Math in Real Life: Walking Outside

Here's a math problem I worked on today.

Let's say you are going from point A to point B as a pedestrian. Points A and B are both air conditioned. The path between them is about 100 degrees, with a heat index of about 110 (I think that means there's some humidity), but there's also a light breeze. Point B is about 1 1/4 miles from point A.

Here is the math problem. Is it better to jog the distance, so that you get out of the heat more quickly? Or is it better to walk the distance, because people don't get as hot when they walk? The goal is to minimize your chances of overheating.

I don't know enough information to answer the question. I do know that traveling a given distance, either walking or jogging, burns about the same number of calories. And the calorie is a measure of heat. So the amount of heat you're burning is the same whether you walk or jog. So based on that, my guess is that it's better to jog.

Since there was a breeze, sweating might be a factor. Is sweating like calorie burning where you'd start sweating after the same distance regardless of whether you walked or jogged it? I don't know, and I don't want to test it right now. Maybe in the fall.

I also think I read somewhere that you're not supposed to exercise in the cold to keep warm, at least not if you don't have food with you to replenish your calories or something, because it brings your blood closer to your skin and lets your heat escape. That would imply that jogging is better.

Of course your body is always trying to regulate itself. If you are jogging in the heat, you are making it more likely that your body will not be able to keep up or sweat enough. Based on that, my guess is that it's better to walk.

I guess the question is which puts more stress on the body, jogging or heat? Or at what temperature does heat put more stress on the body than jogging?

A related question is how to arrange it if you decide to jog some (say, because you're in a hurry) and walk some (say, because you're a bit out of shape). I decided that the answer is to time it so that the walking occurs in the shade to maximize time in the shade.

I have to say that 100 degrees is much, much better than 108 degrees. It is merely quite hot, not sci-fi hell-planet-like.

Journal entry of the day: Okay, it's not a journal entry, but an e-mail that Robin got. It's entitled "Please read before viewing picture."

"With all the news lately about Hurricane Katrina, we shouldn't forget that Houston has had its share of devastating weather also.

"The attached photo illustrates the damage caused to a home when Hurricane Rita passed through the Houston area a couple of days ago. It really makes you cherish what you have, and reminds us not to take life for granted!!!

"Warning: The attached picture is quite graphic and may not be suitable for younger viewers."

I don't know how to attach pictures, so I'll describe it. You see a wooden deck, wet, edged by a wooden privacy fence, wet. There are two flower planters hanging from the fence. Both are full of flowers. There are two plastic patio chairs on the deck. One has, oh, I can hardly bring myself to say it. One has tipped over and is lying on its back.