History: July-Dec 2005
This is my Cube Diary, from the second half of 2005.
******* July 13, 2005 *******
Been a while since entries. What’s happened since the last entry? I lubed the 4x4x4 and it was a lot smoother. I was approaching 4 minutes in time, but then broke the 4x4x4 – set it down hard in frustration and a cube popped out then the whole thing fell apart.
here’s results from the June 12 Sunday Puzzle:
Average: 50.26
Times: (66.48), 48.10, 43.75, 46.18, 49.56, 51.91, (42.24), 54.52, 59.42, 48.16, 46.56, 54.44
Comment: With the old cube. New cube is dead, as is 4x4x4 (which disintegrated during a timing run). Time for some new cubes...
I just recently ordered a full set (2, 3, 4, 5, magic and snake) from various source (rubiks.com and amazon.com) – they should arrive late this week, early next week.
In the meantime, started trying to learn finger tricks. It’s tough, I’m still very clumsy and I get lockups like crazy. I did some practice in Hawaii to get the feel for it, then have been working on it since then. I seem to be able to get below a minute, unless I make mistakes or get major lockup.
Decided to do the Sunday July 10 Sunday Puzzle, just for fun, just sitting on the couch and timing on the laptop clock.
Average: 54.3 + 0.5 = 54.8 seconds
Individual Solving Times: 60 53 47 47 60 53 (41) 54 63 (68) 46 60. #13 = 47.
Best times (non-lucky) was #4 (47) and #13 (47). #3 (47) and #7 (41) were lucky. Mistakes on #2 (53) #5 (60) #10 (68). Definitely non-consistent.
Scrambles:
******* July 15, 2005 *******
Did the Sunday July 17 Sunday Puzzle, with the fingers.
******* July 21, 2005 *******
The 2x, 3x, 4x and 5x and Magic all arrived – it’s cube city!
Feel good with the 4x, even though it’s really stiff. Hanging around 5 minutes or so – will have to lube it up eventually. Tried the 5x and felt okay, though I’m stuck on an edge swap (and trolling the internet for help). Have two 3x which look interesting – as is for hand turning, or lube em up for finger solving. I’ll lube up one and see how it goes.
There’s a competition in the Bay Area, in Hillsborough, on Saturday, September 17. Definitely will have 3x and 3x one handed. Might be 2x, 4x and 5x – it’s up to the person running it (Tyson Mao). I volunteered to help.
I’m still not sure about finger turning – if it doesn’t improve soon, I’ll go back to hand turning for the September competition.
******* July 22, 2005 *******
Did a bunch of timing on the StackMat with the various cubes. In general, did five runs and took the average of the middle three
2x2x2
Runs: 27.92; 36.45; 18.45; 54.24; 40.18
Average of middle three: 35.05
Comment: all over the place. 18.45 was really lucky. It all hinges on getting first layer fast – the 54.24 was just trouble and sticky cube.
4x4x4
Only three runs: 4:09:22; 4:38:39; 3:59:37
I seem to be right about 4 minutes (#2 was due to a mistake) with my first sub-4 minute time!
3x3x3 (hand turning)
Runs: 54.80; 54.41; 35.05; 52.34; 54.19
Average of middle three: 53.68
Comment: I’m just faster with hands – it sucks, but that’s the case right now. Maybe it’s the cube. The 35.05 was sick lucky – I was going fast, but LL was orient edges and done. Probably would have been a 40-45 seconds with full method. Did one more at the end, got 41.16.
3x3x3 (finger turning)
Runs: 63.93; 63.66; 56.88; 58.62; 53.92
Average of middle three: 59.75
Comment: not sure what to think – cube felt very clunky, maybe new lubed cube will help.
3x3x3, one handed
Runs: 2:07:28; 2:18:08; 1:28:70; 2:02.61
No average, #3 was sick lucky (skip 3 steps) so I did one more. Looks like I’m at about 2 minutes on one-handed.
Working on being ready for NorCal in September!
******* July 24, 2005 *******
Did Sunday Puzzle with timer on computer, just as a test.
Average: 51.7 + 0.5 = 52.2 seconds
Individual Solving Times: 41 (72) (39) 50 47 52 58 53 50 56 56 54
Quote: Late Sunday night, at the kitchen table with the clock on the PC. Time OK, still not as good as "wrist cubing.". #13 = 43, the best non-lucky time. Of course.
