Older cubers discussions

[SpartanSailor]

Running marathons (I ran two, lonnnnnng ago) and cubing may not mix. One of the symptoms of over-training is a bit of brain fog. But go for it.

Interesting that you say this.... I happened to “win” an entry into the Marine Corps Marathon here in Washington, D.C., in the States. I was thinking to take a cube with me to keep me busy while waiting for the start and thought I may do a few solves throughout the race. I’ve actually considered making an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for cubes solved while running a marathon, but there are a LOT of logistical requirements that need a lot of planning a other people to support. That being said, if I can get a photographer to snap a shot of me solving a cube while running one of the largest marathons in the U.S., I might just have to purchase that picture. LOL

 

[CLL Smooth]

I’ve actually considered making an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for cubes solved while running a marathon, but there are a LOT of logistical requirements that need a lot of planning a other people to support.

I was pretty sure Phillip Espinoza set that record pretty high a few years ago. I can’t remember the number but I figured it mostly unattainable by us mere mortals.

 

[SpartanSailor]

I was pretty sure Phillip Espinoza set that record pretty high a few years ago. I can’t remember the number but I figured it mostly unattainable by us mere mortals.

That is an interesting point. It used to be a relatively “easy” number if you could run a marathon in the 5 hour limit provided by GWR. I had hear that he set a ridiculous record as well. But the “official” record was recently updated and, although more difficult, was nothing even remotely close to what Philip did. I am wondering if he did his attempt and complied with all the official requirements for witnesses and whatnot... and then properly submitted it. If he had, then at MOST 15 weeks is required for GWR to review the record submission—which leads me to believe he did a remarkable record setting performance WITHOUT the required evidence to verify the attempt. Resulting in NO official WR.... I only say this, because I actually have done some legit research into the matter and noticed that his “record” was not formally recognised by GWR.

 

[One Wheel]

I’ve thought of cubing while running. I’m sure that if you wanted to set a record there wouldn’t be as much competition solving big cubes. I’m sure running would slow down solving more than vice versa, so my thought has been to do 7x7. I average just over 7:00 on 7x7, and between 7:30 and 10:00/mile depending on how far I’m going and how hard I’m pushing.

 

[SpartanSailor]

I’ve thought of cubing while running. I’m sure that if you wanted to set a record there wouldn’t be as much competition solving big cubes. I’m sure running would slow down solving more than vice versa, so my thought has been to do 7x7. I average just over 7:00 on 7x7, and between 7:30 and 10:00/mile depending on how far I’m going and how hard I’m pushing.

There are no official WR for running while cubing larger cubes than 3x3. I think the logistics to supply qualifying “scrambled” cubes would be difficult for something like 7x7. You would need to have some sort of Subject Matter Expert (SME) verify that the cubes were legitimately scrambled and that YOU had not seen any of the scrambles prior to the start of the attempt. Avoiding all potential conflicts of interest—such as family/friends doing the scrambles—you would need at least two technical experts to witness the event AND the conduct of the scrambles to verify the met the GWR requirement. Again... this is a logistics matter... but there you have it, right? Doing something that is VERIFIABLE and REPEATABLE to some standard that is RECORD WORTHY.

But... if you’re serious, I say, “GO FOR IT!”

What have you to loose? It’ll be fun no matter what. And if you’re successful, you will set a Guiness WR! That would be pretty amazing no matter what.

 

[One Wheel]

There are no official WR for running while cubing larger cubes than 3x3. I think the logistics to supply qualifying “scrambled” cubes would be difficult for something like 7x7. You would need to have some sort of Subject Matter Expert (SME) verify that the cubes were legitimately scrambled and that YOU had not seen any of the scrambles prior to the start of the attempt. Avoiding all potential conflicts of interest—such as family/friends doing the scrambles—you would need at least two technical experts to witness the event AND the conduct of the scrambles to verify the met the GWR requirement. Again... this is a logistics matter... but there you have it, right? Doing something that is VERIFIABLE and REPEATABLE to some standard that is RECORD WORTHY.

Actually at my speed it might not be all that hard. Roughly 1 cube/mile, I wouldn’t want to run solving a $70 puzzle anyway. It would cost around $350 to get 30 budget 7x7s, one person could scramble them and keep possession of them, in bags of 3-4. Trade bags at water stations. Even if somebody ran 5 hours and averaged 3:00 that would only be $1,000-1,100 worth of puzzles.

