New shoes and the camera on my Kindle

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It was that time again–to get a new pair of running shoes.  Hooray!  I’ve stuck with ASICS the past 3-or-so years, because they’ve done well for me.   And yesterday was ASICS day at our locally-owned running store.  ASICS were 20% off.  So, I got a new pair of turquoise Gel Cumulus shoes.

Tonight I was messing around with my Kindle Fire HD and realized there was what looked like a little camera on the lower edge of the frame.  So I went in search of the camera function.  One would think I could just search through the apps until I found one called ‘Camera’.  Not so.  But I did learn that there are two camera apps on the device.  One of the apps is just a little button in the corner of the Photo app window.  The other camera app can’t even be located on the device unless you first download a file explorer app.  But thanks to this video:

and this one:

I located both apps and figured out how to use them.

So then, I took the Kindle on a mile run/walk, in which I begin breaking in my new shoes.  I had intended to listen to a book, but instead got caught up in experimenting with the two camera apps.  The camera is front-facing, such as for video Skype and selfies–neither of which I do.

But I did take this new-shoe-selfie!

(I’m not that tan; it just looks that way because it’s getting dark outside.)

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And then I had fun trying to aim and shoot some sunset scenes.  Not easy.  The camera itself is low resolution.  Only the hidden camera app had zoom and adjustable settings for lighting and subject matter.  That app also has a video option.  The camera within the Photo app appears to be totally non-adjustable.

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The book that I did not listen to, is True Sisters, by Sandra Dallas.  I’m not very far into the book yet, but so far it is a rather dark story about Mormon women who made the trek with their husbands and families to Utah in the 1850s.  Much of the journey was accomplished without horses or oxen.  Instead, they pushed their belongings in hand carts.  One of the couples in the story first made the voyage from Liverpool, England to the US, to then make the journey across the US.  I’ve loved every book I’ve ever read by Sandra Dallas, and I expect this one to be no different.  But the story has me bracing for a lot of heartache that appears to be looming ahead for these hard-working, loyal wives and mothers.

Janathon, day 23

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Well, I broke my Juneathon streak this weekend.  I had an excellent streak going…for me, anyway.  But the blisters on the bottom of my foot, and a sore back caused by the heavy lifting while camping, caught up with me.  I felt it was best to do nothing for a couple of days.  I think it did help.  I did 15 minutes of yoga stretches this morning, and my mile run loop, and everything felt normal again.

This weekend is our every-other-year quilt show.  Eight-hundred-plus gorgeous quilts made by our local quilters.

Juneathon, day 20–in which a beloved place from my early running years is lost

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According to this article, Kansas University will start next week removing the track from its Memorial Stadium, and leave the stadium dedicated solely to football.  So many track and field greats spent their college years on that track. As a youngster, I was privileged to run on the track for practice and in track meets.  And, I religiously watched the Kansas Relays there each year.  I remember when they converted the track from cinder to the pink artificial surface.  Talk about wonderful, inspiring memories.  Here are a few of the greats who ran on the track.

Glenn Cunningham

Wes Santee (video not at KU) 

Billy Mills 

Jim Ryun (setting a national collegiate record on the track, in the “Glenn Cunningham Mile” event.) 

A recent highlight video from the KU Relays

Yes, they’ve built a replacement track and field facility.  But this really hurts.

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Juneathon, day 18–in which I try to catch up on my sleep

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I’m doing my level best to get back in the work groove, and get all of the camping equipment cleaned and stowed away, and laundry done.  Tonight I returned the rental car and intentionally walked back rather than taking transit, in order to get my daily fitness fix.  It was a 3-mile walk.  Foot injury didn’t seem too bothered by it, which is a good sign that I’ll be back to running soon.

Rather than show photos of laundry or a hideous cluster of foot blisters, here are some more scenes from the Roo Run 5k this weekend.

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Yes, he is aware of the $100 fine for wearing a fuel belt in a 5k, hehe.  But I’m advocating a rule exception for people who spent the night before having a really good time and then making it to the 5k start with almost no sleep.

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And now I’m going to bed ridiculously early.

Juneathon, day 17…and there’s no place like home

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After five days, four nights and 1600 driving miles, I’m home from the Bonnaroo Music Festival.  Confession:  I set up my daily posts from Bonnaroo before I left, with the hope that I would be able to embellish them from the festival.  Turns out it was a good thing I set them up, because I had virtually no internet connectivity from the festival; no way to set up and publish a post.  Luckily I could make simple edits to what I’d already set up, but that is all. Physical activity was a constant at the festival.  We walked sooo much.

The Roo Run 5k on Saturday morning was a blast.  There was a costume competition, which brought out the best in running costumes. SAM_6024w--marked SAM_6028w--marked SAM_6029w--marked

(More photos to come as I get them all sorted.)

Injury report:  The 5k went fine, but I came home from the festival with a tender, swollen metatarsal pad on the bottom of my right foot, with blisters to compound the condition.  The cause was too much walking in flip-flops.  I had my running shoes and cross trainers with me on the trip, but opted for light and airy over comfort and support.  Shame on me.  It hurts to walk, run and stand.

Today’s activity was yoga, to strengthen my back and straighten out my posture after all of the lifting, and primitive sitting and sleeping conditions.  I also opted for yoga rather than even an easy mile, to make sure I won’t damage my foot further by attempting a run or walk too soon.  We’ll see how things feel tomorrow.

Juneathon, day 15

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Today’s er, fitness activity consisted of lots and lots of walking around the festival. Tonight after the last concert, we will start breaking down the campsite to make less to do in the morning before we leave.