******* July 26, 2005 *******
I have been working on 4x4x4 – seem to be around 4 minutes. Did some timing on Monday July 25 evening, 4x4x4 was four minutes and 3 minutes 30 seconds (good, somewhat lucky solve). Then did some 3x with new stiffer cube and it went okay, then did 3x with older looser cube and was flying! Five straight solves under 50 seconds, with two 45 in the mix. Interesting results, not sure how they got that way – maybe the prep with stiffer cube helped, because I was very relaxed.
Someone replied to my request for a move to fix edge match on a 5x5x5 and I used it, matched the edges and solved the 5x5x5. Good to have done it, though it needs to be lubed (and I’m not sure how to lube it, it doesn’t appear to easily come apart).
BTW, the move was: L2 d2 R F' U R' F d2. A lot like the 4x4x4 move (which is d R F’ U R’ F’ d).
******* July 29, 2005 *******
The evening of cubing. I’ve been doing 4x and 5x a lot, and it feels like it helps my 3x times. Last night, informally, I averaged 5 seconds over 5 runs (47, 48, 50. 52, 53). At the pool today, I was hanging around 3:30 on the 4x, and pulled a sub-3 minutes! So, decided to generate some scrambles and do the 4x.
4x4x4
Times: 3:15.08; 3:13.68; 3:53.56; 3:35.34; 3:00.74
Almost broke 3 minutes!
Average of middle 3 = 3:21.37. Pretty darn nice, considering I was pushing 4 minutes not that long ago. It’s all in the edge matching.
3x3x3
Doing Sunday Puzzle for July 31.
Started out with new 25th anniv cube, sucked, went to old cube, started rocking. Weird.
Average: 50.876 seconds
Individual solving times: 48.89 56.99 53.70 54.52 47.47 (59.88) 48.26 46.75 52.35 48.72 51.11 (42.77)
Quote: Still not averaging sub-50 using fingers (and was sub-50 using hands). But #7-#12 I was rocking!
3x3x3-1h
Grabbed #7-#12 from Sunday Puzzle for July 31.
Times: 1:19.71 lucky; 2:50.81; 2:20.67; 2:03.61; 2:29.96; 2:19.44
Average of middle 3 of last 5 = 2:23.36. Not damn bad.
Sunday Puzzle Scrambles for July 31
Scrambles
#
Due on Sunday, July 31st, 2005 before 11:59 PM EST
1 234567 8910111213
U2 B2 D F D2 R2 B' D' F R' U D2 L2 U2 R' B' F2 R2 B R' L2 F2 R' B2 RR' D U2 R2 F' U2 D2 F' R' F' R2 U D2 B' D' L' F2 U L' U D' L R2 U' FL U' L F2 D' R2 L D U' B' D2 F B' U' D B' L' U D L2 R' U' D B U2L B' U D' R F L D R F2 D F R F D R' B' R' F' L D' F R D' UU' L D' F B2 D2 U2 B' F' R' D B2 F' U F' B' R' U R U D' B2 L' F2 DD L2 F2 B U2 L D2 B L' B2 R B2 F2 D B R' F L2 D L' R' B F' R U'D' B' R D2 R2 B2 R U' R D2 L F' D' L F' U L U L D U2 F' U2 D' BR2 U F' U2 B' R B F D F U B2 F2 L' F' D2 L2 U2 D' L D L2 U' D' R'R D2 R L2 U F2 R' D B D2 F D2 U F2 L2 F B' U2 F U' F U' D B U2D2 F U2 R' U2 F D B F2 L F D' F' B R U' D' B D U' L2 D2 R' U2 LD L2 U2 L2 U' F' D2 B' L' B U' R2 F' R' B' L2 R2 D F U' R F' D' F RF2 R' B2 F' U2 F2 D L2 R B D' U' F D2 R2 B R F2 B L2 R2 U2 R' L D'U L2 U' L D2 B2 U' L2 U L' R' D B2 L D' B F2 U2 L R2 F L' U2 F' U'
******* August 5, 2005 *******
Being cubing during the week – one day 4x, one day 5x, one day 3x, one day 3x-1h. Decided to do some 2x timings so I can start tracking on speedcubing.
