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More early spring flowers at Denver Botanic Gardens.  Added images in Photo Galleries, too.

I’m not sure what these flowers are, but they do look like spring!  Denver Botanic Gardens is getting ready for spring and summer, and the warm weather that goes with it.

 

Haven’t done a running update in a while.  I have been a little discouraged again, or at least a little indifferent about everything.  After working up to a 6 mile distance I lost ambition, and backed off again to shorter distances. 

Looking for inspiration, I signed up for the 35th Annual “Runnin’ of the Green”  7k at Washington Park in Denver.  With just over a week to prepare I worked back up to a 7k distance running the trails in my neighborhood, and pushed for a better than 10 minute per mile pace.  In my practice runs I was able to get to a 9:32 pace which was my best ever for over 4 miles.  I would still like to improve, but with my age and physiological ability, that might be the best I can hope for.

Event day on March 12 was a cold morning as usual for this time of year in Denver.  (I wonder if runners miss warm weather and sunny days more than normal people.) ???   I was able to maintain the pace I worked up to in practice, but was hoping to do better than I did. 
I still need to work back up to a 10k distance.  Ideally I would like to maintain the 9:30 pace for over 6 miles.  It gives me something to strive for.  The next event I am registered for is the Bolder Boulder 10k on Memorial Day.  I do have about 10 weeks to prepare, and will do everything I can to reach my goals.

Overhaul of an old Minolta X-370n 35mm film camera at 10 times normal speed.  Not an instructional video, just for fun.  When I had finished I still had an electrical issue.  I suspect a bad capacitor, but my ESR meter was showing low battery, and wouldn’t give me a reading.  Need to get a 9 volt battery. (Click image for video.)

I found this Minolta A rangefinder camera at a garage sale.  The camera is 1955 from the serial number, and is in remarkably good condition for it’s age.  I wish I could say the same about me.  There is a small crack in the viewfinder glass in the front, but I may be able to find a replacement part.  The shutter and transport will require disassembly, cleaning and re-lubrication to restore to perfect operating condition, but it will be well worth it.  After I finish the work, I will shoot some film and show the results in a gallery. (Digitized of course.) Click image for a better look.

After using both Yaktrax Pro and Yaktrax Run on hard pack, ice, soft pack, slush, and mud I have a couple more observations.  Yaktrax Run with spikes on the front part of the foot do better in very cold conditions with hard pack snow surfaces and firm ice.  Yaktrax Pro are much better though when temperatures are above freezing, and the snow is loose and melting.  Just adding an observation.  Temps are back up way above freezing for a while.  It’s nice being outside in warm winter weather, and the sunshine feels great!

Running on the treadmill has become a little tedious.  Running on snow and ice is slow going, and a little dangerous with the ice and frozen ruts.  I have been experimenting with Yaktrax traction cleats.  I tried two different models, the Yaktrax Run and the Yaktrax Pro.  So far the less expensive Pro model works better in conditions from hard pack, soft pack, slushy and icy surfaces.  The Run model with just the spikes on the front part of the foot slip a little when pushing off.  The Pro model with the coils under both the front and back part of the foot seem to do better in all types of conditions.  I am still using both and will keep you posted.

Another treadmill day for me. I won’t be able to find the running trail at the park for at least a week, but the snow and cold doesn’t seem to bother the dogs at all. They actually love it! (Added as gallery, too.)

9pm fireworks video done with Olympus Stylus 8010. The camera had a little trouble focusing with the dark background, and intermittent bright flashes. (Click image for Video)

Midnight fireworks ringing in 2023 video done with Canon Power Shot SX50 HS. Much better focus tracking. Hand held with no tripod. (Click image for Video)

Denver only got 7″ of snow, but the running trails are covered in semi-hard pack and ice.  Looks like today will be a treadmill day.  I have been using the treadmills in the gym when weather doesn’t permit an outside run.  So far I have been lucky that the treadmill days turn out to be the days I run six miles.  Six on the treadmill is a lot easier than six on the hills.

I’ve settled into a routine of two miles on Mondays, four miles on Wednesdays, six miles on Fridays, and light free-form intervals on Sundays.  Running six every other day didn’t give me enough time to recover between runs.  I’m still a novice at this, but I have been learning a lot watching real runners on the trails.  I have been watching stride, form, how they use intervals, and course changes to train.  I get a lot of encouragement from these people, even though I have never actually spoken to any of them.  Whether it’s a nod, or a thumbs up from the younger runners I pass going the opposite direction, or an “oooooyeah!” from a person my age. Every bit of the encouragement, and common bond is appreciated.