Kingdom of Loathing January 22, 2008

I love KOL. That’s Kingdom of Loathing to the uninitiated.

Kingdom of Loathing is a brilliant online game you can play for free. It’s turn-based, and your turns-per-day are limited, so it’s pretty hard to lose your *entire* day to KOL (though, I suppose it can be done if you’re a pretty hardcore player). What makes it brilliant? Two things: the writing and the graphics. It’s loaded with pop culture references and the entire KOL world is rendered in static stick-figure form. Everything looks like something I might have drawn on the back of a test paper in the 6th grade – only way, way more awesome.

You start the game by creating character for yourself. You can be a male or female character in one of six classes: Seal Clubber, Turtle Tamer, Pastamancer, Sauceror, Disco Bandit, or Accordian Thief. Once you’ve got a character all set up, you can get started “Adventuring” in the Kingdom. You very quickly garner the attention of the Council of Loathing (the ruling body of the Kingdom, and they start giving you jobs to do – they start small, but build up in scale and importance.

Unlike a lot of online games, you don’t have any kind of direct interaction with other players. You can choose to join (or start)  a “clan” which can have a number of benefits. You can also interact with other players by engaging in PvP (Player vs. Player) action – including toilet papering each others’ camp sites – but only after smashing the “Hippy Stone” to indicate that you’re NOT peaceful and you DO want to fight.

The real appeal of KOL for me is the obsessive-compulsive, collect-the-whole-set mentality that it inspires. If you’re the type of person that finds a sense of satisfaction in putting the last Indiana Jones movie (now you’ve got them ALL!) on the DVD shelf, then this game might well be for you. There are hordes of things to collect – outfits, tattoos, trophies… I’m currently working on collecting all of the second series of tiny plastic figurines.

There’s even a whole economy built up within the game. Only, you don’t use money. There’s no money in KOL. The currency of the land is… meat. Yup, you buy all your stuff in meat. (Meat is valueless outside the game, so you can’t fork out $20 and get a couple million meat or exchange your multi-million meat stash for a couple of real-world bucks. I *have* seen eBay auctions for KOL items, but that’s definitely the exception, I think.)

Anyhow, it’s a load of fun. If you’re interested, check it out at www.kingdomofloathing.com, or the link on my sidebar. Happy Adventuring!

Seven Miles on a Treadmill January 21, 2008

I had a seven mile training run to do this Sunday, and baby, it was COLD outside. I can handle cold to a point, but it was in the mid-20s, I have never gone running in temperatures quite THAT low, and there was a very real threat of ice on the trails I’d be running. The ice was really my biggest concern. See, I’m a bit of a klutz. Klutzy tendencies aren’t helped any by the exhaustion that sets in on a long run, either. So, I opted for the treadmill.

I recently joined a local rec center facility and am loving it. The treadmills there the nicest ones I’ve ever used. Still, it is a gym environment, and gym etiquette insists that you not use equipment for longer than 30 minutes if there are people waiting. (No complaints about that, by the way – that seems fair to me.) There’s no way in bloody blue hell I can run seven miles in 30 minutes… that’d be about a 4 min 20 sec mile. I don’t know if treadmills even go that fast. Doesn’t really matter because if they ever DID go that fast, I’d just be flung off the thing.

Anyhow, the point is that I had to be careful not to hog the treadmill. There’s about a dozen of them at the fitness center, and it wasn’t as busy as it could have been, so I got lucky and didn’t have to give up my treadmill partway through my run.

This was, without a doubt, the longest run I’ve ever done on a treadmill. It was kinda weird, actually, in a nice way. I’m still not a terribly experienced runner. I have trouble pacing myself sometimes. Pacing is not an issue on a treadmill… you set it and forget it. So, I set the thing for 5.0 mph and got down to it.

I am very pleased to report that 5.0 mph isn’t a problem for a seven mile distance. That’s good – my average mile for the half marathon I did was 12 min 12 sec, so if I had trouble keeping a 12 min mile pace up for seven miles, I was going to have it tough. It’s still going to be tough, but it’s definitely encouraging to finish seven miles without too much trouble.

There are definite advantages to doing my distance running on a treadmill. If my knee really starts acting up, I don’t have miles to limp home. If I need more water, I’m not up shit creek because the water fountain is right over there. The people watching can be pretty interesting. The TVs are on, but I don’t even have a portable radio to use to listen to them, so I have to either ignore the shiny colorful shapes or hope it’s something I’ve seen often enough that I know what’s going on (I usually opt to try to ignore the TV).