Average: 23.684
Times: 19.25 28.50 (18.90) 23.85 27.87 (40.59) 23.75 24.91 24.66 22.15 19.93 21.97
#13 = 20.32
Comment: First timing ever, trying to be consistently under 25, very catchy cube. Sub-20 is a rare moment right now.
More timing, for 3x one-handed. Finally established an average of 10, and had my fastest non-lucky time every (112.16 = 1:52.16). Also a couple 1:48 lucky times.
Average: 129.538 (2:09.538)
Times: 148.11, 126.43, 113.68, 117.43, 145.75, 128.22, 112.16, 143.08, 151.86, (DNF), (108.16), 108.66
#13 = 129.81
Comment: Mistakes are just a killer and resulted in all the 2:30 times. But, getting close to a two minute average and had a sub two-minute non-lucky time.
4x timings. Did an everage of 10, and a sub-3 minute lucky time.
Average: 202.205 (3:22.205)
Times: (242.99), 190.54, (167.25), 190.67, 187.07, 207.63, 220.08, 219.12, 210.41, 195.21, 206.71, 194.61
#13 = 180.13
Comment: 12 runs was tough, and I fell apart a few times, hitting 3:30. But some good times, and plenty of space to improve.
Also did one timed run on the 5x. It took forever; fixing the centers was about 6 minutes, edge matching about 8, then finishing the cube was 2:08. Grand total was 16 minutes.
******* August 8, 2005 *******
Did the Sunday contest, and it sucked. Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes, jams, couldn’t pay attention – what a mess, I was getting super pissed and it was just supreme self-control that kept me from throwing the cubes (but I did hit the couch instead). I even tried some 3x one handed to try to mellow out – the first was almost sub 2 minutes (marred by not being able to make a last turn), but the next two runs were again full of mistakes and ended up at 2:45 (one, I basically started F2L over at 1:15).
Name: Jeff Soesbe
Email: yeff@yahoo.com
Country: USA
Average: 52.828 seconds
Individual Solving Times: 50.37 59.44 54.62 61.43 54.30 58.02 (42.70) 47.98 50.99 43.36 47.77 (67.57)
Quote: Except for a few stellar runs, most of these were full of mistakes and brain lapses. Very dismal week for me.
******* August 13, 2005 *******
Did Jon Morris Sunday Puzzle – absolutely terrible. I was consistently sub-50 before the competition, but got all bent out of shape before doing the puzzles and couldn’t concentrate. I didn’t even send in the times, I was so disgusted.
Average: 52.479
Individual Solving Times: 55.03 (59.06) 58.39 52.12 (44.16) 54.21 44.69 53.99 53.08 48.32 56.18 48.88
Quote: I made mistakes on every single run that wasn’t sub-45. Enormously frustrating. Did #13 with a “slow down to speed up” mentality and got 48.77. More psychological training is needed.
******* August 16, 2005 *******
Playing with different puzzles to try to break out of 3x mindset.
Rubik’s Snake (aka Rubik’s Twist); worked on getting sub 15 then was able to pull a couple sub-10 seconds, including a personal best of 9.62.
Took Eleanor to soccer practice and did some 4x and 5x at the park – 3 runs of each, timing on the cell phone. Ended up with personal best in each puzzle. Almost breaking 3 minute average in 4x and have an 8 minute average in 5x.
4x:
Average = 3:04.35
Times = 2:41.19, 3:33.08, 2:58.79
5x:
Average = 7:58.16
Times = 8:04.93; 7:33.93; 8:22.47
The 5x is all about centers right now. Edge matching seems to be consistently around 3:30, 3x solve about 1:30 (though on puzzle number 3, 3x solve was 2 minutes, which blew the sub 8 minutes). Centers in the 3 runs were 3:01, 2:14 and 2:41. But the sub-8 minute average is nice.
I ordered stickers from cubesmith, getting 2 sets for 4x, 5x, and 3x and tiles for 3x. We’ll see what they’re like when they arrive. My 5x stickers are falling off in droves, especially the yellow ones.
The Northern California Open is in a month. I think I’d like to be as follows:
around 20 seconds average in 2x
around 45-50 seconds average in 3x
sub 3 minute average in 4x
around 7-7.5 minute average in 5x
sub 2 minute average in 3x-one handed.
We’ll see how close I can get.
