Month: February 2026

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Too Cold to Run, Smart Enough to Plan Around It

Brian’s fitness journal after a brain stroke

I have been exceptionally cold in Nashville lately. We’ve had mornings starting at 11°F, which feels less like weather and more like a personal challenge from the universe.

My wife, unfazed, went out for her morning workout anyway. Her internal temperature sensor is clearly miscalibrated, I blame her time living in the frozen wastes of Canada. She claims her winter running jacket feels perfectly warm at 11°F. Apparently, such jackets exist. I have never owned one and therefore remain skeptical.

Last night, it snowed. Snow itself doesn’t concern us unless it requires manual labor. We are fully prepared—with two bags of salt and a snow shovel standing by like emergency supplies. Fortunately, the snow didn’t stick. The temperature crept above freezing just long enough to melt it away.

Unfortunately, that did not mean warmth was coming back.

Once I realized we wouldn’t see anything above 40°F, I immediately began dreading my run. Since I’ve already hit my yearly running goals, a dangerous thought appeared: Maybe I can take a break.

And just like that, I declared today a no-run day.

That said, I know the rule my wife lives by: skip once, and you must go back next time. Otherwise, skipping becomes a habit, and habits quietly erode commitment. This is probably why she still works out in conditions better suited for polar research.

I, however, have a different constraint: my body does not cope well with extreme weather. This is less a motivational issue and more a survival preference.

Looking ahead, Saturday promises temperatures in the 40s. Not pleasant—but tolerable. I’ll definitely be running a 10K then. A 10K in the 40s isn’t fun, but it’s manageable with the right layers and the correct amount of complaining.

This has led me to consider a new idea: a temperature-based exception rule.

Something like:

  • If it doesn’t get above 40°F by 1 p.m.
  • And I’ve already hit my current year’s goals
    → I’m allowed to skip the run without guilt.

I suspect this would reduce unnecessary stress and make running feel less like a punishment issued by the weather. It may also be wise to establish an upper temperature limit as well—though running early in the morning usually solves that problem.

For now, winter and I have reached a temporary ceasefire. I skipped today.
I will run next time.
And that, I think, is a reasonable compromise.

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How to Build Your First Flask Web App in Python (Hello, World!)

Day 32 of 100 Days Coding Challenge: Python

Today I met Flask—and no, not the kind you sneak whiskey into conferences with. This one is a web framework, and it’s my first real step into the world of web applications. At first glance, the code looked suspiciously simple: import Flask, create an app, slap a “Hello, World!” on the screen. That’s it? Really?

But behind that humble greeting lies a whole new realm of possibilities. I’m already plotting how to use this for my future AI projects. Imagine wrapping a Python model into a sleek web interface—Flask makes that not just possible but practically inviting. For now, I’m staying in my lane and keeping it small. One “hello world” at a time. Baby steps, but hey, even Iron Man had to build his first suit in a cave.

Today’s Motivation / Challenge

Building websites sounds like something best left to Silicon Valley wizards, but today proved it doesn’t have to be. Flask gives you a gentle nudge into the web world, perfect for anyone who’s ever wanted to turn a Python script into something users can actually interact with. No dragons to slay, just a server to run.

Purpose of the Code (Object)

This little project sets up a tiny website on your computer that proudly displays “Hello, World!” when you visit it in a browser. It’s the classic starter app, but this time, you’re doing it with your own Python magic. Think of it as shaking hands with the Internet.

AI Prompt

Make a Flask app that runs a server on localhost and displays “Hello, World!” on the homepage.

Functions & Features

  • Runs a basic web server locally
  • Displays a message (“Hello, World!”) when you open the site
  • Prepares the foundation for future web-based apps

Requirements / Setup

pip install flask

Minimal Code Sample

from flask import Flask  

app = Flask(__name__)  

@app.route(‘/’)  

def hello():  

    return ‘Hello, World!’  

This sets up a web route at / and returns a greeting when accessed.

Flaskapp

Notes / Lessons Learned

This was surprisingly fun. I’ve never built a web app before, but now I’ve got a tiny server cheering me on from my browser tab. There’s a lot more to learn—routing, templates, maybe even form handling—but I already see how this can be the launchpad for my AI work. I’ve been tinkering with Python models in isolation, but now I can give them a proper front door. The best part? I didn’t need a massive framework or a team of developers. Just me, Flask, and a mildly confused browser.

Optional Ideas for Expansion

  • Change the greeting based on the time of day
  • Add a new route, like /about, to test routing
  • Connect it to an AI model that responds with something witty (or weird)

Day 31
Day 33