iPods don't like washers and dryers!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Marc on the National Anthem
Whether or not Chicago fans are the greatest fans is questionable, but in regards to the National Anthem, this is copied directly from my Facebook page, posted at 10:43pm on 16 January:
Marc Baldwin
Marc Baldwin
Blackhawks singer leads Bears fans in rousing national anthem
sports.yahoo.com
Comprehensive National Football League news, scores, standings, fantasy games, rumors, and more
sports.yahoo.com
Comprehensive National Football League news, scores, standings, fantasy games, rumors, and more
The best fans in sports
Who has the best fans in the country? That is a difficult question for college sports because there are so many great venues. But for pro sports I can argue that Chicago has the best sports fans in the country. How could you not like the fans who support a team whose futile championship efforts are legendary (Cubs)?
And so, with this claim I give you a great article and video clip to watch. It is important to note that the exuberance of the crowd during the national anthem is not a sign of disrespect but just the opposite. That’s another issue for debate and although I wouldn’t do it, I’m also not offended by it because I don’t think the cheering is out of disrespect for the national anthem. I’ll be eager to see what Mr. Military has to say about national anthem protocol.
In any case, I’m becoming more interested in being a Bears/Blackhawks/Bulls/Cubs/White Sox fan every day!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Marc on Muscle Confusion
My muscles are confused every time I use them for something other than walking to my car!
Fitness, like anything else in America, is all about crazes… jazzercise, step aerobics, fitness bootcamp, P90X, buns of steel, spin classes, kettle bells, etc. I'm sure you can think of a few more. Here on the base at Fort Meade the "hippest" workout craze is Crossfit, and if your really into fitness, then you go to the Crossfit gym. Yes, they have their own gym, and it looks as rugged as the barn where Rocky trained for his fight in the Soviet Union. I think that if you are a male, you're not allowed to wear a shirt, and if you're a female, you can only wear spandex shorts and a sports bra. If you check out their website, you'll see the Crossfit slogan that doesn't even make sense to me: Forging Elite Fitness. What the hell does that mean?
I don't have much of a problem with fitness crazes, because if it motivates someone to get healthier, that's a good thing. What I DON'T like, is when the people wrapped up in whatever the current craze happens to be turn into disciples trying to make converts by telling everyone unless you're doing it their way you're wasting your time. That's when I get irritated.
Muscle confusion is just another in the long line of fitness crazes. It's a fancy way of saying, "vary your workouts". Muscle confusion sounds a lot cooler though.
A couple of years ago in Texas I was running a lot during the workouts we would do with the new Chief selectees. The runs were usually around 3 miles, but at a fairly slow pace. When you run in formation, you have to have road guards block traffic at intersections while the formation passes through. The road guards sprint ahead of the formation, jog in place while stopping traffic until the formation passes, and then sprint to catch up, then to the next intersection, etc. I always volunteered for road guard duty. I didn't know it was happening, but my running that fall was stronger than it's ever been in my life. Everyone told me it was because of the sprints, which I had never put much stock in before. "They" say that you shouldn't just go run three miles every day at a steady pace, but that you should do sprints sometimes. I think it would qualify as muscle confusion, and I must admit that it worked.
I think more importantly, changing things up keeps you from getting bored out of your mind. I read an article once about a guy who ran the same route from his house every day for like 28 years. I can't imagine that. I would get pretty tired of it. But in the end, everybody is different, so everybody needs to find what works for them. Joe Kurmaskie might need to ride his bike across Canada to push himself, but someone else might find incredible accomplishment in making it from Oelwein to Fairbank.
Lucky for me, since I'm so inconsistent at any kind of exercise, my muscles will always be confused!
Fitness, like anything else in America, is all about crazes… jazzercise, step aerobics, fitness bootcamp, P90X, buns of steel, spin classes, kettle bells, etc. I'm sure you can think of a few more. Here on the base at Fort Meade the "hippest" workout craze is Crossfit, and if your really into fitness, then you go to the Crossfit gym. Yes, they have their own gym, and it looks as rugged as the barn where Rocky trained for his fight in the Soviet Union. I think that if you are a male, you're not allowed to wear a shirt, and if you're a female, you can only wear spandex shorts and a sports bra. If you check out their website, you'll see the Crossfit slogan that doesn't even make sense to me: Forging Elite Fitness. What the hell does that mean?
