Photo: 11-mile outdoor run, 20-mile indoor ride, 8:00 a.m., 15 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 1,000 yds (ytd 67,050 yds.)
Bike: 97 miles (ytd 5,789 mi.)
Run: 37 miles (ytd 1,623 mi.)

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 0 yds (ytd 66,050 yds.)
Bike: 111 miles (ytd 5,803 mi.)
Run: 35 miles (ytd 1,621 mi.)

I had to grab a quick lunch the other day. Too many deadlines and too little time for a workout (besides, the temps were hovering around zero and I'd already been out for an early-morning run in the -20 wind chill. Frostbite twice in one day? Nah.).

So I drove thru the local Taco Bell®, placed my order for six softshell tacos (yes, six) and proceeded to window #2 (#1 was frozen). The Iowa-friendly gal (as in "thanks, hon") then handed over my six softshell tacos (yes, six) and my $.13 in change.

While the six softshell tacos (yes, six) made it into my vehicle, the change dropped to the ground during hand-off. There were cars lined up behind me; the counter to my left prevented my door from opening; and did I mention the temps were hovering around zero? So I drove off, leaving my $.13 behind.

And that's when I started thinking...

There are roughly 195,000 fast-food restaurants in the U.S. (don't ask, I just know these things). At least half of them have drive-thru counters. Now let's assume each of those 97,500 drive-thru lanes sees roughly 50 cars on any given lunch hour. Of those 50 cars, I'd bet 10 of their drivers lose $.13 in the now-dreaded hand-off. I'm no genius, but my little Microsoft® calculator tells me that 97,500 x 10 x $.13 = $126,750.00.

Every lunch hour, guys (and gals) like me are skipping their workouts (cut me some slack, the temps were hovering around zero... did I mention that?) only to toss a six-figure income out the window... every single lunch break.

Tomorrow I'm thinking of skipping lunch to go for a run. In 60 minutes I can jog over to the local fast-food shop and collect $1.30 in dropped change. If I keep it up for another 40 years , I'll bag $18,980. Can I get a "Hell yeah!"

Then again, I hear the temps tomorrow are supposed to be hovering around zero...

Photo: 11-mile outdoor run, 20-mile indoor ride, 6:00 a.m., 5 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 0 yds (ytd 66,050 yds.)
Bike: 100 miles (ytd 5,692 mi.)
Run: 35 miles (ytd 1,586 mi.)

IT may not be March, but IT roared in like a lion.

Photo: 10-mile run, 13-mile single-speed ride, 7:30 a.m., 15 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 0 yds (ytd 66,050 yds.)
Bike: 95 miles (ytd 5,592 mi.)
Run: 40 miles (ytd 1,551 mi.)