Re: [Paddlewise] Testing

From: Gary J. MacDonald <garyj_at_rogers.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 10:22:35 -0400
Michael Daly wrote:

>On 17 Sep 2004 at 9:50, Gary J. MacDonald wrote:
>
>>I know that runners, for example, can often measure distances within 5% 
>>or less when they run at particular speeds where their body just clicks 
>>into rhythm.
>I used to keep a training diary when I was a "serious" athlete (XC ski 
>racing, running and bike racing).  Being an engineer, at the end of a year 
>of keeping the diary, I plotted the data and analysed it.  I found that 
>there was a significant variability - much more than 5%. I also had the 
>info in the diary on how I felt during the training.  Please allow me to 
>doubt your claim :-)
Please doubt!  It is in doubting that we learn!

What I was thinking of is that when I was a serious runner, I found that if 
I focused on measuring an unknown path or trail, I could come up with a 
pretty good measurement most of the time.  When possible I checked against 
maps or surveys, and usually found that I was quite close.  Some days I 
just couldn't do it.  I would start out and find that I couldn't maintain 
the pace.  Terrain I could allow for in my time/distance relation, but not 
the state of my body.  The pace I used for measuring was not fast, but some 
days I just couldn't "do it" with the confidence necessary to measure.

GaryJ
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Received on Mon Sep 20 2004 - 07:39:45 PDT

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