I don't have much of a problem with fitness crazes, because if it motivates someone to get healthier, that's a good thing. What I DON'T like, is when the people wrapped up in whatever the current craze happens to be turn into disciples trying to make converts by telling everyone unless you're doing it their way you're wasting your time. That's when I get irritated.
Muscle confusion is just another in the long line of fitness crazes. It's a fancy way of saying, "vary your workouts". Muscle confusion sounds a lot cooler though.
A couple of years ago in Texas I was running a lot during the workouts we would do with the new Chief selectees. The runs were usually around 3 miles, but at a fairly slow pace. When you run in formation, you have to have road guards block traffic at intersections while the formation passes through. The road guards sprint ahead of the formation, jog in place while stopping traffic until the formation passes, and then sprint to catch up, then to the next intersection, etc. I always volunteered for road guard duty. I didn't know it was happening, but my running that fall was stronger than it's ever been in my life. Everyone told me it was because of the sprints, which I had never put much stock in before. "They" say that you shouldn't just go run three miles every day at a steady pace, but that you should do sprints sometimes. I think it would qualify as muscle confusion, and I must admit that it worked.
I think more importantly, changing things up keeps you from getting bored out of your mind. I read an article once about a guy who ran the same route from his house every day for like 28 years. I can't imagine that. I would get pretty tired of it. But in the end, everybody is different, so everybody needs to find what works for them. Joe Kurmaskie might need to ride his bike across Canada to push himself, but someone else might find incredible accomplishment in making it from Oelwein to Fairbank.
Lucky for me, since I'm so inconsistent at any kind of exercise, my muscles will always be confused!
Muscle Confusion on a different level
So does muscle confusion really work? The article I've attached (did I do it right?) suggests there is "no shortcut to success" and that view is very hard to argue. Because if there was a shortcut to success, everyone would be taking it right?
So, at Brad's prompting the three of us brothers have engaged in a little fitness challenge. Nothing crazy, just some good old fashioned exercise regimen. I'm really pleased with the motivation it has given me ... so far. Still a long way to go to feeling (and wanting) to work out on a regular basis. But one interesting element of exercise is how much it has changed, and yet, how much it has stayed the same.
Every imaginable (and some imaginable) piece of exercise equipment exists today. You have bikes, treadmills, row machines, weight machines, ellipticals and every possible alteration and combination of the above. You have various prescribed suggestions for maximizing workout results with minimal time spent. Is there no end to trying to find that perfect way of staying in shape, looking good, and doing so with minimal effort?
Muscle confusion seems to be the latest fad. Is it for real? It certainly helps keep you from being bored in your workout routine, but does it do anything more than that? Depending on what non-credible source you read, probably not. To take the concept to an extreme and to test the theories validity, I'm proposing muscle confusion for one of my most utilized muscles - my stomach! I've been putting it through muscle confusion for the better part of 4 decades! Donuts one day and football shaped Oreo cookies the next. Then to mix it up lets throw an hot fudge and caramel ice cream sundae at it followed by hot tamales. Yeah, that should shake it up! But seriously,
I'm curious what my brothers (and the other readers of the blog) have to say about muscle confusion. I'm mixing up my workouts mostly to vary my routine and feel like I'm getting a full body workout. And mixing up cardio, lifting, legs and arms workouts has been enjoyable - as enjoyable as working out can be. I'm pleased to have kept pace with our little fitness challenge and I hope I can sustain it through and beyond the month of January.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Football Oreos? Girl, please!
I had an incredibly productive day today for a Saturday (oil change, washed the truck, haircut, took down outdoor Christmas lights, etc.).
After coming home from the movies at 10:15pm, I was faced with a decision knowing that I already took an off-day this week and had not worked out yet today. So what did I do?
Well, at 10:30pm I sat down in front of the TV and ate nearly an entire piece of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and finished it off with two glasses of milk.
Now here I sit watching football and typing on a computer. I guess I'm down $2!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Dumb things we do...part 3
Last night I was in the office late with 2 guys working on installation of our sound management ("white noise") system. That isn't the dumb part. The dumb part is my dinner (in order consumed):
1 english muffin with cream cheese
2 gulps of orange juice
1 large mocha (made by barista Brad Baldwin himself)
2 Shinerbock beers
10-12 Oreo football shape cookies
Large quantity of life savers
Dinner of champions!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Fake Photography
Not sure that I have anything profound to say about this subject, but it is something that I am interested in tracking in the next 15-20 years.