 

[SpartanSailor]

Actually at my speed it might not be all that hard. Roughly 1 cube/mile, I wouldn’t want to run solving a $70 puzzle anyway. It would cost around $350 to get 30 budget 7x7s, one person could scramble them and keep possession of them, in bags of 3-4. Trade bags at water stations. Even if somebody ran 5 hours and averaged 3:00 that would only be $1,000-1,100 worth of puzzles.

Keep in mind that if someone can actually scramble a 7x7 with any ability at all, they are likely able to scramble it faster than you can solve it. So, maybe have 3-4 of those 7x7s handy and after you solve one, have someone begin scrambling.... then, by the time you need a “5th” cube, the first is already re-scrambled. But you have a good concept and recognize the need for multiple cubes AND some method to exchange them on a regular basis. So, it might be a “reasonable” standard for a GWR if you could solve 26 such 7x7s in a marathon....

 

[One Wheel]

Keep in mind that if someone can actually scramble a 7x7 with any ability at all, they are likely able to scramble it faster than you can solve it. So, maybe have 3-4 of those 7x7s handy and after you solve one, have someone begin scrambling.... then, by the time you need a “5th” cube, the first is already re-scrambled. But you have a good concept and recognize the need for multiple cubes AND some method to exchange them on a regular basis. So, it might be a “reasonable” standard for a GWR if you could solve 26 such 7x7s in a marathon....

I think I misread your post. There need to be 2 witnesses to meet GWR’s requirements? I thought you meant there would have to be one to scramble and another to hand them off. I was trying to simplify that.

As to being serious, as far as I’m concerned I’ll get the marathon out of the way first, then think about how to make it harder.

 

[SpartanSailor]

I think I misread your post. There need to be 2 witnesses to meet GWR’s requirements? I thought you meant there would have to be one to scramble and another to hand them off. I was trying to simplify that.

As to being serious, as far as I’m concerned I’ll get the marathon out of the way first, then think about how to make it harder.

Witnesses can perform more than one role... but certainly try to “enjoy” that marathon at least once before solving 7x7s whilst doing so! Lol. If able, I’d happily help out when you go for a WR marathon solving 7x7s!

 

[JohnnyReggae]

Interesting that you say this.... I happened to “win” an entry into the Marine Corps Marathon here in Washington, D.C., in the States. I was thinking to take a cube with me to keep me busy while waiting for the start and thought I may do a few solves throughout the race. I’ve actually considered making an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for cubes solved while running a marathon, but there are a LOT of logistical requirements that need a lot of planning a other people to support. That being said, if I can get a photographer to snap a shot of me solving a cube while running one of the largest marathons in the U.S., I might just have to purchase that picture. LOL

Interesting idea... Not sure what you would call it, Cubling ... So one of my other hobbies is juggling and you can juggle while running/jogging and it is called joggling. The idea is to constantly juggle 3 balls while you are running. At least with joggling you don't require any 3rd parties to do anything for you.

 

[SpartanSailor]

Interesting idea... Not sure what you would call it, Cubling ... So one of my other hobbies is juggling and you can juggle while running/jogging and it is called joggling. The idea is to constantly juggle 3 balls while you are running. At least with joggling you don't require any 3rd parties to do anything for you.

I like to juggle as well! And have (when I was much younger) been seen joggling around my neighbourhood. Lol

 

[JohnnyReggae]

I like to juggle as well! And have (when I was much younger) been seen joggling around my neighbourhood. Lol

I wasn't much into joggling, but I did enjoy juggling while riding my unicycle .... sadly I haven't been doing much mountain uni lately.

 

[SpartanSailor]

I wasn't much into joggling, but I did enjoy juggling while riding my unicycle .... sadly I haven't been doing much mountain uni lately.

Seriously?!? That’s amazing!

 

[Logiqx]

Interesting idea... Not sure what you would call it, Cubling ... So one of my other hobbies is juggling and you can juggle while running/jogging and it is called joggling. The idea is to constantly juggle 3 balls while you are running. At least with joggling you don't require any 3rd parties to do anything for you.

I remember looking at the joggling world record(s) for 100m, 200m, 400m when athletics was my main hobby and I was also a keen juggler. The 400m joggling world record was 56.06s and I thought it was quite beatable since my 400m time was typically around 49-50s and my 400m hurdles time was around 55-56s. I didn't see juggling as particularly difficult over 400m... certainly less so than dealing with a hurdle every 35m.

I never tried joggling at the time which was almost 20 years ago, I doubt I could even run 400m in under a minute nowadays so I'm not going to try it any time soon!

p.s. Yup. I used to do the juggling and unicycle thing as well. lol

 

[One Wheel]

I did enjoy juggling while riding my unicycle

Last I tried I couldn’t juggle and ride at the same time, I flail my arms too much. I think I could do a slow solve, though.

