(There are a lot of Ps in that title.)
This past week I’ve further thought about how to approach Project Pass Physics. For the first time in Clin Onc training, I’ve actually felt like I am falling behind. Like all things, my mind drifts back to the thought that ‘the marathon is life and life is a marathon.’ In my case, this past year, I’ve just not trained hard and well enough and have consequently dropped my pace. I could be a bit more unforgiving but I don’t think that will get me anywhere good. I also do not want to end up too complacent as that will also not get me anywhere good.
So I came up with a plan for Physics – revise like it is marathon training. So I came up with 16-week plan. This is another one of those ‘when worlds collide’ situation – doctor world collides with running world. It is a rare situation when I have realised that I have hit my limit or in marathon-speak, ‘I’ve hit the wall.’
There are a multitude of marathon training plans out there with several phases but the most common ones have a Base, Build, Peak, and Taper phase. The Asics app has Pre-Conditioning, Getting Faster, Getting Farther, Fine Tuning. It so happens that my Physics exams is 16 weeks out from now (11.02.2025). Perfect timing.
David also says…
Well you have to also keep up with the running.
I think he understands how I value running without really overstating it. So, I’ve planned to incorporate a modest 15 miles/week just so I don’t completely lose any ability. Variation could include 30 mins/day or 2 short runs during the week and 1 long run during the weekend. Additionally, it is getting cold in this part of the world.
Here’s what I’ve come up with without too much detail.
16-week Pass Physics Plan
Base (4 weeks) – Read a new Physics book. Khan’s Lectures is a level up from Physics for Clinical Oncology book which I’ve already read front to back. I got all lecture notes/presentations organised this week to match with the book chapters. And no matter how hard the end of chapter questions are, I will do them.
Build (4 weeks) – Seek out the Physics Team and gain more practical experience. Also set up a small group to do 10 questions 3x a week.
Peak (4 weeks) – Practice exams non-stop. Use Raphex.
Taper (4 weeks) – Find further knowledge gaps and focus on these.
Simple, right? Let’s see how it goes. And oh…do not take up any new projects AND do not sign up for any new races. Except that I already signed the whole family up for the Great South Run 2026. What… it was Early Bird Special. Facepalm.
Reach for the Seven Stars 