We all spend time on the internet, and we've all seen digitally "doctored" photos (such as the Bush photo you see here with this posting). So my question is this: In 20, 30, or 100 years, how will we even know what is real? How will we know if a picture is a representation of reality at that time, or if it has been modified, and therefore a misrepresentation? A notable example that I can remember was the totally fake photograph that was supposedly developed from a camera found in the World Trade Center rubble. Nike ran a "What if?" commercial in 2005 that showed footage of famous athletes playing in different sports (i.e. Lance Armstrong in the ring boxing and Andre Agassi playing for the Red Sox). In 100 years, will anyone realize that it's not real?
Anybody can do it these days. Heck, even "tech dummy" Brad was able to put me side-by-side with Mel Gibson, right? Not too many years ago it would have taken someone considerably skilled to do it, but not anymore. Whereas professional photographers were able to modify our senior pictures a little bit to cover up our zits, there was no way any of us would have been able to do that on our own. But now it's so easy that digital photo software companies actually use that line of thinking as an advertising tool (i.e. make the perfect family Christmas photo by blending photos together). In fact that reminds me that the picture that we put in our Christmas card this year was modified. I had a fever blister on my lip so Jennifer "fixed" my lip. I've always complained about Brad screwing up the barn door photo. If we had a digital copy of it we could just fix it to look like Ed and me (doing it the right way). Haha!
We've all heard the saying, "seeing is believing", but this digital photo thing changes the whole game. How do we know that the pictures we see in the news have not been doctored? How do we know that the government, for example, doesn't doctor photographs for trial evidence or a host of other things? What if the pictures of Soviet nuclear missile sites in Cuba weren't real photos? What if the Zapruder film was doctored to hide the second shooter? Okay, that's a movie clip, but we all know what they can do with digital effects in movies these days. It scares me a little bit to see how people will try to modify history with altered digital photographs/movies in the future. History has the potential to get pretty foggy.
I did a cursory search on the task of authenticating digital photographs and it does appear to be an issue (already) in the criminal justice system. Just like all evidence, there must be some chain of custody, some way of demonstrating to a jury that photos are REAL photos, and not modified photos. I would assume that in the next couple of decades, the forensic examination and authentication of all types of digital media (not just photographs) is going to become a HUGE industry.
The bottom line is that I am totally suspicious of any photographs that get emailed to me that are billed as "amazing photos". I know that you guys think I'm a regular Mel Gibson conspiracy guy, but I'm vary wary of that kind of thing these days. Who knows who "created" those amazing shots.
I should just end it there, but I'm going to make a quick tie into my last post about the cult of the amateur. Is it just me or is everybody in the world suddenly a "professional photographer"? It doesn't take any training apparently, just an investment of about $2K for a nice camera and some high-end photo-editing software. I personally know a friend of ours that was a grade school teacher but now runs what appears to be a very successful photography (family/kid pics) business. She hasn't had a single class in photography.
Interestingly enough, she says that taking the pictures is the easiest and least consuming part of the job. It's all the editing (I think Dad would prefer "doctoring") the takes so much time.
So how much of your personal photo collection is doctored?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Negotiation - "B3AW" Style
WARNING: THIS IS AN EXTREMELY LONG POST! So B3AW successfully negotiated a workout challenge for January. Below is the email negotiation from 12/30 - 1/1 to make it a reality. Enjoy!
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
Sent: Thu, December 30, 2010 11:36:13 AM
Subject: The goal is pain
Marc & Ed,
I’m going to start with the punch line…I’m a fata$$ and I’m pissed about it. I haven’t worked out in 2.5 months, have gained over 10 pounds and have no good excuse for letting it happen. Obviously I need a little motivation and I want to see if you are interested and want some motivation as well. Here’s the game…
30 in 30 for B3aW
The goal is to do 30 minutes in 30 days of something exercise related (pain of actually exerting oneself) in January. The definition is a loose one so could be running, bike trainer, but could also be shoveling or stacking wood. Do whatever you want that gets you a little lathered up. Since there are 31 days in January you get one “free” day. Time doesn’t roll over from one day to the next so if you do 1 hour one day you don’t get the next day off. The goal is getting off the couch and out of the office chair every single day and doing something.
You get a point for each day you get it done, 0 points for each day you don’t. At the end of the month we compare scores. $1 dollar is owed for each point you are lower than your competition (pain of losing). So if Ed gets 26 points and I get 18, I owe Ed $8.