******* August 28, 2005 *******
Did the August 21 Sunday contest, but mailed them in too late. Wasn’t too hot either, because the times were like a 52 second average. Too many mental errors.
Did a lot of cubing at Eleanor’s soccer tournament Saturday, so much I actually started feeling nauseated. Tonight, pulling some good times at the stove (including a lucky 32!) so went for Sunday contest and did rather well with best average in a looooong time.
Name: Jeff Soesbe
Email: yeff@yahoo.com
Country: USA
Average: 47.92 seconds
Individual Solving Times: 46.99, 37.17, 49.70, 49.39, 40.47, 54.11, 43.54, (67.89), 39.05, 55.12, 45.07, (36.59), 59.90, 51.85, 50.61.
Quote: For first 12, average of middle 10 was 46 (!); all times > 51 were mistakes and all times < 40 were lucky. Very pleased overall.
After that, finished off a set of 7 5x solves, so I can file a record. Hovered around 8 minutes, with an absolutely kick-butt final solve which featured some serious edge matching!
Times: 8:04.93, 7:33.93, (8:22.47), 7:52.65, 7:55.99, 8:15.09, (6:39.73)
Average = 7:56.52
I’m right about 2:15 for centers, 4+ minutes for edge matching, and about 1:30-1:45 for the solve, but the last solve was about 3 minutes for edge matching and a 1:10 solve! (centers was about 2:30).
******* September 17, 2005 *******
NorCal tournament
This went great! Personal bests in virtually everything, way better than I could have ever thought I’d do. Even made it to the second round of 3x3x3! Only a few bad times, once in 3x, once in 5x, once in 3x-1h, once in magic.
Did 3x, 5x, 4x, 3x-onehanded, 2x; 3x second round, magic
3x3x3:
First round = 41.07; 39.68; 39.89; 43.78; 45.25. Average = 41.58
Second round = 36.82; 43.52; 39.87; 43.36; 52.26. Average = 42.25
(PR averages!)
5x5x5:
6:11.33; 7:06.73; 8:30.83; average = 7:16 or so
(PR on first solve! PR average! Major edge mistakes on last solve)
4x4x4:
2:27.27; 2:46.87; 2:37.00; average = 2:37 or so
(PR on first solve! PR average!)
3x3x3-one handed:
1:36.90; 2:09.13; 1:24.68; average = 1:43 or so
(PR on last solve! PR average! Mistake on second solve)
2x2x2:
18.30; 20.04; 18.17; 10.19; 12.22; average = 16.23
(PR on last two solves! PR average! 10.19 was way lucky, 12.22 was pretty solid)
Magic:
5.67; 6.25; 9.54; 4.98; 6.28; average = 6.07 or so
(PR on fourth solve! PR average! Third solve was a clunker)
******* November 24, 2005 *******
Haven’t written down results in a while.
Summary: seem to be pushing sub-40 more often than not. Have put up sub-40 averages in the last three Sunday contests. They still don’t seem very solid – very clumsy and jumpy – but I’m able to do it. It really really depends on the how the F2L goes.
SF contest will be January 24 – about 6 weeks. The question now is: switch my LL to a orient edges, orient corners, permute corners, permute edges (and maybe even to full PLL)? I’m really thinking about it, and might just make the switch. I only need 2 routines for “permute corners”, as long as I accept my current corner orientation routines, and I can add more corner orientation routines. But will it make me faster?
Also have ignored things like 3x one hand, 4x and 5x. Need to start getting back to those.
Did a set of 13 3x-1h, using old Sunday contest scrambles, to try my onehand – have a new PR, and possibly new record time, to submit to speedcubing records.
Name: Jeff Soesbe
Email: yeff@yahoo.com
List email: OK
First record post: NO
Puzzle: Rubik's 3x3x3
Type: Average of 10
Category: One Handed
Result: 90.344 seconds
Quote: 101.43, 86.10, (111.29), 99.22, 85.35, 79.53, 81.02, 107.30, (68.52), 76.44, 89.52, 97.53
Comment: Almost, almost sub-90 seconds. Next time for sure.
Name: Jeff Soesbe
Email: yeff@yahoo.com
List email: OK
First record post: NO
Puzzle: Rubik's 3x3x3
Type: Single Solve
Category: One handed
Result: 76.44 seconds
Quote: Trying one-handed again, after a break.
Comment: Did a set of 13, and got 4 times faster than my previous fastest.
