Because if you are, I would like to ask for your help in making a T&F game in flash. I have already worked out most of the algorithms concerning times and what-not. If there is any response at all, then I will post what I have in mind, if not then I'll just try and make it on my own.
Sorry, sadly I am functionally computer illiterate. My 15 year old son, on the other hand, is amazingly adept at Flash amination, photoshopping, etc. Mind you, I would never let him visit this board, so he won't be able to help you either...
Well if your 15 year old son can do it, how much time/effort do you think it would take for me to get at the very least functionally adequate with it?
How are your algorithms formalized ?
To be honest, I don't know much about algoritms either, so they are formalized very simply, just using various charts. Really I am just trying to recruit a more computer-savy mind to turn this idea into something fun/possibly helpful. I originally intended the charts to be used for some kind of game where you build up a runner's fitness and then have him race, but now I feel like the racing part (Actually controlling a runner) wouldn't be necessary. It comes out looking more like a coaching simulator, which I think is pretty cool.
Basically the concept is this:
You have the choice of 5 types of runners, each with a specialty race (800,1500,3K,5K,10K)
I used Daniels' charts and Mcmillan's calculator to create what I feel are the true equivalent performances for a runner who trains for one distance, but races outside of that distance based on my own research and observations. For example, in Daniels' VDOT tables, the VDOT stays consistant across all distances. In my personal observation, a runner usually has one event where the VDOT is slightly higher, and the distances above and below that usually decrease by 1 or 2. SO: A 1500 specialist who runs 4:00 for 1500 would have a VDOT of 70. For the 3K, the VDOT would be about 69, or 8:41. His 5K VDOT would be about 68, or 15:18.
For some reason, you describing the game reminded me of Office Space when they are talking about the jump to conclusion mat and they respond with, "That is a horrible idea."
That guy wrote:
To be honest, I don't know much about algoritms either, so they are formalized very simply, just using various charts. Really I am just trying to recruit a more computer-savy mind to turn this idea into something fun/possibly helpful. I originally intended the charts to be used for some kind of game where you build up a runner's fitness and then have him race, but now I feel like the racing part (Actually controlling a runner) wouldn't be necessary. It comes out looking more like a coaching simulator, which I think is pretty cool.
Basically the concept is this:
You have the choice of 5 types of runners, each with a specialty race (800,1500,3K,5K,10K)
I used Daniels' charts and Mcmillan's calculator to create what I feel are the true equivalent performances for a runner who trains for one distance, but races outside of that distance based on my own research and observations. For example, in Daniels' VDOT tables, the VDOT stays consistant across all distances. In my personal observation, a runner usually has one event where the VDOT is slightly higher, and the distances above and below that usually decrease by 1 or 2. SO: A 1500 specialist who runs 4:00 for 1500 would have a VDOT of 70. For the 3K, the VDOT would be about 69, or 8:41. His 5K VDOT would be about 68, or 15:18.
Next, I made a table that extended this even farther. For each of the 5 runners, I made a chart that spans from mediocre: (2:04, 4:16, 9:06, 15:55, 33:00) to faster than WR: (1:40, 3:26, 7:20, 12:35, 26:10). This is broken down in what I deem "overall fitness" of 70-99. Of course, as the runner gets away from his main distance, his facility at that distance lowers. So if the 1500 guy has an overall of 80, then he could run (1:55-ish, 3:58, 8:30, 14:51, 30:57). a 10K guy with an overall of 80 would be more like (1:59, 4:03, 8:33, 14:47, 30:38).
To figure out just what the overall would be, I basically broke it down into 4 types of fitness (Speed, Vo2max, Lactate Threshold, and Aerobic Metabolism.) Then you take the value for each and divide by 4 to get the overall
I figure that most workouts can be defined to one of these with a little bit of variation.
Here's how I figure the guys should start out: (Spd, Vo2, LT, Aero)
800: 83, 80, 75, 70 = overall 77
1500: 79, 81, 76, 72 = overall 77
3000: 76, 82, 77, 73 = overall 77
5000: 73, 78, 80, 77 = overall 77
10000: 70, 75, 81, 82 = overall 77
From there, you would choose the workouts to do, and you would get an increase. Of course, I think that the workouts should be weighted. For instance, a speed workout should do more for an 800 guy than a 10K guy. I guess it would be something like it takes 2 speed workouts for an 800 runner to increase his speed by 1, but it would take a 10K runner 5 workouts to do it. Not that I think this is true in real life, because it's not, but it's the only way I could get around the problem.
If the charts would clear this up, then let me know and I'll figure out how to get them up here.
That guy wrote:Well if your 15 year old son can do it, how much time/effort do you think it would take for me to get at the very least functionally adequate with it?He's been playing with Flash, Photoshop, 3DSMax etc off and on for maybe 3-4 years, I guess. You probably don't have that long...?