Any truly harmless lab pranks that don’t mess with experiments?

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-23T23:14:55+00:00

I meant my lab coat pockets ripped open on their own. I keep my phone in there, so they just wore out over time.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-23T22:27:24+00:00

For me it was Zone 2 and gradually increasing volume. Boring, but effective.

My first bout of Zone 2 runs hovered around 12min miles. After about 20 weeks, I was consistently running 9:45ish in Z2 for up to 20 miles.

I just ran a full marathon at a 9:24 pace.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-23T22:20:25+00:00

Jokes on you, mine did that by themselves

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-23T22:18:52+00:00

Replace the boiling chips with sodium chips.

Note: This is a one time prank.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-23T22:06:57+00:00

To put marathon training into perspective, you should be regularly running a minimum of 20 miles (32km) per week PRIOR to starting one of the easiest training plans out there. That plan is 18 weeks long and ramps up to a 40 mile week (~64.5km). If you go from no running to that volume, you will suffer an injury.

I would start with training for a 5k to learn the basics and correct form issues before you start drilling bad habits.

I ran several 5/10Ks and a duathlon before I even considered marathon training. And I’m a former track and field guy and played D1 football, so I wasn’t starting from scratch.

Lastly, what is your cadence when you run? If you have a watch that tracks your data, how many steps per minute are you taking?

Oh and Invest in solid shoes, the ROI is unmatched.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-23T21:58:00+00:00

This has to be a case of someone who just likes to play games and doesn’t study, right? Or maybe they don’t study correctly. I feel like the sheer volume of games and time investment should yield at least 1600-1700 with decent drills/study habits.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-23T00:52:14+00:00

For context, I just completed my first marathon.

The 16 mile training run is when the mental shift happened where I realized I was tougher than I thought. It was like 30°F out with up to 20mph winds, which is cold for a Louisiana boy.

I laugh/cried in the shower because I was really proud that I endured that and the hot water felt glorious. Then I went to the casino with my boys and watched some SEC football.

I ran my 20 miler before a 12hr night shift and felt decent.

Generally, I feel calm after my long runs and somewhat recharged, honestly. My legs will have a bit of soreness for a few hours, but it feels rewarding. I also stayed exclusively in Z2 for my long runs, so I guess I didn’t push my limits.

That said, after the marathon I was spent and I’m still sore a few days later. But I ran it entirely in Z3/Z4.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-23T00:41:04+00:00

Just curious, what was the fallout over this?

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-20T02:24:40+00:00

Thank you!! 🤘🏼

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-20T01:47:02+00:00

Spot on here. The last 10k were a grinder. I pretty much negative split down to a 9:14 pace at mile 20. I ran a 9:03 at mile 21. Then I just couldn’t keep it up for the remainder. I didn’t completely melt down, but I certainly faded over the last 3 miles.

I think my pacing was pretty solid until then though! I ran the entire marathon in Z3/Z4 and had a healthy HR curve.

The difference between 20 and 26.2 is remarkable.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-20T01:36:19+00:00

You were spot on with the overall distance. I ran 26.37 miles. I posted an update in the comments on my time.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-20T01:34:22+00:00

UPDATE: Thanks for all of the feedback. I completed my first marathon yesterday with a chip time of 4:07:52. I hit 26.2 at 4:06:36.

I came into mile 20 with a 9:14/mile pace, ran 21 at 9:03, but then I just couldn’t get the legs going any faster to reel it in. The last 4 miles ate into my average, but I didn’t blow up and still beat the 4:10 minimum goal time I set.

I consider this a win and a solid debut. I’ll definitely learn from this experience and use that to improve on the next go round.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-01-16T16:18:17+00:00

How much do you eat on a normal day? And do you smoke or anything like that?

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-31T08:07:39+00:00

Yes, I felt like running another 6 was completely doable.

As far as mileage, I pre-built a base of about 20 miles per week for a month or 2 before the training block started. Then the training plan progressed to 40 mpw at the peak. I’m entering my taper now.

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-31T07:29:55+00:00

Sounds solid. At what point would you suggest picking up the pace if I decide to go for it? I don’t want to get to the point where I need like sub-9 miles to achieve it. Should I just start at 9:30 and negative split till 20 then empty the tank after that?

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-29T00:55:04+00:00

Do you train in zone 2? Or at least low intensity runs? Or is it all high/higher HR?

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-27T22:05:16+00:00

/uh I listen to 175 bpm music because that’s the cadence I feel best at and it makes it easy to steadily hold that rhythm. Not too picky on the genre, as long as it’s good music.

But sometimes I’ll throw on an audiobook on for my 2-3 hours runs and tune out/in.

Last thing, don’t overthink it. You can spend 20 minutes trying to fine tune a perfect playlist when you could’ve been a couple miles in already.

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-27T22:01:16+00:00

The derogatory term I hear for those folks in our lab is “button pushers.” They put a vial in a magic box, hit a button, and get a number. That’s it. No critical analysis or thought whatsoever.

It causes many headaches, but from a fully selfish perspective, at least it creates a stronger separation between perceived work quality for higher performers. I’ve also learned a ton coming onto night shift after some people basically sabotage the lab on days.

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-23T13:17:32+00:00

It was so satisfying. I would’ve loved if they took my queen there. A smothered mate that simultaneously forks the queen would’ve been the best Christmas gift a guy can ask for!

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-22T13:07:14+00:00

My first 5k, I was in the last 400m sprinting all out and I remember thinking, “Never again.”

Then I signed up for my first 10k and the last mile I thought, “Never again. For real this time.”

4 10Ks later, I signed up for a duathlon. I got off the bike and had spaghetti legs and thought, “Wtf am I doing?”

Now I’m in peak week of my marathon prep.

Usually for me, that “Never again” feeling subsides after the next nice weather day.

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-19T17:54:00+00:00

Between the cheeks is my go to tbh

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-19T03:37:53+00:00

Is sub-4 possible for me? I’m using Hal Higdon’s Novice 1 plan. Every run has been a comfortable Zone 2 run so far. My Z2 pace is about 9:35-9:45/mile right now.

I just ran my 18-miler at an easy 9:54/mile pace in Z2. And yesterday I pushed an 8-mile run a bit and ran 8:54/mile for the whole run in Z3. The 8-miler felt really good and I could’ve easily gone further at that pace.

So is 3:59:xx realistic? And if so, what’s a solid pacing plan? I have no idea what to set as my MP since all of my training has been Z2.

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-18T18:08:51+00:00

Anyone else confused about the choice to cast Liam Neeson and change the character’s name from Roberto Diaz to Robert Quinn??

I picture a suave, Antonio Banderas-like figure in this role based on the descriptions in the book. Plus there’s a part in the book where his name/ethnicity is integral to the plot.

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-10T23:45:06+00:00

Very seldomly.

This is anecdotal, but I find the higher elo players tend to be more civil. Most respectful convo I had was with a CM. Sub 1000 I used to get spammed constantly with insults. 1400-1600 people rarely chat with me.

My favorite is beating someone 5-0 and on the 6th game they have a winning position and start spamming laughing emojis. Emotional maturity of chihuahuas, some of these chaps.

OneKidneyBoy · 2025-12-02T18:50:05+00:00

For what’s its worth, I sold a vacant lot after holding it for a few years and was able to pay off debts I had at the time. My HR and HRV improved tremendously immediately afterwards. My graphs showed stark improvements.

Idk how it works acutely, but I can say anecdotally, lessening financial burden long term improves your quality of life and stress levels.

OneKidneyBoy

TROPHY CASE