How much harder is this than regular running?

[ch2s]

For my firefighter running test, I need to do one of those things which I don't know how it's called in english but they play a tape with "beeps" every few seconds that get closer and closer togheter. At each beep you need to run from one set of cones to the other which are 20 meters appart so you need to stop and reverse direction each 20 meters. It starts at 8 km/h and increases by 0.5 km/h every minute. I need to run like this at least 9 minutes (up to 12.5 km/h).

How much harder is this than regular running and should I do anything other than regular/treadmill running to get ready for this?

On the application sheet they say the minimum I need is to run 3 km for 15 minutes which is 12 km/h, in the offical test it starts at 8 km/h and increases by 0.5 per minute and the minimum required is to do 9 minutes (up to 12.5 km/h). If it wasn't for the stopping and reversing every 20 meters it would be really easy, but I don't know how much harder it will be with the starting and stopping (last time I did that was in high school).

I'll try to find a school yard or something that's cleared of snow and measure 20 meters, I also managed to get an MP3 of the beeps although it's in spanish so I can try it with an mp3 player.

[Drekkor]

Oh hai!

[Drekkor]

Man, I'm on fire w/locking down your bull**** posts. Well, no, actually you should be the one on fire - dying in it (preferably in agony).

But seriously man, you are bat **** crazy - you know this right?

[mjw8204]

You sure like starting threads, don't you?

[Drekkor]

You sure like starting threads, don't you?

If he were following my instructional video this problem would be resolved already.

Time for Plan B.

[yazz30]

hhgghgghgghgfffggfgghhhgghhggg

[ch2s]

You sure like starting threads, don't you?

There's gonna be over 1500 applicants and they only take about 140, I need to make sure I'm gonna be in the top 140 and that's why I'm asking more questions recently, I really want to get in this year.

[Drekkor]

There's gonna be over 1500 applicants and they only take about 140, I need to make sure I'm gonna be in the top 140 and that's why I'm asking more questions recently, I really want to get in this year.

Are the other 1360 executed for their failure?

[yazz30]

Tk Da Guy Seriously His Career Is At Stake Hhhhhhh

[mjw8204]

If you are this concerned about your ability to pass the test, perhaps you are not qualified to be a firefighter. There is more to the profession than just passing a test. Why don't you spend more time preparing yourself so that you are able to perform all of the tasks without a shadow of a doubt, and apply next time.

Seems like that might be the responsible thing to do considering others' lives are at stake.

[yazz30]

If you are this concerned about your ability to pass the test, perhaps you are not qualified to be a firefighter. There is more to the profession than just passing a test. Why don't you spend more time preparing yourself so that you are able to perform all of the tasks without a shadow of a doubt, and apply next time.

Seems like that might be the responsible thing to do considering others' lives are at stake.

THAT

[ch2s]

If you are this concerned about your ability to pass the test, perhaps you are not qualified to be a firefighter. There is more to the profession than just passing a test. Why don't you spend more time preparing yourself so that you are able to perform all of the tasks without a shadow of a doubt, and apply next time.

Seems like that might be the responsible thing to do considering others' lives are at stake.

The only part I'm slightly concerned with is this 20 meter back and forth running as it's not something I've done recently (last time was in high school), I only do regular running and I'm still confident I'll make this part too, and I still have about 45 more days to improve. The 3 other physical tests I should get 100% on all 3, and will pass this back and forth running test but maybe just not with 100%, so it's practically impossible that I don't pass the physical tests, I'll be among the best.

[ch2s]

By the way, I'm aiming to get 120% in all tests (if that was possible), that's why I still want to improve even though I would currently pass all tests if they were tomorrow, but since less than 1 out of 10 are taken I'm aiming to get 120% in every test.

So my concern is not at all about my ability to pass, it's about my ability to be able to do 120% of what they require to get 100% on the tests.

[TRun18]

Why don't you get your ass in gear and train rather than making posts!

[TheRealCartman]

Find an indoor track or a snow cleared area and practice, get a friend with a whistle or use that MP3 you got and try it. That has to be best way to see how you respond to this.

[ch2s]

Why don't you get your ass in gear and train rather than making posts!

What do you think I've been doing every day these past few months?

[-Ironside-]

Heh, ooo fire fighter test..
I was testing for about a year and some change, started with 1800 applicants. Scored 98% on the written, best time on the fitness test, made it through everything with flying colors, had a hiccup in background but was a go, chief gave me a thumbs up and yay, last step was psyche.
I was one of 30 applicants with 34 opening, I got dropped because I admitted to being treated for PTSD while I served in the Army. She asked why and I told her that I had some issues dealing with the fact that I had to pick up body parts of my comrads, her response "So you couldn't handle it?" with a snotty attitude. Man she was a bitch, took everything in me not to kick her in the face, hindsight being 20/20 I probably would have if I could do it again.
Advice, if you make it to the end, lie your ass off to that psyche.
Beep test are pretty easy, unless your completely out of shape you should be fine.

[crupiea]

Its very hard because you need explosive acceleration like a football lineman would have.

They are called suicides.


They are vastly harder then running on the treadmill and you had beter be busting your ass in the gym training if you dont want to be embarrassed.

These are real firefighters we are talking about here, not some jerk off who thinks it would be cool to be one.