******* July 13, 2005 *******
Been a while since entries. What’s happened since the last entry? I lubed the 4x4x4 and it was a lot smoother. I was approaching 4 minutes in time, but then broke the 4x4x4 – set it down hard in frustration and a cube popped out then the whole thing fell apart.
here’s results from the June 12 Sunday Puzzle:
Average: 50.26
Times: (66.48), 48.10, 43.75, 46.18, 49.56, 51.91, (42.24), 54.52, 59.42, 48.16, 46.56, 54.44
Comment: With the old cube. New cube is dead, as is 4x4x4 (which disintegrated during a timing run). Time for some new cubes...
I just recently ordered a full set (2, 3, 4, 5, magic and snake) from various source (rubiks.com and amazon.com) – they should arrive late this week, early next week.
In the meantime, started trying to learn finger tricks. It’s tough, I’m still very clumsy and I get lockups like crazy. I did some practice in Hawaii to get the feel for it, then have been working on it since then. I seem to be able to get below a minute, unless I make mistakes or get major lockup.
Decided to do the Sunday July 10 Sunday Puzzle, just for fun, just sitting on the couch and timing on the laptop clock.
Average: 54.3 + 0.5 = 54.8 seconds
Individual Solving Times: 60 53 47 47 60 53 (41) 54 63 (68) 46 60. #13 = 47.
Best times (non-lucky) was #4 (47) and #13 (47). #3 (47) and #7 (41) were lucky. Mistakes on #2 (53) #5 (60) #10 (68). Definitely non-consistent.
Scrambles:
******* July 15, 2005 *******
Did the Sunday July 17 Sunday Puzzle, with the fingers.
******* July 21, 2005 *******
The 2x, 3x, 4x and 5x and Magic all arrived – it’s cube city!
Feel good with the 4x, even though it’s really stiff. Hanging around 5 minutes or so – will have to lube it up eventually. Tried the 5x and felt okay, though I’m stuck on an edge swap (and trolling the internet for help). Have two 3x which look interesting – as is for hand turning, or lube em up for finger solving. I’ll lube up one and see how it goes.
There’s a competition in the Bay Area, in Hillsborough, on Saturday, September 17. Definitely will have 3x and 3x one handed. Might be 2x, 4x and 5x – it’s up to the person running it (Tyson Mao). I volunteered to help.
I’m still not sure about finger turning – if it doesn’t improve soon, I’ll go back to hand turning for the September competition.
******* July 22, 2005 *******
Did a bunch of timing on the StackMat with the various cubes. In general, did five runs and took the average of the middle three
2x2x2
Runs: 27.92; 36.45; 18.45; 54.24; 40.18
Average of middle three: 35.05
Comment: all over the place. 18.45 was really lucky. It all hinges on getting first layer fast – the 54.24 was just trouble and sticky cube.
4x4x4
Only three runs: 4:09:22; 4:38:39; 3:59:37
I seem to be right about 4 minutes (#2 was due to a mistake) with my first sub-4 minute time!
3x3x3 (hand turning)
Runs: 54.80; 54.41; 35.05; 52.34; 54.19
Average of middle three: 53.68
Comment: I’m just faster with hands – it sucks, but that’s the case right now. Maybe it’s the cube. The 35.05 was sick lucky – I was going fast, but LL was orient edges and done. Probably would have been a 40-45 seconds with full method. Did one more at the end, got 41.16.
3x3x3 (finger turning)
Runs: 63.93; 63.66; 56.88; 58.62; 53.92
Average of middle three: 59.75
Comment: not sure what to think – cube felt very clunky, maybe new lubed cube will help.
3x3x3, one handed
Runs: 2:07:28; 2:18:08; 1:28:70; 2:02.61
No average, #3 was sick lucky (skip 3 steps) so I did one more. Looks like I’m at about 2 minutes on one-handed.
Working on being ready for NorCal in September!
******* July 24, 2005 *******
Did Sunday Puzzle with timer on computer, just as a test.
Average: 51.7 + 0.5 = 52.2 seconds
Individual Solving Times: 41 (72) (39) 50 47 52 58 53 50 56 56 54
Quote: Late Sunday night, at the kitchen table with the clock on the PC. Time OK, still not as good as "wrist cubing.". #13 = 43, the best non-lucky time. Of course.