Still, I’d prefer doing my long runs outside. The half marathon isn’t going to be on a treadmill after all…

Book 3: Heaven’s Mirror by Graham Hancock January 21, 2008

Heaven’s Mirror surprised me. The books is presented almost exactly like a textbook – heavy cover, heavy, glossy pages, laden with intriguing full-color photos…and yet amazingly dry. Sounds just like a textbook, right? Well, this textbook was written to explain the author’s reasoning behind the idea that there was a highly evolved civilization around 10,500 BC. (That’s thousands of years before the ancient Egyptians, by the way.) He believes this civilization is responsible for a number of remarkable archaeological sites around the world, including the Sphinx, the stone heads at Easter Island, the Nazca lines, stunning temples in Cambodia, an underwater city off the coast of Japan, and ruined sites in Mexico and Bolivia. The book explains in tedious detail how the sites are laid out to resemble certain constellations (the temples are supposedly laid out like the constellation Draco, and the pyramids at Giza are laid out to resemble Orion) – but the sites only fit the constellations at about 10,500 BC. He doesn’t go into great detail about how this civilization was lost… he just mentions the commonality of the Great Flood myth throughout cultures around the world and the cataclysm of the end of the last Ice Age. I presume that we are to assume that the ancient civilization was lost when the ice melted and flooded the world…

The premise is sensational. The very idea would force all of the early history of humanity as we know it to be rewritten! That’s not boring or dry, but boy, this book sure is. It’s thick with astronomical terms, definitions, and calculations. (Coincidentally, every time the author started explaining how he arrived at certain astronomically important numbers that were supposedly woven all through each of the sites he examines, he lost me a bit. I felt like it was an awful stretch to say that this temple was built by an ultra-ancient civilization just because you’re able to arrive at the number 72 by multiplying, dividing, adding, and subtracting the measurements of the walls.)

I’ll admit I’m a sucker for the ancient lost civilization theory. I mean, really… how the hell DID the Egyptians get the pyramids built in the amount of time that it seems they did? And the science behind the theory that the Sphinx is WAY older than originally thought does seem pretty convincing (to someone without any significant training in geology, at least). Still, it was a struggle to get through this book. I absolutely understand wanting to present your work in a serious manner when your conclusions are so likely to not be taken seriously at all. Still, the sensationalist in me wants to hear about how exciting it all is rather than JUST about all precession, wobble, and constellations position in the sky at any given time during history.  I won’t say that I won’t ever checking out any of Hancock’s other books – maybe some of the other ones are more sensationalist, and I can use this one as a reference for the work behind the sensation (that would really be ideal) – but I think I’ll lay off his work for a while.

Lab Lit & Book 2: Passage by Connie Willis January 21, 2008

Ever heard of a genre called Lab Lit? I hadn’t either – and I consider myself something of a mild science nerd. Lab Lit is defined as “fiction depict[ing] realistic scientists as central characters and portray[ing] fairly realistic scientific practice or concepts.” Pretty cool, huh?

Check out the official Lab Lit website, www.LabLit.com for more information on this genre and a list of novels, films, plays, and TV shows considered to be Lab Lit. (I’ve also added a link to the side bar. According to the website, more novels, etc will be added to the list, so it might be worth checking out periodically for potential reads.) I was pleasantly surprised by the number of books, movies, and shows (I’m not much for plays) I’ve either already read/seen or are on my list to read/see.

Passage by Connie Willis is on the list of Lab Lit. I was in the middle of the book when I heard about the genre on the Nature podcast (I mentioned that I’m at *least* a mild science nerd, right?) and was tickled to see that I was already reading in the genre.

The main characters in the book are researching Near Death Experiences (NDEs) with the hypothesis that they are some sort of survival mechanism. They’re hoping to figure out A) if it really IS a survival mechanism, B) how it works, and C) how it can be used to revive patients that have coded (ie, died). A project is set up around a chemical that is able to simulate an NDE in human subjects. Their research project runs into trouble when problems arise with their volunteers – they all seem to either be too busy to come in, unsuitable psychologically, or quit. Rather than lose funding for the project, one of the researchers becomes a subject, and the story takes off from there.

The story has some pacing issues early on, in my opinion. Overall, it’s a pretty good read. The premise is laid out well, and the author is careful to stick to her guns about what is really going on.

I’d recommend this one, especially if you’re interested in the subjects of Near Death Experiences, life after death, or the scientific exploration of either of those subjects.

