Thursday, February 8, 2007

NASA Technology for Ultras?


With all this news about the poor woman astronaut whose cheese recently slipped off the cracker it got me thinking. Has anyone else thought about the time you could save if you wore one of those Maximum Absorbency Garments (MAG or Space Diaper) during an Ultra Run? This NASA technology could save time lost eliminating waste behind a bush. I realize those really fast guys just let the pee fly on the run but I'm just not into that.


If you happen to get a chance to try one these MAG's let me know how it worked out for you. I suspect that severe chaffing may be a problem. That and you would look like a dumb-ass with a diaper on.


I'll think of a million dollar idea eventually. This may not be it.

15 comments:

Thomas said...

I envisage the following problems:

- chafing
- nappy rash
- heavy nappy dragging you down
- loss of dignity

and worst of all:

- just try and tell your wife to buy you some nappies. Go ahead. Try!

Wes said...

I dunno. If it came pre-moistened with body-glide... Nah....

Anonymous said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

omg, i wonder if it'd actually work.

Backofpack said...

You know, I wouldn't wear one because it'd make my butt look big. And Thomas, Eric is older...I might be buying him nappies soon anyway!

Journey to a Centum said...

Ha Ha Ha Michelle!

Thomas excellent bullet points regarding potential issues! If you could quickly change the MAG or nappy at the aid stations it may help eliminate the extra weight issue and saggy nappy. I guess this brings about the question of wheather or not you would wear running shorts over them or just a nappy? I'm sure you could get the aid station volunteers talking if you came running in peeling off your MAG and tossing it to them for disposal.

Wes perhaps a coating of body glide would just do the trick!

Angie - you sound curious, yes it just might work! Go ahead, try it, you know you want to. Don't forget to let us know how it worked out for you! And let me know if you are going to use it during an ultra so I can make sure I'm not manning an aid station that you might come through.

Jon said...

I was wondering when someone would have commented about using some kind of diaper thing on an ultra run! This post goes right up there with Scott Dunlap's Injinji Nut-Tsak idea. :-P

Unknown said...

I think it's definitely worth looking into. I would definitely need to iron it first though.

Anonymous said...

I know to some it may not sound much better, but I'll take the port-a-potty over the diapers any day! I can just hear the crinkle-crinkle as you run by. . . . :)

Journey to a Centum said...

Rob - you better use a cool iron on that!

Annette - Oh I see.. you would rather hover and go tinkle tinkle over saving time running going crinkle crinkle... :-)

Anonymous said...

Eric,
You are too funny! You must have too much time to think on all those long runs.

runliarun said...

Just imagine the smelly extra weight you would carry. I think it would definitely downplay any advantage garnered by not having to stop somewhere to pee.

Space flight, I think, is still a little bit of an exceptional state requiring exceptional measures. While running.. it's a less encumbered affair.

Journey to a Centum said...

Lia is right, and besides, who wants to get the nick name "Mr. Poopy Pants" at all the ultra events? I think the bushes or a port-o-potty are the best alternatives.

I think I'll still try to sell the idea to Nike for elite marathon and ultra runners. Can't you just see a big swoosh on the backside of a big poofy, smelly, chaffy, sports diaper?

Anonymous said...

I laughed so hard reading the title and seeing the picture that I feared waking my wife and daughter. That would be strange to them because it takes a lot to get me to laugh out loud. I don't guess the thing is made of a technical fabric that wicks moisture?

Anonymous said...

Well Eric, you've gone over the edge and you haven't run a 100 yet. You won't be able to Depend upon me being on your support team Mr. Poopy Pants. HA,HA

Dori said...

One word: Ewwww!