Ear Plugs

So 2 weeks ago I was doing a wood turning demo at the Home and Patio show in the Woodcraft booth. The guy from across the aisle came over and asked me if I could make him some ear plugs. I said, "I have never made those before but give me 15 minutes and I will make you some."  I ended up making him a set and a set for his girlfriend. So the next day we go to Tijuana Flats for lunch and 2 of the girls that work there have then. I ask for the dimensions and go home and make them each a set. As it turns out the day I am going to deliver them is Jamie's birthday. (pictured left) She was very happy to get them. Since it was her birthday I even put them in a small turned box. These ear plugs a fun to make and don't take much material. I am planning on making some more and have some designs in mind. The hard part is the measuring they have to be an exact size. Every one has different sized holes and Jamie's are different on each side. Of course that is the good thing about making them custom is I am able to match the wood ad make them any size needed. (Photo Credit: Ethan)

Running and Riding

Tonight I went for a ride with the kids and the neighbors. We did a mile at a slow pace enjoying talking to the neighbors. Then We dropped them off and the kids and I did another mile. Then I dropped them off at home and did another mile by myself at a faster pace. I then went home and put on my running shoes and shorts and did the run/walk thing for another 2 miles. So in all I did 5 miles around the neighborhood. It was a nice evening and as I was running the full moon was coming up. It really made for a nice evening. I got home and did a little stretching. I was thinking I only ran 2 miles tonight but a month ago that would have been a lot. Now it is just a short run. I am hoping to get a spinning class in tomorrow and then run again the following day :-)

First Race 5k

This morning was the day of my first race. I ran a 5k(3.1 miles) Me and about 1,000 of my closest friends. There were a lot of fast people running. My goal was to finish and get a time. I am training for a Half marathon in February. So based on my finish time I will be placed in a pace group for the rest of the training. Tami and the kids came out to cheer me on. Then nice thing about this  race was it looped around the shopping center. I was able to see them a couple times during the run. 

This is me at about the half way point and also finishing. My official time was 39:04 but my elapsed time was about 30 seconds less. Because so many people were ahead of me at the start it took a little while to actually make it up to the start line. There were actually people behind me when I finished so that was a good thing as well. 

Hurt Shoulder

Today I went to the doctor to have my shoulder looked at. He said I had torn a small muscle in my shoulder. This is going to cut into my paddling for a while. I have to do some Physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles. The weather is just starting to get good for paddling. Also I had wanted to start swimming more.  I will have to wait and see how the therapy goes to see what I am able to do. My Running and Cycling are going good. I will just keep at it. 

New Cycling shoes

Yesterday I went to the bicycle store to look at some shoes for spinning classes. They had these Nike shoes that I liked. I did try on 3 other pairs of shoes and liked these the best. Then the guy told me they were on sale 40% off, well that decided the issue for me. They even installed the clips on the bottom of the shoes for me. Today was my first chance to try them out in a class. They clip in without too much trouble(I am sure it will take a little practice) To release your foot you just turn your heel out to the side and it pops free of the pedal. The soles are very stiff which supports your weight. And since your feet are attached to the pedals. Your foot is able to push down as well as pull up on the pedal. So you can get a full stroke all the way around. I need to play with the adjustment of the clip on the bottom of the shoe. It is pretty close to being in the correct position but I think a little further back might be more comfortable. 

2 pair of new shoes in a week. I currently own more shoes then I have ever owned at one time in my whole life. I currently own 8 pairs of shoes. Most of them I only wear for certain activities Like my work boots I usually only wear when I am using my chainsaw. Running shoes, Riding shoes, my Keens and Teva's for around the water. My flip flops  and my slippers to keep my feet warm in the winter and my old tennis shoes. Plus I have a pair of dress shoes that are too tight so I try not to wear them too much. 

riding in my neighborhood

I decided I needed some pictures of me riding my bike. I got Ethan to bring the camera outside and had him take a bunch of pictures of me riding around in a circle while he took pictures. A few of them actually came out. You gotta love digital. My bike is a Anodized Red 3 speed townie kind of beach cruiser. You sit up nice and straight so it is pretty comfortable. The bike is not built for speed. One of my favorite blogs call this style over speed

I am wearing my flip/flops which are always comfy I just love riding along wearing these. Of course the shorts and t-shirt are nice for October weather. 

Training Run

Last night I went out for my 30 minute training run. My goal was to do 2 laps around the neighborhood on the 1 mile circuit. I am still doing the run/walk thing. I was able to finish in 26:14 or about 13 minute miles. Not an earth shattering time but it was my fastest so far.  I have started training with a group. We are doing a long run this weekend. We are getting ready to run a 5 k in two weeks so they are kind of tapering down off the training. I may have a class on the day of the race that remains to be seen. Fortunately you can sign up the day of the race. If I am unable to do that one than I am planning on doing to Pumpkin Run. I may still sign up and do that one as well. I will have to see how the training is going.