You never know what information may come in handy…

Today I’m going to share a tidbit discovered among the pages of Wired magazine:

“How to Outrun a Dinosaur”

Of course, one hopes you’d never encounter such a situation, and indeed, chances are slim. The last known predatory attack from a T-Rex took place well over 140 million years ago.

Even so, better safe than sorry.

According to a paper published in Nature, a full-grown T-Rex couldn’t muster a top speed of much more than about 12-13 miles per hour. That’s because, with all its weight and bulk, it’s drumstick bones couldn’t handle the stress of anything more than a brisk jog.

And given that it would take a running head start for the T-Rex to reach full speed, even a reasonably fit human could sprint quickly enough to outmaneuver it.

But the article in Wired tossed a monkey wrench at this comforting thought.

Apparently, unlike most critters who hit peak velocity when fully mature, the T-Rex achieves its top rate of speed during its teen years – at that point, up to a blistering 33 miles per hour. Even Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt maxed out around 23 MPH.

But there’s still hope – you may avoid a trip down Rex’s digestive tract by zigging and zagging, and changing course constantly. This will give you time to outlast the beastie as you’ll probably have the edge in endurance. Your other option is duck down a small cave or diving into a thorn bush – painful, yes, but still better than the alternative.

Thankfully, the odds of running from an ancient predator are minimal, which means you likely have more time to focus on your long term financial goals. Reach out to us at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or book online for your free 15-minute call.

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®