On November 2, I decided to indulge myself and running a lovely 3-mile race on a hilly golf course in Kapalua, Maui. The course was full of rolling hills, steep-grade downhills and winding turns. The previous day, after waking up extremely early to take my physics test before the flight, we had flown in to review the course. In part of the course, we had to make a hairpin turn after coming off of a long downhill. Our coach asked us what we should do on the turn so that we would not have to slow down while also not "sliding out of the turn". AHA! Then it hit me. That oh so weekly physics epiphany. This time the running-guru-DOC! spoke to me by means of 8th Grade science teacher Mr. Heimerdinger. Instead of slowing down, use the slanted edge of the cart path to continue your speed through the turn. Why, by doing so, I would be able to maintain my speed through the curve. This is because a slant would increase my friction force and also allow the centripetal force to allow me to continue my acceleration through the turn without sliding out or having to slow down my speed. WOW! With the help of running-guru-DOC! I was able to go full-speed through the turn and pass several runners during the actual race. Even though my chest was burning and I was completely out of breath, I was able to let out a laugh at them for not using their physics knowledge to gain a better position of the race.
Lesson of the week: Use physics to gain an advantage over your adversaries. DOC! if you read this, I'd like to personally thank you for helping out the cross country team at states (allow us to get 3rd place).
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