Train hard if you want to show up ready.

You are going to need o put in some serious training for this and I frankly dont think you are up to it.

I would love for you to prove me wrong.

[crupiea]

Heh, ooo fire fighter test..
I was testing for about a year and some change, started with 1800 applicants. Scored 98% on the written, best time on the fitness test, made it through everything with flying colors, had a hiccup in background but was a go, chief gave me a thumbs up and yay, last step was psyche.
I was one of 30 applicants with 34 opening, I got dropped because I admitted to being treated for PTSD while I served in the Army. SHE asked why and I told her that I had some issues dealing with the fact that I had to pick up body parts of my comrads, her response "So you couldn't handle it?" with a snotty attitude. Man she was a bitch, took everything in me not to kick her in the face, hindsight being 20/20 I probably would have if I could do it again.
Advice, if you make it to the end, lie your ass off to that psyche.
Beep test are pretty easy, unless your completely out of shape you should be fine.

I see the problem here, SHE.

[ch2s]

Its very hard because you need explosive acceleration like a football lineman would have.

They are called suicides.


They are vastly harder then running on the treadmill and you had beter be busting your ass in the gym training if you dont want to be embarrassed.

These are real firefighters we are talking about here, not some jerk off who thinks it would be cool to be one.

Train hard if you want to show up ready.

You are going to need o put in some serious training for this and I frankly dont think you are up to it.

I would love for you to prove me wrong.

They are not real firefighters, they are 1500 other people who simply want to be firefighters, this is a test to enter firefighter school, not to get the job, so no one in there is a firefighter.

That's why I said in my threadmill post that I will practice with it at an incline to simulate how much harder it will be. I will also find a snow cleared area to try and do the 20 meter back and forth run.

Why do you think I'm not up to it? Plus I still have 45 days to improve.

[ch2s]

I just looked up suicide running and that's not at all what they want us to do, from what I saw suicides are non stop sprints. What they want us to do is to start slowly (8 km/h) and increase by 0.5 km/h every minute, it is not non stop sprinting like suicides.

[crupiea]

Its nothing personal its just the nature of your threads sometimes leave us scratching our heads.

I'm not alone here in thinking this.

I want you to succeed at this. Thats why I want to to train your ass off so you get the position. The only thing keeping you from this is hard work and a solid plan.

You are going to have to train specifically for the events. That means you will need to do just like you said and find a clearing somewhere and do it. An indoor basketball court will work too.

You have the list of what is needed so just start training on those specific things and you will do good.

Best of luck.

[ch2s]

Thanks, and I just found the name(s) of it, it's a "beep/bleep test" or a "shuttle test", here's a vidfeo of exactly what they want me to do:

[EatSomeIron]

... google it?




Preparation – Warm Up properly

Many state that since the beep test starts with a very slow pace you do not need to make any warm up, I beg to differ. I believe a 5 minute warm up which include very light jogging and stretching will improve the beep test performance.

First few levels

The first few levels are going to be easy, you will be cruising at a mildly speed of 8.5km/h but be careful, one of the most common mistakes I see done during the initial part of the beep test is that the participants will be so eager to go that they will not pace themselves with the test. Most people will be sprinting the first few levels and will spend a couple of seconds waiting on the line for next beep. This will build up lactic acid (athlete’s term for the intensive pain at the end of exhausting exercises) in your body; this is not a good thing.

Turning

The turns play a huge part in the beep test. Remember that you will be turning every 20 meters so you should think on how you will be turning. The simplest best turn is the ‘netball’ turn, where you actually turn on the spot. Making short quick steps towards the line is important to keep the rhythm. Obviously the worst turn you can ever make is the circle turn where you take around 4 seconds to go around an imaginative round on the line.

Cooling down

The very vigorous level of activity built up as the test progresses to peak levels should be followed by cooling down once the test is completed. Gentle stretching of muscle groups (especially those most heavily exerted) together with relaxation will help to accommodate the physiological return of bodies to a normal state and avoid the risk of post activity collapse.
http://thebeeptest.com/beatingthebeeptest.html

[crupiea]

You should have no problem with that. Just keep your training up.

[ch2s]

So crupiea, when you said you didn't think I'd make it were you thinking it was something else?

I just found the mp3 in english and tried it on my treadmill, of course I cant change direction every 20 meters on it but to compensate I set the incline to 5%. I was able to make it to the begining of level 10 (I need to do at least 9 levels) but I did start decreasing the incline to 0 near the end.

Considering I still have 45 days until the test I think I can easily pass it especially since I can do a slightly similar test on my treadmill.

Does setting the incline higher simulate the added energy required to turn every 20 meters similarly? If anything it could be even harder as the added energy needed is constant and not just every 20 meters.

Thanks

[crupiea]

Yes.

I thought it was the suicide drill were you keep running and just do quick turn arounds. That would be very hard for anyone at top speeds, much less having to accelerate every time.

To train for this i would just leave the treadmill flat. Then do the starting speed for however many seconds, then bump it up like they would during the test. Just dont do the stopping and resting parts just go continuously.

When you get good at building up the speed the whole way without any rest then you will easily be able to pass the test.

The incline would add an extra element to it that the test doesnt require.

[Drekkor]

If you're gonna feed the trolls, feed em a properly balanced diet.