******* July 26, 2005 *******
I have been working on 4x4x4 – seem to be around 4 minutes. Did some timing on Monday July 25 evening, 4x4x4 was four minutes and 3 minutes 30 seconds (good, somewhat lucky solve). Then did some 3x with new stiffer cube and it went okay, then did 3x with older looser cube and was flying! Five straight solves under 50 seconds, with two 45 in the mix. Interesting results, not sure how they got that way – maybe the prep with stiffer cube helped, because I was very relaxed.
Someone replied to my request for a move to fix edge match on a 5x5x5 and I used it, matched the edges and solved the 5x5x5. Good to have done it, though it needs to be lubed (and I’m not sure how to lube it, it doesn’t appear to easily come apart).
BTW, the move was: L2 d2 R F' U R' F d2. A lot like the 4x4x4 move (which is d R F’ U R’ F’ d).
******* July 29, 2005 *******
The evening of cubing. I’ve been doing 4x and 5x a lot, and it feels like it helps my 3x times. Last night, informally, I averaged 5 seconds over 5 runs (47, 48, 50. 52, 53). At the pool today, I was hanging around 3:30 on the 4x, and pulled a sub-3 minutes! So, decided to generate some scrambles and do the 4x.
4x4x4
Times: 3:15.08; 3:13.68; 3:53.56; 3:35.34; 3:00.74
Almost broke 3 minutes!
Average of middle 3 = 3:21.37. Pretty darn nice, considering I was pushing 4 minutes not that long ago. It’s all in the edge matching.
3x3x3
Doing Sunday Puzzle for July 31.
Started out with new 25th anniv cube, sucked, went to old cube, started rocking. Weird.
Average: 50.876 seconds
Individual solving times: 48.89 56.99 53.70 54.52 47.47 (59.88) 48.26 46.75 52.35 48.72 51.11 (42.77)
Quote: Still not averaging sub-50 using fingers (and was sub-50 using hands). But #7-#12 I was rocking!
3x3x3-1h
Grabbed #7-#12 from Sunday Puzzle for July 31.
Times: 1:19.71 lucky; 2:50.81; 2:20.67; 2:03.61; 2:29.96; 2:19.44
Average of middle 3 of last 5 = 2:23.36. Not damn bad.
Sunday Puzzle Scrambles for July 31
Scrambles
#
Due on Sunday, July 31st, 2005 before 11:59 PM EST
1 234567 8910111213
U2 B2 D F D2 R2 B' D' F R' U D2 L2 U2 R' B' F2 R2 B R' L2 F2 R' B2 RR' D U2 R2 F' U2 D2 F' R' F' R2 U D2 B' D' L' F2 U L' U D' L R2 U' FL U' L F2 D' R2 L D U' B' D2 F B' U' D B' L' U D L2 R' U' D B U2L B' U D' R F L D R F2 D F R F D R' B' R' F' L D' F R D' UU' L D' F B2 D2 U2 B' F' R' D B2 F' U F' B' R' U R U D' B2 L' F2 DD L2 F2 B U2 L D2 B L' B2 R B2 F2 D B R' F L2 D L' R' B F' R U'D' B' R D2 R2 B2 R U' R D2 L F' D' L F' U L U L D U2 F' U2 D' BR2 U F' U2 B' R B F D F U B2 F2 L' F' D2 L2 U2 D' L D L2 U' D' R'R D2 R L2 U F2 R' D B D2 F D2 U F2 L2 F B' U2 F U' F U' D B U2D2 F U2 R' U2 F D B F2 L F D' F' B R U' D' B D U' L2 D2 R' U2 LD L2 U2 L2 U' F' D2 B' L' B U' R2 F' R' B' L2 R2 D F U' R F' D' F RF2 R' B2 F' U2 F2 D L2 R B D' U' F D2 R2 B R F2 B L2 R2 U2 R' L D'U L2 U' L D2 B2 U' L2 U L' R' D B2 L D' B F2 U2 L R2 F L' U2 F' U'
******* August 5, 2005 *******
Being cubing during the week – one day 4x, one day 5x, one day 3x, one day 3x-1h. Decided to do some 2x timings so I can start tracking on speedcubing.
