Sunday, July 13, 2008

Math in the runner's dimension


I realized something Saturday on my long run. Once you pass the 16 mile mark, you enter another dimension and all laws of mathematics go out the window. For example, in our everyday dimension, 18 miles is simply 2 miles more than 16. Not so in the runner's dimension. Therefore, I came up with an equation for how mathematics rules apply in the runner's dimension:

dLSD= d0 + ะต(d>16)

where dLSD is the distance of a long slow distance run
and d0 is the distance of the run up to 16 miles
and e is the Euler's constant which is approx equal to 2.7182
and d>16 is the distance your run is greater than 16

for example, an 18 mile run is actually 23.38 miles.
A 20 mile run is actually 70.59 miles.
A marathon? 22,052 miles.

Things are suddenly so much clearer.

20 comments:

  1. That would explain so many things about the end of my long runs!

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  2. LOL. Eureka!! You are the Einstein of running.

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  3. You're right, that is a lot clearer... I'm diggin' on the equation!

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  4. That was way too much math for a Monday, actually that was way too much math for me on anyday.

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  5. Nice, now I have some new math to confuse my chemistry and physics students with in future lessons.

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  6. I bet you were good at Calculus weren't you?

    Fortunately, you are so zombiefied you barely notice the extra 22,000 miles go by.

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  7. Oh no, now I'm nervous about my 18 miler on Saturday!

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  8. Wow. That just helped me decide to hold off on a marathon. Possibly forever.

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  9. What if I wanted a mathematical proof for your formula...

    Mull that one over on your next run!

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  10. Oh man am I in trouble, right up to my middle!

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  11. Love the formula as a math teacher and runner. hahah and the mentality behind it too. very nice!

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  12. This will explain everything! lol. Thanks.

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  13. Sorry just found this great post and had to post here to say how very accurate your mathematics are!! Perfect!!

    M

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  14. I agree that 16 miles is the "tipping point" between a normal run and long run. However, using Euler's constant results in a distance of about 2 quadrillion miles for a 50 mile run. As much as I respect the ultra runner community, 2 quadrillion seems to be an overstatement! I also think there needs to be variables for temperature, wind, hills, and people with whom you run. I love the concept of applying math to running though! Thanks.

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  15. I agree that 16 miles is the "tipping point" between a normal run and long run. However, using Euler's constant results in a distance of about 2 quadrillion miles for a 50 mile run. As much as I respect the ultra runner community, 2 quadrillion seems to be an overstatement! I also think there needs to be variables for temperature, wind, hills, and people with whom you run. I love the concept of applying math to running though! Thanks.

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  16. Wow. That just helped me decide to hold off on a marathon. Possibly forever.

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