swbkrun Mentor Group II- CLOSED FOR BUSINESS!!! (Page 70)

Getting the VO2 done can definitely help in training.

Very simply put. It is basically a measurement of efficiently your body can use the oxygen you are taking in while riding or running. The body cells become "overloaded" with oxygen and are unable to efficiently use extra O2 you are taking in. When this occurs you will start expelling oxygen along with the CO2. That is your VO2 max level. Generally around 80% of PRE. When testing you are measuring the amount of CO2 expelled. Once you reach the point where your body cannot use the all oxygen you are taking in it will just expel the excess with each breath. At this point you will have to slow down as you are out of anaerobic fuel. The idea of increasing your VO2 level is so that you can go for longer periods at a higher rate of energy consumption. That is how top marathoners etc. operate at peak performance level for such long periods of time.

I haven't had this done and don't know what the cost is up here. Maybe I can get it done cheap through the university sports facility here. I would suggest checking your local universities if there are any close. You never know.

If any of you want to know how to get a decent read on your heart zones without this expense let me know.

Hey I never got my invite either. Dang mail. probably still on the dog sled on its way here

Suzy VO2 and lactate threshold are not exactly the same but are very closely related and botht related to endurance/speed training. They both deal with the efficient use of oxygen in the blood system. Lactate refers to the build up in your system to the point where an incomplete metabolism is not achievable and the lactate cannot be cleared through from your body faster than it is being produced. VO2 is the actual optimal use of oxygen and is not totally dependent on energy being used up or ... the highest rate of oxygen consumption attainable during maximal or exhaustive exercise. It is the point where you start exhaling oxygen because your body cannot process any more. Lactate threshold is the point during exercise of increasing intensity at which blood lactate begins to accumulate above resting levels, where lactate clearance is no longer able to keep up with lactate production.

I've had VO2 testing done at UT and UTSA and both cost about $150 from the University so it's not necessarily cheaper there but they do know what their doing.  You don't have to do it every couple of months.  Once a year is plenty.  You are all already in good shape.  Throughout the year you probably go from a 7 to 9 rather than 4 to 9 if you put a scale on your fitness level.

Hey Peeps!  I have been checked out for a while due to travel and life but hopefully can re-enage for a while.

I caught up on all of the posts and want to give a huge CONGRATS to everyone who raced in LV and to Glen and Julia on their races a few weeks ago.  Also to Sam and Tony for their race last weekend.

Winter cold has invaded NY and we might see some snow tonight.  We do a lot of skiing in the winter so I am not complaining about the snow...just the 18 deg. high temperatures and sub zero wind chills!

Hope eveyone is well.

Speaking for all the other big men in the world, I could NOT agree with John more!!!

I actually got a little bit of an endorphine rush after my short "run" this AM. I hope this is another step back to running without pain.

Doug