Runners & Running January 17, 2008

Every time I take part in a running event, I learn more about running and runners and I’m still enjoying it thoroughly. I would consider myself a novice-to-intermediate level runner, so I’ve got plenty to learn and a long way to go before I would dare to call myself any kind of authority. But… I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned about running and runners over the past year or so.

For all around good-naturedness, it’s tough to beat runners – and their niceness is amplified when they’re in groups.

I’ve got a theory on this. I know I tend to feel pretty darn good after a run, and on special days, during a run. It’s the runner’s high kicking in and it’s awesome. Now, imagine enjoying this natural high every day – and the only side effects are improvements in your health, and an intense excitement over really good running socks. You’d probably be in a great mood more often than not. A person in a great mood is more likely to be nice to the people around him or her. So, I believe, it goes with runners.

As for the amplified niceness in groups, it is usually pretty pleasant to discuss your interests with another person who enjoys the same interests. The large groups of runners I have so far been exposed to tend to put each other in a state of controlled joy. They’re surrounded by hundreds of other people who are ALSO excited by really good pairs of running socks! (Non-runners tend to find sock-enthusiasm to be rather bizarre.) Runners also seem to love slinging suggestions for equipment to try or avoid or training tips or tips on where you can find a really good trail to run. It’s just a wonderful environment to be in.

The proper equipment makes a WORLD of difference.

Running is a simple exercise – you just get up and go, right? Well, yeah, pretty much. Except that without the right shoes, socks, and (if you’re a woman) sports bra, you can really do a number on yourself. Worn out shoes, or shoes not really intended for running, can be the root cause of anything from discomfort to blisters to knee, hip, and back pain. The wrong socks will bunch up or hold moisture which can give you blisters you wouldn’t believe way faster than you’d imagine. The wrong sports bra (or no sports bra) can be a nightmare, too. Bounce is the enemy here… It can make you self-conscious and I’ve read that it can actually damage the tissue that keeps your breasts from drooping. (Dear God, no.) Not to mention the fact that bouncing over any significant distance can cause pain.

Like any hobby or sport, the good equipment can be hard to identify for the beginner – and it can run up a serious tab. For shoes, if at all possible, go to a local running specialty store. They should have someone available to take a look at the way you run and recommend the best shoes for you. (It all has to do with the way your foot hits the ground. It’s very common for your heel to hit the ground to the left or right more often than dead center. That throws off your stability and can cause you problems down the road. Lucky for us, there are shoes that help stabilize if not correct for your personal tendency.)

For socks, I suspect that it’s mostly a matter of personal preference. One thing, though – do NOT use cotton socks. Cotton socks are death on a runner’s feet. They hold moisture like Scrooge McDuck holds onto pennies, which translates to blisters, pain, and unpleasantness.

Sports bras… I had a serious problem tracking down a sports bra that worked for me. The genetic cards I was dealt left me… almost epically proportioned in this particular area. If you ever feel like feeling utterly ridiculous, hit up your local sporting goods store, collect one of each type of sports bra in your size, go to the fitting room, put each one one, and jump up and down a couple times to see if everything stays in place. I ran through armloads of sports bras this way before I found one that actually worked. (Possibly the only thing more ridiculous than the jumping up and down process is jumping up and down again because you can’t believe that everything IS staying in place.) Champion Action Shape, ladies. Champion Action Shape. I’ve run over 100 miles since last September when I started tracking my mileage (no idea how far I went before that) and I’ve never had to deal with bounce-related pain. (I have occasionally had chafing issues, but nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing that couldn’t be taken care of with a Band-Aid or some Body Glide.) Since then, I’ve tried the Champion Double-Dry Marathon sports bra, which seems to at least as good – maybe better. The damn things usually run about $40, but if you keep an eye on the Champion web site, they’ll sometimes run a Buy One Get One Free sale. Twenty bucks isn’t too much to pay to protect those particular assets, says I.

Running is more mental than you might think.

Like any good sport, running is easy to get started with, and yet provides many facets to master. It’s not enough to head out and put feet on the pavement. You have to figure out what your personal limits are and how you can best push those limits. You have to challenge yourself to keep going when you think you’re toast. Just how fast should you go to run the whole five miles? To you really *have* to walk or can you keep going? Can you get yourself out of bed in the morning to squeeze in that run?

It’s self-discipline, and it might just be the most difficult part of running. That difficultly makes it a very satisfying when you make it though. Crossing a finish line you never thought you’d cross…it’s just incredible.

Nutrition and hydration really are important.

I’m a stubborn idiot about a lot of things. If I don’t want to hear it, I pretty much won’t. It’s an unfortunate personal flaw, and so far, I’ve only been able to find one bit of silver lining… When I DO wise up and listen, I usually really appreciate the benefits because I’ve already put myself though some flavor of hell.

