Something weird that made my times faster by about 4 seconds

[McWizzle94]

Ok guys, this is something really strange that I found out last week. So I was running on a treadmill, and after i was all sweaty and stuff, i decided to cube a little. I took an average of 12 on CCT, and while my hands were sweaty, my times dropped by about 4 seconds. Normally my times are around 22-23, but my first 3 were all 18-19, and as the sweat dried my times went back to the 22-23. Its really weird, and it happened again yesterday. It wasn't exactly the same situation, but it kinda had the same effect. I was washing my hands for a long time (don't ask why, it will be explained in a future YouTube video) and while they were moist, i felt really fast. I didn't time them, but they felt faster than usual. Maybe we could use sweat as our new lube instead of silicon

 

[alexgoldberg]

I've experienced this as well, however I attribute it to being physically stimulated and mentally alert (as after running, etc.), not to sweat. It's no surprise though either.

 

[McWizzle94]

i think you're right, thanks for the reply

 

[Stefan]

I think he's wrong. At least about me. I often have dry hands and that gives me a bad grip and makes me slow. Never happened at competitions, but often at home. In particularly bad cases I spread a drop of KY liquid on my fingers.

 

[AvGalen]

Greasy hands are bad (one-handed right after lunch????)
Sweaty hands are ok, unless the sweatdrops are literally dripping
Being physically active is good
Warm+moist hands are good (warm water)

So the best you can do is:
Have lunch somewhere distant from a competition,
Run back to a shower near the competition area,
(take of clothes, recommended)
Take a short warm shower and don't dry yourself entirely
(put on clothes, WCA has rules that say you have to)
Speedwalk to the competition area.

Who said speedcubing wasn't a sport?

 

[Johannes91]

Greasy hands are bad (one-handed right after lunch????)

I think that depends a lot on how (and what) you eat. I can do OH solves right after lunch without any problems.

And it's different for 15s and 30s cubers. Going too fast seems to be a very common problem, so your times might drop if you can't move as quickly as you'd like, even if it feels slower.

 

[Dene]

LMAO, you've done it again Mr van Galen . Lol, "WCA has rules that say you have to". Classic.

 

[McWizzle94]

Greasy hands are bad (one-handed right after lunch????)
Sweaty hands are ok, unless the sweatdrops are literally dripping
Being physically active is good
Warm+moist hands are good (warm water)

So the best you can do is:
Have lunch somewhere distant from a competition,
Run back to a shower near the competition area,
(take of clothes, recommended)
Take a short warm shower and don't dry yourself entirely
(put on clothes, WCA has rules that say you have to)
Speedwalk to the competition area.

Who said speedcubing wasn't a sport?

lol dude that was funny

 

[tpsolver]

I've experienced this as well, however I attribute it to being physically stimulated and mentally alert (as after running, etc.), not to sweat. It's no surprise though either.

I think you're right as well. I got my PB today after playing tennis for an hour and a half (after having dinner I then beat my PB on the first solve), and then the times gradually decreased. I find that when I start a cubing session I get the fastest times first and then they decrease, most of my PBs are set in my first few solves of a session.

 

[AvGalen]

LMAO, you've done it again Mr van Galen . Lol, "WCA has rules that say you have to". Classic.

Actually it is only one rule: 2h)Competitors must be fully dressed. Competitors may dress in jeans, pants, shorts, slacks, skirts, foot-wear, T-shirts or dress shirts. Hats may be worn. Clothes must not display vulgar language or have inappropriate pictures.

 

[Dene]

Oh I know the rule, but the way you worded it .

So I have a Children of Bodom shirt that looks like this:

Would it be allowed?

 

[AvGalen]

I don't know for sure. It is not offensive, but it doesn't exactly say "happy cubing" either. Personally I would allow it, but if I were you I would pick something different from the closet.

 

[Dene]

I have to admit, I don't use a closet, and my drawers aren't exactly full >.< . I'm not much of a clothes person, I have like 4 t-shirts, and one sleeveless shirt. One of them is almost past its time and another is a bit small.

EDIT: I think I will wear it now, and put a piece of paper over it with "Happy Cubing" written in pink, surrounded by flowers

 

[AvGalen]

...
EDIT: I think I will wear it now, and put a piece of paper over it with "Happy Cubing" written in pink, surrounded by flowers

I would like to see a video of you solving a cube wearing that modded outfit, in public.

 

[shelley]

I second the video request.

On the topic of sweaty hands and cubing, I find a little bit of the skin's natural oils helps me grip the cube better. So clean hands, but not super-clean (it gets a little harder to cube immediately after washing my hands with a harsh soap). Maybe that's what the sweat is doing.

 

[pcharles93]

I have to admit, I don't use a closet, and my drawers aren't exactly full >.< . I'm not much of a clothes person, I have like 4 t-shirts, and one sleeveless shirt. One of them is almost past its time and another is a bit small.

EDIT: I think I will wear it now, and put a piece of paper over it with "Happy Cubing" written in pink, surrounded by flowers

And people say cubing is a wimpy and not masculine sport. Where do they get that idea?

 

[Dene]

. Well, I'll do it for the first competition I go to, if I remember. I have no idea when this will be though.

 

[Lotsofsloths]

I have to admit, I don't use a closet, and my drawers aren't exactly full >.< . I'm not much of a clothes person, I have like 4 t-shirts, and one sleeveless shirt. One of them is almost past its time and another is a bit small.

EDIT: I think I will wear it now, and put a piece of paper over it with "Happy Cubing" written in pink, surrounded by flowers

Lol, great idea, now you have to pull out all of that couarge and implement it!

Also:
@McWizzle: AWESOME TO HAVE YOU HERE!!

 

[Dene]

No courage required, lol. If I'm at a competition there will be people there that I know (at least, from these forums) and if they're expecting it then who cares? Also, there would only be a problem if you think something like that would be so shameful. If you don't care what anybody else thinks, then there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[ShadenSmith]

I had a job with a toystore during the Christmas Season. I cubed next to their stand to attract customers. My friends were actually the ones who got me the job, and told me I had to wear a ridiculous costume, as requested by the owner. I showed up in a Nacho Libre costume (http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/21036.jpg). It was then that I found out the whole costume situation was completely made up by my friends. Fun Times.


So anyway, a flowery sign is nothing to me anymore.