Daily Constitutional, Agate Version

There are a number of studies that suggest that regular morning exercise has significant health benefits. People who get their sweat on in the early hours boost their metabolism, tend to sleep better, and even have increased mental clarity and attention span.

During the pandemic, and especially since we bought a Peloton bike in August, I've made a regular habit of working out before I start my professional day. Anecdotally, I do believe I'm more alert and in a more positive frame of mind on days I exercise. And I'm almost certainly more fit today than I was before the beginning of the pandemic, despite a noteworthy increase in my alcohol intake.

Recently, though, I've found a different early-day stimulant that makes me sweat and definitely elevates my heart rate, even though I do it sitting down. And like many things over the past 30 years, I blame Dave.

The New York Times crossword is an iconic part of American newspaper history. It's been a daily feature of the Grey Lady since 1950. Editor Will Shortz is a bit of a geek idol, appearing in The Simpsons, How I Met Your Mother, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine among many others.

Sometime in the past few years, the Times published an app that added a small version of the crossword they called the Mini. And some time shortly after that, Dave turned it into a competition.

I first learned of the Mini at last year's OBFT when Dave lamented that zman was routinely the fastest at completing the Mini. Dave can beat his local friends most days, but it's a rare occasion when he tops zman. Then Whitney joined in, and he usually edges Dave, as well. 

I resisted, because I'm a reformed hyper-competitive loon. Mostly.

And then, about a month ago, I downloaded the app and started a new form of daily exercise. 

The Mini is usually a 5x5 puzzle, except on Saturdays, when the creators stretch their muscles, figuring we've got a little more time on our hands. A really excellent solver can rip through the Mini in under 25 seconds. My best time is 29 seconds, but I'm generally happy when I keep it under 45. And when I beat Dave.

And therein lies the rub. I usually do the Mini first thing when I sit down to my desk to work. Even before I open the app, my heart rate increases along with my stress levels. As I work the puzzle, my pulse hammers in my head. When I'm struggling, which happens on occasion (took me six minutes to finish a few weeks ago because I had complete brainlock), I start to sweat, first at my temples. When I finish, I check the leaderboard. 

Which zman typically sits atop, lording down upon us mortals. I've had the best time on a handful of occasions, which is a good way to start the day. Whitney's probably the second-fastest Gheorghie, a fact that I'm certain infuriates Dave, which gives me more pleasure than it should.

Marls started playing along recently, but that dude has a three year-old, so he's forgiven for not getting time to play the Mini every day. 

I'd encourage the rest of you to join in, but I think it's actually not all that good for my health. So if you want to play, do it with your eyes open. The NYT Mini is a dangerous thing.