Average: 23.684
Times: 19.25 28.50 (18.90) 23.85 27.87 (40.59) 23.75 24.91 24.66 22.15 19.93 21.97
#13 = 20.32
Comment: First timing ever, trying to be consistently under 25, very catchy cube. Sub-20 is a rare moment right now.
More timing, for 3x one-handed. Finally established an average of 10, and had my fastest non-lucky time every (112.16 = 1:52.16). Also a couple 1:48 lucky times.
Average: 129.538 (2:09.538)
Times: 148.11, 126.43, 113.68, 117.43, 145.75, 128.22, 112.16, 143.08, 151.86, (DNF), (108.16), 108.66
#13 = 129.81
Comment: Mistakes are just a killer and resulted in all the 2:30 times. But, getting close to a two minute average and had a sub two-minute non-lucky time.
4x timings. Did an everage of 10, and a sub-3 minute lucky time.
Average: 202.205 (3:22.205)
Times: (242.99), 190.54, (167.25), 190.67, 187.07, 207.63, 220.08, 219.12, 210.41, 195.21, 206.71, 194.61
#13 = 180.13
Comment: 12 runs was tough, and I fell apart a few times, hitting 3:30. But some good times, and plenty of space to improve.
Also did one timed run on the 5x. It took forever; fixing the centers was about 6 minutes, edge matching about 8, then finishing the cube was 2:08. Grand total was 16 minutes.
******* August 8, 2005 *******
Did the Sunday contest, and it sucked. Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes, jams, couldn’t pay attention – what a mess, I was getting super pissed and it was just supreme self-control that kept me from throwing the cubes (but I did hit the couch instead). I even tried some 3x one handed to try to mellow out – the first was almost sub 2 minutes (marred by not being able to make a last turn), but the next two runs were again full of mistakes and ended up at 2:45 (one, I basically started F2L over at 1:15).
Name: Jeff Soesbe
Email: yeff@yahoo.com
Country: USA
Average: 52.828 seconds
Individual Solving Times: 50.37 59.44 54.62 61.43 54.30 58.02 (42.70) 47.98 50.99 43.36 47.77 (67.57)
Quote: Except for a few stellar runs, most of these were full of mistakes and brain lapses. Very dismal week for me.
******* August 13, 2005 *******
Did Jon Morris Sunday Puzzle – absolutely terrible. I was consistently sub-50 before the competition, but got all bent out of shape before doing the puzzles and couldn’t concentrate. I didn’t even send in the times, I was so disgusted.
Average: 52.479
Individual Solving Times: 55.03 (59.06) 58.39 52.12 (44.16) 54.21 44.69 53.99 53.08 48.32 56.18 48.88
Quote: I made mistakes on every single run that wasn’t sub-45. Enormously frustrating. Did #13 with a “slow down to speed up” mentality and got 48.77. More psychological training is needed.
******* August 16, 2005 *******
Playing with different puzzles to try to break out of 3x mindset.
Rubik’s Snake (aka Rubik’s Twist); worked on getting sub 15 then was able to pull a couple sub-10 seconds, including a personal best of 9.62.
Took Eleanor to soccer practice and did some 4x and 5x at the park – 3 runs of each, timing on the cell phone. Ended up with personal best in each puzzle. Almost breaking 3 minute average in 4x and have an 8 minute average in 5x.
4x:
Average = 3:04.35
Times = 2:41.19, 3:33.08, 2:58.79
5x:
Average = 7:58.16
Times = 8:04.93; 7:33.93; 8:22.47
The 5x is all about centers right now. Edge matching seems to be consistently around 3:30, 3x solve about 1:30 (though on puzzle number 3, 3x solve was 2 minutes, which blew the sub 8 minutes). Centers in the 3 runs were 3:01, 2:14 and 2:41. But the sub-8 minute average is nice.
I ordered stickers from cubesmith, getting 2 sets for 4x, 5x, and 3x and tiles for 3x. We’ll see what they’re like when they arrive. My 5x stickers are falling off in droves, especially the yellow ones.
The Northern California Open is in a month. I think I’d like to be as follows:
around 20 seconds average in 2x
around 45-50 seconds average in 3x
sub 3 minute average in 4x
around 7-7.5 minute average in 5x
sub 2 minute average in 3x-one handed.
We’ll see how close I can get.
******* August 28, 2005 *******
Did the August 21 Sunday contest, but mailed them in too late. Wasn’t too hot either, because the times were like a 52 second average. Too many mental errors.
