From another list. Mollusca-related, :-))))


-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Matt Mahoney
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 2:48 PM
To: Ultralist
Subject: Man vs. Slug


I timed a slug today.  Using a ruler and a watch, I timed the 3 inch
long, slimy tan creature with antenna eyes at 9 seconds per inch on
roads (actually on my front porch, smooth painted concrete), and 10
seconds per inch on trails.  So the next time you go on a training run
with someone and they say they run like a slug, you can take out your
calculator and you'll know exactly what time you should plan on
finishing.  (Since slugs are cold blooded, their speed probably depends
on temperature.  It was 75 F at the time, one reason I live in Florida).

So I got to thinking (uh oh) if there are any races where a slug could
make the cutoffs.  For example, the Barkley fun run allows 40 hours for
60 miles.  Unfortunately a slug would take 14 months (not allowing for
hills and getting lost), not only missing the cutoffs, but the following
year's race as well.  (Also, if you touch a slug, they scrunch up and
stop moving for several minutes, which adds to their time).

But there is one race where a slug would be competitive, the Million
Mile ultra.  The race began 8 years ago, so the average slug (assuming
the one I timed was average) would have covered 442 miles by now.  This
would put it in 380'th place out of 506 runners, not too shabby for an
invertibrate, but maybe embarassing for a few people.

Also I should mention that none of the 506 runners is on the necessary
pace (10,000 miles/year or about 52 minutes per mile) to finish within
the 100 year cutoff.  I just thought I should mention that because maybe
it's time to start picking up the pace.


=====
-- Matt Mahoney, [log in to unmask]

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