good to get home, get some rest and see Lea. I just want to thank you to Kat for taking such great care of me while I've been on the road. Kat has gone more than out of her way to make this one of the best experiences ever and I hope that her and I can keep in touch. Also a big thank you to RBC for giving me this amazing experience.

Day #3 Olympic Torch Relay

Well we got the disappointing news on the way to Dryden this morning that our celebration wouldn't be on the lake and that it made been moved indoors because of the wind shield factor. It was kind of upsetting because I had really been looking forward to be on the Ice Road but ever since a couple days ago when they had to bring 6 people to hospital because of the cold they aren't taking any chances. I was really surprised at how big both Dryden and Kenora are. I thought they were going to be really small communities but there was a lot of people at both celebrations and the cities were very nice.

Lea told me yesterday that she was talking to her aunt who lives in Hearst and she was saying that there's this really cool store on the side of the highway that we should stop at where everything is made of sheep fur. So I told everyone about it and next thing you know I've got a whole ton of RBC and Coke SUV's and Transports stopping at this little store to check it out. Some people were spending hundreds of dollars on clothes, mits, hats, boots...you name it! All because of Lea's aunt who said I should stop if I can.

Tonight's celebration in Kenora was outside and as you can see in one of the pictures they made these really big hollow ice cubs and put candles in them. There were hundreds of them and they marked the way for the torch. It was really cool!! A couple thousand people turned out tonight in Kenora which was great considering it was so cold and there were so many young kids. And that is the real reason why I'm doing this is for the kids and to see their faces when they see the torch and the few seconds I get to spend talking with each one trying to inspire them to reach for their dreams in sport or whatever they do in life.

Tomorrow is my last day on the relay when I end in Winnipeg tomorrow night before flying home the next day. It's supposed to be a huge celebrations in Winnipeg tomorrow and I can't wait.

Day #2 of Olympic Torch Relay

Today started with a 3:30am wake up to be on the road at 4am. Before we got on the road we were informed that one of the trucks travelling during the night hit a moose and was pretty much totalled. The first part of the drive was done in the dark as we went through Wawa. After that the sun started to come up and we were able to see all around us. I've been to some pretty cool places around Canada and the World but there is nothing like good old Northern Ontario. It was some of the nicest country I've seen and it made for a great drive! I took a couple picture as we got into out first celebration town of Marathon. The people of Marathon were great and were supper pumped about us being there and really enjoyed the show. After is was back on the road and this time I took a turn behind the wheel to Thunder Bay.

Thunder Bay sure knows how to have fun as thousands of people came out for the celebration. I'm pretty sure I didn't stop signing autographs the whole two hours we were there.

The food on the road has been lets just say AMAZING!! We have full buffets everynight in the hotel just for us. You can pretty much have anything you want! My kind of a meal for sure....

I know I said today one of the celebrations was supposed to be on a lake but I was wrong and it's actually tomorrow when we get to Dryden. Then we finish off the day in Kenora. Looking forward to travelling to this great places I've never been before and getting to meet the people of these towns.

My first day on the Olympic Torch Relay

Wow, what an experience! Today was my first day on the Olympic Torch Relay. It started this morning when I was picked up by my team in our fancy Yukon Hybrid. From there we headed straight downtown to the celebration. As you can see from one of the pictures I have my own little tent where people can come and meet me and I sign autographs for them. It's been such a great experience so far as the celebrations themselves are something else with all the music, performances and stories.

After we were done in Sudbury our team packed up and before we left Sudbury they wanted to see the Big Nickel so I took them over and they all got their pictures taken beside it. After that it was on the road to the Sault.

Tonight's celebration was indoors at the arena which was nice because I didn't have to worry about my hands freezing while trying to sign every ones autograph. Tonight the final person to carry the torch into the arena was a girl I know from the Sault who used to swim and went to the 2000 and 2004 games.

This torch relay is such a great experience for me and really every Canadian because it gives everyone the chance to be part of the Olympics that are going to be happening in Vancouver in just over a month from now.

