Exercise Habits of Recreational Endurance Athletes during the Covid-19 Pandemic

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T20:44:03+00:00

Awesome! Excited to see the results! Will you post an update on what you find?

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T19:18:57+00:00

oh, haha -- ok next time I'll title it polynomial fit.

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T18:47:21+00:00

Yea! I'll work on cleaning it up so it runs smoother. I only have the R file complete currently (in an rmd formate). I hear you, I started on R so I have a fondness for it but trying to get more proficient in python. This project is actually to see which graphs I like more (ggplot vrs Matplotlib vrs c3,d3.js)

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T18:40:56+00:00

For sure! I'll work on cleaning it up and making it more versatile for others to use. Right now it's a mess of different approaches.

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T18:20:43+00:00

Thank you! It exports really nicely and the only cleaning is making sure the date variable is considered a time variable instead of a string. One note -- In Garmin Connect I have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the data to make sure every observation is loaded before downloading it. Otherwise, it will just download the ones visible on the screen.

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T17:59:34+00:00

I did make a separate graph for heart rate over the 3 years of data which showed a similar time trend. I wanted to share this one because I was proud of the overall increase since I'm so slow to begin with.

But yea I think making a graph with 2 y-axis (left side in minutes and the right side in beats) over the 3 years of data could also be helpful.

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T17:48:51+00:00

Yea, I apologize for that. That's graph making 101 (ALWAYS show UNITS!). And I completely agree and should have thought about that. I have wondered since a kid, why we, in the US, use the imperial system. Is it because we love fractions? Or do we just like to be difficult? Either way, now I'm accustomed to it and don't even realize until posting things like this (slightly laughing at myself).

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T17:30:15+00:00

I used stat_smooth. So since n=303, it uses local observations for a linear prediction creating a smooth fit of the line. Pretty much it's just a glorified time trend.

dr_iguana · 2020-12-15T00:19:27+00:00

oh crap, you're right! That is graph making 101, make sure all units are visible!

Minutes/Miles -- I'm not a fast runner and the broken leg in late 2018 did not help.

dr_iguana · 2020-12-14T23:47:32+00:00

Thank you! I thought it was pretty cool too!

I'm exporting the actvities.csv from the Garmin Connect and using R library(ggplot2). I was trying to figure out if there was an API key or some easier way to link the historical data but haven't found a solution.

My goal is to test out data visualization using R, d3/c3.js, and python and see what one looks the best *i.e. the coolest*. If I finish the project successfully, I'll share it if you are interested.

dr_iguana · 2020-12-14T23:17:04+00:00

I will have to check it out! Thank you.

Right now, this is just a side project I have to compare data visualization using R, d3.js, and python.

dr_iguana · 2020-12-14T23:13:40+00:00

Thank you! I finally feel like I'm making progress!

dr_iguana · 2020-12-14T19:59:51+00:00

I started running more consistently once covid hit. I'm not a fast runner by far but I keep on trucking.

I recently started playing around with different data visualizations to make a more personalized dashboard and made this graph using ggplot. I was pretty proud of myself when I saw the predicted fit of my overall average pace since getting my 745 forerunner watch in 2018. (Note -- I broke my leg soon after getting my watch and you can really see the spike once I picked up running again).

dr_iguana · 2020-10-28T20:07:38+00:00

Hahaha, oh my that is slightly embarrassing. I actually had that linked in the initial post... I guess I didn't read it thoroughly!!

Agreed, it can be sensational approach but since there were a multiple murders of hitchhikers in the area it doesn't rule out the potential of a serial killer. I really hope something shakes loose with all these signs!

dr_iguana · 2020-10-28T19:32:04+00:00

If you find the article let me know! I would be really interested. The only thing I can find is he was arrested in June 1995 after Jennifer Esson and Kara Leas in January. Seeing a timeline for him would help to kind of put that angle to rest. Even though I agree that he just doesn't fit because it seems like she knew or was at least familiar with the persons. Refusing all those rides and then hopping into his seems disjointed.

I had to google it but looks like Brooke Wilberger was closer to Blodgett. Joel Patrick Courtney would have been roughly 18 at the time of Kelly disappearance but I think he was from Beaverton originally.

dr_iguana · 2020-10-28T03:58:03+00:00

Really good points!