After I finally let the voice of experience sink in, I learned that fueling up properly before, during, and after a run makes a significant difference. I’ve tinkered, and so far, here’s what works best for me for a long run (10+ miles): lots carbs the day before (I like pasta the best for this), a SMALL meal 30-60 minutes before the run (1 cup of cereal or a Luna bar works for me), Gu 15 min before and every 45 min during a run, and protein and one or two beers after a long run. Oh, and water. Drink as much water as you can for the day or so before. During the run, if Gatorade is available, grab that – otherwise, water. And after the race, Gatorade and water. Lots of it.

I followed this for my first half marathon in November 2007, and it worked great for me. I was pleasantly surprised to be mostly recovered in only three days. I was even fairly mobile during my three days of recovery.

(I can’t remember what the reasoning was for the post-race beer at the moment. I just remember that it made a lot of sense at the time, and it did seem to make a difference. Plus, good beer was available!)

For anyone who’s never heard of the stuff, let me tell you that gel shots can be a godsend. They provide a remarkable energy boost without putting any bulk in your stomach that’ll make you cramp up or puke. My preferred gel shot is Gu. I’ve tried all the flavors except chocolate mint, plain, and the coffee one and have liked them all. The texture is bizarre and maybe even a tiny bit disturbing, but it’s worth it. Not all gel shots are created equal, however. I’ve tried the PowerBar brand strawberry and vanilla and found them to be hideous. The Cliff Shot strawberry was OK… it was a little tart, but palatable. To use them, you’re supposed to eat one 15 min before a run and every 45 min during the run. They run about $1.25 a pop, at least in my neck of the woods, so I tend not to use them unless I’m going to be going running more than 6 or 7 miles.

One more note on hydration. During an actual race event, there are angels in human form on the trail that hold out water and/or sports drink for the runners. I’ve seen people run by full tilt, snag a cup, and down it without breaking stride. I believe this to be some kind of X-Men-esque superpower. I’ve tried it multiple times always with the same result – soaking wet face, neck, and shirt, and at best only a sip passing my lips. For us mere mortal runners, I think it’s best to walk through the water stops so that we can actually get some much needed hydrating fluids into us. For those of you with the god-like ability to sprint and drink at the same time…run on, you crazy bastards – I wish I were one of you. Kudos.

It’s actually better to run when it’s cool to cold outside.

This one’s probably at least a quarter personal preference. It’s a lot easier to put suit up for run in the cold than it is to strip down to run in the heat. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to shell out the dough, Under Armour ColdGear is amazing stuff. I’ve run in 30 degree weather in my ColdGear mock turtleneck and tights (and baseball hat and gloves) and been perfectly comfortable once I got going. So far my only cold-weather running side effect has been a tendency to cough for a while after I’m done… must be all that cold air getting deep into my lungs. If ColdGear is out of the question, I’ve also had good luck with yoga pants and regular tights for pants and a tank top and long sleeve shirt for top (layering seems to be the key there). My taste in running pants runs toward spandex…while not the ultimate in fashion, it does eliminate chafing and therefore the need to slather myself in Body Glide. (Nothing against Body Glide – it’s great stuff – I just feel a little odd lubing up to run and like to avoid the necessity if I can.)

(Now that I think of it, there’s another benefit of being in a large group of runners. Everybody else is wearing spandex and nobody thinks its weird.)

There are lots of running resources online.

The two I use the most are MapMyRun.com and HalHidgon.com.

MapMyRun.com does exactly what it says. It uses Google Maps to let you map out your run and figure out exactly how far that run is, which is pretty handy. I don’t know how I’d figure out the distance of more than half of my favorite runs otherwise. Before I heard about this website, the best I could do was drive as close to the trail as possible and estimate based on the odometer readings. Not terribly useful if I wanted to use the bike paths that criss-cross the area I live in.

Another benefit of MapMyRun is the ability to search for runs other people have chosen to share. You might be headed off for a visit somewhere, but want to get a 4 mile run in while you’re there. You can use MapMyRun to find out if there are any 4 mile trails blazed for you already. Pretty neat.

HalHidgon.com is where I go for my training schedules. I used the free Novice training program for my first Half Marathon and had a great experience using it. I liked it so much that I went back to the site for my training schedule for my upcoming half marathon. There’s loads of information on the website as well. Very handy.

Other great sites include Runnersworld.com and Active.com… there really are too many to mention. But look for them – they’re out there!