Alma John

So, I'm in a study with Alma college about the Appalachian trail!  Why am I in a study with a University in Michigan, you are probably asking?  Well if you read ahead instead of just googling-away, you would know.

This guy wants to study the kind of shape thru-hikers are in before, during, and after their thru-hike.  He measured my skin-fold, heart rate, jumping ability, cardio, lung capacity, and all sorts of stuff.  I am anxious to see how I compare when he measures again in Damascus, VA.

He is also looking at the diets of thru-hikers.  Let me tell you, it has been a very strange adjustment to how I look at food now.  I went the first three days always being hungry, within an hour of eating.  When I had an all-you-can-eat, or a chance to get in town, I would eat non-stop for an hour.  It has just been rediculous.

I have been looking at calories very differently too.  Not only have I been looking for "calorie dense" food, but also different types of calories that do different jobs.  Fat, for example, contains 9 calories for every gram it weighs - carbs and protein are twice as heavy for the calories they give you, as they only contain 4 calories per gram, each.  A quick bout with linear algebra and your favorite 3 foods would verify this.  I would love to learn more about how this all works with your body.

Internet is very hard to come by, and unfortunately this is all the time I have to type!  Talk to me on this blog, or facebook or email or something.  Let me know what you think, how you're doing and all.  I want to be out of touch with the world, but not you all!

- Sudoku