Payment is required in crisp one dollar bills mailed with a 1 page handwritten single space letter thanking your competitor for taking your money (who here actually writes? that’s pain). If payment is not received by February 15th, the payment requirement is doubled (pain X2).
The person with the lowest total of the three of us has to blog sometime February 1st – 10th about why they lost and why they suck (pain of having to explain your own failure). Failure to do so timely will open the door for the other two to take that liberty for you (probably more pain than doing yourself). Since the goal is us actually doing it and not failing, the blog shame will only take place if the lowest score is below 25.
I have attached a very complicated tracking document, if you need help understanding it let me know. Of course this is self reporting so if you cheat nobody will know. The only downside is you will only have to lay your head on the pillow each night for the rest of eternity knowing that you cheated to avoid paying a family member $1 (pain fo’ sho’).
SO WHO IS IN?????????????
-----------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
I'm in, because I'm so fat that typing on Facebook is enough to get me lathered up these days so I shouldn't have any problem getting in 30 minutes a day.
What happens if we end the month 30/30/30?
-----------------
From: Ed
To: Brad, Marc
Marc, Brad,
I'm ready to kick off this thing but wanted to offer some proposed amendments to said competition.
I would propose that a total of seven points be awarded each week (one half point for each day) and that one accumulates points on a weekly basis with carryover counting for that week only. Each of us can work out daily, or as little as 3 times weekly to accumulate the necessary 3 1/2 hours of workout time each week. No carryover would be allowed beyond each week.
So, if I worked out 3 times for 3 hours I would receive six points for the week. Marc works out 5 times in a week for a total of 6 hours so would receive the maximum 7 points. Brad works out only 2 times for a total of 7 hours so would receive no points for that week (penalty for not working out at least 3 times each week).
Got it? I just want to be able to go to the gym 3-5 times per week rather than have to work out every day for at least one half hour. If you two are agreeable, we start the proposed on January 1.
Great idea Brad. Thanks to both of you yahoos since you both know that sibling rivalry is one of the best motivators any of us could ask for ... well, at least me!
P.S. Brad is calling himself a fat ass and weighs 182 pounds. I haven't weighed that amount since I was in college! Me? Yeah, I stepped on to Mom and Dad's scale and it read 210! Yeah, 210! Lets hope that Mom and Dad scale is shotty!!!
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
So if your goal is to work out at the gym, why do you have a treadmill and a bike trainer in your basement? Perhaps you could sell those to pay your debt to me when I win the competition?
Define week? M-Sun, Sun-Sat? What do we do with the odd days like 1/1 and 1/2, and 1/31 if you choose a M-Sun week? I don’t see a revised tracking form?
I’m in on this deal, but I think the point system is unclear.
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
3.5 miles in 32 minutes outside with Scout. Getting a headstart on competition in January!
-----------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
Show off.
You two OCHS advanced math geniuses figure out the details on the scoring. Ed, you lost me when you said 7 points a week (1/2 point per day). I realize I took the minimum amount of required math to graduate from high school in the state of Iowa, but that's Al Gore math.
The question is whether or not the goal is to work out for 3.5 hours per week or to work out every day. I'm fine either way.
Although I didn't manage to do any exercise today, I did some prep work. I'm the proud owner of some windproof/waterproof foot booties and a skull cap. Although I'm enjoying the trainer, I don't intend to spend the entire winter riding inside. Tomorrow is day one, and I will be riding in the glorious 45 degree weather.
-----------------
From: Ed
To: Marc, Brad
Ok you yahoos, my proposed amendments are very easy. Even a skater boy from OCHS should be able to figure it out. Work out 3.5 hours per week and spread that workout time over at least three days. Failure to meet these requirements and you get no points for that week. You get a maximum of 7 points a week (1 point for each 1/2 hour of work out) got it?
I've attached a suggested modification of the infamous spreadsheet, color coded for each week (or partial week) and in appropriate black and gold colors in honor of the Hawk win.
I worked out today (1/2 hour of elliptical, 1 hour of lifting) and weighed myself officially at 206 pounds! That's a heavyweight right? Starting tomorrow I'll be on the bike trainer, and also be spending time in the gym working out as my kids need to be dropped off and picked up there regularly.
See you sucka's on the other side of January as a LIGHT heavyweight! GAME ON!
