A smoking runner

We have a new running event.  It's called, 'The 100M Smoking Dash'.  If you haven't heard of it yet, brace yourself for summer 2024 at the next Olympics.  They have scheduled it for right after the 4 x 100M Relay and it's meant to close out the Track and Field events.  I can't wait!

The 100M sprint is an anaerobic event.  Aerobic efficiency is not as important as power.  The Sprinters transition to the Smoking Dash without stress.  And they don't have to change their diet or training program...they only have to add smoking for the duration of the event, around 10 seconds.

The tricky part are the Smoking Dash rules.  Runners must get into the starter blocks with their cigarette already lit.  They have to keep it firmly in their mouths from the crack of the starter's pistol until they hit the finish line.  They cannot touch the cigarette with any body parts and the cigarette must be lit when they cross the finish line.  If the cigarette falls out while they are sprinting, they are automatically disqualified.  After the race the race judge will measure the remaining cigarette to ensure that more than 50% remains.  If not, again, immediate disqualification.

Another unique of the Smoking Dash is that there will be sponsors.  The sprinters will wear the colours of the companies that manufacture the cigarettes they smoke while competing.  They will also have to smoke their sponsor's cigarettes at the medal ceremony.  

The Smoking Dash is going to make for great television!

In case you haven't figured it out yet, this is all a fabrication.  It was triggered when I saw a gentleman running to catch a bus last week with a cigarette dangling from his lips.  I've never smoked. It's not a habit I learned to love.  I've never experienced nicotine addition...or withdrawal. I'm a long-time runner and need maximum oxygen efficiency to run comfortably.  Thus...I don't smoke.   

But this guy...he had form.  He made the 25 metres to the bus look effortless.  I had to give him props!

No, there is no smoking running event.  But I bet it would be a hit!

Until next time...

Top 10 list of 'What were they thinking?'

What were they thinking?  Here are my top 10 list of things this week:

1. Business name, 'Steel Born'.  Seriously? (If I have to explain it...)
2. Bullet hole decals on a car.  Should I be worried or am I not in on the joke?
3. '2 for $6' pricing in grocery stores.  I just need 1!
4. Still in the grocery store:  Fresh chicken prices less than the cost of the fully cooked rotisserie chicken.  Explain.
5. 'Chef-inspired kitchens'.  So my kitchen won't work for a chef?
6. This sign on a to-be-developed apartment building complex:  'Exciting designs'. Huh...?
7. Artificial Intelligence: If it's intelligent it's not artificial.
8. The 'TV Screen' in a Tesla.  It's bigger than my laptop screen...how is this OK?
9. Electric scooters.  Particularly electric scooter riders who think they are vehicles and ride down the centre of the road. One 'tap' and it's lights out for the scooter rider.
10. Ear buds.  On the subway, on the sidewalks, in shopping malls.  This is one way to cull the herd...you'll never hear it coming!

Until next time...

On the drive to Mill Run

I'd forgotten how much I love to drive.  On the drive to Mill Run, Pennsylvania  to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright house, Fallingwater, I rekindled the love affair.  

The drive begins on the butchered QEW through Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington before opening up a bit on the leg from Hamilton through to Fort Erie.  Once into the US things don't improve on the 190 through downtown Buffalo before it veers west to pick up I90.  At this point I wasn't feeling the love of driving yet...concrete highways are nice to look at, terrible to drive on.  There's a harshness to the ride.  On the up side:  The speed limit on I90 is 65 MPH.  With the cruise control set at a comfortable 70 MPH, the miles flew by.

Imagine my https://fallingwater.org/ when I turned south toward Pittsburg on the I79 and met true blacktop interstate roads!  With stunning vistas to go along with the winding two-lane, it was simply awesome.  And to top it off:  70 MPG speed limit.  Ahhh...I set the cruise at 75 MPH, turned up the stereo and 'enjoyed the drive'.  American's know how to build and maintain roads...at least those who live in Pennsylvania on that stretch of highway do!

Some observations of drivers I encountered:

• Americans know how to drive really well!  Pass on the left, cruise on the right.  I did not encounter a single left lane bandit on the drive down or back!
• All drivers I encountered left space in front of and behind each other.  No crowding.
• Kudos to the lady in the Lexus with the roof open, windows down who passed me at around 85 MPH while holding her smartphone and texting.  Pretty awesome display of multi-tasking (I slowed down to get as much space between our vehicles)
• The guy in the ancient clapped out Nissan Maxima who blasted by at around 100 MPH when I was already doing 75 MPH.  I never saw him again...perhaps he was late for lunch!
• To the two drivers in massive duelie pickup trucks who passed me doing over 80 MPH.  Black trucks virtually identical.  Perhaps they were twins...

I'm itching to get back on the road. I have a plan to visit all the Frank Lloyd Wright historic buildings in North America.  That's a pretty good excuse for heading back out on the road.

Until next time...

Ear buds are killing us!

Ear buds are killing us and I don't mean from the electro waves running through our brains.  They are killing us because we have become dumb and dumber when using them in public.  Here are some examples:

1. Cyclists who wear ear buds while riding on public roads with traffic.  A cyclist is vulnerable to vehicles.  A cyclist who can't hear what's going on around him in traffic increases the odds of a collision.  The vehicle may be damaged but the cyclist will come out worse.
2. Runners who wear earbuds.  These runners are slightly better able to evade traffic especially if they run facing traffic and stay on sidewalks.  Here's the added risk:  Runners are already 'in the zone' while running.  Listening to music adds to the noise and reduces their awareness of what's going on around them.
3. Drivers who wear headphones while driving.  This one is truly stupid.  Playing loud music in the vehicle is already a distraction but you can hear some outside noise.  Increasing the isolation with headphones on...mind blowing!
4. Subway commuters!  It seems everyone wears earbuds on the subway.  That was my observation last Friday.  It isolates you from the potentially dangerous situations that develop quickly.  Especially on the platform as the train approaches and inside the often packed train car.  Sorry, that tune or podcast can wait...I'd rather be safe. 

Distracted and isolated...that leads to slower reaction times.  Approximately 4 seconds slower if you believe this article:  Time to ditch the headphones.

Here's an idea:  The next time you see a cyclist/runner/driver/subway commuter wearing earbuds or headphones, yell at them to stop!  

Until next time...