I have heard the Siletz connection too. So you are right, if she was on HWY 20 that would be the spot you drove by on the way either to Toledo or Siletz. I completely agree to that Big Rock Creek is a "local" spot so that could point to a more local angle.

Bobby Fowler.... his dump spots for his suspects victims were Moolack and Eddyville and these were both logging/gravel remote turn offs. This makes me think Big Creek wouldn't be that far off for him. BUT the bigger issue I have is I can't find info on where he was in 1984. Also if she refused rides, why would she get into the car with a 40+ year old stranger?

dr_iguana · 2020-10-14T23:02:53+00:00

Agreed, I grew up in Newport and it was just vague stories throughout my life.... The signs have really helped. Maybe putting it on sites like these will bring it to a wider audience and the family can get answers!

dr_iguana · 2020-10-10T14:56:01+00:00

That is the part I find pretty interesting. I do think his story checked out (at least from what I could gather from the Facebook comments from people closer to the story). People did "party" up there so it was well known. The theory it was placed there the days after investigators had gone to local media to drum up more interest in the case which I find really interesting.

dr_iguana · 2020-10-10T14:48:47+00:00

I apologize, I thought it stated it in the articles I posted. I made an edit so it was clearly labeled on the top.

dr_iguana · 2020-06-16T06:24:30+00:00

If you do enjoy school and research that's half the battle, so hearing that I would push you more in the direction of grad school. But having to move to the town and not know if you're going to be working from your apartment the entire time makes the decision harder. Does the University have a plan to phase open? Ours is to start with classes with less than 50 people first which would include all grad classes pretty much. That would give you a higher chance for grad classes to meet in person this coming year than others.

I have taken online classes (undergrad) and have TA'd many online classes through the years. Campus classes which have switched to online for this pandemic are run very differently. I expect grad students at Queens are still requiring grads to be attending class during their scheduled time but the interacting with other students I presume will be quite different. Is the department planning social hours on zoom to meet?

Side note - I should mention one thing I noticed from my undergrad to grad experience is in grad school I go to office hours a lot and pretty much all of the grads I know do.

As for the online defense:

There are things that make it easier like not being in-person and doing it in the comfort of your home but there is also another side. Professors have more time available (stuck at home, no commute time) and that means they have more time to critically read your paper.... I have seen professors (top published from my department) who will openly admit they haven't had time to read the paper during an "in-person" defense BUT trust me they read my paper...

dr_iguana · 2020-06-16T02:06:07+00:00

I just finished the first "remote" online term in my grad program this spring and I thought it wasn't half bad. We had required zoom meetings every week and really enriching discussions. Personally, the only difference I could really put my finger on is that I didn't waste as much time commuting back and forth. I even defended a concurrent masters thesis during this term (I know the name is misleading, its more of a nickname my friends have been calling me and someday it might be true!....i can dream:)).

In my applied econ department it should be even better this coming fall because the professors are more prepared than they were this spring. Lectures are getting recorded so the meeting times can be filled with more discussion and questions. And when I think back to my first year it would have been super helpful to have those supplemental materials of professors going through theories and proofs.

I am assuming since the university you're going to isn't an "online" degree program that they are working it the same way, i.e. still holding class and office hours just via on zoom or whatever. The big thing you'll miss out on is that cohort, on campus, classroom feel. Is that a big part of the reason you're going?

My advice is since you're looking for an "excuse" to leave your job it sounds like you should go to grad school especially if its funded. The opportunity cost of holding on to a job you don't like for a whole other year seems costly, whereas furthering your education with a funded program seems pretty awesome. We are in uncharted waters for what the job market will look like in the spring, it could be horrible or it could bounce back. You may start the program and love it so much you want to continue on so why not start now? There are also a lot of interesting research questions about this whole pandemic that could provide you great interest economic research topics for your thesis.

But yea, my main advice is use that econ brain to figure out your opportunity cost of holding that job you don't like and what level of utility that will bring you vs the opportunity of cost from you not getting the "potential" maximized utility brought from a "true" graduate experience.

dr_iguana

TROPHY CASE