Tomorrow we are on the road at 4am but I believe it's tomorrow that one of our celebrations are on a lake!! Stay tuned for what is going to be lots more great adventures.

Gel Kayano 16

Introducing the new Gel Kayano 16's from Asics. I just picked up these shoes that were special ordered for my from Asics. Thank you to Robin at Bioped for his great support and getting me into the best running shoes available and actually not even available yet to the general public. They've made some really cool changes to the 16's which I'm going to love when I'm putting in some of the longer miles.

I got hit this week with a little bit of a flu bug but I was able to get rid of it really fast which is good especially for me because it seems usually once I get sick it last forever!

Tonight for New Years we are heading over to a friends for supper. I don't know if we will even make it to midnight because we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow but it is a new decade so maybe I'll stay up past my bed time tonight. Then Saturday is the big day when the Torch comes to Sudbury. One of the cars in the relay is coming to my house early to pick me up and then I'm gone with the torch relay until I get to Winnipeg on January 6th.

There's also a picture from x-mas in London of me with my brother in law and his girlfriend.

Christmas in London

I will be heading home tomorrow after a couple great days in London visiting with my in laws. We showed up on Wednesday night and surprised Lea's parents as they had no idea that we were coming. We all had a really nice Christmas together and went out for brunch on Christmas day at the Delta hotel for an incredible buffet. I even managed to get in a couple workouts while I was here at the YMCA.
Today we did a little bit of Boxing Day shopping, nothing to crazy though! Just a few little things! We stopped at a new triathlon specific store that they have in London. It's called MultiSport Zone. They have an unique idea of not only selling some really nice triathlon gear and bikes but have made it into a training center as well. They have lots of options from the endless pool to many computrainers. They also offer training programs, bike fits, athletic and massage therapy. Check them out at http://www.multisport-zone.com/ZOM/
I'm looking forward to getting home tomorrow as I have a big week of training coming up. This week I have a training camp for swimming. I'm going to hop on the bike tomorrow night and then I have my first of five 2hour swim Monday morning followed by a 100km skiing that I'm doing with a friend at the Naughton ski-a-thon.

Merry Christmas

The big day that all the kids wait for every year is almost here. Only 3 more sleeps as some little ones may say! Lea and I will be leaving tomorrow after work to head down to London for a few days over Christmas and it's going to be a surprise for Lea's parents.
Things have been busy around our house as usual but especially with the time of year. We've been trying to get to see everyone at one point to wish them happy holidays. Saturday we had my sister over for supper, Sunday was the swim club party, last night we stopped in to see Jesse then spent the evening at Jack and Amanda's house. Tonight we're going out for supper with some more friends.
Yesterday I did my first cross country ski of the year and I'm going out again today. It's really good cross training and it takes some of the pressure off of the joins from the running. I'm going to try and get out a lot more this year than I have in past years.
I was approached yesterday by Science North asking if I would be interested in doing some testing in the new year. They want to use the results from my testing as an example for when other people or kids go in and try the test as a comparison. I felt pretty honored that they would choose me for this. I guess this just means that I'm going to have to be in tip top shape for January! Does that mean I'm only going to be able to eat 3 plates at turkey dinner?!?
We started redoing one of the bedrooms in the house. There was wood paneling on one of the walls that I took down and replacing. I'm also painting the room and putting in a closet door.
Well I wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and I will try and post some time after the big day and let everyone know how London is going and how stuffed I am.

New Car...almost

On Monday Lea and I and my sister headed over to North Bay for the day to pick up my car. They did a good job fixing it and with all the new parts it looks almost new. We also went over to my aunt and uncles for a really nice supper with everyone!
It's an exciting time right now with Christmas coming soon and tonight is our Christmas get together with our good friend Sig.
I should also find out this week or next if I win the Community Award of Excellence which will be very exciting!!
Today is our first big snow fall of the year so it looks like it will for sure be a white Christmas which is always nice.
I have some really, really, really big news but I've had to promise not to say anything just yet so everyone is going to have to wait until the new year....sorry:(