-----------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
I had an epileptic seizure after looking at your spreadsheet for five seconds. I'll keep my own; it looks like this:
1 Y 35
2
3
4
etc
You two rocket scientists are sucking my will to live. I rode the trainer tonight since I didn't make it out again today. I'll make it out tomorrow if it kills me!
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
Oh Marc I feel terrible for you, it was 10 degrees with 30 mph winds and I went for a 3.5 mile trail run on the ice and snow. Hope you didn’t strain yourself in that chilly 68 degree weather on your trainer.
Glad to see Ed’s getting out of his comfort zone. An hour of lifting probably means kegs of Heineken in which case Marc you should plan on a call in about 3 hours.
So everyone is 1-1. We’ll see how we’re doing about the 12th of the month.
-----------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
Brad, too bad you didn't work in 14 more point columns into the spreadsheet that calculate wind speed, temperature, humidity, trail condition, elevation, fabric choice, and shoe color. That way you could have earned extra points for doing things that are as difficult as possible (like wearing heavy cotton clothes, instead of moisture-wicking). Oh, and time of day, because if you do it at 0430 that's even better! After all, it fits in perfectly with today's fitness trends: the more painful, weird, or awkward it is, it must be better for you, right?
Ed, just a word of advice: quit watching Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone movies. If you "bulk up" you're actually going to gain weight, and make your cardio even more difficult. Reverse your numbers. Do an hour of cardio and a half hour of lifting with minimal breaks (so that you keep your heart rate up).
I need to get a scale. I know I'm at around 200 right now...
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
Thanks for pointing that out Marc. Considering the Greg Luganis difficulty scale I have a correction: I’ve got 137 points so far! And take it easy on Ed. You know the chicks at the YMCA dig it when a middle age guy bounces the bench bar on his chest like he’s convulsing so that the dimes on each side rattle on the bar. If that doesn’t get Ed in a lather I don’t know what will!
I’m thinking about doing my run on my hands and blindfolded today to increase the difficulty. What do you guys think?
-----------------
From: Ed
To: Marc, Brad
Marc,
Once you've recovered from your epileptic seizure that was more likely a sugar rush from those eight Krispy Kreme donuts you ate, I have just a few remaining questions related to your proposed v3 spreadsheet. I do so in the spirit of Brad's desire for me to adjust the spreadsheet, see reference and footnote email 1.29.2010.34.206.21. Please respond in proper format to each of these direct questions:
• Your spreadsheet only goes through day four, what then?
• I'm assuming the Y is for Yes?
• What does etc stand for?
• What happens if you have one workout that bridges between days?
• How do the points add up?
• Does your week start on Thursday, Saturday, or the prior Tuesday before last weeks election?
• What if you wear cotton and Brad wears wicking and I wear a cotton/poly blend?
• What if you work out at 2,000 feet of elevation, Brad works out at 1,500, and I work at 500? Does that mean you get more points and what is the formula?
-----------------
From: Ed
To: Marc, Brad
Dimes, are you kidding? Dimes and nickels baby, dimes and nickels. More coins on that bar than in the US mint! And I'm sporting my Hawkeye gear so that they know I'm not a Tiger chump. Who are you two to be questioning my exercise credentials ... I'm already down to 205 and 7/8 pounds.
Kickin' it in KC,
------------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
I just got back from a one hour MTB ride which I will hereafter refer to as Slogfest 2011. It was so muddy that it was more akin to sledding: I had to basically walk up hill all the time (even a 3% incline was too slippery to maintain speed) and I had little or no steering control going downhill (I just tried to stay on top of the bike and avoid slamming into trees). But all in all, it was a hell of a workout since even on the flats it was like riding three times the distance (spin spin spin), kind of like running in deep sand. There was so much mud on my bike when I got home that after I hosed it off in the driveway it looked like I had a load of dirt delivered to the house. The good news is that I had dry feet when I got home and I was nice and toasty.
That's two points for me fellas.
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
Sent: Thu, December 30, 2010 11:36:13 AM
Subject: The goal is pain
Marc & Ed,
I’m going to start with the punch line…I’m a fata$$ and I’m pissed about it. I haven’t worked out in 2.5 months, have gained over 10 pounds and have no good excuse for letting it happen. Obviously I need a little motivation and I want to see if you are interested and want some motivation as well. Here’s the game…
30 in 30 for B3aW
The goal is to do 30 minutes in 30 days of something exercise related (pain of actually exerting oneself) in January. The definition is a loose one so could be running, bike trainer, but could also be shoveling or stacking wood. Do whatever you want that gets you a little lathered up. Since there are 31 days in January you get one “free” day. Time doesn’t roll over from one day to the next so if you do 1 hour one day you don’t get the next day off. The goal is getting off the couch and out of the office chair every single day and doing something.
