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All of apeterson's Comments + Replies

Open thread, 21-27 April 2014
apeterson9y0

I would just set up short runs around my apartment that were all "run" no walk and gradually increase my distance. But one of the problems was that I just wasn't out there very long. It was a convenient excuse when I was busy to just run a 15 minute loop instead of run/walking for 30 minutes+.

Open thread, 21-27 April 2014
apeterson9y1

Unfortunately, I live in a rural area where gyms are hard to come by. I have enjoyed running for its own sake in the past, that's a part of why I want to get back into running shape, but I will try to add in some body weight exercises as well as my running.

1Lumifer9y
You don't need a gym to exercise. Google up "paleo fitness", Crossfit is full of advice about how to build a basic gym in your garage, etc. etc.
0niceguyanon9y
That's great, it would be such a problem to not like running and not live near a gym. Good luck.
Open thread, 21-27 April 2014
apeterson9y0

It's mostly just the contrast between how I learned running in High school cross country and what's actually recommended now. There were no real rest days, we ran 5 days a week and we were supposed to run at least once on the weekends. We ran hill reps two days a week, and long runs on the other days. We were all on the same training program regardless of where we started from.

What I've read recently is that about 4 days a week is a better way to do it, at least during your early progress, with a mixture of long slow runs and some interval work outs once you've reached a good level of fitness.

Open thread, 21-27 April 2014
apeterson9y12

I've been struggling with how to improve in running all last year, and now again this spring. I finally realized (after reading a lot of articles on lesswrong.com, and specifically the martial arts of rationality posts) that I've been rationalizing that Couch to 5k and other recommended methods aren't for me. So I continue to train in the wrong way, with rationalizations like: "It doesn't matter how I train as long as I get out there."

I've continued to run intensely and in short bursts, with little success, because I felt embarrassed to have to w... (read more)

0[anonymous]9y
Do you mean walk-run-walk-run in a single session? Or that you do short intense sessions with no walking?
1TylerJay9y
The best general advice I can give you is: 1. Be honest with yourself when determining your current abilities. There's no shame in building slowly. It just means you get to improve even more. 2. Not every day is a hard day. There are huge benefits to varying your workouts. If you're running about the same distance each day you run, you're doing it wrong. Some days should be shorter, more intense intervals broken up by very slow jogs or walks, while other days should be "active recovery" days of short, slow runs, while other days you might go for distance and a sustained pace. Just to give an idea, even elite athletes will not usually do more than 2-3 hard (interval) days each week. You will want to start with 0 or 1. 3. Watch your volume: Slowly increase your total miles / week over time. Make sure you start low enough not to get repetitive stress injuries. I was once a fairly successful runner and have a lot of experience with designing training programs for both distance running and weightlifting. I'd be happy to help you design your running program or to look over your program once you do some research and put something together. Let me know!
3niceguyanon9y
Have you considered not running as your primary exercise program? If you aren't specifically going for the performance of running, I would shelve it and instead cut calories (assuming you have extra weight to lose) and lift heavy things at the gym. Distance running is great for distance running. I have been in multiple running groups and they are great for achieving goals like 26.2 miles, but after that, I wanted to optimize for looks and not for long distances (any more).
0MathiasZaman9y
Is there any specific reason why you've been avoiding those approaches (e.g. where you slowly increase)? You mention that you told yourself "It isn't for me," but haven't told us why. Something I've had trouble with now that I'm starting to run is finding a running/jogging speed that takes as little energy, while still not walking. The last time I ran I finally found it and severely decreased the time I spend walking. It might be helpful to find that speed. I can guarantee you that it will feel very slow.
5Nisan9y
You might also want to work on eliminating embarrassment.
Find a study partner
apeterson10y0

I just registered. I think it will help to go through the basics again just to make sure I'm not missing anything.

I'm also taking a database class offline here, but I should have plenty of time to work on linear algebra.

Find a study partner
apeterson10y1

I thought I had a pretty good understanding of Linear Algebra until I worked through the 1st chapter of "Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics". When I took Linear Algebra before, all of the material was very practical and so I missed the bigger theory behind the class. I'd like to really get that understanding.

I've actually become a lot more interested in the subject now that I see how much more there is to learn and all the connections with physics.

It would be mostly a second pass for the basic material, but I've never done the leas... (read more)

0TylerJay10y
I'd be thrilled to have you take the [edit: edX] course with me if you're interested. If you think it's too basic, then I'd recommend the book i linked above. I skimmed it and it looks very good. Also has great reviews. Let me know if you register for the class!
Welcome to Less Wrong! (6th thread, July 2013)
apeterson10y0

I will definitely check that out. Thanks.

My other thought is to also get a linear algebra book that covers infinite dimensional vectors.

0shminux10y
This is useful for, say, the hydrogen atom or the simple harmonic oscillator, but you can learn a lot just from the spin 1/2 quantum mechanics, which is quite finite-dimensional. It is sufficient for all of quantum information, EPR, Bell inequalities, etc. If you are interested in "quantum epistemology", Scott Aaronson's Quantum Computing since Democritus is an excellent read and would not overtax your math skills.
Welcome to Less Wrong! (6th thread, July 2013)
apeterson10y12

I'm Anthony. I found out about Less Wrong from Overcoming Bias, and I found out about Overcoming Bias about 2 years ago when Abnormal Returns, which is like a sampler of all kinds of posts on the econ-blogsphere, linked to Overcoming Bias.

I had previously decided that the singulatarians were crazily optimistic. I thought they were all about the future being unimaginable goodness all the time. I guess that was my interpretation of Kurzeil. I thought they were unrealistic about the nature of reality. I don't believe that the singularity will hit in a few dec... (read more)

6shminux10y
Good for you. Checking multiple sources is very rational :) If you get stuck, the Freenode ##physics IRC channel often has physics undergrad and grad students around to help with the technical stuff, though discussing interpretations is generally not encouraged.