FAQ:

Q: I can't run, because of an injury, or any other circumstances. Can I still participate?

A: The original idea behind the challenge is to include only running activities. But if you can't run, there is an option to participate with your walks or hikes. For balance we count the distance as half. Just pick an appropriate options in the form.

Q: I can't / don't like to listen to podcasts while running. Can I participate?

A: Two core concepts of the challenge are: running and HI-relatedness. Listening to the podcast is the obvious way to fulfill the latter concept. But if you can make your workout related to HI in some other way, we'll be happy to include your miles. An alternative would be e.g. carrying an HI-related item. Be creative - if you can think of another way of making the workout HI-related we are not picky.

In this case choose "None. But I made sure that my workout is HI-related!" (at the very end) in the form entry for selecting an HI episode.

Q: I don't want to submit my alias/username/name with the workout. Why do you collect it and do I have to provide it?

A: I intentionally leave the "Alias" question in the form non-obligatory, to show there is no intention of collecting any data. If you don't like the idea of submitting it - don't, I don't expect you to. You can also type "Tim" in that field. Privacy is also the reason why there are no checks about cheating - because they would require some invasion of privacy. The only additional piece of data that is collected with the submission is its timestamp.

I collect the alias to be able to occasionally do a shout out to one of the Tims when I see that they contributed a lot.

Q: I listened to more than one episode of HI during a single workout. How do include that information in the form?

A: For now you can submit one or two episodes per workout. In the main submission form provide a total distance, total time and the name of the first episode you listened to. In the last question you are asked if you listened to two episodes. If so, indicate "yes". After pressing "next" you will be redirected to a bonus form, where you submit the name of the second episode and the distance you run while listening to the second episode. The spreadsheet running in the background will automatically calculate distance run during the first episode, to include it in the stats.

Q: Why do you not display the pace in the statistics? Or how much did each Tim run?

A: I want to keep the project as a bit of fun. I don't like the idea of someone looking at pace of other Tims and thinking "Oh, I am so slow and suck..." The important thing is to get us out of our chairs and keep active and healthy. I include a total time in the stats, because I think that seeing how much effort we have collectively put in adds to the fun. I also don't want to turn the project into competition of who runs most. Especially that there are no checks for who has run how much. I am open to counterarguments on reddit.

Q: I have an idea for another statistics to display!

A: First of all - that is not a question. Feel free to propose it in the weekly Fitotron 5000k challenge update on reddit.

Q: Can I view the full spreadsheet with the submitted runs?

A: At this time - no, for privacy reasons. While the submissions are anonymous (the Tims use their reddit username, other alias or no name at all in the submission) the google interface displays who is browsing the spreadsheet. So if someone is logged into their google account (for example me working on the visualization of the stats) their name would be visible to others.