You get a point for each day you get it done, 0 points for each day you don’t. At the end of the month we compare scores. $1 dollar is owed for each point you are lower than your competition (pain of losing). So if Ed gets 26 points and I get 18, I owe Ed $8.
Payment is required in crisp one dollar bills mailed with a 1 page handwritten single space letter thanking your competitor for taking your money (who here actually writes? that’s pain). If payment is not received by February 15th, the payment requirement is doubled (pain X2).
The person with the lowest total of the three of us has to blog sometime February 1st – 10th about why they lost and why they suck (pain of having to explain your own failure). Failure to do so timely will open the door for the other two to take that liberty for you (probably more pain than doing yourself). Since the goal is us actually doing it and not failing, the blog shame will only take place if the lowest score is below 25.
I have attached a very complicated tracking document, if you need help understanding it let me know. Of course this is self reporting so if you cheat nobody will know. The only downside is you will only have to lay your head on the pillow each night for the rest of eternity knowing that you cheated to avoid paying a family member $1 (pain fo’ sho’).
SO WHO IS IN?????????????
-----------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
I'm in, because I'm so fat that typing on Facebook is enough to get me lathered up these days so I shouldn't have any problem getting in 30 minutes a day.
What happens if we end the month 30/30/30?
-----------------
From: Ed
To: Brad, Marc
Marc, Brad,
I'm ready to kick off this thing but wanted to offer some proposed amendments to said competition.
I would propose that a total of seven points be awarded each week (one half point for each day) and that one accumulates points on a weekly basis with carryover counting for that week only. Each of us can work out daily, or as little as 3 times weekly to accumulate the necessary 3 1/2 hours of workout time each week. No carryover would be allowed beyond each week.
So, if I worked out 3 times for 3 hours I would receive six points for the week. Marc works out 5 times in a week for a total of 6 hours so would receive the maximum 7 points. Brad works out only 2 times for a total of 7 hours so would receive no points for that week (penalty for not working out at least 3 times each week).
Got it? I just want to be able to go to the gym 3-5 times per week rather than have to work out every day for at least one half hour. If you two are agreeable, we start the proposed on January 1.
Great idea Brad. Thanks to both of you yahoos since you both know that sibling rivalry is one of the best motivators any of us could ask for ... well, at least me!
P.S. Brad is calling himself a fat ass and weighs 182 pounds. I haven't weighed that amount since I was in college! Me? Yeah, I stepped on to Mom and Dad's scale and it read 210! Yeah, 210! Lets hope that Mom and Dad scale is shotty!!!
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
So if your goal is to work out at the gym, why do you have a treadmill and a bike trainer in your basement? Perhaps you could sell those to pay your debt to me when I win the competition?
Define week? M-Sun, Sun-Sat? What do we do with the odd days like 1/1 and 1/2, and 1/31 if you choose a M-Sun week? I don’t see a revised tracking form?
I’m in on this deal, but I think the point system is unclear.
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
3.5 miles in 32 minutes outside with Scout. Getting a headstart on competition in January!
-----------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
Show off.
You two OCHS advanced math geniuses figure out the details on the scoring. Ed, you lost me when you said 7 points a week (1/2 point per day). I realize I took the minimum amount of required math to graduate from high school in the state of Iowa, but that's Al Gore math.
The question is whether or not the goal is to work out for 3.5 hours per week or to work out every day. I'm fine either way.
Although I didn't manage to do any exercise today, I did some prep work. I'm the proud owner of some windproof/waterproof foot booties and a skull cap. Although I'm enjoying the trainer, I don't intend to spend the entire winter riding inside. Tomorrow is day one, and I will be riding in the glorious 45 degree weather.
-----------------
From: Ed
To: Marc, Brad
Ok you yahoos, my proposed amendments are very easy. Even a skater boy from OCHS should be able to figure it out. Work out 3.5 hours per week and spread that workout time over at least three days. Failure to meet these requirements and you get no points for that week. You get a maximum of 7 points a week (1 point for each 1/2 hour of work out) got it?
I've attached a suggested modification of the infamous spreadsheet, color coded for each week (or partial week) and in appropriate black and gold colors in honor of the Hawk win.
