Wanna get high?

Please excuse my inner scientist.

• The US Population today is reportedly 317 million people (http://www.census.gov/popclock/)
• In 2012 1.85 million Americans successfully completed a half-marathon, an impressive 14.9% increase from 2012 (http://www.runningusa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.details&ArticleId=333&returnTo=annual-reports). 
• According to Gallup poles, 38% of the US Population has smoked marijuana (120 million people) but only 7% report they still smoke marijuana (22 million people). (http://www.gallup.com/poll/163835/tried-marijuana-little-changed-80s.aspx)

The other day my good friend from undergrad, John Savage, flew in to D.C. on a red-eye for a New Years Reunion (for those interested, John blogs at: http://savagesentiments.blogspot.com/). The series of texts exchanged by John and I went as follows:

John: "In dc"

Me: "Awesome, headed to hotel?"

John: "Ya, caught the super shuttle."

John: "Checked in. Aim for run at 2?"

Me: "Sounds good, Ill pick you up at the metro."

Now, John and I don't claim to be a shining example of healthy living. We both enjoy the more than occasional, big mexican burrito and too many beers. Heck, I eat ice cream almost nightly. But let's say instead of a triathlete, John was a pothead. If John were a smoker, the first thing he would have done when he got off the plane was to light up. The difference? Endorphins over THC, instead of hitting up a dealer, he hits me up for a run. While I don't want to spark a big debate about whether or not weed is as "bad" for you as people make it out to be, I think we can all agree that going for a run is a healthier option.

Before writing this I wasn't really sure what the numbers were for people who smoke weed, compared to people who run. I have to say, I am shocked. 

In 2011, 12x more people regularly smoked marijuana than completed a half-marathon!!!!!! I don't hold it against people that they smoke. In fact I know a number of very fit athletes that have. To each their own. That said, here are some more facts:

• The average smoker spends more than $1,000 on weed yearly.
• The average price of a running shoe= 100 bucks, replaced 3-4x, $400/yearly

The choice is yours.