Category: Uncategorized

Still testing and familiarizing myself with the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS that I found in the discarded electronics box at work. After repair, the still photos and video functions work flawlessly. Even though the technology is ten years old, the results are amazing. I tested the 1080p video following some urban wildlife in Denver. The focus tracking works very well, and sharpness is amazing. The video was done using the through the lens LCD viewfinder. I split out the audio and added Chopin using ShotCut. I am still learning the video editing end of things, but managed to learned how to fade in / out audio. (Click image for video.)

The day before yesterday I did two laps 2.88 miles in 30 minutes and 4 seconds. The Pace Calculator says that’s a 5.75 miles per hour pace. I was breathing hard doing that pace. I still think I don’t have the lung capacity I should have. (volume)

I wanted to try doing 4 laps just for kicks, almost 6 miles and then back off again, but that is on hold. My 8 week training program is at the end, and I will continue doing 2 laps every other day trying to get faster. I am supposed to run a 5K in the last week according to the program, but that’s kind of on hold as well.

I have had piriformis syndrome for several years from my over aggressive walking with leg weights. I got rid of the leg weights and did flossing stretches for a while. The left side pain went away, but the right side pain is still there. I have to walk 4 blocks before it stretches out and temporarily goes away.

I started doing “figure 4” stretches on both legs again, and also the “tennis ball” deep tissue massage a few days ago, and it seems to help. (You lie on the floor and put a tennis ball in the dimple of your butt and roll it around on the area that hurts. (Very aggressive working of the muscle.)

I will do the treadmill today set at 6 miles an hour to see if I can go 30 minutes at 0% grade to work on better stride and breathing. I need to do stretches to see if I can get the right muscles to lengthen, too.

I’ll keep pushing the discouragement aside and keep at it.

I walked the Cheesman Park Running Trail in Capitol Hill Denver, and made a video to give everyone a ground level view. The video covers 1.44 miles in 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The loop starts at 9th Ave. going counter clockwise on the trail, and ends at the same spot. (Click image for video.)
I would love to run this in 2:18. HaHaHa. Yes, Tchaikovsky is annoying, and yes, there are more dogs here than people at times.

I came across two Canon SX50 HS digital cameras in a junk box at work. Customers sometimes donate non-working electronics to use as parts, or to recycle. I was told by the boss that anything I wanted, and could repair I could have. I repaired both and took one home to use.

I had never worked on this model digital camera before, so I searched the internet for information. I found a video on YouTube of a near full disassembly, and repair of this model. Jay Gould made the video, and did an incredibly thorough job.
I am running the camera through its paces, and testing all the still and video functions. So far I have found the glass to be incredibly sharp throughout the zoom range. Canon incorporated its USM focus and image stabilization in this camera, and it works well even hand holding at 50X optical zoom. (See test images)

Video is 1080p and is sharp and clear, with no focus drift. 

It is amazing what you can find in a junk box.

Another first for me this afternoon. I was able to run/jog 3 laps around the outside running trail at Cheesman Park. I felt good that I was able to complete a run of 4.32 miles. I was discouraged that it took me 47 minutes. Glass half full, or maybe half empty. 

One bright spot was getting a thumbs up from an accomplished runner going the opposite direction on the trail. I guess he is surprised I am still at it. I ain’t quitting. I intend to keep a good sense of humor, and push the discouragement aside. 

Pace Calculator

Another first for me today. I was able to jog/run two laps around the Cheesman Park outside running trail without walking. If someone told me a month ago that I would be able to run 2.88 miles, I would have told them they were crazy. It did take me 31 minutes, but it got done. Going up the hill the second time wasn’t easy. I did notice that my legs were not mushy, and I wasn’t gasping for breath. As long as I remember to breath like a runner I should be okay.

This week I begin week 5 of the 8 week program I have been following to become a runner. The run intervals are becoming longer, and the walk intervals are becoming shorter.

Once a week though, I intend to push it to see how far I can go. Will start working on speed, too.

It’s the Size of the Fight in the Dog. (Click image to see fearless cattle dog.)

He made me remove the contents of a box just so he could use it.
Sammy’s story in an earlier post.

I have been following a program for beginning runners on YouTube that a friend recommended. GTN How To Start Running 8 Week Training Plan . I am finishing week 3, and this afternoon was supposed to be a walk with no jogging. I was feeling ambitious and decided to see if all the timed run / walk intervals  are helping me with endurance. Instead of the walk, I jogged one lap on the outside trail at Cheesman Park. At my age of 62, with no prior running experience, jogging 1.44 miles without walking was a first for me.

A few weeks ago I began my journey to become a runner. I have always walked daily to stay fit, but didn’t realize just how different running and walking are. I have to give praise to all the runners. It takes far more fitness, strength, determination, and courage to run.

My first attempt at running, or should I say jogging, or more accurately tripping over my own two feet, was discouraging. I did everything wrong. I began by mixing running in with walking.  I quickly found out that muscles developed for walking are not the same as those used for running. I also found that I didn’t know how to breath like a runner.

I next tried switching to a treadmill. I found that a treadmill is not the same as running on a trail or pavement. The treadmill moves the ground for you, and you don’t have to fight with gravity.

After more discouragement, I asked some runners for advice. I was given some useful information, and some not so useful given my advanced years and lack of any previous running experience.

Finally I was directed to a YouTube channel with a real honest to God start at the beginning approach. I am currently working on week 3 of the program, and I have some achievable targets to shoot for. Actually looking forward to week 4.