I worked out today (1/2 hour of elliptical, 1 hour of lifting) and weighed myself officially at 206 pounds! That's a heavyweight right? Starting tomorrow I'll be on the bike trainer, and also be spending time in the gym working out as my kids need to be dropped off and picked up there regularly.
See you sucka's on the other side of January as a LIGHT heavyweight! GAME ON!
-----------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
I had an epileptic seizure after looking at your spreadsheet for five seconds. I'll keep my own; it looks like this:
1 Y 35
2
3
4
etc
You two rocket scientists are sucking my will to live. I rode the trainer tonight since I didn't make it out again today. I'll make it out tomorrow if it kills me!
-----------------
From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
Oh Marc I feel terrible for you, it was 10 degrees with 30 mph winds and I went for a 3.5 mile trail run on the ice and snow. Hope you didn’t strain yourself in that chilly 68 degree weather on your trainer.
Glad to see Ed’s getting out of his comfort zone. An hour of lifting probably means kegs of Heineken in which case Marc you should plan on a call in about 3 hours.
So everyone is 1-1. We’ll see how we’re doing about the 12th of the month.
-----------------
From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
Brad, too bad you didn't work in 14 more point columns into the spreadsheet that calculate wind speed, temperature, humidity, trail condition, elevation, fabric choice, and shoe color. That way you could have earned extra points for doing things that are as difficult as possible (like wearing heavy cotton clothes, instead of moisture-wicking). Oh, and time of day, because if you do it at 0430 that's even better! After all, it fits in perfectly with today's fitness trends: the more painful, weird, or awkward it is, it must be better for you, right?
Ed, just a word of advice: quit watching Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone movies. If you "bulk up" you're actually going to gain weight, and make your cardio even more difficult. Reverse your numbers. Do an hour of cardio and a half hour of lifting with minimal breaks (so that you keep your heart rate up).
I need to get a scale. I know I'm at around 200 right now...
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From: Brad
To: Ed, Marc
Thanks for pointing that out Marc. Considering the Greg Luganis difficulty scale I have a correction: I’ve got 137 points so far! And take it easy on Ed. You know the chicks at the YMCA dig it when a middle age guy bounces the bench bar on his chest like he’s convulsing so that the dimes on each side rattle on the bar. If that doesn’t get Ed in a lather I don’t know what will!
I’m thinking about doing my run on my hands and blindfolded today to increase the difficulty. What do you guys think?
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From: Ed
To: Marc, Brad
Marc,
Once you've recovered from your epileptic seizure that was more likely a sugar rush from those eight Krispy Kreme donuts you ate, I have just a few remaining questions related to your proposed v3 spreadsheet. I do so in the spirit of Brad's desire for me to adjust the spreadsheet, see reference and footnote email 1.29.2010.34.206.21. Please respond in proper format to each of these direct questions:
• Your spreadsheet only goes through day four, what then?
• I'm assuming the Y is for Yes?
• What does etc stand for?
• What happens if you have one workout that bridges between days?
• How do the points add up?
• Does your week start on Thursday, Saturday, or the prior Tuesday before last weeks election?
• What if you wear cotton and Brad wears wicking and I wear a cotton/poly blend?
• What if you work out at 2,000 feet of elevation, Brad works out at 1,500, and I work at 500? Does that mean you get more points and what is the formula?
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From: Ed
To: Marc, Brad
Dimes, are you kidding? Dimes and nickels baby, dimes and nickels. More coins on that bar than in the US mint! And I'm sporting my Hawkeye gear so that they know I'm not a Tiger chump. Who are you two to be questioning my exercise credentials ... I'm already down to 205 and 7/8 pounds.
Kickin' it in KC,
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From: Marc
To: Ed, Brad
I just got back from a one hour MTB ride which I will hereafter refer to as Slogfest 2011. It was so muddy that it was more akin to sledding: I had to basically walk up hill all the time (even a 3% incline was too slippery to maintain speed) and I had little or no steering control going downhill (I just tried to stay on top of the bike and avoid slamming into trees). But all in all, it was a hell of a workout since even on the flats it was like riding three times the distance (spin spin spin), kind of like running in deep sand. There was so much mud on my bike when I got home that after I hosed it off in the driveway it looked like I had a load of dirt delivered to the house. The good news is that I had dry feet when I got home and I was nice and toasty.
That's two points for me fellas.
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