New math for old runners.

Factoring polynomials and trinomials.

Combinations and permutations.

Mean, median, mode, range and outliers.

Thanks to My Baby Girl's Algebra homework this year, my math skills have been awakened from a 22 year coma.

Now while I still don't use these skills on  a daily basis (or weekly, yearly, etc...) they have helped me come to the realization that there is a direct correlation between age and the speed at which one falls out of shape.  I believe that this can be explained by a simple mathematical equation.

First let's define the variables...

x = number of days run in a week 

y = years of age

t = average distance ran per day over specified week
r = 20 if you ran outside, 42.5 if you ran on a treadmill
q = volume of lung capacity at rest
a = amount of time since last meal was consumed, number represented by decimal
z = number of days spent on the couch instead of running over specified week

Next we define our algorithm...

(rx)+t^y

q(a*10z)

See??  Simple.

Math can be fun!

3.3 miles, 37:14.

Later.

The great outdoors!

Just like in the great Willie Nelson country song, "On the Road Again", I laced up my Brooks and hit the pavement instead of the treadmill tonight.

It sure seems a heck of a lot warmer earlier in the day , but tonight lacked any heat whatsoever.

I had most of my winter gear on with the exception of my gloves. I'm sure there is a blog post in there somewhere about that smooth move but I just didn't have the material brewing in my head. Must have been because my hands were too cold.

2.16 mi, 23:06 min.

Later.

Breaking Bad...habits.

Ok.

So I admitted to my addiction to the show The Walking Dead last post.  I admitted to firing up the Netflix while on the treadmill and getting caught up with my favorite Zombie-Apocalypse survivors.  Its been a nice change to passing the time while running indoors.

Well before I was addicted to TWD, I was a fan of Heisenberg...

Yeah I know.

Walter White, the blue meth making, cancer battling, drug lord killing, law avoiding, meth empire building Chemistry teacher and his sidekick Jessie were my original Netflix fix.  Before that I'd only watched movies on Netflix, I had not tapped the potential of the commercial-less TV series watching!  I think by the time I started watching Breaking Bad it was already into its second or third season.  By then it had a cult like following.

I did my best to try and catch up with the series so I could follow along on regular programming, but things like a job and my family got in the way of my fun.

...dang freaking responsibilities.

Now before I finally got caught up with season 4 and started into the season 5 (final season) on Netflix, the second half of season 5 had already completed on TV.  I caught a few comments online but for the most part had been able to avoid any BB updates that would've spoiled my watching later on.  Needless to say my hankering for more meth-making drama was high (get it?).  I wound up filling that void with zombies.

So a little over a week ago I got the email...

THE FINAL EPISODES OF BREAKING BAD WERE AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX!!!!!!!!

...sorry about that.  I'm a little ate up with the show.

So what does that have to do with Monday's run?  I'm glad you asked.

So Breaking Bad is about one of my favorite shows, and my bad habit is not running like I should.

...see how I did that?  Kind of a play on words there.  I know creative right?

Anyway, I'm sure I'll incorporate more of my favorite shows in future posts.  Just keeps you coming back for more.

3.52 miles, 42:44.

Later

Poetry in Motion.

Thursday's run written in Anaphora style.

One of these days...

One of these days...my Brooks will feel the pavement again.

One of these days...I'll wear my glow band again.

One of these days...I will don my balaclava again! (still can't pronounce that word even in my head)

One of these days...I'll have to dodge Mr. LePew again.

One of these days...I'll once again scare my neighbors.

One of these days...I will win back the respect of my Aunt Sonya!

One of these days...I will run outside again. But until then my wussy self will watch Netflix on the treadmill!

This post was inspired by one of my favorite poets.

3.5 miles, 43:42.

Later

Nice enough to run outside...

...except I didn't.

So yesterday's weather was beautiful in comparison to the last few weeks.  I thought it would be a great day to lace up my Brooks and hit the pavement!

Well after getting home late, doing bills and taxes, the temp had dropped significantly!  It was quite a bit colder than when I had my original thought at 3:30 in the afternoon.

To the treadmill it is!

2.3 miles, 28.01

Later

Zombie Run

So, how long does it take to run from zombies? Well, apparently a little over 44 minutes.

A couple of months ago I got caught up in the TV series The Walking Dead on AMC.  As you can gather from the title, it's about the impending Zombie Apocalypse!  I've been trying to catch up on it using one of the Internet's most amazing inventions...

Netflix.

Netflix might deserve is own posts one of these days.

Unless you've been under a rock the past few years, you know that zombies have increased in popularity when it comes to entertainment and pop culture. Whether Will Smith battling uber-buff zombies in NY in I Am Legend, or Brad Pitt out running Usain-Bolt-quick Zacks (slang for the undead) all over the world in World War Z, the walking dead have captured the interest of many, including this guy!

...and if you aren't interested in zombies I've probably already lost you. But don't come crying to me for protection or lessons in zombie combat when they reanimate! If I haven't lost you, read on.

Back to The Walking Dead.

This little band of survivors are in a constant fight to stay alive. Up against the never ending zombie herds and other survivors, they spend each episode either searching for a safe haven or just clean water.  Not to mention the near weekly loss of one of their own.  Our at least a very near miss.

So what does this have to do with Thursday's run?

Well, for one thing, I'll be in much better shape and can run from the walkers!

But at this point, in the pre-zombie time, it's given me something to watch while running on the treadmill.  Running outside requires the eyes to be focused on the road ahead (looking for the telltale limp-drag, slack-jawed figure of the enemy).  Treadmill running isn't quite as visually demanding. And while I love listening to music while I run, it doesn't make the wall between the garage doors any easier to stare at. Plus it forces me to stay on for an entire episode!

Only bad thing is that I'm nearly caught up.

Good news is that it's getting warmer.  Odd course that means any Zacks will thaw and reanimate.

Oh well.

3.8 miles, 44:44.

Later.

Long time no see!

Well its been a while since I've seen my old friend the treadmill. Being busy (and sometimes just lazy) has kept me from making time to run.

So to make myself feel better I've listed a few excuses below.

Its been too cold.

The south forty needed plowed.

I had homework.

I was stuck in traffic.

I was preparing myself to watch 100 hours of Winter Olympics!

Ok, maybe not...

Good to get back on track.

4.15 miles, 47:28.

Later.