 

[Old Tom]

Interesting that you say this.... I happened to “win” an entry into the Marine Corps Marathon here in Washington, D.C., in the States. I was thinking to take a cube with me to keep me busy while waiting for the start and thought I may do a few solves throughout the race. I’ve actually considered making an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for cubes solved while running a marathon, but there are a LOT of logistical requirements that need a lot of planning a other people to support. That being said, if I can get a photographer to snap a shot of me solving a cube while running one of the largest marathons in the U.S., I might just have to purchase that picture. LOL

The Marine Marathon was the one I ran, back in ‘78 and ‘79. Have you actually tried running and cubing at the same time? Unless it was OH, would be hard to maintain a decent pace and stride. The logistics of receiving and handing off the cubes would be difficult also. It is a very crowded race, both runners and spectators. Perhaps a backpack with numbered compartments, and then a limited number of pre-arranged “swap points”. But getting your support team to those points would be tough!

The way to do it for GWR would be on a track, just yourself and maybe a few others. Vastly simpler logistics.

 

[openseas]

@h2f / Congrats on your 3BLD PB (I guess official PB)!

Good luck to all folks competing this weekend!

 

[pglewis]

I'm finally back so I can say more about the day. It started well with 3 4BLD attempts that got better each time - not a PB single or mean, but still quite a respectable result, and a good start to the day.
Then I did feet, and got my first average under the new rules, so now I have an average of 5 instead of just a mean of 3. It still feels weird to me to use hands to inspect.
Then i did 5x5x5; my first solve was 3 seconds from the cutoff; my second solve was going really fast, but then I somehow forgot one of the last edges algorithms and had to start over. :-( So no average for me there.
Then 3BLD, where I did nothing spectacular, but still a couple of decent solves. The one DNF was a completely scrambled cube that was in the wrong orientation when I finished - I must have misoriented it in the middle.
After lunch came 5BLD, which was fantastic - obviously the highlight of my day! Everything was just clicking for me, and I knew it was going well. My new PB was the second solve - the same one Stanley set the WR on. It was a little easier than normal, with somewhat better centers than average without reorienting, but it wasn't spectacularly easier than normal. Anyway, it's so good to finally get a 5BLD mean; I've wanted one for over a decade!
Next came megaminx, which was comically heartbreaking - I got a 2:15.21, followed by a 2:15.19. The cutoff was 2:15. !&@*#($*%^
Then came multiBLD - I got 12 of 14. On one of the cubes, I actually fully recalled the corners, then remembered I was supposed to do edges first, so I did those first, then forgot to go back and do the corners. Once I saw it afterwards, I picked it up and closed my eyes and flew through the corners without a pause - I knew it - if only I had remembered to do it! The other one seems to have been a mismemorization - it was off by 3 edges.
Next came Clock. On the second solve, I solved everything pretty fast - would have been fast enough to give me a 16 second average - but then the judge noticed I had solved everything to 3 o'clock. :-( So I had to do a safe solve on the third one when it went badly, so I had a counting 24.
Finally 3BLD round 2. I was honestly fried by this time; I'm happy I got the 1:33. On the last solve I took too long to memorize the edges and so I forgot the corners and gave up. On the first solve, I was rushing and apparently introduced an extra turn somewhere - it was off by 4 edges and 4 corners.

So overall in BLD today I solved 21 out of 26 cubes; not bad! If only I weren't so inaccurate at 3BLD!

Great day, Mike!

Congrats to @h2f on a pile of PBs and good luck to everyone this weekend!

 

[mark49152]

Wow, Grzegorz, have you been practising hard? Congrats on an impressive 3BLD PB and a first mean! Now I have another new target

 

[h2f]

Thanks, Mark @mark49152 and Phil, @pglewis. I did around 80 solves since Sunday to remember how to do 3bld. Thats all in last 2 months. After 2nd solve I've decided to go safety in 3rd.

Have you noticed 2 WRs in FMC single? Kacper Rafalski and Szymon Jeziorski got 19 in FMC. Kacper was sitting next to me. They both did the same solves, both skeletons on inverse - 13 to 3C. Insertion was optimal. They left after 20 minutes. But what happend next was very intresting. Szymon did 28 and Kacper 29 on 2nd. Last scramble had easy beginnig. Szymon got 31 but wrote R' instead of R2 in last few seconds. I found FMC to be very emontional event.