Did a lot of cubing at Eleanor’s soccer tournament Saturday, so much I actually started feeling nauseated. Tonight, pulling some good times at the stove (including a lucky 32!) so went for Sunday contest and did rather well with best average in a looooong time.
Name: Jeff Soesbe
Email: yeff@yahoo.com
Country: USA
Average: 47.92 seconds
Individual Solving Times: 46.99, 37.17, 49.70, 49.39, 40.47, 54.11, 43.54, (67.89), 39.05, 55.12, 45.07, (36.59), 59.90, 51.85, 50.61.
Quote: For first 12, average of middle 10 was 46 (!); all times > 51 were mistakes and all times < 40 were lucky. Very pleased overall.
After that, finished off a set of 7 5x solves, so I can file a record. Hovered around 8 minutes, with an absolutely kick-butt final solve which featured some serious edge matching!
Times: 8:04.93, 7:33.93, (8:22.47), 7:52.65, 7:55.99, 8:15.09, (6:39.73)
Average = 7:56.52
I’m right about 2:15 for centers, 4+ minutes for edge matching, and about 1:30-1:45 for the solve, but the last solve was about 3 minutes for edge matching and a 1:10 solve! (centers was about 2:30).
******* September 17, 2005 *******
NorCal tournament
This went great! Personal bests in virtually everything, way better than I could have ever thought I’d do. Even made it to the second round of 3x3x3! Only a few bad times, once in 3x, once in 5x, once in 3x-1h, once in magic.
Did 3x, 5x, 4x, 3x-onehanded, 2x; 3x second round, magic
3x3x3:
First round = 41.07; 39.68; 39.89; 43.78; 45.25. Average = 41.58
Second round = 36.82; 43.52; 39.87; 43.36; 52.26. Average = 42.25
(PR averages!)
5x5x5:
6:11.33; 7:06.73; 8:30.83; average = 7:16 or so
(PR on first solve! PR average! Major edge mistakes on last solve)
4x4x4:
2:27.27; 2:46.87; 2:37.00; average = 2:37 or so
(PR on first solve! PR average!)
3x3x3-one handed:
1:36.90; 2:09.13; 1:24.68; average = 1:43 or so
(PR on last solve! PR average! Mistake on second solve)
2x2x2:
18.30; 20.04; 18.17; 10.19; 12.22; average = 16.23
(PR on last two solves! PR average! 10.19 was way lucky, 12.22 was pretty solid)
Magic:
5.67; 6.25; 9.54; 4.98; 6.28; average = 6.07 or so
(PR on fourth solve! PR average! Third solve was a clunker)
******* November 24, 2005 *******
Haven’t written down results in a while.
Summary: seem to be pushing sub-40 more often than not. Have put up sub-40 averages in the last three Sunday contests. They still don’t seem very solid – very clumsy and jumpy – but I’m able to do it. It really really depends on the how the F2L goes.
SF contest will be January 24 – about 6 weeks. The question now is: switch my LL to a orient edges, orient corners, permute corners, permute edges (and maybe even to full PLL)? I’m really thinking about it, and might just make the switch. I only need 2 routines for “permute corners”, as long as I accept my current corner orientation routines, and I can add more corner orientation routines. But will it make me faster?
Also have ignored things like 3x one hand, 4x and 5x. Need to start getting back to those.
Did a set of 13 3x-1h, using old Sunday contest scrambles, to try my onehand – have a new PR, and possibly new record time, to submit to speedcubing records.
Name: Jeff Soesbe
Email: yeff@yahoo.com
List email: OK
First record post: NO
Puzzle: Rubik's 3x3x3
Type: Average of 10
Category: One Handed
Result: 90.344 seconds
Quote: 101.43, 86.10, (111.29), 99.22, 85.35, 79.53, 81.02, 107.30, (68.52), 76.44, 89.52, 97.53
Comment: Almost, almost sub-90 seconds. Next time for sure.
Name: Jeff Soesbe
Email: yeff@yahoo.com
List email: OK
First record post: NO
Puzzle: Rubik's 3x3x3
Type: Single Solve
Category: One handed
Result: 76.44 seconds
Quote: Trying one-handed again, after a break.
Comment: Did a set of 13, and got 4 times faster than my previous fastest.
posted by yeff at 12:05 AM
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